Home Care In Bay Village, OH

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio -- Though it is only August, Election Day will be here sooner than we think. Following are the candidates on the Nov. 7 ballot from the cities of Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake.

Rocky River

Mayor Pam Bobst and Law Director Michael O’Shea are running unopposed for re-election.

Four candidates are running for City Council-at-large. Voters will choose no more than three from Christina Morris, David Furry, Brian Sindelar (all incumbents) and challenger Andrew Vitaliti.

For Ward 1 City Council, Lisa Havemann is running against incumbent Thomas Hunt.

Michael O’Boyle is challenging incumbent James Moran in Ward 2.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Jeanne Gallagher is running unopposed.

And in Ward 4, Paul Shipp is running against incumbent John Shepherd.

Three candidates are running for Rocky River Municipal Court judge: Joseph Burke, Thomas Kelly and Karen Kelly Kraus. Judge Brian F. Hagan is not running for re-election.

As for the Board of Education, residents will be voting for not more than two candidates out of the four running. They include incumbent Addie Olander and challengers Kelly Rucker Frindt, Claire Hollywood and Maggie Nash.

Bay Village

City Council President Dwight Clark is running unopposed.

In Ward 1, incumbent David L. Tadych is opposed by Dave Long.

Incumbent Ward 2 Councilwoman Lydia DeGeorge and incumbent Ward 3 Councilman Michael Greco are both running unopposed.

Peter J. Winzig has left the Ward 4 seat to run for council-at-large, the seat being vacated by Thomas Kelly because of his run for judge of Rocky River Municipal Court. Two newcomers are running for the Ward 4 seat: Daniel Rettig and David Florez.

For the Board of Education, residents will vote for not more than two candidates out of the four on the ballot. They include newcomers Deborah Callihan, James Goodman, Gayatry Jacob-Mosier and Patrick Mosier.

Westlake

There are only three candidates running for the three open seats on the Board of Education. They include incumbents Liz Pirnat and Joe Kraft and newcomer Brad Lamb.

Read more from the West Shore Sun.

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Commencement marks a bittersweet occasion for the Whitaker family, as one leaves high school with a diploma and the other with decades of memories and service.

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BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — The Bay High School health clinic is a refuge in adolescent storms. The door always open for sore throats, upset stomachs and even aching hearts. Inside: 84-year-old school nurse Betty Whitaker, ready to help or simply lend an ear.

"Sometimes what they say is not what they need to say. And if you listen hard enough and talk to them, sometimes you can really get down to what's the problem," she said.

Betty has been "treating problems" since 1963, the year she became a nurse and wife.

"I graduated on Sunday and got married the next Saturday," she said.

Whitaker worked in a hospital first until she felt a shift. Her calling, not in surgery, but with children who sometimes needed more than a bandage or ice pack. "You get to touch their lives. Sometimes they just need somebody to say "You're okay," Betty said.

Working as a school nurse also allowed Betty to follow family, often working in the same building as her children and grandchildren.

"Most kids don't get to see their Grandma every day. It's fun."

Credit: The Whitaker Family

Betty and Casey.

Casey and Betty.

Their school days intertwined.

"One of the coolest things to see is watching Casey help his grandma into the school, making sure she gets up the sidewalk without any issues. He stops in to see her throughout the day. It's just a a really special bond the two of them have," said Bay High School Principal Jason Martin.

"To be honest, I don't even know where my locker is," said Casey who leaves books in the clinic, giving him an excuse to check-in with his grandmother. She'll often have a stash of Cheez-Its ready for him. "On Friday he gets chocolates for being so good all week," Betty said.

Casey's experience is also shared by older brother Trevor. Grandma Betty served as a substitute nurse at St. Edward High School when he went through.

"And then she was like, "Oh, wait a minute! I have another grandchild. I think I want to try to substitute if I can." So she put in lots of good words saying "please get me into Bay." And she was there, middle school, and then high school for the last four years, she's pretty much been there," said Betty's son and Casey and Trevor's father, Michael Whitaker.

Betty has worked for a service that contracts with schools, helping them fill open school nurse positions. The timing worked out that a permanent replacement will start at Bay H.S. next school year, allowing her to move on, with Casey.

Credit: The Whitaker Family

She does so after being there for the district during uncharted times. Her calm demeanor comforting during those anxious months during the pandemic.

"It's very unique that Betty, what all she's seen in her 40 years of being a nurse. It's amazing. But especially she's been in Bay schools during the whole pandemic, so she has seen a lot and helped the district a lot," said Valerie Ambrose, District Nurse for Bay Schools.

