Leaving a Legacy, Susan Freeman

 It is important to honor the life of special people in our lives on Newark-Granville Road. Susan Freeman is one of those people.

Her obituary is here:  https://www.mcpeekfuneralhome.com/obituary/Susan-Freeman  The service is today, Saturday at 1 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, Granville.

We enjoyed many engaging and important interactions with Susan thanks primarily being a part of the church family.  The relationship deepened when her daughter Laura entered our lives.  Laura was a key partner when it came to raising our children and my return to work.  So simply put Susan was Laura's mother and that made her so special.

My heart aches for Chip and Laura, for all the Freeman children and grandchildren. Those close to her I hold in prayer as well, friends and family. Susan was an amazing mother and wife, and community member. She always had a smile, always stopped to inquire and hear how things were going and would offer an encouraging comment that made your day better. Susan made such a difference in this world for so many in so many ways. She will be missed, she leaves a legacy, an amazing and important legacy.

Grief is interesting, and everyone processes and lives with it different ways at different times. This holiday season is so hard for so many, yet there is peace, love and hope all around the disbelief, pain, hurt and all those feelings. I'm grateful for my faith and all those that share and help us carry these feelings. 

Denison Holiday Happenings- Food Pantry Support, Jobs and Celebrations- Full Week!

 Dashing through the holidays....Denison Daze....It has been a full fabulous week with so much Denison. And it isn't even Friday..yet, almost!  Here is what I've been up to Denisonwise in my life on Newark-Granville Road:

1. Happy Birthday Denison! Yes, Monday was our 1831 Day, Denison's 190th birthday- pretty cool.  We celebrated with "gift giving", fundraising and my colleagues did a wonderful job. Thanks to all that supported the day (many parents and former parents, extra appreciation to you). It was the success it was thanks to our beloved Denisonians.

2. Elves in Action! On Tuesday I helped spread the word about this event and put a scancode on social medial. Here is the link: https://p2p.charityengine.net/ElvesInAction2021/Home/Index/  to give, help us meet our goal of $5000 for the Food Pantry Network of Licking County. We use to collect change and cash, walk the halls- this year we passed out candy canes and shared the link to give. Help spread the word, it is an important time of year to feed the hungry, fill the pantries! THANK YOU!

3. Party time, we celebrated on Tuesday evening with our team, Wednesday at lunch with the full college, and Thursday the division.  Cheers to great colleagues direct and indirect. It is important to take time at the holidays and catch-up, say thank you and compete! Our division had a really fun door decorating contest.  Thanks to special Richmond families I had a perfect item to use for recycled Denison Spirit...and I won, woo hoo! It was great to see the creative, fun side shining bright in "IA".  It really is a wonderful team and I'm so grateful.  

4. Speaking of the team- we have openings: please spread the word and encourage anyone that has ever thought- I'd like to work at Denison- this can be a great entry: .https://employment.denison.edu/postings/search?&query=&query_v0_posted_at_date=&225=&commit=Search  I'm happy to answer questions, provide insights.

I know we're in count down until Christmas and there is still much to do, but I'm sitting loosely this holiday season. Grateful school is done for me, work is in a happy place and yes, the kids are home! Life on Newark-Granville Road is full and fabulous.

IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Ambassador Day!

I remember the day I walked into a trusted colleague's office, "do I need to pursue my Master's?" I asked. After a conversation, she encouraged me to explore IUPUI's offerings and one other school. She also asked me to consult with the VP.  The VP told me I had a great experience and didn't need a master's but certainly, continuing education my education could be a positive. She encouraged me to talk to our trusted consultant.  The consultant said, "consider an MBA or degree to improve your knowledge of the financial vehicles donors use to execute their philanthropy".  What I took away from those conversations was it was my decision and I needed to determine my own path. That path led to the IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

I joke with people that I was over fifty when I figured out how to answer the question, what is your major? My major is philanthropy. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to study, explore, experience, and immerse myself in this "world-changing" sector!  If you love learning, if you love philanthropy I encourage you to visit the website:  https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/  If you want to just understand how the world works from a special perspective, through the nonprofit lens then I encourage you to try a class through LFSOF or the Fund Raising School: https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/professional-development/courses-seminars/the-fund-raising-school/index.html

An important lesson for me has been the sector blur, how the Nonprofit, Private, and Public/Government Sectors all work together, impact one another and make our world what it is. Each class I've taken: History of Philanthropy, Ethics of Philanthropy (Philosophy Class), Philanthropy and Economics in addition to the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Class, Principal and Practices of Fundraising and the Global Exchange exploring and comparing philanthropy and nonprofit work in Germany and the US showcase this in awesome ways. Yes, awesome is the word, I'm often awe-struck and energized by my studies! What I love the most is how it aligns so beautifully with the liberal arts, how each class builds and connects across disciplines creating this beautiful landscape.

