Mid May Happenings and things to Share

Things to share Mid-May, what I've been up to, join me, yada-yada....

Monday, May 19 6:30 pm- Time with Artist Amanda Love at UNBOUND at Art Access Gallery, 540 S. Drexel Ave, Bexley, OH 43209- Barb Unverferth- artaccessgallery.com  Show ends May 30!  I love the way Anne Sherwood Pundyk and Amanda's work compliment one another in this beautiful gallery in charming Bexley!  Gathering friends- join us!! I have room for one more in my car.

La Bella Vita- An Evening int he Garden August 21, 2025- Sponsorships to be included on invite being accepted NOW! Excited to be back volunteering for the Works. Make plans now to attend this event- new day of the week, a Thursday evening!! And truly if you want to engage as sponsors-let's talk!

GOLF- Mothers Day weekend we played 18 on Saturday at Licking Springs and 18 on Sunday at Denison! Lucky me- this was a first- back to back 18s- I did okay...it feels like it will be a summer of progress as I learn new courses!  Interested in playing- the Women's League at Licking Springs plays on Wedensdays as is reason enough to join the club, not to mention special events, great meals, historic/picturesque location and the people!!  Let me know if you want to learn more!!  Spark Golf League on Tuesdays at Denison- let me know if you want to learn more!

Denison Commencement is this weekend (5/17)- Fireworks tomorrow night as part of our Senior Soiree...so many great Denisonians- I'm embracing every minute and grateful to colleagues that make it all happen.

GO BIG RED

Denison Baseball- NCAA  Come cheer on Denison and see great baseball!  5/16-18- Joe Leithauser will be assisting, as he did for Denison softball (play by play was great to listen to) and Sally is assisting too- music duty!

Other happenings: last weekend was a treat wtih Softball, Men's Tennis (hosted NCAAs now they head to California) and Women's Lacrosse- they won and are headed to Pa to play F&M! We watched the Men's Lax game- great come back to move game to OT, we're sorry it was an L, but Dickinson went on to beat Salisbury- hooray!

Mother's Day Reflection:

First- thank you Jeanne Stoner for being my Mom! It was great to be together for Derby and the week before in Baltimore. Fun plans for summer underway!!  Nadine we love you too- lucky to have two Mom's in our lives!

And then- my kids that made me Mom! Grateful for Sunday calls, texts and updates. I'm proud of my kids for being independant, happy, and launched individuals.  People asked all spring- are your kids coming for Easter, Derby, then Mother's day- same answer- they are busy, Sally in exams, Peter working, Clare has work travel...and I do the same to my Mom! We love the times we are together and stay in touch. It was a great 2025 Mothers Day- thank you for the flowers and gift and  most of all time on the phone.  

Village Flower Basket- Well Done!

Status now: Sally is home until camp- hooray, Peter will be here next week- hooray, Clare we'll see for 4th of July!

And that is your May update for Life on Newark-Granville Road: busy, rewarding, active and honest!

Rainy Day Derby- 2025 Reflection

 As I shared on social media- Derby Party in our Life on Newark-Granville Road is rain or shine! Thank you to those that braved the elements, found their way to our living room to stay dry and made the 151st Run for the Roses Party special!

What did we do different with rain all the night before and day of....

-Tent lay-out- we put the bar in a new spot so there was more standing room space. This meant the water flowed down to the bar, but Joe had sheets of wood boards/planks/sheets to help!

-Kids area was in the the sun room and greenhouse- sandbox and riding horse, etc...Cookie decorating area.

New this year:

-Reuben- a beloved Granville Inn bartender who moved to Texas came back to help. We miss Emily but Reuben took on her recipe and made it all work really well. He is a great mixolgist, truly! Thank you Reuben.-Wine, beer, lemonade table- to keep things moving!

Similar but Different, or return....

-Country Ham, we ordered one from NC, Joe prepped it and we had it sliced- yum, yum, yum!

-Hilltoppers- I think it had been like 10 years, they were great- fun way to kick things off!

-Betting- in the kitchen (weather) and we had a sweet young guest who has been attending since he was a baby assist- he took over from William and even assisted with counting and determining winners! This year we had 5 winners!

-Amazing food- you all out do yourselves- cookies, pies, fish, treats, theme related...yum- thank you! 

-Promoting an event...The Works Summer Party- Thursday, August 21st-La Bella Vista- A Garden Party! Save the date please....more coming soon!

Other things of Note:

-Lucy- loved the attention from the Denison students, and friends- young next gen in particular!

-Always fun to welcome a baby- Sean is a delight!

-Due to the rain the party ended earlier- no late night, 2nd wind, stopperbyers, let's help finish the key.  Joe and I did a bunch of clean up and sat under the tent and recapped- it was lovely!

