Delhi Press 06/23/21

DELHI PRESS

Your Community Press newspaper serving Delhi Township and other West Cincinnati neighborhoods

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS | PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

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TOP WORKPLACES CINCINNATI

Small company winner Matrix Cos. credits culture Alexander Coolidge Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Duke Ragan, 19, talks with his father Derek Ragan during a break from training at the Cincinnati Golden Gloves Boxing Gym in 2017. PHOTOS BY CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER

A boxing achievement Duke Ragan can’t easily share Paul Daugherty Columnist Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

The day Duke Ragan learned he’d made the U.S. Olympic boxing team he sat in a local courtroom and listened to his father plead guilty to dealing drugs. There is bittersweet. And there is this story.

I don’t know what it’s like to have $1 million and be forbidden from spending it, but maybe it could be like what’s happening with young Duke and his dad. The son credits the father for helping him achieve a dream. The dad can’t bask in the refl ected joy.

On a recent Monday in federal court, Derek “Duke’’ Ragan Sr. admitted selling more than 400 grams of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Federal sentencing guidelines mandate he serve 10 years to life, minus the 28 months he has served already, in the Butler County jail. Duke Sr. will be behind bars until at least 2029. Duke Jr. leaves for Tokyo July 1.

There is no point in trying to convince you that Duke Sr. has been a good father to his 125-pound Olympian. Senior has been in and out of trouble for years. In 2010, cops busted a backroom gambling

operation at Duke’s Place, a West End convenience store where commerce went beyond buying a loaf of bread and a quart of milk.

The feds seized $1 million in cash from Duke’s.

Duke got probation. That bit of leniency didn’t change his life permanently.

Even the least cynical among you would question the notion that Duke Sr. helped Duke become the boxer he is today, a 23-year-old budding professional working toward earning a gold medal for America. But truth is truth, no matter the circumstance.

“He told me I was better than him, as a man,’’ Duke says. “He told me to take my craft seriously.’’

He did more than that. Senior was his son’s manager from 2017 until he went to jail in 2019. Ragan fi nished second in the World Championships in ’17, was a U.S. national champ in ’18 and fi nished second in the ’19 Pan Am Games.

That Monday, Duke told his dad, “I appreciate you putting in the time and eff ort to get me to this moment.’’

Duke Sr. emphasized aspects of life that he himself had neglected. Persistence. Self-discipline.

Putting family fi rst. He wanted his son to be a thinker in the ring, not just a puncher, so he providSee BOXER, Page 10A

Local risk management fi rm Matrix Cos. is this year's small company for Top Workplaces Cincinnati 2021.

Originally founded in 2000 as workers' compensation investigation fi rm, Queensgate-based Matix has evolved into claims administration, unemployment, safety, Family and Medical Leave Act and other services.

The company employs 112 workers, including 67 in Greater Cincinnati. It also operates offi ces in suburban Columbus and Cleveland. Revenues are projected to top $12 million this year.

The company endorses casual attire for employees (no ties required); it hosts happy hours and creative activities and free monthly massages. The company allows some charity work on company time.

Matrix supports several charities but focuses its outreach on Big Brother Big Sisters of America.

More than 20% of its employees are currently mentoring through the nonprofi t. In the last fi ve years, employees have raised $150,000 for the local chapter In a recent Q&A, CEO Brent Messmer off ered some insights: Why is it important to create a strong work culture?

If employees aren't passionate about the company, its leaders, and its purpose they probably won't treat others with the highest regard or deliver exceptional service to your clients. We believe that if we take care of our employees and create a positive work environment where people are appreciated and recognized, our clients will benefi t, and our business will continue to grow and be successful. Everybody wins.

How does work culture translate into growing the business?

Our focus is on taking care of our employees who provide service to our clients. If we do those things well, healthy growth comes naturally. It's a pretty good model for sustainable growth as well as additional opportunities for our employees.

We continue to grow at a comfortable pace in all of our service lines. In January, we acquired another workers' compensation TPA (third party administrator) from Central Ohio which provides us a friendly book of business to introduce all of Matrix service lines.

How did the pandemic aff ect the business?

Our division that manages unemSee MATRIX, Page 2A

“After he was locked up in 2019, I knew I had to take this boxing seriously. I didn’t want to be a he-could-have-been kind of guy,’' Duke Jr. said.

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Matrix Cos. employees Cathy Malone, Katie Mahon, Angela Lanzetta, Kari Bullock, Dora Rice and Crystal Sikes at a company event. PROVIDED

Vol. 94 No. 27 © 2021 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED $1.00

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Is your engine running? Common mistake drives Cincinnati’s car theft surge Dan Horn Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Lindsay Bergman stared at the empty space in her driveway where her car should have been, trying to fi gure out why her husband would choose such a cold February morning to play a joke on her.

But as the shock of her missing car wore off , Bergman realized this was no prank. Her 2014 Dodge Durango had just joined the rapidly growing list of cars stolen from the streets and driveways of Cincinnati.

“It was broad daylight,” said Bergman, of Sayler Park. “I thought that was very bold.”

There’s no shortage of bold car thieves these days in Cincinnati. Auto thefts in the city so far this year are up 24% over last year and 33% over the average of the past three years.

By the end of May, police say, 658 cars had been stolen in the city and all fi ve police districts had reported numbers above their three-year averages.

Though national crime statistics aren’t yet available for this year, the jump in car thefts appears to be part of a trend that goes well beyond Cincinnati.

Cities from New York to California are reporting more stolen cars since the start of last year.

Police here and elsewhere don’t see the sudden increase as a great mystery: They say most of the stolen cars were running, or had key fobs left inside, when the thieves made their move.

That’s what happened to Bergman, whose husband left the car warming up for her on a chilly winter day. But police say thieves are on the lookout for anyone who makes the mistake of thinking their car will be waiting for them if they leave it running or forget their keys.

Changing habits brought on by the pandemic may be contributing to the problem. Police say delivery drivers for companies like Uber and DoorDash, whose workloads increased during the pandemic and a COVID-19 triggered shutdown last year, have been especially hard hit.

“We’ve had more drivers than ever report cars stolen while dropping off food or picking up food,” said Emily Szink, spokeswoman for Cincinnati Police.

She said opportunistic thieves target neighborhoods with busy delivery businesses, such as Clifton Heights and Corryville, and look for parked cars with engines running or fl ashing hazard lights near restaurants or apartments.

Drivers who leave their cars running

This spring in Clifton Heights, police installed a large flashing traffic sign alerting motorists that they were passing through an “auto theft area.”

LANDON BOST/THE ENQUIRER

are “putting a target on their car,” Szink said.

These aren’t ‘master thieves’ But while delivery drivers might be frequent targets, police say, the bigger problem is the changing behavior of drivers everywhere.

A report in March from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofi t that tracks insurance crime, estimated car thefts nationwide increased about 9% from 2019 to 2020 and predicted another increase this year.

The report blamed parked cars with running engines and carelessness with key fobs for much of the problem.

“Thieves are looking for the easiest targets,” the report said, “and a vehicle unlocked with the keys inside may as well say, ‘FREE CAR.’ ” The irony is that key fob technology is largely responsible for a considerable drop in car thefts over the past two decades. Back in 2000, before many vehicles operated with fobs that could prevent an engine from starting without them, the FBI reported more than 1.1 million car thefts in the United States. By 2019, that total had plummeted to about 722,000.

But if drivers leave engines running or fobs in the car, the technology can’t help. Thieves don’t need skill or technical know-how, as they did when they hotwired cars without fobs in the 1980s and 1990s. They just climb in and drive away.

“I’m pretty sure we don’t have master car thieves,” said Chip Kussmaul, a trustee with the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. “It’s mostly people leaving their engines running.”

Bergman’s experience is typical. Her husband, who’d parked his car behind hers the night before, moved the cars around in the driveway that February morning so Bergman could leave for work. Because it was a cold day, he left her car running to warm it up.

About 10 minutes later, Bergman walked out the front door and discovered her car was gone.

When she called police and her insurance company, both told her car thefts were on the rise. When her neighbors found out what happened, Bergman learned those thefts had never been far from her own home.

One neighbor said her mom’s car and her son’s car had been stolen from the same driveway in the past few years.

Another said someone recently tried to jump in her running parked car while she was still in it.

Police didn’t catch the thief who took Bergman’s car, but they did fi nd her missing Durango the next day in East Price Hill. The navigation screen on the dash had been ripped out and her coat, car seat and husband’s pocketknife were gone. “It was a very quick dump job,” Bergman said.

Police step up warnings Because they see car theft as a crime

An Enquirer reporter failed his police-administered vehicle theft examination conducted during a police presentation at Taft High School Wednesday. Police will conduct similar examinations in neighborhoods known for theft from cars.

THE ENQUIRER/PATRICK BRENNAN

of opportunity, police are trying to tackle the problem with a public information campaign aimed at limiting those opportunities.

They’ve put up signs in local businesses warning delivery drivers and people picking up carryout orders to “turn off your vehicle, remove the key and lock the doors.”

For a few months this spring in Clifton Heights, police installed a large fl ashing traffi c sign alerting motorists that they were passing through an “auto theft area.”

“It’s defi nitely a thing,” said Andrew Schlanser, owner of Good Plates Eatery on West McMillan Street in Clifton Heights. “The police have come around multiple times.”

Police also have left hundreds of bright pink “vehicle report cards” on windshields of cars they deemed at risk for theft or break-ins. The cards, which are not traffi c citations, note that drivers left phones, chargers, bags, backpacks or keys in the car and should be more careful in the future.

Bergman said she won’t need a reminder. After the theft, she and her husband changed all the locks to their house and started paying more attention to their security. And they never leave a car running unattended.

“We defi nitely are a lot more cognizant of that,” she said.

Matrix Continued from Page 1A

ployment claims was hit hard with an infl ux of claims almost ten times our normal volume. It was challenging and sad at the same time with so many people out of work.

For a couple of months, we were unable to see the injured workers in person and the medical offi ces and non-profi ts were essentially closed.

Thankfully these businesses slowly reopened in July and have been full speed ahead ever since.

It's times like these you see a true outcome from creating a positive work environment and how that culture can carry you through tough times.

How did you start this company?

I started Matrix in December 2000 after working for the Bureau of Workers' Compensation for a little over six years.

At the BWC, I managed claims and then transferred to the fraud department, which gave me a full view of the system.

I thought there was a need in the private sector to help companies reduce their workers' compensation costs.

I love what I'm doing, especially how we've diversifi ed to help more companies in more ways over the past 20 years.

What began as an investigations company has expanded to workers

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Matrix Cos. CEO Brent Messmer during a company event. PROVIDED

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Hamilton County parks tax hike likely on the ballot again Scott Wartman Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

When Great Parks of Hamilton County tried to put a tax hike on the ballot last year, it didn’t go over well.

Political leaders were angry they weren’t given notice. Taxpayers pilloried the parks system for putting a tax hike on the ballot during a pandemic.

It would have tripled the tax burden Hamilton County property owners paid for parks. In the face of public pressure, the park district board voted to pull the tax hike from the ballot less than a month after approving it.

This year, the park leadership hopes a more advanced warning and a smaller ask will make the process go more smoothly than in 2020.

On June 10 at the meeting of the parks board, Parks chief executive offi cer Todd Palmeter will recommend putting a tax increase on the November ballot, Palmeter told The Enquirer. It would pay for park improvements. The board will make a decision in July whether to put a levy on the November ballot.

Then, a more detailed plan for the levy proceeds will be created, Palmeter said.

It will likely be a mix of improvements and maintenance, he said.

“From all the conversations I’ve had, no one said now is not the time,” Palmeter said. “I heard a lot of that last year. I haven’t heard it this year.”

The amount of the increase is to be determined, but it’ll likely be less than what was attempted last year, Palmeter said. Last year’s 1.8 mill levy would have cost homeowners an additional $63 per $100,000 of value. That would have been on top of the $35 per $100,000 homeowners already pay the park district.

Palmeter said that was too much to ask. He plans on presenting multiple tax increases to the board from which to choose. All the options will be lower than the 1.8-mill levy fl oated last year, Palmeter said.

“We would love to fund 100% of everything,” Palmeter said. “We understand that’s not a reality. So what can we live with as the protectors of the public’s as-

The sun rises over Winton Lake at Winton Woods Park in 2019. CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER

sets in order to keep the parks running?”

Why a levy now?

While the amount for the levy will change, the argument the park district will make remains the same.

Costs have gone up as has usage. In 2020, infrared trail counters on the 11 most traveled trails in Hamilton County parks clocked 1.5 million hikers, a 62% increase from the previous year.

Without the levy, nature centers, golf courses and other facilities may have to close at some point. Maybe not next year.

But eventually, Palmeter said.

The park’s $34 million annual budget can’t cover the operating and maintenance costs as well as improvements for its 21 parks and conservation areas and

six golf courses.

