CLEVELAND DIASPORA
Do You Miss Us As Much as We Miss You?
The origin of the term “diaspora” dates back to the ancient Jews following the Babylonian exile, but it applies to any group of people who’ve been scattered away from their ancestral homeland.
There are native Northeast Ohioans planted strategically across the globe, and Clevelandville headquarters would love to hear from you.
Why did you leave and will you ever return? Do you have to put up with another city’s stupid sports teams? Do the locals there think you have an accent? (Don’t let them pull that garbage. You don’t – THEY do!)
Send us your photos or your stories and where you’ve picked up stakes and we’ll put you on the map – literally.
Jeff McSweeney
HOMETOWN: BRUNSWICK
CURRENT POSITION: INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA
Moved here for work and never went back. Now that I can get Browns, Cavs and Tribe on the web, the only thing I really miss is the Hot Dog Shoppe in Warren.
Sgt. John Johnson, USMC
HOMETOWN: PARMA
CURRENT POSITION: BAGHLAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
I’ve been stationed in Afghanistan since 2014 and have been back to Cleveland twice since — once for my brother’s wedding and once for Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. I miss my sisters, my mom’s cooking and Edgewater Beach. I taught some kids here to say “Cleveland Rocks.”
Wendy Beeler
HOMETOWN: MAPLE HEIGHTS
CURRENT POSITION: SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
After graduating from Kent State, my roommate and I moved out to Cali and we still work at the same law firm. I miss my mom’s chicken paprikash and Tribe games.
Bill Gunlocke
HOMETOWN: LAKEWOOD
CURRENT POSITION: NEW YORK, NY
After getting divorced and teaching at a downtown Catholic girl’s school in Cleveland, I moved to the Upper East Side of New York.
I’ve always loved photography and New York opened up a whole new world for me. I still miss Cleveland, especially Lakewood Park and Lakewood in general. It’s where I stay when I come visit — which is pretty often.
But my eye loves the colors and motion of the city. Here’s a few recent shots …
Postcards from NYC
Lillian Hunter
HOMETOWN: OLD BROOKLYN
CURRENT POSITION: PARIS FRANCE
I studied design at Cleveland State and after an internship in New York, I got a scholarship to attend Parsons Paris (the New School’s French sister!) I’m two years into a three-year program.
I miss my parents and our dog (Rupert) and cats (Xena and Larry), and McDonald’s just isn’t the same as it was in the States. Give my love to LeBron!!
Vincent Brelige
HOMETOWN: MENTOR
CURRENT POSITION: PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI
I left Mentor to work for the Red Cross after the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and after a stop-back in the States in 2012, I’ve been here ever since. I gotta admit, thought: I really miss the Browns!
