The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘LIVING THE DREAM’
Lake County man gets wish fulfilled to be bartender
Ballentine Restaurant in downtown Willoughby was the spot to be on March 1. Typically closed for the day, the gastropub opened its door for a special event “Living the Dream with Charlie.”
From 2 to 5 p.m., Lake County resident Charlie Schulz stepped behind the bar to serve as guest bartender.
Sponsored by the Deepwood Foundation, the opportunity fulfills a longstanding wish of Schulz.
“For as long as Charlie’s family can remember,” a Deepwood news release stated, “Charlie has wanted to be a bartender.”
The well-attended event also included a happy hour, a 50/50 raffle and Schulz’s own signature drink, the “Charlie’s Lemonade.”
Born with developmental disabilities, Schulz is indicative of the affirmative work Deepwood does to integrate differently-challenged individuals within everyday settings and environments with a level of independence.
Schulz has received services through the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/ Deepwood since age 6 and later
graduated from LCBDD/ Deepwood’s Broadmoor School. This year marks the 13th year Schulz has worked with LCBDD/Deepwood’s Community Employment Services.
“When Charlie was born, we were told that Lake County provided the best services for individuals who had developmental disabilities,” Charlie’s mother Mary Schulz said. “The Deepwood Foundation really does make dreams come true. We are so excited to watch Charlie live his dream.”
“Charlie is a true go-getter and currently cleans for the Willoughby Brewing Company and the 1899 Pub in downtown Willoughby,” Director of Community Employment Services for LCBDD Bob Fratino said. “Charlie has always dreamed of being a bartender, so this will truly be a dream come true for him.”
“While this is a ‘Guest Bartending’ event, it could have actually been dubbed ‘Celebrity Bartending’ as Charlie is a pretty wellknown guy in the community,” Deepwood’s Program Administrator Tana Habat said.
“You’ll see Charlie working at multiple locations throughout the county, including The Bar Athletics in Willoughby and the Title Bureaus in Wickliffe and Mentor.”
March 1 is also the beginning of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which LCBDD/Deepwood seeks to celebrate through events like “Living the Dream.”