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Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza
Groundbreaking Ceremony
June 11, 2019

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza sign

Hardhats and shovels for groundbreaking

Attendees gathered for ethnic food and a performance by the band No Strangers Here.

The band No Strangers Here - Pat Hoynes, Larry Bachtel and Bob Crawford

No Strangers Here
Pat Hoynes, Larry Bachtel and Bob Crawford


The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem by Brianna Bogdan, a 16 year old North Royalton student from Olga's Music Studio.

singing of the national anthem by a student from Olga's Music Studio

Brianna Bogdan


singing of the national anthem

Then CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury told of the historic significance of the Gardens and the new Plaza. He recognized the Plaza committee, board members, delegates and donors.

NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.

Dr. Wael Khoury

Dr. Wael Khoury




Next, CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury introduced Plaza project leader Paul Burik and then architect Berj Shakarian and CCGF past-president Sheila Murphy Crawford.

Paul Burik

Paul Burik

Berj Shakarian

Berj Shakarian

Sheila Murphy Crawford

Sheila Murphy Crawford




CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury introduced dignitaries for their remarks including University Circle President Chris Ronayne, Councilman Kevin Conwell, Cleveland Foundation Program Director Nelson Beckford, NEORSD Specialist Crystal Davis and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

Chris Ronayne

Chris Ronayne

Councilman Kevin Conwell

Councilman Kevin Conwell

Cleveland Foundation Program Director Nelson Beckford

Cleveland Foundation Program Director Nelson Beckford

NEORSD Specialist Crystal Davis

NEORSD Specialist Crystal Davis

Cleveland <b>Mayor Frank Jackson

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson




Dr. Wael Khoury told of some of the future plans for the Gardens and introduced CCGF Executive Director Lori Ashyk who gave her remarks.

Lori Ashyk

Lori Ashyk




The actual groundbreaking then took place with CCGF President Dr. Wael Khoury being joined by the Plaza committee leaders, major donors, Mayor Frank Jackson and others for the ceremonial shoveling of dirt.

Groundbreaking of the Centennial Peace Plaza

Groundbreaking of the Centennial Peace Plaza




The crowd then heard more music from No Strangers Here and enjoyed ethnic food and camaraderie.

This is No Strangers Here's version of Let the People Sing by The Wolfe Tones. With a chorus of "Let the people sing their stories and their songs And the music of their native land Their lullabies and battlecries and songs of hope and joy So join us hand in hand " it was a fitting song for the occasion.

The band No Strangers Here have written a version of The Garden Song modified to celebrate the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.



Enjoy these other images from the Groundbreaking.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation Executive Board

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation Executive Board


Gia Hoa Ryan, Joe Meissner and attendees

Gia Hoa Ryan, Joe Meissner and other attendees


Jose Casanova and Fahim Genal of Lakeland Construction with Mayor Frank Jackson

Jose Casanova and Fahim Gemayel of Lakeland Construction
with Mayor Frank Jackson


Tom Turkaly, Sam Tanious, Wael Khoury, Sheila Crawford and Paul Burik

Tom Turkaly, Sam Tanious, Wael Khoury,
Sheila Crawford and Paul Burik


Groundbreaking ceremony

Groundbreaking ceremony


Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking


Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking


Watching the ceremony

Watching the ceremony


Lori Ashyk, Wael Khoury and Chris Ronayne

Lori Ashyk, Wael Khoury and Chris Ronayne


No Strangers Here

No Strangers Here


Alex Lackey, Mayor Frank Jackson, Wael Khoury and wife and daughter

Alex Lackey, Mayor Frank Jackson,
Wael Khoury and wife Sawssan and daughter Hala


Joe Cimperman, Kevin Conwell, Mayor Frank Jackson and Chris Ronayne

Joe Cimperman, Kevin Conwell,
Mayor Frank Jackson and Chris Ronayne


Watching the ceremony from bikes

Watching the ceremony from bikes


Paul Burik, Wael Khoury, Lori Ashyk and Tom Antonelli

Paul Burik, Wael Khoury,
Lori Ashyk and Tom Antonelli


Groundbreaking ceremony


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