You Are Here # 8

You Are Here # 8
“It’s Kind of Exciting”

Tiffany Bryson is a 31 year old Realtor who has lived in Lakewood for 9 years. She has two daughters: Isabella and Una. Her favorite place is the bench swings in Lakewood Park that overlook Lake Erie. We met Tiffany at the swings on a chilly Sunday afternoon in December.

“I started working downtown, I wanted to get somewhere close that I could live but somewhere that I really enjoyed and everyone told me to go to Lakewood, that I would really love it there. I got an apartment and from that point forward I haven’t left. The small businesses I think is what really keeps me here, not big corporations all across our little town. Just small little places that are trying to make it and I love that. I love the fact that we’ve got our water right here. And that’s one of the reasons we like this park so much is cause we’re right by the water. I like the fact that they’re really building up, you know, closer to Cleveland they’re really building up all that area, developing it and that sort of thing. But they’re still trying to keep it where it’s still Lakewood. And the Lakewood Library! It’s so exciting. It’s one of the top libraries and it’s wonderful. We enjoy that, the kids enjoy it. And I love the fact that they did the new YMCA too, so they’re doing a lot. It’s kind of exciting.”

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You Are Here* is a project that highlights what Lakewood residents think and feel about their city. We feel that a project like this shares a great affinity with many of the community efforts beginning and ongoing in our city. We are witnessing the emergence of an engaged, pro-active and committed community dedicated to creating the kind of place that we want to live in. But the question remains: who are you? To that end, we would like to use this project as a forum to meet as many Lakewood residents as possible. We would like to photograph you in your favorite place in Lakewood and discuss with you what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. These biographical vignettes will regularly be published in the Lakewood Observer. Publishing them in the Observer means that you get to share, and other people get to learn about, who you are and what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. Ultimately, a quilt of individuals and experiences will be available to all who live here, and those who do not live here yet, strengthening the sense of community that is Lakewood, Ohio.

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com.

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jason Weiner lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristine. He works and volunteers with several Philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, does research and plays drums. His favorite place in Lakewood is the Purple Martin house in Lakewood Park.

Kristine Williams lives in Lakewood with her husband, Jason. In addition to teaching 3rd grade, she paints and knits for local galleries. Her favorite spot in Lakewood is under the oak trees in her own backyard.

They enjoy gardening and watching the birds in their backyard with their two dogs (Max and Gracie), cat (Emily) and several fresh water fish.