June Thought, 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: