Once upon a time a family in Maryland enjoyed hosting Preakness parties. (The Preakness is the 2nd race in the triple crown, held in Baltimore, MD) The eldest daughter grew up and moved away and enjoyed hosting parties too. When she moved to a far away land she found a roommate who was far away from her home town of Louisville, KY where the Kentucky Derby is held.
The two women decided it would be fun to host a Run for the Races (name for the KY Derby) and had a grand time doing so and had much success with this party. There are related stories that include a finance, fresh whipped cream but that is for another day....
When the eldest daughter moved to Michigan she started small and hosted a few friends for appetizers to watch the race in her apartment. The next year she was living with a roommate that owned a horse and liked the idea of a Derby party and once again a good time was held on the 1st Saturday in May. A few years later the hostess moved to Kentucky and she decided this would be the year she would attend the actual Derby!
A wonderful time was had- dressing up, drinking real juleps from the commerative glass, experiencing The Churchill Downs, and even winning the wager based on the name- Silver Charm! However it was cool, wet and horses were hard to see let alone an actual race. General Admission tickets only get you so far....The young woman decided she liked her party better and would go to Keenland in Oct and April for the live racing experience!! Because she wanted to keep the party tradition going the daughter hosted a triple crown party since Silver Charm was a contender! This happened to be the weekend after a very special date to the Memorial Golf Tournament with a classmate from Denison.
The Triple Crown party was a great success and much fun to plan and execute. Flags from all 3 states that hold a triple crown race were aquired and used for decoration. And as usual guests (including family!) were introduced and connections were made. It was a special 2nd date for the the two Denisonians and the party was the launch of special relationship.
The next year the young (still in her 20s) woman went to Columbus to visit her boyfriend. She made apppetizers and mint juleps for her boyfriend, his roommate and friends while they watched the race and it was declared a party. By the next year the couple was married and hosted the first Leithauser Kentucky DErby party complete with late night bocci and a pizza run! The party evolved as children were added with pack n plays. And then the couple moved to Granville and the party took on a different feel with pony rides, play yards, live music and a tent on Newark-Granville Road.
The party continued to grown and the host couple enjoyed the opporuntity to entertain their friends and their families-watching connections happen across relationships. The party inspire house projects and spring-summer preration. A fun twist was added when children were delivered to grandparents so parents could prepare. One year three children were taken to Maryland and the car returned with two Yuengling kegs instead. The children did return to attend the party with their grandparents!!
The past parties have been successful thanks to the support of family and friends lending their time and talent in a vareity of ways. The attendance is always appreciated and is the heart of the party's purpose. Surprise visitors, wedding party members with their own julep cups and family make for extra special attendees!
In 2011 the not so young woman, although not middle aged, woman took a trip to a far away land- China. The trip was swaped for the big party. Although note mint juleps were enjoyed with a handful of friends (the evening included a trip to the emergency room). This year the party returns. No pony or carriage rides are planned, but we do look forward to live music, festive beverages and the opportunity to catch up with good friends- please join us on the first Saturday in May to add to a happy life on Newark-Granville Road.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Derby Party 2012
Top Ten Reasons Derby Party is back
for 2012…
10. What else would we do on the first
Saturday in May?
9. We love to watch the kids pick-up
games and activities in the yard.
8. This year’s Yuengling is from OHIO
and we need to celebrate this- thank you Matesich’s!
7. We appreciate-Common Thread and The Last Resort (friends who
offer to provide live music ROCK - really). Making plans for bluegrass this
year from Denison students!
6. We’re hoping to entice our niece
and goddaughter Louisa from Maryland and get her to bring her parents and
grandparents!
5. My father was able to produce his
Wager Poster before retiring and turning 70!
4. Once invited, always invited so
people may arrive with empty julep cups.
3. We’ll get the window boxes and yard
in shape faster!
2. A good friend will soon be launching his brewery in
GRANVILLE- you want to meet him!
1. We enjoy taking time to connect
with friends and family in a laid back festive way!
