Beautiful Gift..

Thank you for the lovely gift from a dear friend!

I love monograms, I love personal, I love quotes and messages...so this gift and product is amazing to me. I had so much fun (and challenge) designing what I wanted.

This takes me back to the Just Ducky Days when you could customize your children's darling clothes- material, accessorizing with ribbons, buttons, etc.. and fun custom monograms or... simple words.

The grown up version of this is Franca Lingua, my gift!!  A bit into my process to create a custom sweater...

So first- color...I love them all- black, classic, blue, classic, tans..red..this red didn't feel like my red so that helped take that out...

Then style- this one was simple as I know my preferences...love the idea of a cardiagan but they really don't work great...

What to put on....they have so many great ideas, styles...the hearts with your kids initials..oh....a friend has one of these that is perfect for her...she lets us all know she reads Banned Books! YAY!

So I do what I do- I made a list, I asked for input, I took the input and it helped me go different directions too..I talked and listened to myself..and then voila there it was.  Here were ideas:

Yay, Yay, Yay

Go Big Red  Yay Denison Yay Big Red

#longr   could go over the heart

read my blog please- lifeonnewarkgranville road

too big probably - hence the 

Discussing Books at Cherry Valley  

What are your reading?

! ! !

Thank you!

Be Generous

Scotch and Soda Please

Scotchy Scotch Scotch

I'll have my usual

Yay Scotch

Derby Love

Yay Derby

I love Granville (in REd and White)

I paused asked for help, and re-read the way it was presented to me. This friend said, I read the blog, thought about you, but I didn't want to just make it for you, so I gave you this gift card, I want you to love it.  I DO!...More ideas:

In my past life it would be:

Show me the Agenda

Put in on the Spreadsheet

Current Work approach:

Don't forget the families Parents  Ps

P'23 '24 '27

Or...

Screen Porch Girl

Life on Newark-Granville Road- grateful for such a personal, fun gift!  Thanks for reading!!

PS- I wore it today- many compliments, but many don't get it and so I get to explain and share my perspective..life is figure-eights we come and go from one another and places.. If you read the blog you know, 16 posts talk about figure-eight perspectives/happenings and many even in the title!!

Voila- the final product!!

December 2025...

This blog is about behind the scenes moments, posting for prosperity and sharing information...It feels correct to put a bit out there about December in our lives on Newark-Granville Road! We blinked and here it is December 22nd!

First- I invite you to Christmas Eve Service at FPC-Calendar — First Presbyterian Church  We'll have three services- all special!  I was quite impressed and touched by Sunday, December 21st service- “Messiah” by George Frideric Handel with strings and soloists that delighted. Need something to listen for holiday spirit- tune in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=UWcFxNFlG-0&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.granpres.org%2F&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ

Second a fun little poem quote:

“D-December never means
E-end, it's the time to
C-celebrate and rejoice
E-express love and joy
M-mesmerize the moments
B- believe in blithe spirit
E- enhance the end and
R- rhyme with the beginnings.”
― Deepa Gera

And December for us:

• Earlier post about Granville's Candlelight Walking Tour- it was really a special day and evening...we toasted Ann Leithauser's birthday at Knobel Cut's Whiskey event, enjoyed beautiful music at church and with Common Thread and old friends and enjoyed the return of a beloved gathering....we could not do it all, but we made it a full day!
• And then I took off for travel for work...which was really special. I'm fortunate to engage with amazing Denisonians- families supporting the college in important ways! First stop on the trip was the Bay Area and it never disappoints- the people, the scenery, the book stores..I valued the time to read-....   

Then direct flight to BWI for Stoner family time! I met dear Winney and hugged on Remie, caught up with Louisa, Greg and Sarah and slept so well in their guest room.  Then we celebrated Mom's 85th birthday.

