2019 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Inductions

Photos/videos of the 2019 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Inductions

Gio Castiglione sang the national anthem

MC Chris Tanaka

CIHF Co-founder Dan Hanson

Cleveland Firefighters Honor Guard

Invocation with Sreedhara Sree, a Hindu priest at Shiva Vishnu Temple,

Attendees at the 2019 Induction Ceremony for the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Lots of great people at the 2019 Induction Ceremony for the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Check out the Cleveland International Hall of Fame Photo Page

Sree Sreenath PhD inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Photos and videos of Sree Sreenath PhD being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Sree Sreenath

Ramesh Shah of the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio
inducts Sree Sreenath PhD, into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Marilyn Madigan inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Photos and video of Marilyn Madigan being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Marilyn Madigan

John O’Brien Jr., publisher of Ohio Irish American News inducts 
Marilyn Madigan, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians national secretary,
into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Richard Fleischman inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Photos and videos of Richard Fleischman being inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Richard Fleischman

Hungarian community leader Ernie Mihaly inducts architect
Richard Fleischman into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Paul Burik inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Photos and video of Paul Burik being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Paul Burik

University Circle Incorporated CEO Chris Ronayne inducts 
Paul Burik into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Ingrida Bublys inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Photos and video of Ingrida Bublys being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame  

Ingrida Bublys

Alex Machaskee inducts Ingrida Bublys into the
Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Akram Boutros inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Photos and video of Akram Boutros being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame  

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish inducted Akram Boutros MD, 
into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. 

Polish Heritage in Slavic Village – Gene Bak and Tony Brancatelli

Cleveland Councilman Tony Brancatelli whose ward includes Slavic Village in Cleveland and Gene Bak, director of the John Paul II Polish American Cultural Center spoke about the significance of the Constitution of May 3rd and Polish history.  They also told of the importance of the new Polish Heritage Garden in the community.

More of the Polish Heritage Garden in Slavic Village

Polish Constitution Day Parade 2019 in Cleveland’s Slavic Village

MC Ray Vargas announced the groups marching in the 2019 Polish Constitution Day Parade as they approached the John Paul II Polish American Cultural Center in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood.

More from the Polish Constitution Day Parade 2019 in Cleveland’s Slavic Village 

Importance of Polish Constitution of May 3rd

Ray Vargas, chair of the 2019 Polish Constitution Day in Cleveland’s Slavic Village, explained the importance of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791 in front of a placard in the Polish Heritage Garden at the John Paul II Polish American Cultural Center.

More from the 2019 Polish Constitution Day in Cleveland’s Slavic Village

Youngsters working in Community Garden in Slavic Village

The future looks bright when you have young people like this doing volunteer work in their neighborhood. These two young people from Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood live on the street and were working hard on their community garden.

More from Slavic Village

Old Warsaw Polka Polish Dance by PIAST

PIAST, the Polish Artistic Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, performed at the 2019 Polish Constitution Day in Cleveland’s Slavic Village in the John Paul II Polish American Cultural Center in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood.

The grand finale was the Old Warsaw Polka Polish Dance.

More from the Polish Constitution Day event

Polish History in 27 placards in the Heritage Garden in Cleveland

Dan Hanson walked through the Polish Heritage Garden behind the John Paul II Polish American Cultural Center in the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland.

He enumerated the 27 different placards that depict Polish history throughout the ages including the Constitution of May 3, John Paul II, World War II, Copernicus, Chopin and others.

Interested people and students should visit the beautiful garden to see the highlights of centuries of Polish history.

Watch the short video below

See more of the Polish in Cleveland

Lebanese Cultural Garden Groundbreaking

Phase 1 of the plans to create a Lebanese Cultural Garden, part of the chain of Cleveland Cultural Gardens, took place on Saturday May 4, 2019 with a ceremonial groundbreaking event.

Lebanese Cultural Garden

Pierre Bejjani, Chairman of the American Lebanese Community Council told the story of how Lebanese Cultural Garden, part of the chain of Cleveland Cultural Gardens, came about. He said "The dream has become a reality."

See more photos and videos from the Lebanese Cultural Garden

The next generation

First annual Global Cleveland Sister Cities Conference

Cleveland is a sister city with over 20 other cities from around the world. Global Cleveland worked with other organizations to promote and enhance these relationships with the first annual Sister Cities Conference held at the Cleveland Public Library.

David Fleshler, Felton Thomas, Sherrie Miday,
Valarie McCall, Hiro Fujita and Joe Cimperman 

Flags of the world

Turkish group spell out that Turkey is cool

Delegation from Volgograd Russia

See more photos and videos from the Sister Cities kickoff event

Cleveland American Middle East Organization 49th anniversary

Cleveland American Middle East Organization 49th anniversary

The Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian political action organization established in 1970. They celebrated their 49th anniversary at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center.

CAMEO honored Dr. Nizar Zein, Mr. Husein Rabah and Mediterranean Market at the event.