-We loved having each person that attend! We missed those unable to be with us! Thank you for the texts, emails, and lovely host gifts- you spoil us!!

- Clare attended Will Prophater's party in DC- next generation keeping it going- this thrilled the parents!

-Alexa Minton's shout out to Derby and our tradition and connection touched me so very much!! Thank you JFM!

Once invited, always invited, Save the Date: Saturday May 2, 2026!

Pictures tell the story well:

Finding words. Nature Provides

Words are not easy to find in these times, in these situations. Mother Nature knew I needed these evenings. The end of day warm breezes are comforting, they carry hope and peace that allows me to deeply exhale. The colors of the sky frame the thoughts, memories, and feelings. The sounds soothe. Friday it was cheers and pings of the bats, last night conversation and tonight moos, baas, calls and barks. The salt from the peanuts, the perfect balance of sweetness with a scotch and satisfaction from a healthy comfort food dinner round out the senses embracing me, buoying me. We feel, hear, see and taste the prayers and care. We will carrying them with us to Nadine and Jim, Alicia and others as we celebrate the life of Joe's brother, Jeff on Sunday April 27th.  

https://www.denherderfh.com/obituary/jeff-leithauser

From Alicia, on Facebook:

 My dads celebration of life details are :

Date: Sunday, April 27th starting at 1:00pm

Location: Grover Hill VFW

Please share this to anyone who may want to come and celebrate my dad.

Thank you!— with Nadine Leithauser and

4 others

.

Easter this year was a lovely FPC service complete with brass, choir, flowers, hymns and a message of comfort with the remimder that we are not alone. We made our egg and olive sandwiches, delivered lunch to Nadine and had a visit with Jim. The drive gave us book time and us time. We did our Sunday call in Bryan so Grandma could hear the updates and chatter of Granville Leithausers.

My brother said it well, when we heard the news of Jeff's death it felt surreal. It doesn't seem possible Joe's younger brother is no longer in this world. Mother nature knew and I'm grateful.

We're grateful for the love and care carried in the breeze, in the warm and framed by sunsets and sunrises.

Words are not easy to find in these times, in these situations, but we know we are not alone in our life on Newark-Granville Road and we are grateful.

Updated 4/28/25- a lovely service and celebration of Jeff's life. Gathering family and friends is important and appreciated. Alicia's remarks about her father's support of her and her boys was quite touching. I valued the chance to hear stories of life in Sherwood and I know Joe valued the touch point with people he has not seen in a long time as well as those we wish we saw a bit more often...savor each day and moment.

The Leithauser's Annual Run for the Roses Party- AKA DERBY!

UPDATED: 5/1/28

This party is rain or shine- we have tents, people will find their place in the houses- lower level TV room, living room....I am planning to wear my red duck/rain boots- good thing I planned to wear my red dress......and red fascinator!

 

Life on Newark-Granville Road's secondary purpose is to spread the word and remind folks about our annual Derby party.  We do love to host this gathering and it only works if good folks attend! Thank you for attending in the past and joining us this year.  Some FYIs:

Date: First Saturday in May- this year, 2025 is May 3rd!

This is the 151st Run for the Roses

Time: Bar opens at 4 pm

Entertainment 5pm ish

Post Time is 5:51 pm

Wrap up at dark....

What to expect:

Good people and Lucy our pup!

Good drinks (Mint Juleps, beer on tap- Yuengling and Granville Brewing), Lemonade and what ever else people bring and share!  There will be a table of wine....and an idea is blooming to promote a fun summer event..more soon!

Good Food- we'll have country ham sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, Bella's cookies and cupcakes!! And then we're grateful for the pot-luck approach.  Dear friends have brought some amazing things over the years....we prefer appetizer/bite size desserts, shareables....but we'll have things on hand to make just about anything work! Please bring me a taste!!

I don't think any of our children will attend this year, sniff, but we get Nana! My Mother and partner Michael will come west from  Maryland- hooray! 

What to Wear:  Derby attire- hats are encouraged, as is whatever Derby means to you- for Joe it is the launch of summer, for me it is about what is the weather and getting dressed feet up- boots- see above!

What else:

bring singles to place a wager to win.

Parking is tight- bring your walking shoes and park at one of the nearby churches!

More updates the closer we get to the party!

No theme, just Derby fun....check out past posts about Derby, we've been doing this for a long time!

Friends and family included, especially those new to the area!

Once Invited Always invited!

UPDATES!!! Happy to say we have some....

Denison's Hilltoppers will peform around 5 pmish!!

Three TVs for race time- downstairs, kitchen, living room!

March-Madness? Merriment Mania.....Meaningful March Thanks Denison!

Denison Day of Giving Link   All of the below happened because of Denison....Day of Giving- Philanthropy Matters!

