SHORT TAKES: New pets and Christmas a bad mix

The Euclid Animal Shelter will continue to process pet adoptions through the Christmas holidays; however, no dogs or cats will be allowed to relocate to their new homes between Dec. 20 and the Christmas holidays.

“Because of the confusion and excitement of the holidays, it is not a good idea to give someone an animal as a surpris’ Christmas gift,” says Faye Miller, chairman of Euclid Pet Pals, the volunteer group that supports the local shelter, located at 25100 Lakeland Boulevard.

“It is not good to introduce an animal to a new environment, and have to potty train it during the excitement of the Christmas festivities,” she emphasizes. “The animals are often overwhelmed.”

Although families will be permitted to arrange adoptions after Dec. 20, they will have to wait until after Christmas to take their new pet home. “People should first come to the shelter and get acquainted with the animal in a neutral setting before taking it home,” Miller says.

At last report, the shelter had placed about a dozen kittens since introducing its “half-price sale.” However, a number of kittens and adult cats are still available for the reduced fee of $35.

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At the Pet Pals’ successful Clam Jam and Boo Bash fund-raiser in late October, Jeff Anliker was announced as the winner of the group’s Volunteer of the Year award. A key member of the shelter’s maintenance staff, Jeff has been helping with cleanup chores and other animal care duties for the past 10 years.

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Euclid Police Chief James Repicky also received special recognition recently. A Cleveland Plain Dealer report noted that Chief Repicky was one of several law enforcement officials honored for their work with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

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Speaking of the Men in Blue, how many old-timers remember who headed the Euclid Police force during the years 1932 to 1939? The answer is contained in one of the brochures that the Euclid Public Library has produced in conjunction with the celebration of the city’s bicentennial. The brochures recognize the contributions made by prominent Euclid citizens over the years.

Answer to the question above: Charles E. Fox, who was born in Austria in 1891 and emigrated to America around 1904, joined the Euclid Police force in 1927 and was appointed chief of police by Mayor Charles Ely in 1932. Fox was also a top-notch professional wrestler and in 1926 he was crowned light heavyweight champion of the world.

One of Fox’s grandsons, Jerry Shea, wrestled in high school for the St. Joe Vikings in the late 1950s. Another grandson, Bill Shea, became a state champion wrestler at Brush High School.

Others featured in the bicentennial brochures—available near the entrance to the library—include: polka musician Johnny Pecon; industrialist James F. Lincoln, a founder of Lincoln Electric Co.; inventor Charles F. Brush, who developed the electric arc lighting system; softball player Sam Nader, for whom a Memorial Park ball diamond is now named; and Geraldine DeVoe, a descendant of Euclid’s early settlers who led the campaign to convert the city’s first high school on North Street into the Euclid Historical Museum. DeVoe’s great-great-grandfather, John Crosier, fought as a minuteman in the Revolutionary War and moved to Euclid Township in 1816.

In many cases, one of the sources of information for the library’s brochures is John Williams’ book, “A History of the City of Euclid.” Williams currently serves as president of the Euclid Historical Society, which recently launched its second annual capital campaign to raise funds for expansion and improvement of the historical museum. For information about the campaign—or to become a member of the society—call Williams at (216) 289-8577.

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Volume 1, Issue 9, Posted 2:51 PM, 01.18.2011