"She was brought on not just to be a school nurse, but to also help with the coordination of the whole Bay system. She was involved in all that. She needs a sense of purpose in her life, and it, it was there and she was one of the first providers to help people, as she could," said son Michael.

Betty also served as caregiver for husband Ralph, an Army veteran and vice president of Litton Marine and American Shipbuilding. Married for 60 years, Ralph passed away in the summer of 2021.

"I thank God for them each and every day. They were quite the team. Raised their kids in a good faith model. I couldn't have asked for better parents, " Michael said.

Credit: The Whitaker Family

Out of all her years, this one has been the sweetest, Nurse Betty told us. Grandson Casey is graduating. And in a way, Betty is too.

"I've been here so many years, but I would miss him very much," she said.

Their cherished time together, is not wasted on a young man with his whole life to live.

"I'll just remember how happy I was to see her every single time. It's amazing because most kids don't get to experience this," Casey said.

So just as they came in together the past four years, grandson and grandmother depart together. An ending they wouldn't have any other way.

"This is the best year I've had in all these years," said Betty.

If you think Betty is ready to retire completely, you'd be wrong. She hopes to take on new work that allows her to continue working with children.

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- In a notable acknowledgment of their dedication to preserving local history, the Bay Village Historical Society has been named a recipient of the 2023 Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) Achievement Award.

The recognition celebrates the society’s efforts to conserve and provide better access to the portraits and photographs of early settlers housed in its Rose Hill Museum.

OHRAB is the authority for historical records planning in Ohio, according to the Bay Village Historical Society.

According to the OHRAB website, “It is comprised of members from Ohio’s public and private archives, records offices and research institutions, and the board plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the state’s historical legacies.”

According to the historical society, “In 2019, the Bay Village Historical Society began a project to conserve and increase access to the portraits and photographs in Rose Hill Museum. These portraits are vital to the Bay Village Historical Society.”

Treasurer Eric Eakin said: “Our historical society president, Cathy Flament, deserves most of the credit for this award. She works tirelessly at the museum, working to preserve, catalog and display our collection of artifacts.

“When we learned that the Ohio Historical Advisory Board selected our photo conservation project for this award, we were both pleased and honored. All the work that Cathy has put into this endeavor should not go unrecognized, and this honor is an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by Cathy and her team of volunteers.”

Added Flament: “These are invaluable portraits from our early families. The prints were deteriorating, and the originals have now been stabilized to avoid further damage.

“Being recognized for our efforts is a great honor that we hope will encourage others to attempt similar projects.

“The official presentation (of the award) is planned to be at a Bay Village City Council meeting in the spring when we re-open. This will allow visitors to view the gallery in person. It is also available on our website at Portraits.

“According to the legal will donating the land and home to the Bay Village Historical Society, the portraits of the descendants of the Cahoon family, the first settlers of Bay Village, and the portraits of other early settler families must be displayed.”

To make sure everyone has access to the historical portraits, the Bay Village Historical Society created an index to the portrait gallery, including biographical information about the individuals. A copy of the index is available for visitors to Rose Hill Museum.

Read more from the West Shore Sun.

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In the heart of Bay Village, Ohio, Matt Spellman, the esteemed Athletics & Activities Director for Bay Village Schools, has once again solidified his mark as a leader in the field. A recent recipient of the Athletic Director of the Year award, Spellman stood out among a pool of talent, earning this prestigious honor as one of only 12 individuals across the state to be recognized for his exceptional contributions.

“It was quite a surprise and honor to receive the award on Nov. 13 in Columbus, Ohio,” Spellman remarked, reflecting on the momentous occasion. Attending the ceremony hosted by the Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA), he expressed gratitude for an organization he’s been an active member of for 14 years.

Spellman highlighted the OIAAA’s significance, emphasizing its role in professional development and networking for athletic directors statewide. “They do a lot of professional development and it’s also a great organization to network with other athletic directors in Ohio and very good at supporting athletic directors,” he stated.

The association’s electronic toolbox, where members can contribute and access innovative ideas, particularly resonated with Spellman. “People who do great things should share with others to allow them to do great things too,” he asserted, underscoring the collaborative ethos of the organization.

Moreover, Spellman praised the OIAAA’s support network, emphasizing its value in navigating challenging scenarios. “It’s a well-run professional organization with top-notch leadership,” he commended, acknowledging the pivotal role of the board members in providing unwavering support.

The journey to this accolade began with Spellman’s notification in early fall, receiving an email about the impending honor at the annual conference in Columbus. “With over 600 high schools in Ohio, I was fortunate to be one of the 12 directors to be selected,” he humbly stated.

This recognition adds to Spellman’s already impressive collection of awards, including the Northeast Ohio Athletic Director of the Year in the previous spring and the 2017 Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association award for sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.

