31-year Menorah Park Employee Beyond Special F or the past 31 years, Barry Henkin has been transporting Menorah Park residents and patients to and from activities, rehab and doctors visits, and always finds a million ways to converse with everyone he meets. On most days, he asks patients how they and their families are doing; talks about his life, work and activities at Menorah Park; recites music facts and trivia; and generally makes people feel at ease. Henkin now has news that he is proud to share with everyone. He was recently inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Hall of Fame, where he also received the Hilary Ancker Award. Henkin is also spreading the word about his newly published book, “Why Am I so Special?” Henkin maintains a positive attitude about life, which is evident when reading his book. It was written to help others with disabilities to understand the importance of always doing your best, looking your best, and working a job you love. He instructs others to let ‘no one treat you badly because you are different,’ and offers advice on living on your own with disabilities. He has been hitting the speaking circuit for the past year, talking to other adults and young people with disabilities at various organizations, and the reception has been overwhelming! Henkin gets invitations to come back before he even leaves, and by the time he walks out the door, he has made more friends than one can count. Henkin has high hopes that his newfound fame will net him an appearance on The Ellen Show, and perhaps something will come of it. He was featured in a Plain Dealer article that ran Sunday, May 5, in the Metro section. The article mentioned that his dream is to appear on The Ellen Show, and to meet country music singer, Reba McEntire, who will appear at the Canfield Fair late in August. Hopefully, the wheels are in motion on the Ellen dream, even if it is only through an email to someone who knows some- one who knows Ellen. As Henkin always says, “Just do your best, and do good things, and good things will happen to you.” So far, it’s working for Henkin, whose book, “Why Am I So Special,” is available on Amazon.com and on Kindle. ...his dream is to appear on The Ellen Show, and to meet country music singer, Reba McEntire, who will appear at the Canfield Fair late in August. Hopefully, the wheels are in motion on the Ellen dream, even if it is only through an email to someone who knows someone who knows Ellen. Menorah Park News A Community Invitation Area Seniors Invited to Experience CLUB MENORAH Distance Learning Menorah Park Center for Senior Living invites seniors who may be isolated during the day to come enjoy various offerings, including chef-prepared lunches, wine-tasting, fine art, guest speakers, and many more cultural, social and intellectual programs with engaging entertainment. Add free transportation to and from the Club in its service area, and this makes Club Menorah the place to be. The entire program, offered July 21 and every third Monday of each month thereafter from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., is free. Limited space is available. Please call Tina Witt at 216.839.6673 to register. T he community is invited to experience real-time education and interaction at the Rose Institute for Lifelong Learning on the Menorah Park Campus. July sessions include: Monday, July 7 • 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. “The Hidatsa Earthlodge,” by Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (Stanton, ND) Monday, July 14 • 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. “Birds of Prey,” by the Lee Richardson Zoo (Garden City, Kansas) Monday, July 21 • 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. “Composer Spotlight: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,” by the Cleveland Institute of Music Monday, July 28 • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. “Custard, Coasters and Carousels: Remembering Euclid Beach Park,” by the Western Reserve Historical Society To register, please contact LeAnne Stuver, M.Ed., director of Lifelong Learning, at 216.831.5452, ext. 244, or LaStuver@menorahpark.org, as space is limited. The Community is Invited! New Walking Club! Put on your walking shoes and get healthy! Peter B. Lewis Aquatic and Therapy Center therapists make sure you are doing it right during your walk with the New Walking Club that meets each Wednesday at Acacia Metro Park, off Cedar Road, at 12:30 p.m. Parents and grandparents are urged to bring their children and grandchildren for a healthy walk as well! Walks usually last between 30 and 45 minutes, and everyone is able to go at his/her own pace. 50 Beachwood Buzz n July 2014