Change of Car

We send change of address notices, but why don't we send change of car notices?  There are days I feel I spend as much time in my car as I do my house.  I've done just about everything in my car that I've done in a house- even frosted a cake for an employee's birthday in my younger years.  Or maybe it should be more of a birth announcement- we actually do name our cars. Or maybe something of an obituary- Sally did cry when we sold the old car?  Anyway- here are some thoughts to share our news:

-Susan Leithauser can now been seen driving a Toyota Sequoia, gold lettering and Denison sticker in rear window.

-Announcing our new addition- Martha- a 2002 Toyota Sequoia, seating 8 passengers and license plate starting with O.

-We regret to say, Lucille- the black Volvo- is no longer with us. She was a devoted car-the transmission failed on a trip to Easton.  She served the family and LOGOS car pool very well.  She is survived by the blue Volvo wagon, Babsie and the green Saab convertible, Sebastian.

So to answer the question- yes that was me at the parent drop off line in the pjs and robe that didn't match that had to get out of the car to help the kids??  Come track me down in IGA/RGM when you see Martha waiting for me in the lot and of course- wave hello when I pass you on Newark-Granville Rd.

Signs of Fall

Thank you to those that have told me how beautiful the tree in front of our house looks.  I truly hadn't noticed- but it does.  The orange/yellow color is fabulous on this tall tree that moving west commences a
gorgeous canopy that makes Newark-Granville Road so pretty.

And with the changing of leaves in the trees and in the yards- so pop campaign signs!  It is fall- November's election will be here before we know it!  First- thank you to anyone who runs for election- I appreciate the timeless effort this requires.  Community service is near and dear to my heart and those that will help govern our communities deserve a big thank you.  Second- don't be shy about asking us-
why is that sign in your yard?  Joe and I don't say yes to a sign without a willingness to say why.
We want our friends, neighbors and aquaintances to engage in conversations- we may not all agree but
that is the beauty of life in America- not just Granville!  When we talk, we learn and that is what it is
all about- so thanks for reading and I welcome your comments and questions.

We just put a sign in for Mason/Jenks for Township Trustee. Bill Mason has always impressed me in his service at Denison.  I've enjoyed working with Paul Jenks on the Pathways commitee for Granville. I hear amazing things about his work with GRD and the township.   Joe and I met with Paul and we were both impressed with his passion, depth of knowledge in current issues in the village and township and his sense of business.  We hope you'll help us introduce Paul Jenks and Bill Mason to others in our community so they may determine for themselves that a vote for Mason/Jenks will benefit where we live now and into the future.

We also talked with Paul Jenks about the Granville Rec Levy- please visit the website to learn more and vote yes for this levy that will benefit all generations of community members.   granvillerecreation.org

Saturday Fun- Get out the Windbreakers!

So many things happening tomorrow in Licking County- I know I'm missing some but I can't help but highlight some that have been shared with me and I will be attempting to attend:

The Granville Township Fire Department will be hosting it’s annual Fire Prevention Week open house tomorrow (10/3) on Prospect street from 1-3pm. We will not only have our apparatus and station open to the community but we will also be doing a live auto extrication demonstration behind the station as well as live fire extinguisher training for kids!!

 We will also have a smoke house again this year. If children have not experienced the smoke house before, it is an invaluable teaching tool on how to look for a means of egress from a smoke filled residence. As a department we pride ourselves on our education of the children in this community staring at the pre-school level. We would welcome any and all families to stop by tomorrow, say hello, and hopefully learn something at the same time!


ALSO Antique Fair at Robbins Hunter Museum, Chili Cook-Off and
Harvest Fest at The Works (5-7 pm) are all rain or shine- but forecast is calling for wind!!  All of thing provide great access and fun - food, unique items, music and play and ALL benefit impressive important non profits that make our community very special!  (OH - and I haven't mentioned the new exhibit at the Works - personnal community connections to war - I had a sneak peak and it was very moving!

Savoring Life

The title of my blog is Life on Newark- Granville Road.  Today a life ended- Stefanie Call passed away. She was an amazing inspiration- she was a fighter, a lover, her spirit and love of life was contagious. There is no doubt in my mind that she will live on in so many ways- through her daughter, mother and sister, through so many that met her- maybe even once, or read about her story, her fight!  I feel as if a hero has fallen- damn cancer!  Her fight was not in vain- she hasn't fallen- she's just left our immediate world.