Spellman noted, “I do appreciate that my fellow athletic directors acknowledge the great work that is being done in Bay Athletics. But this award is more about the student athletes and families that I serve and the coaches I work for every day. The athletes and coaches work hard every day. They strive to be the best at their sport and represent their sport, school, and community in a positive manner. These things help make my job more meaningful and make me proud to lead the Bay Athletic Department. Lastly, my success over the past 12 years while working at Bay would not have been possible without the love and support from my wife, Heather, and my four kids, Brendan, Connor, Nova, and Anna.”

The OIAAA, a cornerstone in Ohio’s athletic administration landscape, has a rich history of recognizing and nurturing talent in the state. With a legacy of supporting and honoring exemplary athletic directors, it continues to be a driving force in fostering excellence and camaraderie within the field.

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Chris McArn is a 4th grade teacher at Westerly Elementary in Bay Village. He teaches next to Kelli McMaugh, his 4th grade teacher from 20 years ago.

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — Whether it happened in 2nd grade, in 7th or beyond -- there's a good chance a teacher changed your life.

To share that gratitude can mean the world to an educator. We recently visited one district where that appreciation is on display every school day.

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In life, there are signs you are on the right path. For Christopher McArn it took a few years to follow them to Westerly Elementary School in Bay Village where he teaches. This is his first year teaching 4th grade. He's a rookie on a great team.

"I know that I have people here that can help me, if I need it. So I don't feel alone in this, swirling environment," said McArn.

He is new to the role but not a stranger. McArn previously subbed in the district, student taught here and that's not all.

"I was actually a 4th grader here in this classroom. And I sat right where you are sitting at one point," he shared.

Mr. McArn was once 4th grader Christopher McArn -- in this very same classroom, 20 years ago.

Credit: WKYC

"It's nice coming in because it's a very comfortable space for me."

McArn in a Bay Schools alum. Some memories from his time in this classroom have faded, but the defining ones are etched in.

"Fourth grade is when I started reading chapter books and series. And I remember coming and trying to do "brain benders" with my friends to try and earn Jolly Ranchers for a raffle," he added. Those two experiences are shared with his current students. McArn has a wide variety of books for his students to choose from. And just as he did, students can take part in the brain teasers game.

It's no surprise that education is in the family. Another McArn is part of the staff at Normandy Elementary, just a few blocks away.

Chris's mother Julie teaches first grade.

"When he got his old classroom, he said, 'Oh man! This is really neat! This feels good to me!' And I said, 'It is good!'" Julie McArn recalled.

Teaching in his old classroom is a happy coincidence. But education was not part of McArn's original plan.

He hold degrees in history and criminology from Miami University. However, his valuable life experiences formed elsewhere. McArn's free time and summers were spent as a camp counselor, coach and mentor.

Credit: WKYC

"He always wanted to be a helper. He loves kids and being around kids," said his mother.

When Christopher McArn decided to change directions, his family wasn't surprised.

"When he came to the realization 'I think I wanna go back and get a education license and stuff.' I said, 'It's about time!' We knew this was his calling," Julie McArn said beaming. For a parent, there is great joy in knowing that your child is on the right path.

And for Chris McArn a love of learning and helping was always there. But it blossomed under the guidance of a very special person.

"She just made them feel special," Julie said of Kelli McMaugh, the teacher who inspired Chris and played a role in shaping the educator he's become.

Just as Miss McMaugh did, her former pupil hopes to instill confidence and a lifelong love of reading to his 4th graders.

Credit: WKYC

"I know Miss McMaugh accepted me for all that and I want to do the same," Chris shared.

McArn carries that sense of gratitude to work at Westerly ever day.

And he carries it next door, during frequents visits to another 4th grade classroom, where Kelli McMaugh is now in her 37th year of teaching.

"He was such a positive kid as a 4th grader, that's what I remember about him," Miss McMaugh said.

Chris McArn is now a 4th grade teacher alongside his 4th grade teacher.

"It's great having him. It's great hearing his enthusiasm for different subject areas and bringing other things to the table," she said.

Though Miss McMaugh didn't necessarily see a future teacher in McArn when she had him in class, she did see it later.

"I just saw him just loving life. I didn't necessarily see that as his connection. But when he came back and was volunteering in the building, and I would see him interacting with students in a volunteer capacity, I thought, "Oh yes, he's got it. He has that thing that makes someone a good teacher." So I could tell then," she said.

It's a special relationship neither takes for granted. Though there is one particular challenge for Chris.

"It's still difficult for me, sometimes, to call her by her first name."

Former student and teacher are now colleagues on the same path. Westerly's 4th graders may not know it, but they're part of something special.

The signs are right there.