Important and Fun Weekend! Go Big Red...join us on the Hill this Saturday 10/25 2pm

Denison Friends, Local Friends- We had fun here:

 

Ross Kirk in the sweatshirt given to him in 1989 when he visited, he played for DU! With new Beer Society President, Luke!

We're the blue blankets!!

Cheers and thanks for joining the fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When: Saturday, October, 25th 2 pm

Where: The Hill, watching football- Denison v DePauw Game time 3 pm

What: Better than tailgating, watching the game on the Sigma Chi hill – ‘80s style

Where: See picture- we'll be on this hill with blankets, bevies and snacks!

Parking: Suggested parking on the West Loop (old Fraternity Row) and walking over.

Questions: Text us 614 507 0751 Susan or Joe: 614 397 4907 

MORE SOON on the exciting Denison Campaign Launch, it was a very special weekend in our life on Newark-Granville Road!

Thankful for the Life of James Alden Leithauser 1937-2025

James Alden Leithauser   (click on link for obit)

A beautiful man and life.  A life that made a difference to family, community, church, and children. A life of service and caring and laughter.  This is how I will remember my father-in-law. As we reflect on how he cared, we think of breakfast and meals. Napkin-wrapped English muffins, fruit salad, fruit and veggie platters, HAM - oh the hams. When Joe took me home to meet his parents, not just one roast but two were prepared.  He always shared a perspective or joke that guaranteed a smile or laugh. He cared that he brought that smile and would look and wait for it.

Last fall, we thought we'd be saying goodbye as Jim's kidneys and heart were thinking it was time to be done. It was not the time. That said, Jim's dementia and weakening health kept him from engaging and provided frustration for many including Jim. This was unfortunate. So many dear people helped care for him, kept him smiling with great-grandchildren visits, Cokes, outings, and patience and love. We're so grateful to all of those people.  Last weekend his body did finally say, enough and he passed peacefully with the support of Hospice, and as you'll read in the obit, Nadine and Alicia were by his side.

I hope you'll read the obituary that outlines his service to the fire department, Little League, church. I always admired Jim and Nadine and their support of the community.  We also liked the snacks and popcorn that made their way to our house!  Alicia reminded us of his Donald Duck voice, and I'm so grateful his great-grandchildren smiled and giggled thanks to Jim.

He kept a beautiful yard, made a baseball diamond for his sons, and simply made the world a better place. His corner of the world in Sherwood was a delight to visit as a daughter-in-law, especially with small children.  I love his son Joe Leithauser and love how he modeled care, partnership, love, and laughter. We always say Joe is the funniest Leithauser, I would like to amend this statement- it was Jim.

Life on Newark-Granville Road is so grateful for Jim's life and the legacy he made while here and the legacy that remains with his passing.

So many have asked what we need...we're okay- thank you!  Yes, it is hard to say farewell and now don’t have Jim in our lives. And at the same time we're grateful he is not in the state he was, it was time.  We're looking forward to gathering to honor and remember him. In place of flowers or looking for a way to support/honor Jim's life, Joe and I encourage you to make a gift to your local fire department or little league!

As I type this and think of ways to honor Jim, it is simple- doing something kind, make someone smile or laugh...thank goodness he did that for us.

 Like many posts, there will be more- photos, relfections, memories...but for now these make me smile and capture Jim's essence and legacy!

 

Family and friends did a wonderful job sharing more photos and memories it has been a comforting few weeks

10/20- Yesterday at the Delaware Township Fire Department- see their post below.  We're grateful to Cupcake for the leadership with the food and the whole department for the event.  

Delaware Township Fire Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of our own, but also to celebrate the life of our brother, Fire Fighter James “Jim” Alden Leithauser. He was more than just a firefighter; he was a mentor, a protector, our favorite chef, and a pillar of our community.

For 35 years, he answered the call with courage and a selfless commitment to the safety and well-being of others before officially retiring from the department in 2022. He was a part of a family that understood the weight of a duty that is often 24/7, 365 days a year, which meant countless sleepless nights and I would say missed meals but Jim and his wife Nadine always made sure we had a meal ready for us at the station when we returned to service from a long night on a structure fire. Jim Leithauser always placed the needs of others above his own, and this is a legacy we should all remember and embrace.

