Talk of the Town
January 2025
By Patty Reiman
While it might be too far after the holidays to see Halle the Reindeer on Owen Brown Street (you never know!), it’s worth recapping how she came to find a new home this holiday season and sharing news that the new owners plan to keep her around for a long time.
Those familiar with the treasured, 13-foot reindeer may know that Halle moved two houses down the street this past Christmas, after gracing the lawn of Matt and Lisa Greene for more than 10 years. Before that, Halle stood proudly for about 60 years on a wooded Valley View property owned by an employee of the former Halle Brothers department store. The Greenes told Hudson Life in 2022 that Halle was supposed to be installed outside the downtown Cleveland department store entrance to greet holiday shoppers, but public officials deemed her a safety hazard.
Their neighbors Eric and Amy Treend were ecstatic to be chosen as Halle’s newest caretaker from “a long list of people interested,” Amy said last month.
“We were delighted when they selected us to take care of her, as they wanted to keep Halle on Owen Brown Street,” she explained.
The Treends made a point of not adding other holiday decorations to their yard and enjoyed the many visitors and picture takers who stopped by.
“We want the spotlight to be on Halle, so she’s there by herself in all her glory,” Amy said.
The Treends commissioned Cleveland Art to refurbish Halle’s antlers and chandelier, which had weathered too many Northeast Ohio winters. Owner Jason Wein and artist Chris Adamic gave Halle new, weather-resistant metal antlers and stabilized them and her entire platform.
Amy and Eric are Hudson High alumni and returned to Hudson 30 years ago when they found their Owen Brown house.
“We raised our four adult children here,” Amy said, “and look forward to sharing the tradition and wonder of Halle with our grandchildren someday.”
Speaking of the holidays, Sampson Circle was officially christened “Santa Circle” on Dec. 1 thanks to the initiative of resident Emily Nagle said her daughters, Maebelle, Elia, Sawyer and Finley. Emily said the Nagle girls caroled around their cul-de-sac in December 2023, asking each neighbor to purchase an inflatable Santa to accompany the Nagle’s own 20-foot Santa.
Introducing Dr. Rodriguez… Congrats to 2013 Hudson High School graduate Emilio Rodriguez, who earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from Emory University last November. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences in 2017 from Carnegie Mellon University.
“I’ve always wanted to become someone who helps further humanity’s understanding of how science shapes the world around us,” Emilio said. Next up: working in government labs researching the genetics of bacteria responsible for causing disease.
Emilio credits the rigor of his Hudson City Schools’ education for preparing him for his collegiate success and achievements. He’s a member of the “13-year club,” having attended Hudson schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.
He also thanked his parents, Maria and Robert Rodriguez,“for teaching me to believe in my own abilities and pushing me to succeed.”
Introducing Deacon Donatelli… Also, kudos to Anthony Donatelli of St. Mary Parish, who was ordained as a deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland last October. He’s a 2016 Hudson High graduate who fondly recalls his time on and off the football field with the teammates and great friends he played with since fifth grade.
“The first time I felt called to the priesthood, I was a sophomore at Hudson,” Anthony recalled. “A seminarian asked if I ever thought about becoming a priest. I felt like an arrow went through my chest.”
At the age of 20, he added, “I finally surrendered to Jesus and responded to His invitation for me to enter seminary. … Surrendering to Jesus was the best decision I have ever made in my life. From that point on, I fell in love with Christ and just wanted to do whatever He wanted me to do.”
This ordination into the diaconate brings Anthony one step closer to becoming a priest, which is expected in 2025. Deacon Donatelli will minister at St. Mary Parish in Chardon and St. Patrick Parish in Thompson. Best wishes on your spiritual journey!Thanks, as always, to our readers for taking the time to learn more about your friends and neighbors. If you have any news or tidbits to share, email us at news@scritptype.com.
photo caption: Hudson’s Anthony Donatelli, with parents Erin and Tony, was ordained to the transitional diaconate during a liturgy at the Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. Photo submitted.