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Sunday, September 28, 2014

quality time with quality people...

Full weekend- even I can admit that I overbooked myself this weekend- but I wouldn't change a thing!  Here is the recap for the record books…..

Friday- Denison Big Red Weekend Networking Event.  I was honored to be asked to sit in to share advice and encouragement to students thinking of career options beyond their 4 years at an awesome liberal arts college on the hill!  I enjoyed the other alums/staff in the room and the eager talented students that joined the session on careers in the arts.  Joe and I readied the house for guests on Saturday.  The powder room on the 1st floor is coming together.  Kids did a great job tidying up while I was at Denison and that was most appreciated.

Saturday- Golf Golf Baby! We were pleased to be asked to join a golf outing raising money for a youth sports organization.  We love our golf partners who invited us be on their team and thoroughly enjoyed the time on the course together!! I really think golf could be a happy place for me- bevies, sunshine, fresh air and friends - little exercise mixed in doesn't hurt either!  We were in Mt. Vernon at Chapel Hill- lovely course by the way!

Saturday Night- Dinner Club at our house!!  We've been doing this for 14 years!!  Gathering at one another's homes- host picks the theme, provides bevies and main course.  I went with simple fall and did a pork roast- Ina Garten recipe- with thyme and Dijon mustard.  My club companions didn't disappoint- cheese fondue that was amazing, a delicious and beautiful salad and rustic apple crostata that was scrumptious and presented very well.  Griffey had a nose for it immediately and was a happy puppy when he found a scrap of parchment to lick clean!  It was wonderful to entertain these wonderful devoted friends.  The evening was accompanied by football- a key to fall fun!

Sunday- Clare and I departed early for 25th Reunion Work that included an incredible outing to the Cincinnati Reds game!  I'm so pleased I opted to bring her along as car time with my oldest daughter turning 14 this week was priceless.  We were ahead of schedule and snuck in a quick shopping jaunt at Old Navy. A lovely experience as Clare is pretty classic and easy to shop for and with- not sure how long it will last but I cherish it.  Then I introduced my grown up daughter to college roommie Lori and her family. Lori hadn't seen Clare since she was a toddler.  I loved seeing her kids again and  her wonderful husband I missed the last trip to Cinci.  We did our catch-ups and then headed into town for the Reds game that included reunion planning work!!  Our classmate treated us like queens in the Queen City and to top it off Clare met Pete Rose.  I learned to like the Reds at Denison and deepened the relationship when I started dating Joe.  My closet in our Mulford Road home had a poster of the Big Red Machine- so I too was pleased with the chance to shake hands with Mr. Rose.  It was fun to be with Clare in this setting. She appreciates the game and keeps score as well as Joe.  She valued the chance to be included and was a delightful company for all of us.  Good thoughts and ideas were put forth for the 25th and the Reds won- hip hip hooray!

I'm home now and ready to gather with some Granville gals for Sunday TV- the perfect way to wrap up this wonderful weekend on and off of Newark-Granville Road that was filled with quality time with family and friends old and new.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Chivarly is alive and well in Granville and I'm grateful.

"We get the chance to see the beautiful night sky" said the gentleman waiting with me for the jumper cables to arrive at Raccoon Valley Park. Two very kind, very patient men didn't leave me stranded after I left my keys in the ignition, draining the battery.  Gentleman number one immediately came to my rescue asking everyone at soccer practice pick up if they had jumper cables.  So many people took the time to look and I thank you all.   Gentleman number two remained to assist which was very appreciated as well.   It took a full hour for Joe to step in, divert his plans, go pick up the kids on time at the CC pasta party, drop off another child, return home to get the cables and come to the rescue at RVP. Three kids and three adults found ways to pass the time.  It was a beautiful sky to watch unfold, the fresh air was lovely and I reflect on the wonderful spirit all maintained- kids played soccer in the dark, read by the headlight and shared snacks fortunately procured before practice!!  Joe arrived and quickly the car started with help by the wonderful men showcasing chivalry that indeed makes life on Newark-Granville Road so wonderful.

I must add that my life on Newark-Granville Road often sees this chivalry by gentleman number one.  There have been many times he has been traveling on Newark-Granville Road and seen our family in need and he stops to help.  I hated to admit this evening that I needed help. I didn't want to inconvenience and delay anyone from getting home.  But I know to ask for help- it is the only way my life on Newark-Granville Road works and I knew this gentleman would help as best he could. What I also witnesses was he asked for help- he was the one asking the other parents in the lot tonight for the jumper cables.  