We hope you can join us:
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012 4 pm start, race is 6ish….we go until
sunset…..
Where: 1142
Newark-Granville Road, park where able and walk…
What else: bring friends, family, a dish to share
if able- dessert/appetizer and your hat! More info on party on Susan’s Blog:
http://www.lifeonnewark-granvilleroad.blogspot.com/
Hosts: Joe, Susan,
Clare, Peter and Sally (and
possibly soon to be named puppy)
Friday, April 6, 2012
What I learned on Spring Break
l love to travel. I love to find an adventure. I
love history, science, art, good food and family- and I got to do all of this
on Spring Break this year. I came home and find myself not able to stop
talking about our wonderful vacation. Therefore the best way for me to get it
out of my system so I can move onto my life on Newark-Granville road is to
blog...so here goes!
We went to Charleston, SC to stay/camp/sleep on the USS Yorktown- a retired Aircraft Carrier. This has always interested me- I'm kind of a Navy Brat- born in Norfolk, VA- my Dad got out when I was born. Good friends did it two years ago and and the praises so that cemented our decision to join in with our boy scout Super Pack 3 effort to attend.
The Ship- USS Yorktown website1. Staying on board the USS Yorktown was amazing. I HIGHLY recommend this! It isn't for everyone but if you are OK with rustic accommodations it is cool. They separate boys and girls and the women get the officer quarters which means we have room to roll over and our in smaller rooms- we shared with two other moms. I'm so pleased with the Boy Scouts who welcome moms and sisters along so often!! Peter and Joe were in a big group-sleeping situation. What was amazing is we were able to really soak it all in. Peter really was taken by the Kamikazes. The USS Yorktown was very active in WWII so much of our learning was about that war (thank you veterans) and also naval engineering including aviation. he wouldn't of gotten the message about the Kamikazes had it not been for the immersion, the repeat references- video, tour, actual plane, movies. I won't go into too much more detail. Know that if you are in Charleston you should take the time to go aboard but if you have a youth group that is going for an overnight- make your plans! Who knows maybe you'll see something in the future about me coordinating it for a group....
2. Charleston is beautiful, historic, filled with rich stories and so much to see, explore and enjoy. The Hunley sub story is wonderful. I thank my co-workers for introducing me to the lesson and engaging the kids with it (you can do this too- summer opportunities at The Works!!)Hunley Web Site- Friends of the Hunley If you are in the area visit this site! And then just soak in Charleston's southern charm and food and architecture!
3. We also were able to get our spring break baseball in- thank you Citadel for playing South Carolina in town! We are grateful for friends who let us explore Kiawah- kids couldn't stay out of the cold water....my ocean babies make me smile! WE stopped at Davidson on our way down for breakfast and to explore another liberal arts college- one of the best breakfasts ever....We also had a taste of Mayberry in Mt. Airy, NC- thanks to a text from my brother who was also traveling while we were!4. We enjoyed our timing- home late on Wed which allowed us some happy family time and catch up here. Kids and I went to COSI on Saturday and had a grand time. The new WATER exhibit is really wonderful- I learned some really fun things so Columbus friends take it in!! The exhibit on RACE is interesting and I learned some things about my kids in that one.... parenting isn't easy!Thanks for reading, contact me directly for more info I can share about our great spring break!! I hope you had a wonderful time out/escape/break from it all too!! Of course the final lesson was simply a great reminder- life on Newark-Granville road is pretty darn good, we're blessed to call it home.
We went to Charleston, SC to stay/camp/sleep on the USS Yorktown- a retired Aircraft Carrier. This has always interested me- I'm kind of a Navy Brat- born in Norfolk, VA- my Dad got out when I was born. Good friends did it two years ago and and the praises so that cemented our decision to join in with our boy scout Super Pack 3 effort to attend.