For instance, a sprinkler system being installed at Sharon Woods Golf Course this year cost $2.6 million, Palmeter said.

The other fi ve courses will need new sprinkler systems eventually, he said.

Great Parks of Hamilton County has $101 million in projects over the next 10 years on the drawing board. If approved by the voters, a levy would pay for more trails, playgrounds and roads in parks.

One of the top projects would be a paved, four-mile path through Woodlawn and Springdale between Glenwood Gardens and Winton Woods.

Parks less reliant on taxes than most Compared to other park districts

around the state, Hamilton County’s parks are less reliant on tax money, said Woody Woodward, executive director of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

But that makes the district more vulnerable when something like a pandemic hits, he said.

“A lot of the things they can raise fees for and programs they make money off of, they weren’t able to do,” Woodward said.

About 60% of the park’s revenue comes from property tax. By comparison, Cincinnati Parks get about 70% of its revenue from taxpayers. But there isn’t a tax specifi cally for city parks. Cincinnati City Council pays for the city See PARKS TAX, Page 5A

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Parks Tax

HAMILTON COUNTY PARKS

Continued from Page 4A

h Campbell Lakes Preserve

parks out of the general fund; voters soundly rejected a 1-mill tax levy for the parks in 2015.

Statewide, Woodward estimated, the average park district relies on tax revenue to fi ll 80% of its budget.

For Hamilton County, the other 40% comes from park fees, services and donations, the largest piece being golf courses. Golf brings in about $6 million annually, netting $1.3 million for the parks in 2020, according to the 2020 annual report.

An unseasonably warm winter early in 2020 prior to the pandemic helped stave off a massive hit to golfi ng revenues as more golfers could hit the links in January and February 2020, Palmeter said. While golf revenues dipped 2% from the previous year, most other sources of income for the parks took a hit.

But the parks don’t make much money off hikers.

The pandemic meant the park system for most of last year couldn’t rent out its picnic grounds, banquet halls and event spaces. It contributed to a 16% drop in earned income in 2020.

h Embshoff Woods

County and city leaders mum Whether voters and leaders will agree the park district needs more tax money remains to be seen. For now, they’re reserving judgment.

Even the chairman of the park board, Marcus Thompson, wouldn’t say whether he’s leaning toward putting a tax hike on the ballot.

Thompson, though, said he feels better about the process this year.

“I think we’ve done everything this year that there were complaints about last year,” he said. “We’ve invited various businesses and community leaders to the table.”

All three county commissioners declined to take a position yet.

“I want to see how much it would be, what it would be for, their revenue now,” said Stephanie Summerow Dumas, president of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. “What did they lose from the pandemic? It’s premature to say whether I’d be for it or against it.”

Commissioner Denise Driehaus said her support for a parks levy increase will

5A

h Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve h Fernbank Park h Francis RecreAcres h Glenwood Gardens h Lake Isabella h Little Miami Golf Center h Miami Whitewater Forest h Mitchell Memorial Forest

People take in the scenery at Glenwood Gardens in 2020. CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER

depend, at least in part, on how it will impact the children’s services levy on the ballot this year.

Driehaus and Commissioner Alicia Reece last year expressed concern about the amount of the proposed parks levy and the timing during the pandemic.

This year, the parks tax levy would be on the ballot with the levy that pays for children’s services. Hamilton County Job and Family Services isn’t seeking an increase in taxes but a renewal, said Lisa Webb, the county’s tax levy and fi nance specialist. Children’s services is the largest levy in Hamilton County.

“It’s a balancing act,” Driehaus said.

“We need to understand where people are right now.”

What the parks learned One of the main complaints last year was the lack of warning that the parks district would seek a tax increase.

Emails and texts last year from Great Parks leaders obtained by The Enquirer show they didn’t start reaching out to leaders until after the park board passed the resolution to put the tax hike on the ballot.

Palmeter said there’ll be plenty of warning this time. He discussed the levy with Dumas in February. He said he plans on meeting with the commissioners again this month with an update.

He said he will meet with both Cincinnati mayoral candidates, Aftab Pureval and David Mann.

Palmeter has met twice in the past two months with volunteers with the

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. The chamber hasn’t taken a position yet.

There were meetings for the business community to ask questions, said Brendon Cull, executive vice president of the chamber.

Critics of the park levy in 2020 knocked the district for a lack of a specific plan for the tax money. Yes, the district had a master plan full of wish lists and projects. But the district had no line-item budget for how the levy proceeds would be spent.

Once an amount for the levy is known, there’ll be a specifi c plan, Palmeter said.

“I want to be careful about getting into or committing to specifi c projects too early, because I may have to take something off the table,” Palmeter said. “It’s better once we know an amount.”

Why not raise fees, seek donations?

The park district is looking at other options to raise money. Raising yearly pass fees, the price of a round of golf and other user fees is regularly considered, Palmeter said. But any increases wouldn’t raise enough to sustain the park.

Great Parks Forever, the private, nonprofi t fundraising arm of the committee, has also an advisory committee of local business and community leaders to come up with strategies to raise private money. The task force began meeting in January and was also scheduled to make recommendations on June 16.

h Otto Armleder Memorial Park & Recreation Complex h Sharon Woods h Shawnee Lookout h Triple Creek h Winton Woods h Withrow Nature Preserve h Woodland Mound CONSERVATION AREAS h Kroger Hills h Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary h Oak Glen Nature Preserve h Richardson Forest Preserve GOLF COURSES h Little Miami Golf Center h Meadow Links & Golf Academy h Miami Whitewater Forest h Sharon Woods h The Mill Course h The Vineyard

The foundation had $9 million in assets according to its 2020 audit and spent $364,000 in “parks support.”

“We can budget for increased revenue, but we’re not going to move the needle tens of millions of dollars that we need in a short amount of time,” Palmeter said. “We’re at the point where taxes are going to have to increase to take a big step forward.”

Editor’s note: Information included refl ects this article’s original publication date – June 14. Visit Cincinnati.com for possible updates.

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10 places to drink outside this summer MadTree Brewing

Sarah Brookbank Cincinnati Enquirer

3301 Madison Road, Oakley Earlier this year, MadTree revamped its outdoor area, turning its side parking lot into a “backyard hangout” by adding picnic tables, games and Adirondack chairs. All of that in addition to their large enclosed porch space. Grab one of their many beers and accompany it with a pizza from Catch-a-Fire.

USA TODAY NETWORK

Summer is almost here and the weather is hot enough to grab a drink outside most days.

If you’re looking for a spot to walk around while sipping your beverage of choice, check out one of Greater Cincinnati‘s designated outdoor refreshment area (Dora) districts.

But, if if you just want a nice spot to sit outside and take in the view while you imbibe, check out one of these 10 locations across the region.

AC Hotel at the Banks 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown If you’re catching a Cincinnati Reds game or visiting the new Dora district at The Banks, make a stop at the AC Hotel rooftop bar.

This bar has up close and personal views of the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the Ohio River, stadiums and Northern Kentucky.

Bridgeview Box Park 1 Levee Way, Newport Newport on the Levee is still undergoing a massive facelift, but one fi nished potion is the box park.

This cluster of small food and drink vendors off ers views of downtown Cincinnati and has space to spread out while you grab a drink from the Tiki Bar.

Miamiville Trailyard

Rhinegeist's 4,500-square-foot roof deck has views of Over-the-Rhine and Downtown. THE ENQUIRER/MEG VOGEL

368 Center St., Miamiville Bike or drive up to the Miamiville Trailyard.

The open-air restaurant has a massive outdoor area that sits right on the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail. Take a break and enjoy burgers and wings and grab a beer.

The spot is dog-friendly.

Covington Yard 401 Greenup St., Covington Northern Kentucky is home to another container park.

Covington Yard off ers space to spread, live music, drinks and a handful of food vendors, all conveniently close to Downtown. It’s also dog-friendly.

Fifty West

Findlay Market

7668 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township Fifty West Brewing Company is a one-stop shop for all of your outdoor drinking needs.

They have beers, burgers, sand volleyball and access to the Little Miami River and Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail.

If you just want a spot to sit and grab a pint, they have plenty of outdoor seating.

1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine If you’re looking for shopping, dining and a place to listen to music, Findlay Market is there for you. The Biergarten has its own bar with beer off erings and while you’re there, you can stop at one of the many nearby restaurants to grab a bite to eat.

Rhinegeist 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine We all know Rhinegeist is one of the most dominant breweries in Cincinnati, but they also have a rooftop bar that offers spectacular views of Over-theRhine and Downtown.

Grab a drink and take in the sunset.

Cabana on the River

50 West Brewery volleyball court and sunset. 50 WEST BREWING COMPANY

Washington Park 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Take in the historic views of Music Hall and Over-the-Rhine at the porch in Washington Park. You can bring a blan-

ket and lounge on the lawn or enjoy any of the seating options at the park. Bring your dog to the nearby dog park or let your kids run around the water feature or nearby playground while you’re there.

7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park Cabana on the River, a summertime hotspot on the West Side, off ers a view of the Ohio River and some major tiki bar vibes.

The bar serves tropical frozen drinks and a “famous” Long Island iced tea.

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UC grad makes it to the big show as a Hollywood writer Chris Varias Special to Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Jackie Decembly took an unconventional path to Hollywood, not that there’s necessarily a conventional path to Hollywood that begins in Youngstown, Ohio.

Decembly came to Cincinnati in 2005 to pursue a graduate degree. She taught Spanish in local schools before heading west to chase a job as a TV writer.

The pursuit was a success. Decembly, 38, has several TV credits as well as two shows coming out, one next month and the other in the fall.

She explained how her journey reached its goal.

Question: Why did you choose to attend the University of Cincinnati?

Answer: I went originally for graduate school. I was in Romance languages. I got my graduate degree in Spanish literature and languages, and at the end of that program, I had been taking a couple creative writing classes and decided to get another bachelor’s degree in journalism, and I minored in English, because I’ve always loved stories and storytelling, and I just decided that I was going to do that.

Q: Did you begin to study these things with the thought in mind of becoming a TV writer?

A: No. Being in the Midwest, I always loved TV, but I didn’t know how that was going to be possible. All these TV shows happened in Los Angeles. Maybe in the back of my mind, but I didn’t know how to make it possible.

Q: What were you planning to do with all of these degrees from UC? A: I was still trying to fi gure stuff out.

After I got done with the journalism degree, I had all of this teaching experience. I decided to get my teaching certifi cate.

Q: Did you teach around here?

A: I did. I taught at UC while I was in grad school. And then I did my student teaching at Oak Hills High School. I taught seventh grade at Mason Middle School.

Q: Did you like UC? A: Oh, I loved it. I met my husband (Casey Penn) at UC. UC has been really instrumental in helping me as a writer because I took a lot of creative writing classes at UC. I had journalism and English classes. Cincinnati was the longest place I lived beside my hometown, so, yeah, defi nitely a huge part of my life.

Q: Is there anything about Cincinnati that you miss?

A: Oh, man, what don’t I miss? I miss eating Graeter’s Ice Cream. I did actually fi nd a store. We have Ralphs, which is really Kroger. They actually have Graeter’s Ice Cream here, so that’s been great. I do miss Skyline Chili. I miss being in Newport. We were always down there going to the movie theater or going to dinner. There’s a lot of stuff I miss about Cincinnati. It’s a great city. We didn’t move away from Cincinnati until 2014. I was there a while.

Q: Was that move to Los Angeles?

A: It was to get closer to LA. My husband got into graduate school in Monterey, California. I was trying to get experience to help me get a job in Los Angeles, and that led us to Portland, Oregon, because he had an internship, and I got onto the TV show “Grimm” in Portland, and that led me to Los Angeles.

Q: Was that your fi rst job in the industry?

A: It was, and it was totally a fl uke. I wish I’d taken a picture of this. I was going on Craigslist, and looking under gigs, and trying to do anything that was related to TV. I was a production assistant for a student short fi lm, where it’s like, “we can’t pay you, but we can give you food and give you gas money.” I did a web series that was kind of the same thing, carrying equipment and things like that. And then I saw a post for “Grimm.” They were going into season fi ve, and they were looking for additional set production assistants. I thought it was a scam. And my husband was like, “the worst thing you could do is send your resume and they never respond.” They responded and I went in for an interview and got hired for episode one and worked the whole season.

Q: And then were you off and running in the business?

A: It did open a lot of doors. I did a lot of commercials. I jumped on “The Librarians,” which was on TNT. I came back and did the beginning of season six of “Grimm.” I told one of my producers I want to write. I gave him my

Jackie Decembly took an unconventional path to Hollywood, not that there’s necessarily a conventional path to Hollywood that begins in Youngstown, Ohio. PROVIDED

“I write with a lot of heart. I like to write things that make you feel, but not in a depressed way, things that the average person will understand because you’ve lived those kind of things.”

