Wonderful Wooster

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, Clare Catherine Leithauser became an alumna of the College of Wooster!

It was a wonderful weekend. It was wonderful to experience this important milestone in the life of our oldest child, her friends and teammates, and the institution. They put their best foot forward and sent us out happy, proud, and grateful.

It was wonderful to spend time with wonderful people.  Thanks, Nana for making the trip (again, back less than a week later), Scott and Ann, Kathy, and the parents and teammates/roommates that we've come to know.  What a treat to share these four years in special ways. Again, we went out well- pub crawl on Thursday and Saturday afternoon simple picnic with Chipolote in the front yard at the house. We didn't want it to end.

It was wonderful to enjoy Wooster! The Hilton Garden worked (despite room damage in the semester) we loved being at the Christmas Run park for Graduation Eve, JAFB never disappoints, new favorite MeatHeads and even Muddies- the girls shared their places with us and we're grateful. Wooster Scott Center and Lowry Hall- were perfect! Good work to all that made it so- thank you!

Pictures- I'll let them tell the story and then embellish the behind-the-scenes info that is the blog's purpose!  More later but I did want to document and share this wonderful weekend and achievement of Clare!

Cake to Celebrate- Post Grad Picnic at the House!

Caroline and Clare- so happy!

The Nana Pose

Clare's Cheering Squad

Someone always gets the giggles when Stoners unite

Lunch in the Clare room- she is in the mural!

Kathy's Daugther Sarah joined the Grad Eve Picnic (I didn't get a dinner reservation)

Beer Tent! Scott and Ann join the fun

Pub Crawl- new sweatshirt- Carolyn!

A beautiful and smart group of friends!

Wooster Daugther Hanah!

Steve's favorite Leithauser

Off they go- well done Wooster! Well done Women!

Reflecting on Derby 23, Sally's Day

Derby 2023 is in the books and there are people to thank.

1. let's start with Mother Nature- ahhhhhh we deserved it after years of rain, thank you for the warm temps and just enough overcast to make us worry but embrace the truly perfect day for Sally's Derby!  With all we had planned it really worked!

2. The people that attend- it really is only fun if fun people come and you did! Thank you! Those that were not able to make it but texted or send messages, or flowers, or bourbon, THANK YOU!  If you didn't make it- once invited always invited- we hope to see you. One couple admitted we've invited them for 20 years and they finally had a clear no-kid sports day- woo hooo- they were a great addition to the gathering this year.

For those we didn't see- we're sorry!! It is a full house and yard, we hope you had fun and will come back! (One of these folks dropped a card and Whit's for Sally later in the week).

And there is always a surprise, someone I didn't expect, have not seen in a while- Clare was the surprise this year! She brought her girlfriend Caroline and our Wooster daughter Hannah! It was such a treat!

3. The helpers- you know who you are and I love you.  I could not have done it without you.

4. The vendors- yes they are paid, but they all went above and beyond. If you would like to get in touch with any of them- let me know.  New to the lineup was Teal the VWBus Photo Booth- what a hit.  And there is a behind-the-scenes story worthy of sharing.  Mrs. Mullins was Sally's 2nd-grade teacher- how sweet is that - her family's new enterprise arrived just in time to support Sally's grad party!! See the information below if interested!

5.  Joe- he gets that yard ready and now we enjoy it. He starts earlier than I do with his task list. We've been doing this party together for over 20 years and we have our ways.  It always comes together, this year a little harder with other commitments you can read about in earlier posts.   He also embraces this event and loves it and helps us budget for it.  Yay Joe

Although he didn't make an announcement with the DJ, he did have a sign-up sheet and discussed it with a number of people  Joe is running for Granville Village Council. I am proud of his willingness to serve our community in this way.  It is time-consuming and not simple, I'm sure I'll be sharing insights and perspectives here!

