Copyright cleveland.com
LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The 18th annual Spooky Pooch Parade took place Oct. 11 at Madison Park in Lakewood. “The Spooky Pooch Parade is one of those truly Lakewood events -- fun, welcoming and full of community spirit,” LakewoodAlive Executive Director Ian Andrews said. “We love teaming up with our partners to bring people from across the region to Lakewood’s Historic Birdtown Neighborhood to celebrate the bond between pets and their people, and this amazing, one-of-a-kind city.” This year’s canine-friendly affair found more than 2,500 attendees, which made it one of the largest turnouts to date. Visitors enjoyed vendors, food trucks, a DJ, activities and entertainment. The parade also doubled as a costume contest, where the first-place Best in Show winner receives a year’s supply of dog food. “People really enjoy flexing their creative muscles coming up with fun costumes as well as spending time with their family, friends, neighbors and dogs,” he said. “It’s a tradition for many participants who come back year after year, and something different and enjoyable for newcomers. And for those who don’t participate themselves, it is a way to see some cute pups and celebrate community.” Proceeds of the event support LakewoodAlive and its mission of fostering and sustaining vibrant and welcoming neighborhoods in Lakewood. Music on a Mission: Olmsted Falls City Schools recently brought back Music on a Mission. “Music on a Mission is an interactive and adapted music session for students with mild to intense disabilities,” Falls-Lenox Primary Intervention Specialist Julia Russo said. “Music on a Mission gives these students a chance to play instruments, sing songs and move their bodies to the music. “The performers who come in -- Suzan and Paul -- are very inclusive and amazing at connecting with students with intensive needs. They allow the students to explore different instruments and music styles.” The Avon Lake-based nonprofit boasts a mission to use the power of music to enrich the lives of individuals with different needs by providing creative, interactive programming. The performers recently entertained young Bulldogs with creative and interactive musical programs at the Early Childhood Center, Falls-Lenox Primary School and Olmsted Falls Intermediate School. “Music on a Mission has been coming to Falls-Lenox Primary School for 10 years and will come in with a different theme for each music session,” Falls-Lenox Primary Intervention Specialist Seth Voelker said. “The students love how they incorporate fun themes as the year goes on, such as summertime, fall/Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day themes. “The students look forward to their visits every month. And as teachers, we’re able to see more new skills emerging from our students with every visit. We’re very grateful for Music on a Mission and all the joy it brings to the classroom.” Lakewood High School Community Tour: Residents are invited to the Lakewood High School Community Tour, which takes place at 10 a.m. (Saturday) Oct. 25. The two-hour tour allows attendees to meet teachers and staff, explore activities and step into classrooms. Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and West Park for the A Place in the Sun column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to ndiffrence@att.net.