The Ship- USS Yorktown website1. Staying on board the USS Yorktown was amazing. I HIGHLY recommend this! It isn't for everyone but if you are OK with rustic accommodations it is cool. They separate boys and girls and the women get the officer quarters which means we have room to roll over and our in smaller rooms- we shared with two other moms. I'm so pleased with the Boy Scouts who welcome moms and sisters along so often!! Peter and Joe were in a big group-sleeping situation. What was amazing is we were able to really soak it all in. Peter really was taken by the Kamikazes. The USS Yorktown was very active in WWII so much of our learning was about that war (thank you veterans) and also naval engineering including aviation. he wouldn't of gotten the message about the Kamikazes had it not been for the immersion, the repeat references- video, tour, actual plane, movies. I won't go into too much more detail. Know that if you are in Charleston you should take the time to go aboard but if you have a youth group that is going for an overnight- make your plans! Who knows maybe you'll see something in the future about me coordinating it for a group....
2. Charleston is beautiful, historic, filled with rich stories and so much to see, explore and enjoy. The Hunley sub story is wonderful. I thank my co-workers for introducing me to the lesson and engaging the kids with it (you can do this too- summer opportunities at The Works!!)Hunley Web Site- Friends of the Hunley If you are in the area visit this site! And then just soak in Charleston's southern charm and food and architecture!
3. We also were able to get our spring break baseball in- thank you Citadel for playing South Carolina in town! We are grateful for friends who let us explore Kiawah- kids couldn't stay out of the cold water....my ocean babies make me smile! WE stopped at Davidson on our way down for breakfast and to explore another liberal arts college- one of the best breakfasts ever....We also had a taste of Mayberry in Mt. Airy, NC- thanks to a text from my brother who was also traveling while we were!4. We enjoyed our timing- home late on Wed which allowed us some happy family time and catch up here. Kids and I went to COSI on Saturday and had a grand time. The new WATER exhibit is really wonderful- I learned some really fun things so Columbus friends take it in!! The exhibit on RACE is interesting and I learned some things about my kids in that one.... parenting isn't easy!Thanks for reading, contact me directly for more info I can share about our great spring break!! I hope you had a wonderful time out/escape/break from it all too!! Of course the final lesson was simply a great reminder- life on Newark-Granville road is pretty darn good, we're blessed to call it home.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Here I go again, getting involved in something new, something I can't wait to share! Here are the reasons I'm encouraging you to take a look at this organization- it may or may not be for you but I hope you'll take a look. And also if you think of someone else that would like to attend- please let me know and I'll invite them or just pass it along!! Here are my top 10 reasons I'm for this effort:
1. It is inclusive- everyone is invited! All ages, all communities
2. It is all about raising awareness about great philanthropic efforts in the community
3. It is democratic- those involved get to vote- we'll educate one another about need in our community.
4. There is room for all- people can share their vote/spot- I can help you find someone!!
5. It is about the math- 100 x 100- wooo hooo- lots of good things can happen with that donation!! What fun it will be to see the non profits receive that gift!!
6. It is about LICKING COUNTY- local local local dollars staying here- local helping local!! This will make my life on Newark-Granville road better
7. It is a grass roots effort with great structure- it works somewhere else and we're bringing it here! (reading this from outside of Licking County Ohio- check and see if your community has one- probably does!)
8. Great leaders- Amanda and Kelli are passionate moms who are leading this effort and I'm impressed and supportive!
9. We'll have a great oppertunity to network, connect, support one another at the same time.
10. We can have a bevie while we vote and we are not required to do volunteer hours....unless we want to I bet the organizational rep can share that kind of info too.....
Take a look and let me know your thoughts and questions. Hope to see you on the 17th!
Have you heard of 100+ Women Who Care, Licking County? It’s an organization for women to support various local philanthropic efforts. We kick off with our first meeting on
April 17th (gathering at 6:30
meeting to take place promptly between 7-8:00)
at the 21st Street Grille
We hope that after reading a bit about us and other Women Who Care organizations around the country you will want to join. This is not an “invitation only” event! Whether or not you decide to become a part of the 100+ (and we hope you do!) please pass the word along to others until this reaches all of the women in Licking County, multiple times! Below are answers to just a few commonly asked questions. We invite you to check out our website for the most complete information: www.100wwclickingcounty.org
- Who are we? Women in Licking County with a common goal of saving and enriching lives here locally.
