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Thursday, March 7, 2024

Checking-in, Missing Emails

 Friends- a public thank you to Kelly Baldwin and Amanda Love.  Two friends who checked in and helped me respond to invitations I missed.  I would have been disappointed to miss the opportunities and not pleased to not have engaged with the invitee! One was mail, one email, but there have been times I'm sitting at my desk and miss an online meeting.  And again I remember fondly the person who sent a text, called, or popped in to say- you coming? What I also appreciate they recognize- it is not like you to be late or not reply.  Thank you for helping me juggle the mad amounts of communications, and thank you for being the friend and colleague that checks in- it matters.

And speaking of checking-in- our Denison Newark-Granville Road daughter, Charlotte, is doing quite well in Boston! What fun to see her this week!!

Charlotte attend Dension Event in Boston



Friday, March 1, 2024

March 1, Friday, Fri-YAY

 Today is March 1st and it feels good! March feels more like Spring- we are in the Spring Semester, not the Winter semester at Denison!

We had an extra day, leap year- Feb 29th yesterday. I heard the news of a dear colleague retiring.I caught up with a wonderful parent, married to an alum, serves on the FLC, had a Denison graduate, a current student and a high school senior- yes we had much to catch up on!

It has been a week of retreats and catch-ups with fantastic colleagues and a few drinks.  

Commercial- the Granville Inn has the best mixologist, Reuben, who was at Asterisk in Westerville- his cocktails are FABULOUS!  And slowly but surely the Inn's refresh is being revealed and falling into place. I love our new plaid chairs and community table, the mirrors in the Oak Room and there is more to come....said parent above greeted me with- the Inn looks so good- it is so clean!! Ahhh- love sharing this with people really working hard to make it so!

This is FLC weekend- Family Leadership Council weekend....more connections and opportunities to deepen and renew important relationships with important Denisonians.

Life on Newark-Granville Road is saying yay Friday- Yay FLC- Yay for all that visit Granville for so many reasons and connect!

If reading today- Friday- go to the fish fry- I'm sorry to miss, LOVED it last week!

Friday, February 23, 2024

Celebrating Love- 25 years and twice that and more....

I love that Joe's birthday is two days after our anniversary!

25 years since we said "I do" or I will and we have. And who knows how old we are now but over 50...and I love that we celebrate him at this time of year. The month of love! Sarah's birthday, my first memory, such good times to unite and connect- February has been lovely!

Last year Joe embraced the idea of Greenbrier in winter and I'm surprised I didn't blog about it! We had such a great time we said- let's come back next year, we'll celebrate 25!

Figure Eights- people and places you return to for us it is the Kranichs and of course our family. Our anniversary adventure started with an overnight in Lexington, VA. We arrived in time for college town festivities- a burger and beverage with the lax parents! Sarah and Louisa joined us.

Sunday morning- breakfast around the table with Charles and Greg, Louisa and Sarah. Then we explored W&L- such a beautiful campus with quite the book store- wow! I treated it like an art gallery and found many favorite things! Tissues!

W&L Women Lax game- we wanted to see CK- Caroline K goalie in her senior year- what a treat to watch her go with a great win and impressive stats. A bonus was Maddie's time,  their coach and DU's former assistant coach. I always enjoyed engaging with her here. We just had lovely conversations with good people- college parents- and our dear friends the Kranichs.  Just sitting in the sunshine, the energy of winning, and the view of the mountains made for a great afternoon!  Next up was The Greenbrier!

It is always a treat to arrive, find our room, and explore the shops....we ended up cozying up for movie time and then enjoyed dinner in the Casino Bar- Twelve Oaks.  The next day took our favorite walk through the golf course and grounds- it is so nice they let you out there! We went to lunch in Lewisburg and did a bit of shopping- small towns are us! I soaked in every minute of spa time- last year was a first and something I now will try not to miss. This is a place with a rich history, it is like going back in time in some ways. I put my phone away- in a drawer- and loved it! We dressed for dinner, snapped the pick and enjoyed cocktail time in a new room.  The main dining room never disappoints, I wrote about it extensively the first time Joe treated me for my birthday in 2012! You can search for that with "greenbrier" on the main page of this blog!!  We did take in a bit of gambling which was fun- not my thing but Joe's thing and I do enjoy seeing him in his element.

