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Mary Eberle and Natalie Kitteridge at the Chagrin Falls Farmers Market

Let's pay it a visit.  It's on Chagrin's Main Street, only a moment or two away from Hamlet's front entrance, in that stretch between just this side of the Popcorn Shop and Triangle Park.

Every Sunday in season just after sun up the farmers and vendors begin arriving to set up their canopied stalls and arrange their wares.  Not long after, the first of hundreds of strollers and shoppers will begin to fill the cordoned off street; transforming Main Street into a lively, interesting bazaar setting.

On a recent Sunday, Hamlet villagers Mary Eberle and Natalie Kitteridge made the stroll down Main Street, drawn by the offerings of plants, fresh cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and yes, fresh-from-the-oven home baked breads, pie, and pastries.

When you've finished filling your shopping bag and feel in the need of some nourishment all you have to do is just step right across the street and relax at a sidewalk cafe with a snack and a drink, and enjoy the passing parade of people.  Or, if sweets are on your mind, stop at the close by Popcorn Shop for a cone of your favorite ice cream.  Find yourself a comfortable spot to watch the Chagrin River splash over the dam on its way to Lake Erie.

All in all, a visit to Chagrin's Farmers Market is a fun way to while away part of your Sunday.

Hamlet residents participate in a three day festival for the local boy who went on to become one of America's leading comedians

   

Actor Tim Conway, star of the long running TV show, "McHale's Navy," and the side splitting "Carol Burnett Show," returned to his hometown Chagrin Falls to spearhead the capital fund-raising campaign for Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's expansion and renovation.  Many Hamlet residents participated in the three-day celebration.

Hamlet resident Jack Henry was a member of the planning committee for the Conway festivities.  "It was 72 hours of non-stop activity for Tim," says Jack.  "He was a really good sport about it and very generous with his time."  Tim Conway presented three sold out comedy shows at the Little Theatre.  He taped a PBS show at Ideastream in Cleveland with national host Scott Simon.  He was interviewed by Dee Perry on her radio show, attended three private receptions, three public receptions, and toured the new performing arts center at the Chagrin Falls High School where Tim acted in plays while he was a student there.

Jack henry wore two hats on the committee.  He enlisted Jekyll's Restaurant for the pre-theater reception for Monday's show.  He then planned the kick-off luncheon for patrons at Gamekeeper's Taverne and the pre-show reception at the West End Bistro patio on Tuesday.  Jack was part of the welcoming committee which presented Tim with his own Hollywood Square in front of the Theatre.  Jack also presented Tim with the official Chagrin Falls flag.  Jack produced the flag a few years ago after having a design contest in the schools and with the general public.  On receiving the flag, Tim responded, "Oh good, I'll use this for a pair of summer pajamas."  Jack shot back, "I'll go get a light weight version for you."  

"Tim is very quick with his wit.  I thought I had to repond.  Janet and I are big fans of Tim's.  He is a marvelous comedian.  A lot of what he does is unrehearsed.  An example is the classic dental skit that was shown during his Little Theatre performance.  During rehearsal, he hold back.  When the camera rolls, he comes up with hilarious extemporaneous jokes.  His movements are so hysterical.  He plans these unrehearsed jokes and the results are hilarious."

Jack chatted with Tim during the receptions.  He told Tim how much he loved the Carol Burnett Show and that the show is a classic.  "Tim was kind, fun, and friendly with everyone.  He was never show or abrubt with anyone during his 72-hour marathon.  We pushed and pulled him all over town.  Tim donated all of his time and travel expenses to graciously help the Theatre and talk to members of the Chagrin Falls community.

Tim has been to Hamlet Village many times.  His mother once lived here.  His favorite teacher, Elsa Jane Carroll, was a long time resident here.  After his mother's death, Tim continued returning to Chagrin to visit Elsa Jane at Hamlet.  She was his high school drama teacher.  He gives her credit for his success.  Tim doesn't joke when reminiscing about Elsa Jane.  He misses her dearly.  This is the first time Tim has returned to Chagrin since Elsa died ten years ago.

Hamlet residents Barbara Taggart and Karen Perry actually visited Tim's dressing room for a chat and picture.  Barbara and Karen, never ones to be shy, asked CVLT President Tom Neff if they could have their picture taken with Tim.  Tom escorted them to Tim's dressing room before the Tuesday show.  Tim chatted with Barbara and Karen for quite a while.  They talked about schools and how they are so different today.  Tim graduated from Chagrin in 1952.  Barbara talked about her time at Shaker Heights High School and how sports are different today and how college was much easier to get into at the time due to less competition.  She mentioned her store, Taggart's Toys, in Chagrin, which Tim remembered well for having shopped there.  "It's really astonishing how Tim kept going with all those shows," says Karen.  "It's amaszing that he is able to keep his timing, which is so important for a comedian.  He told us that he caught the theater bug and now he can't stop performing.  He really loves it.  He was going to Philadelphia the next day for a performance there."

