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Hospice of the Western Reserve helps veterans find peace at life’s end. Euclid residents will join Americans across the country to observe Veterans Day on November 11t, a special day to salute the men and women who have bravely served our country. These fellow Americans have made sacrifices in defense of freedom. Honoring our local veterans includes supporting them throughout their entire lives.

For some veterans, however, nearing the end of life can bring anguish over past war experiences. Did you know that Hospice of the Western Reserve, our community-based hospice headquartered right here in Collinwood, is one the nation’s largest nonprofit legacy providers of care? Or that the organization has made a special commitment to those who have served in the Armed Forces?   

Over the past two years, the agency has provided care to more than 3,200 veterans throughout Northeast Ohio, including many of our friends and neighbors in the community. Its Peaceful & Proud program provides training for clinical care teams, so they can address complex issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. Each Veterans Day, a special ceremony, complete with military Color Guard, music, refreshments and the individual "pinning" and recognition of each veteran who resides at David Simpson Hospice House and who wish to be honored, takes place.

The hospice also conducts many more such recognition ceremonies across Northeast Ohio each year, ranging from intimate gatherings involving a single hospice patient and family to large public events where a hundred or more veterans are honored. This year, more than 2,000 veterans will be honored and personally thanked in public recognition ceremonies by Hospice of the Western Reserve. Many more will be recognized privately, by the bedside.

“Northeast Ohio is home to a very large veteran population, and many vets are nearing the end of life. Some of the most important work we do is helping them find peace,” explained Bill Finn, chief executive officer. Finn said to help address these needs, volunteers who have served in the military are paired with veteran patients, providing the camaraderie of shared experiences. Counseling, storytelling, art and music therapy, and legacy work are just a few of the ways the community-based hospice helps veterans achieve the peace they seek at the end of life.

Hospice of the Western Reserve is also actively involved with We Honor Veterans, an innovative program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offered in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The hospice is among an elite group that has achieved a “partner level four” designation from the national program, given only to hospices demonstrating the highest level of commitment to veterans.

If you or a veteran you love would like more information about the services provided by Hospice of the Western Reserve, visit hospicewr.org, or call 800.707.8922.  And remember, this Veterans Day or any day at all... It's never too late to thank a veteran!

Thirteen years after the tragic events of September 11, 2001 the Euclid community gathered to honor the victims and heroes of that fateful day.  The City of Euclid held a ceremony at Hero Park on E. 228th Street, near Euclid Avenue to rededicate a plaque memorializing the heroes and victims aboard Flight 93.  Hero Park was dedicated in 2002 to honor those who died on that woeful September morning. 

CLEVELAND-- Students at Euclid High School are breaking new ground this coming school year as they embark on a more rigorous, collegiate curriculum.  In phase one of our partnership with Lake Erie College, this year’s participants have enrolled in dual-enrollment classes that will enable them to earn over 2,100 credit hours towards their college degree. These courses are also tied to the Transfer Articulation Agreement (TAG) courses offered within the Ohio public colleges and universities, thereby offering ease of transfer.  Course offerings include art, science, English, history, mathematics, theater, political science, and humanities. The partnership will be serving both students seeking advanced course work and students probing the possibility of higher education.

All classes are components of the Lake Erie College general education curriculum and will be contained within the walls of Euclid High School, taught by Euclid faculty. The partnership was designed to enhance the educational opportunities to Euclid students ranging from the elementary level to middle school and high school levels.  The partnership will be mutually beneficial to both institutions, as it will better serve our students, both currently while in high school and in the future as they enter higher education. It will also continue our commitment to producing college-ready young adults.

As the partnership evolves, it is anticipated the number of courses offered will increase, not only within the high school program, but in the community. In phase two, the partnership will provide opportunity for professional development for teachers interested in pursuing a master’s degree in education and continuing education and career development for the other community residents. Lake Erie College and Euclid City Schools are excited to be working together. Both view this collaboration as an example of how both K-12 and higher education can increase access to higher education and degree completion.

For more information contact Lake Erie College Director of Public Relations and Creative Services, Ruta Geiner 440.375.7224 or Euclid City Schools Marketing and Public Relations Specialist, Audrey Holtzman 216.797.2984. 

While the City of Euclid is close to beginning a huge infrastructure project designed to help it comply with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate, some are raising a red flag about the path chosen by the City’s Administration as being too narrowly focused.  The current approach calls for improvements totaling approximately $150 million.  In an effort to call attention to a pending decision about how the City of Euclid complies with the EPA mandate, Councilpersons Patrick McLaughlin and Daryl Langman hosted a presentation September 18 in Council chambers on an alternative approach to addressing the issue.

Funding for this project – likely one of if not the the largest infrastructure initiative in Euclid’s history – can be seen in Euclid homeowners’ water bills.  Over the past few years, homeowners’ bills have increased significantly – more than double - and will continue to do so to grow to pay for the project.