Today a life is celebrated- 9 years of life!!  Today is Clare's birthday.  To me life is figure eights- the symbol of infinity- we all do live on by our actions, our commitments, we come and go closer and further away from one another and things, we loop back and forth- some times repeating, sometimes crossing new ground but it is always motion.  Life is change and movement- and savoring where we are in the pattern is good.  Today is a good day- there is saddnes and joy, laughter and pain but comfort is there for us.

I offer many prayers today- prayers of thanksgiving for so many people and things that provide and lead me to that comfort. Prayers of comfort for those that mourn the loss of a hero.

Doing what we can, when we can with Cancer.

Cancer is way too much a part of my life on Newark-Granville Road.  I'm supporting a number of efforts that offer support, research and education/awareness about various cancers that come and go from my life.

Ovarian Cancer- fun run/walk on Sept 27- 9 am in Westerville.  I will be attending this with my sister in law Ann- if anyone wants to ride over with me- let me know!  It will be early-  7 am departure.  To register or to learn more visit:  http://www.ovariancanceroh.org/

My sister Sarah, is fighting Ovarian Cancer- she's amazing but anything we can do to help others avoid or deal with this disease I'm all for- thanks Ann for this link!  To learn more about my sister's journey with cancer visit.....http://updateforsarah.blogspot.com/

My cousin David is a great guy and quite the fighter.  He and his family are participating in Light the Night to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphona Society.  To learn more about how to support his effort visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/md/SoMD09/Messersmith

A daughter of a dear friend in Baltimore, MD who has supported our family (she is the person I remember coming to take care of me when my sister was born) is participating in Team in Training to raise funds to also benefit The Leukemia & Lymphona Society (LLS). Visit http://pages.teamintraining.org/wch/wchtri09/srobinswea  to learn more and contribute. 
Leukemia is what my paternal grandmother died of when my father was 8 years old.

And here in Licking County - a lovely new friend battles Colon Cancer.  Several people we know, including Stefanie herself, rode in Pelatonia visit pelotonia.org search-chemo cocktail click for the scoop- so darn impressive!!  My maternial grandmother died of Colon Cancer when I was in college. There is an amazing event on Sunday, Sept 27th to support Stefanie and family- let me know if you want more details-we're going to have a lot of fun and raise money for travel and other expenses! Hope to see you there!

And finally- we're looking forward to an upcoming event that will raise money for Columubs Children's Hospital Juvienile Cancer Research http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/templates/pages/Giving/GivingLanding.aspx?page=4-
a wonderful boy in Granville is valiently fighting cancer.

If you want to know more about how to support these
licking county friends let me know and I'll put you in touch.  It is always a
pleasure to help with a meal or other need they have.

All of these cancer survivors and others set examples for me- I admire and benefit from time and communication with these heros and their families.  We do indeed need a world where children don't need to experience chemo directly or to watch their mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent or sibling expereince it.

Thanks for sharing- you all have your own stories too- it is everywhere and we can help- things get better daily, there are many wonderful success stories!

Looking forward to the Weekend!

Don't miss the special event "in town" at the Robbins Hunter Museum. The refurbished Victoria Woodhull memorial clock is being dedicated on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The clock looks out on the walkway (not alley) next to the library. There is a great article about the restoration and memorial in today's Senitinel! I love taking my kids to special things like this, my hope is they'll realize these are special places that deserve special attention.

I hate to miss out on the fun at The Works tomorrow. Andy Carlson and Tom Carroll are providing the music for the final "Music in the Courtyard" at 11:30 am. Please go and let me know all about the fun!

Hello September

I do love summer and I will enjoy the labor day weekend which allows me to say farewell to pool time, summer clothes and shoes that I do prefer (yes I will continue to wear white pants and some other summer type things- but the white flower flip flops and pink and green summer tops will go to storage.

I loved buying mums today- the colors available are amazing! I was thinking about what color I should get with the new paint colors at the house and sure enough- Village Flower Basket had the perfect thing- a pinky-red-orange that brings out the brick in the house.

We're also hosting my parents- when nana and pap visit- a good time is always enjoyed by all! We love sharing the beauty of Granville, any time of the year- but it is pretty amazing right now.