Jean Hood, Hamlet's Community Relations Director, was also on the Welcome Home Time Conway Committee.  Hamlet Village provided a bus for 25 community members including eight Hamlet residents, to attend the Scott Simon show at the Playhouse Square.

Resident Trudy Sellers was thrilled to be able to see two Conway shows at the Theatre and then see Tim on the Scott Simon show.

Hamlet Village and Chagrin Falls threw themselves with gusto into the Conway festival, and with good reason.  Often characterized as a New England small town, it sets itself apart from other small towns by virtue of its broad range of entertainment and cultural offerings; among them live theatre, concerts in classical jazz, baroque and contemporary music, art shows, Chautauqua's special program for Chagrin.  The list of activities is long and varied, and all are offered at sites that are close at hand and in smaller vanues that make you feel like a participant rather than a distant observer.

On June 3rd, 2010, Hamlet's Atrium was the setting for a gala luncheon honoring ten remarkable residents of the Chagrin Valley community.  They had been chosen by a panel of judges to receive the 2010 Hamlet Senior Service Awards for their exceptional efforts to serve senior citizens.

Impressed by the untold amount of time, energy and talents devoted by volunteers in serving senior citizens living in the Chagrin community, Hamlet president Marc Benson arranged the awards program to recognize their notable contributions to the quality of senior life.

The awards, an engraved glass plaque and a Congressional Proclamation, was handed to each winner by U. S. Representative Steven LaTourette.

Mr. LaTourette was recognized by marc Benson, Hamlet's board of trustees president, for his "exceptional support of the volunteer community."

The 21-member award selection committee included:  Chagrin Falls Mayor Thomas Brick; Chagrin Falls Councilman Steve Patton; former Ohio Senator Grace Drake; Chagrin Falls School Board member Liz O'Neil; the Rev. Hamilton Throckmorton; the Rev. Lynn Snider; Chagrin Falls Superintendent Steve Thompson; former Chagrin Falls mayor Lydia Champlin; and Katherine Malmquist, of the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Outstanding Seniors:  Pat Zalba, Margaret Ardill, Jo and Tom Neff

Outstanding Senior Advocates:  Florence Cross, Tim Desmond (accepted on his behalf), Julie Desiderio (accepted on his behalf)

Outstanding Youth Service:  Skylar McSherry McLorg, Megan Schauer, Hathaway Brown Group Volunteers Caroline Bashour, Stephanie Poland, Alden Cowap

President's Award for Youth Service:  Gurney Service Learning Club (Teachers Sherri Halagan and Dale Tschappat with student Luth Rathbone

Fall 2010

     The Garden Club of Bentleyville has chosen Hamlet Village as the site for its bi-annual garden show.  The two-day show September 23 and 24, will feature three major areas that will fascinate gardeners and flower lovers.  The first is the main exhibitioni hall in the Atrium which will display dozens of floral arrangements competing for a prize ribbon.

     Next is the Atrium Hillside garden, a tranquil landscape of shrubs, grasses, perennials, and annuals on an embankment just outside of the exhibition area.  And then would be Hamlet's newly renovated community garden.  Once a nondescript patch of dirt, it has, under the direction of Shirley Badger, Hamlet's Master Gardener, been transformed into a model of ecological correctness and visual delight.  It almost says, "Don't just stand there, come and plant something."

     Shirley Badger was aided in the impressive transformation by a cadre of hard working, enthusiastic volunteers.  Her core group of workers included residents Margaret Ardill, Glen Jenkins, Fran Lother, and Jim Walker.  Others included maintenance department staff who rented a wood chipper to produce a small hill of eco-friendly chips which were then spread over the newly created paths they had built.

     Five cubic yards of tich topsoil were mixed into the old beds.  Very much involved in this garden labor were several college students who are in the Cleveland Zoo's internship program.  They also are volunteers along with Shirley Badger at Ben Franklin School, a Cleveland magnet school for students interested in a garden education.

