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...
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