The Observation Deck

Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of attending and being part of a beautiful ceremony which dedicated a brand new scoreboard in honor of Coach Jerry Gruss, who passed away last August.

Coach Gruss always wanted a new scoreboard, and when my art show/fundraiser was held at Phoenix Coffee, I soon was able to promise him that the scoreboard would become reality. A month after my event, a classmate and friend of mine, Eric Converse, held the "Jerry Gruss Tribute Baseball Game" to honor our coach. He generously contributed to the scoreboard fund, and we headed into a dozen meetings at the Lakewood BOE with Rick Berdine and Mike Callahan.

Teresa Andreani, LHS Alumni Foundation Executive Director, and Bob Thayer, LHS Athletic Director, joined our meetings and soon helped to find someone that will contribute the rest of the funding that we had to find. The LHS Class of 1961 picked up the rest of the tab and our scoreboard became a reality.

Yesterday, Mrs.Andreani put together a moving ceremony to dedicate the new scoreboard and to thank everyone that was involved. I would like to personally thank many, many Lakewood residents, Businesses, Alumni and Staff Members of LHS and the BOE that supported my event, Eric's event, and the Jerry Gruss Fund that was established by the Alumni Foundation. We learned yesterday that there is a scholarship that has been established by the Alumni Foundation in Coach Jerry Gruss's name, and that the "Jerry Gruss Tribute Baseball Game" will now be called the 2nd Annual Tribute Game, with proceeds going to the Lakewood Baseball Program. These are two BIG steps that will keep the legacy and memory of our dear friend, teacher, and coach alive for many years to come.

And a special Thank You to Mrs.Thayer, Mr.Berdine, Mr.Callahan, Mr.Thayer, and Mrs.Gruss and all the donors for the support and effort.

Michelle Gruss, her daughters Kelly and Emily (left), and Step Daughters Coletta and Erin (right):



Michelle's nephew threw out the ceremonial first pitch. A strike right down the middle:


Starting pitcher Sam Norris trots off the mound after a smooth first inning:



A photo of the beautiful new scoreboard:




View the entire gallery here:
Photo Blog

There's something about this city...

There just is...

People who are born here, who work here, who come here from other places...

So often, they achieve...they aspire to...and they are surrounded with...greatness.

You see it at Lakewood High, you see it at St. Edward. You see it with the teachers, the students, the parental involvement...

Teachers, coaches, musicians, artists, scholars, photographers, students...you name them...

You see greatness here in Lakewood.

In this time of tragedy for the horrible loss of life up by Alameda, I think that we need to be grateful that Ivor has taken the time to remind us of what so much in this city continues to inspire in our hearts.

May we always continue to rise to the opportunity to help others, to care, to work together, and to build more and more positive memories, during these difficult times, and the better ones hopefully to come.

As our hearts go out to the families of loss, both recent, and with the late Coach Gruss, so do I hope that we will resolve to continually recognize meaning and purpose in life...everywhere...

...and especially, here.

Good work Ivor.

God bless the fallen, and their families.

That is so incredible what you did Ivor, that there really are no words to express the compassion and love you poured out in his memory and to his family. His widow, Ms. Gruss works as a librarian at Hayes, and I cannot tell you what a ray of sunshine she brings to that school. There are some people who can't get a smile out to save their life, and here is a woman who lost her husband only a few months ago and she radiates warmth and joy to all around here.

She also mentioned the dinner your family did for her and her family. You give new meaning to going above and beyond, and in a place where we have to hear such criticism of all teachers, you are truly a light and a blessing Ivor, and bring the positive back here.

Thank you for that.

Great job Ivor. Congratulations to you, Mrs. Andreani, Mr. Thayer, and all those involved who made it happen.

Good stuff.

Joe, I missed you at the evening game.

I figured you'd be at track and field in the AM, I didn't make it up to the meet. I got an eye infection right after the game started, I think it was an allergic reaction to the cold wind off of the lake. Thankfully, it was my left eye and not the right (which I look through the camera with). It's much better today, it healed up. I can actually see!

I came close to being hurt badly yesterday after Jordan Kraus, who is the shortstop for Lakewood, threw the ball to third base and the third baseman missed it. The ball came right at me, I was crouching down and couldn't do anything but duck and pray that I'd avoid the ball!


Justine, Gary, thank you for the kind comments. In my quick speech I told everyone how Coach Gruss believed in me and my abilities and the abilities of every student and player he had. That's something every student can agree on and share. When I held my event, I put my hope and confidence in Lakewood and I wasn't disappointed. Lakewood came through, and this all became possible.

Gary Rice wrote:There's something about this city...

There just is...

People who are born here, who work here, who come here from other places...

So often, they achieve...they aspire to...and they are surrounded with...greatness.

You see it at Lakewood High, you see it at St. Edward. You see it with the teachers, the students, the parental involvement...

Teachers, coaches, musicians, artists, scholars, photographers, students...you name them...

You see greatness here in Lakewood.

In this time of tragedy for the horrible loss of life up by Alameda, I think that we need to be grateful that Ivor has taken the time to remind us of what so much in this city continues to inspire in our hearts.

May we always continue to rise to the opportunity to help others, to care, to work together, and to build more and more positive memories, during these difficult times, and the better ones hopefully to come.

As our hearts go out to the families of loss, both recent, and with the late Coach Gruss, so do I hope that we will resolve to continually recognize meaning and purpose in life...everywhere...

...and especially, here.

Good work Ivor.

God bless the fallen, and their families.

Beautiful photos Ivor, and I know how hard you have worked on this. Congratulations.

Beautiful words Gary.

.

This really is a triumph and it shows what kind of impact one person can make.

First, there was the impact of Coach Gruss. How many kids will take his inspiration with them for the rest of their lives?

Second, there was a force of nature known as Ivor Karabatkovic.

One person can set in motion a chain of events that inspires and activates others.

It's a beautiful thing.