Photos and videos of the CAMEO event

Husein Rabah and family members

Dr. Nizar Zein and family members

CAMEO President Pierre Bejjani

Interfaith Prayer Service for the Victims of the Sri Lanka Bombings

Interfaith Prayer Service for the Victims of the Sri Lanka Bombings

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will host a memorial prayer service led by the Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez, bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, to remember all victims, deceased and living, of the Sri Lanka bombings on Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 pm. This service is open to all people and religions throughout Northeast Ohio. Parking is available at the Cathedral Square parking garage and surface parking lot just east of the parking garage.



The service of prayer and reflection will include the Sri Lankan Choir of Greater Cleveland.More details

More details

177th Cleveland St Patrick's Day Parade - Cosgrove Steps

The 2019 St Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland was the 177th.

Honorees and dignitaries gathered on the steps of the Cosgrove Center including Grand Marshall Bill Homan, Mother of the Year Eileen Kilroy, Inside Co-Chair Patti Maher Hanrahan and Outside Co-Chair Sr. Corita Ambro. Mayor Frank Jackson, County Executive Armond Budish and Councilman Blaine Griffin were also there.

Katie Cooper led the Irish anthem in Gaelic and then the US anthem. Bishop Nelson Perez gave an invocation and the parade was dedicated to the late Bill Carney whose family was on the steps.

Then Grand Marshall Bill Homan blew the whistle to begin the Parade.

See more St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sam Miller RIP

Cleveland and the world have lost a great friend.

Sam Miller’s parents were poor Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. Their name was changed at Ellis Island. He became a great philanthropist helping Jewish, Catholic and other causes.

Sam Miller, Forest City co-chair emeritus, died March 7, 2019 at age 97. He will be missed greatly.

Sam Miller was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Wednesday May 8, 2013.

Photos and video of Sam Miller in the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

5th annual Russian Maslenitsa celebration

The Cleveland Russian Cultural Garden hosted its 5th annual Maslenitsa celebration at the Rockefeller Greenhouse.

Maslenitsa has its origins in both pagan and Christian traditions. In Slavic mythology, Maslenitsa is a celebration of the imminent end of the winter. It has been compared to Mardi Gras or Carnival.
The event was also a fund-raiser put on by the Russian Cultural Garden committee. The Russian Cultural Gardens is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting the Russian Heritage and Russian cultural influence in America. The Russian Cultural Garden has a prominent goal of building the Russian Cultural Garden as a part of the Cultural Gardens of Cleveland in the Rockefeller Park.

The event was full of music, games, shopping, auction and Russian food and drink.

Photos and videos of 2019 Russian Maslenitsa in Cleveland

Slovenian Kurentovanje Parade in Cleveland

The 7th annual Cleveland version of the most popular carnival in Slovenia - Kurentovanje - was a week long event featuring dinners, a dance party, bocce tournament and more. But the highlight was the annual Kurentovanje parade followed by the festival celebration in the Slovenian National Home.


See photos and videos of the Kurentovanje Parade

Here is a video of highlights of the 2019 Slovenian Kurentovanje Parade in Cleveland.

Nan Quan (Southern Fist) Martial Arts demo at Chinese New Year

RJ Davis from Ohio Wushu Academy performed a Nan Quan (Southern Fist) martial arts demonstration to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Martial Arts Weapon demo at Chinese New Year Event

Students from the Great Wall Enrichment Center performed a martial arts demonstration featuring a 9 section whip chain weapon to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Mayila from Northern China performed at New Year event

A student of the Westlake Reserve Academy performed a song from the Northern part of China called Mayila to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Mixture of Kung Fu and Dance for Chinese New Year

A student of the Westlake Reserve Academy performed Kung Fu Beats, a mixture of Kung Fu and dance to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Shunqin Li sings for Chinese New Year at Cleveland State

Confucius Institute Visiting Professor Shunqin Li sang this song to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Elementary school girls perform for Chinese New Year

Shuzi Li and Xinhang Chang performed to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Jazz inspired Chinese dance by Sabrina Chung

Sabrina Chung of the Great Wall Enrichment Center performed a jazz inspired dance called No Excuse to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Chinese Cross Talk by Ben Lyons and Alex Meyer

I have no idea what they are saying but the audience loved it.  Ben Lyons and Alex Meyer performed a comedy routine called Cross Talk in Mandarin to celebrate the New Year.

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

A Million Dreams by Jeremy Hammel

Young Jeremy Hammel performed A Million Dreams to celebrate the New Year

More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Connor O’Brien – The Moon represents my Heart

Connor O’Brien of the Cleveland Pops performed The Moon represents my Heart to celebrate the New Year. He pulled a "volunteer" from the audience.


More from the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration

Chinese Tongue Twister by Vivian Kellicker

Vivian Kellicker, from the Cleveland State University Department of Mechanical Engineering performed Tongue Twister in Mandarin to celebrate the New Year. This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

More from the Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration. 


