I excused myself from a meeting to take my sister's call this morning. I called her back and was able to sit in the quiet of the church stairs and hear all about the exciting morning for Sarah, Greg and Louisa. Louisa's first day of Kindergarten was today and it was magical. Sarah gave me the scoop and I smiled, giggled and cried tears of joy. Sarah said she had emailed photos and I took a peak as soon as we hung up- sure enough Louisa was bursting wit joy, pride and happy anticipation. Sarah and I talked about the various feelings that catch-us off guard and then went about our busy days. I watched my phone for the news of Louisa's return from school Sure enough Sarah sent a detailed email about Louisa's success and pleasure with her new chapter! Woo Hoo.....job well done Mom and Dad Christopher! Goddaughter Niece I'm so very proud of you and happy for you!
How lucky and blessed I am- my life on Newark-Granville Road to have such joys here and away....
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
one two three, omm-paa-paa
Life isn't always a cha-cha- steps forward and back, some times it is a polka! And guess what a polka is a whole bunch of figure eights....Anyone who knows me and this blog knows I love the figure eight analogy and how we come and go, cross over, repeat, draw in and out and toward one and things. Tonight was an evening of learning how to Polka!
I did learn to polka as a pre-teen- Mrs. Burtner's dance class at the Women's Club of Hagerstown, MD. And as a result I polka best with my brother Matthew, who also learned from Mrs. Burtner. When given the opportunity to take a polka lesson tonight with my friend Bill Snider- I jumped at it. Joe strongly encouraged me as well and I'm so glad I did.
It was great to meet our WONDERFUL instructor. He grew up in Detroit with all sorts of ethnic influence and has parents that loved to dance. He was so positive, encouraging and comfortable to be with for our dance lesson. I had a WONDERFUL partner. Bill is so easy to be with and it was fun to do something not Works related with this incredible Works volunteer. We need to practice and we both left with homework. Works friends if you can't find me I may be in the wood shop doing the polka!
So where does one Polka on a Wednesday night you might ask...The Newark Mannerchor: http://www.newarkmaennerchor.org German American club with wonderful people, located on the river, in a simple setting-we so enjoy it there. We're grateful to the club for hosting our Volunteer Picnic for The Works for years. As a result of that first visit I joined and enjoy the events and company whenever possible in this busy life on Newark-Granville Road. What they do really really well.....Spaghetti! The 1st Wed of each month is Spaghetti night and it is fantastic. The kids love it- we go whenever we can and do take-out if need be! Join us some day- we'd love to have you with us.
The day was filled with many great things- the sunrise, the return of TILT to the museum- lovingly refurbished by a devoted volunteer, really good cleaning, great planning and conversation about development work, planning for the upcoming Jerrie Mock Sculpture Unveiling, home base of FPC for a full evening that included dinner with church family and then an evening of German fun with friends...yes Das Leben ist schön auf Newark-Granville Straße!
I did learn to polka as a pre-teen- Mrs. Burtner's dance class at the Women's Club of Hagerstown, MD. And as a result I polka best with my brother Matthew, who also learned from Mrs. Burtner. When given the opportunity to take a polka lesson tonight with my friend Bill Snider- I jumped at it. Joe strongly encouraged me as well and I'm so glad I did.
It was great to meet our WONDERFUL instructor. He grew up in Detroit with all sorts of ethnic influence and has parents that loved to dance. He was so positive, encouraging and comfortable to be with for our dance lesson. I had a WONDERFUL partner. Bill is so easy to be with and it was fun to do something not Works related with this incredible Works volunteer. We need to practice and we both left with homework. Works friends if you can't find me I may be in the wood shop doing the polka!
So where does one Polka on a Wednesday night you might ask...The Newark Mannerchor: http://www.newarkmaennerchor.org German American club with wonderful people, located on the river, in a simple setting-we so enjoy it there. We're grateful to the club for hosting our Volunteer Picnic for The Works for years. As a result of that first visit I joined and enjoy the events and company whenever possible in this busy life on Newark-Granville Road. What they do really really well.....Spaghetti! The 1st Wed of each month is Spaghetti night and it is fantastic. The kids love it- we go whenever we can and do take-out if need be! Join us some day- we'd love to have you with us.
The day was filled with many great things- the sunrise, the return of TILT to the museum- lovingly refurbished by a devoted volunteer, really good cleaning, great planning and conversation about development work, planning for the upcoming Jerrie Mock Sculpture Unveiling, home base of FPC for a full evening that included dinner with church family and then an evening of German fun with friends...yes Das Leben ist schön auf Newark-Granville Straße!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
hands-on stewardship.
