John Skrtic has been with the Cleveland Public Library for over 30 years. He now serves as the chief of special projects and collections, which makes him responsible for overseeing the 11 million items in the Library Collection. He holds a master's of library and information science from Kent State University and a master's of public administration from Cleveland State University. Skrtic grew up on East 41st Street in Downtown Cleveland and has lived in the city his entire life. He is father of two children and spends his free time archiving the people and places of Cleveland.
K & S Night Club Lounge
Known for its game nights, karaoke, live music, and vibrant neighborhood parties, the bustling K & S Nite Club Lounge in Euclid opens daily at 7 a.m. for breakfast, or a beer. Located at 25649 Euclid Avenue, this local favorite caters to everyone, especially third-shift workers. I recently stopped in and shared some laughs and stories with the amazing staff, including Sharon Pride, Zsa Zsa Hall, and Theresa Johnson.
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The Abou Family
I had a wonderful time chatting with the Abou family at their West Side Market stand. For the past 14 years, the Abous have proudly operated Brothers Produce, a cornerstone of the market’s lively shopping scene. Pictured are Eddie, Harry, and John Abou, whose smiles radiate the kindness and hospitality they bring to their customers every day. This Lebanese American family is a joy to see in action, engaging with shoppers and supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to hungry Clevelanders.
Enrique and Jailene Castro
I had the unexpected privilege of capturing a photo of Jailene and Enrique Castro moments after they exchanged vows on the 10th floor of the Louis Stokes Wing at the Cleveland Public Library. These high school sweethearts first crossed paths at Garrett Morgan and Lincoln West high schools in Cleveland. The radiant couple graciously allowed me to document their joyous occasion. I am very thankful to the beautiful newlyweds for permitting me to share a glimpse of their unforgettable day.
The Bike Spot
I visited the Bike Spot at 13618 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood and had the pleasure of meeting its fantastic owner, Antoine Powell, who opened the shop in 2023. Passionate about bikes since childhood, Powell credits his dad, a mechanical engineer, for sparking his interest in fixing bikes. As we talked, Antoine shared his process of conducting a thorough consultation with each customer to ensure that each person gets the right bike. The shop offers a great selection of used and new bikes, and also a selection of e-bikes. We’re lucky to have so many incredible local bike shops, and dedicated bike shop owners, in the Greater Cleveland area.
Connie Dieken and Doug Dieken
It was a true pleasure to meet the beloved and highly regarded Connie Dieken and Doug Dieken at the iconic White Oaks restaurant in Westlake, where they were enjoying a festive holiday dinner with family. It was such a joy to chat with Connie and Doug about Cleveland’s rich history, our mutual connections, and the amazing and much-missed sports journalist Danny Coughlin. Joining the Diekens were their daughter, Ali Matzke; her husband, Hunter Matzke; and their absolutely adorable little one.
Alpha Ramen
Owner Jo Li shared with me the inspiring story of how she opened the Alpha Ramen restaurant at 3701 Payne Avenue in Cleveland 18 months ago. She has worked tirelessly to create a mouthwatering menu that blends unique and traditional Japanese dishes. Beyond her culinary talents, Jo is an incredibly gifted artist and personally created all the vibrant artwork adorning the interior of her shop. I enjoyed a superb bowl of their exceptional ramen and some delicious octopus balls. Alpha Ramen is a must-visit spot for lovers of Asian cuisine.
Lydia Rakosy
I had a wonderful time speaking with Lydia Rakosy, the incredible owner of Lydia's Hungarian Strudel Shop at 6230 Stumph Avenue in Parma Heights. Lydia immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary in 1957 and has been making authentic Hungarian strudel since 1971, continuing a family tradition that began in 1938 with her Great-Great Grandmother Elizabeth's shop on E. 116th Street in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Woodland neighborhood. Lydia preserves her heritage by using traditional techniques, such as hand-stretched, paper-thin dough, and fresh, high-quality ingredients. It was a joy to hear about her family, her husband, and her dedication to passing down Cleveland's cherished traditions.
Cleveland Print Co.
Since its founding in January 2019, Cleveland Print Co. has become a premier destination for exceptional custom apparel, posters, and design work. The company is located at 4115 St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland. Known for their meticulous attention to detail, Cleveland Print Co. employs top-tier inks, substrates, and cutting-edge machinery to ensure every project is superb. It was a real pleasure to meet the dynamic team behind the business: Ryan Fletterick, a multifaceted local artist also known for his music and media project, Songs for an Unknown God; Garth Phillips, a trusted longtime creative collaborator; and artist Logan Shepard, the newest member of the team.
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