Four Hours without a phone (1st hour) and Other Topics

 1st hour of No Phone:

• Giddy feeling- ahhh four hours of no phone- I'm free- it is like being on a flight- a break.
• I want to take a picture, make a post...can't.
• I want to text someone, I will call- oh I can't..have to wait until I'm at my desk- land line phone!
• I want to rent a car- oh I can't easily- my app is the best way to do it and I may not remember my password and if I have to reset my password, I really need my phone
• Still embracing the no phone, seeing it as a challenge!  Grateful for the lack of distraction.

So why no phone?  We're making the change- cue the music- Bye Bye Bye...AT&T has been good to us for over twenty years?!  But Joe's done the research, we all need new phones- all but Joe. Sally's has not worked for a week and it has caused STRESS and rightfully so- we all need them, rely on them. She heads to camp (work) soon and I'm not asking her to go to the main office to call me from a land line to hear from her. Plus she misses her friends, texting and I'm sure much of what I felt this am.

I wrote down my siblings and key friends phone numbers this morning. What if I lose my contacts in this switch? Seriously think about all that phone holds! I could get it back but it would be an effort.  

Anyway, so Tmobile is the plan- Joe is headed there with all of our phones and we'll see what happens! I'll check back in and update this at some point...to let you know how the other three hours went and status!

We're headed to Cleveland today (will I be able to listen to my book on tape, oh I mean Libby App- Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara.  Loving it!

Why are we going to Cleveland- cheer on Denison Big Red Baseball: DIII College World Series!  Gameday  Join us, tune in, send good vibes- this is program is making history.  The Regionals and Super Regionals hosted in Granville were so special. Alums, parents, parents of alums (even without their kids) were here.  Joe, Peter and Sally all worked in the booth, we're bonding with Carlos and others- all sharing this special time with this special team and the extended family that help make it possible!

And while I'm posting- Congratulations to Denison Men's Tennis on their National Championship! We've seen a lot of amazing tennis this season- inside, outside and same as baseball- love the time with families, loyal alums, staff, etc...love hearing about my brother's text with the coach- his fraternity brother! We watched from the living room- put it on our big screen, moved furniture to be cozy- life on Newark-Granville - real life!

Okay one last thing I've wanted to post and will share more of...The Next Day-Transitions, Change and Moving Forward by Melinda French Gates  I loved this book. I read it on line in the car. Ordered it from Readers Garden as I wanted to see the poetry on paper and have the ability to mark real pages.  More on this but it is a happening in my real life and I quote her so much in my work and volunteer world!

There you go, thanks for sharing my desk time, allowing me to get ideas, thoughts, info out to you. It is interesting how extroverts extrovert in today's world..this is one!

And FYI- here is how I let people know my situation:

no phone. desk phone only 740-587-5547  Calendar Invite- all day so only at top and not blocking other appointments.

6/2/25-Update- it was actually 5 hours without a phone and wasn't too bad, Joe is the hero for making it happen. It isn't simple and we're still figuring out some little things- like wifi access at work today which is how I take calls at work (over wifi), but Peter assisted!  

Mid May Happenings and things to Share

Things to share Mid-May, what I've been up to, join me, yada-yada....

Monday, May 19 6:30 pm- Time with Artist Amanda Love at UNBOUND at Art Access Gallery, 540 S. Drexel Ave, Bexley, OH 43209- Barb Unverferth- artaccessgallery.com  Show ends May 30!  I love the way Anne Sherwood Pundyk and Amanda's work compliment one another in this beautiful gallery in charming Bexley!  Gathering friends- join us!! I have room for one more in my car.

La Bella Vita- An Evening int he Garden August 21, 2025- Sponsorships to be included on invite being accepted NOW! Excited to be back volunteering for the Works. Make plans now to attend this event- new day of the week, a Thursday evening!! And truly if you want to engage as sponsors-let's talk!

GOLF- Mothers Day weekend we played 18 on Saturday at Licking Springs and 18 on Sunday at Denison! Lucky me- this was a first- back to back 18s- I did okay...it feels like it will be a summer of progress as I learn new courses!  Interested in playing- the Women's League at Licking Springs plays on Wedensdays as is reason enough to join the club, not to mention special events, great meals, historic/picturesque location and the people!!  Let me know if you want to learn more!!  Spark Golf League on Tuesdays at Denison- let me know if you want to learn more!

