Stories

Holiday brilliance: Wild Winter Lights returns to Metroparks Zoo
For the fifth year in a row, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is bringing back Wild Winter Lights—its biggest holiday celebration that transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland with musical light shows, an enchanted forest, and Santa Claus himself.
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on Lorain Avenue
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
Spiritual beauty: Tremont History Project to host Historic Church Tour series
The Tremont History Project, a group of amateur historians and volunteers from the south side neighborhood who have been collecting and documenting Tremont history, is hosting tours of four historic Tremont churches over the next four weeks.
Tales of Terror: Tours of Cleveland to share spooky stories of horror and tragedy in October
Tours of Cleveland founder Scott O'Con wanted to cover something different than the usual haunted house tours and spiritual sightings in his October walking tour series. So, in Tales of Terror, he focuses on Cleveland's true tragedies, murders, and disasters spanning the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Photo essay: Canalway Towpath Trail Marathon
Canalway hosted its annual fall classic Towpath Marathon, half marathon, and 10K in Canal Basin Park last weekend, and FreshWater managing photographer documented the beauty of the park, the tail, and the athletes as they ran.
The power of theater: Playhouse Square’s education performances inspire, ignite thought
Playhouse Square’s education department offers in-person matinees and on-demand streaming shows for students in preschool through grade 12 to introduce students to live theater and the magic of sharing people's stories on stage.
Golden Age on E. 49th Street: Bulking up, neighbor relations, and joyriding in the neighborhood
In Ralph Horner's newest column series, "The Golden Age on East 49th Street," he writes about his childhood and life lessons learned in Goodrich-Kirtland Park in the 1950s.
Playhouse Square announces schools participating in 2024 Dazzle Awards
Students from 38 regional high school are already preparing for Playhouse Square's May Dazzle Awards—which honors the hard work, dedication, and excellence seen in the region’s high school theater programs.
Celebrating Fall: Nature Center’s AutumnFest draws revelers of the season
Managing photographer Bob Perkoski joined the seasonal fun at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes' AutumnFest last weekend and captured in photos everyone celebrating all that fall has to offer.
Beyond football: The Cleveland-Pittsburgh rivalry has a history going beyond the NFL
Beyond the Browns and Steelers NFL rivalry and the Cleveland-Cliffs recent bid to acquire Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel, the two cities have business and franchise rivalries dating back to the 1800s. FreshWater contributing editor Grant Segall shares the colorful history.
The music never stopped: Free Hessler Homecoming keeps spirit of Hessler Street Fair alive
The beloved Hessler Street Fair may no longer exist as fans know it, but thanks to the Hessler Neighborhood Association and the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association, Hessler Homecoming will keep the tradition alive this Sunday, Oct. 15 with free concerts, food and crafts vendors, and old friends.
Fall gardening: Get a head start on next year’s garden with autumn plantings
Fall is an excellent time for planting, with the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall that allow native plants to establish strong root systems before winter sets in. The staff at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes give some tips on fall planting, and remind readers to stock up on bird seed for the winter.
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on West 25th Street
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
Fairytales in the forest: Nature Center to host AutumnFest this weekend
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes will host its free AutumnFest this Saturday, with activities, food and libations, and a Fall Plant Sale.
Let the Oppressed Go Free: Sculptor Timothy Schmalz returns to CLE with human trafficking sculpture
Last week, world-renowned sculptor Timothy Schmalz's bronze 20-foot sculpture, "Let the Oppressed Go Free," was placed in Public Square by Community West Foundation and the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking to raise awareness of the ongoing plague happening around the world. Schmalz is also the artist behind the Matthew 25 sculpture series placed around Cleveland.
Golden Age on E. 49th Street: Quirky tricks in the monster house
In Ralph Horner's newest column series, "The Golden Age on East 49th Street," he writes about his childhood and life lessons learned in Goodrich-Kirtland Park in the 1950s.
Moonlight Masquerade: Famicos Foundation to host annual gala tonight
Famicos Foundation is holding its annual fundraiser, Moonlight Masquerade, tonight to continue its efforts to create vibrant, healthy neighborhoods with more than 90 programs and services.
Lights On! Slavic Village hosts open houses in four available Fleet Avenue storefronts
Slavic Village Development, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, and SCORE Cleveland will host Lights On Storefront Open House to showcase four vacant properties on Fleet Avenue that might lure small businesses and retailers to the neighborhood.
Photo essay: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Cleveland
Last weekend, Northeast Ohio performers and community organizations commemorated the richness of Hispanic culture and highlighted Latin and Hispanic music, dance, and art at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2023.
Changing the future of women’s healthcare one practice at a time
Dr. Alexa Fiffick recently opened Concierge Medicine of Westlake, part of Ms. Medicine, a network of female-owned medical providers who aim to transform women's healthcare using the concierge model. Fiffick's aim is to bring change to women's healthcare, with a particular focus on menopause.