April Planning- Checking In

 Just a quick update about what is going on in our lives on Newark-Granville Road!

1. Yes Derby party plans underway. Low key, outside, details will be posted here soon.

2. Daffodil- Celebrating Daffodils- love this event- love Granville in Yellow! http://www.robbinshunter.org/event-calendar  Make plans next weekend to engage and support the museum, learn and be delighted!

3. GO SCOTS- so fun to watch Clare and her teammates doing well - Joe and I attended a fun win over Allegheny. Pictures below. We had to kill some time at JAFB, watch the Masters and take in some quality time. Then take out dinner alfresco. This week we streamed the game and loved hearing her housemate with the great commentary!

4. The Works- new exhibit open- Cynthia Cort's Art of World Textiles- stunning! There is science and math in those fabrics- I always enjoy the opportunity to learn and be delighted...and see great people! You won't want to miss it!

5. Speaking of missing- last week to see Word Matter by Amanda Love in downtown Newark! 

6. Yes I'm a bit m.i.a. as I work on finishing the grad school class- Principles and Practices of Fundraising! This will allow me to complete the Master Certificate of Philanthropic Studies. I have applied for the MA program- more deadlines I am happy to be checking off! Looking forward to the next class starting in May....you know I'll blog all about it.

7. Grateful for in-person worship at FPC at Trek Brewing!

8. Enjoyed Ray Rays meat plus three last week- welcome to Granville! Thank you for the locally sourced product, creative offerings, and a stunning updated location with outdoor seating and murals! Well done Ray-Ray!

9. Go Big Red- have so enjoyed seeing so many sports live and happening!  Thanks to all that supported and engaged with Day of Giving- big success!

10. Go Aces- Sally and the lax team doing great too- we love the opportunity to be outside and cheer for our girl.  Big game - the cousins battle it on- such a fun tradition we're grateful to resume- this year in Granville!

Day of Giving for Denison- Throw Back Thursday- Home to Granville

 So much fun to reflect on our time on the hill as part of my "work" today! Of course, it started in 1985 with a visit. I had my application completed at Wittenberg- thinking I'd like to do the 3-2 program in nursing there. This was based on the Fiske paper book and AP bio! One senior interview, one tour on a blue-skied Friday, an overnight at the Buxton- done! Thanks, Mom- your recommendation, you were right.

Then I came back to June O in1986, met Lori and Kate and my Mom met their parents. Move-in day that August put the three of us all in a row on the 3rd floor of East Hall. THANK YOU STUDENT LIFE STAFF! The parents continued happy to see one another over those parent's weekends and became friends, even returning to Granville in the 2000s for their own reunion. Lauren and Julie other in East joined the group.  The incredible friends I made and posted with some photos on Facebook! I've got more...the Kahiki ones may be my favorite, or maybe June O, of course, the pi phi pics....Oh was I lucky to have friends with all the women in East and then my angel sisters?  I did not live on the West Quad until Junior year when my friends went abroad.  We also loved welcoming Tracy to our suite that year- she transferred in and her brother followed her.  My brother and sister also followed me!  Good thing I went abroad to the West Quad- that is where I remember meeting Joe Leithauser! I enjoyed serving on June O staff 3 times- after the first year, sophomore year, and returning after graduation in 1990 to enjoy the prettiest time on campus in my opinion.  What fun, what fun those four years were.  But they didn't end there...not at Denison!

Returning for reunions, my sibling's Homecomings and Commencements and to serve on Alumni Council and meet special volunteers like Amy Sibert Lovett.  I also had my dear adopted grandmother through Shirley Hale- pi phi Mom- Beth Jenkins.  I may have moved around- Michigan twice, Nebraska, Kentucky, and Ohio drew me home- it was my "home away from home".  So when Joe and I had a 2nd date in Granville and eventually married I knew Granville would become ours. Lucky me.

All of those cities led to Denison connections and friends "off the hill". And a natural fit from volunteering to working! The luck continued with a job on the hill.  When I throw back I want to find more photos from great work colleagues and friends and volunteers in Colwell House and moving to Burton Morgan 1999-2005! Thank you Lyn Boone for hiring me! I stayed home after Miss Sally was born, only to return to my current role in 2015- thank you Julie Houpt and Murley Miller!  And all of those years I remained a volunteer- volunteers make the world go around and lead to such joy and friendships- off and on the hill. It was Marcia Downs that said- help me get Denison more involved at The Works and I did! That led to not only a job, but a career- thank you. It also led to meeting Adam Weinberg.

