Beautiful Day.....Pelotonia in Granville 2013....

I spent my morning on the other end of Newark-Granville Road...Katie and Ken Richards and their family hosted an amazing breakfast so we could cheer and welcome the Pelotonia Riders into Granville. Their purpose was to raise funds, awareness and share their amazing location and energy in their own effort to join the cause of Pelotonia- END CANCER- One Goal. Of course life on Newark-Granville Road is always filled with lessons along the way and today many many surfaced.

Here are just a few:
1. We live in an amazing community- Granville, Ohio!  http://www.granville.oh.us/history_of_granville/  Here is our history which explains some of our awesomeness.....it is in our roots.  I encourage you to explore this more, learn about our history- the native Americans were awesome people in this area- their use of natural resources, their peaceful trade existence...very wise people when you understand the mounds...I have much to learn on this topic myself but I respect it.  And I know to give credit to those intentional settlers as well who came from the East with great value of education, reading, sharing (library was part of original start-up in 1805)......this community can do so much right. 
Welcoming and having Pelotonia come through our village was so right. It wasn't perfect but soooo many people made it right and it was incredible to see and experience and be part of the supporting role for these riders and teams and volunteers.  I did see downtown in the early afternoon and am grateful for all involved there....the farmers market folks staying open late, Nathan and Nicole Arnold for their Team Granville tent with cool items for sale- LOVE my cowbell, St. Luke's- Nicolas Havil's bell ringing made me so happy.....up close and far away...the green flags, the banners, Team Spokesman at Hugh Price's place.....and so much more I didn't see but could feel....the energy was amazing, amazing!
2. Some things are meant to be and Timing is everything.....how did we get so lucky for our friend Steve Callison to see us in the green convertible and call out to us as he entered Granville on his 180 MILE!!! journey with Pelatonia. Amazing- we were ready to leave....3 hours was enough for the kids....but before we left there was Steve.  He has been an inspiration and friend to us for some time, for many reasons....I can't express to you how right it was to see him on Newark-Granville Road (Broadway extended) this morning..
3. Right Place....Right time....I wasn't quite sure where we should cheer on the riders today...many options and thoughts.  I am so grateful I was where I was at soooo many points today.  As mentioned above being with Ken and Katie was awesome.  Cancer is too close to their lives and amazing things are happening with research in their lives (all our lives) I love their action today and am grateful. It was incredible to be there to cheer and see these riders- we couldn't stop.  I don't think we planned to spend the whole morning there- duty called. I couldn't even leave to get coffee, didn't want to miss one rider, I wanted to say thanks, wahooo, they all looked amazing, there was an energy that was life giving literally and figuritvely and it was beautiful.
And it wasn't just beauty in the riders...all of us there that gathered together. I enjoyed being with each person so very much. The stories we shared were inspiring. Cancer research is prolonging lives, giving opportunities and is teaching and preparing the way for THE CURE!  Pelatonia's energy joined us together.
4. Many roles to play......embrace and understand that. Today I loved being a cheerleader.  I'm back to bookclub on Monday...Shakespeare's words we dusted off.....
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts....  From As You Like It
There were many parts played today by many....riders, volunteers, cheerleaders, hosts, heroes, supporters, funders, donors, those crying, those showing strength, many many working and it all works.  Some roles are harder for others...we all take our turns doing various things at various times... Much much work and effort happened days, weeks, months and years prior.  Efforts just like in Granville happening in communities- physical towns, work communities- yay Cardinal Health,  the great stories with Limited Brands bringing in folks and duck races leading up....and communities of friends and family....I'm grateful for all the beautiful people and energy I picked up today....I walked home from town and it will be a walk that stays with me.  I carried the energy from the other end of Newark-Granville Road and added it to many lovely conversations and interactions I had along the way......I'm so grateful for the lessons life on Newark-Granville gives me over and over again....and how many blessings I have.




