August 2023

August 2023

Summermusik

Giving USA annual report

Lost legacy of the letter

Preparing children to thrive

FOCUS ON Early Childhood Education

Chara Fisher Jackson

Ninety percent of a child’s brain is formed by age 5. Let that sink in a minute …

How much emphasis do we, as a society, place on nurturing those young brains? Why aren’t we doing more? And what is the best way and best environment for optimizing this development of young minds?

We decided to ask the experts, so this month we hear from Chara Fisher Jackson, CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, about her passion and the work her organization is doing. Shauna Steigerwald’s profile of Chara is on Page 34. We sought input from five others in the field as to the most important factors, obstacles and opportunities within early child education. See our panel’s responses on Page 36. And we asked organizations in this subsector to nominate their Notables doing great work in early child development. See who was put forward on Page 30.

If it’s August, it must be time for Summermusik, produced by the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. David Lyman spoke with Music Director Eckart Preu and guest artists about their contributions to this year’s unique programming. See Page 8.

Polly Campbell reflects on the lost art of letter writing, the value and permanence of paper, and what is lost within our world of electronic disposability. Seems like a great topic for a print magazine, right? Thanks, Polly!

As we look ahead to the always crazy fall season, please make sure we know about your upcoming

events. And speaking of events, have you been to an M&M Happy Hour yet? See Page 55 for photos from July’s gathering (and RSVP code for this month). No agenda. No speeches. Just networking and friendmaking. We hope to see you on Aug. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kinley Hotel, Seventh and Race streets, downtown.

Thanks for bringing us into your lives.

Thom & Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers

Elizabeth & Thom Mariner, copublishers; Doug Bolton, board chair

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For their work on this issue, our gratitude to:

• Tess Brown and Ray Cooklis, associate editors

• Phil Fisher, copy editor

• Wendell Gibbs Jr., cover story photographer

• All the nonprofits who contributed news and photos.

Arts coverage supported by:

Publishing schedule

www.moversmakers.org/publishing-schedule

© Copyright 2023 Movers & Makers Publishing

We make every effort to verify information submitted for publication (print and online), but are not responsible for incorrect information or misidentified photos provided to us.

Readers are advised to confirm event dates and other important details and check for last-minute changes with the organizations or advertisers involved.

Publication of this magazine and its website (www.MoversMakers.org) does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any information contained within, including advertisements and links. Movers & Makers Publishing is a nonprofit with fiscal sponsorship provided by Cincinnati Cares.

The publishers at Cincinnati Opera’s “The Knock.”

Tim Schroeder named 2023

Metropolitan Award honoree

Sponsorships for NOV. 9 AWARDS PROGRAM available. For more information: https://bit.ly/3pBGFL5

Arts/Culture

Nostalgia reigns with

1940s Day at Museum Center

The 1940s are alive and flourishing at Cincinnati Museum Center’s 1940s Day, an annual event returning Aug. 26 at historic Union Terminal and its frozen-in-time architecture.

The event inside and outside the station will celebrate music, fashion, vehicles and people who shaped the pivotal era, with live big band music, dancing, a classic car show, costume contest and more.

In the 1940s, Union Terminal buzzed with activity as World War II greatly increased traffic through the train station. More than 3 million American troops traveled through the station, nearly a fifth of the nation’s soldiers who served. The

nation’s first USO Troops-inTransit lounge opened in Union Terminal, offering service to all troops, regardless of race, at a time when much of the country was still segregated.

“Union Terminal was built and opened in the 1930s but it really shined in the 1940s,” said Elizabeth Pierce, president and CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center. The 1940s Day offers an opportunity “to learn about this moment in history in a vibrant way and to enjoy a bit of Union Terminal’s younger days,” Pierce said.

1940s Day activities are included with museum admission and are free for CMC members.

 www.cincymuseum.org

Plan launched to save Regal Theater, revitalize West End

A plan to save and redevelop the historic Regal Theater at 1201 Linn St. has been launched by Toilynn O’Neal Turner, the Katalyst Group, The Port and other partners as part of an effort to revitalize Cincinnati’s West End.

The collaborators plan to turn the theater into the Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center (ROMAC), a hub with galleries, art and design studios, a co-working space for Black creatives, a meeting and performance space, and a streetfacing retail/entertainment venue.

“I’m so thrilled that we’re revitalizing the Regal to its rightful place

as a community treasure in the West End,” said Turner, founding director of ROMAC and daughter of iconic Cincinnati artist Robert O’Neal, who passed away in 2018. “The theater has a rich history and cultural significance in the West End community. But taking back the Regal is only the beginning. Not only do we want to save the theater. We also want to restore the vibrancy once found in the West End.”

Renovation is slated to be completed in 2025. ROMAC is looking to raise $13 million for the project.

 www.theromac.org

Women in jazz to be celebrated in August at Seasongood

Cincinnati’s It’s Commonly Jazz series, in its 39th year, will present five nights of live jazz at Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion on Thursday evenings during August.

The series’ theme this year is “Jazz Feeds My Soul,” showcasing the legacy of women in jazz with a lineup of artists from our region and from around the world.

A local summer tradition for nearly four decades, It’s Commonly Jazz is dedicated to encouraging a love for music, preserving the art of jazz, celebrating community and building connections.

Seasongood performances, all 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays, are: Aug. 3, Camille Saba Smith Jazz Ensemble; Aug. 10, Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye with Phil DeGreg Trio; Aug. 17, We Create Jazz presented by Jazz Alive;

Aug. 24, Camille Thurman with Darrell Green Quartet and Aug. 31, Lavieena Campbell and Her Big Band.

The series is also sponsoring monthly Final Friday Jazz nights at Findlay Market, with Marc Fields featured on Aug. 25.

 www.itscommonlyjazz.com

Camille Thurman performs with the Darrell Green Quartet Aug. 24.

The Regal Theater in Cincinnati’s West End

1940s Day at Cincinnati Museum Center celebrates big band music, the soundtrack of the era.

Vintage cars outside Union Terminal for 1940s Day

All recitals at 3 PM

Daneshpour PIANO

Sunday, September 17, 2023

“She created transfixing poetry.” The Washington Post

Marika Bournaki

Sunday, October 29, 2023

“Schwarz’s deep tone shoots straight to the heart of a listener.” Shepherd Express

Jasmine Choi FLUTE

ChangYong Shin PIANO

Sunday, November 19, 2023

“One of best flutists in the history of music”

Sinfini Magazine

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Won First Prize in the Brass Category at the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition

Tickets: MemorialHallOTR.org or 513-977-8838

Sunday, April 21, 2024

“Pati surprises…one of the most beautiful tenor voices of the moment...”

—Christophe Rizoud, Forum Opera

“Edris…A magnetic presence.” Opera News

MatineeMusicaleCincinnati.org

PIANO

Julian Schwarz CELLO

CINCINNATI DEBUT

CINCINNATI DEBUT

Robert Mollicone PIANO

Pene Pati & Amina Edris TENOR and SOPRANO

AMINA EDRIS CINCINNATI DEBUT

Donna Loewy PIANO

Yun Zeng FRENCH HORN

Summermusik 2023: Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s musical adventure

“Pretty ambitious stuff here,” read the email from a friend, a notable local musician.

