You Don't Know Until...GO SCOTS! GO BIG RED! YAY CLARE!

It was a special day on Newark-Granville Road.  Having Women's Lax Denison vs Wooster at home was really fun.  COVID dampened it as Joe could not go- Denison's caution is keeping our students, faculty and staff safe and Open! Clare felts the love as her sporty-godmother, AD Nan, was there and her other parents- the Mattimoe's were in the stand!! And she received great kudos from dear friends on the Denison side- Denison parents.  Dear pal Charlotte is a team manager for the Big Red and they found one another pre-game, Clare was dancing in the Mitchell hallway.  Oh I love these happy, athletic young women and this sport!  The cyber world represented with both family chats weighing in while streaming with Joe.  Thanks to COVID the COW (College of Wooster) team had to grab their meal before heading north. I was able to provide some desserts and say hello to my baby girl, friends, teammates and coaches- such a treat!  And I had his ski cap- that is all he wanted for Christmas for two years- he finally got it- behind the scenes family chuckle as we almost missed giving it to him this year!  Note my donning of mostly Denison gear but the black and gold mask!

Commercial break for:  Granville Goodies- find her on Facebook or contact her at (614) 595-3324! she makes delicious and beautiful sweet treats!

Pictures below capture some of the fun of the day. Thanks to all engaging with us.

Joe always said he'd cheer for Denison but hope Clare did well. Last night he admitted he was rooting for the Scots and I agree.  Maybe it was that they were the underdog, maybe we truly feel like an extended part of this great team or maybe it is just because it is Clare's team and they bring her joy and support her! I do love the Denison team- I know a number of these great families and young women and can't wait to see them play and beat Kenyon!  Joe and I love Denison and the Big Red- our kids will tell you they get very tired of hearing yeah Denison. I was happy happy yesterday. It was the first day of spring, the sun was shining. I started the day with Amanda Love's Word Matter art exhibit with a dear friend to help pass the time.  I watched Denison baseball- crack....cheers...and the announcers' call-love those sounds!  Hearing Clare announced onto the Denison field was something I won't forget. Maybe a bit sweeter since her season was cut short last year and the Denison match-up was not to be.  When we talked to her today she was beaming- so happy to have had the game, to be back in competition mode. Thank you to all the time and energy it takes to keep these students moving- coaches, staff, all the meetings and testing..donations and finances. Life on Newark-Granville Road had a very happy Mom and Dad, and Aunts, Uncles, Grandmother, etc.....Welcome Spring.

My Vaccination- COVID- Share Time!

 Not only for the record books, but to assist.  I was grateful how easy it was to schedule and obtain my first vaccination.  First, thanks to the friend that texted from PA- 50 plus are March 11 in Ohio- sigh up. I went looking for how to sign up.  All of the sites close by providing vaccinations did not have appointments at that time.  I heard OSU did so I found my way there.  I did have to call and find assistance with my portal-some hold time while I made coffee not long after I had an appointment in the near future.  In the mean time I registered for emails and notices with the Licking County Ohio Health Department. On March 10 an email notice came that appointments were being scheduled for the next group. I clicked and clicked and voila- an appointment two days later.  I cancelled the OSU appointment.

I made time on my calendar. I showed up to the test site hydrated and full. I stood in a line similar to Epcot- it was indoors. It was lovely to see many people I had not seen in ages. It was lovely to see so many people.  Crowds- we've not seen them, been with them or in them.  I forget how big the world really is, I live in a bubble...a required bubble this last year!  My injection the first poke at bursting that bubble! So much more I could say about this but....back to the topic...what a delight it was to simply stand and take in a beautiful space with beautiful people.  What a marvel to be cared for so efficiently and let's hope effectively.  No insurance card, that was provided ahead on the website- just my ID.  I received notice via email that my appointment was completed.  I was handed a note about the next injection- I'll receive an email to schedule close to the date. I really can't recall anything so easy.  The nurse and workers so lovely, so positive.