Today was a good day! Nothing like a little hard work to get the endorphins going and a project you really care to lift the spirits. The Works is closed this week and we're cleaning, organizing, planning, cleaning, face lifting, painting and cleaning. A lot of people are working really hard and it is amazing to see and experience. A lot of special things are coming up and we want to be ship shape....but we do this every year because we care.
We care about our members and guests that visit and want an incredible fun learning experience- not having things clean and in working order isn't acceptable. This week helps us do exactly that and more...we get to pull out some new things for our guests. Marcia keeps this as a high priority - we need things to be fresh! We also want to make sure we're keeping up with learning in the 21st century and tied to our mission and exhibits to give everyone a cross disipline engagement to enhance the education!
This is what Howard LeFevre gave to our community and it our job to make sure we execute that legacy. Wonderful donors, members, volunteers and staff make sure that happens and they trust us to use funds and time wisely to deliver our mission. This week is what that is all about- stewardship. Stewardship is a key part of my life on Newark-Granville Road and down the road at The Works.
Today I had the privilege of executing the annual cleaning of a bronze sculpture- Journey of the Imagination- boy in flight...one of my all time favorite pieces of art. I scrubbed him clean and then waxed to protect the material from pollution. I was able to have my own hands-on learning as I took in the phases of the moon and planets that were unknown to me on this statue. I recalled with pleasure the fun my own children had with this boy and his dreams and the privilege we had to meet the artist.
I love how this piece ties to our upcoming special events at The Works this year and connects to a wonderful supporter- Boeing. Flight/Aviation/Aeronautics- one of our amazing 2013-14 STEM themes! The dedication of the new sculpture- Jerrie Mock- is getting close- Sept 14th and shouldn't be missed. We all need to know Jerrie's story, take pride in this hometown hero and tell her story. I asked my children last night who was the first woman to fly around the world...they said Amelia E....I stopped them- no no no- we've been talking about Jerrie Mock for a year! It was Jerrie Mock....the kids had a lemonade stand to raise funds for the statue...it isn't sinking yet...we'll keep tyring and I'll keep talking and typing. Her story is amazing and her book will be available at the dedication- Clare is getting one for her birthday! The cliff notes version is she is from the South End of Newark, graduated from Newark High. A dear volunteer was in her class and says she was a smarty! She followed her dream and fixed up a Cessna airplane with her husband and then she flew around the world. She was a Bexley housewife. She followed her dreams. The story of the flight is wonderful too and I could go on and on....I'll continue to share about this in the future but I have to leave some for the 14th too!
The statue is stewardship too...donors have made the statue happen through the Licking County Foundation and we're grateful for the partnership. Donors want the story to be told and for Jerrie's legacy to keep inspiring....and that is what we're doing with our mission, cleaning, preparation for the rest of the year and into 2014 and it is quite and honor and makes for a good day on Newark-Granville Road.
Monday, August 26, 2013
had a too much to do, not enough hours, high expectations Monday....
yep- it happens. I LOVE the book "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judithy Viorst. My day wasn't nearly as bad as that...and it certainly had some high points....but I just didn't get all the things done that I wanted to get done. And some things just aren't going as well as they did last week...last week was a very good week....so there it is- days like this happen. We have ups, and downs. I'm very lucky that I was able to come home from work and make it a better day. Joe greeted me with a hug and a kiss. Most of the homework was done. I was able to jump into the kitchen and cook and that makes me feel better. We sat down for a real dinner and I even made a quick red clam sauce for the rest of the week. Home cooked meals just don't happen enough around here- we love to eat them and I love to make them and I really like it when I freeze and prepare for busy nights.
A friend who reads this blog told me she appreciates me keeping it real and sharing days like this.
It really is about balance isn't it. Life on Newark-Granville Road is a happy life but there are ups and downs and things can get out of balance. Family dinners help restore that. Facebook posts and phone calls about really sad things help put things in perspective. On Saturday I took a child to a birthday party two hours early...yep- had put it wrong on my calendar and didn't have the invite. I LOVE the parents that welcomed me and acted like it was no big deal- those are good folks, good friends. Some days we roll with our mistakes better than others. Some days it is easier "to sit loosely in the saddle of life" (my mantra from Robert Louis Stevenson)...than others.
