Jon Bittinger

...for those of us that grew-up in the Parknoll area...there was the old man on the bicycle... That could be seen riding in and out of the neighborhood...for years. 

My folks just referred to him as "the bum"...not meaning at all to be as derogatory as it sounds today...but to me, he wasn't out of place...he was just another moving piece of our area....rolling on down Nobottom Road...

By the way, I wish the "Bridges" we're left as they were...the tight one was always a challenge to get through...and I'm talking ON A BIKE..! Today, I look at all the concrete barriers lining the road from Bagley on down...and think...where's the thrill in that..? I miss the woods that was replaced by the Berea Towers Apartments and the tight winding road through the bridges...I used to climb into those bridges...great challenge and reward looking down on the river...no handrails...no nothin'...but fun.

Best All...

Juliana Savino

Climbing inside the bridges! Back in the day before helicopter parents! When my daughter regaled me with stories of her HS hangouts and  escapades  I just had to take a deep breath, recall my various Bere-oid adventures, and feel relieved that she waited until her 20s to clue me in to hers.

My sister Mary lives in the Barrett Road home we grew up in. She takes gorgeous pix of the Metroparks and environs.

Happy spring, everybody!

Juliana Savino

Oh, the old man on the bike was "Frank" IIRC, and he used to stop in and visit Miss Angela Maher, whose house I cleaned (mainly consisting of dusting about a zillion Hummel figurines) when I was 16 and 17.  She lived on Front Street near the Clark station and was a retired teacher.  She'd make Frank and instant coffee and get after him about this and that.  I remember a rumor that he was the gravedigger at Turkeyfoot (now Chestneut Hill?) Cemetery.

Jon, for give me if I am recyclig an old anecdote, but did I tell you I ran into Mr Bergantino a few years back?  My son played clarinet in one of the bands at Heights High, and Bob was there guest conducting.  I looked up at the stage and thought, "gee that looks like Mr B".  The clincher?  He was wearing a BanLon turtleneck! Some things never change.  He is why and how I ended up going into music, and it was great to tell him so.  He and Beth Jonap, whom he deputized to start me on the bass. Beth and I stay in touch.
 

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

forgot about Mertz (the guy on the bike who lived across the street from Fairwood), and that Safari Jane really got around....saw her downtown Cleveland on numerous occassions pushing her cart with the trademark goggles. 

John Farner

Jon Bittinger

Julie:

Roehm was an experience...after I got past the first 2/3 of 7th Grade, I started gaining some "traction"...before that, was the only time I truly dreaded going to school...

As a band member the trifecta of Terry McCann, Bob Bergantino & Al Demkowicz was a winning combination for learning to play music. "Mr. Bergantino" was the most engaging...and he took me aside one afternoon to demand that I get more serious about my practicing...as Marty Hutt & Ken Keck were getting 'braces'...we had plenty of cornets but we needed a solid 1st chair trumpet for next year to round out the band AND the orchestra. Golly...so I moved over to the trumpet section...

I thank him for that cue...and Fred Stambaugh for his leadership and inspiration (Scott Lambacher for his humor)...in a pretty swell trumpet section...so at least I had a head start of playing in Select Band & Orchestra to polish my chops..!

My favorite music is Big Band...some Classical...for the most part I like all music...but if I hear a piece that we worked on at either Roehm or BHS...I do  tear up...especially if a Vincent Persiichetti piece.

I also enjoyed learning from Linda Flynn & Fran Nuzzo...later got the chance to play at Gerry Wilhelms & Fran's Wedding...next to the great Gerry Kocher...that was a blast and a half..!

Scott Bittinger

Bruce Davidson

Hi Nobu!

Bruce Davidson here.I was reading your Berea Memory Lane thoughts,and found them quite entertaining.Do you remember "Drooling Bob",another mentally challenged Berean,who lived across the street from Martha's Rest Home.He used to mow the lawn with an old push mower.Since you referred to Googelick as "Bob Googelick",I was wondering if you had these two Berea legends confused(or maybe it's me!).I think that Googelick's Dad owned the Sinclair gas station(?).I saw Bill Haynam a couple of years ago,and we saw fit to  discuss Googelick.No brag,just fact.

When you were a kid(elementary school age),were you spooked by Marthas Rest Home?I was,for some unknown reason.I don't think it was the residents,I think that the place had sort of a haunted house look to it.Was it just me?

Was Western Auto the same as Brown's Hardware store?

I remember when Baskin Robbins first opened.I think the single cone was only 14 cents,and everybody thought that was overpriced!My first cone was banana marshmallow.I was hooked for life!

I don't remember these other characters that you and your classmates spoke about.We moved to Shaker Hts before 8TH grade started,so maybe they came along later(?)

I have an old Berea News with the results and pictures of one of those elementary school track meets.I think your name is in there for the high jump,along with Reid Mattison and Jeff Groza.I'll look for it when I go back to Cleveland.By the way,I saw Groza a couple of years ago.His Mom passed away,and they had the old family home on the market.Reid is on Facebook.He's a medical doctor in Indianapolis.