• Jeanne Stoner- happy 85! You inspire, impress, delight us...thank you for your independence and style, hospitality and community! Mom and Michael hosted their own party with help and it was all our favorites: olive balls, crab balls, country ham..Clare joined in, Louisa's Becket, Dunkin and Kirsten...Mike found the perfect cake and we really enjoyed the time with beautiful snow arriving after so family from Htown could join the toast!! Grateful to all who celebrated Mom that day and her birthday week!
• I pause here to post on the shootings at Brown, the Reiner's deaths and the other sadness that can stop you in your tracks. When we hear about the gray, the meek, the dark in December this is it.  And my heart hurts...I'm grateful the sun comes up, the snow reflects and sparkles, family time comforts as does music.  While in MD I went to two amazing performances and it soothed in ways like no other. Best was sharing it with family.

Then I took the train to Connecticut and NYC. Plans shifted and I ended up connecting with Denisonians and updating them on the 

What We Can Be: The Denison Campaign | Denison University  Joe and I share about how life on Newark-Granville Road connects us with visiting Denisonians. It was fun to reverse the visits with alums from our era- thank you for dinner and family time Len and Koonce, the tour and cheese shop featured here: https://denison.edu/magazine/2015-issue-3/140108 Kevin, and our special morning tea/coffee in your beautiful home. How fun to connect two special Denison women!!

In NYC we were hosted in a suite for the Rangers v Cannucks game- again some shifting due to a Hughes brother trade, but a very special evening with wonderful Denisonians of all ages: alums, families and a student!! 

Love the trains, ubers, and flights- new was taking a train to EWR! I read The Wedding People by Alison Espach while traveling and thoroughly enjoyed it and found a number of good messages!

• Meanwhile Sally finished her semester strong and moved out of Theta, she will have her internship in Indy. She made it home to decompress and take care of lucy for us! Joe traveled to Atlanta and DC for work!
• We arrived home to jump into holiday to-dos. We are shopping, wrapping, shipping, decorating, baking, list making. Yes, the leaning tree and no plan stressed me out..but a spreadsheet helped and we're on our way.  Doing our best to not sweat the small stuff, be in the moment, find joy and peace and love in the true meaning of the season, the light is there for all of us and we're grateful! Holiday get-togethers mean so much and we're lucky to have the colleagues and friends that really are family.
• That said, two openings coming soon to the Family Philanthropy Team at Dension- tune in January!!

THANK YOU for reading, wishing you a happy December and holiday peace and comfort!

Check out the social media posts for more pics, but here are few for the record:

Happy New Year- 2025-26 Holiday Card!

 We are in progress, if you recieved our card and came here for "more details"...thank you! This site is for some of the "rest of the story" and/or behind the scenes thoughts about our lives on Newark-Granville Road!   Joe is adding structure to this post- yay- kids are weighing in- yay...we'll get there!

Scroll back, take in some other posts..until we're ready to post..soon, soon and again thank you and Happy New year and all the best as December and 2025 wrap! 

Designed by 
Brenda Yingling!

December in Granville- Take a Candlelight Walk FRIDAY and Saturday.....

 Join us on Friday Evening...Joe has Council Person duties and we think this will be really lovely...we'll go grab a bevie at the Inn after!!  Please help spread the word, it would be great to have a large group participating in this sound sculpture/community event, from the web/AI:

Granville, Ohio's Illumination Night was a holiday event held on Friday, December 5th, 2025, that kicked off the season with a candlelight procession down Broadway. The procession began at the United Church of Granville Annex and ended at the Robbins Hunter Museum, featuring hot chocolate, cookies, and the 'Unsilent Night' sound installation. This event was followed by the Granville Candlelight Walking Tour on Saturday, December 6th. 

Granville Illumination Night (December 5, 2025)

• What it was: A holiday lighting event and candlelight procession.
• Key activities:
  • Candlelight Procession: Started at the United Church of Granville Annex and proceeded down Broadway to the Robbins Hunter Museum.
  • Music: Featured Phil Kline's 'Unsilent Night,' which is played from a phone or speaker as you walk.
  • Refreshments: Hot chocolate and cookies were served.
• Sponsors: Roof Ohio was the "Merry & Bright" sponsor, and Crabby's Christmas Lights installed the display, according to Robbins Hunter Museum's Facebook and Instagram. 

