DAVID GIFFELS BOOK TURNING INTO A TV SERIES

 

Former BJ columnist David Giffels’ 2009 Memoir, “All the Way Home,” about more than a decade of restoring a condemned old Tudor home in Akron, will be made into a TV series.

The series will be titled “Wreckless.” This 1913 house was the Radnor Mansion in its glory days.

It will be produced by Process Media and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. David is represented by Daniel Greenberg at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.

David and wife Gina, a special education teacher, moved into the deteriorating mansion after a crack at New York City proved disheartening with their children Evan and Lisa, now in their 20s.

David describes his book/TV editor as “a crazy love story filled with angry raccoons, flying chainsaws, and collapsing floors.”

They paid $65,000 for the no-longer-grand structure with six fireplaces, a solarium and a billiards room. The loot from the book and the TV series makes it a great investment.

FORMER BJ REPORTER CHRISTINA KUKUK TO GIVE BOOK TALK SATURDAY IN AKRON

 

Ex-BJ Christina Kukuk, Connecticut’s Mary O’Connor to give book talk Saturday

Former BJ reporter (2000-2001) Christina Kukuk will give a  book talk at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23 at the Porch Light Company in Akron.

Mary O’Connor also will participate. Her books include “Life Is Full of Sweet Spots.” Mary lives at the Connecticut shoreline with the Atlantic Ocean. She also is an artist and teaches poetry to prison inmates. Mary is a Manhattanville College graduate. That institution is in Purchase, New York.

They will do readings and then have dialogue with the audience.  Since Christina, who lives in Oregon, became a pastor after leaving Ol’ Blue Walls at 44 E. Exchange street one of the topics will be: How do spiritual traditions impact the violence we do to our own and one another's bodies?

 

Other topics:

Can a particular place save our lives? Or threaten them? Which help human bodies heal instead?

 

Coffe and conversation and, of course, books available for signing and purchasing.

TUESDAY CALLING HOURS, WEDNESDAY BURIAL FOR JOE SCHLIMM

 

Joe Schlimm, BJ trucker driver for 39 years, passed away Thursday, June 30.

His funeral service will be Tuesday, July 19 at Dunn-Quiley’s Stow chapel. Burial with military honors will be Wednesday, July 20 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

He was an active golfer and bowler, was chairman of the Jamboree golf commitee for several years.

Joe graduated from St. Mary’s High in Akron, moved on to Kent State and the University of Akron and, in 1954, the Army where he was stationed in Korea.

He began at the BJ in 1958. After retirement, Joe did volunteer tax work with the American Association of Retired People (AARP). He was in the 21 Finance Division during his Army years.

Joe’s widow is Jeanette, his wife for 56 years. They have 4 children and 4 grandhildren.

Joe’s obituary:

Joseph Schlimm, 89 of Silver Lake passed away peacefully Thursday June 30th.

The older of 2 children born to Joseph A Schlimm and Mary (Hogan) He graduated from St Mary's in Akron. From 1951-1954 he attended Kent State and Akron University. Joe entered the army in 1954 and was stationed in Seoul as a member of the 21 Finance Division. In 1958 he began working at The Akron Beacon Journal where he retired after 39 years. Upon retirement, he enjoyed his volunteer work doing taxes with the AARP.

Joe enjoyed traveling on family cruises as well as road trips to the west coast.

Joe is survived by his wife Jeanette of 56 years, his brother Paul, His children Connie, Joe ( Melissa), Nancy and Amy ( Earl) and his grandchildren Monica Schlimm, Sam Dutt, Aaron Dutt, and Avery Dutt.

Calling hours will be held at Dunn-Quigley in Stow on Tuesday July 19 from 4-6 with a service immediately following.

Inurnment with military honors will take place on Wednesday, July 20 at 10:45 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

ALAN HALE PASSES AWAY

 

Alan Hale, hired by the BJ in 1989 into the Mailing Room but later transferred to press operator in maintenance and wound up handling BJ heating and air conditioning upkeep, passed away.

