How Do You Know You're From Cleveland Ohio?

08/28/2026

The History of Life Savers:
Life Savers candy was invented in 1912 by Clarence A. Crane, a chocolate manufacturer based in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Inspiration:
During the hot summer months, Crane faced a common problem for chocolatiers: his chocolate confections would easily melt, hurting seasonal sales. Seeking a durable alternative that could withstand the heat, he envisioned a "summer candy" that would remain stable in warm weather.

The Invention and Design:
To bring his idea to life, Crane utilized a pill-making machine to press peppermint-flavored hard mints. To give them a distinctive look and make them stand out from other mints of the era, he punched a hole in the center of each piece.
Because of their iconic shape, which strongly resembled miniature marine life preservers, he named them Life Savers.

Impact and Legacy:
While Crane created the candy, the marketing genius who turned them into a global phenomenon was Edward John Noble, who bought the rights to the candy shortly after its introduction. Today, Life Savers remain one of the most recognizable and enduring candy brands in the world, originating from right here in Cleveland.

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

Check out this amazing photograph of The Sherwin-Williams Co. factory along the Cuyahoga River in the Flats, captured back in October 1928.Long before it became the global headquarters we know today, this massive multi-building complex was pumping out paint and varnish right from the heart of Cleveland. If you look closely at the waterfront, you can see their historic slogan proudly painted on the brick: "Largest Paint & Varnish Makers in the World," complete with the classic "Cover the Earth" logo. It’s incredible to see how much our city’s skyline and the historic Flats district have transformed over the last century!

08/28/2026

Growing up in Cleveland meant Friday and Saturday nights belonged to WJW Channel 8 and some of the best local television history ever made. Here is a quick look back at the legendary run of Big Chuck and Lil' John:

●​1960: Charles "Big Chuck" Schodowski joins WJW-TV as a station engineer, soon working alongside Ernie Anderson’s iconic, anti-establishment horror persona, Ghoulardi.

●​December 23, 1966: After Ghoulardi departs for Hollywood, Big Chuck teams up with station weatherman Bob "Hoolihan" Wells to launch The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show, blending B-movies with slapstick local sketches.

●​September 1979: Following Hoolihan's move to Florida, local jeweler and long-time background actor John "Lil' John" Rinaldi steps in, officially launching The Big Chuck and Lil' John Show era of unforgettable parodies like Batguy & Rinaldi and Cuyahoga Jones.

●​June 2007: The duo signs off from their regular weekly broadcast format after decades of late-night laughs, community charity work, and local television history.
​What was your favorite skit or memory watching the show back in the day?

​
​
​
​
​
​

08/28/2026

Cleveland’s Historic Labor Landmark: The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

​Did you know Cleveland once housed "America's Labor Temple"?

​In 1910, Ohio Governor Judson Harmon dedicated the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Building, proudly hailed as the very first building in the U.S. built for and owned by a labor union.

​Here are a few fascinating milestones from its rich history:

​Massive Gatherings: In 1915, the building hosted the union's historic national convention, welcoming 800 delegates and thousands of visitors who injected a massive $200,000 (roughly $7 million today!) into the local economy.

​Architectural Twin: In 1925, the union added the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Bank Building (now the Standard Building) directly across the street. Designed in a matching "C" shape, the two structures formed a striking architectural gateway on Ontario Street.
​Art & Culture: The original building featured stunning WPA-commissioned railroad murals added in 1937, followed by a meticulous 1982 renovation of its 1200-seat auditorium that turned it into a popular hub for concerts and local law firms.

​A true testament to Cleveland's rich industrial and labor history!

​What is your favorite historic building or hidden architectural gem in Cleveland?

08/28/2026

That era at The Jake was truly something special.

​Nothing else in the city could touch the electric energy of downtown on a summer night back then—the absolute sea of red and navy, the incredible buzz around Gateway before first pitch, and the deafening roar of the crowd when Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, or Albert Belle stepped up to the plate.

​It was pure magic being part of that legendary 455-game sellout streak, packing out the ballpark night after night alongside a record-shattering 3.4 million fans.

Whether you were there for the midsummer All-Star heroics or sweating out every pitch of the October postseason run, there will never be another time quite like it.

​Those were the days! Who else remembers being packed in tight at the ballpark during the height of Tribe Mania?

Opening Day at Jacobs Field, April 4th 1994 | Cleveland Historical

08/28/2026

Meet Sergeant Ralph Lemieux—Cleveland’s original "Eye in the Sky!"

​Long before traffic apps, Greater Cleveland commuters relied on Sgt. Lemieux's reassuring voice live from "Copter 13" on WERE 1300 AM (and later WJW).

​As the Cleveland Division of Police's first licensed helicopter pilot, Lemieux launched his groundbreaking airborne broadcasts in October 1963. Cruising above the highway congestion, he didn't just help morning and evening commuters navigate post-war traffic—he also assisted ground units by tracking suspects, locating missing kids, and coordinating emergency responses.

​Before his legendary 1963–1977 broadcasting career, Lemieux lived a life of extraordinary service:

​WWII Hero: U.S. Army veteran who landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day and fought through the Battle of the Bulge.

​Cleveland Police Officer: Served in the Mounted Police, Traffic, and Hit-Skip units before pioneering police aviation.

​An incredible legacy in both Cleveland radio history and local law enforcement!