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.
Leon Bibb
Leon Bibb is one of those rare Clevelanders whose voice feels like part of the city's foundation. He is Ohio broadcast royalty. Born in Alabama and raised in Glenville, Bibb didn’t just break barriers, he reshaped the local news landscape. In 1976, he became Ohio’s first African American primetime news anchor, and he’s been setting the standard for thoughtful, community-centered journalism ever since. Now a senior commentator for WKYC, Bibb walks the city with purpose, telling stories that remind us where we’ve been and where we’re going. I had the privilege of photographing him at Cleveland Public Library while he was preparing a segment on Main Library’s centennial. As I watched him move through the building, asking questions and connecting past to present, I saw two Cleveland institutions come together: a venerable journalist made of heart and history telling the story of a majestic building made of stone and filled with knowledge.
Kenny Crumpton
Beloved television personality Kenny Crumpton has been a mainstay on Cleveland’s FOX 8 News in the Morning for over 25 years. Known for his high-energy style and genuine curiosity, he’s the face of the popular segment Kickin’ It With Kenny, where he dives into local events, businesses, and cultural experiences across Northeast Ohio. A proud cum laude graduate of Howard University's School of Communications, Kenny launched his journalism career in 1990 and quickly established himself as a thoughtful and engaging reporter. Since joining FOX 8, he’s earned an Emmy Award and become a trusted presence in the community. Off camera, he's an outdoor enthusiast who loves snowboarding, golfing and spending time in the Cleveland Metroparks. What made his recent visit to Cleveland Public Library even more special was learning that Kenny’s mom was a librarian. Capturing a photo of him inside Main Library felt like a full-circle moment. His commitment to sharing the stories of Cleveland's people and places has made him a beloved part of the city’s fabric.
CSU Graduates
It was a joy to photograph an exuberant group of Cleveland State University’s College of Health Sciences graduates: Emily Gammell, Dragana Prica, Taylor Wolowicz, Morgan Demooy and Kayla Somerville. The newly minted grads were all smiles as they posed on the steps of the landmark Old Arcade, their excitement filling the majestic space. It was a wonderful moment captured in one of Cleveland’s most iconic settings.
Guaterriqueña Bakery and More
Tucked into a modest shopping plaza in Old Brooklyn at 4239 Fulton Road, Guaterriqueña Bakery and More is a neighborhood gem where food, family, and community come together. Rooted in the rich culinary traditions of both Puerto Rico and Guatemala, the bakery is led by Rosemary Gramajo Quiñones, whose warmth and passion is unmistakable in every dish that leaves the kitchen. During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting not only Rosemary, but also members of her gracious family — Rosa Quiñones and Kenide Gramajo — who took a moment to pose for a photo and share their deep love for the Old Brooklyn neighborhood they proudly call home. More than a bakery, Guaterriqueña is a cultural anchor and gathering place, where generations come together over sweet breads, warm smiles, and the comfort of tradition. facebook.com
Home Pantry
Alaina Caruso and Diana Jacobs have been side by side since kindergarten in Lorain, Ohio. Today, that same energy powers one of the most popular stands at the West Side Market. From Lakeview Academy Montessori to Admiral King High School, their bond has only grown stronger, and now it fuels every jar, sandwich, and smile at The Home Pantry. Alaina launched the business in 2017 with her signature small-batch jams. In August 2022, she brought the vision to life at the Market. Diana is fully in the mix, part of the venture from the ground up, helping shape its growth and personality. Together, they’ve built more than a deli; they’ve created a go-to destination known for award-winning jams, fresh eats and an atmosphere that keeps vendors and customers coming back. What sets them apart? It’s the nonstop energy, genuine warmth, and a shared passion that’s impossible to miss. The Home Pantry is a true reflection of two lifelong friends bringing flavor, joy, and community to the heart of Cleveland. thehomepantry.com
David Moss
It was a pleasure to snap a photo of the legendary David Moss on the set of New Day Cleveland. Around town, he’s known as “The Mossman,” a nickname that fits the unmistakable Cleveland spirit he brings to every segment. A proud native son of Northeast Ohio, David has spent over four decades telling the stories of the city he calls home. His broadcasting journey started in 1979 at Cleveland’s WJW-TV8, where he covered everything from local travel gems to hidden food spots. He went on to share his talents at WKYC and WEWS before returning to FOX 8 in 1994, where he’s remained a trusted voice and familiar face. Watching him at work, sharp and smiling, you can’t help but appreciate a true hometown original doing what he loves, right where he belongs.
John Petkovic
John Petkovic has always followed the side roads — the ones paved with local noise, forgotten names, and the offbeat beauty of Cleveland that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. While others stuck to the main news beat, Petkovic swerved. I’ve always loved that about him. At The Plain Dealer, he wrote the stories I cared about, focusing on the outliers and originals in art, culture and history. His pieces noticed the details that others might have missed. They captured Cleveland’s offbeat soul with clarity and curiosity. When he left the paper in 2020, it felt like the city lost a sharp eye and a steady voice — someone who didn’t just report, but saw. But that was only part of the story. Petkovic’s other stage has always been…the stage. Whether fronting Death of Samantha, Cobra Verde or Sweet Apple, he didn’t just write about Cleveland’s underground, he was part of its DNA: loud, raw, poetic, funny. He didn’t just document the culture; he helped shape it. It was a real honor to photograph him recently at the great Jim Lanza’s show — an exhibit celebrating a lifetime of Cleveland musicians. It was fitting that John was part of it, a lifer who gives voice to the overlooked and turns the city’s noise into something worth remembering.
Mike McIntyre
Throughout his 30 years as a reporter at The Plain Dealer, Mike McIntyre didn’t just write stories, he listened. He learned what made people tick. He dug into Cleveland’s contradictions and its grit, finding humor and getting to the true heart of every story. His Tipoff column was a back alley through the city, shining light on the odd, the moving, and the deeply human tales that make Cleveland what it is. Then came radio — at first part time, then full throttle. In 2010, Mike brought that same quiet clarity to The Sound of Ideas on WCPN. He didn’t turn it into a soapbox; he made it a front porch, a place where the city could wrestle with hard questions or just think out loud. Over time, he became executive editor at Ideastream Public Media, guiding both Sound of Ideas on WCPN and Ideas on WVIZ. Born and raised in Lakewood, he’s a St. Ed’s guy and a graduate of Bowling Green. Mike’s not after flash; he’s after truth. In a city that keeps reinventing itself, his voice remains steady, trusted, and true. He and his wife, Elizabeth McIntyre — herself a distinguished journalist and former publisher and editor of Crain’s Cleveland Business — have both been inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland’s Journalism Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor for a couple who have shaped the city’s media landscape for decades. I caught up with him recently at the Cleveland Public Library just before he interviewed culinary wizard Christine Hà. True to form, he was funny, prepared, curious, and ready to listen.
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