Were you as obsessed as me with climbing up to the roof of Fairwood School?I think Kenny James was the only one that got up by way of a drainage pipe from the gutter.Did you ever climb up to the roof of the Board of Education Building,by way of the protruding bricks?

Well,I guess that does it for my trip down Memory Lane.Take care!

Fred Esposito

I don't know how everyone else feels but to me "Urban Renewal" was the worst thing to happen to Berea. Tore down Schiender's Drugs, Pizza King, Grindstone Cafe, Happy Steer ect. I recall they never could get merchants to stay there long when the new buildings went up. The Pewter Mug (Bucci's) has been the only business that has been there since it was built I believe.

 Brown's Hardware was where Bucci's is or was now. They moved out to a shopping strip on Sprague Road.

Funny how they tore down all the stores along the river then built there again.

Juliana Savino

Fred,

at the risk of repeating myself on this forum, any time I visit Chagrin Falls with its triangular downtown, largely preserved, I think "what could have bee...". Alas.

John, Farner, I just asked my daughter if she ever attempted the bridges when we would cross town from the Heights to visit my folks, seeing as she had been most adventurous in her teens to the point of tagging along the RTA right-of-way.  "No" was her reply, which slightly amazed me, albeit that damned cyclone fencing had gone up by the time she might have attempted. I am relieved that she only disclosed her various exploits once her teens were behind her!

Scott, so nice  to hear your observations on coming up in the great music depts at Roehm and Berea HS, and you acknowledgment of so many fine classmates. Didn't Jerry Coker go on to play for the Met Orch?

Regards to all!

Stephen VAN Wye

Hi all,
I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts!
Memories are neat - but it would be much better if we could return to our youth! (and make a few changes) - if you know what I mean.

Nobu- yes, I clearly remember "Safari Jane" and especially Googlelick. 
Googlick worked with us at Pick-n-Pay for a bit (sweeping floors) -  he
seemed to appreciate our trying to communicate with him. I can still remember
his "ada-badda" expressions as I type this. I could tell that he wanted so bad to tell us stuff. I had wished there was more of a "support" avenue/effort back then for people that could not hear and talk. He really seemed to be pretty intelligent - and  I appreciated his efforts to talk to us, and I felt bad when he was made fun of.  

Berea Quarries saw many memories.  Berea Pool... and the river thru the Metropark- where a few of my toy "battleships" sank via cherry-bombs.  Oh well, just thought I'd mention. 

Thanks to everyone for the memories!

-steve

Jon Bittinger

Julie:

I haven't spoken with Gerry in...maybe 7 years...but yes he did Met walk-ons...and many independent gigs...played around the World with famous groups...still going strong I'd bet...

He told me that after graduation from Manhattan Conservatory..."not being selected by an Orchesta"... was the biggest blessing of his career track...enabling him to basically call his own shots...and freelance...which he's done very successfully.

I believe Deborah Serafini is still with the Minneapolis Symphony...and tours around the world playing many types of music.

Scott

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

Hi Bruce' good to hear from you. Interesting that you brought up the elementary track meet. I remember you and Craig May were on the relay team with me that broke the track meet records a week after Loomis set the record. I'm afraid that was the high light of my track career...elementary school. I did win the southwest junior champs in the 120 yard hurdles and traveled to Canton for the state meet. That's probably the photo you speak of. I knew I was in trouble when I realized that I was the only non-black runner in my heat. I would have been dead last if it wasn't for one of the runners tripping over a hurdle. What made the experience memorable was Fred Mintz'es family taking me to the Football Hall of Fame after the meet.

I remember the St. Claire station across from Shell. It was next to the sledding hill that evntually disappeared in the park's redesign... and no, Western Auto was not the same as Brown Hardware.  It actually became the Berea Cafe whom I later played softball for. I also tended bar there while I attended CSU, but rarely made it to my morning classes due to hang overs.

Yes I remember climbing up on top of Fairwood school. Kenny James and I stashed a pack of cigarettes up there and we would puff away to relieve the stress of attending elementary school. My ass got stuck on the roof one time, ruined a perfectly good pair of pants sitting on the hot tar. The Parknoll kids may have had the natural environment of Rocky River and the majestic bridges but we had the "roof".  

I see an ongoing thread about the band. I used to be in the band too, although I quit when I was in the 8th or 9th grade.  I remember others in my section (vaguely) Steve Osterhout, Nancy Nactigall...Claire deBogdan, Jan Thompson, Pat Moran?  I was pretty lousy however, never took my clairnet home to practice. I finally told Mr. Bergantino I wanted to quit. Was band a class for credit or were we sacrificing our study hall time? Maybe I would have stuck it out if I was in percussion section goofing off with Doug Price and Dan Sharp. Now those guys knew how to have  fun.

