Tess Neff

December thus far has been delightfully heartwarming. This post is a bit longer than my usual but I fell behind and I want to share all the good. The 2025 Light Up Lakewood festival was wonderfully fun. I’m definitely in the holiday spirit now! 🎄

During our Lakewood Kiwanis holiday gathering the group presented a monetary donation to the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace. No child should have to sleep on the floor, and the donation will fund the purchase and building of 44 beds for kids! 🛌

I am honored to be serving as the Vice President in 2026 for our local judicial organization, the Northern Ohio Municipal Judges Association. Im especially proud to be working with new President Judge JJ Costello (Cleveland Hts. Municipal Court) and new Treasurer/ Secretary Judge Anne Oakar (Cleveland Municipal Court)! A shout out to our outgoing President Judge Ann Walton Keller who graced us with her exceptional leadership. Looking forward to doing good things in 2026. ⚖️

Tuesday the Westshore Bar Association honored attorney Lynne Lazzaro for the 2025 Stanley Stein Lifetime Achievement Award. 50 years in the practice of law! Congratulations Lynne and well deserved.

It was a gorgeous day for the 37th Lakewood Community Festival. A fun time volunteering with the Lakewood Kiwanis for the book give away program. Lots of reading going on this evening!

It was a packed house for the twelve public servant honorees who have dedicated decades to their particular court or public agency. It was a privilege for me to nominate and present Sue McKeon with her award for 26 years of loyalty to the Lakewood Municipal Court. Well deserved!!