Ethnic Cleveland eNews
November 29, 2022
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The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early 1800s to help slaves escape into Free states and Canada. It was run by abolitionists and others sympathetic to the cause of the escapees.
Ohio had many stops on the Underground Railroad. Canada was an ultimate destination since they had abolished slavery in 1793. The short distance across Lake Erie from Cleveland to Canada made the city a popular destination. Cleveland was codenamed Hope on the Underground Railroad.
I had a great visit to the Cozad-Bates House, one of the historic places of the time, last Saturday. It’s at the corner of East 115th and Mayfield just down the hill from Little Italy.
The house has been restored by Restore Cleveland Hope founded by Joan Southgate and others in 2003. Their mission is "to celebrate Cleveland's historic anti-slavery past." The non-profit operates the Underground Railroad Interpretive Center in the Cozad-Bates House, the only surviving pre-Civil War building in University Circle.
Every Saturday they lead free tours from noon – 4 PM. I was fortunate that Kathryn Puckett, Restore Cleveland Hope Board Chair, was there for my tour.
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I am ashamed to admit how little I knew of the history of the House and the Underground Railroad in Cleveland and NE Ohio. Kathryn told of two very famous cases. One was Sara Lucy Bagby who was an escaped slave in Cleveland who became the last person returned to slavery.
Her arrest in Cleveland on January 19, 1861 became a test case of the Fugitive Slave Act. The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Democrat Party were both pro-slavery so despite the state government's and citizens of Cleveland's attempts to intervene, Lucy was transported back to slavery in Wheeling, then still part of Virginia.
After the Emancipation Proclamation, Bagby eventually resettled in Cleveland, where she died in 1906 and was buried.
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The other famous case is the Oberlin-Wellington Slave Rescue of 1858. John Price was an escaped slave who was arrested in Oberlin (30 miles SW of Cleveland) under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. The local community was full of abolitionists so the U.S. marshal took him to the first train stop out of Oberlin heading south, Wellington ,which is about 45 miles from Cleveland. A group of men, both white and black and many from Oberlin, swarmed the hotel to rescue runaway slave John Price.
The group returned Price to Oberlin where they hid him in the home of James Harris Fairchild, a future president of Oberlin College. A short time later, they took Price to Canada. Thirty-seven men were indicted, but only two, Simeon M. Bushnell and Charles Henry Langston, were tried in federal court for interfering with the marshal in carrying out the Fugitive Slave Law.
After Langston's eloquent speech about slavery and discrimination, the judge gave them light sentences. The events and trial received national attention, and kept the issue of slavery at the forefront of debate.
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We were fortunate that on the day we visited, Linda Harris and David Cole visited from the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center in Cambridge, Maryland. Photos and video.
In Maryland Linda Harris leads tours following Harriet Tubman's known routes when she led freedom seekers to safety. Linda (voice) and David (banjo) performed songs relating to the Underground Railroad such as Follow the Drinking Gourd (video below)
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The American Lebanese Community Council is a non-profit organization created for all of Lebanese descent and their families regardless of their political affiliation or religion. This was on display as both a Priest and an Imam gave an invocation.
ALCC hosted the annual Lebanon Day in Cleveland at an event in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall. All day the flag of Lebanon flew above Cleveland City Hall and was displayed in the Rotunda. Photos and videos of Lebanon Day
The day commemorates the end of the French Control over Lebanon in 1943. 3 deserving people were honored that evening: Faris Alameh, Tony Abdulkarim and Blanche Salwan.
L2R in photo below: Faris Alameh, Tony Abdulkarim,
Jessy Zbeidy, Pierre Bejjani and Blanche Salwan
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‘Tis the Season. So many of the upcoming ethnic events are Christmas and holiday related. |
Nostalgic and Ethnic Holiday Traditions
Thursday December 1
Western Reserve Historical Society
10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
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Every Thursday evening beginning December 1, guests can celebrate nostalgic and ethnic holiday traditions at the Cleveland History Center! Explore the recently reopened Street of Shops in the Lower Level of the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum and learn about the cultural and ethnic groups that call Cleveland ‘home.’ From early settler traditions to department store palaces, Cleveland has always embraced its holiday celebrations in a big way. This season, the Cleveland History Center invites you to explore these beloved traditions with weekly guided tours.
Reservations required. Tours run every 30 minutes beginning at 5:00 pm with the last tour at 7:30 pm. Tour Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29. Tickets $20 general admission and $15 for WRHS Members.
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Christmas in Croatia Exhibit
Croatian Heritage Museum
34900 Lakeshore Blvd. Eastlake
The Croatian Heritage Museum invites you to the "Christmas in Croatia" exhibit in the American Croatian Lodge. The exhibit will be open on Fridays from 1-5pm or by appointment. You can visit the exhibit until January 15th. Admission is free. Psenica is for sale. For further information call Branka Malinar 440-452-5026.
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Bavarian Christkindlmarkt
Saturday December 3
11 AM - 9 PM
German Central Organization
7863 York Rd. Parma, OH 44130
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In Germany, a Christkindlmarkt is traditionally held outdoors in the town square. As you walk through the town square vendors offer traditional food, drink and seasonal items from open-air stalls, all accompanied by traditional singing and dancing.