Like Alex, I have no idea what she said.  But very cool.

Shepherd Song by Westlake Chinese Cultural Association students

Students from the Westlake Chinese Cultural Association performed Shepherd Song on guitar and piano to celebrate the New Year. This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

More from Chinese New Year

Yun Yan Cheng Yu by Western Reserve Academy students

Students from the Western Reserve Academy performed Yun Yan Cheng Yu to celebrate the New Year. This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.


More Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration 

Chinese New Year dance by Great Wall Enrichment Center students

Students from the Great Wall Enrichment Center performed an original Chinese dance to celebrate the New Year. This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

More from Chinese New Year 2019

Chinese Martial Arts performance by Campus International students

Students from the Campus International School performed a Chinese martial arts performance at the Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.


More from Chinese New Year at Cleveland State

Chinese New Year introduction - Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University

The four masters of ceremonies welcomed the crowd to the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration. They thanked the sponsors and explained the program.


See more from Chinese New Year at CSU

Traditional Chinese Peacock Dance

A traditional Chinese Peacock Dance was performed by students of the Great Wall Enrichment Center. This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

More Chinese New Year performances 

Traditional Chinese Tai Chi Demonstration

A traditional Chinese Tai Chi demonstration was performed by members of the Westlake Chinese Cultural Association.

 This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

More Chinese New Year acts

Chinese Green Flower Porcelain Dance at Chinese New Year event

A Chinese Green Flower Porcelain Dance also known as Blue and White Porcelain
Dance was performed by members of the Westlake Chinese Cultural Association.

As the stage was set up The MCs told about educational programs of the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University.

This was at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

See more of the Chinese New Year event

Blossoming of Flowers Dance by Nritya Gitanjali students

Blossoming of Flowers Dance by students of the Nritya Gitanjali School of Dance and Music at the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University 2019 Chinese New Year celebration.

See more at http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/asian-indians/asian-indians.htm

Boarding on Flight 2019 has been announced

Boarding on Flight 2019 has been announced.

We hope you have checked in only the best souvenirs from 2018 in your luggage. The BAD and SAD moments if carried, must be thrown away in the garbage bins on arrival.

The flight will be 12 months long. So, loosen your seat belts, jingle and mingle. The stop-overs will be: Health, Love, Joy, Harmony, Well-being and Peace. Refueling will be at Giving, Sharing and Caring.

The following menu is offered and will be served during the flight: Cocktail of Friendship, Supreme of Health, Gratin of Prosperity, Bowl of Excellent News, Salad of Success, Cake of Happiness - All accompanied by bursts of laughter.

But remember, you will enjoy these meals and the journey better if you talk, share, smile and laugh together. Sitting silent will make the flight seem longer. 

Wishing you and your family an enjoyable trip on board flight 2019.

Happy New Year!

RIP Don Webster

Beloved TV weatherman and Upbeat TV show host Don Webster passed away Thursday December 13, 2018. He was 79 years old.

Debbie Hanson sat down with Don in 2007 and wrote a profile of Don Webster's life for ClevelandSeniors.com

Lots of photos of Don Webster with celebrities

Don Webster and the Beatles

Don Webster with Davey Jones and Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees

Don Webster with "Little" Stevie Wonder

GE Nela Park 2018 Holiday Light Display

Nela Park is the
world headquarters for General Electric's Lighting Division—one of the
company's seven divisions. Nela Park was established in 1911 when General
Electric bought an abandoned vineyard seven miles from Cleveland in what was
then the rural countryside. Nela Park was designated a National Historic Place
in 1975. This is the 94^th year that they have put on an amazing
holiday lighting display. This is a video walk from the south part of the
display down Noble Road to the end. http://cleveland101.com/cleveland-101-business-science-and-tech/ge-nela-park/

1000 years of Polish History

The new Polish Heritage Garden is behind the Polish American Cultural Center. It features a circular grassy area and along the walkway there are 27 placards telling the story of Polish history.

Photos of all 27 placards on Polish History

Here are a few samples.

Dedication of the Polish Heritage Garden

The Grand Dedication of the highly anticipated, new Polish Heritage Garden at the Polish American Cultural Center at 6501 Lansing Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio in Slavic Village took place on November 11, 2018.

This beautiful gated outdoor garden will present Poland's history century by century with permanent comprehensive placards situated along a circular brick walkway. This special garden is designed for future educational and celebratory events for all Cleveland Polonia and their guests to enjoy.

Photos and videos of the Polish Heritage Garden dedication

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Cleveland

The city of Cleveland celebrated Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a vibrant cultural celebration for the whole family around 62nd and Detroit.
The annual “Day of the Dead” honors the memory of those who have passed and is a treasured holiday in Mexico and throughout Latin America. Activities included indoor and outdoor altar and art installations, Latin food, live music, performances, and a colorful “Skulls & Skeletons” procession.

See more of the 2018 Day of the Dead in Cleveland