In case you are interested the flavor of the week is "Almond Joy" and that is another little treat to help life the mood. Tonight was perfect- it was a great way to get us outdoors and in our beautiful town, saying hello and exchanging nice interesting conversation with good folk we were able to greet. I'm also fond of the quote "Face piles of trials with smiles, it riles them to believe you perceive the webs they weave"...The Moody Blues. I picked that one up in high school (Mercersburg) and it cares for me well, on days like this on Newark-Granville Road in particular.
A friend who reads this blog told me she appreciates me keeping it real and sharing days like this.
It really is about balance isn't it. Life on Newark-Granville Road is a happy life but there are ups and downs and things can get out of balance. Family dinners help restore that. Facebook posts and phone calls about really sad things help put things in perspective. On Saturday I took a child to a birthday party two hours early...yep- had put it wrong on my calendar and didn't have the invite. I LOVE the parents that welcomed me and acted like it was no big deal- those are good folks, good friends. Some days we roll with our mistakes better than others. Some days it is easier "to sit loosely in the saddle of life" (my mantra from Robert Louis Stevenson)...than others.
In case you are interested the flavor of the week is "Almond Joy" and that is another little treat to help life the mood. Tonight was perfect- it was a great way to get us outdoors and in our beautiful town, saying hello and exchanging nice interesting conversation with good folk we were able to greet. I'm also fond of the quote "Face piles of trials with smiles, it riles them to believe you perceive the webs they weave"...The Moody Blues. I picked that one up in high school (Mercersburg) and it cares for me well, on days like this on Newark-Granville Road in particular.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Get Tickets.....
This is a wonderful piece of advice I learned from a self-development class at Denison for employees and I've always been grateful for the nugget. I know I've passed it along on the blog before as it does create a nice way to share philosophies of my life on Newark-Granville Road! It also gives me a chance to plug events that I'm happy to know about and therefore want to share.
I love the arts- always have- I grew up being exposed to wonderful programs, music, theater, art. My dad is an architect and both my parents value what the arts provide in our lives- inspiration, entertainment, education and community building. A favorite arts experience for me was summer stock theater in Brandon, Vermont. We saw a number of Gilbert and Sullivan shows those Naidni years.
A bonus of my drive back to Columbus on Friday was listening to WOSU/NPR with Christopher Purdy and an interview with Nannette Maciejunes from the Columbus Museum of Art and other art leaders including Shadow Box Theater and Opera Columbus. Not only did I get to hear wonderful descriptions with insider descriptions about upcoming programs: an art exhibit with music created just for the art- a rock opera perhaps??- CMA/Shadowbox.....OSU and Opera Columbus- Madame Butterfly...newly aquired art! Now on a Sunday night my tired brain isn't pulling it all out....regardless what I was reminded of is the wonderful art experiences right here 30 minutes away....of course The Midland Theater, Weathervane and Denison provide the same easy distance...30-45 minutes for most of Columbus and only 15 for us.....We all need to get tickets. Back to the advice...when you have tickets- you go to the show. If you don't get the tickets the chance of buying and attending goes down...and you might miss out completely! Buy tickets not just for the art experience, but also to support these organizations and artist. Buy tickets so you get a date night with your spouse, child, parent, friend and time for yourself to sit and enjoy life the old fashioned way- live! Here are some websites- check out the schedules and make plans now....and keep me posted- maybe Joe and I can join you....or Peter and I....or I'll just tag along....in my life on Newark Granville Road I need to follow my own blog advice and get tickets!
http://www.midlandtheatre.org
http://www.operacolumbus.org
http://www.ngsymphony.org
http://www.columbusmuseum.org
http://www.shadowboxlive.org
http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.org
I love the arts- always have- I grew up being exposed to wonderful programs, music, theater, art. My dad is an architect and both my parents value what the arts provide in our lives- inspiration, entertainment, education and community building. A favorite arts experience for me was summer stock theater in Brandon, Vermont. We saw a number of Gilbert and Sullivan shows those Naidni years.