What I also so value in this gentleman's support is the role model he serves for not only his own children, but the others around us tonight and my own.  On drive home with my three kids from RVP our discussion included praise for the helpers and why we serve one another, support one another.  Often need happens when we don't have the time, or have plans or are ready to be home or somewhere else.  The gentleman helping tonight- Joe included- easily could of left me on my own, given me a ride and left it to tomorrow- but they did not.  They all performed a gallant deed to assist me so I am able to sit comfortably on Newark-Granville Road and tuck my children to bed.  I'm indeed very grateful for such care in our community.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

preparing to welcome fall!

**** I was typing this blog thinking today was the Autumn Equinox- I am wrong- tomorrow is the last day of summer/ first day of fall:  http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/september-equinox.html  Time to edit…..***


I love the Granville Farmer's Market for many reasons.  We all have our favorite spots - for us a weekend treat is the Farmer's Market BLT and regular blog readers know this. This weekend  Organic Fix- a green smoothie- hit the spot, Clare was delighted with woopie pies for her dessert and red raspberries far different than the store bought cross country morning fuel.  I found a new fall favorite from the market- pumpkin branches! They also are referred to as pumpkin on a stick.  It was just what I needed to pull out the fall decorations for our house on Newark-Granville Road!

http://parkseed.com/pumpkin-on-a-stick-eggplant-seeds/p/51648-PK-P1/   More details on these cool pumpkin variation- read to find out that it is not really a pumpkin at all, not even a gourd.

Since Fall arrives soon September 22- our dinner time discussion debated- is it the last day of summer or the first day of fall?  Since I love summer I'll say the last day of summer.  But I'm ready for fall- more so than ever!!  So why am I in an autumn mood these days?  Devine Farms opened today and we look forward to a visit there. I'll be on the farm this week- facilitating Soy Science-a nice change of pace for me and a way to return the favor of support to the education team!! HATSOFF was early this year so I'm in a good place to welcome fall.  

I'm hosting our Columbus friends- our dinner club next week and have made the theme- you guessed it- autumn favorites.  I'll roast pork with vegetables and look forward to my friends that cook well interpretations.  We're thinking of Clare's birthday- next week- October is a good Fall month to me.  Life on Newark-Granville Road is ready for the next season and the pleasures it bring!  I'll post The Works' Glass Pumpkin Patch date soon- but know the Gear/Gift shop has some very pretty and unique ones waiting for you.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

yes- a hair cut can make all the difference.

I heard a wise woman recently say- a woman's best friends are her hairdresser and OB/GYN. YES my life on Newark-Granville Road confirms this!! I have to say the person I really wanted to see after HATSOFF! fun was my hairdresser!!

There are lots of ways to relax and rewind- sitting in Beth's chair today was a good one!  I didn't mean to grow my hair out- it just happened. I missed an appointment in August due to a HATSOFF! meeting and never rescheduled.   I decided it was fine as I'd get my hair put up for the 1882 theme- seen the pictures- that didn't happen. So the first thing I did on Monday morning was text Beth and say please get me in.  She didn't disappoint.

I also had made the decision weeks ago that as soon as HATSOFF was over I'd be cutting my hair- no need for pony tail and the length just takes too long in the morning.  So today I walked in and said do what you want.  I looked at some photos for inspiration and she did her magic.

I have fond memories of doing this- growing to cut shorter.  I did it after my junior year at Denison. I did it while I worked at Denison after Peter was born.  That feeling of hair falling out post pregnancy drove me to it.  I did it not long after going back to work at The Works as the long haired head shot really isn't me.

Life on Newark-Granville Road will have faster mornings now, or allow me to stay in bed or at the gym a bit longer- hooray!  Keep a look out for the shorter haired Susan on Newark-Granville Road.

Monday, September 15, 2014

happy moments continue on Newark-Granville Road!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/theworksmuseum/sets/72157647223288349/

And many other moments captured by the Works Marketing Director- Suzanne- she has quite the eye!! I am enjoying the moments of interacting with these photos- a text was sent to me that delighted me, a friend showed me a darling picture of a wonderful couple, Dan Wilson told me his favorite was the volunteer meeting- Suzanne was everywhere!  What were your favorites and thoughts- please share!! I'm sitting in my cozy desk spot at home reliving the fun people and elegant decor thanks to flikr and Suzanne's effort to load these for us!!

Tonight is family dinner night- again!!! I cooked the tried and true favorite in our lives on Newark-Granville Road….regular readers know- salmon cakes, mac n cheese, stewed tomatoes and fresh broccoli!  It always make me smile that this is something all 3 kids eat and request!  I've never ordered these out, or had them made by anyone else- these are pure Jeanne Stoner kitchen basic.

Another happy family moment for me today on Newark-Granville Road was getting Sally off the bus, picking up the kids from cross country! We even included Griffey to provide quality time since he went to a sleep over this past weekend!!

It is a lovely day on Newark-Granville Road- cool crisp air, walking destinations (we went to see the new bridge progress) dinner aroma from the oven and a good tired from successful happy work.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

the moments that matter….HATSOFF!

