Stoner Family Take On Granville

 Making memories in Granville, it is what we do! Granville is a special place. When we dropped Matt and family at the Inn (early check-in, yay) they said now where do we get this, where do we get that- it was all in Granville. It helps that three of the three Stoner kids are Denison alums and one lives here. Truth is the repeat gatherings have built traditions and strengthened relationships. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as we count blessings, gather on "the"day, break bread and engage together. This year Clare helped set the tone and suggested most of our activities- she started advocating for our holiday here at Christmas. "You have not been to Gville in years and we can go to Top Golf". It worked!

Clare a key partner, but many more. First Nana, our matriarch, she loves the Inn and is a wonderful host of rooms and a dinner there. She sponsors the turkey, arrives with food including the most amazing and sacred Stoner treat- the sand tart cookie. This year they were pumpkin shaped!! Next, my siblings, they book their travel arrangements, rally the families and make it work with their own special contributions! Clare's dear college buddy Hannah joined us and fit right in, friends peppered the weekend for catch-ups and cocktails.  Special shout out to Louisa for staying in our home with dear Remy. Lucy loved the company and our dogs are part of who we are.  I gave Joe the kudos he deserves on social media but it deserves repeating. None of it would have happened with out him. The planning and procurement, the insta-pot meal, and so much more. He makes it happen and embraces all Stonerness well. Each of the ïn-laws"are amazing, again so many blessings.

The pictures tell the stories, a special Thanksgiving in Granville.

Please know it isn't perfect, there is stress, and frustration, chaos and confusion. Age differences appear and energy lags. I crawled into bed by 10 pm each night..okay maybe not the Cidery night! Each and every member of the Stoner family is unique and special. We unite to remember and connect, catch-up and celebrate and to give Thanks for how lucky we were to win the lottery of this family! Life on Newark-Granville Road, blessed by love.

Thanksgiving, moments of contentment, 2021

Thanksgiving 2021 will have two posts. This first one is about the day. I'm writing it the morning after, from my bed. I woke up and reviewed pictures and posts on social media and am inspired to capture the more. It was a wonderful day. It was a favorite day.  Pictures will come late but now, here is what I didn't snap:

-Clare having green bean casserole (GBC) on a dessert plate as her dessert.  Backstory, I wasn't going to serve the GBC. To me it doesn't go with the meal. I was going to have a "simpler"meal served on Newark-Granvile Road- one green: peas.  When this was discovered Tuesday evening, the reaction from Clare (the oldest home from college) inspired to make a last minute add to the menu.  Seeing her have that additional helping to end her meal made it all worthwhile. Another cute dessert story- Greg (Sarah's husband/Uncle Greg) and Peter were seated next to one another. They both wanted small pieces of pies, both pumpkin and pecan, they ended up sharing instead of dividing pieces in half, it was sweet.

-Grocery store runs. How many did we really do?  Joe did the important ones, while I was picking up the Sunshine Stoners from Florida he picked up the turkey, and oysters! (FYI, communication and planning, if they were out of oysters I would have stopped at Whole Foods on the way home.) On Tuesday while I finished/submitted my Econ of Philanthropy research paper he went to Kroger for the big one. He couldn't find the sauerkraut so he went to Al's Meat Market.  That is dedication right there!  here there were three extra stops: 1. on the way home from airport for the ginger he could not find for my cranberry chutney, I also picked up supplies for above mentioned GBC, I had forgotten to mention those needs to Joe when I left the house that am. 2. 7 am on Thanksgiving- parsley- I never noted that on a list. I was so grateful to those employees at the 21st Kroger for being open.  I was in my PJs and made the dash, also picking up some perfect colored roses to add more color to the table, and sausage to go with the amazing biscuits (thank you RHM).  I forgot the white bread for the turkey sandwiches and the ginger ale.  I think the kids enjoyed the excuse for store run mid day.  Clare also made a run for us that included the onions for on top of GBC, Sarah and I were brainstorming substitutions if we could not find.  My favorite was sour cream and onion potato chips.

I grabbed one selfie while walking during the Turkey Trot, it doesn't do justice to the satisfaction and pride participating. So many memories, truly a place of contentment in motion on NG Road. The reward for participation time with dear friends in their amazing home, with incredible refreshments. The parade and dog show its own entertainment and company.

Prepping the meal, setting table, playing games- Mexican Train- is the 2021 Stoner game, thanks to Michael 2.0 and Westerville Leithausers.