I hope you will visit my Instagram and Facebook pages to see some of the pictures. A few here too. Friends from all of the roles and so many generations and my own family- Scott- brother in law is a big bonus! Life on Newark-Granville Road is so special and really is thanks to Denison. Denison is thanks to philanthropy- so it is right to post here and say- thanks for supporting our day of giving if it works for you! https://support.denison.edu/dayofgiving  Thank you! And now it is time for class....Principal and Practices of Fundraising!

Vaccine or Vacation Take Over- excited to have had both!

 Two for me, Joe's second is scheduled, Sally has her first appointment on Monday, Clare has one checked off and Peter texted his dates- Life on Newark-Granville Road is in vaccine mode!  Family and friends are texting and posting their updates- phew, yes, woo hoo!

And this week we did sneak away for some R and R with Nana- taking vacation! We executed last year's trip without Peter- sigh. Watching that Nationals Spring Training baseball was a huge treat- baseball and a cold beer- ahhhh. Joe taught Sally to keep score, yes what a beautiful thing vacation time can be.  Quality time with my Mom was important and I'm glad she joined us for our quick trip and the bridge of her time there with Matt and Dawn.  We missed seeing the sunshine Stoners this trip.  Sally was ready for the beach but Mom and I wanted to shop.  We let them get a head-start to Miami and we lingered to explore the ins and outs of Palm Beach. Yes, the home of Lilly and it was a two stop shopping experience for me.   I was a little taken with how well everyone dressed and almost felt like we were on a movie set- it felt so foreign, surreal compared to our year of staying home. Ultimately we connected and yes, beach time was heaven- floating in the Atlantic is one of my favorite things to do and it had been some time. Finishing this month's book club book- paper version- a special treat!

I'm not one to post while out and about- nothing like saying- we're not home to the world.  I do love the chance to get out of town, explore and see the sights.  The social media break time-out is another healthy change of pace. It had been too long and it was time. Sally and Nana do make great travel companions and I recognize time with them is fleeting so thank you to them both for indulging us and joining.  Joe is my perfect partner- we take turns securing reservations and finding beach space.  It was great to say hello to other families in similar pursuit. It felt in many ways like a collective sigh to find the sun.  It was a quick trip- back for class and Easter but we made it work.  Life on Newark-Granville Road more than ready for more of a return to normal!  I hope you are finding the time you need, I may have waited a bit too long for this one- I needed it and am savoring the memories we made AND happy to be home in our life on Newark-Granville Road.

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/

Loved February's Love, Oysters and Book.

The month of love is coming to an end. I've enjoyed this theme in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  Looking back and celebrating in the now, sharing pictures and responding to very kind and lovely remarks on social media. Opening mail and sending mail...

Today I want to give a shout out to the Oyster love...Joe's birthday gift from me- oysters! We had so much fun shucking and eating these at New Year's.  I've been known to keep a good thing going and make it a gift. A dear friend made it so- switching suppliers to make it happen.  Then Mother Nature said- not so fast and the oysters delivery was delayed.  So we carried on with our celebration with crab instead...last post.  The rest of the story...the oysters did arrive and were cold and so we ate them!

https://www.rhodyoysters.com/

If you are looking for oysters- I highly recommend Matunuck Oyster Bar.  Have them shipped or who is ready for a road trip? me!  I hear the location is fabulous- right on the ocean. Some day I must go and eat oysters fresh from the sea...until then I will savor the days of shucking and slurping!  I also made oyster stew and that was a pretty good dinner here on Newark-Granville Road.

I'm looking forward to March and sharing it with you. Book club recommendation for you:

The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony- the Discussing Books at CVH group will discuss it tomorrow- March 1- join us, let me know if you are interested. We're still zooming for now. This book has important messages about communication and the value of relationships. This is the theme from my Principles and Practices of Fundraising class too..hmmmm.

Speaking of communication- time to talk to the college kids, it is Sunday. We're kept the tradition from my college days going- although now we do it on FaceTime with the full family. Certainly a highlight of the week for me. Take good care everyone- enjoy the warmer temps and get outside...I say that for myself!