Calling hours will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, July 11 at Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road before the 1 p.m funeral at Schermesser’s.

Hower High art major and graduate Alan then attended university-level classes were serving in the Army in Paris and technical classes at IBM Training School. Later, he was at Goodrich for 19 years before working at Akron Crane and Conveyor.

He lived in Uniontown with his wife, Joan, while creating 3-dimensional metal sculptures. They had two children.

The late Mark Alan Hale became a Springfield High graduate with an eye on computer technology at the next level, which obviously is in his DNA, being Alan’s son. Martha Hale Stonaker, also a Springfield High graduate, advanced to the University of Akron to study investment banking. Martha is married to Don Stonaker.

There’s also in the family Chloe, Evan and Hudson.

Martha’s Facebook post:

My loving, proud, strong and hard-working father passed away after this seemingly long and hard battle he has been put through of the mind, body & spirit. I’m at peace that he is no longer suffering and that he was secure in his relationship with God!!

Ever since my brother Mark passed away my Dad’s light went dim. He has wanted to be here for us but has never stopped having the broken heart missing his amazing son. I feel like my brother was there to greet him with open arms and no doubt they are together now.

We SO appreciate all of the continuing love, support, prayers, txt msgs & calls throughout the past hours, days, weeks, months and even years from our friends & family!!

Much love, Joan, Martha, Don & Chloe, Evan & Hudson

Brother Mark passed away at the age of 42 in 2017 after a battle with brain cancer. He was Springfield High Class of 1993 and Portage Lakes Career Center graduate. Mark’s widow is Tammy. They had 2 children, Evan and Hudson.

Alan’s full obituary, Schermesser said on its website, will be made published later.

ERNIE BALOGH'S BROTHER PASSES AWAY

 

Frank Balogh, the late BJ Composing worker Ernie Balogh’s brother, passed away Wednesday, June 29.

He was a Kenmore High graduate in 1945 and served in the Navy during World War II. And then worked for 46 years at Karg Corporation in Tallmadge.

Ernie’s late wife’s name was Jean Balogh.

Frank’s obituary:

Frank (Francis) S. Balogh

Frank (Francis) S. Balogh entered into eternal peace on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Dad was born October 27, 1927, the third son of Anna and Joseph Balogh. He attended Kenmore schools, graduating in 1945. He worked at Firestone until he was drafted into the military in 1946. Dad served in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Guadalupe escorting oil tankers used during WWII from Japan back to San Diego, California. 

Following his military service, he returned to Akron where he met his future wife, Dolores on a blind date. Dad said it wasn’t “love at first sight” but was a love that lasted 72 years until Mom’s passing May 22, 2021. Dad worked hard to make a living for his family. He learned machining at Hower Vocational School attending night school while working at Karg Corporation in Tallmadge. He, his brothers, and father built a home for his young family in Cuyahoga Falls during this time, too. He retired from Karg after 46 years of dedicated work. 

Dad volunteered as a Boy Scout Troop leader then as an advisor to Catholic scouts on their Ad Altari Dei award. He was awarded the Bronze Pelican and the St. George Emblem for his service to scouting.

Dad was a founding member of St. Eugene Catholic Church where he served in various support roles. He was an active member of the Men’s Garden Club of Cuyahoga Falls. He and Mom enjoyed attending the yearly conventions where they could visit many beautiful gardens. He always returned with ideas for use in his own personal gardens.

Following his retirement, Dad volunteered at Price Elementary School as a tutor with the Oasis Program, tutoring young students in Reading. He always had special extra projects for his young charges.

He was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife, Dolores; beloved and cherished grandson, Andy Balogh; brothers, Joe (Rose), Jim (Kay), Charlie (Lena), Louie, Ernie (Jean); son-in-law, Jerry Hunter; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Louis (Mary), Joe (Frances), Julia (Al), and Teresa (Louie).

