Recreation

67:1 MELBA BOWLING AND BILLIARD PARLORS

LAKEWOOD PRESS -- October 25, 1917 Pg. 4

Today gives to Lakewood, another up-to-date institution, with the opening of the Melba Bowling and Billiard Parlors in the building formerly occupied by the Melba Theater at Detroit and Highland Avenues.

The ten drives that have been installed are equipped with the special "Brunswick", with automatic pin setters, and the billiard and pool tables are of mahogany.

The parlors will be open from 12 o'clock noon to 12 o'clock P.M., and will be under the management of Mr. William H. Fishel.

67:2 ICE RINK PLANNED

LAKEWOOD PRESS -- November 22, 1917 Pg.1

The boys and girls of Lakewood will be provided with open air ice skating rinks if the director of public service carries out the directions of the city council. He was instructed in a resolution introduced by Councilman Palda and adopted by the council to secure suitable sites at once and bank them up to retain water.

Councilman Miller attempted strenuously to block the adoption of the resolution. He objected that water costs money and that Lakewood soil would not hold water, but would permit it to seep away. He stated that the scheme was tried last year and failed.

Palda admitted the failure last year, but pointed out that was due to the fact that the banks were thrown up after the ground had frozen and was too hard to pack, and if the work was done now, as he contemplated, that difficulty would not be met with. He also urged that open air skating was fine, healthful sport and that the few dollars the water might cost would be repaid in better health.

Finding his objections futile, Mr. Miller voted with the other councilmen in adopting the resolution.

So sharpen your skates and get ready for the fun!

67:3 PROF. GILBERT DANCING ACADEMY

LAKEWOOD PRESS -- November 29, 1917 Pg.2

One of the largest, most beautiful laid out and artistically arranged dancing academies in this section of the state is Prof. Gilbert's DAncing Academy, located at 14623 Detroit Avenue. The rooms and hall are on the second floor of a modern fireproof building and every precaution is taken for the proper ventilation and safety of its patrons.

The dance hall is a beautiful large hall with a specially laid floor; the ceiling and sidewalls have an alcove effect throughout; lights were selected to give an abundance of illumination with a soft effect on the eyes; around the entire hall, with the exception of the two big main entrances and orchestra platform is a continuous settee with soft upholstered cushions thereon for the patrons to rest between dances.

At the front of the left of the entrance is a large reception room very nicely arranged, with a large center table, and several easy, comfortable wicker chairs, for the use of patrons and visitors at all times. There is a large up-to-date locker or check room for the men and also a very spacious room, fitted up in modern style, for a smoking room, as there is positively no smoking allowed anywhere outside of this room.

The ladies have received special consideration in the way of a rest room, and a place for their wraps, etc., which makes them feel right at home the first time they come. Large bottles of Distillata water are free to patrons.

Professor Gilbert has met with great success in his dancing classes, which is due entirely to his own efforts. Strict discipline must prevail at all times while the classes are in session, with both the children and adults. Personal instruction on the main floor before the entire class in a predominating feature which gives the meek and backward ones greater confidence and incentive to learn quicker. Everybody is made to feel that they come there to learn and enjoy it by the congenial method and manner in which the instructions are given.

The fact that strict attention and order must prevail at all times is appreciated by all patrons and has won many a favorable comment on the outside.

Prof. Gilbert has had many years' experience, is thoroughly competent, and teaches all the modern steps in the better class of dancing.

His method of forming all couples in promenade preceding each dance is classical as it gives each pupil an opportunity to procure a partner and be ready to all start at once. This method also gives the instructor a better chance to watch his pupils, by having them all dancing the same step at the same time.

The pupils of this academy are taught one dance at a time, thus giving them a chance to learn it thoroughly before taking up another. The music is always in charge of musicians thoroughly experienced in modern dance music.

67:4 LANGE AND SYLVESTER DANCING ACADEMY

LAKEWOOD PRESS -- March 7, 1918, Pg. 28

There is no denying the fact that the person who knows how to dance correctly, knows the different steps to the point that the knowledge unconsciously is of assistance in grace and poise of the body, can be picked out in any assemblage where it is necessary to "side step" and in other ways avoid contact with hose who mingle there.

It is also a fact that correct dancing is healthful and is now recognized as one of the best exercises to be had. But, and this one little word has a world of meaning, it is absolutely just as necessary to do this correctly as it is to train an athlete. But this is not all. Correct training means correct deportment, correct positions, correct discipline and many other things that could be mentioned.

Only six month ago Lange and Sylvester's School of Correct Dancing was started in the Odd Fellows hall, corner Detroit Avenue and Belle Avenue. New methods were inaugurated, and with a view of giving the public the full benefit and diversion of dancing without the objectionable features often found, these ladies commenced to teach dancing and almost from the very first their methods attracted many of the well know people of Lakewood and at present their classes are very large.