It really was a wonderful Thanksgiving on Newark-Granville Road. A day of gratitude and family time, love of the village and our home. There was a bit of stress when getting the meal all on the table, as hot as it could be, but that that was fleeting. I crawled into bed happily tired and pleased. Ready for the rest of the Stoner holiday fun.

Figure Eighting with my new Work Space

Yes, in my life on Newark-Granville Road figure-eighting is a verb! What does this mean? First, the location of my new office is Burton Music.  I've been telling anyone that wants to know I was a music minor at Denison. I spent a lot of time in Burton Music!  Frequent readers know I believe life's movement is in the figure-eight shape.  We come and go from places and people and here is an example. I returned to Burton Music about thirteen years ago when Peter started Suzuki - always enjoying the opportunity to return to such a special space.   Hard to believe I have not posted a picture on the blog of Peter with his violin, no time like the present:  

Robin Brown- Peter's first teacher - office 3rd floor Burton Music.

Now I've returned to Burton Music, office 107. The Institutional Development Division is in Monomoy, Monomoy Annex, and Burton Music.  I'm thrilled to be here and hope you will stop by to say hello:

I still have to unpack, figure out additional furniture. I'm excited to introduce my books and Denison things as well as art for the walls!  I will try to recycle and use less paper. I'm only going to keep one file cabinet drawer for paper files.  The desks don't have space for pens, although I secured drawers today! 

I thought I'd share some campus pics, these are from my walk up the hill and

Lucky me to be working in a happy place. A place that makes a difference and supports the lifelong learning I'm engaged in on Newark-Granville Road!

Sunday Shares on November 7

Sharing on a Sunday feels right for the blog.

Sunday is the day in our life on Newark-Granville Road that we reflect, plan, catch-up. 

Sundays can be stressful, the plans for the upcoming week loom, how will it all get done in my head. I've heard "it is Sunday" when someone says "what is wrong with Mom?"

Sundays can be the bestest, happiest days the ahhhh days.

Sundays are for worship and today's worship was buzzing with energy, activity and the Spirit! Sally served communion, we rang the bell and giggled when it about took Sally on a ride

Sundays are for family talks on Facetime, believe it or not it is often Peter that starts..."what time are we talking, I'm free at X". 

Sundays are for studying.  Today was no different, I spent a chunk of the day with my research and brain trying to create a draft for my Economics of Philanthropy graduate class. Anyone want to weigh in on competition between the nonprofit and for profit higher education sector? Please?

Sundays lately have involved travel to see our college kids, it was good to be home today.

Sundays are for shopping, Joe goes to the grocery.

Sundays are important. Thanks for sharing a bit of my Sunday.

Check back for a picture...I'll post on Social media...

Talking about Voting- Granville's Ballot and our Endorsement of Thomas Miller for School Board

Joe and I are taking time to have conversations about the upcoming election.  It just makes to blog about it!

First, resources we encourage you to review:

https://www.vote411.org/personalized-voting-info  This is a great location to gain perspectives from those running for office!

https://www.facebook.com/events/402270804829208/?ref=newsfeed  This link is for the Candidate Forums- Village Council and Township Trustee, one follows the other.  This one is the school board candidate forum:  https://www.facebook.com/granvillechamber/videos/560440571840044  Both are worth watching and thanks to the Granville Chamber in partnership with the League of Women Voters

We continue to have important conversations with the candidates, friends, and community members and hope you are as well.  Many subjects, like economic development, school finances, and taxes are not easy to discuss. In our lives on Newark-Granville Road, we recognize through conflict comes clarity.  We value and appreciate all those running for office and the engagement our country and community provide through our elections.  Life on Newark-Granville Road is special and those that serve and engage make it so, thank you.

We do call attention to one candidate in particular- Thomas Miller, Granville Exempted School Board Member.

Dear Granville School District Residents,

The Granville community needs to re-elect Thomas Miller to the Granville School District School Board. Not only does Thomas have experience and understanding of the complexities of school finance, he is a fiscal conservative and will balance this critical responsibility with a focus on sustainability and care for the students. Thomas is a dedicated leader with a proven record of thoughtful, balanced discussion serving the Granville Schools and our community well.

Thomas has over ten years of experience on the school board with fifteen years serving on the finance and operations committee.s His long legacy in Granville has been formed by contributions as a teacher, coach, and volunteer. He engages often with Granville community members and collaborates with community partners to find innovative solutions for our schools and their students.

The Granville School District is a point of pride for our community and a contributor to the home values we enjoy. Thomas will ensure our children are supported as they navigate this formative time in their lives and are prepared for their futures. Thomas’ re-election will ensure continued success for all our children and our community. Join us in re-electing Thomas Miller to the Granville School Board.

