The Roaring Twenties came back to life in Lakewood, Ohio! The Cove Community Center and the Lakewood Division of Aging hosted an event that transported guests back in time.

​Cove Community Center, located on Lake Avenue, hosts events throughout the year for the Lakewood community. On September 18th, 2025, Cove Community Center and the Lakewood Division of Aging teamed up to create a night to remember.

The term “cut a rug” is 1920s slang that stems from the vigorous, high-energy dancing styles like the jitterbug and the Lindy Hop. The idea comes from dancers moving so enthusiastically that they could make a rug appear “cut.”

The “Cut a Rug” Dance was a unique event designed to capture the energy of the 1920s. Susan Hijjawi, Lakewood’s manager of senior services, said, “We’re a senior center, and we have a lot of seniors from that era—most of them were born in the 1920s and 1930s. We wanted something different, so we picked the 1920s.”

Cove Community Center’s gatherings allow senior citizens to stay active in the community with a variety of activities, including fitness options, arts and crafts, parties, and more. Paul Stringer, a guest attending the dance, said, “The events are good for my mind.” The dance had everyone on their feet, with a DJ, photo walls, and dinner provided for the guests. Delicious meals were made by Karen King Catering and included roasted pork loin, chicken paprikas, and a vegetarian dish of seasonal vegetables.

The night was set up beautifully, with a door leading to the main festivities and a password required to enter. When the door opened, it felt like guests were being transported into a different time period. Upon entering, they were greeted by a photo wall filled with fun props and student volunteers to help take photos. Guests and staff were dressed to the nines, in 1920s-themed outfits, including flapper dresses, sweater vests, and feathers. This clothing contributed to the theme and made the gathering feel even more authentic.

Black and gold streamers were hung from parts of the ceiling, and dark curtains covered the windows to create an evening effect. Smooth jazz music played from across the room, performed by DJ Scott Hanna, a Lakewood alumnus. Hijjawi said, “We had to look up 1920s things… we even researched what kinds of foods were popular back then.” This shows the dedication of Cove Community Center and the Lakewood Division of Aging to the occasion.

​The center had two tables filled with raffle baskets from local businesses and organizations such as STEM Soap, Angelo’s, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Raising Cane’s, as well as a movie-themed basket and a fun in the sun basket. Guests were given stubs that were included in their tickets.

These events, produced by Cove Community Center and the Lakewood Division of Aging, bring the community together. The energy in the room was vibrant and reflected the spirit of Lakewood. Laura Jaissle, the assistant director of human services in Lakewood, said, “It adds excitement to the seniors who regularly come here… It really brings together the youth and the adults here, and it’s just a sense of welcoming and belonging here.”

​Cove also provides students of Lakewood High School and St Edward’s High School with volunteer opportunities. The Cove Community Center frequently partners with the Help to Others (H2O) program to involve students in the community through initiatives such as H2O’s Home Alone project, grocery deliveries, festive parties, and more.

Cove Community Center lists all its activities on its website, welcoming the community to events such as Heartfulness Meditation, Lakewood Police Coffee With a Vet, Keep Lakewood Beautiful meetings, and more.The center is an invaluable resource for senior citizens, providing easy access to community involvement.