Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza Groundbreaking Ceremony June 11, 2019
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
Attendees gathered for ethnic food and a performance by the band No Strangers Here.
No Strangers Here Pat Hoynes, Larry Bachtel and Bob Crawford
The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem by Brianna Bogdan, a 16 year old North Royalton student from Olga's Music Studio.
Brianna Bogdan
Then CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury told of the historic significance of the Gardens and the new Plaza. He recognized the Plaza committee, board members, delegates and donors.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Dr. Wael Khoury
Next, CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury introduced Plaza project leader Paul Burik and then architect Berj Shakarian and CCGF past-president Sheila Murphy Crawford.
Paul Burik
Berj Shakarian
Sheila Murphy Crawford
CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury introduced dignitaries for their remarks including University Circle President Chris Ronayne, Councilman Kevin Conwell, Cleveland Foundation Program Director Nelson Beckford, NEORSD Specialist Crystal Davis and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.
Chris Ronayne
Councilman Kevin Conwell
Cleveland Foundation Program Director Nelson Beckford
NEORSD Specialist Crystal Davis
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
Dr. Wael Khoury told of some of the future plans for the Gardens and introduced CCGF Executive Director Lori Ashyk who gave her remarks.
Lori Ashyk
The actual groundbreaking then took place with CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury being joined by the Plaza committee leaders, major donors, Mayor Frank Jackson and others for the ceremonial shoveling of dirt.
Groundbreaking of the Centennial Peace Plaza
The crowd then heard more music from No Strangers Here and enjoyed ethnic food and camaraderie.
This is No Strangers Here's version of Let the People Sing by The Wolfe Tones. With a chorus of "Let the people sing their stories and their songs And the music of their native land Their lullabies and battlecries and songs of hope and joy So join us hand in hand " it was a fitting song for the occasion.
The band No Strangers Here have written a version of The Garden Song modified to celebrate the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
Enjoy these other images from the Groundbreaking.
Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation Executive Board
Gia Hoa Ryan, Joe Meissner and other attendees
Jose Casanova and Fahim Gemayel of Lakeland Construction with Mayor Frank Jackson
Tom Turkaly, Sam Tanious, Wael Khoury, Sheila Crawford and Paul Burik
Groundbreaking ceremony
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking
Watching the ceremony
Lori Ashyk, Wael Khoury and Chris Ronayne
No Strangers Here
Alex Lackey, Mayor Frank Jackson, Wael Khoury and wife Sawssan and daughter Hala
Joe Cimperman, Kevin Conwell, Mayor Frank Jackson and Chris Ronayne
Watching the ceremony from bikes
Paul Burik, Wael Khoury, Lori Ashyk and Tom Antonelli
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