5. It is a beautiful day in my life on Newark-Granville Road....I can hear the U2 song...

http://www.metrolyrics.com/beautiful-day-lyrics-u2.html and it is quite fitting...enjoy!

keeps on running...Maple Leaf 5K

Scholarships, Granville's 4th of July, Youth support.....the Kiwanis make our lives better on Newark-Granville Road and all around......support their efforts with a fun community 5K!  My kids love this run- we've been doing it since the first one and it is a great tradition. We always see great people, get some good information, support a good cause and get exercise....and eat snow cones...bonus!  We love how this event support our youth's running efforts- making it a special family fun activity.  I hope you'll consider being part of the fun on August 17t at 8:30 am- Granville Intermediate School!  They really think of everything to make it easy and fun to run:

-Day Care during the race
-A kids race that is free
-Family Discounts......

ww.signmeup.com/93971
http://www.granvillekiwanisclub.org/public/pub_page.aspx?PageID=15561

Thanks for reading and spreading the word! Warmly- Susan

making Life in Granville good for all!

Here is a way to get involved and help our community.  Our schools reflect what is happening in Granville now and in the future. Everyone is welcome- all adult ages and experiences are needed- you don't have to have children in the schools!

Good folks are leading this - ACES (Achieving Community Excellence in our Schools) -- Join volunteers from our community support our schools -- First all hands on meeting Wednesday at 7:00 pm at the district office. Help us spread the word!

Help us keep Life on Newark-Granville Road good....be involved, learn about what is happening here and encourage others to do so as well! thanks!!

goes back to the fair......

One of the purposes of this blog is to share fun happenings/events and why we enjoy and encourage others to attend and support.  This week is Hartford Fair week in Licking County and I strongly encourage everyone to go to the Fair. I may not strike you as a fair person and honestly until I moved to Newark-Granville Road I wasn't one.  It is kind of fun to reflect back on the various ways and reasons I've gone to the fair.

When the kids were little and I was home, we went during the day.  The other Mom friends encouraged and shared the fun activities in the barn for little kids.  We learned about life on the farm and I learned right along with the kids.  Now my cousins had cows, sheep, horses on a farm so it wasn't like I was a pure city girl.  I have very fond memories of walking the beautiful pastures of Washington County- rocks and stones and rolling hills along the Antietam Creek.  In fact when we were in Aberfeldy, Scotland it reminded me of my hometown!  At the Hartford Fair we would enjoy an ice cream snack and see the various animal barns.  I did fall in love with the poultry barn at that point- I love ducks.  Seeing the various types of ducks and geese,  chickens and roosters and turkey...amazing.

A number of years ago we learned about the political nature of the fair and started helping out and visiting our friends who were in campaign mode/season.  This was fun and this was fair without kids.  It happened for a number of years our vacation was the last week of July with kids going back to Maryland with my parents and therefore they missed fair week.  I embraced the new fair scene and enjoyed it with friends and Joe.  At this point I also met a friend that told me about the various food establishments run by the boosters of communities- some good eats! Beef and noodles, taco salads...the Trojan burger line to this day still is too long for me.  Personally I'm drawn to the cattle club's steak sandwich...although the bourbon chicken being grilled tonight looked good.

Over the years I've made friends that had the good fortune to grow up here and had the benefit of participating in fair activities as teens. Here their stories strengthen my admiration for what the fair offers beyond what visitors experience.  The same goes for friends that have children showing animals at the fair.  It is fun to peak into the dormitories and think about the 24 hour efforts that go on to make the fair work- those eating establishments have breakfast, there are cookouts, and showers,  a basketball hoop. And on the other side I admire the support and philanthropy shown by those that purchase the animals and sponsor events and days celebrating the lessons and hard work of the youth and families.

Tonight was a treat to return with kids. Peter and Sally went wtih me and enjoyed big kids activities- bungee jumping and bull riding...no fair rides for us. We played a round of put-put- I lost- Sally had two holes in one, winning another game.  I met a friend who is all of the above and so it was a treat to be with her.  We walked through the 4H barn and the displays were amazing.  We took in the sewing, arts and crafts and produce.  I learned about the cattle requirement and commitment and the showing of hogs and how many are involved. I met super nice people and took in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes.  Of course there are the tacky things for sale, every fried thing under the sun and tractor pull night provided some fun people watching but the overall scene is awesome.  It is all about community and a wonderful important way of life and it is what keeps me going back to the fair.  I hope you will go to the fair and share with me which barn is your favorite..the steer and dairy barn delighted me tonight...the sheep and goats were Peter's favorite, but make sure you see the poultry barn too! Schedules are around and posted on-line many fun activities...sorry we missed the frog jumping today...duck races on Friday will give Music in the Courtyard some competition no doubt!  Make sure you find your way to Lindsey in the Energy Co-Op Natural Resources area....beautiful spot with a pond for fishing and all sorts of cool things happening including recycled crafts/art- a direct tie to Green Revolution- these happen during the day. 4H Band plays often and has an amphitheater to enjoy a place to sit.  I missed the opening parade...who knew....no doubt I'll go back to the Fair next year too!