Jim retired from active firefighting in 2009 but continued supporting the fire department by serving as the association’s treasurer. He played a significant role in managing kitchen operations, ensuring meals were provided at every meeting through his expertise as Chef Leithauser. For pancake breakfasts, Jim maintained a comprehensive supplies list that remains in use today.

His passing leaves a gap in our department, in our community, and in our hearts. We will miss his helping hand, his guidance, his laughter, his cricket sounds, and his presence at the station. But while he may be gone, his spirit will live on in the hearts of all those he touched.

Let us honor his memory by continuing to serve our community; by embodying the courage and dedication he so profoundly demonstrated throughout his life.

A celebration of Jim's life, open to all friends and family, will be held on October 19, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Delaware Township Fire House.

James Leithauser, we thank you. You've answered your last alarm. We'll take it from here. Rest in peace, brother. You will be missed.

https://www.facebook.com/DTFD1200

 

The gun salute from the VFW was very moving.  Having Caiden caring and playing with Alden, Alden smiling, pushing toys and then asleep in his grandmothers arms also added an element that was comforting. It was a special day and we're grateful for those that could attend, the messages and cards, we felt so supported as we navigate this time.

 

Nadine with her siblings

 

 

 

 

 

I want to make sure I share two important memories to this post about Jim!

First our wedding...I left my purse with our room key.  We had already driven off in the convertible (the top would not go down so I was annoyed) but we got off, happy. Then oh darn- we needed the purse- Joe circled back...leaving me in the car.  Well that is its own story and amazing laugh with the buddies trying to drive off with me...but Joe came back and his Dad was so happy to see him.  Joe's Dad said oh good- this is the lesson I forgot to tell you about marriage...they always leave their purse- always. It's your job- you have to remember the purse.  I can hear him saying it, his voice, his smile....I think I have a photo of that but I wasn't there, maybe someone else took the picture, maybe my mind did...oh yay Jim for Jim and sharing little bits like that that, that matter.

The other memory CASH EXPLOSION 2014.....At Easter we had Cash Explosion scratch tickets. Joe said when we were choosing the type- get the Cash Explosion ones, Dad loves that show. At the end of the afternoon Jim explained Joés ticket allowed him to write his name on the back of one, and send it in to be a contestant.  Joe said no but Jim should.  Well we all forgot about it.  Then a friend calls one Sunday and says they were watching the show and Joe's name had been picked for a future show.  What?  Jim had submitted Joe's name.  Fast Forward Joe arranges for Jim to go in his place! They ended up in Hillard at a hotel with a pool, fun day out for Alicia and to meet others.  Then those of us that could gathered to watch Jim on the show. It was a day of laughs, stress, family and memories. It was a fun way to honor and celebrate Jim.  As we did yesterday.  We'll continue to keep him close in our hearts and unite with the grandkids as family in December. We truly never leave our loved ones or let them leave us, gatherings are important and yesterday was an important and special day in our life on Newark-Granville Road with Jim as the focus.

2014 Cash Explosion Day!

Sign Time VOTING time- Fall 2025

Our house on Newark-Granville Road has a nice corner.  For years during election time people ask us to place a sign in our yard.  Joe and I have created frameworks for our decision on who/what sign appears here (you can read past blog posts about it).  

Here is this year's approach!

If we have a relationship- meaning we know you, you've attended Derby party, we have conversations, we can discuss issues, we've served together, etc...and you are running for office, we're grateful you are willing to run and serve...we'll say yes to the sign.  

Issues- similar- if the person advocating for the tax levy knows us, has a relationship with us, we'll say yes to the sign.

What the sign doesn't mean- this is the way this house is voting.  (Yes, reality is some times we vote differently.)  It would be interesting to poll people on what a sign in a yard means to them. Should one assume it is how a person votes? An important life lesson- never assume!