- What are we? A giving circle. Individual donors each giving a small amount in order to have a big impact immediately. We strive to be 100 members strong. Each giving $100 dollars a quarter for a total donation to a given charity /non-profit of $10,000. (Team option also available, click here for details.)
- How does it work? At the meeting we randomly choose three members to pitch their cause. After hearing about the charity/non profit and a short Q & A, we each cast a vote as to which one receives our collective donation. There is no middle person and checks are written directly to the charity chosen. We eagerly await the next meeting when we can hear about the difference our funds made!
- Why? We live here. We work here. We raise our children here. We want this to be the kind of community that lifts members up and extends a hand to a neighbor in need. Maybe we don’t yet know that neighbor. This is our opportunity to meet her and find out how to help.
- Benefits to members: An improved sense of belonging and civic engagement, increased awareness of community needs and those organizations that try to meet those needs, a feeling of “doing good”, ability to give strategically and thoughtfully with relatively small effort while obtaining a large impact.
- Benefits to the community are truly endless. We will enhance associations already helping in the community and enable other opportunities that may need a hand.
It’s about making lives better, in multiples.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
I WAS TAGGED- I'M NOT GREAT AT THIS BLOGGING THING BUT TRYING TO GET BETTER. I'M ENJOYING MEETING NEW CREATIVE PEOPLE OUT HERE- OR BETER SAID GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE BETTER. I ADMIRE THE MANY POSTS AND VIEWS, THIS GAME OF TAG IS ONE MORE WAY TO CONNECT SO OF COURSE I LIKE IT......
That's right.. in a blog-tag off! I hope others will play along and enjoy a good old fashioned game of Tag.
The Rules:
*Post these rules
*You must post 11 random things about yourself
*Answer the questions set for you in their post
*Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer- I made it 8 I like the number 8
*Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
*No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 8 people! I'm trying to do 8...like the number and I don't follow 8 blogs...yet!!
Tag! You're It
That's right.. in a blog-tag off! I hope others will play along and enjoy a good old fashioned game of Tag.
The Rules:
*Post these rules
*You must post 11 random things about yourself
*Answer the questions set for you in their post
*Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer- I made it 8 I like the number 8
*Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
*No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 8 people! I'm trying to do 8...like the number and I don't follow 8 blogs...yet!!
11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:
1. TYPING IN ALL CAPS BOTHER ME
2. I drove a fork lift at one time, I've shared this enough in my life it may not be random anymore
3. I like my cookies crisp and I pick out the crisp french fries
4. I always wanted to be a mother, I loved to baby sit as a teen
5. I look better in dresses
6. I prefer gold to silver
7. I love Lilly of the Valley
8. I wish I had dark hair and blue eyes- not really but I like that look
9. My travel bug is waking up again
10. I have fond memories of peanut butter with fluff, pickles, bacon (not all on one sandwhich)
11. I prefer roast beef on a kaiser roll
11 random factoids about ELLIE:
1. I'm obsessed with Sour Patch Kids, especially the red ones.
2. I only look through magazines that have a crisp cover. It makes me cringe reading a wrinkled one.
3. I offically have the travel bug, especially after traveling to 8 countries in the past 7 months with Zach.
4. I love airports and could sit in them for hours watching people. Ironically, I met my boyfriend on a plane.
5. Flowers are over-rated unless they're out of the blue.
6. I secretly wish I was a professional sand volleyball player, or a newscaster on E! or the Travel Channel.
7. I love anything to do with horoscopes.
8. I started playing basketball when I was 8 years old and played through my sophomore year of college.
9. I want to be the event lead and coordinate the Oscars, Emmys and Espy Award Ceremonies including the after-parties.
10. I want to be on The Today Show (with good/happy news of course)
11. I am not a picky eater and will try anything once.
11a. I LOVE spicy foods/hot sauce.