A bonus of my drive back to Columbus on Friday was listening to WOSU/NPR with Christopher Purdy and an interview with Nannette Maciejunes from the Columbus Museum of Art and other art leaders including Shadow Box Theater and Opera Columbus. Not only did I get to hear wonderful descriptions with insider descriptions about upcoming programs: an art exhibit with music created just for the art- a rock opera perhaps??- CMA/Shadowbox.....OSU and Opera Columbus- Madame Butterfly...newly aquired art! Now on a Sunday night my tired brain isn't pulling it all out....regardless what I was reminded of is the wonderful art experiences right here 30 minutes away....of course The Midland Theater, Weathervane and Denison provide the same easy distance...30-45 minutes for most of Columbus and only 15 for us.....We all need to get tickets. Back to the advice...when you have tickets- you go to the show. If you don't get the tickets the chance of buying and attending goes down...and you might miss out completely! Buy tickets not just for the art experience, but also to support these organizations and artist. Buy tickets so you get a date night with your spouse, child, parent, friend and time for yourself to sit and enjoy life the old fashioned way- live! Here are some websites- check out the schedules and make plans now....and keep me posted- maybe Joe and I can join you....or Peter and I....or I'll just tag along....in my life on Newark Granville Road I need to follow my own blog advice and get tickets!
http://www.midlandtheatre.org
http://www.operacolumbus.org
http://www.ngsymphony.org
http://www.columbusmuseum.org
http://www.shadowboxlive.org
http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.org
Saturday, August 24, 2013
summer sing-a-longs......
A great woman put a fun post on facebook....."
Paul Simon's Kodacrome has to be one of the best, summer, feel good, sing-along songs of all time. What's on your list?
I posted- "Vacation" by the Go-Gos.....I sang it the day before I went on...vacation at work. It takes me back to middle school, walking on northern avenue and then other fun times.
The other day in the car Madonna's "Star Bright" came on- my kids were giggling at me singing as loud as I could happy in my own words-thrilled to have a happy song that I knew all the words....it had been an amazing day and this song on the radio was like a cherry on the top of it.
The other songs I'd add to this list are:
-I wear my sunglasses at night......Corey Hart....takes me to Ocean City Maryland and some happy times where everyone just joins in and shared the fun...that is joy created right there and then.
-Call ME Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen....thanks to the 2012 Summer Olympics- swimmers in particular....the world things that is a summer sing along and I do too! While running today it came on and made me smile, pick up my pace and think about doing this as a blog.....
The topic summer sing along also takes me to camp fires...loved being in Vermont at Naidni and learning "they say that in the army...the jeeps are might fine....went around the corner and left the rest behind..." and camp...I have a whole song book of Camp Alleghany songs now thanks to Clare..."rolling over the ocean".....
So on this beautiful summer day I hope you will find a sing along to keep you happy even if it is just you singing. Life on Newark-Granville Road will share this one last song that really is the ultimate summer sing along...so appropriate with "end of summer ball (I won't call it fall ball) starting today"....ah 1 and ah 2....
"take me out to the ball game...take me out to the crowd...buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back....for it root root root for the ...Clippers, Red Legs....Cubbies...fill it in....if they don't win it is a shame....for it's one-two-three strikes you're out at the OLD BALL PARK!!!! Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer!
Friday, August 23, 2013
the drive to Columbus...
No Blog Yesterday....this week is one of the busiest weeks I've had in some time....adding trips to Columbus for many reasons.....classes at the Columbus Foundation, work meetings, Field Hockey Game, etc....and I've loved each trip, each drive......yes I'm like to drive. I like to venture off Newark-Granville Road. I like radio time, thinking time...I'm not a lone very often in this life on Newark-Granville Road. I'm not complaining, I'm just stating the facts- thinking time doesn't happen often. I'm an extrovert so it is OK but as we age we need balance and for me introvert and extrovert time is important.
Joe drives to Columbus/Dublin every day. His commute is just part of his job. There are days he doesn't like it- days with backed up traffic for the only reason that something has happened on the opposite direction side he is going....He loves his job and the commute is worth it. He loves living on Newark-Granville Road...so the commute is worth it.
I'm grateful for all the reasons I've gone to Columbus this week- each and every one of them- Columbus offers so much for us and I really haven't been over there often. My absence has made my heart grow fonder. And of course the critical component is the people and businesses we're interacting with in Columbus- good folk and I'm lucky to count them as friends, colleagues, business supporters.
So this blog is about the why...why is Columbus such a good city. I think it ties to why our community is such a good community. Of course again it is the people- people with good values! This is what defines the Midwest...although I think we're mideast. This is a common conversation I have- it what you talk about when you have time to get to know someone. I've talked about it with the new Denison President assessing Denison's strengths and he is impressed with our Midwest location and values. We've been talking about it at The Works with our Smithsonian "Places of Innovation" project. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE the east coast, the pacific northwest, the south- all have things that I admire....but this is home now and I enjoy reflecting on this wonderful area and seeing the positive and growth it offers.
Now it is time to get ready for another trip to Columbus.....the only thing it doesn't give us is the extra hours in the day as Life on Newark-Granville life is full of good things to enjoy.
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