Grapevine

Bath resident and bass singer Rip Wilson, along with his fellow members of “The Barbershop Harmony Society,delighted an audience of more than 800 guests with their four-part barbershop harmony tribute entitled “We Love Rock.” This performance marked the group’s 74th annual show and was held at Cuyahoga Falls High School.

“The chorus is a great opportunity to experience fellowship of people who share the same love of music,” said Wilson, a 14-year member. “Our members come from many professions and walks of life.”

The Akron Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society began in 1945, and currently has fifty members. With its quartets and its Akron Derbytown Chorus, the society promotes the barbershop style of singing and strives to be active in and support worthy causes in Akron and surrounding areas.

Bath Community Fund event attendees (l-r) Melina Boyce, Cheryl Nilsen, Kathy Sidaway and John Shulan pose at the Western Reserve Playhouse. Photo submitted.

The chorus meets weekly on Tuesday evenings. For more information, visit derbytownchorus.org.

Members of Bath Community Fund’s Advisory Board and Development Committee hosted the fund’s first event of the year at Western Reserve Playhouse. Fund supporters were treated to an up-close-and-intimate look at the playhouse with the stage set for its production of “The Spitfire Grill.

Attendees included Bath Community Fund Board Chair Kathy Sidaway, Akron Community Foundation Vice President and Chief Development Officer Margaret Medzie and Western Reserve Playhouse Executive Director Dawn Sniadak-Yamokoski along with Brett Draper, Traci Mockbee, Shani Ferry, Melina Boyce, Cheryl Nilsen, John Shulan, August Scarpelli, Linda Shippy, and Kathy and Geoff Price.

Amanda Mariano married Alessandro-Levi Senigaglia in New York City. Photo
submitted.

During the gathering, guests learned about the fund’s creation as an affiliate fund of Akron Community Foundation, its legacy in the Bath community, and its awarding of more than $200,000 in grants to local nonprofits in just seven years. 

Dr. Sinukuan Mariano and his wife Nancy are proud to announce the marriage of their daughter, Amanda Mariano to Alessandro-Levi Senigaglia, son of Fabio and Nicoletta Levi-Senigaglia of Monza, Italy. The couple was married in New York City, where they live. Friend of the couple Kelly Keffeler officiated, with sister of the bride Abby Markiewicz, serving as matron of honor and Andrew Zoppa serving as best man. Amanda is a Physician Assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Alessandro works in North American Retail Operations for Brunello Cucinelli. The couple plans to honeymoon in Italy and Malta and hopes to relocate to Ohio soon.

Victoria Ochmann.
Photo submitted

Congratulations to Victoria Anne Ochmann on being named a Fulbright Scholar. This prestigious scholarship program’s review committee is appointed by the President of the United States and is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. As a 2023-24 Fulbright recipient, Tori will be teaching English as a foreign language to high school students in the Czech Republic after she graduates this year from the College of Holy Cross with an MA in English.

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher my whole life, and I’ve always loved travel and exploration. This incredible opportunity combines two of my passions, and I can’t wait to embark on this new adventure,” said Ochmann. “I’m truly humbled and honored to be a Fulbrighter, and I’m so grateful for my parents, teachers, and advisors who’ve supported and encouraged me in pursuing my dreams.”

Tori is the oldest daughter of David and Tricia Ochmann. She attended St. Hillary’s and is a 2019 graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School.

Violinist Avery Stager, a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School, was recently recognized at a Contemporary Youth Orchestra chamber concert for arranging “Tamacun” by Rodrigo y Gabriela for violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello and bass. This piece was originally written for two acoustic guitars.

Avery Stager is a member of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Photo submitted.

Avery has been a member of CYO for three years and is also a member of the Akron Youth Philharmonic, Akron Youth Symphony, Cleveland Institute of Music’s Preparatory Orchestra and Walsh Jesuit High School’s String Orchestra, where she is concertmaster. Avery also studies with Cory Smith of the Akron Symphony Orchestra.

Sierra Chagin (r) poses with an actor playing Lebron James in “Shooting Stars.” Photo submitted.

Avery is the daughter of Laura Uhl and Paul Stager and plans to attend Case Western Reserve University in the fall to study math and music.

Sierra Chagin has been accepted to the Interlochen Center for the Arts acting program in Michigan. She received a scholarship to attend this highly competitive six-week program. Sierra is a junior in high school and has quite an acting resume already. You can see her in “Shooting Stars” on Peacock, the film adaptation of Lebron James and Buzz Bissinger’s book with the same title.

It was an honor to recognize a few of our community’s students this month, but I am also sending wholehearted congratulations to all students, especially the graduating seniors. Best wishes!

I would love to tell more stories from our great community as well as share in celebrating your accomplishments and good news, so please continue to send them to me at avukoder@gmail.com. ∞