Denison Commencement is this weekend (5/17)- Fireworks tomorrow night as part of our Senior Soiree...so many great Denisonians- I'm embracing every minute and grateful to colleagues that make it all happen.

GO BIG RED

Denison Baseball- NCAA  Come cheer on Denison and see great baseball!  5/16-18- Joe Leithauser will be assisting, as he did for Denison softball (play by play was great to listen to) and Sally is assisting too- music duty!

Other happenings: last weekend was a treat wtih Softball, Men's Tennis (hosted NCAAs now they head to California) and Women's Lacrosse- they won and are headed to Pa to play F&M! We watched the Men's Lax game- great come back to move game to OT, we're sorry it was an L, but Dickinson went on to beat Salisbury- hooray!

Mother's Day Reflection:

First- thank you Jeanne Stoner for being my Mom! It was great to be together for Derby and the week before in Baltimore. Fun plans for summer underway!!  Nadine we love you too- lucky to have two Mom's in our lives!

And then- my kids that made me Mom! Grateful for Sunday calls, texts and updates. I'm proud of my kids for being independant, happy, and launched individuals.  People asked all spring- are your kids coming for Easter, Derby, then Mother's day- same answer- they are busy, Sally in exams, Peter working, Clare has work travel...and I do the same to my Mom! We love the times we are together and stay in touch. It was a great 2025 Mothers Day- thank you for the flowers and gift and  most of all time on the phone.  

Village Flower Basket- Well Done!

Status now: Sally is home until camp- hooray, Peter will be here next week- hooray, Clare we'll see for 4th of July!

And that is your May update for Life on Newark-Granville Road: busy, rewarding, active and honest!

Rainy Day Derby- 2025 Reflection

 As I shared on social media- Derby Party in our Life on Newark-Granville Road is rain or shine! Thank you to those that braved the elements, found their way to our living room to stay dry and made the 151st Run for the Roses Party special!

What did we do different with rain all the night before and day of....

-Tent lay-out- we put the bar in a new spot so there was more standing room space. This meant the water flowed down to the bar, but Joe had sheets of wood boards/planks/sheets to help!

-Kids area was in the the sun room and greenhouse- sandbox and riding horse, etc...Cookie decorating area.

New this year:

-Reuben- a beloved Granville Inn bartender who moved to Texas came back to help. We miss Emily but Reuben took on her recipe and made it all work really well. He is a great mixolgist, truly! Thank you Reuben.-Wine, beer, lemonade table- to keep things moving!

Similar but Different, or return....

-Country Ham, we ordered one from NC, Joe prepped it and we had it sliced- yum, yum, yum!

-Hilltoppers- I think it had been like 10 years, they were great- fun way to kick things off!

-Betting- in the kitchen (weather) and we had a sweet young guest who has been attending since he was a baby assist- he took over from William and even assisted with counting and determining winners! This year we had 5 winners!

-Amazing food- you all out do yourselves- cookies, pies, fish, treats, theme related...yum- thank you! 

-Promoting an event...The Works Summer Party- Thursday, August 21st-La Bella Vista- A Garden Party! Save the date please....more coming soon!

Other things of Note:

-Lucy- loved the attention from the Denison students, and friends- young next gen in particular!

-Always fun to welcome a baby- Sean is a delight!

-Due to the rain the party ended earlier- no late night, 2nd wind, stopperbyers, let's help finish the key.  Joe and I did a bunch of clean up and sat under the tent and recapped- it was lovely!

-We loved having each person that attend! We missed those unable to be with us! Thank you for the texts, emails, and lovely host gifts- you spoil us!!

- Clare attended Will Prophater's party in DC- next generation keeping it going- this thrilled the parents!

-Alexa Minton's shout out to Derby and our tradition and connection touched me so very much!! Thank you JFM!

Once invited, always invited, Save the Date: Saturday May 2, 2026!

Pictures tell the story well: