The Observation Deck

Happy New Year Lakewood!

Let me introduce to you the Lakewood Observer Volume 19, Issue 1.

We show all the Holiday Light winners! Congratulations to the family at 1544 Lincoln. For the past 7 years they have featured in both the Christmas and Halloween contests. This is the first year they were voted into the top spot! Congratulations again to Ned Hammad and family. It is a joy having you in our city.

There are some wonderful memories and stories about one of Lakewood’s favorite people, Bill Hixson, aka Mr. Christmas, who left this mortal world right after Christmas at the age of 93. Bill Hixson and Hixson’s Flower Barn were a part of nearly every Lakewoodite’s life growing up. Yet, most never had the chance to know him. In this issue there is a good read of the history of Bill Hixson, and many of the comments about him that have come in since. May he never be forgotten.

Finally, we talk about something I am always reluctant to talk about. Awards, commendations, and call outs. The Lakewood Observer rarely if ever toots our own horn. We brag about the number of people that take part, the stories we broke, and the photos and illustrations we have shared. But we really haven’t dedicated any space to the many awards we have won, since “Business/Businessman of the Year” in 2008. This issue is dedicated to ALL Observers who have taken part in this award winning project since day one. We all share the joy of being inducted into the Cleveland Press Journalism Hall of Fame.

You will find the names of every person who has participated in our almost 400 issues. We walk into journalism history and immortality together.

The Lakewood Observer Project is a true community project, supported by open minded people on every side of every issue, in a community where most enjoy a good discussion and some fun while learning more about the city in which we all love, live and work.

To all of the people who have taken part in the print version of the Lakewood Observer, please consider this issue your award to the Hall of Fame, you should be as proud of yourselves as we are of you.

LAKEWOOD, WE DID THIS TOGETHER!

A massive thank you to Deb O’Bryan and Betsy Voinovich who dedicate their time and quietly work to keep this train going down the track.

We encourage you to pick up a printed version at over 100 locations around town.

Or you can download the digital version here!
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_01.pdf

Peace/Love

Jim O'Bryan an Observer

Congratulations to the entire Lakewood Observer team! Well-deserved!

This is an extraordinary Issue of the paper and stands as a fine item of Lakewood history. Kudos for a job well done!

Mark Kindt wrote:Congratulations to the entire Lakewood Observer team! Well-deserved!

This is an extraordinary Issue of the paper and stands as a fine item of Lakewood history. Kudos for a job well done!

Mark

Thanks for being a part of it. Next up those on the Deck.

What made me smile as we put this issue together. I am often asked, "How can we bring the city together?" "How can we heal divides?" "How do we build community?"

I just smile, and say it is easy, find something everyone can work one together.

Hahahahaha

Thanks again.

.