 Then Saturday- SO MUCH TO DO- which way do we go...plus we'll add a visit to the Distillery with WhiskeyFest: https://noblecutdistillery.com/2025winterwhiskeyfest/

Excited for all the offerings on Saturday: https://business.granvilleoh.com/events/details/christmas-candlelight-walking-tour-18356   It is the 40th Anniversary...wow, wow, wow!!

I hope the snow remains that joined us yesterday in our lives on Newark-Granville Road...it makes it all the more special- as does seeing friends at this time of year and Friday's event will make a great opportunity to meet-up and catch-up a bit!! THANKS for reading!

Grateful Prep...

 It is the day before Thanksgiving and I'm giddy! For prosperity I'm capturing real life on Newark-Granville Road and how we prep:

Saturday- Tgiving Farmers Market, Turkey Trot package pick-up, house clean/projects!

Sunday- did some basic house prep, made the lists but enjoyed the day with church and friends- celebrating LOVE- engagement and baby for dear Newark-Granville Road family!!Picked Peter up at 10:30- woo hooo 1st kid home!  Also Joe made Chili for Wed soup supper!

Monday- work, but more preps and shops- yay Joe- used a gift certificate- basic dry goods. Baked muffins and made last

Tuesday- shower moment- forgot about bevies, worried about fitting in the house..went to work called Joe- we make the plan, I email him the updated plan and he and Peter made it happen: store run, table on porch, coolers up, fridge beer moved to cooler, table bigger, CLEANERS came!! Sally arrived home- yay- and I enjoyed a new event- Grateful Flowers with Village Flower Basket and Three Tigers and dear friends.   Made the Cranberry!

Wednesday- YOGA- we swapped stories about Tgiving food approaches, ovens and giggled. Had a great class and event found myself dancing a bit during Shavasana! It put myself in the place of true happiness and gratitude. Grateful for things that I'm not grateful for as they really help life stay in perspective.   Yoga is such a grounding thing for me, keeps my judgement in check and allow and feel things in deeper, better way.  Yes I'm typing this in post yoga zen!     Grocery store for the OYSTERS, bits and things we need, Noveau wine....

Next up- few other errands, picking up Matt, Emma and Karen from the airport, welcoming CLARE with Harper (new dog), Mom, Mike, Sarah, Greg and Louisa!! Soup Supper with Love Fullers...and then we'll set the table..the turkey gets brined...and cocktail hour will be enjoyed with the last of the Shelborne Farm cheese and a full house! Yes Life on Newark-Granville Road is grateful for the prep, the lead-up, the anticipation and opportunity to do it all!

Energy of Life: Saying Farewell to Denisonians and our Beloved Jane

So many farewells, taking the time for calling out on the blog these beautiful lives, people, energies. It does feel heaven opens up and energy in the universe allows for people to pass and we've had a few. A few to name, remember, celebrate, and thank for being in our life on Newark-Granville Road. 

William Osborne-WO was infamous, WO was beloved, WO's legacy shines bright in June when the Denison Singers Reunion happens. There is a scholarship, a library/reading/meeting room in Eisner, a restored organ in Swasey, and so many memories for so many Denisonians including this author. I was a music major at Denison not becuase of skill or talent, just interest in the environment, the desire to learn. I took Music Around the World and was part of the Concert Choir under his leadership. Thank you WO for being you and being what Jeffrey Masten stated:  "an extraordinary force for the arts at Denison during his tenure from 1961-2003 and kept on giving materially back to the college, through scholarships for performing-arts students and the restoration of the chapel organ, not to mention the mostly-annual reunion concerts with his devoted Denison Singers family."FB post JM. I'll share the obituary when it is available, plans for a memorial in June during Singers Reunion!