It feels good to pause on this last Sunday in March and share the happenings in life on Newark-Granville Road!  It has been a full month for me with work travel, but also special times at home.

Spring Break! Spring break was LA and NC- it is the Coast to Coast Semester.  

LA- amazing event hosted by Dean Hansel, uniting all generations of Denisonians, some driving over three hours for the gathering, some planning not to have drive three hours and arriving early to work close by before the start time.  I don't visit LA often in my work and it is exciting to see the Denison brand build because LA area Denisonians want it to happen. Denison parents are really special and proud, thank you for your work- Care and Dave Lused deserve a special shout out!  Bonus is always time with colleagues, getting time with Brittany a new colleague, Caitlin an internal partner doing coast to coast Admission work, Greg and Gary- teamwork makes the dream work. But again volunteers, Denisonians saying- I'll host, I'll serve, how can I help- make our work happen and the world go around!

LA - also took me to Chapman University to see Men's Tennis and Women's Lax- WIN! I alwasy enjoy a college campus visit and this was no different. Parents and grandparents, and uncles and aunts, cousins gather to cheer and I value these introductions and hellos. Chapman's turf field nestled between academic buildings with a garage under the turf- cool, very cool!

NC- DIII Nationals, Swim and Dive- oh my goodness! I attended in 2016 and loved Greensboro and the experience then and the same for now. Highlight- the fans- the teammates of the swimmers and divers, not on the championships team (although some had qualifying times) cheering for every footstep, splash, DU announcement. The parents are always impressive, but the alums, current students carry the day- wow!  The athletes- oh my- the times, the PBs, the real emotions- what an honor to see it happen. The coaches, the managers- what a treat to sit with the current students supporting the team in this way- and bonus- legacy family- "I know your parents"!  Again, colleague time- Nathan and Julie, thank you, thank you for making the trip. Granville or Greensboro- cheering the Big Red is the best with you.  Hearing about your visits to college campus while there- awesome! I too took in new places! Matt- welcome, welcome- Affinity work is important- you're a great new addition to the DU family.

Nan, Nan, Nan- I was there because you invited me, thank you. Thank you for the quick comment- Feb 14 NCAC and Swim Nationals -this year- join us. Then, the invites at the end of days to decompress, meet the colleagues making it all happen behind the scenes- amazing- Denison alum coaches-Denisonproud! Our own voice of DIII Diving- Lynn Schweizer- again a privilege include.

And yes, woo hoo- National Champions- the Men's Team won- read all about it here-https://denisonbigred.com/news/2025/3/23/mens-swimming-and-diving-the-big-red-take-home-its-sixth-national-championship-parini-denison-coaching-staff-earn-ncaa-diii-coaching-staff-of-the-year.aspx

 https://swimintel.com/spotlight/  Check out this blog about the program too! This tells the story and gives credit to Adam Weinberg's leadership and commitment not only to this program but Denison students.  And want another great listen- can't help but share this one that tells the story of the Women's team winning our first national championship- when Gregg Parini took the streak from his coach and Kenyon!  https://soundcloud.com/justnotsports/she-sweats-chlorine-denison-kenyon-the-greatest-upset-never-told

 My time in NC didn't end with the championship.  The reality is I never have enough time in these cities/states.  Denisonians are everywhere and I could  always add another day...so this trip I did. I went back to Charlotte, our Denison parent haven! My day included interactions with 9 Denison parents- current and past, alums and pure- all providing insights that fuel my work. Thank you FLC members, thank you! What a cool city too!

Home, time at home has been amazing too! Just this weekend with fish fry-always a highlight in March- and this one didn't disappoint. The dedication of the Elliott Wall for Baseball, as Adam said in his remarks, when Alums come home, it means the world to us. For me it was also seeing families that have a rich history unite- Denisonians beyond just alums- my lunch with current sister, grandmother and parents was just lovely.  And again seeing Nan, now Matt and other colleagues in action, catching up with Nathan, Julie, Adam while cheering the Big Red- heaven on earth! And yesterday the home runs were happening- the new wall is working!

So much more I could reflect on including one on one coffees and meetings, care from those that make it happen (Lucy took a break from her electric fence, thank you Granville Pet Sitting). Check out my social media posts as I have updated on some of those! Thank you to all those that come home, attend the events, cheer on the Big Red, respond to a text or drop an email and pick up the phone! My drive and travel time allows me to read and energize and I'm very grateful for all that it means.  Even if it is a bit mad and sometimes too merry, life on NG Road is special.

Times around the table, time to reflect, thank and honor and times to cheer on the Big Red!

 

 

 

 

 

I write from Chicago, preparring for CASE Conference, thank you Julie for asking me to co-present with you! I have not been here in years and it is lovely to return. CASE does important work and I value the figure eights I'll encounter and the time to share and learn about our own work and partnership. 

