Cleveland Magazine Editors' Favorite Reads of 2024

After putting together 12 print issues and hundreds of online stories, Cleveland Magazine editors weighed in and shared their favorite reads of 2024.

(Paul Tepley Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

10 Cent Beer Night: An Oral History of Cleveland Baseball's Most Infamous Night
Cleveland’s rich baseball history features several great teams, Hall of Fame players, the sport’s longest active World Series drought — and one infamous night back on July 4, 1974. Vince Guerrieri tells the story of what happened on 10 Cent Beer Night at Cleveland Municipal Stadium as the 50th anniversary passed. 

After The Spotted Owl, Will Hollingsworth Just Wants to Build Cool Stuff
Will Hollingsworth is a part of Cleveland. And while most stories focus on the good in the world, we know in the real world we all have things we are dealing with. Dillon Stewart’s story shows what is possible in the city’s restaurant and business intersections, and that all roads (life stories) have potholes, especially in Cleveland. 

Bernie Kosar Always Gets Back Up
It doesn't get much more "Cleveland" than Bernie Kosar — and when he shared his news of battling Parkinson's disease and liver failure with Dennis Manoloff and Dillon Stewart, it was a shock for many Cleveland football fans. To follow that, Dillon reported an expansive, thoughtful profile about Kosar, breaking down his complicated mental and physical health challenges with care and trust. “I want to give people hope,” Kosar says.

(Photo by Alister White)

The Buckland Museum in Old Brooklyn Is a Window Into the World of Witchcraft
This tiny Old Brooklyn museum is filled with big intrigue. Christina Rufo visited the space to document its offerings, and to unwind its tangled history.

Cleveland Guardians All You Can Eat Seats: We Tried It
Danny Cunningham harnesses the fun of journalism and uses it as an outlet to eat lots — and lots — of food at Progressive Field.

Cleveland Photographer Ignites Viral Kalahari Wedding Sensation
One delightful wedding photoshoot in the middle of a local indoor water park captured the attention of millions when it was posted to social media. Julia Lombardo chats with the photographer about how she managed to do it. (“We bought a piece of plexiglass to put in front of me so [the bride] could throw water at the lens.”)

(Photo courtesy iStock)

Cleveland's Fight Against Smoking and Vaping Has a New Challenger in Legal Marijuana
Ida Lieszkovszky’s masterful storytelling depicts the snowball effect of a smoking epidemic moving faster than officials can keep up with — how the issue of flavored tobacco saw a setback with the legalization of cannabis in Ohio.

How Historic Artifacts End Up in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
This article provides a compelling exploration of the personal and historical significance behind some of the Rock Hall’s newest artifacts. Offering readers a unique glimpse into the lives and careers of iconic musicians like Peter Frampton, Foreigner, and Dionne Warwick, through the lens of the items they’ve contributed, the storytelling elevates the article by weaving fascinating anecdotes about each artifact, making them more than just objects — they become windows into music history and personal journeys.

How to Make an Environmental Difference in Your Own Cleveland Backyard 
This article serves as a practical and inspiring guide for anyone looking to support sustainability at home. By breaking down complex environmental issues into simple, actionable steps like composting, rainwater harvesting, and native gardening, it empowers readers to make meaningful changes. It’s a concise, motivating call to action for a greener future.

(Photo by Matthew Chasney)

Intercity Yacht Club Carries a Rich Legacy for Black Boaters
Did you know that Cleveland hosts the only Black-run yacht club in the United States that sits on its own body of water? This story from Jala Forest centers on the organization's leader and dives into the city's development, civil rights and boating histories.

Inside Chagrin Falls' Annual Pumpkin Street Takeover: Photos
Matthew Chasney’s raw and radical photography style breathes further life into an already-electric event that awakens the quiet suburb of Chagrin Falls every October.

Life Aboard the Great Lakes' Newest Cargo Ship
Clevelanders are used to seeing cargo ships both on Lake Erie and navigating the Cuyahoga River. We may often think of the colossal boats and what sort of materials or goods they’re carrying, but Annie Nickoloff takes us inside what life is like for the people making it all possible aboard the Mark W. Barker. 

(Photo by Daniel Lozada)

Once-In-a-Lifetime: Total Solar Eclipse Puts a Spotlight on Cleveland
How can we have a story of the year list without the story of a lifetime by Annie Nickoloff? The total solar eclipse was amazing to see and to experience and this story shows just how big this big event was to many in our community.

Surviving Service: Ben's Friends Is Helping Hospitality Industry Pros Find Sobriety
Danny Cunningham talks with Tony Kost about the path to sobriety and how friends helped him make it. It really grabs your attention to show you that we all need people in our corners to navigate this life.

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