What does sign placement in our yard mean: let's talk! Let's talk about the candidate we know and why we did say yes to a sign. Let us tell you about the conversations had with Len Hubert at community events for YEARS, serving with William Hoekstra on a Board, debates with Ben Barton and his care during our Derby parties. Matthew George is a fair and impartial judge a known entity seeking reelection. Joe values Kim's service so much on CURRENT COUNCIL and Diane Marshall's thoughtful work and time to understand the important impact she can have for our village.  Stephanie Mollica's commitment to Mental Health & Recovery for Licking and Knox counties and the renewal levy is inspiring.

UPDATE- Melanie Kohlheim is not doing signs, thank you Melanie for running for Granville School Board!

 And most of all our Lucy...she has the message for us all..VOTE..but really know the issues, know the candidates...don't assume...say thank you to those willing to serve and put themselves in this position!

Our son Peter was asked by a friend how we vote, his answer which we love was "It's about the person, not the party". Life on Newark-Granville Road is Grateful for our local public servants and those that support them (staff), volunteers, donors and our citizens that engage and are active as it makes Life on Newark-Granville Road and beyond beautiful and safe. 

PS- https://www.boe.ohio.gov/licking/  get info here- Early Voting starts Oct 7th!  Find sample ballots too! 

 

Sharing Good Things...Sales...Invest..Ask!

 I found my career path early, but I didn't know it.  When people ask how long I've been in my role, sometimes I say- I've been raising money for Denison since my senior year...Class gift for 1990! I kept volunteering and then turned it into a full time role with focus on philanthropy directly for Denison in 2015. I love the fact that my first role was loaned executive for the United Way of Southeast Michigan in 1990..Federal Mogul knew I was  fundraiser before I did!  I've never stopped asking...

This week it is the CABI ask...amazing clothes, presented in a home or with personal consultant.  Last night's show was fun! The show prior to that at Katy's was a hoot and I can't wait for future friends shows. I have fond memories at Vicki's and Sue's...Anne's...making memories.  We were reflecting last night on my Just Ducky shows and the friends that met there!!

Update- my CABI show will close tomorrow- 9/17- if you want assistance/to order- contact Roanne Gotttshalk at 740 404 9718 rgotts1752@gmail.com  She is AWESOME!

No pressure- just me sharing what works for me and others..helping another woman at work too!

And next up to sell/offer/ask....PEO NUT SALE 2025!

Promoting Women's Education through Scholarships and Grants- PEO is a women's philanthropic organization and I'm a proud but not very active member of Chapter AB in Granville.  Mom and Myra inspired me and I'm grateful to Jan, Leda and others that keep me connected!  A great fundraiser for us is offering the amazing KREMA nut and mixes....I'm happy to send you the order form if you are interested!! They do make great gifts.  Thanks for thinking about it!

Orders due Oct 9th!

And while I'm at it...why not...Denison Ways to Give!  Every dollar and donor matters! Denison has a big beautiful campus. Denison shapes amazing lives and supports students, employees, alums and the community in amazing ways and we count on philanthropy...thanks for considering investing!  Want to know more, let's talk, have coffee. I'd love to share more about the impact each gift makes to our students and beyond.

So much good on Newark-Granville Road to share...

Heads-up- Correct Email and Transitions in the E/Cyber world....in LONGR!

 I'm trying to move this Blogger Account for Blog updates to a different email.

I'm having difficulities with an old email that I don't use- the roadrunner email.  íf you are communicating me via roadrunner it is being or has been forwarded to gmail.  Please call me, find me, contact me, I like and value our commuication.  Some times we don't know what we are not receiving.

This blog site may transition...stay tuned via personal interaction. THAK YOU for reading.

Update- I'm able to now use gmail account to access this blogger account...fingers crossed I've made things smoother in my cyber life on Newark-Granville Road!  Thanks for helping with the email address use!

Monday Monday Gathering in September 2025

 Coming up- CABI party at my house 6 to 8 pm MONDAY September 15, 2025 Join us!

CABI info- great clothes, fun trying on and being with women who support one another as they shop! Thank you to our great CABI rep Roanne Gottshalk!  Let me know if you can attend please!!