He wasn’t bragging. Rather, he had attached a press release that featured the lineup for the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s 2023 Summermusik festival.

The friend wasn’t wrong. As with every other season since its founding in 2015, this year’s edition of Summermusik is filled with offerings that are quirky and ingenious in the ways that they explore the nooks and crannies of the orchestral repertoire.

Don’t be misled by the “chamber music” part of CCO’s name. Under the leadership of music director Eckart Preu, CCO has developed into an ensemble willing to go almost anywhere, musically speaking. What’s more, Maestro Preu makes it all so intriguing that the audience willingly tags along for the adventure.

Is it occasionally challenging? Absolutely. But it is always intellectually invigorating. And sometimes downright entertaining.

Preu makes us pay attention in ways that we might not otherwise do. He cobbles together unusual pairings of music. Not just unusual, but really unusual. He delivers performances in the most unexpected venues. And once we’re there, he dares us to open our eyes and ears and let the music envelop us.

“Staying with the tried and true – that would be the death of orchestras,” said Preu. “Orchestras – all arts organizations, actually –have been struggling. We have to continue to find new and interesting ways to get audiences to come back. Because when they do come back, they rediscover what they’ve been missing. They fall in love with the music all over again.”

And Summermusik, he feels, is the ideal forum for that. As he told Movers & Makers last year, within the context of Summermusik “anything is possible.”

So the 2023 festival will begin with Beethoven. But not just any Beethoven. The first concert opens with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 10 – the work that Beethoven left uncompleted when he died in 1827. In 1988, using the generous musical scraps the composer left behind, musicologist Barry Cooper recreated the first two movements of what he imagined Beethoven might have written. (Musicians working with artificial intelligence programs created their own version of Beethoven’s 10th in 2019.)

The Aug. 5 performance also includes pianist and impresario Awadagin Pratt performing

the world premiere of Cees Nieuwenhuizen’s reconstruction of Beethoven’s unfinished Piano Concerto No. 6. The closing work on the all-Beethoven program is a performance of Symphony No. 5, incorporating an actor from The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati as the composer.

“People want to be entertained,” said Preu. “But they also want something that is deep and intimate, something that will stay with them for a while. That is the sort of thing that we are all about.”

Each of the 13 presentations during the month-long festival comes with its own set of surprises.

For instance, there are a pair of Bach programs; “The Bachs: A Musical Dynasty” (Aug. 12) and “Sons of Bach” (Aug. 13). Both feature flutist Mimi Stillman. And like the Beethoven concert, nothing is quite as you might expect it.

Stillman was something of a child prodigy. Admitted as an undergraduate at the Curtis Institute of Music when she was 12, she followed up with a master’s in history from the University of Pennsylvania. That was all by the time she was 21.

By David Lyman

From there, she went on to found Philadelphia’s Dolce Suono Ensemble and its performance series in 2005. “We’ve performed 66 world premieres,” she crowed.

She is, by any definition, an inveterate overachiever. In 2012, for instance, she set out to record herself playing Debussy’s “Syrinx” every day for a year, no matter where she was. Then, she posted the results on YouTube. You can see all 385 performances (including 20 “bonus” performances): www.youtube.com/@ SyrinxJourney.

The historian in her was excited to be included in the Bach programs, especially since the repertoire wasn’t run-of-the-mill and she would have a chance to put the music into some sort of historical context.

“I don’t think it’s enough just to know a piece of music,” said Stillman. “You also need to know what was going on in the world when it was created. It affords a much deeper understanding of the music.”

Squeezed in among all the Bach, she adds, she’ll be playing the world premiere of Zhou Tian’s Flute Concerto, co-commissioned by CCO.

Particularly noteworthy will be the appearance of Arturo Sandoval. He’s a near-legendary jazz trumpet player, a winner of 10 Grammy Awards, an Emmy for his compositions and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He’s 73 now, well past the age that most brass

Tessa Lark

Arturo Sandoval

Awadagin Pratt

P hoto by ere M y l ock

P hoto by l aura

D esberg

players – especially energetic soloists like him – step away from live performances.

“Not me,” he insists. “The problem with success is that no one cares tonight what you played last night. You always have to give 100%. You have to keep that standard high. With age, it’s difficult to maintain, to try to keep the standard you established long ago. But,” he says, laughing heartily, “it’s not impossible. You will see.”

He was raised in Artemisa, Cuba, a coffee-growing center a little more than an hour’s drive from Havana. As a preteen, he began playing in village bands. But as his talent became more apparent, he was sent to the then-new Cuban National School of Arts. It offered a fairly traditional conservatory training.

“But one day, a journalist talked to me and asked if I was familiar with jazz,” he said. “But to be honest, I didn’t really know what that was. He played for me a vinyl record, a compilation of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker from 1946 or 1947. ‘Oh, my goodness, what is that,’ I said. He said ‘That is jazz, my friend.’ I didn’t know exactly what that meant. But I decided I was going to try to play it.”

Within a decade, he was touring the world with Gillespie. And during one of those tours, Gillespie accompanied him to the American embassy in Athens, where Sandoval requested political asylum.

“The rest is history, my friend,” he said. “And for me, it has been a very good, very lucky history.”

Like Sandoval, violinist Tessa Lark took an unorthodox journey into her musical career. Born

and raised in Richmond, Ky., she started her formal violin training in Suzuki classes at age 6. But long before that, she was already enmeshed in the world of gospel bluegrass, listening to her father, Bob Frederick, play the banjo. (You can see them perform together: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IWS-hbT01D0)

With a background like that, it’s hardly a surprise that her two CCO performances will include everything from Antonín Dvořák to Jessie Montgomery, from Scott Joplin to Michael Torke.

Predictably, she is regularly asked how she manages to bob back and forth from classical to bluegrass and to perform both so proficiently.

“When people ask that, I usually relate it to being bilingual,” she said. “I used to be so shy about playing bluegrass. But with the surge of interest in American folk music, with the confluence of that and classical music, I get much more encouragement than I did when I was younger.”

She recalls being 9 years old and playing with 75-year-old bluegrass legends.

“I was just learning the tunes as they completely shred on them,” she said. “It was an amazing way to grow up. And it’s something that never leaves you.”

But even as her classical career has soared, she hears the occasional pushback about her split musical interests.

“I think there is still hesitancy when you try to book a Brahms concerto,” she said. “Just yesterday I was nerding out over Brahms. Sometimes you sense them thinking ‘Isn’t she an Americana player?’

There is still that pushback about an artist doing multiple things at high standards. That’s one of the things I really like about Summermusik. It’s about all kinds of music. And it is all treated with equal respect. It’s refreshing. And it’s inspiring, because I know I’ll never stop being curious about different styles of music.” 

Summermusik 2023, featured guest artists

Awadagin Pratt, piano

Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m.

“Beethoven Reconstructed”

(SCPA Corbett Theater)

Aug. 6, 4 p.m. “Sound of Silence”

(Knox Presbyterian Church)

Mimi Stillman, flute

Aug. 12 , 7:30 p.m.