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Joell; daughter, Anita Hunter; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Todd Wingerter; brother-in-law, Donald Giovannini; foster son, Kurt; many loving nieces, nephews and friends, including those at Danbury of Tallmadge.

Our thanks go to friends, Margaret, Nancy, and Wendy who frequently visited him. Thank you also to doctors, nurses, and assistants at Summa Health at Home, Summa Hospital, and the kind staff at Summa Hospital Hospice who made his last days more comfortable.

We would also like to thank the staff and his many friends at Danbury Tallmadge, especially Claudette, who made his stay there a wonderful experience for him.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 1821 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. Guests are welcome to visit with the family one hour prior to Mass, from 10 am-11 am.  Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery following the service.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Summit Metro Parks, 975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron, OH 44313 or Humane Society of Summit County, 7996 Darrow Rd. Suite 30, Twinsburg, OH 44087.

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; of happy memories that I leave when life is done.” Helen Lowrie Marshall

DON PACK'S EX-WIFE PASSES AWAY

 

Sally Ann Houlihan Pack, former wife of late BJ Composing retiree Don Pack and the mother of their seven children, passed away June 25 in Sarasota.

 

Don cleaned the pool at Sea Castle on adjacent Siesta Key, where my late wife Mona and I spent a month every February for about a decade.

 

Don lived his final 17 years with Betsy Friese of Sarasota. They traveled around the Americas today.

 

Don passed away in 2015 while on a cruise with Betsy.

 

Sally Pack’s obituary:

 

Sally Ann (Houlihan) Pack

SARASOTA - SallyAnn Pack (Houlihan), 85 passed away peacefully in Sarasota FL on June 25, 2022 She was born on February 8, 1937 in Akron, Ohio to James and Sarah Houlihan(deceased).

She was a beloved mother, sister, daughter, grandparent and friend. Sally’s fierce love and compassion for her children was incomparable.

 

An avid sports fan and story teller, Sally was known for loyalty to all things Irish and women’s rights. Sally lived her life for her grandchildren who she loved unconditionally.

 

She is proceeded in death by her daughter Julie. She is survived by her 6 children; Chris(Cathy), Joe(Janie- Deceased), Don(Marcia), Michelle, David(Christine) and Sam(Jeff). 12 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren.

 

She also leaves behind her siblings, Jim Houlihan( Rose), Virginia Rubano(Bert), and Bob Houlihan(Diane) and their families.

 

A private memorial and celebration will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Planned Parenthood in Sally’s name.

BJ NAMED BEST WEB SITE IN OHIO AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

 

BJ wins 26 state awards

The BJ won 26 statewide journalism awards, including 11 first-place honors, as BeaconJournal.com was named the best website in Ohio.

The print edition was 2nd for best daily newspaper in Ohio for those under 75,000 circulation.

 

The awards were presented Friday for the All Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards sponsored by the Cleveland Press Club at the House of Blues in Cleveland.

 

First place went to Stephanie Warsmith, who covers courts and crime, as best staff reporter in Ohio.

 

Consumer columnist and medical reporter Betty Lin-Fisher won 3 first place awards in the multiple stories category. And 3^rd place for public service by addressing racism as a public health issue.

Photographer Phil Masturzo won two first-place awards for general feature photo.

 

First place also went to photographer Jeff Lange in the portrait and personality category, reporter Doug Livingston for analysis, reporter Jennifer Pignolet for General News/Single Story, reporter Nate Ulrich for personality profile feature.

 

Reporter George Thomas placed third for reviews and criticism and placed second in entertainment writing.

 

The remaining awards included by BJ staff:

 

Page design, Rob Backus, second place.

 

Medical/health writing, Amanda Garrett, second place.

 

Business department, second place, worker shortage and higher prices.

 

Sports department’s Marla Ridenour, features/personality profile, third place.