11 Questions from Ellie:
1.what’s your biggest pet peeve? people not saying hello
2.who’s your favorite author? Hmmm- lately I really like Ann Patchett
3.where’s the next vacation/trip you’re taking? Charleston- Spring Break baby!!
4.who will win the super bowl – 2013- go Ravens!
5.what’s your dessert of choice? something with crunchy meringue
6.if you could have a superhero power, what would it be? if you could have one: super endurance
7.what’s the best thing about blogging: an outlet, opporutnity to share and extrover- gets my mind going
8.would you rather drive in rain or snow? snow
9.what kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sequoia so I can fit each child and a friend/cousin
10.how do you spend your free time? free time? lately in bed watcing Downton Abbey on my macbook
11.if you could meet a celebrity, who & why? Tom Hanks- I've always liked him and he does amazing work
11 questions for the lucky ones I tagged:
1. What is your dream car: convertible bmw or BMW station wagon- actually both not or
2. Dress/Skirts or pants/shorts and why: dress- I've never grown up and probably because my mother said so
3. Favorite movie: Rear Window
4. Favorite Columbus restaurant: The Flat Iron
5. Math or English: English
6. If you could live in one country, where would it be and why? Scotland- It spoke to me
7. Spicy or Sweet: sweet
8. Would you rather go back in the past to make something better or live in the future? Past
9. How do you like your coffee: black
10. Homebody or social butterfly: social butterfly
11. what invention do you wish was your idea: standup mixers
1. I'm obsessed with Sour Patch Kids, especially the red ones.
2. I only look through magazines that have a crisp cover. It makes me cringe reading a wrinkled one.
3. I offically have the travel bug, especially after traveling to 8 countries in the past 7 months with Zach.
4. I love airports and could sit in them for hours watching people. Ironically, I met my boyfriend on a plane.
5. Flowers are over-rated unless they're out of the blue.
6. I secretly wish I was a professional sand volleyball player, or a newscaster on E! or the Travel Channel.
7. I love anything to do with horoscopes.
8. I started playing basketball when I was 8 years old and played through my sophomore year of college.
9. I want to be the event lead and coordinate the Oscars, Emmys and Espy Award Ceremonies including the after-parties.
10. I want to be on The Today Show (with good/happy news of course)
11. I am not a picky eater and will try anything once.
11a. I LOVE spicy foods/hot sauce.
11 Questions from Ellie:
1.what’s your biggest pet peeve? people not saying hello
2.who’s your favorite author? Hmmm- lately I really like Ann Patchett
3.where’s the next vacation/trip you’re taking? Charleston- Spring Break baby!!
4.who will win the super bowl – 2013- go Ravens!
5.what’s your dessert of choice? something with crunchy meringue
6.if you could have a superhero power, what would it be? if you could have one: super endurance
7.what’s the best thing about blogging: an outlet, opporutnity to share and extrover- gets my mind going
8.would you rather drive in rain or snow? snow
9.what kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sequoia so I can fit each child and a friend/cousin
10.how do you spend your free time? free time? lately in bed watcing Downton Abbey on my macbook
11.if you could meet a celebrity, who & why? Tom Hanks- I've always liked him and he does amazing work
11 questions for the lucky ones I tagged:
1. What is your dream car: convertible bmw or BMW station wagon- actually both not or
2. Dress/Skirts or pants/shorts and why: dress- I've never grown up and probably because my mother said so
3. Favorite movie: Rear Window
4. Favorite Columbus restaurant: The Flat Iron
5. Math or English: English
6. If you could live in one country, where would it be and why? Scotland- It spoke to me
7. Spicy or Sweet: sweet
8. Would you rather go back in the past to make something better or live in the future? Past
9. How do you like your coffee: black
10. Homebody or social butterfly: social butterfly
11. what invention do you wish was your idea: standup mixers
8 questions for my tagged folks:
1. Hometown: Granville, OH
2. Where were you born: Virginia
3. How many pillows do you sleep with: 2 3 if you count the bolster
4. Can you wear flip flops- no- not real ones with the thing between the toes
5. favorite appetizer: cheese and crackers6. plaid or polka dot: plait
6 what do you want to be when you grow up: something to do with travel
7, first dog/pet: boaz-bassett hound
8. a sound that makes you smile: quacking ducks- many of them together
Now time to tag 8 others...