When asked why he is so concerned about the current approach to the issue, Councilman McLaughlin, an engineer by profession, commented “You’ll be seeing ever increasing rates over the next several years and into the future, but you won’t see any benefits above the ground.  Just a big tunnel.  No improved streets.  No neighborhood upgrades.   But most importantly, we lose the chance to potentially save money.”

The complex issue is coming to a head as Euclid attempts to meet requirements of a Consent Decree from the EPA.  In summary, the EPA is requiring cities with old sanitary and sewer infrastructure to upgrade their systems.  This requirement is part of an effort to clean up Lake Erie.  Currently during very heavy rains, the sewer systems become overloaded as rainwater mixes with water from sanitary drains which contain toilet and waste water.  This combined sewage is then released directly into Lake Erie.  The EPA reached an agreement with the Administration that Euclid will experience only four of these overflow occurrences a year requiring action on the part of the City.

Continued.

Good music, pleasant weather and a large crowd marked the City of Euclid’s final summer concert at Sims Park on Thursday, August 28th.  The evening featured original jazz pieces from the Ryann Anderson Trio and internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Luca Mundaca. 

The Summer at Sims Concert Series was created this year by the City of Euclid in partnership with the Beachland Ballroom.  The series offered a free concert on the last Thursday of each month from May through August. 

The Henn Mansion and the shores of Lake Erie provided a scenic backdrop for residents and visitors alike to enjoy an array of live music and good food from locally-owned food trucks. 

Beverages were available at a beer tent staffed by the Euclid Rising Professionals.  All proceeds from the sale of alcohol at the events went to support local non-profit organizations, including Euclid’s Polka Hall of Fame and PetFix of Northeast Ohio. 

According to Urban Planning and Design Manager Jim Sonnhalter, “Sims Park is the perfect venue for live music.”  Concertgoers can enjoy great sunsets and the new walking paths and fishing pier, which were constructed at the park last year.  The concert series has allowed the City to “really showcase our developing waterfront” added Sonnhalter. 

By all accounts, the Summer at Sims Concert Series was a resounding success.  A big “thank you” is extended to all of the city staff, residents, vendors and performers that made the 2014 concert series a great experience in Euclid. 

So many at Ss. Robert and William Catholic Church are thankful for the outpouring of support for the fourth annual International Family Festival, which was held August 14-17 at the church grounds on 260th street.

The planners who labored over every tiny detail, the cooks and bakers who poured over family recipes, the volunteers who sold tickets, the workers who served food and drinks, the behind-the-scenes people who made sure everything was safe, the vendors who hoped visitors would enjoy their products, the entertainers who practiced and delivered their best shows and all the people who helped clean it all up - everyone who made the Ss. Robert and William Family Festival what it was - we are thankful for you.

We are also thankful that the weather cooperated, that the plans and details all came together, and that the residents of Euclid and neighboring communities came together to enjoy a weekend of fun, food, family and friends. 

Thank you, we hope to see you next summer!

The Euclid Hunger Center (EHC) held its Third Annual Kick Off Summer Event in June raising over $5,000 for Center operating expenses. Many thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the perfect weather, good food, music provided by DJ Haz Matthews and line dancing led by Gigi!

The Center located in Room 17 of Shore Cultural Centre serves more than 650 households each month in a “choice pantry” format. This means that clients can choose the foods they prefer from designated food groups rather than receiving a pre-packaged bag. Clients may receive assistance once a month by providing proof of Euclid residency and proof of family size.

EHC is fortunate to have a part-time manager who works with dedicated group of volunteers to ensure the smooth process for the neighbors who come seeking food assistance. However, the Center needs a few more volunteers, especially someone who can lift up to 40 pounds, has a valid driver’s license and is available to do food pickups on Wednesday mornings beginning at 7:15 a.m. and finishing by 10:30 a.m. Similar volunteer opportunities are available on Tuesdays, but with more flexible hours.

The Center always needs monetary donations. While the food distributed to clients is provided through grants and local food drives, the operating costs for keeping the doors open exceed $40,000 per year. The Center must rely on the generosity of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” to help it remain a valuable resource to those in our community who find themselves in need.

Are you the volunteer we’re looking for? Please contact Grace Wright at euclidhungercenter@gmail.com or call (216) 731-3329.

Want to make a donation? You can do that online at www.euclidhungercenter.com or send a check payable to Euclid Hunger Center, P.O. Box 23446, Euclid, OH 44123. Thank you!

The Euclid Baseball Team delivered Head Coach Brian Leroy and his Staff, thier  second straight Lake Erie League Championship. Overall, they were 15-9 and 11-1 in the LEL. Seniors that will really be missed next Season are: Cam Fuller; Sean Ott; Keandre Tidmore; Sean Stanko; Kelly Picket; Jordan Wheeler; and Larry Hopgood.