“The Bachs: A Musical Dynasty” (Christ Church Cathedral)

Aug. 13, 4 p.m.

“Sons of Bach” (Northminster Church)

Arturo Sandoval, trumpet

Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.

“A Night in Havana”

(SCPA Corbett Theater)

Aug. 20, 4 p.m.

“Afro-Cuban Afternoon”

(Roger Bacon HS Performing Arts Center)

Tessa Lark, violin

Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.

“Fiddlin’ Folk”

(The Barn)

Aug. 26, 4 p.m. “Americana” (SCPA Corbett Theater)

 More Summermusik concerts at www.ccocincinnati.org

Mimi Stillman

The A/C List

Cultural Exhibits/Tours

American Legacy Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 859-951-8560. www.americanlegacytours.com

ƒ Historic tours

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. www.americansignmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection

Archaeological Research Institute | Lawrenceburg. 812-290-2966. www.exploreari.org

ƒ Hands-on educational experiences

ArtWorks Mural Tours | www.artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ Walking tours of Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine and Downtown

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. www.bcmuseum.org

ƒ Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky

Brewing Heritage Trail Tour Center | Brewery District, Over-the-Rhine. 513604-9812. www.brewingheritagetrail.org

ƒ Exploring Queen City brewing heritage

Cincinnati Fire Museum | Downtown. 513-621-5553. www.cincyfiremuseum.com

ƒ Permanent collection

Cincinnati Food Tours | Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine. 513602-5602. www.cincinnatifoodtours.com

ƒ Exploring Queen City food heritage

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. www.cincymuseum.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 4. “Bricktionary: The Ultimate LEGO® A-Z”

Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford. www.cincynature.org

ƒ Trails and ponds amidst old-growth forest

Cincinnati Type & Print Museum | Lower Price Hill. www.cincinnatitypeprintmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection of equipment, tools and artifacts

Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale. 513-281-4700. www.cincinnatizoo.org

ƒ World-class fauna and flora

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2787. www.friendsofmusichall.org

ƒ Indoor and outdoor tours of Music Hall

Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664. www.police-museum.org

ƒ Permanent collection

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. www.stowehousecincy.org

ƒ Explores history and impact of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author

Heritage Village Museum | Sharonville. 513-563-9484.

www.heritagevillagecincinnati.org

ƒ Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. History Alive Days

ƒ Aug. 23, 6-8 p.m. Period Dinner

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate. 513-487-3055.

www.holocaustandhumanity.org

ƒ Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibitions regarding the Holocaust

Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513-421-4086. www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ Thru Oct. 22. “First Flowers.” From Applied Imagination – man-made botanical sculptures of tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, pterosaur and more

Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. www.lloydlibrary.org

ƒ Permanent exhibit: George Rieveschl Jr.: History of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Milford Historical Society | Milford. 513-248-0324. www.milfordhistory.net

ƒ Permanent exhibit: Historical displays of art, artifacts and more

Mt. Adams Civic Association | Mt. Adams. 513-235-3957. www.mtadamscincy.org

ƒ Historic walking tours

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks, downtown. 513-333-7500. www.freedomcenter.org

ƒ Permanent collection exploring themes of individual freedom

RAPTOR Inc. | Milford. www.raptorinc.org

ƒ Aug. 27, 1-4 p.m. Open house for birds of prey sanctuary

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. 513-221-1875. csm.huc.edu

ƒ Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience”

White Water Shaker Village | Harrison. www.whitewatervillage.org

ƒ Historic site

Fairs/Festivals/Markets

Camp Washington Farmer’s Market | Valley Park, Camp Washington. www.wavepoolgallery.org

ƒ Thursdays, 4-6 p.m. Regional market

Charm at the Farm Markets | Lebanon. www.charmatthefarm.com

ƒ Aug. 18-20. Vintage market

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7031. www.cincymuseum.org

ƒ Aug. 26. 1940s Day, re-enactment

City Flea | Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine. www.thecityflea.com

ƒ Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Eclectic arts and crafts fair

Covington Farmers Market | Braxton Brewing Company, Covington. www.greatneighborhoods.org

ƒ Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Regional market

EquaSion | Cintas Center and virtual. www.equasion.org

ƒ Aug. 27, 1-5 p.m. Festival of Faiths

Findlay Market | Over-the-Rhine. www.findlaymarket.org

ƒ Ohio’s oldest surviving municipal market house

Glier’s Goettafest | Newport’s Festival Park. www.goetta.com/goettafest

ƒ Thru Aug. 6. Celebrating Cincinnati’s unique food offering

Great Inland Seafood Festival | Newport’s Festival Park. www.thingstodocincinnati.com

ƒ Aug. 10-13. Everything seafood

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market | Hyde Park Square. www.hydeparkfarmersmarket.com

ƒ Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Regional market

Madeira Farmers Market | Dawson Road at Miami Avenue, Madeira. www.madeirafarmersmarket.com

ƒ Thursdays, 4-7 p.m. Local growers and purveyors

Northside Farmers Market | Heart of Northside, Northside. www.northsidefm.org

ƒ Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. Regional food and beverage market

Northside Summer Market | Throughout Northside. www.northsidesummermarket.com

ƒ Aug. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Neighborhood yard sale

Ohio River Paddlefest | Schmidt Recreation Complex, East End. www.ohioriverpaddlefest.org

ƒ Aug. 5, Open padding on the Ohio

Second Sunday on Main | Main Street, Over-the-Rhine. www.facebook.com

ƒ Aug. 13, noon-5 p.m. eclectic street festival

Film

The Barn / ARTFlix | Mariemont. 513-272-3700.www.artatthebarn.org

ƒ Aug. 10, 7 p.m. “Show Me The Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall”

Indian Film Festival | Cincinnati Art Museum and Mariemont Theatre. www.iffcincy.com/indian-film-festival

ƒ Aug. 17-20. Films from from Indian sub-continent and South Asia

NightLight 513 | Covington Plaza. www.nightlight513.com

ƒ Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. www.woodwardtheater.com

ƒ Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m. “Return to Dust”

Ziegler Park | Pendleton. www.zieglerpark.org

ƒ Aug. 2, 9 p.m. “You’ve Got Mail”

ƒ Aug. 9, 9 p.m. “The Super Mario Bros Movie”

ƒ Aug. 16, 9 p.m. “Jurassic Park”

ƒ Aug. 23, 9 p.m. “E.T.”