6. The Food- you all don't disappoint- yum!! The dozens and dozens of incredibly delicious and beautiful deviled eggs from the Mattiome family, the salmon from Mark L, Pimento Cheese....ahhhh, Country Ham from Nana, Pecan Cheese crackers from Jeni M- thank you Shayne for passing them so I had mine!! Cookies, cheeses, meatballs, and dips, it was amazing!  I use to tell folks- bring me a bite, let me have first dibs....and I did- lemon-lime cheesecake Carol- wow!

7. Sally- proud of you dear daughter- you embraced this shared day- greeted guests and had your own fun.  You tucked in a very tired mama and said thank you to your parents.  We love you.

A few pictures below to chronicle the event, we love seeing those you send or post we take a peak and what is happening in the background- who is connecting with whom.  Check back, I'll post a few more pics soon!

It's been a busy and exciting time here on Newark-Granville Road. Now on to the graduations, the summation for the seniors- the whole month of May! Sally's lax season is still going strong, work is on high alert and there are parties to attend! Class of 2023 we love you and love celebrating you!  

We know we do none of this alone and are grateful in this life on Newark-Granville Road for days like May 6th, the 1st Saturday in May 2023.

Meet TEAL the PHOTO BUS Jump in and take a photo in our sweet 1965 VW Bus. Teal is perfect for any kind of event including weddings, birthdays, graduation parties, and corporate functions. Visit www.tealthephotobus.com Amy Mullins 614.832.3299

Derby Party to honor Sally, 2023

 2023- the Tri Fecta Day:

Run for the Roses

Coronation:

https://time.com/6274001/king-charles-iii-coronation-schedule/

Sally Grad Party

The time has arrived to post the details about Derby Party 2023 in our life on Newark-Granville Road!  We love to welcome our friends and family to this annual gathering.  This year we celebrate Sally as she prepares to graduate from Granville High School at the end of May and head to DePauw University (in Indiana) this fall with the Class of 2027!

We will continue to post updates, so keep checking back! Once invited always invited and please bring friends.

Times:

Starts: Half Past Four O'clock, pm drop in when you can, we'll be here until dark...

Post Time: 6:34 pm  Place your wager by then and bring single dollar bills!

Photo Booth: 5-7 pm  It is the cutest- the VW BUS- don't miss

Features this year:

Fired Up Pizza   &  Photo VWBus!

DJ- bring your dancing shoes or boots, maybe some graduate trivia!

Dress:

Hats are encouraged, dress for the weather and oh, it is also the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla in the am!

Parking:  Never simple- walk and carpool if you can, Bryn Du subdivision may be the safest place!  Bike Path access off Fairvew (the cows).

What else:

Mint Juleps are the featured drink, as well as Granville Brewing and Yuengling on Tap and for 2023- Pimms Cup!

Sally and the amazing bartender Emily will create a specialty mocktail - stay tuned!

Bring an appetizer or dessert to share if you'd like, no time, no worries!  We'll also haver some of the favorites: chocolate covered strawberries, ice your own cookies and enjoy Bella Cake/Cookies and Country Ham Bites!

Thank you for joining us this special year for the 149th Run for the Roses, see you on the first Saturday in May, 2023!

Joe is making an announcement and looking for volunteers in how he will serve our community!!

School's Out..not for summer, but the end is in sight!

 Submit, Confetti fills the screen.....ahhhhhhh- yesterday I experienced two screen time celebrations- the research paper and multimedia presentation.  There was more, optional, but I wanted to view my classmate's presentations on their research and respond to the question component of the assignment. It has been a staple of this class- modules with discussion and honestly where the most learning has occurred.

The last class, no I'm not done yet, but so close! In August I'll complete the requirements for my Masters of Philanthropic Studies, through IUPUI/Indian Univ/Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.  I have a summer project/internship! 

This class was the Religion and Philanthropy Class. It was excellent but not perfect.

Life Lessons from Pursuing my Masters:  

#1 Get comfortable with good enough, value those that accept good enough but encourage growth in the right ways. I have that in every aspect of my life and I'm very lucky.