Jackie Decembly

resume, and that’s how I got a call for an interview for a job in Los Angeles. It was for a Shondaland show called “The Catch.” It was season two, for an offi ce production assistant. I did get that job and worked at Shondaland for about two years. And I also did a show called “For the People.” I was the line producer’s assistant for that, so I got a promotion after we did the pilot, and then I did another pilot called “The Fix,” and I switched from the production side to the writing side, and I was a writer’s PA on that.

Q: Were you offi cially a professional writer at that point?

A: A writer’s PA is not really a writer’s position. It’s like the entry-level of the writing side. You’re helping to take care of the writers. It’s like an offi ce admin position, but then that led me to a writer’s assistant. I was taking notes for the writers as they were breaking story, so I got to be there fi rsthand and see how they were coming up with story ideas. And then that led me closer. I got my fi rst writing staff gig on “Turner and Hooch,” which is coming out in July on Disney Plus, so that was my fi rst paying writer’s gig.

Q: Is that your biggest gig to date?

A: Actually I would say it’s the one I’m on now. I’m on the “4400” for the CW. It’s going to be coming out in the fall. It’s a sci-fi show. It’s a reboot. The original was on in the early aughts, and the CW acquired the IP. Q: Do you bring a perspective to writers’ rooms that wouldn’t be there otherwise, or are you just a talented writer among others?

A: I think I do bring a diff erent perspective. I come from a single-parent home, so I was raised by a village of really strong women. I have a natural love of learning and books. Speaking another language helps me. I really love dramedies, so I think I do that very well. I just really love characters and making people fall in love with characters and wanting to follow their journey, which is why I love television, because you get to see a character start at one place and end up at another. I write with a lot of heart. I like to write things that make you feel, but not in a depressed way, things that the average person will understand because you’ve lived those kind of things.

Q: Are you a rarity in writers

rooms, being from the Midwest and having attended a college in the Midwest rather than an Ivy League school?

A: I wouldn’t say rare, but I haven’t met anyone else like me in any of these rooms I’ve been in, especially with my background. I was a teacher and I studied a lot of diff erent things, and I didn’t necessarily go to an Ivy League school.

A lot of these rooms, they try to get people who have diff erent experiences. I don’t fi nd a lot of Midwest people out in LA. I think in the rooms I’ve been in, I’ve been the one person from Ohio.

Q: If you came back to UC to speak to a classroom full of aspiring Hollywood writers, what would you tell them?

A: The great thing about this industry is there is no one path to get here, and I was just very open to experiences because you never know where the experiences will take you. I would have never thought that one job would have led to so many diff erent jobs. The other thing too is to really know the stories that you want to tell. I have friends of mine who are moving along with me who are trying to nail down their voices and the things they want to write about. But I have a very clear idea of the stories that matter to me. Because that’s your voice, and that’s what makes you unique in this industry, and I think people really are drawn to that, when they can read your stuff and go, oh, she has a clear voice, a clear opinion, a clear story she wants to tell.

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Boxer Continued from Page 1A

ed young Duke with fi lm of old, classic fi ghts. Roy Jones, Muhammad Ali, even clips of fellow Cincinnatian Adrien Broner. “My dad taught me how to play chess’’ in the ring, Duke Jr. said.

Ask Duke Jr. to describe his style now, he said, “I like to box, to be on the outside, making the guy miss, watching them punch and I’m not even near.’’

For the past 28 months, boxing class has been conducted for an hour on Sundays, visiting time at the Butler County facility.

In a twisted yet easily understandable way, Senior’s faults have been as instructive as any boxing lesson he has given.

As Duke Jr. said, “After he was locked up in 2019, I knew I had to take this boxing seriously. I didn’t want to be a he-could-have-been kind of guy.’’

The pandemic caused cancellation of the Olympic Trials. Ragan earned his bantamweight spot on the team on the strength of his previous amateur success. Meantime, rule changes before the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro made American pros eligible for the Olympics. Ragan turned pro last summer.

He’ll head to Tokyo with a 4-0 professional record.

His idol is fellow Cincinnati boxer Rau’shee Warren, a three-time Olympian that Ragan followed around the gym from the time Ragan was 8 years old.

Warren said Saturday that they’ve sparred frequently over the years, in gyms around town. His advice for his protégé?

“Take the 1st round,’’ Warren said.

“Get the judges’ attention. Stay on the game plan. “Duke stays patient. He doesn’t rush his shot, he works his jab.

A lot of people want to just bang. No game plan. He’s real smart in the ring. I think that’ll help him a lot’’ at the Olympics.

The Cincinnati Golden Gloves program has produced at least one member of six of the last eight U.S. Olympic teams and brought home two medals, a bronze and a silver. In the post-pandemic jumble, no one knows how U.S. boxers will do in Tokyo. Ragan knows only that his dream isn’t complete. He

Hbove, Duke Ragan lands a straight-right counter on John Moraga on Oct. 3, 2020.

Left, Duke Ragan won a unanimous decision again John Moraga PHOTOS BY MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK

thanks his father for being a part of it.

I asked him what he’d like people to know about Duke Sr. “My dad always put his family fi rst.

He paved the way for me. When my dad became my trainer, I took off . He spent most of his time with me, at the gym.

He put me fi rst and made sure I didn’t make the mistakes he made.’’

Maybe, Olympic glory will help father and son make sense of all that has happened in the past.

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Beer terms you need to know to sound like a pro Matt Koesters Special to Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Ideas for these columns come from all kinds of places. Sometimes I just write about what I’m enjoying, while other times I’ll write a brewery profi le to keep my reporting muscles trained.

Rasputin Todd, my editor and main contact at Cincinnati.com, largely gives me carte blanche to write what I want.

This means he puts up with all of the perks that come with working with me.

In other words, he’s a saint.

When the two of us fi rst started working together on this column, Raspy (as I aff ectionately call him) was a craft beer novice. While he had breweries and beers he knew he enjoyed, he wasn’t aware of how deep this particular rabbit hole goes. So at many points during the last year, he called me to ask questions about the meaning of beer jargon used in my columns.

But recently, Raspy suggested that I write a glossary of terms my readers could expect to show up in future columns. I asked him if this idea arose from my columns being too packed with lingo. He swore it’s not, but he thought it would be a fun column. Because Raspy’s such a good dude, I’m going to take him at his word.

A wide assortment of beer is offered to fans at FC Cincinnati's home stadium, TQL Stadium.

KAREEM ELGAZZAR/THE ENQUIRER

That said, I’m not putting this thing in alphabetical order because I just gotta be me.

(Editor's note: I put it in alphabetical order. I just gotta be me. How 'bout them apples? - Raspy)

Beer terminology 101 Adjunct: Stuff used to make beer that falls outside of beer’s four main ingredients (water, malt, yeast, hops).

This can include extra grains, coff ee or tea, herbs and spices, fruit, or, in the case of pastry stouts, Swedish Fish and Snickers bars.

Ale: A beer made using a warm fermentation method. Craft beer at one

point was almost exclusively ales, as they take less time to brew.

Citra Hops: Widely regarded among brewers as “the cheat code” of brewing.

It’s really diffi cult to screw up with Citra.

Crispy Boi: A slang term for lagers, many of which are known for their clean, crisp fi nishes.

Dry hopping: A process in which hops are added to a beer after it has been boiled. The fl avor of the hops is imparted without adding much bitterness.

High gravity: An adjective that basically means a beer is really strong.

Hops: Plants used in the brewing process to add bitterness and impart fl avors to beer. Hops are used in the creation of virtually every type of beer, but the amount and type used is style-dependent.

IBUs: International Bitterness Units.

I’ll spare you the science on how this is calculated. Bigger numbers mean more bitterness (although a strong malt backbone can balance high-IBU beers). West Coast IPAs tend to be very high in IBUs. Lactose: Milk sugar, an adjunct often used to sweeten and augment the mouthfeel of a beer. Aside from making beer undrinkable for vegans (in theory, anyhow), lactose serves as the defi ning ingredient of “milkshake” IPAs and milk stouts. Often overused by brewers.

Lager: A beer brewed with bottom-

fermenting yeast and conditioned at low temperatures. “Lagering” is simply the act of storing a batch at cool temperatures. Weird twist: A kolsch (eg. Sonder Voss) is an ale that is lagered after being brewed.

Macro brewery: The kind of brewery that advertises during that big football game at the end of an NFL season. Macro beers are almost exclusively pale lagers, which explains frosty mugs and the snow-covered mountain top imagery that gets reused ad nauseam by macros in their advertising.

New England IPAs: A style of ale known for its low bitterness, generally citrusy fl avor and hazy appearance. In other words, the opposite of a regular IPA. Some breweries will avoid calling a beer a “New England” because of silly packaging laws, instead using terms like “hazy” and “juicy.”

Sessionable: An adjective that means a beer is low enough in alcohol to enjoy several without becoming a drooling idiot. Anything under 5% ABV is generally considered sessionable.

Style: A subcategory of beer. Examples of ale styles include pale ales, brown ales, IPAs, porters and stouts. Examples of lager styles include the ubiquitous American pale lager, bock beer, pilsners and marzens (aka Oktoberfestbier).

Two local breweries win top honors for ‘crushing it’ Matt Koesters Special to Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

The creativity on display at two local breweries recently turned heads around the world at the 2021 Craft Beer Marketing Awards.

Cartridge Brewing in Kings Mills and West Side Brewing in Westwood earned Platinum Crushies (ie. top honors) in their respective award categories, beating competition from throughout North and South America.

“We were so impressed by the sheer creativity, innovation and caliber of

marketing displayed in entries from around the world in every category,” said CBMAs co-founder Jim McCune.

More than 300 judges from around the globe offi ciated the CBMAs, the hardware for which was designed by the same New York fi rm that created the Emmy Awards and the MTV Moonman statue. The “Crushie” award is a sculpture of a heavily tattooed arm crushing a beer can, which represents how the recipients are “crushing it” with their beer marketing, design and branding.

West Side and Cincinnati-based Brick Solid Brands scored a Platinum (ie. Best in Show) Crushie in the CMBAs

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“Best Can Design – 8 to 15 oz.” category for its Braille Ale, a raspberry gose released in August 2020 in collaboration with the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI). In addition to visible print, the West Side Braille Ale cans featured raised Braille lettering, which is believed to be a fi rst among beer cans. A portion of every purchase supported CABVI’s services to help people adapt to severe vision loss.

Cartridge Brewing earned a Platinum Crushie in the CMBAs “Best Tap Handle Design/Unique or Innovative” category for its shotgun-inspired tap handles.

The brewery contracted Helms

Workshop of Austin, Texas, to create its tap handles.

The two Greater Cincinnati breweries were the only winners from Ohio.

The Craft Beer Marketing Awards were established in 2019 to recoginize the best of the best in the marketing realm of the brewing industry, according to a CMBA press release. With categories that range from the “Best Can Design” to “Taproom” and “Best Website Design” to “Social Media Infl uencer of the Year,” there’s an opportunity to showcase the best work in marketing in the brewing industry. For e information, visit craftbeermarketingawards.com.

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Shrimp scampi with garlicky spaghetti, wilted spinach: A ‘yummy, easy summer supper’ Rita’s Kitchen Rita Heikenfeld Guest columnist

Sometimes you have to be a bit lenient with recipes. Like use them as a guide, not set in stone. Shrimp scampi is one of those. A little more of one ingredient, a little less of another. It’s all about going to taste. That’s why the recipe I’m sharing gives you leeway.

Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take away. I tossed in some garden spinach, making this a yummy, easy summer supper.

Pass the peas please! Remove strings We all enjoy going out to the peas in the garden and eating some raw, right there and then.

The question is: do you have to string peas before eating?

We do, even though ours are the stringless variety.

A way to tell is bite into one. If it

needs stringing, you’ll know right away, as strings on both sides will be tough to chew.

The Fine Cooking site simplifi es the technique: Use fi ngernails or tips of fi ngers to snap off the stem end of the pea going toward the top seam, leaving the stringy part attached.

The partially disconnected end will act as a “zipper pull.” Pull disconnected stem end down to remove the string, just like you’d unzip a zipper. Do this on both sides.

Shrimp scampi with garlicky spaghetti and wilted spinach

Sugar snap peas in my garden.

until done but not mushy.

Right before spaghetti is done, stir in spinach. The spinach wilts real quick.

Drain and put all back in pot. Stir in garlic and olive oil.

Ingredients for pasta ⁄ 2 to 3⁄ 4 pound spaghetti or other pasta

1

While pasta is cooking, sauté shrimp: melt butter with oil over medium low heat.

Several handfuls fresh spinach (optional but good) Minced garlic – just a bit, to taste – I used a small clove, about 1⁄ 2 teaspoon

Add garlic and cook a minute or so to bring out fragrance. Be careful – garlic contains natural sugar and it can make garlic burn if heat is too high.

