Overflowing Happenings to Launch Fall 2026!

On Monday, lovely women gathered at the table to remember and honor mothers, as a dear friend's mother passed this summer and I was humbled to support the event.

On Tuesday, we attended a special event at Pursuit in the short north to celebrate amazing  Amanda Love's  art included in his new special space...so great to see the collaboration, creative talented making a difference and having such success!

On Wednesday, oh my- THE BUXTON- the reawakening event....what a treat- what an approach- fundraiser for the Granville Historical Society and a treat to see the incredible rennovations, hear from the Mayor, Governor, DU President and the entrepreneur himself....then engage with great guests and the talent behind the scenes making it shine.  Congratulations to all and thank you!! Follow the Buxton on social media, go visit!! This is a gift to the community, Denisonians and all who visit. My first visit was fall 1985 and is part of my finding Denison/Granville story.  We hosted Sally's baptism brunch there, and so many other visits that would fill the page.  The Buxton is a backdrop to our lives on Newark-Granville Road and the hill!

On Thursday, weeks, months of work came to fruition as we welcomed Family Leadership Council folks to town at the Inn.  A tried and true tradition that is starting to feel like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Catching up, introducing, and good talks as we take in the anticipation and gratitude for family weekend in Gvegas!  Oh and I had my second session at Metric Strength, love the way I feel and concentrated effort for health! And Denison celebrated the Men's Baseball CWS Win and D3 Championship- Coach Deegan's remarks inspire...."who are you after the journey"....joy, dedication, power of and....discipline...there is a reason we're grateful he and his staff educate and mentor our scholar athletes and it inspires all of us!

On Friday- family weekend at Denison...with our Family Leadership Council meeting. I am so grateful to all that collaborated, partnered, presented, attended and engaged...it was a great day and weekend...

Granville, Licking County and the hill were overflowing in happenings and goodness. Mother Nature certainly smiled on us as it was truly an overflowing of happiness with comeback wins, talent galore and happy students and parents.  Yarn bombers, store openings, specials, and even Joe contributed by doing play by play for field hockey and then I heard all about it as we snacked on pizza and sipped a scotch- feet up last night.  I'm looking at pictures to share here, to tickle me to tell the "rest of the story" the behind the scenes, but it would take too much space and time...

Today is Sunday, my new colleague and I went to the Inn to check in and hear about the weekend. Field Hockey played again producing another W and more introductions, reunions and just wonderful outdoor time! I took the scooter into town for some lunch and did a bit of work...now porch time, family facetime, cocktail and dinner at home...life in grand on Newark-Granville Road!

We missed some really lovely things this weekend, and I'm sorry. Denison Family Weekends are like my super bowl and important to the work I'm committed to...the which way do I go feeling is something I live with in this role and full life on Newark-Granville Road. The best things are always on the same days, and we proved, sometimes the same hour! LOL! Soak it in, be in the moment and thanks for reading and sharing!

Pictures that won't do the week justice, but connect to the story on life on Newark-Granville Road...

Just a Mom this Weekend.

What is sitting in the rain, no phone, cheering on your daughter and her team, sitting next to your husband. Knowing you'll connect with the older kids later today and the group text is inspired by conversations and care, memories and check-ins.  This is love, happiness, contentment. This was me today.

I have been looking forward to this trip, this weekend for quite some time and it did not disappoint.  We love visiting college towns, connecting with fellow parents, seeing our baby. I have such fond memories of Clare's senior season and we've now launched Sally's.  I have fond memories of every college visit and parents weekend, and our own trips. I value the intersections and overlaps with NCAC, riverly, and liberal arts approaches, friends from all over and their growth.  But the college towns, our meals, drinks, walks and discoveries. Shops with things that become favorites and still to dos, to bring us back.  

I love that Granville is this for so many and we support and recognize the gift our fair college on the hill is as well. I love taking a break and just being a parent, over coffee today waiting for breakfast I was just a Mom.

Life on Newark-Granville Road, this September 20th has me preparing for a full week, a week with a pause to remember and honor a mother, our mothers, my being a mother...it was such a good weekend to be a Mom.

We Gathered at the Table, and selected our 26-27 Book List!

 Discussing Books at Cherry Valley Hotel- the name of our book club.  Some people didn't know we call ourselves this...lol! We gathered, maybe 14 of us...we snacked on yummies- cookies, cake, dips, fruit, sipped some wine and scotch and water. We introduced ourselves based on how long we've been attending....some back to 2000-ish, a number of us 2002 or 2003...and we welcomed a new attendee and a guest for the semester- an orphaned book club member here temporarily, grateful for a new group. I truly love this group of women, individually and collectively and am grateful for the evening. Thank you DBACVH....life on Newark-Granville Road is sweeter and rewarding thanks to our time together, tonight and each month past, present, future!

Here is the list and our recommends- let me know if you want to be on the email list for reminders about our meetings on the 1st Monday of the month...at Cherry Valley Hotel!