Now to encourage others- be ready! The more that are vaccinated the more we apply the lessons of our time, the more we can engage in person, move about the country and world like we are meant to do.  Thank you to all those that made my vaccination happen- it is a deep well when you stop to think about it. Life on Newark-Granville Road wants to think about it.

In the meantime-we are still reducing our engagement, staying in the bubble. Grateful for an expanding bubble with caution- oh the dear one's I've missed and am SO grateful to see. Oh those I can't wait to see! We are making Derby Party plans...We are still streaming and spending time at home.

Tonight- enjoy the music of the Newark-Granville Symphony!!! A free concert!!  

https://www.ngsymphony.org/?fbclid=IwAR19g4Pa9_zBvAVjetlWuWETtNYxJsO-USHbGo2S4Ptw2PXzIg4Qi_vph9M   

We've been watching Mozart in the Jungle- oh what a treat....I almost feel like this performance is for me as a wrap up since we finished the show!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QixpBQcGAqc

Life on Newark-Granville Road is better with music, friends, fresh air and vaccines!

Recommendations, Reflections as we approach a year of COVID- all the more reason to experience ART!

Screen time- going into the COVID era....a year of this now....screen time was a cautionary component of our lives- we liked it, used it, escaped with it but it wasn't our life line?  And now here we are reliant on these cyber contraptions: Zoom, Google Meet with more creative formatting on the way.  For the blog and my life on Newark-Granville Road history I feel compelled to document.

The reality is my work was using the virtual meeting before March 2020, I have two, then it became three teammates working remotely.  Out weekly meetings started with phone/room speakers and graduated to teleconference. I have had this technology in my world since the 90s- I interviewed for my Maysville, KY role with Federal-Mogul with what felt like a 1 minute delay.  However when families unable to attend the Family Leadership Team meeting in March 2020 asked to connect, the virtual option was not offered.  Fast forward one year later and we gathered with 60 Denisonians from Switzerland to HighWay 1 in California and everywhere in between for the Spring Semester meeting on Friday.  Weekly, our team connects to connect via Google Meet and we're even in class with an European instructor to grow in this genre.  

Last week was the convergence of skill development.  My grad school class group had to present to our synchronized class- 2 1/2 hours of material- the Methods of Fundraising.  Working with classmates from the midwest, whom I have never met in person, squeezing in relationships of trust and confidence to unite was not easy. 'm happy to say on this side of that presentation, it was a success.  It was not simple and it was fascinating.  I continue to share when reflecting on pursuit of this degree- I'm learning far more than the degree's designed content. I appreciate Professor's S point- philanthropy is not a solo act. Even the one donor that makes a decision to give has to give and it has to be received. Philanthropy is not a transaction, and this is why I can relate and I'm on this quest with it- it is all about relationships.  And as our lesson opened it is art and science and very intertwined. There is much to learn!

This week, this week will be different!  This week I will present in class! This week I'm invited back to Coach Murphy's class.  COVID times require a new approach so I had to review my lesson plan.We will see how it goes!  This week my neighbor and dear friend opens her art exhibit.  I'm amazed, in awe, proud and inspired.  The introduction will be on-line- virtual opening- attend, join me: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4badaf2da1fa7-word

and then you can visit, meet and see the art in person! Groups limited to 10 will be in the space in downtown Newark- make time to go:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4badaf2da1fa7-words1

Amanda's artist statement is beautiful. Her medium awesome- books!  words! My parents gift to me was to honor and desire the creative.  If anything COVID has required it is creativity on top of creativity. Art and Science united to keep it going, keep us connecting, keep us creating.  Congratulations Amanda you are doing just that. Congratulations Susan you too. And so are you dear reader, and all of us in these COVID times on Newark-Granville Road.

PS- need some screen time escape- what Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President. It is a great documentary.  Then Denisonians, watch the Denison event recorded telling the story of alums making it all happen: #Denisonproud- creative work indeed, cool work, important to know work! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11804758/