And today is the Denison Day of Giving- join us in making a gift- find your passion, the place that has an impact...philanthropy matters and makes a difference- thank you!

Denison Day of Giving Link

 

 

Leithausers Unite- Moms Weekend, Basketball Energy

Lucky me, I saw all three kids in their natural habitats this first quarter of 2025! I posted about Peter and Clare time, so now, it's Sally's turn!  My first Mom's weekend at DePauw.  Make that my first Mom's weekend! We have loved family weekends, tailgates, Monon Bell, lax and field hockey games...but this was the first- Ladies Weekend hosted by the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta!

I felt like I was such a winner! As soon as Sally gave me the date I booked the room at the DePauw Inn. As soon as I saw the agenda and dinner was on our own, I made a reservation for a group at Bridges. These are things in the past I've missed when planning visits.

It really was a great weekend and we continue to know Sally is in the right place. She has great friends and it was fun to get to know them better. It was great to just hear about happenings and see Sal in action. And bonus- fun Moms (and one great Dad)! Here are highlights:

• impressed by the coordinator, who actually could not join us- she is on the basketball team and they were away for tourney! They won the whole thing and we were able to say hi and great job when she arrived home late Saturday night!
• basketball fun- Sally connected her lap top and we watched both NCAC tourney games in the comfortable room at the house- Friday and Saturday. And yes was watching the DU Men's game on my phone!
• Yoga- ahhh a really great class taught by a sister...in that same great room
• Fraternity parties- three- two specifically for us...these young men were a lot of fun- we danced, played games and enjoyed the time with our daughters and engaging. We had tours and I felt like I was back at Phi Delt or Sig or KZ in 1988 at Denison.  Saw Denison era friends' children- always a treat!
• Just fun hang out time- really enjoyed the Moms that Sally connected with me for a family lunch, pre party, late night walks back to the Inn.
• Painting activity- creative time, hanging out time....
• Great play lists at the house and at Phi Delt- so Mom oriented!!

Thank you Sally and all the made it possible and spent time with me. It was certainly a highlight this year in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

Basketball energy continued- so fun to have Depauw win and Denison win! Peter also texted that Central Won- he went to that game in Lincoln, Nebraska! On Monday the NCAA brackets revealed DU and Central in the same bracket- Wash U hosts this Friday in St Louis- too fun!! Peter will attend for work. We're busy here, fun full Granville/DU weekend, but excited the dancing continues!!

Thanks for reading and sharing the happy on Newark-Granville Road!

Journey & Adventures

 This is the word that keeps finding its way into conversation, presentations, lessons...

I start this entry on the Sunday of a really special weekend. Denison's Family Leadership Council Spring Semester Meeting, aligned with Denison's Bluegrass Festival, aligned with Anniversary/Birthday fun! Regular readers or social media post observers will recognize Joe's birthday is two days after our anniversary, so love is exponentially celebrated in February for us!

The chair of the FLC, Mike Trigg P'25, has done a fantastic job in his role. It has been an honor to share the journey! During his excellent interview with Nan Carney-DeBord '80 facilitating lessons and relfection at this time of Nan's retirement for students in regard to career advice...he reminded us it is the journey not the destination. I met this morning with the incoming co-chair, Margot Brinley P'27, and was was reminded we're on a journey together, and again it is an honor to be so!  

I bought this card AGES ago and finally remembered to give it to Joe for our anniversary. As I reflect on our 26 years, celebrating our 25th with quite an adventure (see the December post about SE Asia) Our marriage has been filled with many chapters- babies, various jobs (or not), empty nesting, various sports, you get the idea..I do think that has been the success. We both do view it as an adventure and not just a journey. I pause now to reflect on MW's definition on https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adventure: "an undertaking usually involving danger and unknow risks, the encountering of risks, an exciting or remarkable experience, an enterprise involving financial risk".  Journey is "something suggesting travel or passage from one place to another". MV.com

There are risks with marriage, jobs, change, life....so isn't any journey an adventure? Just something I'm thinking about with you in my life on Newark-Granville road!  Today was an adventure in making my first from scratch angel food cake and with the price of eggs it checks definition four with finances!

For the record I've also loved the adventure of work travel lately, I'll chronicle it here! I feel the year has a coast to coast theme!  I've already shared the DC/MD, San Fran Bay Area trip. February brought Florida coast to coast time! I'm grateful to the alum/parents that hosted us for golf in Florida, prompting me to check my clubs for the first time! It was an adventure and I loved it! Two amazing work events on the east coast, followed by a journey west to Naples for an event and some friend time! I'm so fortunate to be inspired and energized by these relationships that do require travel.

It was the same for the weekend, a full weekend that required and provided energy, becuase Denisonians are special and being in Granville, in this life on Newark-Granville road is an adventerous journey!

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