Now time to tag 8 others...
Sunday, February 19, 2012
- I love where this vase came from (Enzo- fabulous tea house for so many reasons- the owner, the food, the setting, the great conversations I've had there)
- I love the blue and white, the cut out art work, how it goes with my new decor!!
- I love that it was on sale!!
- But most of all I love the sentiment- please smell us....
Lots of great flowers to stop and smell this month! First and foremost Sarah's 40th birthday! Last week we toast her wonderful milestone- a few years ago we were not sure we'd all get to that point. I was able to travel to Maryland to be with her beautiful family, have lunch with my parents and breathe in the happiness and joy that surrounds them! We also tasted some amazing flavors too!!
Second, Joe and I celebrate 13 years of marriage- boy has it gone fast! I'm so lucky to have my this man and all he is and does and creates with me. I'm grateful for our marriage and all that entails. He truly makes me far better than I am and the past 13 years are truly the best I've had on this journey of life.
And there is so much more- the kids, the friends and other family members, the job, the town, the projects, the sports, the arts, the opportunities, the learning. My life on Newark-Granville road is a beautiful garden and I love to pick the flowers and savor all they bring!! Thanks for taking in their beautiful scents, sites and what they represent to me.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Twelve Days of Christmas
So this blog is where I encourage Christmas Card recipents to visit to learn more- past posts have addressed this if you scroll down. I often have ideas, events, thoughts I'd like to share out here but time just gets away from me. There is much going on with us right now- like most of our friends with kids our kids ages, volunteer efforts and full time jobs we love. This year we added redecorating three rooms in our wonderful old house on Newark-Granville Road just to give us a bit more to do in December, a December that includes 3 kids starting their basketball season. We certainly weren't thinking when we took on those efforts...but all is good, we're happy and we're glad to be busy, healthy and engaged on Newark-Granville Road.
I've talked a bit about the 12 days of Christmas with friends and family and will elaborate here. We embrace the "twelve days of Christmas" on Newark-Granville Road, not in any formal way but simply in the way of recognizing it isn't done in a day. Christmas is a wonderful holiday filled with much love and happiness, hope and jo. We simply want all the effort to get to the point to keep going! This stems from Susan's childhood. Life on Forrest Drive or Ridge Avenue included keeping the tree up until epiphany (the 12th day- the day the kings arrive) as it was Gaga's birthday. The fun on Newark-Granville Road is January 6th is Sally's birthday!
I've talked a bit about the 12 days of Christmas with friends and family and will elaborate here. We embrace the "twelve days of Christmas" on Newark-Granville Road, not in any formal way but simply in the way of recognizing it isn't done in a day. Christmas is a wonderful holiday filled with much love and happiness, hope and jo. We simply want all the effort to get to the point to keep going! This stems from Susan's childhood. Life on Forrest Drive or Ridge Avenue included keeping the tree up until epiphany (the 12th day- the day the kings arrive) as it was Gaga's birthday. The fun on Newark-Granville Road is January 6th is Sally's birthday!
The older we get the more real life shows its challenging sides- too
many funerals in December this year. However grace shined and the energy of
these beautiful lives live on in our friends’ children and their children and
it seems to shine a bit brighter with Christmas. So now is the time to
say Merry Christmas to each of you. Thank you for sharing the beauty of 2011 with
us and we hope to see you on Newark-Granville Road in 2012- maybe at our Kentucky Derby party that will return this year-May 5th!! Stay tuned for those details and no doubt it will be here before we know it. But for now we're only 3 days in to Christmas and loving the beauty of the season.
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