History class was always boring for me because it wasn’t hands-on. I sat down, listened to my teacher speak scholarly about Mussolini and Stalin, and subsequently fell asleep. It wasn’t that I didn’t think the topic of foreign leaders was interesting. It was, but it was presented in such a boring and dull fashion that my lack of interest caused my eyes to flutter shut.

At the end of 11th grade, that same history teacher who taught me about the essence of fatigue also taught me that history could be fun. He sent us on a major scavenger hunt around downtown Warren in search of the most intriguing monuments and historical locations. It was amazing. It was the best day for weather Warren had seen in weeks and my mother was at my side as we frolicked around our town. We found war memorials. We found historical homes filled to the brim with the most thought-provoking history lessons. But most of all, we found that history didn’t have to be dull…as long as it was interactive.

Share

In 1910, some of the most extravagant mansions lined Overlook and Carlton Roads in Cleveland Heights. Now, most of the homes are gone and so are their hands-on historical teachings.

If you want to find out what happened to those beautiful pieces of historic memorabilia, make plans to show up at the Cleveland Heights Historical Center in the Superior Schoolhouse, 14391 Superior Road, at 7 tonight to hear the stories of the life and death of Cleveland Heights’ “Millionaire’s Row.”

Author, lecturer and history professor Marian J. Morton will discuss her book “The Overlook of Cleveland and Cleveland Heights” and it will also be sold at the event.

I suggest before or after you hear the discussion, do a little interactive history and take a stroll down Overlook and Carlton. You might surprise yourself when it turns out to be a fun time.

Reservations are required. Call (216) 291-4878.

DO IT UP ’80s STYLE: I was born in 1988. (Way to show my age!) Therefore, I am not exactly an ’80s baby. I’m more of a mid-’90s baby, since I can’t really remember anything before 1993. But, if you were born between the mid-’60s and early ’70s, you may have a better appreciation for what I’m about to pitch to you.

Whole Foods Market at 13998 Cedar in University Heights will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an ’80s-style birthday bash from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The market will have free samples, live entertainment and special offers that bring on that sigh of sweet nostalgia with 30 years of natural and organic food fun.

Shoppers will have the chance to stock up on 30 amazing products that will be on sale with ’80s flashback prices. And you won’t want to miss the 80-second shopping spree.

The event will end with a time capsule ceremony where team members will bury a package of current products, publications and pricing to be revealed in 2015.

Call (216) 932-3918 or visit wholefoodsmarket.com/cleveland for more information.

THE HISTORY OF NUMBERS: Some people are fascinated with only one aspect of history. And sometimes when people are interested in history, they get creative and turn history into art.

You now have the chance to witness such a case at the Heights Arts Gallery at 2173 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. Glass artist Rene Culler of Cleveland Heights is presenting her collection of past and present art at the gallery through Oct. 23. Most of her work is from her Byzantium series, inspired by her travels to Spain and Turkey and her fascination with history and other cultures. She created several dimensional pieces comprised of numbers stacked and layered with pre-fused glass.

Culler has had a big interest in numbers, obsessive counting and how numbers have been designated to represent other things in the world. You may remember when actor Jim Carrey played a man who was obsessed with numbers in the movie “The Number 23.” You may also remember that it didn’t end too well for him.

Fortunately for Culler, her obsession with numbers and art led to the creation of a glass studio in Glenville that she built herself. She also taught classes to young glass artists and worked on many national commissioned public art installations.

The exhibit can be seen Thursday-Saturday from 1:30-9:30 p.m. Call (216) 371-3457 for more information.

A LOVED ONE’S HISTORY: As you may have already gathered, people like to remember the history of their loved ones with events that make hundreds of people come together. This time is no different.

The 2010 Ride for Miles will be a celebration in honor of the life of Dr. Miles Coburn, an experienced cyclist and biology professor at John Carroll University in University Heights who was killed by an SUV while riding his bike.

Participants can bring their bikes to this event for a ride that will begin and end at the Dolan Science Center at John Carroll University. The ride will include a 15-mile, police-protected route for bikers to peddle through the eastern edge of Cuyahoga County. There will also be a short course for families with small children.

Registration will be at 9 a.m. on Sept. 26 and the ride will begin at 10 a.m. Patrons will be asked to pay a $25 fee which includes a T-shirt, food and live music. Jerseys can be bought for $45 as well, or you can make a contribution online.

Riders of all skill levels are welcome to attend. I just learned how to ride a bike a couple weeks ago so if you happen to see me at the event, try not to get in my way because I’m still a little wobbly. Not only am I confused as to how gear-shifting works, I also have been known to scream loudly when going downhill. Probably because I don’t know how gear-shifting works.

Despite the fact that my skill level is probably lower than that of your 5-year-old, it doesn’t mean you should miss the event because some crazy reporter woman keeps running into bushes. Maybe you can help me make history and get me to stay on the thing without breaking a limb.

Visit rideformiles.org to register or make a donation.

I want your event in my column! Send your information two weeks in advance to Faith Hampton at fhampton@sunnews.com.

Similar Posts:

• Enjoying the festival in Parma – Photo of the Day
• Move on, stop bemoaning loss of Oakwood’s park-like treasure: Sun News Letter to the Editor
• Cleveland Heights High School hockey team loses in Baron Cup action
• Hawks make me look bad
• Flag Day event at rock museum also marks naturalization, Army anniversary