 

Photographer Karen Schiely, general news, third place.

 

Mark J. Price, humor writing, third place.

 

Seyma Bayram, multicultural writing, third place.

 

Rob Backus, Sydney Clark, front page design, third place.

 

Mike Cardew, photojournalism, third place for election photo.

 

Karen Schiely, general feature, third place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022 All Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards 26 for BJ

 

 

 

Beacon Journal wins 26 awards, including best Ohio website

Akron Beacon Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

Akron Beacon Journal staffers won 26 statewide journalism awards, including 11 first-place honors, as BeaconJournal. com was named the best website in Ohio on Friday night.

Judges praised BeaconJournal.com for achieving a “balance between serious stuff and innovative ways of attracting the more casual reader.” The print edition also placed second for best daily newspaper in Ohio for those under 75,000 circulation.

The awards were presented for the All Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards sponsored by the Cleveland Press Club at the House of Blues in Cleveland.

Reporter Stephanie Warsmith, who covers courts and crime, was named best staff reporter in Ohio for what judges described as “excellent storytelling.”

“(She) puts a human face in the forefront of some very heady stories.

See AWARDS, Page 9B

Continued from Page 1B

It’s a fascinating portfolio, so much so that I wanted to read more.”

Consumer columnist and medical reporter Betty Lin-Fisher won three firstplace awards for her coverage of Baby David’s kidney transplant in the multiple stories category; “Finding my voice amid Asian American hate crimes and violence“ in the essay category, and “Never been so scared: Stow mom recounts baby’s life-threatening CO-VID-19 infection“ in the COVID-19 category. She also received a third-place award for public service for her project addressing racism as a public health issue.

Judges described Lin-Fisher’s essay as “beautifully written piece and a very brave effort.”

“Journalists are told not to reveal what is inside, but this writer knew she had to set that aside and add her voice to the community as uncomfortable as it may have been for her,” they said.

Photographer Phil Masturzo won two first-place awards for general feature photo for “Shaving Cream Fight” and studio photography for “Black Fig Stuffed with Ohio Goat Cheese.” He also placed second in general news photo for “Family Calls for End to Gun Violence.”

Other first-place winners included:

h Photographer Jeff Lange in the portrait and personality category for “8-year-old CEO uplifts kids like him with Our Brown Boy Joy.”

h Reporter Doug Livingston in the Analysis category for “Why isn’t the local labor market working? The answer is complicated.“ h Reporter Jennifer Pignolet for General News/Single Story: “Akron Asian Americans reflect on racism in wake of Atlanta shootings.“

h Reporter Nate Ulrich for personality profile feature: “How Browns rookie Greg Newsome II, Northwestern basketball star Veronica Burton lift each other.”

Reporter George Thomas placed third in the Best in Ohio category for reviews and criticism while earning a second in entertainment writing for “There’s reason to hope Black filmmakers and movies will have sustainability.”

The remaining awards included:

h Best in Ohio page design, Rob Backus, second place.

h Medical/health writing for “‘It was so quick.’ The story behind Stow-Glen Retirement Village’s abrupt, chaotic closure,” Amanda Garrett, second place

h Business: “Fewer workers, higher prices, less stuff: Shortages are changing lives in Northeast Ohio,” staff, second place.

h Features/personality profile: “Golfer Ivana Shaw hits balls in Mumbai,” Marla Ridenour, third place.

h General news photo: “Student speaks up for wearing masks,” Karen Schiely, third place.

h Humor writing: “Akron flashback: Cruising around in a Chevy Nova,” Mark J. Price, third place.

h Multicultural writing for “‘I want to see my future’: What the shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant reveals about Black girlhood,” Seyma Bayram, third place

h Front page design: Rob Backus, Sydney Clark, third place.

h Photojournalism: “Inside an Election,” Mike Cardew. third place.

h General feature photo: “Firestone Sign.” Karen Schiely, third place.