To be honest it isn't easy. What I'm also learning is how to be an online student and just a student. I'm making time I don't really have to read, take quizzes, watch video presentations, dial into office hours, participate in group meetings via Zoom. I'm asking for help from Joe, DU's President, CFO, VP, faculty, and writing coaches.  I'm biting my nails again as I read and prep for quizzes and work on research papers. 

To be honest it is all worth it because I'm learning, discovering, and getting pulled into the library, one of my favorite places.  I'm meeting and engaging with really fascinating and impressive people: fellow students, faculty, and presenters, not to mention those profiled in articles and books and the authors themselves.  I'm exploring not only the world of philanthropy and these disciplines but the real world. Students and faculty are from all over and I value that so very much. The German Global Exchange was a highlight of my studies.

I'm doing this one class at a time.  I'm proud of my Graduate Certificate and working on the M.A. Each class is different, most have been asynchronous, thanks to COVID some synchronized (I carved out Friday mornings 9-11 each week for 12 weeks). IF I can do it anyone can do it. There is more I could say and some I have if you look back at previous blog posts, probably about the challenges of navigating Canvas and technology.  I'm here to answer questions and share insights if you'd like to explore any of these programs or classes!

I'll end this post with a quote:  An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. –  Benjamin Franklin  I'm grateful to all that are helping me with this investment in myself in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

Stoner Family Take On Granville

 Making memories in Granville, it is what we do! Granville is a special place. When we dropped Matt and family at the Inn (early check-in, yay) they said now where do we get this, where do we get that- it was all in Granville. It helps that three of the three Stoner kids are Denison alums and one lives here. Truth is the repeat gatherings have built traditions and strengthened relationships. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as we count blessings, gather on "the"day, break bread and engage together. This year Clare helped set the tone and suggested most of our activities- she started advocating for our holiday here at Christmas. "You have not been to Gville in years and we can go to Top Golf". It worked!

Clare a key partner, but many more. First Nana, our matriarch, she loves the Inn and is a wonderful host of rooms and a dinner there. She sponsors the turkey, arrives with food including the most amazing and sacred Stoner treat- the sand tart cookie. This year they were pumpkin shaped!! Next, my siblings, they book their travel arrangements, rally the families and make it work with their own special contributions! Clare's dear college buddy Hannah joined us and fit right in, friends peppered the weekend for catch-ups and cocktails.  Special shout out to Louisa for staying in our home with dear Remy. Lucy loved the company and our dogs are part of who we are.  I gave Joe the kudos he deserves on social media but it deserves repeating. None of it would have happened with out him. The planning and procurement, the insta-pot meal, and so much more. He makes it happen and embraces all Stonerness well. Each of the ïn-laws"are amazing, again so many blessings.

The pictures tell the stories, a special Thanksgiving in Granville.

Please know it isn't perfect, there is stress, and frustration, chaos and confusion. Age differences appear and energy lags. I crawled into bed by 10 pm each night..okay maybe not the Cidery night! Each and every member of the Stoner family is unique and special. We unite to remember and connect, catch-up and celebrate and to give Thanks for how lucky we were to win the lottery of this family! Life on Newark-Granville Road, blessed by love.

Thanksgiving, moments of contentment, 2021

Thanksgiving 2021 will have two posts. This first one is about the day. I'm writing it the morning after, from my bed. I woke up and reviewed pictures and posts on social media and am inspired to capture the more. It was a wonderful day. It was a favorite day.  Pictures will come late but now, here is what I didn't snap:

-Clare having green bean casserole (GBC) on a dessert plate as her dessert.  Backstory, I wasn't going to serve the GBC. To me it doesn't go with the meal. I was going to have a "simpler"meal served on Newark-Granvile Road- one green: peas.  When this was discovered Tuesday evening, the reaction from Clare (the oldest home from college) inspired to make a last minute add to the menu.  Seeing her have that additional helping to end her meal made it all worthwhile. Another cute dessert story- Greg (Sarah's husband/Uncle Greg) and Peter were seated next to one another. They both wanted small pieces of pies, both pumpkin and pecan, they ended up sharing instead of dividing pieces in half, it was sweet.

