The City of Beachwood, founded in 1915, marks its 100th anniversary this year with twelve events scheduled every month of the year.

Greg Perry’s Excel TECC marketing class is getting involved in the celebration.

“The 100 Leaves Project is a public art project featuring six foot tall fiberglass beech leave sculptures,” Perry said.

Instead of running the Entrovation Expo this year, the class is selling the commemorative leaves to area businesses.

Each leaf statue costs $1915, in honor of Beachwood’s founding year.

Buyers have the option of having the leaf decorated with the company’s logo by an artist hired by the marketing program. This increases the price to $2315. Otherwise, companies can decorate the leaves themselves.

The money goes to the junior achievement and the marketing class.

The beech leaves commemorate the groves of beech trees that were once in Beachwood, which gave the city its name.

Since the marketing class began working on the project this school year, they had to quickly develop a plan to make it work.

“We have had to very quickly create the custom mold for the beech leaf and then create a marketing campaign,” Perry said. “[We also had to quickly] train the students to start selling in order to get all the sculptures sold by the end of December 2014.”

Supporters also have the option of buying a beech tree for $450 to be planted on Beachwood City property.

“We’re going to ask community groups to help wrap the trees in bright colors,” said Beachwood Community Services Director Karen Carmen.

In the fall, the trees on Fairmount Blvd. will be wrapped in decorative ribbon to add some color to this winter.

“That will herald the arrival and the return of Peter Max,” Carmen said.

Peter Max, an artist, had an exhibit back in 2006 for the opening of the community center. He is returning again with another exhibit.

The city is working with the Beachwood Historical Society to cast a spotlight on the history of the community.

“We are asking that the residents take a picture of their front door and email it to [us],” said historical society Co-President Rosemary Nemeth. “We will have a display… to do something like the doors of Jerusalem and the doors of Dublin.”

The residents can send their pictures at [email protected]

“We’re trying to get residents involved,” Nemeth explained.

Last year Hilltop elementary school was involved and they planted beech trees.

Hart and Nemeth explained that Beachwood was really a farming community when it was first established. Several families had farms that were later destroyed to help expand the businesses in Beachwood. One story in particular was the farmer Maruse. He owned a large plot of land in Beachwood.

“His farm [was on the spot of land that is now the] Maltz Museum,” Nemeth said.

“The way we see our role as the Beachwood Historical Society is as storytellers and weavers of the past into present day Beachwood,” according to a statement from the Beachwood Historical Society.

As the city celebrates its birthday, Beachwood leaders hope to build a stronger future attracting business in the the community which also makes it a vital place to live.

“Throughout Beachwood’s history, our residents have always played a vital role in our City’s growth and progress.  Beachwood is an enviable City to live, work and visit. Our centennial is a great time to celebrate our community,” Beachwood Mayor Merle Gorden wrote in a statement.