Olive oil, enough to coat pasta lightly a tablespoon or more

Add shrimp, salt and black pepper and cook just until shrimp turn pink and are done, stirring often, about 5 minutes or so.

Ingredients for shrimp ⁄ 2 to 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

1

⁄ 4 cup each: butter and olive oil

1

Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and red pepper.

4 nice cloves garlic, minced – 1 tablespoon plus 11⁄ 2 teaspoons or so Salt and black pepper to taste

Add shrimp to pasta and toss gently to serve.

Lemon juice to taste – I used about 4 tablespoons

Gilding the lily: Sliced tomatoes, shredded Parmesan.

Hot red pepper flakes to taste – start with 1⁄ 8teaspoon (optional)

Swap it out Swiss chard or arugula for spinach.

Chard is mild; arugula more nutty, spicy bite.

Instructions Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a tablespoon salt.

Add spaghetti and cook 7-10 minutes,

Shrimp scampi with garlicky spaghetti and wilted spinach.

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Dry white wine for the lemon juice.

Maybe a couple dashes Worcestershire if you use wine.

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Shootings rose during the pandemic and have remained elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. CAMERON KNIGHT/THE ENQUIRER

Shootings are up 31% in Cincinnati compared to before the pandemic Cameron Knight Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

In the two years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cincinnati saw historically low rates of gun violence, but those gains were reversed in 2020 and shootings remain elevated.

In 2018, the city marked its fi rst year on record with an average of less than one shooting a day. And 2019 followed suit, according to the city's database of shootings that goes back to 2008.

But 2020 brought with it a high number of shootings and a record number of homicides.

Cincinnati police say that by many measures things are starting to return to normal.

Homicides, for instance, are far lower than last year.

So far in 2021, there have been 34 killings in the city. By this time last year, there had already been 46. That's a 26% reduction.

On the other hand, there were a record number of shootings last month. It was the worst May on record with more shootings than even last May.

A 31% increase Comparing the average number of shootings each month in 2018 and 2019 to the number in 2020 and so far in 2021 shows a 31% increase.

Using the same method for individual neighborhoods, it can be seen that shootings are up in 28 of Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods.

Average monthly shootings have decreased in 17 neighborhoods, and another seven have had no shootings at all in the past four years.

The neighborhoods that saw signifi cant increases are: h Camp Washington has doubled its number of shootings. h The three small neighborhoods around the University of Cincinnati – Clifton Heights, Fairview and University Heights – saw an 87% increase. h West End had an 81% increase.

h Winton Hills had a 70% increase. h Spring Grove Village and Mount Airy both had increases of more than 60%. h Westwood has increased over 50%. h Avondale has increased 41%.

Six neighborhoods have seen signifi cant decreases: English Woods, Carthage, Millvale, West Price Hill, College Hill and East Westwood.

It’s a well-known fact that for many older Americans, the home is their single biggest asset, often accounting for more than 45% of their total net worth. And with interest rates still near all-time lows while home values remain high, this combination creates the perfect dynamic for getting the most out of your built-up equity.

But, many aren’t taking advantage of this unprecedented period.

According to new statistics from the mortgage industry, senior homeowners in the U.S. are now sitting on more than 8.05 trillion dollars* of unused home equity.

Not only are people living longer than ever before, but there is also greater uncertainty in the ecomony.

With home prices back up again, ignoring this “hidden wealth” may prove to be short sighted when looking for the best long-term outcome.

All things considered, it’s not surprising that more than a million homeowners have already used a government-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loan

For example, a lot of people mistakenly believe the home must be paid off in full in order to qualify for a HECM loan, which is not the case. In fact, one key advantage of a HECM is that the proceeds will first be used to pay off any existing liens on the property, which frees up cash flow, a huge blessing for seniors living on a fixed income. Unfortunately, many senior homeowners who might be better off with a HECM loan don’t even bother to get more information because of rumors they’ve heard.

In fact, a recent survey by American Advisors Group (AAG), the nation’s number one HECM lender, found that over 98% of their clients are satisfied with their loans. While these special loans are not for everyone, they can be a real lifesaver for senior homeowners especially in times like these.

The cash from a HECM loan can be used for almost any purpose.

Other common uses include making home improvements, paying off medical bills or helping other family members. Some people simply need

'Reckless abandon' Gene Ellington is the pastor at Consolation Church in College Hill. He was on the scene of a June 12 quadruple shooting in East Westwood with the "God Squad," a violence intervention group that works to support victim's families, prevent retaliation and reduce gun violence.

"There were two innocent children caught in the crossfi re of two other teenagers shooting at each other," Ellington told The Enquirer. "The children didn't choose to be in that confl ict, they were just going to the store."

He said the shooters acted with "reckless abandon," not caring who got shot.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, June 14, the two juveniles remained in critical condition at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Ellington said he believes the pandemic has worsened gun violence, but he believes the shootings speak more to where society is currently headed.

"Violence has become the acceptable norm for confl ict," he said.

He said a major factor in this is "the sense of helplessness and hopelessness that exists in all aspects of life in the African American community" due to disparities in employment, education, housing, healthcare and more.

"There is a litany of issues that need to be addressed, and it might seem like its an insurmountable task, but I don't think that it is," Ellington said. "We have to start seeing people as people."

Editor’s note: Information included refl ects this article’s original publication date – June 14. Visit Cincinnati.com for possible updates.

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Although today’s HECM loans have been improved to provide even greater financial protection for homeowners, there are still many misconceptions.

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Are Ohioans rude?

This study says yes Sarah Brookbank Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

You’re not just imagining it, Ohioans are rude according to a new study.

The study from Zippia found that Ohio is the 10th rudest state. Kentucky ranked No. 46 and Indiana ranked No. 28.

So what does rudeness entail? Zippia said they looked at four factors: the percent of rude drivers, average tip, amount of cursing to customer service agents and how rude the rest of the country fi nds the state.

The study found that Ohio’s average tip is 16.7 percent and the percent of rude drivers is 4.3.

“In 10th place is Ohio. Ohioans might be the best tippers in the top 10 - but that

is hardly an excuse for their honk-worthy bad manners on the road,” Zippia said.

Drivers’ rudeness was determined based on failure to yield violations, failure to stop violations, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, and hit-and-runs.

The rudest states, according to Zippia: 1 Rhode Island 2 Massachusetts 3 Virginia 4 New York 5 California 6 Washington 7 New Jersey 8 Utah 9 Illinois 10 Ohio

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SPORTS Elder baseball’s comeback falls short in DI championship game Scott Springer Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Editor’s note: Information included refl ects this article’s original publication date – June 14.

AKRON - After a two-hour and 10minute delayed start time and two hours and 31 minutes of baseball, Elder’s 2021 tournament run came to a halt just after 11:40 p.m. at Akron’s Canal Park.

Down 6-1 going into the bottom of the sixth against New Albany, the Panthers made a valiant comeback attempt crossing the plate four times to narrow the gap to one.

However, New Albany reliever Brady Conley was perfect for the fi ve hitters he faced and the Eagles from Franklin County held off the never-say-die Panthers 6-5.

“You have to tip your hat to New Albany,” Elder coach Mark Thompson said.

“They played well. It was a hell of a ballgame.”

There would be no purple reign on this day.

CHCA’s purple-clad squad won the Division III title in the morning game, but Elder’s purple crew will return home as state runner-up, just as they were in their last state appearance in 2010.

Their Division I fi nale, scheduled for 7 p.m., was pushed back thanks to early morning rain delaying the day’s fi rst game and a 10-inning second game. It was a long Sunday for all involved.

After throwing shutouts in his last two tournament starts, junior Kellen Sandhas gave up four consecutive hits to start the game. Brock Tibbets drove in the fi rst run, followed by a triple from Oliver Cush that cleared the bags and gave New Albany the early 3-0 lead.

The Panthers stranded two runners in their half of the fi rst but did get a Zak Schlachter single scoring Luke Vaughn, who had reached by error. They also left the bases loaded in the second inning, which would prove to be harmful based on New Albany’s third frame.

The Eagles tacked on two more against Sandhas as Ian Hoff drilled a two-run single to center scoring Eli Henderson and Tibbets. With two outs in the inning, Sandhas’s night was done.

The fi ve earned runs were the most he had allowed all season and the six hits tied for the most he had surrendered in a game.

“He had pretty good stuff ,” Thompson said. “Maybe he was throwing too hard tonight. He didn’t have quite as much run on his fastball and they barreled some balls up.”

Jacob Flaherty replaced Sandhas but couldn’t make it out of the fourth after walking in a run to make it 6-1 with two outs. Chris Kammerer moved in from right fi eld to the mound.

With the lead, New Albany coach

Elder pitcher Chris Kammerer pauses for a moment after a play as the Panthers trail in the seventh inning of the OHSAA Division I state championship game at Canal Park onJune 13 in Akron. PHOTOS BY JEFF LANGE/ AKRON BEACON JOURNAL

Elder base runner Kevin Hilton scores during the sixth inning of the OHSAA Division I state championship game against New Albany at Canal Par.

Dave Starling replaced sophomore starter Elijah Griffi th on the mound with junior Caden Robinson to start the sixth.

Griffi th allowed just two hits and a run on 94 pitches with six strikeouts.

“He did a nice job of changing speeds and keeping us off -balance,” Thompson said of the New Albany starter. “We hit a lot of balls hard right at them.”

Elder pounced on the Eagles’ bullpen.

Jackson Gutzwiller had a one-out single and Jeremy Ward and Kevin Hilton walked. Marco Sabato then found the gap in right-center and Elder trailed 6-3. A passed ball scored Hilton and it was 6-4. Sophomore Vaughn’s grounder past third left Elder down a run.

“All year we’ve been the underdog,” Vaughn said. “Everything was pretty electric. This team just fi ghts man.”

New Albany replaced Robinson with Andrew Trybus, but Conley had to fi nish the inning to keep the Eagles’ lead. Conley then retired Elder in order in the seventh to give New Albany its fi rst title since 2004, making the team 2-for-2 in See ELDER, Page 2B

Reactions: OHSAA state football championships going back to Canton Shelby Dermer Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

The Ohio High School Athletic Association and Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a three-year agreement for Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to host the state football championships in a press conference from Canton June 16.

"We want our communities to have a good experience and certainly Canton is no stranger to that," OHSAA executive director Doug Ute said. "We want to be somewhere where somebody wants us.

We want to be some place where football generates excitement."

Ute mentioned there is a possibility for the partnership to extend beyond the initial three-year agreement.

In 2020, Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium hosted state titles games for Division II through VII. The Division I state championship game, won by St. Xavier, was played at Fortress Obetz in

La Salle wins the OHSAA Division II state fi nal game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton in 2019. RAY STEWART.CANTONREP.COM

Columbus.

Wyoming head coach Aaron Hancock, who led the Cowboys on a perfect season in 2018, culminating in a 42-14 win over Girard in Canton for a Division IV state championship is happy with the

decision.

"Of course we had a great experience there," Hancock told The Enquirer. "The atmosphere of playing in Canton, Benson Stadium and the Hall of Fame experience is something special. I think it's a

great place to have the state championships. I know the distance from Southwest Ohio is diffi cult, but the experience teams have after that trip to state is something they will remember for the rest of their life."

La Salle head coach Pat McLaughlin has collected hardware in Canton, as well. He led the Lancers to a Division II state championship win at Tom Benson Hall of Fame in 2019, defeating Massillon in the fi nal, 34-17.

For that game, Lancer faithful had to drive nearly 250 miles, while Massillon's trek was less than just 10 miles down the road. McLaughlin, who is entering his fi fth season at La Salle, said he'd prefer a closer venue.

"If they asked my opinion, which they didn't, I'd favor a more central location," McLaughlin said. "If the OHSAA thinks having the championships for football in Canton is best for our sport, then I support it."

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Coaches associations announced All-City and All-Ohio baseball teams Alex Harrison Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

The Southwest Ohio Baseball Coaches Association released its All-City teams while the All-State teams were released by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association. Starting with the All-State selections, here are the locals receiving honors.

All-Ohio Division I Second team Michael Sprockett, C, Lakota East; Ben Stuart, INF, Mason; Max Johnson, INF, Mason; Max Klare, OF, St. Xavier; Trevor Adams, UTL, Goshen.

Honorable mention Brenden Garula, Mason; Jackson Grimmelsman, Elder; Ian Pennington, Springboro; Kurtis Reid, Hamilton; Cole Reiman, Moeller; Gavin Vogelgesang, St. Xavier.

Division II First Team Lucas Moore, OF, Badin.

Second Team Sergio DeCello, C, Badin; Brennan Pagan, OF, Wyoming.

Honorable Mention Ryan Kirkendall, Badin.

Division III Second team Jackson Campbell, P, Cincinnati Country Day. Honorable mention Louie Hess, Reading.

Division IV Honorable mention Trevor Allen, Cincinnati Christian.