ƒ Aug. 30, 9 p.m. “Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade”

Literary/Lectures

Barnes & Noble | Virtual. 513-9725146. https://stores.barnesandnoble.com

ƒ Aug. 8, 4 p.m. Discussion: Adrienne Brodeur “Little Monsters”

Cincinnati Poetry Slam | Artsville, Madisonville.

www.cincinnatipoetryslam.com

ƒ Aug. 12, 5 p.m. Poetry competition and arts showcase

Cincinnati Preservation Association | The Porch, Washington Park.

www.cincinnatipreservation.org

ƒ Aug. 1, 5 p.m. Preservation in the Park: Mike Morgan, Potters Field of Price Hill

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills Branch Library 513-751-0651. www.stowehousecincy.org

ƒ Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m. Semi-Colon Club Book Discussion: “How the Word is Passed” by Clint Smith

Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Rookwood Commons, Norwood. 513-396-8960. www.josephbeth.com

ƒ Aug. 9, 7 p.m. Discussion: Shari Lapena “Everyone Here is Lying” (virtual)

ƒ Aug. 22, 7 p.m. Discussion: Taylor Byas “I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times”

Arts Alliance | Cottell Park, Mason. 513-309-8585. www.the-arts-alliance.org

ƒ Aug. 1, 6 p.m. Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

ArtsWave | Ghost Baby, Over-the-Rhine. www.artswave.org

ƒ Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. & 9:15 p.m. “The Art of Songwriting: Songwriter Round”

Behringer-Crawford Museum, Music@BCM | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. www.bcmuseum.org

ƒ Aug. 3, 7-9 p.m. Easy Tiger

ƒ Aug. 10, 7-9 p.m. Losing Lucky

ƒ Aug. 17, 7-9 p.m. Tickled Pink

ƒ Aug. 24, 7-9 p.m. Hot Magnolias

Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. www.bogarts.com

ƒ Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. Alexandra Kay

ƒ Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. Band of Horses

ƒ Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m. Better Than Ezra

ƒ Aug. 15, 7 p.m. The Warning

Brady Music Center | The Banks. www.bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Incubus

ƒ Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. Marcus King, Charley Crockett, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

ƒ Aug. 23, 7 p.m. Alter Bridge, Sevendust, MJT

ƒ Aug. 29, 8 p.m. Dominic Fike

ƒ Aug. 31, 8 p.m. Daniel Caesar, Montell Fish

Bromwell’s Hearth Lounge | Downtown. www.bromwellshearthroom.com

ƒ Wednesday-Saturday. Live jazz

Caffe Vivace | Walnut Hills. 513-601-9897. www.caffevivace.com

ƒ Most evenings, live jazz

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Summermusik 2023 | 513-723-1182. www.ccocincinnati.org

ƒ Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m. “Beethoven Reconstructed” (SCPA Corbett Theater)

ƒ Aug. 6, 4 p.m. “Sound of Silence” (Knox Presbyterian Church)

ƒ Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. “Howlin’ Winds” (Go Bananas)

ƒ Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m. “The Bachs: A Musical Dynasty” (Christ Church Cathedral)

ƒ Aug. 13, 4 p.m. “Sons of Bach” (Northminster Church)

ƒ Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m. “Sweet or Tart?” (Urban Artifact)

ƒ Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. “Return of Chamber Rock” (The Redmoor)

ƒ Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT “Return of Chamber Rock” (The Redmoor)

ƒ Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m. “A Night in Havana”

(SCPA Corbett Theater)

ƒ Aug. 20, 4 p.m. “Afro-Cuban Afternoon”

(Roger Bacon HS Performing Arts Center)

ƒ Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. Commentary & Film

Screening “Buena Vista Social Club”

(Esquire Theatre)

ƒ Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m. “Fiddlin’ Folk”

(The Barn)

ƒ Aug. 26, 4 p.m. “Americana”

(SCPA Corbett Theater)

Cincinnati Parks | www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ Wednesdays & Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Acoustic Lunch Series (Piatt Park)

Music at the Esplanade (Smale Riverfront Park)

ƒ Aug. 5, 5 p.m. Tracy Walker

ƒ Aug. 12, 5 p.m. Run Katie Run

ƒ Aug. 19, 5 p.m. The Traveling Jam

ƒ Aug. 26, 5 p.m. Gettier

ƒ Sawyer Point Summer Concert Series:

ƒ Aug. 5, 4 p.m. Cliftones

ƒ Aug. 5, 6 p.m. 500 Miles to Memphis

ƒ Aug. 5, 8 p.m. Husbands

ƒ Ault Park Summer Music Festival:

ƒ Aug. 17, 6 p.m. Floyd and the Walkman

Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Wednesdays in the Woods | Burnet Woods Bandstand. 513-497-2860. www.cliftonculturalarts.org

ƒ Aug. 2, 7-9 p.m. Jake Speed & the Freddies

ƒ Aug. 9, 7-9 p.m. Remember

Concerts on the Commons | Winton and Farragut, Greenhills. www.greenhillsohio.us

ƒ Aug. 2, 7 p.m. Mickey James and the Queen City Crew

ƒ Aug. 9, 7 p.m. Ben Levin Band

ƒ Aug. 16, 7 p.m. Wyoming Winds

ƒ Aug. 23, 7 p.m. Pandora Effect

ƒ Aug. 30, 7 p.m. Easy Tiger

Fountain Square, Jazz at the Square | Downtown. 513-621-4400. www.myfountainsquare.com

ƒ Aug. 1, 5 p.m. Wendell Anderson

ƒ Aug. 8, 5 p.m. George Carpten IV

(Miles Davis’s early years)

ƒ Aug. 15, 5 p.m. Phil DeGreg

(music of Chick Corea)

ƒ Aug. 22, 5 p.m. Marc Fields

(music of Jazz Crusaders)

ƒ Aug. 29, 5 p.m. Eric Lechleiter

(music of Clifford Brown)

Great Parks of Hamilton County, Burgers & Brews | Lake Isabella Boathouse. 513-521-7275. www.greatparks.org

ƒ Aug. 11, 6-9 p.m. Katie Pritchard

ƒ Aug. 25, 6-9 p.m. Meg Kecskes

Groovin’ on the Green | Fairfield. www.fairfield-city.org

ƒ Aug. 3, 7 p.m. Forever Diamond

ƒ Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Steven Page, formerly of Barenaked Ladies

ƒ Aug. 24, 7 p.m. The Evil Ways Band

ƒ Aug. 31, 7 p.m. The Fortunate Sons

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. www.hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m. Beach Boys

ƒ Aug. 26, 7 p.m. Live w/Fuel

Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. www.heritagebankcenter.com

ƒ Aug. 26, 7 p.m. Barry Manilow

It’s Commonly Jazz | Seasongood Pavilion, Eden Park. www.itscommonlyjazz.com

ƒ Aug. 3, 6 p.m. Camille Saba Smith Jazz Ensemble

ƒ Aug. 10, 6 p.m. Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye with the Phil DeGreg Trio

ƒ Aug. 17, 6 p.m. We Create Jazz Ensemble presented by Jazz Alive

ƒ Aug. 24, 6 p.m. Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet

ƒ Aug. 31, 6 p.m. Lavieena Campbell and Her Big Band with special guests Deborah Hunter and Camille Saba Smith

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | 859-431-6216. www.kyso.org

ƒ Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m. “Too Hot to Handel” (Devou Park)

ƒ Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m. “Too Hot to Handel” (Tower Park)

Linton Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions

| 513-381-6868. www.lintonmusic.org/pbj

Jazzy Jams:

ƒ Aug. 9, 10:30 a.m. (Boone County Public Library, Hebron Branch)

ƒ Aug. 10, 10:30 a.m. (Symmes Township Branch Public Library)

