Photos From 2011

(click photo to enlarge)

  • Happy Holidays from everyone at the Parma Observer.

  • The Grand Mosque on W. 130th. St. in Parma; one of the most beautiful structures in our community.

  • Leading members of the Westcreek Preservation Committee at the dedication ceremony of the Metroparks Westcreek Reservation in Parma during March 2011.

  • Children enjoy the antics of a Police Dog during the annual Parma Safety Fair held at the Parma Justice Center in April 2011.

  • Akron legend Ted Zayda comes to Parma to help us celebrate the dedication of Polish Village in 2011

  • Parma Mayor Dean DePiero at his State of the City meeting early in 2011. Many share the belief that he has made a positive and lasting legacy during the two terms that he served in office. We wish him the very best of luck with all of his future endeavors.

  • The Parma Observer Grill was in full swing during 2011. On the menu during this particular session was a healthy vegetable stir-fry, along with some pierogis, of course.

  • The Parma Area Chamber of Commerce annual Rib "n Rock was a huge success in 2011.

  • The winner of the Parma Idol contest, Anthony Lagunzad, plays his heart out during the competition held at the Rib 'n Rock.

  • Both Mayors of Parma and Parma Hts., along with their Chiefs of Police, at an historic meeting to announce joint cooperation along with merging of some operations of law enforcement between the two cities.

  • Parma Mayor Dean DePiero as he signs the historic agreement of cooperation between Parma and Parma Hts.

  • Parma Police responding to an incident at Hanna Elementary School on Snow Road during the summer of 2011. Let's not forget that the excellent performance of our Police Department is the biggest reason why criminals think twice about plying their trade in our city, and why they are soon sorry if they choose to do so. Keep up the good work men and women in Parma blue!

  • Interior of the Tollgate House Replica in Parma Hts. during the Centennial Celebration. On display were many artifacts from bygone eras throughout the history of this area.

  • New Business of the Year- US Mart, at 5690 ridge Rd. in Parma, sells merchandise made only in the USA. Shop here and you know that you are helping to keep our proud manufacturing heritage alive, and your dollars won't be travelling overseas to help another country maintain their "booming" economy at our expense.

  • Block Party on Hodgman Ave., the oldest block party in Parma Hts.- still going strong!

  • Annual Parma Relay For Life at Cuyahoga Community College.

  • We all will miss Donna Smallwood, who passed away this year, and for whom the Senior Activities Center was named, while she was still living; a rare honor, and that says everything about the special person she was.

  • Dark clouds hung over Parmatown Mall this year, as it was announced that the property was in receivership. There is a sale pending currently, and everyone is hoping for the best when it comes to the future of this famous Parma landmark.

  • We featured a story by John Allender concerning a Russian Festival held at St. Sergius Russian Orthodox Cathedral this August. The cathedral and grounds are at the top of the hill on Broadview Rd. in Parma, and it's really quite a sight.

  • Angry residents crowded an overflowing meeting at Parma City Hall in August, to vent their frustrations about another kind of overflow, that is, of sewers into their basements. A record rainfall year brought an unprecedented amount of complaints and exposed some apparent shortcomings of storm sewer design, and possible maintenance issues.

  • On the outside looking in; in the foreground of this photo stands Chuck Germana, former President of Parma City Council, viewing the ongoing special council session allowing residents to voice their concerns about flooding woes from overflowing storm sewers throughout the city. For more than three hours one citizen after another literally yelled and screamed at the mostly stone-faced council members. Only Chuck knows what he was thinking, but it must have included a sigh of relief to be standing where he was instead of sitting where he used to be!

  • Poster at the Parma Hts. Centennial from the late 1920's advertising the Eureka Park housing development which was then being built off of Pearl Rd.

  • Parma hts. residents enjoyed playing "Parma Hts. Jeapordy" during the Centennial Celebration.

  • New Indian Restaurant in Ward 1 in Parma; the Priya Indian Cuisine Restaurant opened in the summer of 2011. Wonderful, authentic Indian Cuisine with a full bar as well.

  • Parma Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Grand Opening of the Priya Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Parma, attended by Chamber members, city officials, and eager customers.

  • PARMAWOOD- Parma ushered in a new era of Hollywood film-making when part of the film "The Avengers" was shot here on the grounds of the GM plant. Although security was as tight as a drum, one of our "operatives" was able to get close enough to get this photo of the set while it was in progress- everyone else will have to wait until they see it in a theater during the summer of 2012.

  • Parma Observer writer John Allender is also an outstanding guitarist. We urge you to check out the John Allender Band as soon as possible at a venue close to you.

  • For the first time in the history of Parma Hts., the AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade was held here in 2011.

  • Parma Hts. Mayor Michael Byrne stands on the reviewing stand during the AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade.

  • The Ukrainian Village Park celebrated its dedication with a parade and festival that only this vibrant part of Parma could possibly present.

  • Parma City Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Graham and Parma Hts. Mayor Michael Byrne prepare to dig into the ground with the same shovels used for the original groundbreaking to celebrate the 50th. anniversary of Valley Forge High School.

  • At 50 years of age, the cafeteria of Valley Forge High School has hosted many daydreams, including those of a certain Parma Observer Publisher.

  • St. Bridget of Kildare parish in Parma is 55 years old, and the church is undergoing some remodeling, including the addition of a new narthex.

  • This home in Parms features an all too realistic Halloween display.

  • A sure sign of Fall is the appearance of the awesome colors that our area is famous for.

  • An even surer sign of Fall is the sight of these muddy high School football players!

  • Mayor-Elect Tim DeGeeter in front of the massive fireplace at the Blue Line Bar & Grill on November 26 as he granted the Parma Observer an exclusive interview in order to discuss his plans for his first term as the new Mayor of Parma.

  • Honey the Parma Observer Dog wishes all of our readers a safe and happy Holiday Season and says '" don't forget your loving pets during this time of year".