All-City Division I First team Max Klare, OF, St. Xavier; Zach French, INF, Moeller; Kurtis Reid, INF, Hamilton; Josh Overbeek, INF, Ander-

Elder pitcher Jackson Grimmelsman rocks and fi res in the regional playoff game between St. Xavier and Elder at Dayton Air Park June 4. JIM OWENS FOR THE ENQUIRER

son; Carter Daniel, OF, Harrison; Pierce Bauerle; INF, Franklin; William Juan, P, St. Xavier; Wyatt Fisher, P, Oak Hills; Cameron Herring, P, Harrison; Evan Fry, P, Franklin; Carter Rust, INF, Lakota West; Harrison Barnes, OF, Sycamore; Devin Taylor, OF, La Salle; Max Johnson, INF, Mason; Trevor Adams, INF, Goshen; Jackson Grimmelsman, P, Elder; Ben Stuart, INF, Mason; Kayden Campbell, P, Fairfi eld; Anthony Cobb, C, Talawanda; Gavin Vogelsang, INF, St. Xavier; Jameson Richmond, INF, Oak Hills; Bryce Rayner, INF/OF, Western Brown; Jacob Beall, P, Lakota West; Maddox Pennington, UTL, Hamilton; Brenden Garula, UTL, Mason.

Second team Zach Weber, P/OF, Lebanon; Cole Brennan, OF, Anderson; Ross Carnes, C, Anderson; Trevor Conley, C, West Clermont; Jake Hanley, INF, Mason; Casey Judy, UTL, Franklin; Michael Conte, P, Walnut Hills; Colin Singer, OF, Fairfi eld; Mason Clark, P, Kings; Joe Kirby, INF, St. Xavier; Nathan Merritt, OF, La Salle; Andrew Edrington, UTL, Princeton; Chris Kammerer, OF/P, Elder; Ty Cawein, OF, Middletown; Davin Ronquist, P, Fair-

fi eld; Stephen Stigler, OF, Colerain; Connor Smith, P, Lebanon; Cole Rieman, OF, Moeller; Grant Miller, Lakota West; Parker Geshan, INF, Talawanda.

Honorable mention Gunner Lakins, C, Franklin; Jonathan Baker, INF, Milford; Brad Beyersdoefer, INF, Lebanon; Nick Kapostasy, INF, Turpin; JT Brandenburg, OF, Walnut Hills; Connor Stout, OF, Turpin; Johnny Berliner, P, Turpin; Chase Herrell, P, Milford; Tarrus Garrett, P, Kings; Grady Stickney, P, Turpin; Gavin Sunderman, P, West Clermont; Trey Williams, OF, Little Miami; Blane Nestle, INF, Moeller; Nathan Manley, C, Moeller; Austin Dick, INF, Goshen; David Glass, P, Goshen; Angus O'Donnell, DH, Goshen; Tucker O'Donnell, INF, Goshen; Braden Zuber, INF, Harrison; Cade Combs, C/INF, Harrison; Blake Puckett, INF, Talawanda; Kaden Davidson, Edgewood; Noah Sears, INF, Colerain; Ty Cunningham, OF, Fairfi eld; Brady Weber, P, Lakota West; Wyatt Lawson, C, Lebanon; Parker Dillhoff , OF, Lebanon; Connor Wessel, P, Loveland, Joe Current, INF, Middletown; John Calhoun Jr, OF, Middletown; Tyler Hewlett, C, Milford; Griff Cady, OF, Moeller; William Henkel, P, Turpin; Taquane Stonestreet, P/OF, Western Hills; Jacob Long, INF, Western Hills.

Division II First team Brayden Fraasman, C, Ross; Luke Hammond, C, Indian Hill; Joe Schottelkotte, INF, Ross; Cooper Fiehrer, INF, Badin; Sergio DeCello, INF, Badin; Aiden Dunehew, INF, Wyoming; Landyn Vidourek, INF, Badin; Brennan Pagan, OF, Wyoming; Mark Snowden, OF, Taylor; Lucas Moore, OF, Badin; Carter Earls, P, Fenwick; Ryan Kirkendall, P, Badin; Austin Suttle, P, New Richmond.

Second team Alex Wright, C, Batavia; Jake Fox, INF, Indian Hill; Brody Rice, INF, Blanchester; Max Stewart, INF, Batavia; Trenton Czaika, OF, Blanchester; Johnny Kearns, P, Taylor; Chase Mulligan, P, Fenwick; Lleyton Flamm, P, New Richmond; Jared Teke, P, Batavia.

Honorable mention Max Atkinson, C, Taylor; Elijah Den-

nis, C, Wyoming; Reagan Burch, OF, Blanchester; Alex Bemis, SS, Monroe; AJ Enginger, INF, Badin; Ralph Ross, Fenwick; Luke Metzger, Fenwick.

Divisions III and IV First team Trevor Allen, OF/P, Cincinnati Christian; Titan Selvie, INF, Cincinnati Christian; Jake Tschida, OF, Roger Bacon; Evan Webb, P, Roger Bacon; Logan Nash, P, Purcell Marian; Leo Hennegan, INF, Purcell Marian; Jack Vogele, OF, CHCA; Colin Ames, P, CHCA; George Mentrup, P, Seven Hills; Jared Kraus, INF, Seven Hills; Lauden Brooks, INF, McNicholas; Tyler Snyder, OF, McNicholas; Joe Schnieder, OF, Madeira; Dylan Thatcher, DH, Madeira; Mason Perkins, INF, Summit Country Day; Nick Ciaccio, P, Summit Country Day; Payton Ebbing, C, Cincinnati Country Day; Jackson Campbell, P, Cincinnati Country Day; Louis Hess, INF/P, Reading; Quinn Benner, P/C, Mariemont; Michael Napolitano, P/INF, Mariemont; Kris Jenkins, P/OF, Clermont Northeastern; Landon Williams, INF, Clermont Northeastern; Cameron Bryant, INF/P, Cincinnati Country Day. Second team George Janzen, C, Roger Bacon; Andrew Glassmeyer, INF/OF, Mariemont; Ryan Hallau, P/INF/OF, Roger Bacon; Davis Campbell, INF, Cincinnati Country Day; Connor Meyer, INF/P, Roger Bacon; Aidan Megois, OF, Madeira; Landen Amann, INF/P, Clermont Northeastern; Micah Bowman, P, Reading; Chase Slusher, P/INF, Reading; Parker Corbin, INF/P, Cincinnati Country Day; Bobby Kelly, P, Purcell Marian; Jesse Jenkins, OF, Purcell Marian; Isaiah Smiley, INF, Purcell Marian; Sullivan Peter, INF, Purcell Marian; Mark Burns, OF, Purcell Marian; Murphy Peter, C, Purcell Marian; Ethan Ell, 1B, Purcell Marian; Conner Thamann, INF/P, Reading; Cooper Robinson, INF/P, CHCA; Caden Crawford, INF, CHCA; Evan Economou, INF, McNicholas; Brady O'Brien, OF, McNicholas; Clay Badylak, INF/P, McNicholas; Drew Fulmer, P, McNicholas; Caden Glenn, INF, Cincinnati Christian; Zac Birch, INF, Cincinnati Christian.

UC Clermont baseball team takes second place in World Series Amanda Chalifoux UC Clermont College

Dejected Cincinnati Elder players watch as New Albany receives the championship trophy after the OHSAA Division I state championship game at Canal Park onJune 13 in Akron. JEFF LANGE/ AKRON BEACON JOURNAL

Elder Continued from Page 1B

championships when making the state tournament. The Eagles fi nish 29-5.

It was Elder’s 21st state appearance.

The Panthers fi nish 25-9 and graduate fi ve seniors from the night’s starting nine. Kammerer, Vaughn, Ward, Hilton and Sandhas all return.

The University of Cincinnati Clermont College men’s baseball team has taken second place in the 2021 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Small College World Series.

After defeating Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Mont Alto and number-three seed Mississippi University in earlier rounds, the top-seeded Cougars fell to Penn State DuBois in the National Championship winner-take-all game May 20. The tournament took place in DuBois, Penn.

UC Clermont’s regular season, which the team fi nished 20-10, was plagued by canceled games due to COVID-19, weather and other setbacks.

“This team kept working hard, kept their focus on getting better and earned the #1 seed for the World Series,” said head coach Keith Bauman.

Once at the World Series, “the team eff ort was tremendous,” Bauman added. The Cougars played six games in four days and took on the two-time defending National Champions and host team, Penn State DuBois, in three separate bouts.

Before the start of the series, a record number of outstanding student athletes were recognized at a ceremony May 16.

Academic All-Americans:

Tyler Gulley (Highlands High School) Joe Steiden (Highlands High School) Matt Clements (Bethel Tate High School) Charlie Buhler (West Clermont High School) Brandon Hammersley (Western Brown High School) Dominick Ramirez (LaSalle High School) Ian Wiles (Eastern High School) Zach Arnold (McNicholas High School) Jacob Terwilleger (Lakota West High School) 1st Team All-Americans: Grant Hessman (McNicholas High School) Drew Day (Western Brown High School) Honorable Mention All-Americans: Tyler Stewart (Amelia High School) Nathan Riddle (Colerain High School) Home Run Derby Champion: Tyler Gulley (Highlands High School) World Series All-Tournament Team: Tyler Stewart (Amelia High School) Drew Day (Western Brown High School) Tyler Gulley (Highland Heights High School)

It doesn’t make it easier for the 31year veteran Thompson to say goodbye to his seniors.

“You love these guys and the relationships you develop,” he said. “You feel bad for them. I’m proud of the accomplishment but it’s tough tonight.”

Added Vaughn, “This team right here has been really special. I wouldn’t want to do this with anybody else but I’ve got two more years and we’re going to do it!”

The 2021 UC Clermont College men’s baseball team. PROVIDED

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COMMUNITY NEWS Korean War veterans honored on Memorial Day To show its appreciation for our Korean War veterans and fallen warriors who served in Korea, the Korean War Veterans Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter 121 held a picnic on the Sunday before Memorial Day to honor those who served and our fallen warriers and their families.

Those members deceased in 2020 and 2021 were: Pat DiLonardo, Cecil Dozier, Harry Falck, Bill Jessen, Don Klingers, Ray Korte, Bob McGeorge, Tim Petric, Robert Pfeiff enberger, Tom Vossmeyer, Ronald Whitacre, Jim Thomson and Bill Knepp.

Fifteen KWVA members registered to attend the picnic along with another 50 family members. The picnic was both a solemn and fun event.

In addition to the great socializing going on, the ceremony part of the picnic was quite moving. After chapter President Joe Rettig led with the Pledge of Allegiance, Claire Albertz led the singing of our “National Anthem.” Albertz is Dr. Lee’s granddaughter.

Dr. Lee was born in North Korean and fought in the South Korean marines during the war. He later became a doctor in the South Korean Air Force before coming to the U.S. to practice medicine. Dr. Lee’s wife, Miyong Lee, sang the South Korean national anthem.

All attendees helped Kate Smith sing “God Bless America” and Miyong sang the Korean folk song “Arirang,” with her grandson David Albertz playing the saxophone. After Chaplain Gene Molen read the names of the fallen warriors, David played a moving version of taps.

Six story boards were available that gave the history of the diff erent phases of the Korean War. This allowed veterans to show their families where they served during the Korean War and was a great history lesson.

The music for the picnic was from 1948 to 1954. This brought back many memories for the veterans. They could all tell you where they were the fi rst time that they heard each song.

The picnic could not have been run effi ciently if not for nine volunteers from American Legion NE Post 630 of Blue Ash, Ohio. The volunteers did everything from picnic setup, manning the registration table, serving of drinks, collecting for the Split-the-Pot drawing, off ering photography services and picnic tear down.

In addition, Dr. Lee’s family served the individual meals provided by Raffel’s catering to all attendees.

For more information about the Korean War Veterans Association, please contact Joe Rettig at 513-891-7244 or email jrettig@cinci.rr.com.

Joe Rettig, Korean War Veterans Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter 121

NEW Yoga @ Delhi Park Intro to Yoga for Beginners Series is

Korean War Veterans Association members (from left): David Weeks, John Plahovinsak, Bill Riekert, Russ Carlson, Tom Schneider, Joe Rettig, Gene Molen, Bill Doud, Dr. Lee, Jules Freedman, and Marvin Morris in front. PROVIDED PHOTOS

ga_for_Beginners_6_Class_Series.html Marietta Bucalo, Yoga by Marietta

20th memorial anniversary of Fr. Jim Willig

Blue Ash Post 630 American Legion volunteers (from left): Bill and Barbara Keller, Ed and Chris Ennis, Dave and Pat Buschmann, Paul Collett (wife Linda missing from picture), Joe and Barb Rettig. Joe is president of the Korean War Veterans Association and 1st Vice Commander of American Legion NE Post 630.

being off ered this summer at the Delhi Park Foley Road entrance stage lawn.

