Public Square Skateboarders
I met high school students Emitt Dobranic, Kameron Noel and Karl Noel while they were skating together in Cleveland Public Square on the unseasonably warm afternoon of February 9th. The trio attends Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School in downtown Cleveland. They generously took time to tell me about their cutting-edge school, as well as to share their recommended spots for skating.
Cynthia Connolly
It was truly a pleasure to speak with Cynthia Connolly, the Director of Programming at the City Club of Cleveland, about her critical role at “Cleveland’s Citadel of Free Speech.” Cynthia is a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, whose traditional homeland is throughout the northwestern shores of Lower Michigan. Cynthia started her civic engagement at a young age, beginning with her work as a representative for her tribe at the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C.
Dennis Barrie
The amazing Dennis Barrie is renowned for using multimedia to blend elements of art, history, and controversy to create dynamic, innovative museum experiences with true impact. Currently the Vice President of Experiential Design for the Western Reserve Historical Society, Dennis’s groundbreaking museum creations include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the International Spy Museum in Washington, and the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. Shaped by his upbringing in Cleveland and by academic pursuits in American cultural history, Barrie uses his outsider's perspective to skillfully interpret subjects as diverse as rock stars, spies, and mobsters, and their significance in American culture.
Denise Dufala
It was wonderful to reconnect with Cleveland favorite Denise Dufala at Masthead Brewing Company in downtown Cleveland, at a retirement party for a broadcasting colleague. Denise began her broadcast news journey as a reporter at WJW Channel 8, eventually becoming an anchor there in 1991. In 1994, she moved to Channel 19 as an anchor, where she remained until December 2016, when she decided to leave the news industry to prioritize her family. It was heartwarming to witness the joyous interactions as customers and party attendees at the brewery greeted Denise warmly, eager to share fond memories and catch up with her.
Dahlia Coffee Shop
I had a fantastic experience at Dahlia Coffee Co., located at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance, and Expression at 2937 W. 25th Street. Originally founded as an online coffee retailer, Dahlia Coffee blossomed into a physical location in December 2023, thanks to the relentless dedication of founder and owner Natalia Alcazar. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Natalia has developed a loyal following in Cleveland for her unique and delicious roasts. Also pictured are amazing Dahlia Coffee team members Melvin Mousseau and Chelsea Matthews.
Camryn Justice
It was a pleasure to meet WEWS Channel 5 reporter Camryn Justice in person while she covered an event at the Cleveland Public Library. Camryn's journey to broadcasting is inspiring, and she has openly shared her story of working at Taco Bell while nurturing a dream of becoming a television news reporter. Through hard work and dedication, she has made her aspirations a reality, emerging as one of our city's most promising broadcast journalists.
Rev. Raymond P. Guiao, S.J.
I had a delightful evening dining at a fish fry in Tremont with Father Raymond P. Guiao, S.J. He's not only an alumnus of Saint Ignatius High School but also serves as its 26th President and Chief Mission Officer. It was truly inspiring to hear about the incredible initiatives the school is spearheading, fueled by Fr. Guiao's passion and dedication to both the institution and its students.
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