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...

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.

Bucket List Road Trip, A Day in July @ The Races

 

Figure Eights in action.....Hosted by Izzi, Sacha, Amanda and Brian, Phil and Marie...what a special wonderful get away to a place we've always wanted to visit- the races of historic Saratoga Springs! https://www.saratogaracetrack.com/about/history-saratoga-race-course/  We also golfed, walked all over Skidmore, enjoyed delicious meals and soaked in time together with the perfect weather to frame the special getaway! Yaddo was a bonus, music with the roses in a beautiful setting. A place to return, a weekend to remember.

Sacha- dear, lovely Sacha- Denison friend...reconnected via Denison off campus reunions- yay team! A visit when attending a conference in the Albany area- something special in Toga! Love-Fullers visiting Skidmore- connection to Sacha when the Inn was full and she opened her home- immediate connection.  Enter Glosbach....Denison connections, one of Joe's favorite profs, Honorary Degree, Commencement connection to the Weinbergs, dinner in next door. Figure Eights- people and places, values- we come and go, we're drawn in, similar path, but not exact....feel the energy of a special weekend in July in Saratoga and the people connected and together. Hosting, sharing, honoring, celebrating, living, learning, enjoying...a beautiful thing in motion.

In our lives on Newark-Granville Road we try to select travel with guidance from the locals and this weekend was on par! Thank you Sacha for the coaching and early morning coffee at the track. Phil and Marie- the golf great, the 19th hole gathering a highlight and Amanda you plan travel like no other- thank you.  I remember sitting in your kitchen making our where to stay decision- we chose right and the trip came together in such a special way. Sasha and Izzi- family- dinner in the back yard!

 Pro tip- perfect background pic...later in the day, they move the starting gate and it is close to the stands and the position for group photos, photos that share exactly where you are- see examples here! Thank you Sacha for the coaching, it isn't only a great photo it is a fun memory when we rallied to get into position at the end of a fabulous afternoon! 

If you like horse racing at all, Keeneland...go to Toga- the Spa...go to Saratoga Springs, NY, we are grateful we did!

Gifts of Summer-in July

You think there is just one special holiday in July...the 4th and I posted about that wonderful jubilee earlier, but the reality is July is full of celebratory occasions captured here in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.

Christmas in July- we acted on gifts- experiences- not things this year: Clare's- the Fever game in Indy (oh what a treat to see that energy, the full house, and yes Caitlyn Clark! We had a wonderful weekend in Broad Ripple and yes, wedding planning happened!  Peter's it was going to a Nats game- somewhere else and he chose Denver. It worked so wel, Yes there is a Santa Claus, as Joe's beloved Reds played the day before the Nats- two for one and they had a great time.  It happened to be the same weekend- back to back travel for Joe.  By the way Sally's gift was going to Amsterdam with her team (in May) and it was also a magical time.

The PFC- parent fundraising conference is a gift to me. I value meeting with professionals from all over the country that basically do what I do. The Family Philanthropy niche is special and inspiring and this year OSU hosted.  A bit different to attend as a commuter, but the joy of seeing these work friends react to Columbus was wonderful. It also provided opportunity fo rme to engage a bit more with presentations. Thank you Cali for joining me with the donor-volunteer panel and Brenda for making my presentation a treat, and Michele for jumping in to your new role.

Sally's 21st birthday was in January and after the holiday, on a Monday, with the launch of internship and living in Indy and in Granville there is a fun way to celebrate birthdays and the 21st- what is better than a flaming tower of Margaritas.  Life on Newark-Granville Road took us there this month (her half birthdya month) with Aunt Ann, Caroline, Amanda and Eliza giggling and toasting and cathing up with salt-rimmed glasses!

I'm also grateful for a special night at the LSCC where I was spoiled by friends who gathered the Summer birthday gals for our toast and catch-up time.

So much more to add with trips, vacation days, golf, swims, farmers market, picnics and the true gifts of summer in our lives on Newark-Granville Road. 

The month ended with a night at the beach, Beach Haven, LBI with dear friends Tina Wayne Berman and her family and with her mother- Janet- Mrs. Wayne! Oh how wonderful to reconnect and catch-up and take in a beautiful sunset and summer evening with good good people that have been very good to me!

Where To...Just Love this piece at a special place!

 

July- Oh Beautiful July, and America, and Granville and Family.....

 July- in life on Newark-Granville Road, July is....

• Fiscal Year Launch (meaning Fiscal Year ended the day before!)  Thank you to all our donors, hosts, volunteers, etc...25-26 was a very good year.
• Birthday- America's- Fourth of July in Granville is special- fireworks from the 18th hole, our parade, the festival is festive and I know so many people love connecting and coming home. It was great to see Sally take it all in. Thank you Kiwanis for being the lead and then Rotary, Granville Foundation and so many more that make it work and happen. Joe and Sally- woo hoo- ran the Firecracker Five (5 miles) and I savored it from the yard with Lucy!
• Birthday- mine and this year all three kids were together,and that was a surprise! It has been great having Peter home a few weeks, Sally is with us all summer, but Clare made a lake detour with dear friend Hannah!! Thanks to all that reached out, gave gifts, dinners, gifts, hugs, text, social media wishes....I loved it all and am grateful. Coffee Cake for Birthday Cake is AWESOME!  I was spoiiled and I loved it.
• Lake Time- thank you Scott and Ann for hosting us, this year the water temp was divine...we did our annual Apple Valley Swim Team swim, were hosted for fireworks by the Parsons, and watched tennis and ate well! 
• Golf/Sports whenever, wherever- Denison, Licking Springs is looking so good...league on Wed, playing 18 is a treat! Date night, time with Peter, Fountainhead, traveling!  Boating, Tennis- watching Wimbleton!! Swimming, lake time, skiiing...SUMMER!

• Summer Foods- veggies, farmers market, chicken salad, iced tea (with tea from England, Sean's favorite) fruit, crabs, seafood, grilling...ahhhh yum! Gazpacho-Farmers Market BLT, ham salad, bbq, beans..I could go on and on...
• Vacation- always a trip somewhere, somehow and some vacation time....the 4th holiday is a delight.
• Summer Reading- what is your recommendation...it is certainly the time I read the most and love it. Reading on the porch, when traveling, by the pool, the beach!
• Swimming- Water Water everywhere- the lake, the pool, the ocea, floating...I just love the water, Cancer Crabby...
•  Summer Welcomes and Summer Events- looking forward to hitting the road soon to welcome            Class of 2030- thank you hosts and all those joining the fun! 
• Flowers- the flowers of July- farmers market bouquets....so fun- the world in bloom is a good thing.

Future blog material with upcoming travel.... will take some time off to enjoy July and report back on this amazing month in August! Thank you for reading and engaging in life on Newark-Granville Road!

Pictures Tell the story of our July Launch and a special Birthday surprise...note Sally and Peter taking in their good work! I just love to smile so much it hurts!!

Porch fun with kids and guests- UK Sean!! Questions, want to know more, just reach out!!  Enjoy your July.

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