Jack Kirby- Denison professor. One class, all I took was one class and it was special. It was quintessential liberal arts- discussing, learning, reacting to history through literature. I know the stories of so many that are so grateful for his support and the communities he created. He was a beloved Denisonian. His energy, commitment and care mattered and made a difference.   https://www.newarkadvocate.com/obituaries/pwoo1327256 

Joanne Bartlett: Beautiful alumna: https://alumni.denison.edu/citations/joanne-passano-bartlett/ https://www.mwfuneralhome.com/obituaries/joanne-bartlett-2/#!/TributeWall I didn't know Joanne, but know many who did and valued all she did and will continue to do for education. Rest in peace, good job faithful servant- servant leadership exemptlified. DenisonGrateful for you.

Marcia Whythes Denison Grandmother: I didn't interact much with Marica but each time she left an impression and delighted me. She raised a lovely family and leaves a legacy. I love the line in this article, she knew a few things about making a difference: https://www.punahou.edu/donor-stories-detail?pk=1114700 Thinking of this special Denison family in this time of transition.

 

And the one that will leave a void for so many in our lives on Newark-Granville Road, 

Jane Heller Beloved Denisonian, Granvillian, Artist and so much more:

https://alumni.denison.edu/citations/jane-carstensen-heller/  https://www.mcpeekhoekstra.com/obituaries/jane-heller  I love the line in the obituary that says- "Jane lived life in color" it was true! The Northern Lights last week in Ohio- for our dear Jane, so aprapros they were here when she took this journey.

It probably isn't appropriate for me to have a favorite Denisonian, a favorite alum- but Jane was one of mine. Our paths crossed as Denisonians over the decades, figure eights intersecting with reunions, service/volunteer boards and then on Newark-Granville Road. When I was working at Denison she was the Annual Fund Grandparent Chair- how amazing is that! At the Works she was the founder of the art gallery with Marcia and I had the honor to support her work curating and showing. She was a friend to all and close to my friends and we benefited from dinners, drinks and many gatherings together. Her daughter, a key partner in my work at The Works! My day was made when I was with Jane. She inspires and inspired me, her legacy is profound and concrete, colorful and joyful.

 When the word spread of her passing, a friend group started sharing art, so I share one of our Jane Heller's and photos that make me smile, including a beloved picture of us, captured at a Reunion.Her energy was color, but more than that it was all the colors- warmth, cheer, interest, love, life, light, moods, depth. Jane you made the world beautiful, you made us all happy and we felt your love. You are and were beautiful, thank you for all you did for so many and did it with spunk, color and love.

 

 

COLOR

Fall colors are beautiful. It is mid November and I'm reminded how much I love the gift of color the trees provide. Yes, the foliage in the canapy, but what always delights me and deserves to be captured here, is the color on the ground!  The yellow Ginko trees are spectacular. Newark-Granville Road has a few properties that showcase this extremely well.   And with a quick search I find this poem that also reminds me the release of all leaves at once magnifies the impact- it truly is an explosion of color!

The Consent by Howard Nemerov:  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53817/the-consent

Sunrise on the way home from morning yoga, thank you Daylight Savings time, draws the eye to yellows, reds,and pinks The view out the front windows as I type is the same sunlight casting with a hint of pink you may find in the tulle of a dance recital. It is warm and happy, delicate yet cheery.  It is fleeting, as during edit time it has retreated and gone.

I think of Spring when the blossoms from crabapples and others I don't know charm us with all shades of pink and white. I'm enchanted when they spill onto pavements and lawns, creating a carpet of color. 

Being surrounded by color is a key component in my life on Newark-Granville Road. Our home has lots of color- art, furniture, rugs...even the indoor plants with every shade of green! Nature is an artist, this is the time of year I love the greens of grass with the frost, blues of dawn and dusk.  Our pumpkins for fall decor- inside and out, fresh and glass, and fabric reflect these same preferences of many colors! Not just orange- but melon, salmon, tangerine and then the whites, grays, blues, greens.....it makes me happy!

November is the month of gratitude. I love summer and hold on to it, allowing it to stretch well beyond the solstice, this year's temps making it easy to do so.  I'm here now in full Fall, embracing its gifts and saying thank you for the hues that surround, inspire, comfort, captivate and truly gratify.