Amazing gifts of very special moments is what HATSOFF! has given my life on Newark-Granville Road this year….there is no way I'm going to capture them all in this blog entry today.  I'm too tired, happy, relieved, excited, mellow all mixed up at one time.  Of course I'm thrilled with the results sitting here on a Sunday morning with the museum back in order and the tentative count showing an exceeded goal. This means we continue to support this incredible community in creative, hands-on, fun ways that celebrate our rich history to prepare the future!!

Truly a smile comes to my face when I recall the special occurances I shared and witnessed including…..the aha moment watching the tent's corrugated chandeliers be hoisted to the ceiling- amazing volunteer engineering and teamwork represented there!!  The vision becoming reality room by room in the museum- I'm in awe of Emily Wilson- she see's it and makes it happen- hands on, easy going, energetic and fun!  The bar evolving from pieces of wood to a magestic peirod setting decor- science, art and history rolled into one!! The designer tables delighting all that laid eyes in the tent one by one on Saturday morning!! Dan Wilson, Michael Kennedy and lots and lots of helpers produced new and gorgeous results for 2014 making for a magical honor to the past.

It can't happen without donations- lots and lots- big and small!! Matt Miller took sponsorship to a whole new level and supported by team leaders Courtney and Erin that broke all records!  We brainstormed ideas and by day's end the best auction items were committed- wow!  Courtney brought in donors far and wide and delighted all our shoppers!!  I wasn't there but a special moment for me was hearing a fellow committee member sing Erin's praises as she recruited the help of fellow golfers and pro to help make the wall of wine the best it could be!!  Danielle and I have many many HATSOFF! moments and she is a crital foundation to this important and special event!

Pat and Linda Jeffries accepted their role of Emerita Chairs and I'm so grateful- two years ago they declared 2012 would be the biggest and best and showed us how.  Emily and Dan watched and applied the lessons and benefited from the encouragement and leadership- 2014 is now the biggest and best.  I cannot more grateful to Dan and Emily for accepting the role and executing their vision so beautifully.  I'm thinking back on the moments in meetings, conversations at the bar, in the back yard, kitchen, in the drive way at the Wilson's home and smiling.  It has been so much fun on top of it all. 

There are soooo many other people to thank- the program tried to do that- I'll share the link there soon. Moments for gratitude include the positive happy off duty officer guarding the tent Friday night and entertaining the incredible volunteers making napkin roses, the friends that engaged and assisted in large and small ways- providing music, selling chance items with such care and commitment.  My time with the team producing the videos, the donors being interviewed, the ah-ha moment with the intern and her industrialist card of Rinehart Scheidler!!  I'll stop for now….please share some of the moments with the Newark Advocate gallery, facebook, etc…..I'm sitting here on Newark-Granville Road savoring each moment!!  http://www.newarkadvocate.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2014/09/13/hatsoff/15602435/

Monday, September 8, 2014

just in time…book club book for October!!

Another wonderful evening at the dining room table on Newark-Granville Road.  An amazing, literate, articulate, caring, fun, smart group of women gathered to make "the list"…the reading list for 2014-15! It isn't just a list of what we'll read, then discuss the first Monday of the month in the Cherry Valley Lodge Lobby.  It also contains the books that don't get picked that become the "recommended"..these books might make the list in the future or may just help someone pass some time on a beach or a car ride!

And book night on Newark-Granville Road isn't just about the books on the first Monday (or Monday after Labor Day) in September. It is about catching up, sharing great treats (my kids will have happy lunches tomorrow!!) and enjoying our process that takes us places, puts book in our hands we'd never pick up on our own and allows us to enjoy well beyond the page turns and internal review.  For me the extrovert the book discussion makes the reading of a text all the more meaningful. This is showcased in my top ten books that have stayed with me…..this was a facebook ask so I obliged and now I share. Most of these reading experiences are thanks to book club!!  My life on Newark-Granville Road is all the richer because of this group!  It was an honor to host them around the table.

My top ten books that have stayed with me….
1. Lets Not Go to The Dogs Tonight Alexandra Fuller
2. Under the Tree of Forgetfulness Alexandra Fuller
3. Blessings of the Skinned Knee- Wendy Mogel
4. My Stoke of Insight-Jill Bolte Taylor
5.Manic, A Memoir- Teri Cheney
6.The Last Chinese Chef- Nicoles Mones
7.The Distant Land of My Father-Bo Caldwell
8.Telex from Cuba- Rachel Kushner
9.Cookies- Bite Size Life Lessons- Amy Krause Rosenthal
10. Make Way for Ducklings- Robert McCloskey


Looking for the book club list?  Tune back soon- I'll post it….but for now know I need to get My Antonia by Willa Cather- our classic is up first! I finished the book I put on the recommend list- Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer last night- happy to have a year's worth of books waiting for me! Want to read and discuss with us- join us on October 6!!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

chocolate cake with a little help from friends…..

