Making Memories in Delaware- Stoner Style

Pinch me, was it a dream? I'm sitting here in my life on Newark-Granville Road, tan, rested and thinking maybe the week at the beach was just a dream.  It certainly was dreamy to be in a beautiful home rented by my Mom for us, close to the beach, with family. It was not perfect as we did miss Clare, Sally, Louisa, Emma and Grace...it wasn't all the Stoners under one roof, but for those that could be with us it was a treat!

Rehoboth, DE...last year was a fun visit with a hotel stay...this year longer and the house.  The house is nice as we can linger over coffee and chat, make family dinners and enjoy the screened in porch at cocktail time! The beach time was divine- breezy and warm, cool ocean that was exhilarating with just enough waves. I do love lunch break and making a good sandwich!

Bonus, the week started with a stop in Hagerstown to honor Georgina Bruce, beloved cousin of my mother and her dear family. They had their service and then we gathered for lunch with the Ashville family. We added 18 holes at FHCC, because- why not- it is a beloved course and perfect way to launch vacation time.  We made the drive over the bridge to Sarah and Greg's...ending the day with a cocktail and giggles in their welcoming home, and puppy licks!! Peter met Winnie...and of course we adore Remmie.

Matt and Karen flew in, Mom picked them up at BWI, we all united for move-in to the house with the treat of Mom's sand tarts.  A quick dip to launch the beach trip and Coq au Vin for dinner! Second day was beach time and a crab feast on the porch. Small but tasty, beautiful ritual to introduce and share with Karen.

Sunday more beach time, reading time and dinner out in Rehobeth- lovely lovely lovely.

Monday-more beach time, reading time- I finished four books this week:

The Correspondent- finally- I know everyone has read it and told me how good it was, they were right I LOVED IT!  The Academy- had been had this one for a while- great beach read and Garden and Gun's latest edition- again I put it aside to savor on the beach! Boys, Dogs and other things I've cried over....what a treat NYC living, friends and romance and amazing care for these amazing four legged lovies! HIGHLY recommend, and Claire McCardell, the Designer Who Set Women Free the book I finished on the drive home....fascinating non-fiction about an important Woman of Maryland!

Tuesday- rain day, Nicobolis, shopping and steak night!

Wednesday- YOGA on the boardwalk....back to the beach and taco fun...

Thursday- back to the beach- fried chicken, deviled eggs- we start to work to reduce take home inventory....FUNLAND...Matt, Karen and I on the Sea Dragon (I want to call it the Pirate Ship) and Mom and Peter on the Carousel!

Friday- last day...breakfast on the boardwalk with mom, shop, back to the beach and then dinner out in Lewes, bonus- drinks with Amy and Dave...what a great...

Saturday- 6:15 (shooting for 6) am departure to avoid bridge traffic, it worked...great driving by Joe and home....for dinner with Sally who stayed to work (AEP) and the care for Lucy.

This truly is one of my favorite kind of vacations. I did a bit of work (it is fiscal year end) but because of this wonderful getaway truly relaxed, as did Joe- yay! Family time, reading time, outdoor showers, swimming and floating in saltwater, sand in your toes, the surf, the ice in the glass....little things I'm thinking about as I type. Happy to be home and glad we'll end the fiscal year strong, launch the 4th of July fun in our sweet town and make more memories that matter.

June Thoughts, Happenings and Inspiration

 Congratulations to Newark Rotary Award Winners: Robert McGaughy, Eshol Curl, Doug Stout, Patricia Watkins, Beth Graff. Why do we do awards? To Thank, Celebrate and Inspire. It was a treat to hear nominators share details on the awardees. Rotary is about Service Above Self and all of these Rotarians live this every day. We're lucky to have their care and commitment building community in Licking County.

Awards- Denison- citations: https://alumni.denison.edu/citations/  Read about the most recent class here, they're special and inspiring and so deserving of Denison's highest honor.  The Citation dinner is a new favorite event of mine, lucky me to share the evening!  Reunion Weekend 2026 was another magical time on the hill, thank you to all that were able to attend and all that worked to make it so- it was fun!!

Speaking of being fortunate and lucky..LUCKY'S our new market. So far so good...grateful they are here- the Yunengling is further down- keep going...the paper goods are way north...I'm still going for salad dressing where it use to be...but I love the produce and layout and people!!

Awards and honors- Granville 4th of July Parade Marshalls: The Ross Family...love it! Getting excited for 4th Fun!

Life on Newark-Granville Road is HAPPY- Peter and Sally under one roof with us! Sally's internship going well and what fun it was to celebrate niece Caroline's milestoner birthday. Today we wish neice Emma the same bday greetigs..they're growing up!

