Today's Hidden Gem: Cleveland's Cultural Diversity
Happy New Year!
As we usher in 2009, I'm reminded of my family's diverse background. Our yearly tradition on New Year's Day, hopefully, will live on for years to come! We put on our comfy cooking clothes (and our 'fat' clothes!!) which we can sacrifice as they will soon become flour and starch-covered! We gather for the marathon day as we create Bohemian potato dumplings, sauerkraut, and pork. It's not a one man job--more like a 5 or 6 people assignment.
Part of Cleveland's richness and charm centers around its multi-cultural background. Honestly, this melting pot makes Cleveland one of the best cities to live in within the entire world!
Today, I am reminded of MY family's background, which consists of many strands: Italian, Bohemian, German, Slovak, Irish, Hungarian....
On New Year's Day, the Bohemian side shines through as we cook up an authentic meal which has been passed down through so many generations.
This first day in 2009, we added a new tradition to our feast. My Mother's cousin made his own sauerkraut and fed-ex'd us a batch!
Celebrating events such as these, or observing established holidays and holy days revolving around ethnicity (such as St. Patrick's Day and the Feast of the Assumption) hopefully will keep us close to our families and tied to our roots. We come from somewhere, let's be proud!
I visited a great place a few days ago, right here in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens on East Blvd in University Circle. They encompass all nationalities who have migrated not only to the United States but to the Cleveland area, as well as the impact these immigrants have made in society. Each garden, beautifully put together, gives a wonderful overview of their heritage from the politics to the arts, social and economic impacts.
I do believe there is a garden for every single nationality which makes up our rich area.
It really is a wonderful sight to see.
I urge you in this new year to go back to your roots. Take a drive over to East Blvd and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and find your background heritage. Walk around the garden and be transported back in the time machine to an era when your ancestors were just laying the groundwork for our futures.
When you visit your particular cultural garden, you too, will see why Cleveland's Cultural Diversity (including the Cleveland Cultural Gardens) is this week's Hidden Gem!
Happy New Year!
As we usher in 2009, I'm reminded of my family's diverse background. Our yearly tradition on New Year's Day, hopefully, will live on for years to come! We put on our comfy cooking clothes (and our 'fat' clothes!!) which we can sacrifice as they will soon become flour and starch-covered! We gather for the marathon day as we create Bohemian potato dumplings, sauerkraut, and pork. It's not a one man job--more like a 5 or 6 people assignment.
Part of Cleveland's richness and charm centers around its multi-cultural background. Honestly, this melting pot makes Cleveland one of the best cities to live in within the entire world!
Today, I am reminded of MY family's background, which consists of many strands: Italian, Bohemian, German, Slovak, Irish, Hungarian....
On New Year's Day, the Bohemian side shines through as we cook up an authentic meal which has been passed down through so many generations.
This first day in 2009, we added a new tradition to our feast. My Mother's cousin made his own sauerkraut and fed-ex'd us a batch!
Celebrating events such as these, or observing established holidays and holy days revolving around ethnicity (such as St. Patrick's Day and the Feast of the Assumption) hopefully will keep us close to our families and tied to our roots. We come from somewhere, let's be proud!
I visited a great place a few days ago, right here in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens on East Blvd in University Circle. They encompass all nationalities who have migrated not only to the United States but to the Cleveland area, as well as the impact these immigrants have made in society. Each garden, beautifully put together, gives a wonderful overview of their heritage from the politics to the arts, social and economic impacts.
I do believe there is a garden for every single nationality which makes up our rich area.
It really is a wonderful sight to see.
I urge you in this new year to go back to your roots. Take a drive over to East Blvd and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and find your background heritage. Walk around the garden and be transported back in the time machine to an era when your ancestors were just laying the groundwork for our futures.
When you visit your particular cultural garden, you too, will see why Cleveland's Cultural Diversity (including the Cleveland Cultural Gardens) is this week's Hidden Gem!
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