#2 There is always more to do, to read, to explore, to say but you can't.  Figure out what you can do, read the assignment, and what really interests you.

#3. Making time to dig in and go deep is worth it.....I've found great satisfaction in my all-day study/writing sessions. I'm grateful for my office on Burg Street. No, I don't work all the time, I'm often doing school work when you see that light on!

People ask why I've done this and I've addressed that in other blogs, the impact is a greater understanding of a subject that is a life's calling- philanthropy. More to say for another day, I like learning and the environment and people it connects me to- even online- events at a big university. Walking the school life with my kids, the DU students- is nice too- that feeling of submit, the feeling that a deadline is approaching, the need to schedule an office hour with the professor, the fear of the grades...so so many lessons.

So much more to say, but I'll just end with the encouragement to learn more about Julius Rosenwald:

Don't know who he is- read about him, ask me about him and help me spread the word about him:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-rosenwald-schools-shaped-legacy-generation-black-leaders-180977340/   I learned about him and have posted about him thanks to my History of Philanthropy Class. I took that spark and applied it to this class to understand the impact of his religon, his Jewishness on his philanthropy.  The focus of the clas was the intersection of philanthropy and religon and WOW!

https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/hall-of-fame/julius-rosenwald/

I highly recommend: https://www.youneedaschoolhouse.com/  I've recommended this book before!

https://www.rosenwaldpark.org/  I anticipate going in pursuit of some of these markers and schools- some in MD/VA!

Life on Newark-Granville Road- too full right now- and that is a lesson as well, but I'm doing my best and grateful for all the help and support that keeps me moving forward!

 

Clare and her DIII Athlete Career

A milestone in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.  Clare's DIII Athletic Career has come to an end. Field Hockey for 3, Lacrosse for 4.  Thank you, College of Wooster.  Thank you, parents, fans, fellow players, and coaches now and along the way.

The last game, it hit me while sitting in the stands on April 22.  That was one of the many days this year I wanted to be in two places at once- make that three it was also Delt parent weekend at Wabash- sigh.  I went because I love to go and could still hightail it back to Gville to share the fun of Prom pictures with Sally.  That day, April 22 I made plans to get to Wooster for the OWU game on April 26th. That Saturday and for a few days I was just sad, I was feeling the loss.  I know it is her game, her sport, her experience.  I've loved the role I've played. I've enjoyed every opportunity to see her in her place, doing her thing.  

Wednesday games- weekday games- my personal little escape- a drive north, one and a half hours. It was a tough one to watch as they lost, but Clare has played so so well this year. She is tough, a force, energetic, and a leader on the field.  Being with dear Hannah- our Wooster child/Clare's dear pal - and the fabulous friends and teammates, listening to Lucy (Clare, Brown Hair) the other parents helped ease the transition as we have amazing memories.  Knowing we will see some with FH when Sally plays against Wooster. Experience tells me paths do cross and holiday cards and social media are important links. The body knows how to handle these transitions. This one snuck up on me.

Joe and I could not be more proud. Her coaches and DU AD could not be more proud, her family is proud.  Thank goodness for streaming and live updates we can watch when not there and we love her tales of bus rides and thoughts from the games.  We've enjoyed the tailgates, and the opportunity to treat to a snack (cookies and milk against DU this year). We've seen them grow and respond to the ups and downs- the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory- and all the in-between. We're grateful and pleased it all worked out the way it did!

We're in the midst of the season of transitions and have been caught up in the senior stuff (and work and school and volunteerism) to feel the feelings, but I did in April.  Clare is ready for what is next. We watched the last game while doing our things.  They gave us a good goodbye with an OT win. Fighting Scotts are special- the bagpipes, the plaid, the scholar athletes and so much more....Our number 15 set a goal and went after it, exceed it in my mind.  She learned so much about herself and the world. Sports teams are important teachers, I'm glad you were the student you were Clare and I'm glad you shared it with us.