Labor Day Weekend 2026's Yin and Yangs

What should I title this post? I want to reflect on this magical time. Summer at its peak- produce, flora, my golf game....this place of preparation turning to fruition....and not just farmer's market or professional status.  I spend work time reaching out, introducing myself, welcoming, connecting...and then they arrive! Then they come for football and soccer, and move-ins....and they're settling in...and then the seniors...four years of hellos and shared time, now we'll savor and make extra special plans.

That was evident this weekend at our fair college on the hill and I loved it!  There is a balance- new and old, ending and begining all at once...so Yin Yang?

Grateful for the Inn as a backdrop, the stadiums, the golf course, the village...the walk home to watch more golf. It is addictive, like scrolling....one more set of golfers making their way up 2...I could have stayed all day.

And then the in-between- the peace- the walk home, the morning coffee at apple valley, the typing with the window open on a holiday morning, pausing before launching a special day, taking a vacation day to golf with Joe on a course I've always wanted to try!

There are not hours in the days, days in the week...the best things are always planned on the same day. I hated missing Seafood Fest at LSCC but loved the pics and shares...I loved trying something new and seeing artistry in action and sharing dear friends' birthdays.  I missed the farmer's market but loved being at the golf course seeing the visiting players and families...what a gem this course is not just for Denison but the community. I reflect on Peter's time as an alternate and playing every day- a true gift I'm not sure I appreciated enough.  Joe did great work selecting food for a special dinner with family/friends at Apple Valley- a magical night of simplicity...years of relationship cultivation, comfort and connection. Each evening was this way on our Labor Day Weekend, 2026 and Virtues/Longenberger Golf Course did not disappoint.

Summer days shortening, falls signs she is here....gratitude for it all.

what would we do without our beloved Tessa!

August 2026 Reflection, Mentionables Not Mentioned Earlier....

August, it is your last day in 2026... rain, wind, harvest, gatherings, that transition, calm, get it-in, go out a bit later....breathe....ah August, thank you. A few mentionable moments that have not made earlier posts, or were shared only on social media if at all. 

Proud of our Pelatonia riders, Denison's first Pelaton- CHARLOTTE, and others...I was out of town for this but grateful for posts, our community and the effort!

Time in NJ with Tina...the shore...going back to summer after my junior year...Mrs. Wayne...The Mod Hatter, so proud of you! Thank you for a special evening and reconnect!

GOLF- Denison, Licking Springs, walked 18 on 8/31...we'll do it every year, Columbus Country Club- my first- thank you, what a gem, a locker...happy place.

Social Media following- Your Turn by Allison Aubrey Denison 1990!! Congrats on the launch, see you this fall!

Dinner on the porch with pals, cocktails before T&C....happy place.

Omakase- Shin...you sign up for something having no idea what to expect, well you thought it was something else but then know how fortunate you are to be there...even more special. That is what this Tuesday 8 pm reservation in Columbus evening was!

Pictures...yay flowers and farmers markets- butterfly on the accidental dahlia, surprise delivery.

New hire- welcome Nate!  Welcome home, thank you for starting on move-in day.

Move-in- 2030 welcome is a heavy, beautiful, important lift and highlights like this make it fun: Crew tour, OSU tour..North Market Day...partners like Michele, Niele, Bryce, Ryan, Matt, FYO and their staff, football players, Adam...I could go on and on....thank you to the first sixteen that said yes to FLC!

IYKYK- coach pics, trophies...watching the trophies rolled back to their office...

Morning Harvest Cafe, Watts, but not Early Birds...vacation time for them...we'll be back..need to get to Colonial for breakfast!

Baptisms- x 4 at Gran Pres!

Tennis- what a gift- Cincinnati Open- Coco's gratitude, doubles laughs and advocacy- our first trip, lucky us.

Remembering, honoring Dolly Parton, we're sad to see you go and grateful for all you've done- such inspiration and impact!  Caroline Wright in Hagerstown has passed as well.....we're pausing and remembering together with such fondness.

Denison- Doane/Knobel/King Center opening!! Strawberries to welcome new faculty and connect with the family.  This year's fan-girl moment: Caroline Spence!

Town and Country- well done- another dance the night away in a beautiful setting, hooray for Orchard House and the committee!

The 31st ends with: yoga, good Monday work, drinks at the Inn, being greeted by, summer dinner and baking for DOWS.

Life on Newark-Granville Road- full, beautiful and real...August beauty..good name for a horse!

The Great Granville Picnic 2026 in Honor of America's 250/Ohio-Magical and Special, Hopeful!

Small town Ohio in all her glory, Granville. What a magical Granville Evening....we write about these fairly often when someone comes to town, or we share a historic moment (national championships), family time...this was all of that an so much more. The Community (under the leadership of the Granville Foundation and key volunteers) led the way and Granville citizens stepped up to shine.