-Grocery store runs. How many did we really do?  Joe did the important ones, while I was picking up the Sunshine Stoners from Florida he picked up the turkey, and oysters! (FYI, communication and planning, if they were out of oysters I would have stopped at Whole Foods on the way home.) On Tuesday while I finished/submitted my Econ of Philanthropy research paper he went to Kroger for the big one. He couldn't find the sauerkraut so he went to Al's Meat Market.  That is dedication right there!  here there were three extra stops: 1. on the way home from airport for the ginger he could not find for my cranberry chutney, I also picked up supplies for above mentioned GBC, I had forgotten to mention those needs to Joe when I left the house that am. 2. 7 am on Thanksgiving- parsley- I never noted that on a list. I was so grateful to those employees at the 21st Kroger for being open.  I was in my PJs and made the dash, also picking up some perfect colored roses to add more color to the table, and sausage to go with the amazing biscuits (thank you RHM).  I forgot the white bread for the turkey sandwiches and the ginger ale.  I think the kids enjoyed the excuse for store run mid day.  Clare also made a run for us that included the onions for on top of GBC, Sarah and I were brainstorming substitutions if we could not find.  My favorite was sour cream and onion potato chips.

I grabbed one selfie while walking during the Turkey Trot, it doesn't do justice to the satisfaction and pride participating. So many memories, truly a place of contentment in motion on NG Road. The reward for participation time with dear friends in their amazing home, with incredible refreshments. The parade and dog show its own entertainment and company.

Prepping the meal, setting table, playing games- Mexican Train- is the 2021 Stoner game, thanks to Michael 2.0 and Westerville Leithausers.

It really was a wonderful Thanksgiving on Newark-Granville Road. A day of gratitude and family time, love of the village and our home. There was a bit of stress when getting the meal all on the table, as hot as it could be, but that that was fleeting. I crawled into bed happily tired and pleased. Ready for the rest of the Stoner holiday fun.

Figure Eighting with my new Work Space

Yes, in my life on Newark-Granville Road figure-eighting is a verb! What does this mean? First, the location of my new office is Burton Music.  I've been telling anyone that wants to know I was a music minor at Denison. I spent a lot of time in Burton Music!  Frequent readers know I believe life's movement is in the figure-eight shape.  We come and go from places and people and here is an example. I returned to Burton Music about thirteen years ago when Peter started Suzuki - always enjoying the opportunity to return to such a special space.   Hard to believe I have not posted a picture on the blog of Peter with his violin, no time like the present:  

Robin Brown- Peter's first teacher - office 3rd floor Burton Music.

Now I've returned to Burton Music, office 107. The Institutional Development Division is in Monomoy, Monomoy Annex, and Burton Music.  I'm thrilled to be here and hope you will stop by to say hello:

I still have to unpack, figure out additional furniture. I'm excited to introduce my books and Denison things as well as art for the walls!  I will try to recycle and use less paper. I'm only going to keep one file cabinet drawer for paper files.  The desks don't have space for pens, although I secured drawers today! 

I thought I'd share some campus pics, these are from my walk up the hill and

Lucky me to be working in a happy place. A place that makes a difference and supports the lifelong learning I'm engaged in on Newark-Granville Road!

Sunday Shares on November 7

Sharing on a Sunday feels right for the blog.

Sunday is the day in our life on Newark-Granville Road that we reflect, plan, catch-up. 

Sundays can be stressful, the plans for the upcoming week loom, how will it all get done in my head. I've heard "it is Sunday" when someone says "what is wrong with Mom?"

Sundays can be the bestest, happiest days the ahhhh days.

Sundays are for worship and today's worship was buzzing with energy, activity and the Spirit! Sally served communion, we rang the bell and giggled when it about took Sally on a ride

Sundays are for family talks on Facetime, believe it or not it is often Peter that starts..."what time are we talking, I'm free at X". 

Sundays are for studying.  Today was no different, I spent a chunk of the day with my research and brain trying to create a draft for my Economics of Philanthropy graduate class. Anyone want to weigh in on competition between the nonprofit and for profit higher education sector? Please?

Sundays lately have involved travel to see our college kids, it was good to be home today.

Sundays are for shopping, Joe goes to the grocery.

Sundays are important. Thanks for sharing a bit of my Sunday.

Check back for a picture...I'll post on Social media...