Monday September 8th was BOOK CLUB selection night...I do love how we gather to select our books for the year.  Life on Newark-Granville Road loves hosting this at our table. We love the treats friends bring- cookies, dips, bars, chocolates, fruit, chocolate...yum...we can cook and procure well!

We also reflected on the complete list of past reads...since 2004- when we started documenting this way we have 239 reads! One duplicate- Huckleberry Finn!  Twenty one years of selecting, reading/listening, discussing, gathering...most of it at Cherry Valley Hotel in the lobby or on the verenda- thank you CVH!

Lists:

25-26 To Read & Discuss:

 

Oct 6	Grandma Gatewood's Walk	B. Mongomery
Nov 3	The Wealth of the Shadows	G. Moore
Dec 1	Jane Austin's Bookshelf	R. Romney
Jan 5	Secret Agent Man	M. Singer
Feb 2	The Egnima Girls	C. Fleming
March 2	Remains of the Day	K. Ishiguro
Aprl 6	Everthing is Tuberculosis	J Green
May 4	The House of Fragile Things	J. McAuley
June 1	Another Country	James Baldwin
July 6	The Girl with the Louding Voice	Abi Dare
Aug 3	Fighting Words	Kimberly B Bradley

Have Read & Discussed:

 

Title	Author
All Over But the Shoutin	Bragg, Rick
Bel Canto	Patchett, Ann
Bury Me Standing	Fonseca, Isabel
Golden Compass	Pullman, Phillip
Ishmael	Quinn, Daniel
Me Talk Pretty Some Day	Sedaris, Davis
One Thousand White Women	Fergus, Jim
Persuasion	Austin, Jane
The Book of Salt	Tryong, Monique
The Way the Crow Flies	MacDonald, Anne Marie
A Million Little Pieces	Frey, James
Huckleberry Finn	Twain, Mark
My Sisters Keeper	Picoult, Jodi
Prayer for Owen Meaning	Irving, John
Silent to the Bone	Konigsburg, EL
Someone Not Really Her Mother	Chessman, Harriet Scott
The Bluest Eye	Morrison, Toni
The Kite Runner	Hosseini, Khaled
The Other Boylen Girl	Gregory, Phillippa
The Plot Against America	Roth, Philip
Trans-Sister Radio	Bohajalin, Chris
Truth and Beauty	Patchett, Ann
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn	Smith, Betty
Consider This, Senora	Doerr, Harriett
Fortune Rocks	Shreve, Anita
Garlic and Sapphires	Reichl, Ruth
Monique and the Mango Rains	Holloway, Kris
On Beauty	Smith, Zadie
The Eye, The Ear and The Arm	Farmer, Ruth
The Glass Castle	Walls, Jeanette
The World is Flat	Friedman, Thomas
Tipping Point	Gladwell, Malcolm
To Kill A Mockingbird	Lee, Harper
A Walk Two Moons	Creech, Sharon
A Wrinkle in Time	L'Engle, Madeline
Ana Karenina	Tolstoy, Leo
Echo Maker	Powers, Richard
How Reading Changed My Life	Quindlen, Anna
If You Lived Here I'd Know Your Name	Lende, Heather
Omnivore's Dilemma, A Natural History of Four Meals	Pollen, Michael
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan	See, Lisa
Suite Francaise	Nemirovsky, Irene
The Book Thief	Zusak, Markus
The Girls	Lansens, Lori
Water for Elephants	Gruen, Sara
Infidel	Ali, Ayaan Hirsi
Loving Frank	Horan, Nancy
Mr. Pip	Jones, Lloyd
Room with a View	Forster, E.M.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian	Alexie, Sherman
The Country of Pointed Firs	Jewett, Sarah Orne
The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding	Ranya Idlib,Suzanne Oliver, & Priscilla Warner
The Painted Drum	Erdrich, Louise
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel	Setterfield, Diane
The Winters Tale	Helprin, Mark
Thread of Grace	Russell, Mary Doria
Distant Land of My Father	Caldwell, Bo
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society	Schaffer, Mary Ann & Barrow, Annie