That is it for today...just sharing my thoughts and inspiration in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

Milestones in Maryland

Louisa and the Christophers provided a beautiful day in our lives (off) Newark-Granville Road. Joe and I traveled to Maryland to celebrate Louisa's high school graduation. St. Paul's School for Girls provided a lovely ceremony and Sarah and Greg capped it off with a divine luncheon. We're so proud of our niece and goddaughter!  

Family time enhanced by being in Maryland with Mom and Michael, and of course I always love seeing the pups: Remmy, Birdie and Vanna!  The screened in porch the idea location for work and watching Big Red Baseball!

WOWZA to the Third! Three National Championships Now!

I posted about the special day March 23 was, and so it feels appropriate to share June 4th's fun, joy and inspiration! But truly it isn't about a day, or a team or a season, it is about a program.  This is what Coach Deegan says in this article:

Big Red’s golden year continues with baseball’s first NCAA title | Athletics & Recreation

The win was dramatic, the journey to the championship was dramatic and we watched every pitch we turned in for...we loved sharing all games- in Granville and Cleveland- especially that opening day in the outfield with the Craft Beer Society! And this has been the case for years- since Peter's birthday party and those players were so sweet signing the little boy's baseball party favors! Something changed when Nan Carney-DeBord '80 (AD) hired Mike Deegan. And then we blended into the program too. I was able to support in my small way as a colleague, Joe and kids volunteered during playoffs. You will find many blog posts include Big Red Baseball mentions!! We're grateful.

The baseball families are amazing, the coaches, staff, the alums. It is great to see such success happen this year- they deserve this championship and the fans are grateful we're part of the program!

Bright Spot: Cookie Mom - The Reporting Project - Covering Licking County, Ohio  FYI- my last post inspired me to submit a Bright Spot and ta-da- published!

Google, search, follow on social media- so much amazing coverage- including an interview with Cookie Mom Carol Ann! Enjoy  Hat's off to Coach and the whole program:

Good Things Happening on Newark-Granville Road

Delivery....entrepreneurial Denison alum, young alum, re-establisher of the Wine Society- Tatum- launched a business/ a product.  Something fun and needed. She has shared the journey on social media and I'm all-in! Help me spread the word and support this young woman please!

Delivery on Newark-Granville Road!  https://tatumlouise.   Check it out, and yes spoiler alert- this could be your next gift!  Congrats and well done Tatum and crew, thank you! #Denisonproud

Book Club- I so appreciate our "Discussing Books at CVH"group....last night we affirmed why we read, the discussion allowed me to value the read, our classic Änother Country and I just enjoyed the company, time and setting with lovely women. They also allowed me to tune in to Denison Baseball- it was the last few innings of the 2nd Elimination Round for CWS...and we won! They shared the delight- truly a special night.

Yesterday was one of those magical days, simple day really but each component such quality it is blog worthy....Granville Yoga- oh my Monday morning 6 am- best way to start a day or week- Karen was our sub and is an outstanding instructor- such a gift to experience her class.  Denison Retreat at the Columbus Library- this place is so special, beautiful, providing inspiration, access to so many things beyond books, but oh the books, the wonderful books! They even have a shop- I bought cards and new stickers for my computer!! The Topiary Garden - such a treat to walk through there on my way to our post meeting happy hour- Gemut Biergarden. What a treat to sit outside and soak in the great setting, delicous food and bev- Prost!  

Back to Baseball....what a run...Friday night's loss was sad, we tied the NCAA run streak, but we're still dancing! Saturday, Sunday each had a win and yesterday- Monday- two wins- wowza! We're now 49-2...and in the finals of College World Series DIII! The come back in yesterday's 2nd game was something- the energy...I was watching on devices at the retreat and at book club- sometimes you can't be completely in the moment.  (I did shut my lap top, put down my phone for most conversations/presentations).

What a treat to be in Eastlake Friday, Saturday and Sunday! It all worked. The Tailgate for Fridays game was work- the very rewarding work: meeting families, welcoming alums, catching up...not the outcome we wanted, but that is baseball. As metioned before parents of alums, back and connected, is such a treat of my role! I also squeezed in time to see Amanda Love, working in Cleveland on a special residency! Joe drove up and on our way to the hotel took a stop at one of our foundational relationship places: The Tree House in Treemont! Cheers to us and a stop at the place we felt the spark, the energy that led to the question...do you like golf?! Back to baseball....

Saturday was the ideal day for baseball- sunshine, more people including sitting with Joe, energy and obviously a commitment to get a W...well done boys of summer, well done! We drove home happy and hit the golf course. Walking 9 with friends in wonderfully bump-in timed way! LSCC is one of those Good Things too-walking nine wiht Joe is always a treat, playing well makes me happy and then stopping in for a drink- good things indeed. Home to cocktail hour on the porch with CHEESE from Mass...thank you Jill!!!....steak dinner with Sally.