A Bavarian Christkindlmarkt will be held at the German Central which has served as a hub of German heritage activity since 1923. Staying as traditional as possible, A Bavarian Christkindlmarkt is an open-air market at which vendors will sell juried Christmas wares. In keeping with the tradition, Bratwurst sandwiches, German pretzels and Glühwein (German mulled wine) will be sold.
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Sokol Greater Cleveland's St. Nick's Dance
Saturday December 3
6:30 PM
Bohemian National Hall - 4939 Broadway
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German KrampusFest
Saturday December 3
6:00 PM 11:00 PM
Donauschwaben’s German-American Cultural Center
7370 Columbia Road Olmsted Twp.
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Brahms & Dvorak Polish Piano Recital
Saturday December 3
7 PM
Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus
3649 East 65th Street
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Hungarian Nut Rolls
Sunday December 4
Hungarian Scout Center
1851 West 23rd St., Cleveland
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Kindergruppe Bruch with Santa
Sunday December 4
Noon - 2 PM
Donauschwaben’s German-American Cultural Center
7370 Columbia Road Olmsted Twp.
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Slovak Christmas Eve
Sunday December 4
Noon
Saint Andrew Abbey Viliya
10510 Buckeye Rd.
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Croatian Christmas Party
Sunday December 4
2 PM
Croatian Lodge and Party Center
34900 Lake Shore Blvd. Eastlake
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You are invited to attend CFU Kardinal Stepinac Lodge 995 and Junior Nest 651 annual Christmas Party at the Croatian Lodge and Party Center, 34900 Lake Shore Blvd. Eastlake, Ohio 44095 on Sunday, December 4, doors open at 2 p.m. with dinner served at 2:45 pm. A delicious Croatian style dinner will be served.
Reservations are required and must be called in to Robert Jerin at 216-225-6338 or Mary Laush. We invite one and all to our Christmas celebration. The cost, for non-members is $25 for adults and $15 for children ages up to age 16. The real Santa will pay us a visit, bringing gifts for all the children. Our talented Lodge members will be playing Croatian music for you listening, singing, and dancing pleasure.
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Cultural Gardens Holiday Party
Sunday December 4
3 PM
Centennial Peace Plaza
MLK Blvd in Cultural Gardens
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Polish Arts Club of Youngstown Wigilia
Sunday December 4
4 PM
Sabi's Restaurant
85 Town Center Ave. Columbiana, OH
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The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown proudly announces and invites you to join us as we bring our 87th year to a close with THE RETURN of one of our most treasured Polish traditions...~ "WIGILIA 2022" - A POLISH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION! "Wigilia" (vee-GEEL-yah), which means "Vigil" or "waiting" for the birth of Baby Jesus, is our club's annual celebration and recreation of what Poles around the world gather to do each Christmas Eve night.
We hope you can join us again this year to be a part of this extra special event at the NEW and popular Sabi's Restaurant (featuring the very talented Polish-born Chef Sebastian Chomczyk) as well as take away with you a piece of our most treasured Polish traditions. Adults - $40.00. Children (5-12) - $10.00. Children (4 and under) - Free. PLEASE CALL IN YOUR RSVPS TODAY TO: Jackie Johnson, 330-726-9992.
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Hungarian Christmas Sausage and Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Tuesday December 6
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Global Cleveland Annual Meeting
Thursday December 8
7:30 AM
Cuyahoga County Library Parma-Snow Branch
From responding to the crisis in Ukraine and ensuring that our community was ready to welcome to refugees, to the publication of our report advocating the inclusion of immigrants in our workforce, 2022 has been a year marked by resilience and success. Global Cleveland welcomes you to join us as we reflect on our year of successes and celebrate some of Northeast Ohio's most impactful leaders at our Annual Meeting Presented by Medical Mutual. More information.
Award Winners:
Eric S. Gordon | Chief Executive Officer / Superintendent at Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Dan Hanson | Co-Founder and President of the board of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame, Creator of ClevelandPeople.com
Lilli Hooke | Senior Property Accountant at Brookfield Properties
Dr. Alex Johnson | President Emeritus Cuyahoga Community College and President and CEO of Alex Johnson and Associates
Larisse Jem Mondok | Annual Fund Communications Coordinator at Cuyahoga County Public Library.
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Pundemics - Start of December Edition |
Why did the boy only wear one snow boot?
There was only a 50% chance of snow.
Who was the snow man’s favorite relative?
Aunt Arctica.
Do reindeer go to public schools?
Nope – they are elf-taught.
If baseball players get athlete’s foot, what do reindeer get?
Mistle-toes.
Which girl elf on the shelf hid the advent calendar?
Miss Chievous.
What happens if you eat shiny Christmas tree decorations?
You get tinselitis.
What did the elf get when he crossed a bell with a skunk?
Jingle smells.
Ba da dum
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Postscript: I’ve never been much of a soccer fan (rugby is my game) but this World Cup has been very exciting – especially the US victory over Iran today. Wow!
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