Yoga by Marietta will be instructing you on creating a practice that will bring peace and resilience to your being. Six class series will be off ered Monday and Wednesday nights, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

To register for the July Series: https://www.yogabymarietta.com/ store/p97/July_Yoga_for_Beginners_%40_Delhi_Park.html To register for the August Series: https://www.yogabymarietta.com/ store/p106/August_Intro_to_Yo-

June 24, 2021, marks the 20th memorial anniversary of Fr. Jim Willig, beloved priest from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, who died at the age of 50 after a two-year battle with Stage 4 kidney cancer.

On Thursday, June 24 at 1 p.m., Fr. Jim’s nephews, Fr. Jacob Willig and Deacon Michael Willig, will be offi ciating a prayer service at Fr. Jim Willig’s gravesite at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. Plan to attend and bring your lawn chair.

On Sunday, June 27 at 11 a.m., Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ, will celebrate the Holy Sacrifi ce of the Mass from Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House Chapel, Barrington, IL. The Mass will be live streamed on YouTube and from the Heart to Heart website www.htoh.us.

Heart to Heart – a Catholic Media Ministry, www.htoh.us, founded by Fr. Jim Willig in 1991, continues to dedicate the month of June to The Sick and Suffering.

Inspirational quotes and videos are sent daily in June to all those who sign up on the website.

Cheri Lehrter, Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry

SCHOOL NEWS Rotary honors educators for excellence, innovation The Rotary Club of Cincinnati honored fi ve Cincinnati Public School teachers and administrators on June 3 for excellence and innovation.

The education recognition program is an annual event, but it held special signifi cance this year, as a national pandemic required teachers and administrators to fi nd new ways to connect with students and parents, said Interim CPS Superintendent Tianay Amat, who presented the awards.

“We thank the honorees for going the extra mile each and every day,’ Amat said.

“We thank them for being an important part of the students’ lives and for being an inspiration.”

In Sook Kim, who teaches Korean at James N. Gamble Montessori High School in Westwood, received the Community Service Award. She routinely extends learning beyond the classroom, holding after school activities, including creating a Korean Festival. Kim also is on the steering committee for the World Language Council.

Eric Rozier, principal of Cincinnati Digital Academy, won the Administrator of the Year award. As the pandemic necessitated virtual learning opportunities, Rozier’s student base went from 700 students to 2200 students, and his staff went from 30 to more than 100, said Amat.

“Being a principal during a national pandemic is diffi cult. It requires patience, fl exibility and quick thinking,”

Tianay Amat, interim superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, announces the honorees. PROVIDED

Amat said. She commended Rozier on his dedication to students, their families and to teachers, as he helped them move to virtual learning during the pandemic.

Jennifer Miller, teacher at FairviewClifton German Language School, received the Innovator of the Year award.

Miller developed new ways to keep stu-

dents on track during the pandemic, encouraging students to set target goals and employ visual markers to chart success.

Miller also works with the Math Club where over 100 students come in an hour early to increase their math skills through fun projects.

Natasha Taylor, English as a Second

Language teacher at Pleasant Ridge Montessori School, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

“At Cincinnati Public Schools, we believe education prepares students for life This idea is ingrained in everything Natasha does,” said Amat. She called Taylor a mentor who helps students attain fl uency not only in language but in all aspects of life, building confi dence and success.

Meggan Johnson Glover, intervention specialist at Woodward Career Technical High School in Bond Hill, received the Teacher of the Year award.

“As a teacher, she is more than an educator,” said Amat. “She is a friend, a mentor, a leader and someone you can rely on.” She said Glover helps her students achieve success that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Besides a full intervention class load, Glover also teaches algebra. “Her 9th grade students raised their scores by 386% over expectations,” said Amat.

The Rotary Club of Cincinnati initiated the Rotary Awards more than a decade ago to honor excellence in key public service professions.

Along with certifi cates, the Rotary presented $1000 to Cincinnati public Schools for teacher development.

The Rotary Club of Cincinnati was founded in 1910 as a service and networking organization with a mission to provide selfl ess service in the community and the world and to meet needs of children with disabilities. www.cincinnatirotary.org Peggy Hodgson, The Rotary Club of Cincinnati

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The Jeanne $157,000 H-1752

Bridgetown - Brick ranch in walking distance of schools.

Nice kitchen, bath, and built-in garage. Finished basement. $151,900 H-1750

Rieder Team

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

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7B

PENDING

Brian Bazeley

Colerain - Unique 4 bd, 3 bath home on over 5 Acres of land.

Boasts a giant fishing pond. Lots of storage, large workshop. Bring your imagination! $390,000 H-1718

Colerain - Rare find end unit 2 BR 1 BA Ranch condo. No steps w/porch & private patio & shed. Pool & Clubhouse. $85,000 H-1759

Delhi - Nice 3 bed brick Ranch, finished basement, hardwood floors, fenced yard with patio. Ready to move in! $168,900 H-1743

Vicki Schlechtinger

Tiffany Lang

Brian Bazeley

PENDING Dillsboro, IN - Commercial bldg. loc in Dillsboro. Formerly a bar but can be used for many uses. Lg open space w/att apts. Liquor license not included. $74,900 H-1757 Rick Hoeting

Harrison - 2nd flr 2 BR 2 BA Condo w/garage. Cathedral ceilings, open flr plan, covered rear deck w/ storage closet. End of bldg. Secured entry.

Won’t Last!

Vicki $130,000 H-1760

Hyde Park - Hyde Park single family homesite. Convenient to I-71/Dana Ave. Perfect spot to own a piece of Hyde Park. $30,000 H-1665 Tiffany Lang

Schlechtinger

Miami Twp. - 4 AC! Approved 22,500 sq ft dev w/120 parking spaces & outdr seating!

Abuts Miami Twp park & comm center! 3 single fam homes on property. $650,000 H-1616 The Jeanne Rieder Team

PENDING Monfort Hgts. - Mixed usage.

Residential, office.

Could be 5 separate residential lots. Public sewer available. Level. $199,900 H-1708 Steve Florian

Norwood - Wonderful 2 Family in move in condition.

Separate furnaces & electric, 2 car garage.

Easy access to highway. $139,900 H-1758 The HoetingWissel Team

Price Hill - Vacation 365 with this fantastic condo with breathtaking panoramic city views from your own bdrm. Priv veranda and ingr pool overlooking city.

The Hoeting$124,900 H-1755

Price Hill - 2 City view lots with water & sewer tap. Lots must be sold together.

5-minutes to downtown. $35,000 H-1325

Villa Hills, KY - Stunning custom 5 BD, 5.5 BA 2 sty on cul de sac in Villa Hills! 3 car ovsz side entry gar.

Remod kit, mstr ba, & updated mech thruout! $995,000 H-1706

Westwood - 7 rm, 2 ba 1500+ SF office bldg. in high traffic area.Off st pkg for 8 cars & 2 car det gar & carport.

New garage roof 2021. $144,900 H-1732

Mike Wright

Wissel Team

PENDING Price Hill - Updated 2 story across from Elder. Nice kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances. 2 full baths.

Off street parking $139,900 H-1749 Brian Bazeley

Sedansville - 3 River view lots to be sold together. 75’ total frontage. Area of potential redevelopment. $30,000 H-1329 Mike Wright

Tina Rieder

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Say ‘thank you’ to the local businesses you love by purchasing gift cards and online services, or add your own business to our free listings to receive support from your community.

Please visit supportlocal.usatoday.com to join the cause.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

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COMMUNITY PRESS WEST

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ANSWERS ON PAGE 13B

No. 0620 MAPLE LEAF

1

BY STEPHEN MCCARTHY / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

14

Stephen McCarthy, originally from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a Ph.D. student studying transportation modeling in Stockholm.

He made this puzzle last September, about a month after moving. ‘‘I was homesick, and this was a way of connecting to my home,’’ he said. In his spare time, McCarthy plays Ultimate Frisbee, sings in the Stockholm Gay Choir and makes and solves crosswords. This is his first published puzzle. — W.S.

ACROSS

RELEASE DATE: 6/27/2021

1 Writer who created Oz 5 “Obviously,” in slang 10 First word of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” 14 “. . . with possibly direr consequences” 17 ____ Berliner, pioneer in phonograph records 18 Lex Luthor, to Superman 22 Raised 23 Bit of asparagus 24 Alternately 25 Lines up 26 Agitated 29 Pricey 30 M.L.B. team with a big “W” in its logo 31 Rx order 32 “Revolution,” to “Hey Jude” 34 Space-scanning org.

35 It may be bitter 36 Like bees 37 Not ____ (mediocre) 39 Clear weeds, in a way 40 Part “missing” from p.s.i.

41 Mystery writer Deighton 42 Words cried after “Go” 46 Abbr. after a price in a Craigslist ad 47 Lt.’s inferior 48 Decidedly Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 4,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

51 Québec’s ____ St.-Jean 52 Soft drink since 1905 54 Young hombre 56 Biblical verb ending 57 Instruments for Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole 60 German auto since 1899 61 “That’ll teach you!”

62 Pigeon English?

63 Basketball champions’ “trophy” 64 Gillette brand 65 Leader of the house?

67 “Love is love,” e.g.

70 Pallid 71 Outlets, e.g.

73 Something that might lengthen a sentence?

74 Moneybags 75 High school hurdle whose first two letters, phonetically, sound like one of its former components 76 Like all the answers with pairs of circled letters, punnily 81 Programming pioneer Lovelace 82 Seasons in Québec 84 15th birthday celebration 85 Tomtit is another name for it 86 Talks up 88 Classical Icelandic literary work 89 Title letters chanted in a 2011 Katy Perry hit 90 Oldsmobile Cutlass model

91 Financial org. once deemed “too big to fail” 93 Newfoundland, e.g.: Abbr.

94 Serpentine swimmer 95 Root-beer brand 96 Veterans 100 Range within which you can answer the question “Can you hear me now?”

104 Six-time winner of the N.H.L.’s Art Ross Trophy, born in Saskatchewan 108 “24” and “Suits” actress, born in Halifax 111 Princess who says “Why, you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffylooking nerf herder!”

112 Dish served on a skewer 113 Congresswoman Omar 114 Actress Lena 115 Suppliers of the milk for Roquefort cheese 116 Singer Mary J. ____ 117 Moves quickly and lightly 118 Not only that 119 Rehearsal, e.g., in slang 120 Approvals 121 You can believe it 122 “Likewise” DOWN

1 Pears with a sweetspiced flavor 2 Part of B.A. 3 Deploy

4 Alberta city named for an eagle-feather headdress 5 Like some birds or dolls 6 Excite 7 Rank 8 Stops talking, with “up” 9 Mettle that may merit a medal 10 Two-player game invented in Toronto 11 Sardonic 12 ____ of Parliament 13 Stops talking, with “up” 14 “Nice burn!”

15 Battle ____ 16 Seasonal destination near Quebec City 19 Program introduced by the Trudeau government in 1984, colloquially 20 Approximate weight of the Liberty Bell 21 Spots 27 Advocacy grp. that filed for bankruptcy in 2021 28 Words at an unveiling?

31 Cry after an award is announced 33 Woman’s short hairstyle 36 Portrayer of Senator Vinick on “The West Wing” 38 Level or bevel 43 Like some outlets 44 Desert planet of “Star Wars” 45 Be batty, in a way?

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49 Canuck, e.g., for short 50 Capital of Qatar 52 Like bells in carillons 53 Part of L.C.D. 54 Some salon supplies 55 Like Rochester and Syracuse, but not New York City 58 Novel convenience?

59 Band whose 1999 hit “Smooth” spent 12 weeks at No. 1 66 Sleep stage 68 Overturns

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69 “Very high,” on a firedanger scale 70 Iowa Cubs baseball classification 72 Et ____ (footnote abbr.)

74 Federal regulatory org.

77 Rose or lilac 78 “Where ____ go wrong?”

79 Novelist Gaiman 80 Pound sound 83 Thrown together

85 They might help with changing your locks 87 One with a phony personality?

90 Snake oil, purportedly 92 Passes 95 Central route thru town 96 Leers at 97 Frederick who composed “Camelot” 98 Helps a dishwasher, say 99 One source of oil 100 Cheer

101 Shout, informally 102 ____ Wars, conflicts of 1839-42 and 185660 103 It may be perfect or simple, but not both 105 Big elevator maker 106 $15/hour, e.g.

107 What most spiders have eight of 108 Hitchhiker’s need 109 International fashion magazine 110 Climb, as a rope

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Find a farmers market near you Maria Aguilar Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Summer is here, which means it’s time to hit up your local farmers market.

Or, heck, fi nd a new one across town.

A warm Saturday morning (or any day of the week, really) can be wellspent by walking from stand to stand, enjoying the live music while fi lling up your reusable grocery bag with leafy greens, ripe fruits, a loaf of artisanal bread, homemade cookies and maybe even a delicious-scented lotion made with all organic ingredients.