Tea in the Writing Room
Steps to our level



Grace Kelly Room- Cocktail Spot

We drove home on our anniversary- a treat from a friend for the road- in time for Denison basketball and Chinese take-out dinner. The kids surprised us with a great video to honor the 25th! Wow- memory lane. I teared up of course and it could not have been a more perfect way to end our adventure. They took us on an adventure of connecting past and present- figure eights of love in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

I write this the day after Joe's birthday.  Birthdays on NG Road are different from empty nesters. It didn't make sense to bake a full cake- I put a candle in ice cream- big splurge- two kinds of butter pecan- one of his favorites!  We toasted with Red Stripe and I delighted in the anniversary roses delivered while home. 

To all that reached out, texted, called, posted, and liked/loved- thank you! Sharing the love makes it all the more lovely in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.

Happy Birthday Joe

All three helped in our 25th Video!


Sunday, February 4, 2024

February 2024 Fun Start

 







It was one of those days and I love to chronicle them! Social media has more photos but here is the rundown:

9 am- attend the dedication of the new Record Board for DU Track and Field in memory of Phil Torrens. See classmates and alums, parents and students, staff and coaches- learn more about Phil and these Denisonians. Share what I know with an alum not made in ages about the Mitchelle Center- we start in the rec gym and walk- this is where he ran- 1980 alum. This building tells a great tale about Philanthropy!

10 am- and throughout the weekend-Squash Big Red Invitational- students and coach in action, engage with families- impressive teams have traveled to Denison- Michigan, UNC, Wash U, Univ Chicago to name a few- many are club teams- one woman asks me (I'm wearing a nametag) if she can talk to a coach to see if they could play our Varsity Team- it matters that our Squash program is V! One of the many #Denisonproud moments!

10:30 am attend Men's Basketball Alumni Game- reconnect with great Denionians- such a treat- these are the guys I brought my young kids to see play.

Home for lunch with Joe, Peter, Peter's 1st year roommate, and dear friend- Vince! We talk career search- it is time!

1:00- sit in the sunshine and watch Men's Lax Scrimmage- Piper, not Kienzle-Hylbert- that is coming soon!

2:00 pm- Wabash v DU Men's Basketball game- I love being in the gym for games- it was so nice.  Classmate- Bball alum-sits with us- great to catch up.  As always time with colleagues Nan and Ed is nice- Nan says and it is true- teamwork makes the dream work!  It was great to see Peter being Sphinx Club Peter- the striped overall spirit-bringing (trash-talking) lover of Wabash!  Unfortunately, Wabash took the W but it was a great game and close until the very end.

Break time- more chat with Peter and Vince time!

5:00  DU Ice Hockey players, coaches, and family time- it is their senior day and I'm honored to engage, special thank you to the volunteer parents making these celebrations happen.

6:30-Cocktails by the Fire @ The Works! First Saturday in February- always fun, creativity, volunteers, and dedicated staff make sure we can have fun while supporting the works! The picture of Joe and me above is from the Back to the Future party! Date night!

One last stop to take in two periods of DU vs JMU- Denison wins! Great people come to cheer on this talented team.

We cap off the evening by hearing from Peter and Vince about their night in Columbus for OSU-Michigan ice hockey

A full fun day on Newark-Granville Road- family, and philanthropy all rolled together making me quite happy and fulfilled!

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Where is Susan- Kicking Off 2024 with Travel

 NYC twice, Florida three times- with Boston for good measure! I type this in the middle of this travel plan. For the record one of these was personal- and oh it was lovely to take some time with friends in Naples!

