CLEVELAND, Ohio – From baseball, Tiffany lamps, food history, dining culture and more, Northeast Ohio authors and topics have been in the spotlight recently.
The stories showcase not just the writers, but the vibrance of the region. Each book is a tribute to the area’s roots, spirit and creative momentum. The books weave a tapestry of people and history.
Here are summaries of our recent stories with interviews of the authors on a variety of topics:
Dave Grunenwald: Grandpa’s adventures and the power of giving
A few years ago, Grunenwald, a lawyer, would have laughed off anyone’s prediction that he’d become a children’s-book author. But now, semi-retired and seasoned in family life, he’s the proud creator of the “Lucas and Emily” adventure series. Inspired by his sprawling family that includes 55 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, Grunenwald found his new role as grandparent motivating. Grandparenting opened new doors. His sixth book, “Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure,” marks a shift from pure fun to deeper community purpose. After meeting a food-bank advocate, Dave was struck by the enormity and necessity of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The experience moved him to weave philanthropy into his stories, highlighting not just large-scale operations, but grassroots efforts like the “Sandwich People”—locals compiling lunches for the homeless. His storytelling conveys volunteering as a family activity. He’s also built “Grandparent Merit Badges,” a playful system for grandparents and grandchildren to earn stickers by completing unplugged activities together. Read more: Cleveland lawyer pens children’s-book series, newest adventure highlights food banks
Sandra Nickel: The woman behind Tiffany’s iconic lamps
Nickel brings to vivid life the story of Clara Driscoll in “Making Light Bloom.” The famed Tiffany lamps – those luminous, colorful designs – might never have existed in their iconic form if not for Driscoll, whose creative genius was long overshadowed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Driscoll, from Tallmadge, lost her father when she was young and, in the struggle that followed, sought training at what’s now the Cleveland Institute of Art. In 1888, she moved to New York and joined Tiffany’s studio, churning out glasswork while keeping in touch with her family through letters. These letters, rediscovered decades later in an attic, document her pivotal role as designer and innovator of the lamps, her Ohio roots inspiring motifs of yellow butterflies, wild primroses and garden memories. Nickel delves into Driscoll’s bravery: Leaving farm life for the urban unknown, handling budgets and navigating chauvinism. Nickel’s research highlights not only Driscoll’s technical and artistic gifts but her emotional ties to home and family. As Nickel said: “The more I read about Clara, the more I liked about her.” Read more: Author’s book details NE Ohio woman’s creation of Tiffany lamps
Jim Sollisch: Observing life’s oddities through short essays
As a creative director and seasoned essayist, Sollisch, a Cleveland Heights native, gathers bite-sized reflections in “How Donating a Kidney Fixed My Jump Shot.” The collection of 500-word essays are compact bursts of nostalgia, humor and heartfelt observation. Covering fatherhood, monogamy, culinary quirks and Jewish identity in sports, Sollisch eschews overwriting applies the brakes on overwriting and repetition. His voice is reminiscent of Erma Bombeck mixed with the wit of David Sedaris and Rick Reilly. While some pieces delve into serious topics, like George Floyd’s death, others maintain a lighter touch, chronicling everyday troubles and joys. With grandchildren now part of his life, Sollisch is trying his hand at kids’ books, too. But, ultimately, his essays testify to a simple truth: “I just need to write.” Read more: NE Ohio author of ‘How Donating a Kidney Fixed My Jump Shot’ details writing journey
Kelly Boyer Sagert: Lorain County – a melting pot told through recipes
The author’s “Lorain County Family Recipes” is more than a cookbook. It’s an historical, culinary journey of steel, immigration and identity. Lorain’s food traditions are forged not by signature dishes, but by the steel industry and waves of immigrants who arrived for work, freedom and opportunity. After the Johnstown Flood in 1889, the city’s demolished mill was moved to Lorain, sparking a huge demand for workers. Eastern Europeans in particular came, followed by Mexicans and Puerto Ricans as immigration policies changed. Lorain’s population soared; supportive industries and cultural traditions flourished. Sagert collected stories and recipes from families whose roots spanned dozens of nationalities. Signature recipes like cullen skink, tortillas, sugo and polenta blend with cabbage and noodles, pierogis and Puerto Rican rice – favorites at the Lorain International Festival. Sagert’s research showcases the lasting culinary diversity even as assimilation and changing immigration patterns alter the region’s makeup. The melting pot’s flavors endure. Read more: Lorain County food book reveals how immigration shaped local cuisine
Erik Piepenburg: Gay restaurants – a hidden history of community and cuisine
Piepenburg’s debut, “Dining Out,” is a comprehensive look at gay restaurants as culinary and cultural anchors. Piepenburg grew up in Northeast Ohio and, after moving to larger cities, he saw a shift: The vibrant gay eateries of his youth had vanished from big cities but thrived in smaller towns where they remained a rare LGBT haven. His extensive research for The New York Times blossomed into a book chronicling gay restaurants’ role in civil rights, community and identity – showing they have sometimes mattered more than gay bars (especially for youth and elders who don’t frequent cocktail lounges). His work is not just a guide, but a deeper look at why these places matter. Read more: ‘Dining Out’ explores history of gay restaurants
Wayne Stewart: Preserving the sounds of baseball history
Stewart’s love of baseball and historical moments finds a unique home in the Library of Congress. Requested to write an essay accompanying Chuck Thompson’s legendary call of the 1960 World Series Game 7, Stewart’s words are now archived alongside iconic recordings – Neil Armstrong, MLK, “Happy Trails and others – as part of a national audio-preservation project. Stewart’s book, “1960: When the Pittsburgh Pirates Had Them All the Way,” was born from detailed interviews with virtually every living Pirate. He reached deep into baseball history, speaking with Hall of Famers, researching at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and chronicling stories of players. The Game 7 moment on Oct. 13, 1960, though, is a special one in World Series history. In the bottom of the ninth, with the Yankees and Pirates tied, Bill Mazeroski hit a walk-off home run. Thompson’s voice: “Back to the wall goes Berra, it is over the fence and a home run! The Pirates win!” Stewart’s reflections help cement this event for generations. Read more: Amherst author’s baseball essay selected for Library of Congress preservation
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