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. www.ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ Aug. 3, 8:30 p.m. Marcus Miller

ƒ Aug. 4, 8:30 p.m. Maysa

ƒ Aug. 10, 8:30 p.m. Drivin N Cryin

ƒ Aug. 11, 8:30 p.m. The Samples

ƒ Aug. 17, 8:30 p.m. Edwin McCain

ƒ Aug. 18, 8:30 p.m. JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience

ƒ Aug. 19, 8:30 p.m. Morgan James

ƒ Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m. Angel

ƒ Aug. 25, 8:30 p.m. EagleMania

ƒ Aug. 26, 8:30 p.m. Black Flag

ƒ Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. tu:NER

ƒ Aug. 31, 8:30 p.m. Ottmar Liebert

Madison Theater | Covington. 859-491-2444. www.madisontheater.com

ƒ Aug. 4, 7:15 p.m. Arbor

ƒ Aug. 5, 8 p.m. Millie Oliver & The Missing Pieces

ƒ Aug. 6, 7 p.m. Smile Empty Soul

ƒ Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. Sparta

ƒ Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. Shallow Side

ƒ Aug. 11, 8 p.m. Parker Barrow

ƒ Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. Bastardane

ƒ Aug. 18, 8 p.m. The Stolen Faces

ƒ Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m. Devon Allman Project

ƒ Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. Asian Doll

MegaCorp Pavilion | Ovation, Newport. www.promowestlive.com

ƒ Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Death Grips

ƒ Aug. 9, 6 p.m. Mastodon, Gojira, Lorna Shore

Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. www.memorialhallotr.com

ƒ Aug. 16, 8 p.m. Al Stewart and The Empty Pockets

ƒ Aug. 17, 8 p.m. Asleep at the Wheel

ƒ Aug. 31, 8 p.m. Darlingside

The Redmoor | Mt. Lookout Square. www.theredmoor.com

ƒ Most Fridays & Saturdays. Rock, R&B and jazz

Riverbend Music Center | Coney Island. 513-232-6220. www.riverbend.org

ƒ Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Dwight Yoakam

ƒ Aug. 5, 7 p.m. Boy George & Culture Club

ƒ Aug. 10, 7 p.m. Lindsey Stirling

ƒ Aug. 13, 4 p.m. Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Gov’t Mule, Kathleen Edwards, Particle Kid

ƒ Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. Disturbed

ƒ Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. Ghost

ƒ Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Luke Bryan

ƒ Aug. 18, 7 p.m. Goo Goo Dolls

ƒ Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. Jethro Tull

ƒ Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m. James Taylor

ƒ Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m. ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd

ƒ Aug. 26, 8 p.m. 5 Seconds of Summer

ƒ Aug. 29, 8 p.m. Pentatonix

ƒ Aug. 30, 7 p.m. The Offspring w/ Simple Plan and Sum 41

ƒ Sept. 5, 8 p.m. Smashing Pumpkins

ƒ Sept. 9, 1:30 p.m. Ohio is for Lovers Festival

ƒ Sept. 13, 6 p.m. Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper

ƒ Sept. 28, 7 p.m. Jelly Roll

ƒ Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. Nickelback

RiversEdge | Marcum Park, Hamilton. www.riversedgelive.com

ƒ Aug. 3, 7 p.m. Sweet Sister Mercy, Back in Black

ƒ Aug. 10, 7 p.m. Theatre of Crue, Nightrain

ƒ Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, Scotty Bratcher

ƒ Aug. 24, 7 p.m. Cristina Vane, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

ƒ Aug. 31, 7 p.m. The Billy Rock Band, Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Tribute)

Rockin’ the Roebling | Smale Park, The Banks, downtown. www.facebook.com

ƒ Aug. 3, 7 p.m. The Foles

ƒ Aug. 3, 8:30 p.m. Steve Covington and the Humble Strays

ƒ Aug. 10, 6 p.m. Erin Coburn

ƒ Aug. 17, 6 p.m. Crown Watts

ƒ Aug. 24, 6 p.m. Positive Vibes Band

ƒ Aug. 31, 6 p.m. Naked Karate Girls

Schwartz’s Point | Over-the-Rhine. thepointclub.weebly.com

ƒ Thursdays-Sunday. Live jazz

Southgate House | Newport. 859-431-2201. www.southgatehouse.com

ƒ Nightly rock, alternative blues and more

Taft Theatre | Downtown. www.tafttheatre.org

ƒ Aug. 10, 7 p.m. Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon

TempleLive at River Front Live | East End. www.riverfrontlivecincy.com

ƒ Aug. 11, 8 p.m. Here Come The Mummies

Voices of America Country Music Fest | Voice of America MetroPark, West Chester. www.voacountrymusicfest.com

ƒ Aug. 10, 6-11 p.m.

ƒ Aug. 11-13, 2-11 p.m.

Washington Park, Jazz at the Park | Over-the-Rhine. www.washingtonpark.org

ƒ Aug. 7, 6-9 p.m. Bobby Sharp Trio w/ Jennifer Ellis

ƒ Aug. 14, 6-9 p.m. Noise Police

ƒ Aug. 21, 6-9 p.m. Spherical Agenda

ƒ Aug. 28, 6-9 p.m. Faux Frenchman

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. www.woodwardtheater.com

ƒ Aug. 21, 7 p.m. The Beths w/ Disq

Theater

Beechmont Players | Anderson Center Theater, Anderson. 513233-2468. www.beechmontplayers.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 5. “Murder on the Orient Express”

The Carnegie | Covington. 859-491-2030. www.thecarnegie.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 18. “Guys and Dolls”

ƒ Thru Aug. 19. “Kinky Boots”

ƒ Thru Aug. 20. “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill”

Cincinnati Landmark Productions | Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, Price Hill. 513-241-6550. www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

ƒ Aug. 16-Sept. 10. “Man of La Mancha”

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-2273. www.cincyshakes.com

ƒ Thru Sept. 3. Shakespeare in the Park! “The Comedy of Errors” (various venues)

ƒ Aug. 4-20. “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Drama Workshop | Cheviot. 513-5988303. www.thedramaworkshop.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 13. “Bingo! The Winning Musical”

East Side Players | Blue Ash Amphitheater. www.esptheater.org

ƒ Aug. 3-12. “HONK! A Musical Tale of ‘The Ugly Duckling’”

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. www.hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ Aug. 4, 7 p.m. & 10 p.m. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, comedian

Hugo West Theatricals | Carnegie Center, Columbia Tusculum www.hugowesttheatricals.com/utopia

ƒ Aug. 3-13. “Utopia, Ohio: a new musical”

INNOVAtheatre | Sorg Opera House, Middletown. www.innovatheatre.com

ƒ Aug. 20-Sept. 4. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

Inspiring Arts | Parrish Auditorium, Miami University, Hamilton. www.inspiringartsproductions.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 6. “Horizons of Gold”

ROBERT & DEBRA CHAVEZ

S. RUSSELL CHARITABLE TRUST

ARTS/CULTURE | The List

Know Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-300-5669. www.knowtheatre.com