Mrs. Lange, the lady who talks, thinks and teaches dancing, is not only well know in Lakewood and Cleveland, but is a recognized authoirty on dancing. A letter which Mrs. Lange prizes very highly and which was mailed to Mrs. Lange only recently, is interesting in this connection and is as follows:

Cleveland, Ohio

February 25, 1918

The musci school settlement is deeply indebted to you for your generous and able services during the past three months. Miss Drake, the director of dancing, being called to New York last November, your assistance since that time in directing the evening dancing classes in the settlement has been of incalculable value.

Your enthusiasm, spirit, coupled with your real ability as a dancing teacher, has been greatly appreciated by the students as well as by the head resident and the staff. So desirable are your services that Miss Drake has urged you to accept this position for the rest of the year.

Yours very truly,

Grace B. Drake, (per S.M. Fuller)

Another distinct compliment was paid this school when Major Williams, here for a short time from Camp Sherman, selected these teachers to teach his wofe the "Military Trot" as well as the one-step and Fox Trot, the three dances danced in the camp.

This school is not a stock company, and is controlled by Mrs. Lange and Mrs. Sylvester. To an observer one could not help admiring Mrs. Lange's enthusiasm as well as her insistence on discipline. Her "Marion Waltz" has already become famous and will no doubt be in general use long after mant of the so-called new dances go by the board.

67:5 MARGARET SUHR DANCING ACADEMY

LAKEWOOD PRESS -- March 7, 1918, Pg. 15

That Lakewood has a private dancing school, one which is the equal to any in any of the large cities, and one where it is possible for pupils to learn the finer arts of dancing will be good news to those who do not already know of such an institution.

Miss Margaret H. Suhr, who is a pupil of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, the foremost exponents of the dance and its relative arts, is the teacher, and to this work Miss Suhr also brings the trained mind of a college graduate, being a graduate of the College for Women, Western Reserve University.

The courses as presented by Miss Suhr offer a study of the following: Ballet Technique, Oriental Dancing, Dance Creation, Inventions, Greek, Egyptian, Dance Pictures, Theory of Motion and Science of Costume and Scenic Design.

Miss Suhr has been remarkable successful with her pupils and her reputation as an interpreter of the various dances mentioned above is rapidly gaining for her a reputation second to none in the state.

Of special interest is the classes for children under seven years of age which includes a simplified technique and a study of fanciful play dances such as "Little Jack Horner", "Howdedo", "The Little Pink Rose", and many other equally attractive dance expressions.

The studio of Miss Suhr is at 15905 Detroit Avenue, corner of Orchard Grove, and here during classes the studio is filled with those who want to be taught these dances.

Miss Suhr can be reached by calling telephone no. Marlo 36 J for appointments.

67:6 BATHING BEACH MAY AT LAST BE FOR LAKEWOODITES

NEWSPAPER CLIPPING (January 12, 1924) (Library File)

"Fill in" as suggested by Mayor Ed. A. Wiegand sounds good.

Maybe the people of Lakewood are to have a bathing beach of their own.

But it will be some time in the future.

But that is something to look forward to, at any rate.

Mayor Ed. A. Wiegand's plan to allow excavators to dump earth over the bank of Lakewood park on either side of the park is something that sounds good. His Honor says that's the way they do it in Chicago.

And he believes it can be done here.

If all building contractors and others who have earth to get rid of should follow the mayor's idea a beach would be started off the city hall and then the folds would have at least a foot hold at the edge of the blue waters of Lake Erie, something they haven't now.

Some time ago Mayor L.E. Hill and City Engineer Ad. A. Fisher had a plan to create a beach.

But that plan blew up.

Mayor Wiegand would charge 50 cents for every load of earth that was dumped over the cliff, thus creating a fund to later beautify the made land.

The mayor has asked City Law Director A.E. Brueckner to consult the state examiner at Columbus if money so derived could be legally used for beautifying purposes.

More of the mayor's plan for the beach will be know when he hears from Columbus.

It's a start in the right direction, at least.

In money what would a mile of beach be be worth to the people of Lakewood?

Cleveland wants millions for the made land off the city hall at East 9th, Street pier.

Go to it, Mayor Wiegand and also the city council.

67:7 RECREATION

NEWSPAPER CLIPPING (May 29, 1924) (Library File)

That sprightly little neighbor across the rive is about to open its popular public park on the shore of Lake Erie.

Its Rocky River that is to do this - that village just across the river from this big city of Lakewood, with its 50,000 or more well-to-do inhabitants.

As Lakewood hasn't any bathing beach for its citizens we thought it advisable to let it be known publicly what is happening "over the creek".

Last summer thousands of Lakewoodites crossed the bridge and took a plunge in the water.

And they enjoyed it.

And they were welcomed by the officers at the beach and given the glad hand by the home bathers.

"But in the sweet by-and-by, perhaps, Lakewood may have a public bathing beach of its own," says Councilman Harry S. Hart, who is always cut out for more park land on the lake shore.