While not a real person, Cupid was the God of Love to ancient Romans, and many Italians believed in his powers. Even in the modern world, references to Cupid and his bow and arrows of love are found everywhere on Valentine’s Day.

Kathy Galgczy, of Bakers Candies, is the epitome of what is good in Collinwood. Bakers Candies originally started in 1921 on Lexington and 55th, moved to Collinwood in 1946, at 1613 Holmes Ave., and has been a Collinwood business ever since. In 1995, they opened up a satellite store in Willoughby Hills on Chardon Rd. The business spans three generations in the Collinwood area, and their main plant still remains on Holmes Ave.

Recently, the family business decided to create a fundraiser for the Cleveland Food Bank, selling solid chocolate hippopotamuses, inspired by the Christmas song, "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas." 

I met Mike Karban on a journey, one I hope will never end. Mike is my personal trainer at Miller Athletic Club, located at 669 E. 185th Street. By now, most everyone in Cleveland has read ,or heard about the physical condition of Clevelanders, from staggering statistics that Cleveland is one of the most obese cities in the nation, or to Coby Cosgroves remarks on the subject.  I am one of those statistic, and have been fighting this fight for decades. Up until recently I had not been fighting very well, but with Mike's training, there is hope.

Rowan Martin moved here about a year ago because, as she would say, "I guess you can call it a family tradition." Rowan is a direct relation to the McPhillips Plumbing Heating and Cooling Service, located on Waterloo Road. Since she showed up, she found one of the greatest places on earth for Saturday morning hoops, The Salvation Army?? She started writing stats for the kids at the Salvation Army's basketball league ,with screaming people at every other buzzer. She coached tee-ball, and during the summer, there's a good chance you will see her at Humphrey's Field, playing 'Kobe time' with the kids.

Getting to Know You
is a column designed for the Collinwood Observer reader to get to know their neighbor or
local business owner.
Submissions for this column can be directed to
Susan Brandt, Column Editor
gettingtoknow@collinwoodobserver.com

The column will feature a brief bio on the person with who they are and what they do in our neighborhood.

We look forward to hearing from the readers, for their input and suggestions.