Church of the Redeemer Nativity
For the 15th year, the Church of the Redeemer in Westlake will be presenting a live Nativity walk-through.
(Courtesy Church of the Redeemer)
Westlake High School senior Aswin Bikkani will be a speaker at Tri-C's commencement Dec. 17.
WESTLAKE, Ohio—Congrats to Westlake High School senior Aswin Bikkani.
The 17-year-old will be a speaker at Tri-C's commencement ceremony on Dec. 17.
He was selected for the honor by the college's student government.
Aswin will graduate from Cuyahoga Community College this month with Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees.
And he hasn't even graduated from high school yet!
Aswin will graduate this spring from Westlake High School, where he's an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Bikkani is also a National Merit semifinalist and Eagle Scout.
In 2014, he won a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa.
After high school, Bikkani plans to pursue a career as a physician.
Dover Intermediate School fifth grader Neige DeAngelis had her story published in "Cricket" magazine.
Westlake student's story published in national magazine
Dover Intermediate School fifth grader Neige DeAngelis had her story published in October issue of "Cricket" magazine.
"Cricket" is a national magazine that publishes fiction and classic literature, as well as nonfiction stories on culture, history, science and the arts.
Neige earned the honor after her story won second place in the magazine's writing contest.
Her winning entry is titled, "350 Words or Else!"
It tells the tale of Mr. Feugo, editor of "Dragonfly" magazine, who gets angry when readers submit 10-page stories for publication, instead of the requested short story.
Fifth-grade teacher Donna Dieterich encouraged her students to enter the contest.
Westlake students took part in NASA's 22nd annual Young Astronaut Day at the Glenn Research Center.
Westlake students are astronauts for a day
Twenty-five students from Westlake High School and Lee Burneson Middle School took part in NASA's 22nd annual Young Astronaut Day at the Glenn Research Center.
More than 350 students from 27 Northeast Ohio schools took part in Astronaut Day this year.
Students learned about rocket balloon propulsion, laser communications, and rover traction robots.
The Westlake students were Mitchell Cusick, Jacob Eddy, Akshya Dhinakaran, Evan Gallagher, Richard Garber, Ella Gray, Nate Gray, Christopher Haddad, Rebekah Hardy, Connor Harte, Amy Hizian, Talya Jeter, Alec Kaiser, Rafi Melikian, Esther Park, Lauren Paulson, Connor Reis, Chad Sargent, Marty Schaefer, Adam Schordock, Meghana Tandon, Stephanie Randar, Talia Zheng, Terry Zheng and Angela Zhu.
Holiday Events Round-Up
Some of the holiday events happening in Westlake this week include a live nativity scene, make your own ugly Christmas sweater class, and visiting with Santa at Crocker Park.
I've been getting a lot of emails from parents wondering when their children can visit with Santa at Crocker Park.
Santa will be available to listen to children's wish lists Mon. through Sat., from 12-8 p.m., and Sun. 12-6 p.m. until Dec. 23.
On Christmas Eve, Santa will be available from noon to 5 p.m.
Santa's House is located near the Cheesecake Factory in Crocker Park.
Westlake Historical Society placing grave wreaths
The Westlake Historical Society is offering to place holiday wreaths on the graves of loved ones buried in Westlake cemeteries.
The Historical Society started the wreath program several years ago to honor the city's founding fathers and pioneer citizens.
Now it's expanding the program to all.
"We believe placing a wreath on a grave is not only a symbol of remembrance, it is a sign of respect for that person and who they were," explains Lysa Stanton, Westlake Historical Society President.
Members will be placing wreaths throughout the holiday season at both Evergreen and Maple Ridge cemeteries.
Cost is $15 per wreath. If you'd like a wreath to be placed on the grave of a loved one, contact the Historical Society at 440-808-1961, or email westlakehistory@yahoo.com.
Church of the Redeemer hosts live Nativity
For the 15th year, the Church of the Redeemer will be presenting a free live Nativity walk-through.
The interactive trip features the manger scene, sheep, a donkey, live music, and refreshments.
Dress for the weather because the 15-minute walk-through takes you inside and outside the church.
6:30-8:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat., Dec. 19-20, at the Church of the Redeemer, 23500 Center Ridge Road in Westlake.
For information contact gail@corucc.org, or call 440-331-0834.
Holiday prize bingo at Gardens at Westlake
The Gardens of Westlake is inviting the community to take part in holiday prize bingo from 2-4 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 11, at the Gardens at Westlake. There will be prizes and refreshments.
It's free and open to all.
The Gardens at Westlake is at 27569 Detroit Road in Westlake between Dover Center and Cahoon Roads. For more information call 440-892-9777.
Holiday House Workshop
Children ages 5-8 are invited to decorate their own small holiday house made out of graham crackers. The class will be held at the Westlake Recreation Center. All supplies are included. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.
There are two sessions: 4-5 p.m., and 5:15-6:15 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 18.
Letters to Santa
Children ages 3-8 are invited to drop-off their letters to Santa at the Westlake Recreation Center.
The center will then "mail" them to the North Pole.
Children will receive an electronic response from Santa.
Drop-off your letters in the special "North Pole" mailbox at the Recreation Center no later than December 15. Registration is required. This service is free for Rec Center members. Non Members canregister for $2 per child.
Happenings at Porter Public Library
Ugly Sweater Palooza
Kids in grades 7-12 are invited to make their very own ugly Christmas sweaters. The library will supply the sweaters and decorations. Registration begins December 7.
2-4 p.m., Sun., Dec. 14.
Celebrate Westlake Porter Public Library's 130th anniversary!
The library will celebrate its 130th anniversary with a visit by Leonard Porter himself and a fireside chat with Library Director Andrew Mangels.
2-3 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m., Mon., Dec. 15.
To register for any of the programs, please call (440) 871-2600 or visit http://signup.westlakelibrary.org:8080.
Computer Club December meeting
The Northeast Ohio PC Club will offer a "Q & A" with computer experts Lee Gerber, Dennis Lewis, and Tom Jones at its December meeting.
The workshop will cover fundamentals including Microsoft Windows, computer maintenance, and software.
They'll also discuss wireless devices, streaming TV, movies, music and more.
The meeting is free and open to all.
6:30-8:30 p.m., Wed., Dec. 10, at Westlake Porter Public Library
27333 Center Ridge Road.
For additional information go to www.neopc.org.
Now it's your turn!
The holiday season is here. A time of family get-togethers, holiday parties and charity fundraisers.
Do you have details about an event you'd like to share? Or a family celebration highlight? Let me know.
Email me the details at KatherineBoyd216@gmail.com. And it just may end up here in a future column.
Great gossiping with you Westlake.