ƒ Aug. 4-20. “Sleeping Giant,” by Steve Yockey

Lebanon Theatre Company | Lebanon. 513-932-8300. www.ltcplays.com

ƒ Aug. 25-Sept. 3. “Souvenir”

Lumos Players I Maineville. www.facebook.com/LumosPlayers

ƒ Aug. 4-12. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”

MegaCorp Pavilion | Ovation, Newport. www.promowestlive.com

ƒ Aug. 16, 7 p.m. Tim Heidecker, comedian

Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine. www.memorialhallotr.com

ƒ Aug. 6, 7 p.m. Kat Timpf, comedian

ƒ Aug. 12, 8 p.m. Wendell Schuman, comedian

Merit Theatre Company | Anderson Center Theater, Anderson. 859-795-1860. www.merittheatre.org

ƒ Aug. 25-Sept. 1. “The Sound of Music”

Playhouse in the Park | Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. www.cincyplay.com

ƒ Aug. 26-Oct. 1. “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” (Rouse Theatre)

Queen City Productions | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill. queencityproductions.weebly.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 6. “American Idiot”

Queen City Vaudevillians | Falcon Theatre, Newport. www.queencityvaudevillians.com

ƒ Aug. 19, 7 p.m. Nostalgic skits, comedy and music

Taft Theatre | Downtown. www.tafttheatre.org

ƒ Aug. 5, 7 p.m. Trey Kennedy, comedian

ƒ Aug. 19, 7 p.m. Mark Normand, comedian

Tri-County Players | Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, Evendale. 513-471-2030. www.facebook.com

ƒ Aug. 18-27. “Dearly Departed”

Visual Art

1628 Ltd. | Garfield Pl., downtown. 513-320-2596. www.1628ltd.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 24. “Saturation: An Exploration of Vibrancy”

ƒ Aug. 28-Nov. 16. “Stillness in Motion: Still Life Art and its Reflection on Human Existence”

21c Museum Hotel | Downtown. 513-578-6600. www.21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati

ƒ Thru August . “Refuge: Needing, Seeking, Creating Shelter”

Art Academy of Cincinnati | Over-the-Rhine. 513-562-6262

ƒ Aug. 21-Sept. 22. “The Color of Jazz: Concepts in Improvisation”

Reception: Aug. 25, 5-8 p.m.

ƒ Aug. 25-Sept. 22. “Printwave, works by Pull Club Studio”

Reception: Aug. 25, 5-8 p.m.

Art on Vine | Court Street Plaza. www.artonvinecincy.com

ƒ Aug. 5, noon-6 p.m. Fine art and handmade goods

ARTclectic Gallery | Silverton. 513-822-5200. www.artclecticgallery.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 31. “A Room with Many Views”

ArtWorks | V² Gallery, Walnut Hills. 513-333-0388. www.artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 15. “Matter Matters”

ƒ Thru Aug. 10. “Looking at Animals: Photographs from the Collection”

ƒ Thru Sept. 24. “Roberto Lugo: Hi-Def Archives”

ƒ Thru Oct. 8. “Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection”

ƒ Thru Oct. 15. “Picasso

Landscapes: Out of Bounds”

ƒ Thru Jan. 7. Contemporary Japanese Ceramics

ƒ Thru June 30. Modern and Contemporary Ceramics

ƒ Aug. 25, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark

Contemporary Arts Center | Downtown. 513-345-8400.

www.contemporaryartscenter.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 6. “Ecologies of Elsewhere”

ƒ Thru Sept. 24. FotoFocus - Baseera

Khan: “Weight of History” • Robert O’Neal: “Open to All”

ƒ Thru June 16. Luis Camnitzer: “Monuments to Unknown Heroes”

DAAP Galleries | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-2839. daap.uc.edu

ƒ Thru Aug. 3. Directors’ Choice Exhibition 2023

ƒ Thru Aug. 18. Noel Martin: “An Notation”

Eva G. Farris Gallery | Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. 859-344-3300. www.thomasmore.edu

A PURPOSE FOR A PURPOSE

PAINTINGS PAINTINGS FOR

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

DAVID A. MILLETT SHOWROOM

2200 DANA AVE., CINCINNATI, OH 45208

PRESENTING SPONSOR: THE AUXILIARY OF JEWISH HOSPITAL

Join event chairs April Davidow & Peggy Greenberg for an evening with renown Chicago-based artist Nancy Rosen, who creates work for the character Frankie, played by Lily Tomlin, in the Netflix series Grace & Frankie.

EVENT INCLUDES: Restaurant bites from around the city

Drinks & desserts

Art for sale

Live painting demo & auction

Entertainment Tickets start at $100!

Movers & Makers

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. www.bakerhunt.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 19. Community Art Show

Basketshop Gallery | Westwood. www.basketshopgallery.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 5. John Hardig: “Transmission 2023”

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. www.bcmuseum.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 18. “Dancing with Nature” photography exhibit

ƒ Thru Aug. 20. “The Art of Fashion: Fay Applegarth Maddox”

The Carnegie | Covington. 859-491-2030. www.thecarnegie.com

Thru Aug. 19. “Dynamics of Flow”

Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park. 513-721-2787.

www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Current exhibit . Weston Collection of Post-World War II Modern and Contemporary Art

ƒ Thru Aug. 3. Jennifer Baldwin “Ameliorative Practice.”

Reception: Aug. 3, 5-7 p.m.

Indian Hill Gallery | Remington. 513-984-6024. www.indianhillgallery.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 12. “Like A Bird On A Wire: A Selection of Contemporary Landscapes,” curated by Rob Anderson

Iris BookCafe and Gallery | Over-the-Rhine. 513-260-8434. www.irisbookcafeotr.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 31. “Bruce Checefsky, Mixed Salad: A Spring and Summer Exhibition”

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. www.kennedyarts.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 12. “Color Breathing: The Work of Lyric Morris-Latchaw and Casey Dressell”

ƒ Aug. 5-Sept. 28. “Urbanism: Mixed Media Paintings by Jonathan Carter”

Reception: Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m.

ƒ Aug. 19-Oct. 28. “Wish You Were Here”

Reception: Aug. 19, 6-8 p.m.

Manifest Gallery | East Walnut Hills. 513-861-3638. www.manifestgallery.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 11. “Sky” works about, featuring, or inspired by the sky • “Up High / Down Low” two exhibits in one space: works intended to be experienced above eye-level, and works experienced below eye level • “Master Pieces 17”

ƒ Aug. 18-Sept. 15. “Nude 15” annual survey of the uncovered human form • “Private Space” works about that which is secret • “Plastic” art made of or about plastic. Reception: Aug. 18, 6-9 p.m.