With the kids now "out of the house" it makes travel for work all the easier.  And it is true; absence makes the heart grow fonder, even after 25 years, I look forward to the cuddles with Joe and Lucy on my return.

Denison events are special, meetings with Denison's parents and alums even more special.  I am fortunate to have a job that has me developing relationships with these Densionians by meeting in person.

Sure I spent a whole day in the Columbus airport due to delays and had extended time in New Jersey. Unfortunately, I've been on four different airlines so air miles are not adding up fast.  I work from hotel rooms and libraries. I work many evenings and try to squeeze in some me time. I need to get better about exercise but I do pack the sneaks and get in beautiful walks!

Personal time with friends and family really makes it worthwhile- the Bright Line: https://www.gobrightline.com/ was a treat- the high-speed, private train service in Florida! I took it from West Palm Beach to Orlando and flew home from Orlando the next day. This new train has stations that are sleek and modern, trains are clean and new and fast! Customer service needs some work but they'll get there.  I took a Zoom call from the train- such a great option! I am a fan of the option of train service in Ohio- Cleveland-Columbus- Cinci- bring it!  I did this by adding vacation time so I could see my brother's new house and take some time to hang out with him. Bonus lunch with a grad school friend- truly a mentor moment- an important time to reflect and talk about what we learned, how we're applying it, and maintaining the relationship! Thanks, Mary Beth for making time for me!

Life on Newark-Granville Road- keep me posted on where you'll be as I hope we can connect here, there, and everywhere! tomorrow- Denison Everywhere- Boston for me!  https://alumni.denison.edu/denison-everywhere/

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Karen Chakoian is Retiring

 After 23 years at First Presbyterian Church, Granville, Oh!  She's always been our pastor. Joe and I moved here shortly after she accepted her call. Of course we are thrilled for this direction in her life. Of course we will miss her, but we understand there are seasons and this is the time for her and our church. We are so fortunate and blessed to have had her for this long.

If you would like to help celebrate and honor Karen- let me know- we are gathering memory cards for a special container for her to take with her. We're having a party and a reception.  Love her sermons- check out https://www.granpres.org/livestream to see the recent ones- they really are fabulous as she reflects and prepares to say farewell. It almost feels like greatest hits, but better. Her last Sunday is January 28th and we'll have a reception after the 10 am service- join us.

More on this later but making sure you know you are invited to celebrate and honor this important milestone not only in our life on Newark-Granville Road but also for FPC and our Granville community!

Sunday, January 7, 2024

January 2026 Celebrate and Make Plans


First, we have to celebrate Sally- Happy Birthday to our dear youngest!! Not easy not to be with our kids on their days- we sang to Sally on Christmas....even the half-birthday idea for this epiphany baby doesn't work- she is at camp in the summer! oh well- may all your wishes come true dear SLL!

Upcoming events that really should not be missed:

Friday, January 26th- The Station Granville- follow them on Insta for details, special event dinner Japanese Izakaya five courses, and wine pairings!

Saturday, February 3rd-The Works: Cocktails by the Fire- love the way our community shows up for a theme and The Works does it best!  Joe and I have our tickets- get yours:https://attheworks.org/events_posts/cocktails-by-the-fire/   Back to the Future is the Theme- I love it- it aligns with the Works Mission and creative approach to a good time.

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast Saturday February 10th 7 am to 2 pm  St. Ed's! This means Fish Fries coming soon!

January will be travel month for me, I'll check in again soon! I hope your 2024 is off to a great start. Thanks to Granville Town and Country we celebrated in style- GranVegas style. We're grateful to our committee, the Inn, and all the vendors- who I will update here- if you need a card trick magician- we have the guy- or a gambling/DJ event vendor. Thank you to our own Hugh Price and his music and Elvis. Each member and guest that came dressed for fun, you made it so.  January 6 was one of those really special days on Newark-Granville Road, one I won't soon forget.