Farmers markets have grown in popularity over the past two decades, and their many advantages to both vendors and customers make it clear why.

They provide an opportunity for community members to come out, socialize and buy fresh produce from regional farmers. Moreover, local, smallscale farming tends to yield tastier, nutrient-rich products with lower levels of chemicals and pesticides. And guess what? These goods aren’t just healthier for you, but also for the environment – purchasing from local vendors translates into less greenhouse gas emissions since the products are not being transported across the country to their destination.

And of course, by shopping at a farmers market, the money spent stays local and supports the community’s food business.

While some markets run year-round, many more are open during the summertime and bring with them a great variety of seasonal goods. Here is a roundup of this year’s farmers markets in the area.

The Deerfi eld Farmer's Market in Kingswood Park in Deerfi eld Township is teeming with activity June 5, 2021. You'll fi nd fresh produce, flowers, breads and other homemade goodies. The market is open every Saturday, 9-noon. Farmer's Markets are in full force across the region, offering up fresh produce, flowers and other local items every day of the week.

PHOTOS BY LIZ DUFOUR/THE ENQUIRER

DAILY Burlington/Boone County 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Memorial Day-Labor Day. All items sold at the narket are grown by 50 farm families from Northern Kentucky.

6028 Camp Ernst Road; boonecountyfarmersmarket.org.

Ross/Brown’s Family Farm Market 9 a.m.-6 p.m., May-June; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., July-October.

Try the sweet corn, it’s a local favorite.

11620 Hamilton-Cleves Road; brownsfarmmarket.com.

Lemon Township/Garver Family Farm Market 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; May 1-Oct. 31.

Family-operated.

6716 Hamilton Lebanon Road; garverfarmmarket.com.

Healthy Harvest Mobile Market Monday-Friday.

Times and locations vary: to see the schedule, check out page at facebook.com/healthyharvestmobile market.

TUESDAYS ty

Highland Heights/Campbell Coun-

3-6 p.m., May 18-Oct. 26.

Senior Citizens Activity Center, 3504 Alexandria Pike; facebook.com/ campbellcountyfarmmarket.

Oxford 4-7 p.m., May-October.

TJ Maxx-Moon Coop parking lot, 550 E. Locust St.; oxfordfarmersmarket.com .

Loveland 3-6 p.m., May-October.

Features weekly entertainment for all and activities for kids.

205 Broadway St.; lovelandfm.com.

Sayler Park 4-7 p.m. June-August.

This summer, the market will be hosting 30 diff erent vendors, wildlife education, a pet photographer, food trucks and live music.

Town Square Park on Parkland Avenue; facebook.com/ Saylerparkfarmersmarket.

WEDNESDAYS Blue Ash 3:30-7 p.m., May 12-Sept. 29.

Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road; summitparkblueash.com.

Fairfi eld 4-7 p.m., April-October.

Vegetables, seasonal and favorite baked goods, roasted coff ee, local honey, jelly and jams, locally made soaps and skincare products.

Fairfi eld Community Arts Center parking lot, 411 Wessel Drive; fairfi eld-city.org.

Fort Thomas 3-7 p.m. June-September, senior shopping starts at 2:45 p.m.

Mess Hall in Tower Park, 801 Cochran Ave.; fortthomasfarmersmarket.com.

Grant County

Michelle Kovach, owner and head baker of Crackling Crust Microbakery, serves up a variety of breads and other goodies at her booth at the Deerfi eld Farmer's Market in Kingswood Park in Deerfi eld Township. You can pre-order from cracklingcrust.com and pick up your fresh breads at the market.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday; May-October.

1505 N. Main St., Williamstown.

Liberty Township 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, year-round.

Wine tasting every Friday at 6 p.m.

5850 Princeton Road; libertyfarmmarket.com.

Madisonville Farm Stand 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, May 26-Oct. 14.

Lighthouse Green Learning Center, 5303 Ward St.; facebook.com/GroundworkORV. Milford 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, July-October; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June-October.

1025 Lila Ave.; milfordfarmersmarket.com.

Northside 4-7 p.m., year-round.

Pre-order, curbside pickup and delivery available (45223, 45224, 45232 only).

Hoff ner Park, 4222 Hamilton Ave.; northsidefm.org.

THURSDAYS Erlanger/Dixie Farmers Market 2-6 p.m., April 29-Oct. 28.

Erlanger Baptist Church, 116 Commonwealth Ave.; bestfarmersmarkets.org.

Madeira 4-7 p.m., May-October.

Bringing back live music, an occasional food truck and some programming for children this season.

Silverwood Presbyterian Church, 8000 Miami Ave.; madeirafarmersmarket.com.

Harrison 4-7 p.m., June-October.

300 George St.; farmersmarketonline.com.

Lebanon 3-7 p.m., mid May through mid October.

50 S. Broadway St.; lebanonohio.gov.

FRIDAYS

Alexandria/Campbell County 3-6 p.m. May-October.

7634 Alexandria Pike; facebook.com/ campbellcounty farmmarket.

Cheviot/Lettuce Eat Well 4-6 p.m. May-October.

Preorder only, open to all.

Cheviot Elementary School, 4040 Harrison Ave.; lewfm.org.

Grant County 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May-October.

140 S. Main St., Williamstown.

SATURDAYS Covington 9 a.m.-1 p.m., year-round.

325 Greenup St.; rcov.org/covfarmersmarket.

Crestview Hills 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May-mid October.

Parking lot of Abuelo’s, 2833 Dixie Highway; facebook.com/ CrestviewHillsFarmersMarket.

Deerfi eld Township 9 a.m.-noon, May-October.

Kingswood Park, 4188 Irwin Simpson Road; deerfi eldfarmersmarket.com.

Fort Mitchell/DCCH 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May-October.

75 Orphanage Road; dcchfarmersmarket.com.

Independence 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May 1-Oct. 30.

2001 Jackwoods Parkway; 41051.com/independence/farmers -market.

Montgomery 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., May-October.

You can sign up for the newsletter to see what’s fresh each week.

Montgomery Elementary Parking Lot, 9609 Montgomery Road; montgomeryfarmersmarket.org.

Newport/Campbell County 9 a.m.-noon, May 21-Oct. 30.

709 Monmouth St.; facebook.com/ campbellcounty farmmarket.

Over-the-Rhine/Findlay Market 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday, year-round.

Adrian Hess, son of Wendy Carpenter, owner of Christopher Farm in Modoc, Indiana, readies a bouquet of flowers for a customer at the Hyde Park Farmer's Market in Hyde Park Square.

The market is open each Sunday, 9:30-1 pm. Farmer's Markets are in full force across the region, offering up fresh produce, flowers and other local items every day of the week.

Robert and Beth Britton, along with daughter, Laura Sperry, sell produce at the Deerfi eld Farmer's Market in Kingswood Park in Deerfi eld Township.

Live music every Saturday.

1801 Race St.; fi ndlaymarket.org.

Oxford Uptown 9 a.m.-noon, year-round.

5 E. Church St.; oxfordfarmersmarket.com.

Pendleton County 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May 1-Oct. 31.

68 Fairgrounds Road, Falmouth, Kentucky; facebook.com/ PendletonFarmersMarket.

Sparta 9 a.m.-noon, every other Saturday, May 1-Sept. 25.

Sparta Quik Stop, 103 Main St. Walton and Verona 9 a.m.-1 p.m., April 10-Oct. 9.

11 School Road, Walton; facebook.com/WaltonVeronaHSFFA. West Chester 9 a.m.-1 p.m., May-Sept. 25.

The Square @ Union Centre, 9285 Centre Pointe Drive; westchesteroh.org.

SUNDAYS Hyde Park/Sundays on the Square 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May 31-Oct. 25.

Grab a bison burger, a smoothie or a breakfast taco while you shop, and bring your own reusable shopping bag.

Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Road; hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.

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Cambodian cafe serves up memories of love and loss in Kentucky Keith Pandolfi Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK

Inside Kampuchea Kitchen, T.C. Long and his wife, Karen, are the only ones working. The lunch crowd has thinned out to the point where I’m the only one left in the dining room. On a television, a woman sings beautiful songs in a language that I will never understand.

The restaurant is painted a deep shade of violet and decorated with trees and plants that I realize, upon further inspection, are artifi cial. Even so, the sunshine pouring in through the windows illuminates each synthetic leaf like an emerald, making them seem real. Buddhist statues are stationed throughout the room. Long tells me he and Karen wanted their restaurant to feel like a traditional cafe in Phnom Penh, where he grew up.

And although I’ve never been to Phnom Penh, and this is Fort Thomas, Kentucky, I have a feeling they succeeded.

The fi rst dish I order – a puff pastry fi lled with shredded chicken, mild curry and vegetables – is a sign that I haven’t been led astray by the good things I’ve heard about this place. The pastry is buttery, a little bit fl akey; the shredded chicken, peas and carrots immensely comforting and somewhat familiar as they remind me of Indian samosas.

Next comes a bowl of cold rice noodles with pickled papaya in a sweet and sour fi sh sauce. It’s seasoned with fresh herbs and delicious little hunks of stirfried chicken. It has all the fl avors I love – let’s call them clean fl avors: the fl avors of fi sh sauce, crunchy carrots and cucumbers.

Cambodian cuisine can be hard to pin down since it shares similarities with the cuisines of other places, including Thailand, southern China, India and Vietnam. Like those other cuisines, Cambodian food tells the story of colonialism and occupation; confl ict and displacement; separation and heartbreak. In a way, it tells the story of chef Long, himself.

Over a tall Khmer coff ee fi lled with pellet ice, he tells me how, after he was separated from his parents in 1979, he es-

Kampuchea Kitchen, in Ft. Thomas, is a Cambodian bistro founded in January 2020 by executive chef TC Long. ANN

caped the Khmer Rouge by fi nding a sponsor who got him to the United States. He tells me how he came to Cincinnati, alone, at the age of 14, in 1980. “I cried every night,” he tells me. And when he says that, I can immediately picture him as the lost and alone boy he was at 14, instead of the 60-something man who is sitting across from me.

A few years later, he put himself through culinary school at what was then Cincinnati Technical College and is now Cincinnati State. Eventually, his parents found him and moved to Ohio.

They lived long, happy lives here, but are now gone. Thankfully, his siblings are all still alive. He has four children. One from a previous marriage, the other three from his 30-year marriage to Karen.

After graduating from CTC, Long worked in restaurants ranging from Dante’s restaurant in Western Hills to a Holiday Inn in Orlando. He came back to Cincinnati and landed a job at Oriental Wok, where he worked for almost a quarter-century – eventually becoming its executive chef. That’s why you might have heard of Long before. He’s a big reason why Oriental Wok is the standardbearer when it comes to Asian food in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

After we fi nish talking, I go home to read more about Cambodian food. I learn that its hallmarks are freshwater fi sh from the Mekong River, fresh fruits such as the papayas and mangos and avocados that still grow on the streets of Phnom Penh. I read about the impor-

TC and Karen Long, photographed in their restaurant, Kampuchea Kitchen, a Cambodian bistro in Ft. Thomas. AMANDA ROSSMANN/ THE ENQUIRER

tance of lemongrass and galangal, ginger and kaffi r limes.

I go back on a Thursday afternoon and Long makes me another Khmer coff ee.

Similar to Vietnamese coff ee, it is made with chicory-infused coff ee and sweet, evaporated milk.

This time, I start with the bor bor, a rice porridge mixed with shredded chicken, the broth made with chicken stock, lemongrass and the whole thing topped with bean sprouts and scallions. It comes with a side of salty fermented soybeans, chili paste and lime. It’s a balanced dish, salty but refreshing; hearty but light; creamy but crunchy. It satisfi es something in me I never knew needed satisfying.

Like many Asian cuisines, Cambodian food is a melting pot of fl avors and techniques from other places, while remaining distinctly its own. During the French occupation of the country, it, like Vietnam, developed a fondness for the baguette. Which is why, like the more familiar banh mi sandwich from Vietnam, Long serves a num pang sandwich, served with pork, chicken or twa ko (a Cambodian sausage made with beef brisket, chuck, galangal and rice, among

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other ingredients). It’s topped with cucumber, pickled papaya, cilantro and chili aioli served on a chewy French baguette.

While the dish calls for liver terrine, pork pate or (Long’s favorite) minced sardines in tomato sauce, Long stays away from those ingredients fearing he’ll alienate his customers. Personally, I think they’d be fi ne with it. Long is happy to accommodate those seeking more authentic versions of his dishes.

For example, one of Cambodia’s most famous dishes, amok, a steamed fi sh curry, isn’t on the menu; but Long will make it for you (usually with halibut) provided you call in advance. It’s something Long is used to, especially from his Cambodian customers, some of whom travel from Louisville and West Virginia looking for something familiar.