Enjoy the ride up- the scenery is beautiful! I always find a new creative country road route...I like to come in from the east and avoid the line-up to get in...although big talk tonight about a new road...I can't wait to try that! A goal of mine on Newark-Granville Road is to drive every road in Licking County....and nights like this get me a bit closer.   However Croton is a charming small Ohio town and seeing the Walmart trucks picking up the eggs is kind of cool to see....so much to offer this north west corner of Licking County...a special part of my life on Newark-Granville Road.

needs a sweatshirt.....

I love this weather and what it means! It means long pants and sandals, shorts with sweatshirts or that I can wear long sleeve shirts in the summer!  I learned to love this type of dress in Vermont and I think back on a beloved Middlebury blue and white sweatshirt I wore with shorts to everything, or the jeans and t-shirts with a sweater so you didn't get the bug bites.  Sunday/yesterday's weather was perfect- it was a cool gorgeous morning for blueberry picking....you all know how much I love those experiences. It warmed up for a nice trip to the pool and swim to stretch the tired muscles and float...and then we needed jackets for baseball under the lights....tonight was the same thing- jeans with open toed shoes and a sweater to sit on the Veranda at Cherry Valley and talk books, summer vacations and what we've been reading.

As I type and extrovert tonight I realize as much as I'm challenged by the transition of summer ending, school starting, I also love the way nature prepares us for what is coming next.  I'll be ready for fall clothes and weather with the hint of it now. It is the same way in the spring....those strange warm days we get in January or February...you know when the Denison kids don flip flops...but it gives us something to look forward to, we know it is coming.  Just as the sun will come up the seasons will change..the weather will go back and forth...we'll have roasting hot days soon enough.  Last night was the last Settlers baseball game and the blueberries were my last chance to u-pick my favorite fruit. By the way- The Settlers (wood bat baseball league for college kids- great baseball to watch in a beautiful stadium) won their championship tournament last night- it was an awesome game and so much fun to be there right behind home plate...with a sweater on...and leaving Newark-Granville Road I made sure everyone had one.

It was time to put a new photo at the top of the blog...so I grabbed another favorite moment from vacation that connects to this post...being prepared.  Sally was on the beach starting to get a bit whiny for lunch...and I wasn't ready to go up to help her with lunch...all of sudden I look over (from my very good book) and Nana has the peanut butter, crackers and a knife and Sally is happy as a clam.  Seriously- that is prepared!  The best thing is Nana shares a story of her early vacation years with Aunt Catharine and Ga-ga- that is what lunch on the beach was...they packed for the day when they left Sandy Landy on the bay...and headed to the beach in Delaware/Maryland.  I LOVED it and thought it a fun photo too- yay Nana!   Life on Newark-Granville is about being prepared.

Beauty in the last 24 hours......

My life on Newark-Granville Road is filled with beauty.  I've said this many times and you must not be too tired of my happy sometimes too Pollyanna perspective as you return and I appreciate it.  I'm grateful you share my "whys"- why I think it is beautiful, hard, full and so many other things.  I can't help myself today- the past 24 hours have been filled with awe (and challenge) and I want to share it here.