What is the Great GranvillePicnic? A tradition over the years to put tables down broadway and let people picnic. We had never attended in our lives on Newark-Granville Road, I know shocking. It happened for a Granville anniversary...which one? And another time, we were out of town or ?? We do love a picnic and love to be in community, that is why it is rather unlike us not to attend. This year a no brainer with Joe on the Board of the Granville Community Foundation and me knowing a bit about happenings with the 250th under Billie Zimmer's leadership. It is quite the undertaking to coordinate, and this year included tables and activities opportunity to hang on the green and listen to great music and the presentations. 150 tables, 8 each and so many more- easily over 1000 people within a few blocks- stunning.  According to Billie the purpose was:

to make people happy and showcase how much good can happen when we work together.All 19 partners (nineteen!!) working together all using each one's special talents! All coming together beautifully. Communities shine when we colleaborate and show that we have more in common when we focus on the good we can do. I hope we achieved our goal, to build community.

The question wasn't if we were going to attend, but How? Should we get many tables and talk to as many people as possible to go. Grab one table and keep it simple. Then which decorating/theme area? We went with one table, athletics. I was sure we'd keep it simple with the Reds table cloth- Baseball- America's pastt ime and have pocketdogs (another story), peanuts, our opening day meal. We agreed to keep it simple, we invited dear friends and neighbors that moved and my brain knew I needed her. Mattimoe and Leithauser love to execute on a theme Town and Country, time together on Newark-Granville Road around the table has prepared us for this. 

I reached out to Betsy and she coached me, Susan I hear you on the baseball theme, but your other idea (horse racing) is you and your brand- let's do it! And she went to work and I'm grateful. It is a busy time of year for us on Newark-Granville Road (welcome class of 2030) and we had the items at the ready.  Saratoga Springs red and white stripes and history- oldest sport??- inspired us and we made our Red White and Blue Race Day table come to life.  I can't thank the Mattimoes enough.  Ann Leithauser rounded out our table to keep it simple and give us room, what a lovely lovely evening!See pics above four our table, wish I grabged one with plastic off and the full menu!! We had eggs- Mattimoe eggs!!

A highlight was seeing so many folks we have not seen in ages. Seeing so many creative, beautiful, gorgeous themes executed. Yes, eating delicious yummies outside was a treat too. The magic was the community- together. The volunteerism and nonprofit with government safey and foundation, clean up by sports teams, set up happening twice due to rain....beautiful music and the chance to dance with my guy....walking broadway, sitting at our table, sipping on scotch and sangria...sharing chocolate covered strawberries...Go find the other pics, the other posts...I'll post some links as I find them here. There was a video crew- anxious to know who they were- they were everywhere! Here are some pics that capture just a bit from our walk and time at the picnic. 

Joe's opening remarks with Kim Ball on behalf of Village Council wonders if our founders 250 years ago recognized our country would become the greatest force for good the world has ever known? Not without challengge and strive- the civil war, the 60s, and even now, but today he shared how much hope there is with events and evenings like these with folks sharing talent, time and uniting at a table, putting differences aside. THANK YOU to everyone that attended, made it so- we loved our special, magical evening together on Broadway in Granville at the Great Granville Picnic 2026!

Adding a note tied to early in the day...Patsy Jones service, the minister said, when missing Pat, live like she did..her legacy...set a beautiful table, invite people, be inclusive, live a hopeful life, forgive quickly..she also planned great trips for family....We certainly lived this yesterday and our life on Newark Granville Road believes this to be a good way to live. Thank you Granville and all nineteen partners, sponors, etc...

Award winners:

I Cryin

I shared with somone recently about the interesting ways emotions present themselves.  This is the time of year I talk and listen with many parents about transitions. I am a crier. I cry at commercials, sappy shows, even interviews with sports figures. In our lives on Newark-Granville Road you often hear, Mom's crying. One of the family- taps the other and points- look at Mom. And I'm wiping a tear- happy, sad, indifferent but evoking a memory and/or emotion- I well up. I am who I am.

I tend not to cry at the expected times. When the kids go to school, go on to their next chapter. The first day of Kingdergarten I cheered. I'm happy, excited, proud...and then it finds me. I miss them, I don't want them to stay, but I live in a world of swirling, conflicted, complimentary emotions. And I'm grateful for those feelings and the support. The ability to soothe and plan....

So sharing too things this morning:

1st- Patsy Jones- Denison Parent and Grandparent and HUGE Buckeye fan and just wonderful philanthropist and community builder. She is missed already but her legacy lives on. I want to include her obituary here: Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information | Patsy P. Jones

and thanks to the person that shared the news, I missed this and probably need to do better at reading the on-line obits.  End of era....

2nd..Sally left for college, senior year...our last college departure....we've not been great with "first day" pics but have them in mixed match forms...It was a sweet farewell, the goodbye to Lucy. We've loved having Sally home this summer- thank you AEP. (Really thank you AEP with all the storm damage, more sadness). We're proud of the good work in the past and future...excited for senior year, senior field hockey season and beyond- enjoy every minute!!

(and the title for this comes from our beloved niece who will launch her college time soon...cue the tears....as a baby she'd take out her passie in the crib and yes- I cryin, I cryin...meaning- time to get me out of there!)  So yes Louisa- I too was Cryin...and I got myself up and out and am happy for a full day of living on Newark-Granville Road. Knowing it is so because of people like Patsy and Don Jones and so many others that comfort and share.