Sincerely,

Joe and Susan Leithauser
Granville, Ohio
Parents of Clare, Peter, and Sally
Granville Schools alumni and current student

For more information on voting visit: https://www.boe.ohio.gov/licking/

October 2021 is Extra Special

October is always special, but 2021 is extra special. The month started with Clare turning 21! Twenty-one, how is our firstborn, our baby girl, twenty-one?  This year more than ever I was reliving that wonderful year when we became parents, when our family became three.  I had just taken my first role at Denison as a professional. I was to work the 10th reunion (and the 5th and Homecoming) but instead, I was a guest with my parents and this little bundle. Fast forward, that bundle is on her own campus loving her experience at Wooster adding field hockey this season. I'm loving my role second professional role at Denison with parent and family philanthropy.  Oct 1 was the return of an in-person FLC meeting and it was wonderful!

21 roses for the 21 year old

Speaking of BRW, FLC- ahhhh, thank you Mother Nature! What beautiful weather for a backdrop to all our outdoor events. It really could not have been a more fabulous gathering.  It is the people that make it so- the Denisonians that travel and traverse and those that welcome and work- each step led to another conversation with a deep appreciation for the opportunity to unite and catch up.  A highlight for me was time with our FLC Co-Chairs Heather and Dave Ewing P'25 with their daughter Olivia '25! We had a fantastic dinner at the Granville Inn on Thursday evening. Such a nice way to start the weekend.  Thank you to all those that attended, email if you couldn't, and worked to make it happen.  Brenda, an extra thank you to you for all your work and energy.

All good things happen on the same weekend, so HATSOFF! 2021 naturally was the first Saturday in October. Another very special one after time away due to COVID but most importantly the one to honor Marcia Downes.  Search HATSOFF on this blog and you will see it appears just a few times. HATSOFF - History, Art, Technology, & some Other Fine Fare- Danielle, thank you for that and our connection! Thank you neighbor Virginia for inviting us to that first one, thank you Marcia for engaging me that first night, and thank you Janice for taking the helm of the important Works. I know Howard was smiling as Joe and I quickly donned the formal attire in our lives on Newark-Granville Road to partake in this important shindig!

Please join Joe and I in honoring Marica, make a gift to the Marcia W. Downes Future Exhibits Fund! Those that already did at the event on Handbid, thank you! Others,  mail a check to the Works making note to the memo line or call with your credit card! https://attheworks.org/donate/ Saturday's event to honor Marcia and connect with her family and so many dear Works friends was an special and important way to launch October in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.

Update- here is the Work's information on this wonderful fund:

The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology

In honor of the retirement of our Executive Director, Marcia Downes, and her more than 20 years of service at The Works, we are pleased to announce the establishment of the Marcia W. Downes Future Exhibits Fund.

This fund will be used to further The Works' vision to serve as:

· a center of inspiration and creativity

· an energetic educational and cultural resource

· a catalyst for connection and positive change in our community

If you are interested in donating to the Marcia W. Downes Future Exhibit Fund, please visit the link below. Thank you.

https://buff.ly/3AaYnoo

October will be about my research paper for my Economics of Philathropy class, visiting our college kids and reaping the rewards of a beautiful weekend to launch the month! I hope to see and connect with you this month. Thanks for sharing life on Newark-Granville Road.

Sweet Tea Sundays

Recently we've hosted a Denison alum on our porch for an old fashioned catch-up over a glass of tea. I have deep gratitude for these friends for reaching out and making time to sit and chat.

I've also found myself making sweet tea as a reward for class time.  Before I can launch the on-line lectures I want to stomp the lemons to make the sugar roux producing a fabulous afternoon treat.  Today in my life on Newark-Granville Road the tea accompanied both- Economics and Conversation!

What else to share on today's blog?  Yard signs- yep they are back! Regular readers know Joe and I have a casual policy about only putting signs out if we know the person running and or if we are working on an issue. We're not big on too many signs.  We know a number of the people running this year and we're grateful to all willing to serve.  At one point we said, maybe we should take a year off from signs. Over a beer we went the opposite way. We agreed that those that we know and ask us will receive a positive response. It may confuse some people, and if it does, ask us.  We'll tell you why we put a sign in our yard. The easy answer, we are grateful people will serve, will run. We may not agree with everything someone running believes, but if the sign is in the yard we know we can talk. In fact, I'll even stir up some sweet tea and we can talk about it on a Sunday.