Hunger Games	Collins, Suzanne
Last Chinese Chef	Mones, Nicole
Last Town on Earth	Mullen, Thomas
Mrs. Dalloway	Woolf, Virginia
My Life in France	Child, Julia
My Stroke of Insight	Bolte Taylor, Jill
The Black Book of Secrets	Higggins, FE
The Elegance of the Hedgehog	Barberry, Muriel & Anderson, Alison
The Help	Stockett, Kathryn
The Maytrees	Dillard, Annie
The Middle Place	Corrigan, Kelly
The Space Between Us	Umriger, Thirty
A Reliable Wife	Goolick, Robert
Glenapp Castle	Rosenberg, Tina
Great Expectations	Dickens, Charles
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet	Ford, Jamie
Let the Great World Spin	McCamm, Colum
Marcelo in the Real World	Stark, Francisco
Olive Kittredge	Strout, Elizabeth
Prisoner of Tehran: One Woman's Story of Survivial Inside an Iranian Prison	Nemat, Marina
Telex from Cuba	Kuschner, Rachel
The Children's Book	Byatt, A.S.
The Magicians	Grossman, Lev
Those that Save Us	Blum, Jenna
A Dog's Purpose	Cameron, W. Bruce
Light in August	Faulkner, William
Love and Summer	Trevor, William
Murder on The Orient Express	Christie, Agatha
Okay for Now	Schmidt, Gary D.
People of The Book	Brooks, Geraldine
Revolution	Donnelly, Jennifer
Room: A Novel	Donoghue, Emma
Someone Knows My Name	Hill, Lawrence
The Moment I Knew	Nelson, Terri Spar
Year in Provence	Mayle, Peter
Behind the Beautiful Forevers	Boo, Katherine
Everybody Matters: A Memoir	Robinson, Mary
Out of Africa	Dinesen, Isak
Outliers	Gladwell, Malcolm
River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey	Millard, Candice
She Walks in Beauty	Kennedy, Caroline
The Fault in Our Stars	Green, John
The Master	Tóibín, Colm
The Shadow of the Wind	Zafón, Carlos Ruiz
The Tempest	Shakespeare, William
Vaclav and Lena	Tanner, Haley
A Fort of Nine Towers	Omar, Qais Akbar
Brothers Karamazov	Dostoevsky, Fydor
Code Name Verity	Wein, Elizabeth
Empire of the Summer Moon	Gwynne, SC
Little Bookstore in Big Stone Gap	Welch, Wendy
Me Before You	Moyes, JoJo
Moloka'i	Brenert, Alan
Orphan Master's Son	Johnson, Adam
Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes	Chamberlain, Diane
Setting the Table	Meyer, Danny
The Snow Child	Ivey, Eowyn
My Antonia	Willa Cather
The Good Lord Bird	James McBride
Landline	Rainbow Rowell
Independent People	Halldór Laxness
The Homestead	Rosina Lippi
Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia	Janet Wallach
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell	Nadia Hashimi
Outlander	Diana Gabaldon
We Were Liars	E. Lockhart
Orphan Train: A Novel	Christina Baker Kline
The War that Saved My Life	Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Brain Rules	John Medina
The Organied Mind	David Levitin
Three-Eight Charlie	Jerrie Mock
So Long a Letter	Mariama Ba
Lila	Marilynne Robinson
Americanah	Chimamanda Ngoi Adichie
All theLight We Cannot See	Anthony Doerr
Half the Sky	Nicholas Kristof
	Sheryl WuDunn
Longbourn	Jo Baker
The Bookman's Tale	Charles C Lovett
The Things They Carried	Tom O'Brien
Counting by 7s YA	Holly Goldberg Sloan
Hillbilly Elegy	J. D. Vance
Offshore: A novel	Penlope Fitzgerald
Man Called Ove	Fredrik Backman
The Ghost Map	Steven Berlin Johnson
Secret River	Kate Grenville
Boys In the Boat	Daniel James Brown
Salt of the Sea	Ruta Sepetys
Short Stories	Anton Chkfov
The One in a Million Boy	Monica Wood
Our Souls at Night	Kent Haruf
The Age of Innocence	Edith Wharton
