Lucky me......I had the opportunity to venture off Newark-Granville Road this weekend.  I love the fabulous touchstone this road has become and all that it provides- support, shelter, protection and love. I've always enjoyed travel but juggling the realities of our busy lives limits how much I go beyond home base. This provides great joy and appreciation for trips when I do make the investment in the opportunity. The payoffs are fabulous so I can't help but share!

Just home from NYC where I wasn't far from Newark-Granville road as friends from Granville provided the opportunity and encouragement to make the trip.  The chance to take in the energy, incredible sights, and the time to just be with good people was truly priceless. The ideas and inspiration and conversation and celebration simply filled me.  The logistics involved with the multitude of processes that run that city amaze and astound- it is humbling. The lesson of the weekend from stepping away- hospitality matters and all I benefitted from this weekend are amazing- relationships are sweet and robust and are keys to happy lives.

Across the Generations....

On Saturday I watched Newark-Granville Rd neighbors do the sweetest things. I was touched and proud.  I was at Sharon Brook retirement center with Miss Linda's piano group.  We try not to pass up these life lessons of performance.  I'm grateful for this low-key approach. When I took piano lessons at Clare's age it was a big recital only once a year and I'd get so nervous.  Linda gives the children opportunity to play in a big living room with friends and residents scattered and appreciative.  

So this event in itself makes me happy, as I know the residents and staff appreciate the interaction across generations and the gift of live music.  Saturday held an extra moment of beauty.  A young boy walked in and immediately made friends with an older woman in a wheelchair watching the birds.  His mother and brother moved on to the music area but this child stayed and engaged in conversation- nice.  Later he was encouraged to help push her chair to be closer to the music.  She then asked if he would like to sit on her lap. The child said- do you want me to? The woman said- if you want to it would be nice.  The child gently put himself on her knees and allowed her to embrace and take in the beauty that filled all of her senses.  They talked quietly and observed the recital.  The joy on this woman's face stays with me. Not only did the child's comfort across generations touch me easy but his mother's ability to allow this exchange. Our world is filled with terrible things that don't easily allow these caring moments to happen-I was lucky to witness this beauty first hand and I'm glad it connected to Newark-Granville Road.

2010-11 Book Club-It is going to be a great year!

I love book club.  This group has been together for a number of years now and they enhance my life in many ways. Tonight we gathered on Newark-Granville road to select the year's reading and it was the treat it always is.  If you're interested in joining us- please do- we meet on the 1st Monday at 7:30 pm in the lobby of Cherry Valley Lodge. We welcome new folks, we always discuss the book, no one leads and we don't follow an outline, some people have finished the book, we will discuss the ending, you don't have to have finished the book to attend.  We'll fill you in on the rest.  It is going to be a great year!! Books influence my life in amazing ways and this group makes my life and the experience of reading so much richer- thanks ladies!  You can follow this group on Facebook at Discussing Books at CVL.

Date	Title	Author
4-Oct	Glenapp Castle	Tina Rosenberg
1-Nov	The Magicians	Lev Grossman
6-Dec	Telex from Cuba	Rachel Kuschner
3-Jan	Great               Expectations	Charles Dickens
7-Feb	The Children's Book	A. S. Byatt
7-Mar	Prisoner of Tehran:	Marina Nemat
	One Woman's Story
	of Survival Inside
	an Iranian Prison
	Those that Save Us	Jenna Blum
4-Apr	Hotel on the Corner	Jamie Ford
	of Bitter and Sweet
2-May	Marcelo in the Real	Francisco Stark
	World
6-Jun	A Reliable Wife	Robert Goolick
11-Jul	Olive Kittredge	Elizabeth Strout
1-Aug	Let the Great World	Colum McCamm
	Spin
12-Sep	Pick from recommendations
	Book Selection!

HATSOFF! Prep!!

Hello friends!

I hope you've had a great labor day weekend!  I'm working with the fabulous HATSOFF co-chairs and volunteers to put finishing touches on our HATSOFF efforts including guest list (so please send in your reservation by mail or on line http://www.attheworks.org) and our catalog for the auction!  I've talked to a few of you about auction items and will follow-up with paperwork and pick-up times! Anyone else who has something they like to donate to this effort I'd greatly appreciate it.  This really is a great way to showcase your business and help an important cause.  Most of us can find someone way to donate to this event- parties, services, favorite items, artwork, tickets- the fun of auction is connecting people to exciting opportunities and services, but this only happens because of great donors.  I love to help people create creative and innovative contributions!

