Louie rolled through our neighborhood greeting everyone, taking time to talk, sharing a story, making us smile, just chatting and being neighborly. Words were Louie's forte; he always had the buzz, who was doing what or had done what, what happened where, when, and who was involved. Not gossip, just neighborhood news. He knew it all and we all knew Louie.

Without knowing it, Louie connected us.

This column exists in an attempt to continue that connection. A place for neighborhood news: who is graduating, getting married, having a garage sale, could use some help with a household job, garden job, babysitting, pet-sitting, or maybe some help with their computers.

Send your information to Paul for posting or cj for wordsmithing. (bottcj@aol.com)
 

December 7, 2019 - Larry Smith photographer

Click here to view the photos from the Holiday Party 2019

July 4 2019 - Larry Smith photographer

Record turn out for the July 4th celebration at Sherbrook Lake. As usual, the Shaughnessy's out-did themselves with their 'portable' barbecue cooking up over 125 burger, 100 hot dogs and sweet corn for the lunch and nearly broke the rotisserie with the evening portions of beef! As usual, rain came but once again, the Sherbrook pavilion saved the day and many stayed until dark.

Click here to view the photos from the 4th of July Picnic 2019

Sherbrook Beach and Pavillion May 2019

Holiday Party 2018 - Larry Smith photographer

Click here to view the photos from the Holiday Party 2018

4th of July 2018 - Tony Pizzino photographer

Click here to view the photos from the 4th of July Picnic 2018

Holiday Party 2017- Larry Smith photographer

Click here to view the photos from the Holiday Party 2017

August 25, 2017

^{RICHARD DAVID MESSERMAN}

was born on April 20, 1946, with a passion for life that stayed with him until he was overcome by cancer on August 16, 2017.  The fifth of  the late Sam and Frieda Messerman’s  6 children, Richard’s passions carried him through  college and law school at Ohio State University, admission to the practice of law in Ohio and Florida,  years of  trial experience as a Dade County Assistant Public Defender immediately out of law school,  and subsequent return to Ohio to establish his own practice. For 36 years, his beloved wife, Denise (Levandosky)  Messerman,  shared with him his love for sailing, and for saving, training and raising dogs. Denise and he were members of the Edgewater Yacht Club for that entire period. As a  sailor/racer, he was awarded numerous honors including Lake Erie Sailor of the Year and Fleet Champion. In his practice, specializing in Domestic Relations work, Richard was recognized as a distinguished  member of the Bar.  He attributed much of his success to Susan Barberic, the woman who served  as his administrative assistant  for 38 years.  In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by his sister, Sandra Weiss, his brothers,  Gerald and Dr. Terrence Messerman, his brother-in law  Dr. Leonard Weiss, his sisters-in-law, Gale and Lynda Messerman, and ten nieces and nephews . Richard’s brother, Jeffrey , died on April 3, 2010.

A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held on Monday, August 28, at 2:00PM at Edgewater Yacht Club, 6700 Memorial Shoreway, N.W., Cleveland, Ohio.  Donations in Richard’s memory may be made to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, or to the animal/rescue shelter of your choice.

Click here for the Committee Against Rezoning Solon presentation

Holiday Party 2016 - Larry Smith photographer

Click here to view the photos from the Holiday Party 2016

Vintage Sherbrook

Rib Burn Off July 2016 - Dan Dingfelder photographer

Click here to view the photos from the Rib Burnoff 2016

Pictures from 4th of July 2016

Joseph Feng played at Carnegie Hall!

Joseph Feng, son of Grace Jin and John Feng, placed third in the American Fine Arts Festival’s 2016 Golden Era of Romantic Music International Competition. To apply Joseph submitted a video of himself playing "Après un rêve" by composer Fauré on his cello. He was invited to play at the Weill Recital Hall at the Carnegie on the fourteenth of May. His current cello teacher is Mr. Jerry Yarovich at the Solon Art center. Grace, John, and sister Jasmine proudly watched from the audience.
 
Jasmine has also had some recognition. She will attend the University of Richmond where she received a Presidential Scholarship to study in the College of Art and Science, the pre-med track.
 
Grace’s parents' Cuibao (mom) and Shanqun Jin (Dad) are visiting from Beijing until September and will leave after sending their granddaughter off to college. If you see them walking around the neighborhood be sure to say hello in their native tongue, “Ni-Hao” (Pinyin) (sounds like ‘knee-how, accent on the first syllable) while bowing your head slightly. You will get some wonderful smiles.
 
 

Pictures from 4th of July 2015 - Larry Smith photographer

Click here to view the photos from the 4th of July 2015

The Hartsfield boys get ready for the 4th of July parade 2014

Pictures from Lake Clean Up Day 2014 - Larry Smith photographer

Click here to view the photos from the Lake Cleanup Day 2014

Here is a link to some wonderful photos of ice skating on our lake taken by Don Gallo
Winter in Sherbrook

May 13, 2013

SUSAN WAGNER (nee Hogan), beloved wife of Lorry Yale Wagner. Loving mother of Tristan and Killian. Cherished daughter of Mary Jo and the late John Hogan. Dear sister of Pat (Larry) Gottschalk, Sandy Hogan and Kathy Hogan. Adored aunt of Shannon, Tammy, Rhonda, Christie and Jon. Services will be held Tuesday, May 14 at 2 P.M. at the BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1985 S. TAYLOR RD., CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park. Family will receive friends at the residence 34560 Sherbrook Park Dr., Solon, OH, THROUGH FRIDAY AT 12 NOON. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute to the American Cancer Society or The City Mission.