An easy thing for me to offer auctions is a Hershey's Double Chocolate Cake. I found the recipe in a Hershey's Chocolate cook book that I really love.  It is now sticky on the pages with the most beloved desserts in our family.  I get compliments on this cake so a few years ago I offered it for an auction to support mammograms in our community for women in need.  I'm asked to repeat the donation and I'm honored.  The call came a month or so ago - the cake was "won" at the auction and could I have it for her the morning of Sept 7th.  So yesterday I baked the cake, and this morning I frosted it.  Delivery before church.

Not surprising life on Newark-Granville Road is busy- yesterday was lovely with cross country meet in Pataskala and then soccer at Easton.  I loved taking in 2 of my three children's activities- they all did really well!  I'm afraid I neglected to take stock of my egg situation and when I went to bake the cakes I short one egg.  No fear- a text to a dear friend and the egg was delivered in moments!  LOVE life on Newark-Granville Road.

Well when baking a favorite chocolate cake the kids wonder why it isn't for them…in fact Sally was somewhat confused I was baking a cake- no one's birthday this week. So I set out to make another cake- however I had to find a recipe without eggs.  I turned to my friend- the internet! And she didn't disappoint - a simple pan cake that was the perfect top to my wonderful evening.

Lots of other things going on these days…but a little chocolate cake and supporting a cause is a great start to the week.  I hope yours is wonderful.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

WOW! Amazing people in our lives…..

It truly does take a village to care for our children….and pull off a major fundraiser!! Today I experienced amazing people doing amazing things that impact individuals and the community!!

The lock-down this afternoon in Granville was very scary for many- but my children were well cared for - deep down I knew this was the case and I rolled with the news.  Wow- that my parents heard about it as well as Denison friends from back east….we are so connected and the care was gratifying.

Most of my day was seeing first hand so many people and the work they do on behalf of The Works!  I'm happy to report we have 307 people committed to HATSOFF! WOW!…we may have to get creative with the remaining reservations!!  It is true  that "Each year, it seems like the HATSOFF! fundraiser is the event of the year"  Pat Jeffries shared this sentiment in the article below that helped us meet our attendance goal!! Nice work Emily Maddern

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2014/08/25/works-plans-scheidler-ball-fundraiser/14596851/

Today was a day filled with incredible meetings with incredible people from all over the county. I visited with Don Gunnerson again to see what his inspiration delivered for the HATSOFF! live auction- WOW!  I walked into his studio and declared the man brilliant!  I met with hard working dedicated Park National Bank servers, caring volunteer bartenders and the LMH lead crew who deliver an incredible dinner on Saturday the 13th from a parking lot!!

The night will be magical for so many reasons- but ultimately because of wonderful people that make my life on Newark-Granville road filled with WOW! And the people that care for our children so I can be doing my job- WOW!  I'm reminded that WOW means Yes in Woolif-we learned this in Senegal and YES I do have amazing people in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

Monday, September 1, 2014

fade out summer, queue the fall…...

Some think summer ends when the kids return to school, some think it wraps up with Labor Day weekend….not me, here on Newark-Granville Road I embrace summer until 9-21 the fall equinox! Of course some favorite summer things do come to an end way before that date-like pool time!  The pool has tried admirably to be open on September weekends but "fall" activities fill the hours that were spent pool side.  We'll do our best to keep summer fun in our busy lives on Newark-Granville Road!

Why- well summer is my favorite season. I love being outside. Summer activities are close to my heart and happy childhood times- swimming, tennis, hiking, picnicking! Today was an ideal day- we were outside from 11:30-7:00 pm…at the pool!  Yesterday at the lake even in the rain we swam and soaked up the fresh air.  Family time seems to be ever present in the summer with vacation, gatherings around warm weather places and outings.  In the car today Joe told the kids- the pool may close but the golf course doesn't….our new family activity discovered this summer.  Another way to extend family outdoor time on Newark-Granville.

Don't get me wrong- I like fall a great deal! I like football games, sweater weather, the browns and golds, fleece at field hockey. Fall is a time we're drawn to wonderful events at "the fair college on the hill" and I find red to wear.  I like those things when it is cool….October is my fall month and today is just September 1.  When I was in my last month of pregnancy with Clare it was the hottest month of the summer- Sept- she was born Oct 1! I like hot- but I prefer it at the beach and when I can easily partake in my favorite activity- swimming!

Life on Newark-Granville Road will embrace the change in season…when it is time for the change in season…I will welcome the fall activities that are here and gearing-up for fun and I thank you for sharing it all with me!