Cleveland International Hall of Fame 2010 Induction
The 2010 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Induction was held Wednesday May 12, 2010 at Sterle's Country House at East 55th and St. Clair in Cleveland.
The Cleveland International Hall of Fame will permanently recognize those individuals who have made a valuable and lasting contribution to our multicultural society. A sellout crowd of over 300 attended the event and another 150 or so were put on a waiting list.
After a cocktail hour, attendees were seated for Sterle's famous family style dinner.
Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople.Com then welcomed the crowd. He told how the sellout crowd was due to the quality of the inductees. Many of the attendees have been touched by the lives of the inductees and wanted to share this honor with them.
Dan Hanson
Others may not have known any of them personally but they respect their contributions to the community and wanted to show their support for a diverse and vibrant Cleveland.
Dan Hanson then introduced the keynote speaker, Mr. Albert B. Ratner, Co-Chairman of the Board of Forest City Enterprises, Inc.
The inductions then began, in alphabetical order. Each inductee received a proclamation from both the Cleveland City Council (courtesy of Councilmen Matt Zone and Mike Polensek) and the Cuyahoga County Commissioners.
Cleveland International Hall of Fame awards
A special person had been chosen to induct each honoree into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Edith Lauer, Chairman Emerita of the Hungarian American Coalition, inducted Jeanette Grasselli Brown
Jeanette Grasselli Brown
Lt. Colonel Joe Meisner inducted Dr. Dieu Thuc Do
Dr. Dieu Thuc Do
Dr. Joe Wendel inducted Bob Haas
Robert (Bob) Haas
Bob Haas, Dan Hanson, Debbie Hanson and Dr Joe Wendel
John Borkowski,President of the Alliance of Poles of America, inducted Helen Karpinski
Daughters Mercedes Karpinski Spotts and Diane Karpinski accepted the award for their late mother
Mercedes Karpinski Spotts
Diane Karpinski
Award-winning journalist Dick Russ inducted Alex Machaskee
Romanian Consul Alin Rosca accepted the award for Alex Machaskee and read a touching letter from Alex. Mr. Machaskee followed his heart and attended his grandson's final recital in Cincinnati as he had promised him
Romanian Consul Alin Rosca
Pat Dowd, President of the Padraic Pearse Center, inducted Lonnie McCauley
Tom McCauley accepted the award for his late wife Lonnie McCauley
Valerie Schwonek inducted Irene Morrow
Irene Morrow
Jure Žmauc, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia, inducted August Pust
August Pust
Umberto Fedeli, President and CEO of The Fedeli Group, inducted Paul Sciria
Paul Sciria
Mona Alag, President of FICA, the Federation of India Community Associations, inducted Paramjit Singh
Paramjit Singh
Lithuanian Consul Ingrida Bublys inducted Senator George Voinovich
Senator Voinovich was in session in Washington DC so Lucy Stickan from his office accepted for the Senator
Senator George Voinovich added his signature to the Cleveland International Hall of Fame commemorative book on May 14, 2010
Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation President Paul Burik inducted Leo Weidenthal
Bud Weidenthal accepted the award for his late great uncle Leo Weidenthal
Bud Weidenthal
Pearl of the Orient owner Rose Wong inducted her sister Margaret W. Wong
Margaret W. Wong
Thank you to the inductors and congratulations to the Inaugural Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
To learn more about opportunities for the 2011 Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction please contact Debbie Hanson directly at deb@ClevelandPeople.Com or 216-381-8310.
