Joyce Waltz-Umerley with her book at the Cleveland Miniaturia Society’s annual show in October. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

Waltz-Umerley writing children’s book about mouse family
By Danielle Toth
Rocky River
Published Dec. 2, 2009

It all began with a simple theme: “The Year of the Mouse.”

Joyce Waltz-Umerley, wife of late Rocky River Mayor Don Umerley, became intrigued with mice after the Cleveland Miniaturia Society, of which she is a member, decided on its 2009 theme. She created a miniature display of a mouse outside the Rocky River Clock Tower, including accurate details such as names written in the cement of children who raised funds to build a foundation on the Clock Tower site and the display of “IIII” instead of “IV” on the clock’s face.

She completed about three chapters of the book and created an unfinished copy for display at the Cleveland Miniaturia Society’s annual show in October.

“It kind of escalated from there,” Waltz-Umerley said. “People wanted to buy copies of the book or wanted me to sign it at the show. I wasn’t expecting that type of reaction. I sort of just made it to go with my display, but then I started to get serious about it.”

The book is meant as a fun story but also as a history lesson, as it includes historically accurate events and people.

The Rocky River Clock Tower was leveled during a violent windstorm in 1956. Besides the children raising funds for the foundation in 1972, a committee headed by a long-time Rocky River resident launched a fundraising drive asking residents to help with the restoration of the tower in 1986. The renovations were complete by 1987.

In the book, Grandfather Mouse tells his grandchildren about the tower, which they live in, and more on a rainy day.

“I’ve always been interested in history, and this just sort of popped into my head,” Waltz-Umerley said. “I wanted to write about something people would recognize and be familiar with.”

Waltz-Umerley’s love of history coincided with her husband’s love of history and position as mayor. She is dedicating the book to his memory.

“Don loved Rocky River,” Waltz-Umerley said. “I helped him produce the centennial show and went to the library to look at photographs. I also collected a lot of things through being director of the senior center.”

The book also includes personal references, such as the grandchildren mice spending “happy days” with Grandfather Mouse, which are what Waltz-Umerley’s grandchildren called spending days with her. It also features her cat, Bones, who may be a good or bad character.

Waltz-Umerley collaborated with area residents, including Bay Village artist Margaret Gulley, who drew pictures for the book, and Ann McCauley, a Rocky River resident who researched and wrote about Rocky River history.

Waltz-Umerley also hopes to eventually get the book published.

“The book teaches history, both national and local,” Waltz-Umerley said. “And I’m going to tie in things like what the streets were like at the time and when computers came. A lot of changes take place. It’s not a boring history book.”