Last night the fundraiser for the new Pelotonia team- Spokesman for a Cure- at Appletree Auction put on by the team, family and friends all connected to David Schnaidt was something that was quite inspirational and filled with beauty.  David is a cancer survivor from his teen years. David is a devoted husband and father to 3, savy and passionate family businessman and involved community member. His cancer is back and it sucks and it is stage IV, terminal and debilitating- tumors on his spine....Please join me and this community in prayer for a miracle, for healing, for strength....This family is surrounded by love and support and last night celebrated and united that in a fundraiser to support the Pelotonia effort to find a cure.  This family has helped The Works and many other special places to my family for years and I'm SOOOO grateful to the conversation I was having with a friend when it hit me I could offer to help at the Friday night event.  I'm soooooo grateful when I asked David's sister if I could help she said yes.  Joe and I had a wonderful time bar tending- working with other volunteers (shout out to Mike and Adrea Sarap-Red Oak Pub- incredible partners and we enjoyed the Homestead local brew too- the IPA in particular), seeing all the great folks out supporting this team, family, man in awesome ways. It was a family event- shout out to Brett Jump and her efforts and her reminder to me that it was a family event.  We took Peter and Sally- the children's happiness and fun- thanks to great activities put on by the Granville Cheerleaders- a key part of the Schnaidt family- kept the spirit of the evening so joyous and not the somber event it could of been with a concerning diagnosis. David and his whole family radiated beauty, the whole event did and each person I greeted that evening shared their love and it made for a night I won't forget in this lifetime.  I admit though my feet hurt- I made the mistake I know- change shoes for evening activities- especially when standing.  I learned it at Denison when I worked long days and stood for evening events.  By the end after clean up as good as I felt inside the dogs were barking!  But I went home for a good night sleep for our fun morning's plan- the 5K at Dawes.  I slept with feet on a pillow and took an anti-inflammatory.  (note Joe has work challenges and has been a bit distracted with phone call meetings...but all works- others helped when he was late last night) and his work is imporant- and it really is a weekend that isn't overly impacted by this. And in the grand scheme of things.....sore feet, work to do...are blessings.....The person who answered "blessed" when we did the usual exchange of "how are you" summed it up best and I've embraced and used the word many times today.

Dawes- what a wonderful place for a run- or walk....Licking Memorial Health partners and puts on the event with focus on wellness! There was a walk component that was nice as others that normally we don't see at 5K events joined the fun.  Joe and I did this race the 1st year when dear friends- The Plaughers- were hosting.  A difficult course- hills like no other I've done- didn't keep us from signing up this year.  We've wanted to attend in the past when the Downes' were hosts- but vacation timing prevented it.  I haven't been running as much and I appreciated the work incentive and hospital's encouragement to start training again with the Couch to 5K.  I've loved my morning runs with the dog and building up my endurance.  It went well early but has been hard the past two weeks- nonetheless I did it it today and boy did it feel good!  The rain kept the temperature down and I've shared my love of the water- felt as good as swimming in the ocean- very similar- sweat added the salt!! Sally was with me, Clare and Peter on their own with Joe.  My music helped- Wagon Wheel spurred us up the first steep hill to the observation tower!  Great people all around, wonderful host family, and a morning with beauty in nature and health.

It was also so good to be together as a family- how proud am I of the kids and Joe (running on little sleep) popping right up, not complaining about rain, finishing a 5K course and then Joe and big kids coming back to encourage Sally and I to our finish.  We enjoyed family breakfast out at the Jacktown pub- love the low key environment and yummy low budget breakfast.  I did a quick run through the Farmers Market on my way home and stop at a great corn stand (40 and 37)!  The rest of the day included a great soak in a Lush infused bath and tidy time, laundry time and cooking with fresh produce- dinner will be yummy!

So that is the past 24 hours for me.....simple stuff...beauty all around on Newark-Granville Road in this caring community.

running on......

5K on Saturday...crummy cold needs to go away....I've loaded the new run play list on the iphone....that wasn't easy?  But then Joe did it in a snap...sigh.....Kids helped me find "new songs- their songs" I like...I'm feeling old....but I'll take feeling this way because I like where I am- like that I can appreciate the music my kids presented in the "talent show" at the beach....I like that I have songs from the past that I love that they love.  I love having songs from movies we've all seen together that make me really happy- those are the songs that I will run to on Saturday. It will distract me and entertain me! That is my life right now and I embrace it and am grateful for it- sniff sniff, pause, ponder, hmmmm-hmmm-hmmmmm- hugs goodnight on Newark-Granville Road.