     During the two-day show a white hospitality tent will provide visitors a place to relax for a few moments and enjoy a complimentary wine and cheese tasting.  Meanwhile, back at the Atrium, the floral arrangements will be evaluated by a panel of professional judges which will be quite a challenge for this year.  The theme is world travel and entries must evoke an image of distant places:  Tuscany, Killarney, Serengeti safari, the Great Wall of China, whatever stirs the imagination and artistry of the person designing the entry.  And travelers will journey back in time to the 40's through the exhibit entitled, "Shine on, Harvest Moom," a design collaboration by residents of Hamlet.  The bi-annual show will also feature educational exhibits by club members, and entries by area youth through classroom and individual projects.  Show hours are 1 to 5 pm Thursday and 10 am to 5pm on Friday.

Hamlet Professional artists judged artwork by Chagrin Falls students and awarded cash prizes.  One of the awards went to Kara Schach for a colorful quilt.  Kara is a Hamlet dining room server.  Hamlet panel Anita Rogoff, Elaine Levin, Nancy Martt, Bernie and Janice Katz, Thor Larsen, Ed Simon, and Virginia Rondeau really enjoyed the opportunity to judge the fine collection of work by Chagrin students.  The Chagrin show has been displayed at Hamlet for about twenty years and gets better every year.

(Photo by Itamar Gat) Hamlet Purchase Award winner Matt Kaluza (center) with judges (left to right) Elaine Levin, Nancy Martt, Anita Rogoff, Bernie and Janice Katz, Thor Larsen
 

    It's after dinner, the lights go down, and Hamlet Atrium turns into a cabaret.  Talented Atrium resident musicians Bill Barlow, Irene Butler and Marie Holzheimer sing and play the piano cabaret style for all to enjoy.

    Irene Butler and evening front desk receptionist, Renee Eilers, practice piano duets together in the afternoon before Renee begins work.  Irene has been teaching piano to Renee and she plays the guitar late in the evening while tending the front desk.  Residents love to sing along with her.

    Renee appreciates Irene's experience.  Irene was a former church organist and taught piano in her home.  She had two baby grand pianos in her living room in Moreland Hills before she moved to Hamlet a year ago.  Her students were able to play duel pianos eight hands at a time.  Irene taught theater in France and studied history, art, and literature in Europe after receiving a Hungarian scholarship at Shaker Heights High.  She once played the organ at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris!  She was able to experience the world before marrying at age 30.  "In those days, you were called a spinster at age 27!" says Irene.

    Irene plays classical and groovy jazz.  Some of her favorites are Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" and Mozart's "Fantasia in D Minor."

    Bill Barlow sang at Karamu Theater, many community theaters, churches, and has auditioned on Broadway.  He sings Broadway show tunes and popular music.  His resonant voice carries through the Atrium singing his favorites, "As Time Goes By," from Casablanca, "Deep Purple," and "Misty."  He is also a wonderful piano player.  Incredibly, he plays entirely by ear.

    Marie Holzheimer has played piano since third grade and entertains at the Atrium.  A favorite is a song called, "The Camel Drive - In a Persian Market."

    Master bookseller, Richard Gildenmeister, visited Hamlet Village to tell residents and guests from the community stories and anecdotes from 52 years in the book business, working with over 9,000 authors.  Richard is the popular owner of the former Shaker Square Bookstore and one of Cleveland's most unique individuals.  He has made a dramatic impact on the region dedicating his life to books, the people who write books, and to the people who read books.  "I have five good stories to tell about Lauren Bacall alone!" he says.  He also has great stories about Maya Angelou, Robert Kennedy, James Michener, and a host of other authors, customers, and friends he has worked with over the years.

    Richard Gildenmeister came to Cleveland from his hometown of Bellevue, Ohio.  Cleveland became the Big Apple to him.  He has collected over 5,000 volumes of signed, first edition copies of some of the most famous books of the last fifty years.  Many have personal notes of thanks from the authors to Richard.  James Michiener's "Centennial" says, "Book general, keep the armies moving."

     Hamlet residents and visitors welcomed Bob "Rapid Robert" Fellers on June 21st, 2007.  Hamlet resident, Ellie Kuss, whose family at one time owned the Cleveland Indians, invited Bob to speak, and he graciously accepted the invitation.  When asked for advice on pitching from a young fan, Bob simply said, "Throw strikes and duck."

     Bob Feller's blazing fastball set the standard against which all of his successors have been judged.  He became the first American League pitcher to throw a complete game no-hitter on opening day, and remains the Indians all-time leader in shutouts, strikeouts, innings, and All-Star appearances.

     Ellie Kuss grew up at League Park.  Her uncle discovered the young Bob Feller and signed him at age 16.