Thanks Keith for your kind words about my video kids.

Jon Bittinger

Nobu:

Don't forget Jim Quigley and Rick Russell...they were the driving force behind our percussion section. Rick learned the snare drum at a very early age...as he played with his dad in a Scottish Drum and Bugle Corps...so his work was way above anyone else. "Quigs" was more versatile...getting into his drum set in his Fournier House. He kept our grind going in various bands we had outside of school; a very good Dance Band, a decent Brass Quartet (my lead was never comparable to a Gerry Kocher, Jim Snapp, Dan Kovach, Freddie Stambaugh) Bruce Grulke and I matched-up to lend enough brassy punch to our Groups though so Clubs (VFW, Kiwanis,Elks...) would have us in to play for their events...or just provide background to their merriment (we witnessed some drinking, yes)...everyone had a great time..! I know this exposure lead to me receiving a $25 Savings Bond from the Elks for College. (Face value: TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS U.S.) My wife a 1975 Youngstown HS Grad...laugh...that she got a $50 S.B from the Elks...nothing like the '70s Inflation run-up..!

Drummers are always cool...(Price definitely looked the coolest and he and Sharp were also excellent musicians)...all drummers I've known have a lot of fun...but amazing to me, as a one-trick pony (trumpet)...several drummer dudes also took on not only another instrument, but many...AND are very accomplished on them.

Google my good friend, Zach Prather. He is a converted drummer...he now leads his bands out of Luzurn Switzerland on Lead Guitar and Lead Vocals...plays many instruments besides...wonderful jazzy bluesy fusion Band...

Cheers All,

Scott

Arthur Rohlik

Jim Quigley showed me some mandolin chops when we were still in BHS. I was more than a little impressed. My recall is that he demoed PROUD MARY. On the mandolin. I did not imagine that one could cross genres that way. The lesson did not stick. Recently I was again startled to meet ukelele players that covered TIME AFTER TIME (Cyndi Lauper) and IF YOU CLOSE THE DOOR (Velvet Underground) and (Led Zepplin) I GOTTA WOMAN. Every time I start to think that I am enlightened something/someone comes along to rattle my cage. Thank Goodness!

I would enjoy getting a message to Jim Quigley expressing my thanks for that High School conciousness raising.    

Jon Bittinger

...me too, Art... I was setting-up for a Trade Show in Orlando...like 25 years ago, when Rick Russell walked up to me...that was a fun chance encounter...no contact since...which is unfortunate... Best.....

Arthur Rohlik

Even though I did not continue with High School Band after 1st year BHS, the band leaders Bob Bergantino & Al Demkowicz permitted and encouraged me to occupy a practice closet with my guitar. They made certain that I acknowleged "first come first served" did not appply to the practice rooms. Band/Orchestra members got priority. I have searched online for Gerry Kocher. I had some possible hits under "Gerald Kocher - trumpet" but no contact information. Doc

Steven Rowsey

Just a thought today--a Happy Birthday to Jennifer Runyon.

Isn't it amazing how in 7th grade--and all through our adolescence--we never know how far ahead of their time someone standing right next to us really is?

Hope you've enjoyed this wonderful summer day!

Jennifer Runyon

Jennifer Runyon

Juliana Savino

Happy birthday from Iceland, dear Jennifer! I'm in the final stretch of what I can only call the Thank You Mom and Dad Wherever You Are Grand Tour. Left home on the Amtrak back om18 june: NYC, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Regensburg where myfriend from music school lives and who prompted me to take this first ever trip to Europe, Paris, Iceland, a few more days in New York, then home around 25 july. It truly has benn the trip of a lifetime. I will have some cake tonight in your honor. Many happy returns.

Jennifer Runyon

Sounds like you had a wonderful time!  I'm so happy for you.  I hope you post some pictures (if you have any that you would like to share).  Thank you for the birthday wishes.  I truly appreciate it.  So nice to hear from you and when you land back in America -- WELCOME HOME!

Jen

Jennifer Runyon

Julie, when I said "back in America," of course I meant Cleveland (lol).

Arthur Rohlik

I know exactly how you feel, Jennifer, regarding Cleveland as a metaphor for America.

When I hear of someone going on vacation to anywhere else, I am inclined to ask "Oh really? Have you already been to Cleveland?"

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

Juliana, been following your Euorpean trip on FB and picked up a few pointers. Thanks for sharing your adventures. Will make it my destination next year. 

Happy birthday to Jennifer, nothing beats cruising around in rag top on a beautiful day. Back during high school times, I loved Ed Zelaski's Triumph TR3 and remember seeing his parents sporting around town in it years later and I thought, "Cool, some day I'd like to do the same." Well, here's to hanging onto your dreams...oh by the way, that's when I also said, some day I'd like to live in Hawaii.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203182591126033&set=a.1353525378605.43633.1845541074&type=1&theater

Jennifer Runyon