Miami University Art Museum | Oxford. 513-529-2232.

www.miamioh.edu/cca/art-museum

ƒ Aug. 22-Dec. 3. “It’s Our World: A Student Response Exhibition” • “A Golden Time: Ohio Women Artists at the Turn of the Century” • “Heritage: Shaping Past, Present and Future”

Middletown Arts Center | Middletown. 513-424-2417. www.middletownartscenter.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 31. Yetunde Rodriguez: “Radiant Rhythms: An Exploration of Color|Pattern|Texture”

ƒ Thru Aug. 24. Photography and Digital Art Exhibition

ƒ Aug. 31-Oct. 19. Logan Walden

Mohawk Gallery | Over-the-Rhine. 513381-5116. www.robinimaging.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 12. “Heavy Metal”

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks, downtown. 513-333-7500.

www.freedomcenter.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 10. “Truth & Healing Artist Showcase,” in partnership with ArtsWave

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. 859-572-5148. www.nku.edu/gallery

ƒ Aug. 24-Oct. 21. Alice Pixley Young and Adrienne Dixon: “Cadence” • M’Shinda Abdullah-Broaddus: “TBA.”

Reception: Aug. 24, 5-7 p.m.

Off Ludlow Gallery | Clifton. 513-201-7153. www.facebook.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 5. “A Moment in Time,” works by Ellina Chetverikova, Marcia Shortt,and Connie Springer

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton. 513421-4339. www.pendletonartcenter.com

ƒ Aug. 25, 5-9 p.m., open studios

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum | Hamilton. 513-868-1234. www.pyramidhill.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 6. “Coral Beliefs”

Sharonville Cultural Arts Center | Sharonville. 513-554-1014. www.sharonvilleculturalarts.org

ƒ Aug. 4-26. Michael Simpson

Studio Kroner | Downtown. www.studiokroner.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 5. Roy Robinson and Michael Roller: “Intersection”

Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. www.wchsmuseum.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 2. Japanese Kokeshi Doll Exhibition

Wave Pool Gallery and The Welcome Project | Camp Washington. www.wavepoolgallery.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 5. “Encompassing”

ƒ Thru Sept. 2. “Spheres of Influence”

Weston Art Gallery | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-977-4165. www.cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery

ƒ Thru Aug. 20. Mychaelyn Michalec: “Not to Stifle, but to Clarify” • Anissa Lewis: “Open Lots (We All Rise)” • Melvin Grier: “It Was Always About the Work” 

WELCOME TO THE 2023-24 SEASON

The Datebook With a Spotlight on the Movers and Makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s Fundraisers, Friend-Raisers and Community Events

AUG. 2, WEDNESDAY

Companions on a Journey, Vince Munafo Memorial Golf Outing | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Glenview Golf Course, Springfield Twp. DETAILS: Shotgun start, best-ball scramble, lunch, beer garden, 19th-hole celebration ParTee Time, dinner, music, putting contest, prizes, awards and Legacy Wall viewing. Tickets start at at $125.

 givebutter.com/VMMgolfouting

AUG. 4, FRIDAY

Adventure Crew, Outdoors for All Expo | 4-9:30 p.m. Schmidt Recreation Complex, East End. DETAILS: More than 50 exhibitors, including parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations. Hands-on demos, live music from Jake Speed and the Freddies and others, raffles, MadTree beer and food trucks –activities for all ages. Free and open to the public.

 ohioriverpaddlefest.org/expo-info

AUG. 5, SATURDAY

Adventure Crew, Ohio River Paddlefest | 7 a.m. Schmidt Recreation Complex, East End.

DETAILS: Commodore: Mike Fremont. Participants may use own boats or rent with advance registration.  ohioriverpaddlefest.org

Casa de Paz, Fiesta Latina | 6-11 p.m. Meyer Center, St. Susanna.

DETAILS: Dinner, drink, live entertainment, music and silent auction. Tickets: $50.

 casadepazcinci.org

Crayons to Computers, Stuff the Van | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kenwood Towne Centre. DETAILS: Push 4 Pencils supply drive. Donations help level the field in the classroom. Most needed: colored pencils, crayons, dry erase markers, filler paper, glue sticks, notebooks, pencils, pocket folders and washable markers. Main entrance next to Cheesecake Factory. Curbside drop-off available.  www.crayons2computers.org

Dragonfly, Dinks and Drives Pickleball Tournament | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Lifetime Fitness, Mason.

Red Bull brings its famed but wacky Flugtag , the first in Ohio since 2004, to Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove on Aug. 12

DETAILS: Pickleball tournament, music, games and entertainment. Registration: $75/player.

 pickleballbrackets.com

AUG. 6, SUNDAY

People Working Cooperatively, Boards & Brews Cornhole Tournament | Noon5 p.m. Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom. DETAILS: Cornhole, food, drinks and raffles. Cost: $40 per team / $20 per individual

 pwchomerepairs.org/boards

Welcome House, Summer Sunday

| Devou Golf & Event Center, Covington.

DETAILS: Silent auction.

 welcomehouseky.org/news-events/ events/summer-sunday

AUG. 10, THURSDAY

HealthCare Connection, Golf Outing

| 10 a.m. Glenview Golf Course, Glendale.

DETAILS: Shotgun golf, cocktails, dinner, awards. Individuals: $100; foursome: $380.

 healthcare-connection.org

AUG. 12, SATURDAY

Bethesda Foundation, Gourmet Melodies | 7-11 p.m. Anderson Pavilion, Smale Park. DETAILS: Proceeds benefit Hospice of Cincinnati. Carousel rides, wine

Kenwood Towne Centre hosts Crayons to Computers ’ sixth annual Push 4 Pencils school supply drive Aug. 5

and gourmet lite bites, “growler grab wall,” silent auction and music by The Midwestern Swing, Bacchanal Steel Band, Jacob Perez and Transatlantis. Complimentary parking. Tickets: $150. 513-865-4599.

 bethesdafoundation.com/events

Ohio State University Alumni Club, Alumni Classic Golf Outing | 8 a.m. Reeves Golf Course.

DETAILS: Coffee/light breakfast, 18-hole scramble, golf cart, drink tickets, door prizes, BBQ lunch, silent auction, awards. Registration: $135; foursome: $540.

 charitygolftoday.com

Red Bull, Flugtag | Noon. Sawyer Point Park. DETAILS: Participants leap into river off a 22-foot-high ramp on homemade aircraft to raise money for nonprofits. Food and drinks.

 redbull.com/flugtagcincinnati

AUG. 14, MONDAY

Autism Society Greater Cincinnati, Golf for Autism |

9:30 a.m. Four Bridges Country Club.

DETAILS: Four-person scramble, breakfast, specialty drink, lunch, light dinner, silent auction, raffle.

 e.givesmart.com/events/x3N

AUG. 16, WEDNESDAY

American Sign Museum, Marston Memorial Golf Outing | Sharon Woods Golf Course. DETAILS: TBA

 americansignmuseum.org/Support

AUG. 19, SATURDAY

Easterseals Redwood, Honor Ride | 7:30 a.m. Miami Whitewater.

DETAILS: Create a team or ride on your own. Bicycle ride, racing shirt, swag bag and Honor Ribbon. $50.

 p2p.onecause.com/ eastersealshonorride

Ken Anderson Alliance, Ridin’ & Rockin’ for Autism | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Queen City Harley-Davidson, West Chester. DETAILS: Food, live music, vendors and motorcycle ride.

 kenandersonalliance.org

Little Brothers – Friends of The Elderly, Annual Tom Wess Memorial Golf Outing | 1:30 p.m. Glenview Golf Course, Glendale.