HATSOFF! is a significant fundraiser for The Works to benefit operations- operations that have a tremendous impact in our community.  My last few months working at The Works have provided insight into all the amazing things The Works provides for people of all ages-learning, interacting and connecting to history, art and technology.  Not to mention the contribution it provides in downtown Newark- our county seat.  (on that note this Friday is Music in the Courtyard- Tom Caroll and friends are entertaining).

HATSOFF on October 2nd will be wonderful.   This event delights each year and truly gets better and better building on efforts of past volunteer efforts- like the Works itself!  Leigh Ann and Brooke (co-chairs) are creating an elegant and festive venetian holiday we'll all enjoy.  Some things to look forward to on October 2nd:

-family style, seated dinner- the menu sounds delicious and great wines from small italian vineyards have been matched to the traditional italian meal.
(get a group for a table- let us know who- or let us know some input and we'll build a great table- we can do this for singles too!!)
-live auction with art that will wow by local favorites including Paul Hamilton and Don Gunnerson!
-chance- always new and creative- masks this year will give access to Meyers and Pugh's donation!
-silent auction that always has items you won't want to miss
-live music by an incredible band that has been featured at the Italian Festival in Columbus.
-and always people that make The Works and our community what it is- a place to learn, play and create!

Questions, ideas, thoughts- please let me know!!  Can't attend- let me know and I'll help you access the catalog and connect with someone to bid for you!!
THANK YOU for your assistance and support of this community gem.

Warmly,

Susan
614 507 0751

Summer Break....a good thing!

Back to school this week evokes in me a desire to look back at summer break as it was a great summer!  Swim team, pool time, beach fun, CAMPS, grandparents, cousins, seafood, books on the beach, books by the pool, swim meets, ice cream, farmers markets, parades, running races, carnivals, FAIR- ohhhh so much fun!!  Venturing off of Newark-Granville Road is a good thing, coming home is a good thing and going back to school after a fabulous break- a good thing!!

Connection Books!

I can't help myself- I have to blog about "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor.  I am so glad I read this book- it provided many "ah-has" and lessons. I also was amazed by this woman's courage and strength. Her recovery is inspiring and her knowledge fascinating.  Right brain, left brain has always intrigued me- this book put it in simple terms that apply to my life right now.  It is always exciting when you read a book and it accompanies your own life in someway. This happens a good bit for me and I'm grateful.  The best news is the book experience will be even greater once book club discusses it...hmmm I need to understand the parts of brain that make that so for me....

I do know that the right side of my brain is happy this weekend. It is taking in all the fun and festivity, tradition and celebration the 4th of July in central Ohio brings!  It is also my birthday weekend and that right brain helps me embrace and enjoy all that means!  I just picked up Jenny's Ice Cream at River road coffee- big smiles!!  Last year I baked my own cake- this year I bring my own ice cream!!  My left brain likes to try and take over with re-thinking and over scheduling, the packing for the kids (YEAH JOE for taking that one) being annoyed with traffic patterns, etc.....the good news is I find balance and embrace the moment thanks to all the goodness around me on Newark-Granville road.  

Welcome Summer!

I love this day- the longest day of the year, summer solstice.  But know that I LOVE summer so it makes sense for me to love its first day!  There are so many things about summer I love and the first day is often filled with them. Today we welcomed summer on Newark-Granville Road by embracing the simplicity of the day.  My run with a friend was lovely- much to chat about so it went quickly. The morning was clear with a sparkly sunrise- the dew on the warm grass makes me smile. I was productive at work.  The kids enjoyed a similar pace- checking in mid day and then greeting me with happy counts of their activities that had them enjoying being at home during the daylight hours- they even baked!  We had a dinner with some fish and farmers market broccoli and then headed to the last T-ball practice.  It was a lovely night to watch happy kids and families on the ball field. We wrapped it up with some yummy Whit's frozen custard and again soaked in the beauty of Granville on a warm summer evening.  

There is just something in the air- happiness, a good appreciation of bounty that is coming.  Certainly there are challenges in our world and lives but for some reason today lets me move them away for a bit.  I can simply enjoy the daylight and all it brings, gives and warms.  The evening is peaceful and soft- the day seems is filled with the extra hours I long for- so much to do on Newark-Granville Road and today provides hope, reward, magic and happiness that what needs to get done will.  I hope you've enjoyed this day and the summer brings much bounty!