Dreamland	Neil Hellegers
The True Tale of America's Opiod Epidemic	Sam Quinones
Bad Feminist: Essays	Roxanne Gay
Beneath a Marblerd Sky	John Shors
Underground Railroad	Colson Whitehead
Underground Fugue	Margot Singer
Rent Collector	Cameron Wright
Small Great Things	Jodi Picout
The Hate U Give	Angie Thomas
Dispatches from Pluto	Richard Grant
Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta
The Girl in Hyacith Blue	Susan Vreeland
Marin Marten	Brian Doyle
Killers of the Flower Moon…	David Grann
Born a Crime	Trevor Noah
Fifth Business	Robertson Davies
The Warmth of other Suns	Isabella Wilkerson
What is the What	Dave Eggers
The Great Alone	Kristin Hannah
The Last Days of Night	Graham Moore
The Miseducation of Cameron Post	Emily Danforth
Southernmost	Silas House
A Place for Us	Fatima Mirza
An American Marriage	Tayari Jones
Little Fires Everywhere	Celeste Ng
Gentleman in Moscow	Amor Towles
The Overstory	Richard Story
Educated	Tara Westover
Beloved	Tori Morrison
The Woman Who Smashed Codes	Jason Fagone
Shape of Water	Spollen
Before We Were Yours	Lisa Wingate
Lilac Girls	Martha Hally Kelly
The Little Paris Bookshop	Nina George
Rebecca	Daphne Du Maurier
Have you Seen Luis Velez	Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Dutch House	Ann Patchett
Talking with Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know	Malcom Gladwell
The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild	Lawrence Anthony
My Beloved World	Sonia Sotomayor
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter	Erika Sanchez
The Vanishing Half	Brit Bennett
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane	Lisa See
The Night Watchman	Louis Erdrich
Letters to a Young Poet	Rainer Maria Rilke
Caste	Isabel Wilkerson
Broken	Jenny Lawson
Such a Fun Age	Kiley Reid
Beyond the River	Ann Hagedorn
Pregnant Girl	NicoleLynn Lewis
The Wife Between Us	Sarah Pekkanen
When We Were Still Alive	Keith McWalter
The Memory Keepers Daughter	Kim Edwards
In Pursuit of Disobediant Women	Dionne Searcey
The Four Winds	Kirstin Hannah
Mother Trucker	Amy Butcher
News of the World	Paulette Jiles
How the Word Passed	Clint Smith
Fountains of Silence	Ruta Sepetys
Human Kind: A Hopeful History	Bregman et al
Bit Flip	Mike Trigg
Bad Ass Libraians of Timbuktu	Joshua Hammer
Crying in Hmart	Michelle Zauner
Invisible Life of Addie Larue	VE Schwab
A Woman of No Importance	Sonia Purnell
Stoner	John Williams
Hey, Kiddo	Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Destiny of the Republic	Candice Millard
Taste	Stanley Tucci
Firekeeper's Daughter	Angeline Boulley
How to Be Perfect	Michael Schur
Personal Librarian	Heather Terrell &
Good for a Girl	Lauren Fleshman
Horse	Geraldine Brooks
Midnight's Children	Salman Rushdie
The Island of Sea Women	Lisa See
Demon Copperhead	Barbara Kingsolver
The Haunting of Hill House	Shirley Jackson
Bazooka Charlie, The Unbelievable Story of Major Charles Carpenter and Rosie the Rocketer	James P Busha with Carol Apacki
Huckleberry Finn	Mark Twain
James	Percival Evertt
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew	Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby
Dinners with Ruth	Nina Totenberg
The Beast of Extraordinary Circumstance: A Novel	Ruth Emmie Lang
Independence Day- retirement	Steven Lopes P'25
Tom Lake	Ann Patchett
The Shell Seekers	Rosamunde Pilcher
The Lost Year	Katherine Marsh