Aside from the food, what’s notable about Kampuchea Kitchen is the arduous journey T.C. Long took to create it; the hard work it required to navigate his way through steakhouses, Holiday Inn kitchens and Cantonese restaurants to create something truly his own, and fi nally – after decades away from the place he was born – come back home.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

Mussels in the Classroom and River Explorer set to resume growth in fall

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13B

Rich Cogen

Ohio River Foundation

Whether they’re catching fi sh in a local waterway or observing fascinating freshwater animals without ever having to leave their classroom, students who participate in Ohio River Foundation’s education programs get a hands-on STEM learning experience they’ll remember.

This fall, Ohio River Foundation (ORF) will again offer both of its education programs. Mussels in the Classroom (MIC), the only program of its kind, has served 5,000 students in the Greater Cincinnati, Greater Columbus and Greater Lexington areas since its inception in 2017. It kicks off with an in-person or virtual visit by an ORF educator, who describes the freshwater mussels’ unusual characteristics and signifi cance to their ecosystems.

Although they clean water, acting as a natural fi lter for our waterways, most people know little about these important animals. Many species are threatened or endangered. Following the educator visit, mussels remain in the classroom for two weeks so students can care for and study them.

“We hope students come away with not only a better understanding of complex ecosystems, but also an appreciation for freshwater mussels,” said Rich Cogen, ORF’s executive director. “Considering that many mussel species are threatened or endangered, it’s critical for the public to understand the important role they fi ll.”

Enhancing the MIC program is a new environmental literacy off ering, “Russell the Mussel.” He’s a freshwater mussel not unlike those that inhabit the creeks, streams and rivers of the Ohio River watershed.

Russell is a character in a Virginia Tech/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service children’s book that bears his name.

ORF spearheaded eff orts to resurrect the book, which was previously out of print. The nonprofi t now distributes copies as part of the MIC program. Having a leave-behind benefi ts students who are reading/writing learners and reinforces the program’s themes.

MIC is open to grades K-12, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis on the program’s web page.

Multiple classes and whole grades can take part in this enrichment experience.

Curriculum coordinators can call 513-460-3365 for more information.

In addition to MIC, ORF off ers its perennially popular River Explorer program in Greater Cincinnati and

Feeding mussels is one of the many activities that engage students during the Mussels in the Classroom program. PROVIDED

Columbus. The inquiry-based fi eld trips let students be junior scientists for a day as they learn about the ecology and importance of the Ohio River and its watershed at area creeks, streams and rivers.

Open to grades four through 12, River Explorer includes three hands-on stations: 1) Catching, examining and identifying fi sh; 2) Collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates; and 3) River chemistry (grades six through 12) or water use and the water cycle (grades four and fi ve).

The River Explorer program is off ered in September, October, April and May. Greater Cincinnati fi eld trips take place at Nisbet Park and Lake Isabella Park in Loveland; Sycamore Park in Batavia; Sharon Woods Park in Sharonville; Pioneer Park in Covington; and Guilford Covered Bridge Park in Guildford, Indiana.

Columbus programs are at Highbanks MetroPark and

Gahanna Friendship Park. Registration for fall River Explorer fi eld trips is open through August 1 or until all spots are full on the program’s web page. (It is already at 50 percent capacity for fall 2021.)

More than 45,000 students have participated in River Explorer to date.

Support for ORF education programs is provided by the Charles Dater Foundation, Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, Toyota, Inc., The Gannett Foundation – Community Thrives, Honda Manufacturing, International Paper, The Gardner Family Foundation, PNC Charitable Trusts, Louise Taft Semple Foundation, and Valvoline, Inc. Ohio River Foundation (ORF) is dedicated to protecting and improving the water quality and ecology of the Ohio River and all waters in its 11-state watershed.

For more information, visit www.ohioriverfdn.org.

Courtney to Steel David & Laura; $395,000 9609 Averi Ct: Canter Joseph T & Jessica L to Raleigh Thomas & Lindsay; $315,000

1039 Anderson Ferry Rd: Smith Ryan & Lisa Hasselback to Brown Emily Jane; $177,000 271 Sebastian Ct: Wolfzorn Gary & Shannon to Gutierrez Hugo Humberto & Melissa Burke; $215,000 4124 Delhi Pk: Lu & Chen LLC to Lescala LLC; $310,000 4130 Delhi Pk: Lu & Chen LLC to Lescala LLC; $310,000 5457 Cleander Dr: Flower Patrick & Holly M to Dell Casey & Jacqueline; $205,000 825 Neeb Rd: Blersch Todd A to Vonderahe Joseph E & Austin J; $113,000

agement Inc to Istrate Daria; $139,900 1436 Beech Ave: Jpl Properties I LLC to Keytri Realty LLC; $65,000 1438 Beech Ave: Jpl Properties I LLC to Keytri Realty LLC; $65,000 1440 Beech Ave: Jpl Properties I LLC to Keytri Realty LLC; $65,000 1442 Beech Ave: Jpl Properties I LLC to Keytri Realty LLC; $65,000 1920 Grand Ave: Uy Samchith to Midfirst Bank; $59,151 420 Crestline Ave: Brenner & Jansen Properties Inc to Womack Cedrick; $5,899 454 Crestline Ave: Hall Tom to Bishop Jd & Marie; $68,541 636 Fairbanks Ave: Ditech Financial LLC to Sfr3 000 LLC; $77,500 926 Elberon Ave: Adepto Properties LLC to Johnson Jami L; $155,000

East Price Hill

Green Township

1032 Del Monte Pl: Meyer Management Inc to Brogan Amanda; $129,000 1431 Manss Ave: Bed & Breakfast Property Man-

Hickory Place Dr: Pflaum Daniel & Karen to Haverkos Stephanie Melissa; $65,000 2909 Jessup Rd: Purdy Jewel to Whitlock Sierra; $130,000 3169 Timberview Dr: Malott Paul C to Wolfenberg Justin & Shelley; $89,000 3328 Jessup Rd: Zeek Teresa M to Neal Melinda A; $260,000 3544 Locust Ln: Lampman Theresa M to Sfr3000 LLC; $110,000 3680 Rackacres Dr: V & G Rack Co to Harris Carl R & Douglas C; $200,000 3683 Rackacres Dr: V & G Rack Co to Harris Carl R & Douglas C; $200,000 3690 Rackacres Dr: V & G Rack Co to Harris Carl R & Douglas C; $200,000 3691 Rackacres Dr: V & G Rack Co to Harris Carl R & Douglas C; $200,000 4311 Race Rd: Ison Kathleen N Tr to Nusekabel Micholas T & Tomi M; $110,000 5065 Greenshire Dr: Me-

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Information provided by Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes

Addyston 200 First St: Stumpf Cheryl L to Devout And Devoted Servants Property Solutions LLC; $10,000

Carthage 242 Seventy-third St: Martinez Denis Alonzo Avila & Yesica Orduna Elias to Delgado Vanessa Vega; $40,000

Cheviot 3433 Miami Ct: Miller Zachary L to Goodall Charles G & Madie E; $142,200 3736 Frances Ave: Kalbli Eric N to Scherpenberg Scott Jordan & Bridget Klare; $84,000

Crosby Township 10548 Brigade Ct: Fort Scott Project I LLC C/o Ddc Mgmt to Nvr Inc; $60,266 10846 Park Dr: Nvr Inc to Thomas Lisa M; $229,545 10891 State Route 128: Denier Electric Co Inc to Mba Holdings Company

Ltd; $350,000 7278 Blue Rock Rd: Mba Holdings Company Ltd to Mcvey Industries LLC; $160,000

Delhi Township

PUZZLE ANSWERS O H S N A P

R O Y A L E

M O U S S E S

U P S T A T E

W I N T E R I C E H O T E L

O G L E S

L O E W E

D R I E S

B O S C S N H L E R S L A P D A S H

A U M R S E T E D S I N S C R A P I A L E N D E E D A C H O H A H R T A E S M E H D Q U I S E D I G I R O S I E H O S A T B L I Y E S

N E S T I N G

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U P E N D S

E L E C T R I C A L

T A T O O I N E

W A G E

E Y E S

C L A M S

H T W A E A R C R B Y T O I L S I D E B S O H O T E M O B O C R C C O H U K U L O N E T L O G Y A O R F A C A N A D A A N E R A T G I F C E E L M U E A R L E S L I E I L H A N F L I T S T E N E T

S H U T S L E A S T W I G S H O P S

F R E E H E A L T H C A R E

O N E T O N

E S P I E S

E R E A D E R

S A N T A N A

H O L L A

O P I U M

T E N S E

haffie Kelsey M & Christopher A to Elwell Mark D & Stephanie A; $504,000 5133 Breckenridge Dr: Hudepohl Chris A & Kristen M to Slade Eric Thomas & Allison Jo; $400,000 5315 Timberchase Ct: Robinson Pamela to Washam Samantha & David A Goodman; $200,000 5342 Werk Rd: Poston Paul R & Lisa M to Rutledge Wanda J; $93,500 5364 Werk Rd: Barnett Ruth Ann to Mangoldlenett Samuel M; $95,000 5371 Sidney Rd: Leisgang Diane to Colina Melissa; $177,900 5588 West Fork Rd: Barlow Andrew N & Jennifer S to Meyer Christopher & Lucy; $350,000 5988 Harrison Ave: Erop LLC to Gty Auto Service LLC; $3,444,444 6182 Berauer Rd: Gelhaus Brian M to Bassette Thanaa M; $197,950 6850 Bridgetown Rd: R D J Property & Development Ltd to Storm Shield LLC; $520,000 6929 Mary Joy Ct: Moeller Debra A to Gibson Robert M & Deborah B; $435,000 7029 Elizabeths Oak Ct: Schira Daniel A & Jenna M to Soaper Ashley Lauren & Matthew David; $320,000 8167 Bridge Point Dr: Hayes Douglas A to Flower Patrick Michael & Holly Michelle; $305,000

Harrison 1585 Whitewater Trails Blvd: Nvr Inc to Ranson Debra Lynn & Anita Auch; $313,415 300 State St: Moore Cherese A to Aplha Demolition Inc; $50,000 8973 Camberley St: Westhaven Development LLC to Nvr Inc; $56,228 8990 Camberley St: Westhaven Development LLC to Nvr Inc; $56,228 9508 Summer Ridge Dr: Shoemaker Matthew &

Harrison Township 10703 West Rd: Herman Beverly to Wenneman Mallorie E; $175,000

Miami Township Southpointe Dr: Hummel David L Tr to Hummel David R; $329,000 4124 St Cloud Wy: Del Negro Angela M & Anthony M Del Negro to Schroer Mary Jane & Thomas C; $399,000 7294 Southpointe Dr: Hummel David L Tr to Hummel David R; $329,000 7615 Dog Trot Rd: Hamlin Maxine R to Correll Home Remodeling LLC; $115,000

Sayler Park 208 Whipple St: Mih Holdings LLC to Lgh Properties LLC; $70,500 6214 Hillside Ave: Mih Holdings LLC to Lgh Properties LLC; $70,500

South Cumminsville 1793 Weber St: Mitchell Areda Tr to Living For A Living LLC; $5,200

South Fairmount 2544 St Leo Pl: Kwm Enterprises LLC to Mod Rs Holdings LLC; $48,000

West Price Hill 3831 St Lawrence Ave: Berninger Dale to 11b Rei Ltd; $46,000 4316 Foley Rd: Wilder Denise to Wilder Freddie L Jr; $105,000 4326 Eighth St: Atas Chemda & Yehezkel to 844 Lexington LLC; $93,000 4930 Ferguson Pl: F6 Holdings LLC to Puac Walter Vasquez; $162,500 4946 Ralph Ave: B A D Holdings LLC to Larsen James K; $187,000

508 Delridge Dr: Arnold Cherly A to Venneman Janet Catherine; $70,690 5218 Highview Dr: Gugger Gregory F & Cindy K to Gugger Alex Maxwell; $112,900 711 Trenton Ave: Wolf Kevin L to Oaks Property Group LLC; $70,000 715 Wilbud Dr: Walton Joyce to Lewis Ebony; $135,000 834 Harris Ave: M4 Enterprises LLC to Dto Properties Group LLC; $45,000

Westwood 2400 Nova Ave: Young Allen D to Welling Craig; $117,500 2431 Mustang Dr: Ikeneku Edward A to Radiance Group Ohio LLC; $34,000 2759 Shaffer Ave: Oaks Property Group LLC to Sfr3-000 LLC; $72,500

Whitewater Township 6736 Front St: Schnapp Lisa D to Schunk Walter G; $35,000

Obituaries Dorothy “Dot” Schaefer (nee Blum) loving mother of Denise (David), Douglas (Lorie) Schaefer and Sandy Dennedy. Devoted grandmother and Cherished great grandmother. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at age 89. Visitation Monday, June 28 from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM at the Vitt, Stermer & Anderson Funeral Home. Funeral Mass to follow at 10 AM at St. Dominic Church. www.vittstermeranderson.com

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