May 5, 2013

The obituary from Sunday's paper of a long time Sherbrook neighbor. MIGNOGNA ROBERT VINCENT MIGNOGNA, February 5, 1925 - May 3, 2013. Navy Veteran WWII. Beloved husband of Jean Ann (nee Dulka); loving father of Janet, Stephen (Christine), Susan (Chuck) Menge, Daniel (Diane), Nancy (Gregory) Trocine and Tom (Jenica); cherished grandfather of Allison, Brian, Jackie, Michael, Danny Boy, Megan, Sarah, Susan, Christopher, Maxwell, Robert and Phoebe; dear brother of Fred (Olga), Daniel (Margaret), George (Patricia), Evelyn (Warren) Hassler and Florence (Scott) Dyer. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, May 9, 10 a.m. at St. Rita Church, 32820 Baldwin Rd., Solon. Interment Roselawn Cemetery. Family will visit with friends at STEINBAUER FUNERAL HOME, 33375 BAINBRIDGE RD., SOLON FROM 3-7 P.M. WEDNESDAY.

December 30, 2012

ROBERT R. SIMENS, of Solon. April 16, 1928 - December 28, 2012. Army Veteran Korean War. Builder, entrepreneur, and inventor. Beloved husband of Gloria J. (nee Dombrosky); loving father of Laura (Mark) Fasano, Michael (Cynthia) Simens, Linda (Richard) Smith, Mark (Michael Immerman) Simens, and the late Robert Gerard and Robert Jude; proud grandfather of Jason (Rachel) Smith, Natalie Fasano, Michael Fasano, Jaclyn Smith, Matthew Fasano, Julia Fasano, Madeline Simens, and Ellen Simens; Devoted son of Dorothy (Jaksic) and Albert E. Simens; brother of the late Dorothy King and Albert E. Simens Jr. Founded Robert R. Simens Construction Company. Designed and built Fell Lake Park, the largest in-ground swimming pool in the World, in 1964. Founded Mr. Chicken Inc. and was holder of numerous innovative building patents and designs. Devoted husband of 57 years; loving father and grandfather; and loyal, stalwart, generous friend and confidant to all he knew. Mass of Catholic burial Thursday, January 3, 10 a.m., at St. Rita's Church, 32820 Baldwin Rd., Solon. Interment All Souls Cemetery. Family will visit with friends at STEINBAUER FUNERAL HOME, 33375 BAINBRIDGE RD., SOLON, FROM 2 - 4 AND 6 - 8 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013. Memorials may be made to: F.B.O. Logan C. Thomas Special Needs Trust c/o Mr. Chicken, P.O. Box 23051, Euclid OH 44123 or Wounded Warrior Project.

This is a story for anyone who has ever felt like a misfit in the world. It is the story of one mother's sacrificial love and another woman's failure to love unconditionally. It explores the themes of family versus biology, the damage of estrangement, and ultimately, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Information and links to purchase can be found on her blog at http://thedesirepath.blogspot.com.

July 11, 2011 -- I had a busy morning walk today.

Up the Sherbrook hill and onto Lake, I then saw people at the Shabazz residence. I had made friends with Jasmine while she waited for the school bus. Mr. Shabazz said the family was doing as well as they could, Jasmine is having a hard time as they all are. I mentioned that Sam Glick was trying to get in touch with his son and asked if those who want to could reach them could through postal service? He said yes as his wife picks up the mail from the mailbox. I think I will just put a card in the box on my next walk-by. I gave him a hug and we exchanged God blesses.

As I continued on my walk, I stopped to see Bo White, MaryEllen and Brad's very lonely dog. In case you haven't heard, MaryEllen is in rehab for knee surgery (I think, I might have the wrong joint), probably injured when she was a showgirl and dancer in Las Vegas, where she met her husband Bob, a bandleader.

Then I passed Evelyn Marush's home. The good news is that she has seen a doctor and starting to make progress since her fall. Vyera Ricov has been caring for her and walking Evelyn's pup. If you have any extra flowers in your garden, a few blossoms would certainly brighten both women's day.

Coming around Lake and onto Sherbrook, I met Helen Novak. Her stitches from her wrist surgery came out yesterday, and she is please with the range of movement. Her husband, Ken could use some supportive thoughts.

I know there are others in our neighborhood that could use some attention from the rest of us. If you know someone who could use an extra smile, post a note here.

The Shabazz house on the corner of Ledgebrook and Lakeview burned to the ground this morning. No one was home at the time. Apparently the fire started in the basement around midnight and pretty much destroyed the interior of the house by the time it was extinguished by 3:30 this morning. But the debris inside was too cluttered and hot at that time, and so the fire department was unable to check through it thoroughly. The fire re-ignited around 7 a.m. with heavy smoke and then flames that were too fierce to put out, even with 1,000 gallons of water per minute being hosed on it. Right now it's just a smoking shell. Our deepest regrets go to all the Shabazz family members.

Photos by Don Gallo