Lost Cleveland Book Launch Party

Organized chronologically, Lost Cleveland, a new coffee table book featuring photos of old Cleveland institutions that are no longer with us, includes photos from places such as Leo’s Casino, the Hippodrome, Hough Bakery, Cleveland Municipal Stadium and Memphis Drive-In. Plain Dealer reporter Laura DeMarco did the painstaking research and wrote the copy that accompanies the vintage photos. DeMarco will appear at 1 p.m. today at Prosperity Social Club to talk about the “iconic architecture, legendary events, and fascinating true tales behind a city that was one of the largest and most prosperous in America,” as it’s put in a press release announcing her appearance. With 65 entries and more than 200 photos, the 144-page hardcover book features more than 200 photos. For the launch party, Prosperity will feature a special menu that includes the following: Alpine Village bratwurst on toasted bun with “Cleveland Kraut” served with fresh, house-made chips and homemade Lawson's-style French onion dip; an Ethnic Platter with a sampling of cabbage and noodles with kielbasa, a potato cake, a potato pierogi; and a Hungarian stuffed cabbage roll, and kielbasa with cabbage and noodles. Accordionist Stan Mejac will play classic polka favorites on his squeezebox from 1 to 4 p.m. (Niesel)