YES SALLY IS HOME- she had an amazing trip to Amsterdam with her team, playing in games and clinics, watching and expereriencing this beautiful place and culture- well done DePauw Field Hockey/Athletics, well done! She started her Summer Internship with AEP yesterday...good things, good things!

Back to Baseball...I could not stay away and Sunday I hitched a ride with the amazing assistant coaches from Swim and Dive and took a day trip wtih them! We laughed, sang, shared and got to know one another. We cheered on a great W and met more amazing Denisonians in Eastlake. We enjoyed Nora's outside patio and yummies for a late lunch in Willobough before making the drive home. THANK YOU drivers and Denison friends, thank you.

Yes, not all days are perfect, not all things are perfect. We're thinking about Nadine and her health and not being at home. We're grateful for great care providers. The ups and downs are certainly better with time, talk, walks and cheers...and maybe a few beers...Life on Newark-Granville Road-Play Ball!

Few pics from the good things above:

Sing out loud, Play Ball and eat Cookies!

 Take me out to the Ball Game...we sang during the 7th Inning Stretch at the Super Regionals this year..thank you!  What a magical night in Granville...weather had us watching at 9 am on Friday and 7 pm- under the lights on Saturday! All generations joining the fun and adding to a beautiful spirit- it truly felt like a park setting- kids playing pick up games in the batting cages, the creek bed and townies and grandparents watching with joy. Oh the wins, oh the drama...oh the come backs...Denison baseball continues to CWS- again....read all about it:  Denison baseball hopes historic run ends with NCAA title (May 28, 2026) | University News   So grateful for the families that engage and delight and share these special times.  Cookie Mom, you are the best!

Memorial Day is always special in Granville. The parade- or what should be called a promanade or walk...band, groups with patriotic engagement, and our elected officials/leaders make their way through town to the cemetary. The program is always meaninful and reflective. We sang America the Beautiful, all three versus with meaning that touched me and allows me to reflect on how fortunate we are in this life on Newark-Granville Road to live this life in our country and those that served, fought, sacrificed to make it so.

Summer is trying to arrive- golf, a swim, lake time with family are activities that bring joy. Cleaning the attic on the rainy day- not so much, but important to do too.

Cookie Mule...lucky me...

I answered the phone, when the Denison operator calls, I answer. "Is this Susan I know from the ballgames?: said the voice I recognized immediately- a loyal parent, cookie mom, Carol Ann with the New England accent. Carol Ann was trying to ship cookies for the super-regional games and needed an address. She found me. I immediately agreed and gave her my home address. We didn't want to track down packages or miss a delivery due to summer hours!

The cookies were delayed, so we made the right call. 5 pm- a 5 lb boxes full of homemade cookies were on my porch! Saturday, I found my contact, made the delivery during tailgate time.  7th Inning Stretch tradition continued- homemade cookies in the stands and dugout! 

Thank you Carolanne for baking, caring, shipping and instructing. Thank you Denison parents for all you do- while your students are here and beyond. It is a special family, and it shows- the team's success, the energy at the games from all those in attendance...and cookies make it all the better!

Off to Cleveland/Eastlake tomorrow for more baseball- College World Series- Carol Anne is driving from Boston, the cookies will be there!

It is May, full and fabulous May 2026

 Work Hard, Rest hard....

Blog inspiration, poof....

Beautiful week, weekend, time in between blog posts...

It is Sunday, it was a magical weekend- Denison Commencement, Denison Regional Baseball, time with Joe and people we consider friends, Denisonians we met four plus years ago, last week...the Inn late night, the baseball field watching an amazing season...continue...https://denisonbigred.com/sports/baseball the magical walk-offs, the energy....it really is where I relax,kind of, but just love the time...and truly love how Denison celebrates Commencement.

Then there is time at the Hirsh Barn- Global Commerce Lunch with senior families, a grad party here, there and the Cidery...working Commencement- oh my shout out to our division for excellent work in prep and execution- calm, cool and staffed so well! What a treat to engage and support and share this milestone, Class of 2026- you will be missed but you are ALWAYS DENISONIANS...our paths will cross and thank you parents that want to remain involved- you inspire!

and reach out to 2030, and even athlete 2031 has started, so comforting this time of year...

Life on Newark-Granville Road, sad, grateful, comforted, celebrated...and then time to golf- 9 holes two Sundays in a row..flower delivery and making dinner with Joe...Sunday ah....the porch is ready, the plants are finally there! Church and honoring high school seniors, working on volunteer projects- Rotary Awards and FPC Nominating...

Life is full and rewarding, emotional and calm and oh so beautiful!

Last weekend's mother day, symphony, dinners downtown I could have blogged so many times but I've been involved and working and away from the blog...but Life on Newark-Granville Road soaks up the time and moment to relax and unwind and be in the moment with Denisonians and friends and us!

A few pics to document the week, weekend, etc...