DETAILS: Four person scramble, drinks, dinner, prizes, raffle, splitthepot. Cost: $125/golfer; $500/ foursome.

 littlebrotherscincinnati.org

THANK

Britney Ruby-Miller & Caleb Miller, Tim & Lisa Schroeder, and Drs. Gail Kist-Kline & Keith Kline

n Christ College of Nursing

n CF Bank

Dr. Gail Kist-Kline & Dr. Keith Kline

Betty and Bill Tonne n Intellex n USI n Champlin Architecture

n Bricker Graydon n Barnes Dennig n The Oliver Family Foundation

n Encore Technologies n CanDarr/Volley Llam n Proscan Imaging

DATEBOOK

AUG. 19, SATURDAY (CONT.)

Wave Pool, Pool Party | Noon-3 p.m. Wave Pool. DETAILS: Food, drinks, music, carnival games, debuting new murals designed and fabricated by artists Miranda Holmes and Hannah Parrett.  wavepoolgallery.org

AUG. 23, WEDNESDAY

Pro Seniors, Seniors Who Rock | 8-9:30 a.m. Longworth Hall Event Center, Pete Rose Way. DETAILS: Awards presentation honoring inspirational Ohio seniors who continue to impact the community.

 proseniors.org

AUG. 25, FRIDAY

May We Help, Annual Gala | 6-10 p.m. Little Miami Brewing Event Center. DETAILS: Silent auction, open bar, dinner, dance. Host: JonJon of Kiss 107. Cost: $150.  maywehelp.org

AUG. 26, SATURDAY

Dragonfly, Annual Ride for Dragonfly | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Queen City Harley Davidson, West Chester. DETAILS: Pre-party with music

and raffles, after-party with live music, raffles, split-the-pot, vendors and merchandise booth.

 dragonfly.org/motorcycle

Forever Kings, Building Strong Men Gala | 6 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. DETAILS: Cocktail reception, formal program with dinner, live entertainment and special award. Tickets: $100, table: $1,000.

 foreverkingsinc.org

Gorman Heritage Farm, Annual Row by Row Fundraising Dinner

| 6-9:30 p.m. Gorman Heritage Farm. DETAILS: Farm-to-table dinner, open bar, live music, live and silent auctions. VIP happy hour. Tickets start at $100.

 gormanfarm.org

AUG. 28, MONDAY

Circle Tail Inc., Golf Classic | 8 a.m. O’Bannon Creek Golf Club.

DETAILS: Food, drinks, on-course competitions, puppy meet-andgreets, prizes, auction. Tickets: $175/single; $700/foursome.

 circletail.org/golf

Best Point’s Rockin’ at Riverfest , co-chaired by Lisa Schroeder, Tim Schroeder, Gail Kist-Kline, Keith Kline, Britney Ruby-Miller and Caleb Miller (pictured with Best Point clients), is Sept. 3 at Smale Riverfront Park

APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rates accurate as of 6.30.2023. 1To participate in this offer: 1) Open a new Business Advantage Money Market (BAMMA) account. No minimum deposit required to open the account; must be funded within 30 days of opening. 2) Reach a balance of $25,000 in your new BAMMA within 30 days of account opening. The $25,000 balance requires new money only, defined as funds not currently on deposit with General Electric Credit Union (GECU). To earn the promotional introductory Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for 180-days, you must maintain a minimum balance of $25,000 within the BAMMA account. Days your balance falls below $25,000, you’ll receive the non-promotional APY. It may take up to 2 business days from the time the offer requirements are met to adjust the dividend rate on your account to the promotional rate. Your dividend payments may reflect a blended APY that is below 5.25% if you were earning a lower rate for a portion of the statement period. 3.01% APY for balances of $0.01 to $24,999.99, and 5.25% for balances of $25,000 or more. Daily balance method used to calculate the dividend on your account. You’ll receive the accrued dividends if you close your account before dividends are posted. Rates earned are based on balances, calculated daily, and compounded to the account monthly. Fees may reduce earnings. This introductory offer is available for a limited time; offer and rates subject to change

any time, without prior notice. Contact us for current rates or details.2Savings Rate: National average taken June 6, 2023 from:https:// www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/average-savings-interest-rates/. Membership eligibility throughout the tristate. Visit gecreditunion.org/membership for details.

SEPT. 3, SUNDAY

Best Point Education and Behavioral Health, Rockin’ at Riverfest | 5-11 p.m. Anderson Pavilion, Smale Riverfront Park.

DETAILS: Co-chairs: Britney Ruby-Miller and Caleb Miller, Tim Schroeder and Lisa Schroeder, and Dr. Gail Kist-Kline and Keith Kline.  bestpoint.org

SEPT. 5-7, TUESDAY-THURSDAY

Starfire, A Connected Cincinnati |

The Columns, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Dr. Allison Lourash and Indigo Bishop guide attendees through three-day learning experience around principles and practices of Asset Based Community Development. Tickets: $250.

 starfirecincy.org

SEPT. 6-10, WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY

Kroger, Queen City Championship | Kenwood Country Club. DETAILS: During tournament, enjoy casual oncourse hospitality with friends, or experience all-inclusive clubhouse hospitality to host an important client. Tickets start at $80 weekly or $25 daily.

queencitylpga.com

On Sept. 8, Cancer Support Community presents Paintings for a Purpose with Nancy Rosen, the artist who creates work for Netflix’s “Grace & Frankie.” Rosen is pictured with Lily Tomlin, who stars in the series.

SEPT. 8, FRIDAY

Cancer Support Community, Paintings for a Purpose: Nancy Rosen | 6-9 p.m. David A. Millett Inc. Design Showroom, Evanston. DETAILS: Show and sale of artwork of Nancy Rosen, artist who creates work for Netflix series “Grace & Frankie.” Rosen will be present. Hosted by April Davidow and Peggy Greenberg, event includes bites, drinks, entertainment and special experiences for those purchasing artwork.

 mycancersupportcommunity.org

Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Rhythm | 6-10 p.m. Waypoint Aviation.

DETAILS: Local food with international flavor, drinks, and entertainment. Tickets: $25.

 cincinnaticompass.org

Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition, Eleventh Annual Music and Medicine Conference |

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mayerson JCC.

DETAILS: Musicians, researchers, physicians and other healthcare/senior care professionals present current research on benefits of music.

 musicandwellness.net

The Purple People Bridge in Newport is the setting for Brighton Center ’s annual Wine Over Water tasting fundraiser Sept. 9

ART

Innovation and artisanship take center stage at BBB Cincinnati’s Torch Awards for Ethics and Spark Awards. Don’t miss your chance to network with local business, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leaders

Amidst world-class artistry, the winners of this year’s much-anticipated Torch and Spark Awards will be revealed live onstage. Come red carpet ready to raise a toast to the achievements of the region’s brightest and best.

bbb.org/cincinnati

DATEBOOK

SEPT. 9, SATURDAY

Brighton Center, Wine Over Water | 5:30-9 p.m. Purple People Bridge.

DETAILS: Food, wine, drinks, live entertainment.

 brightoncenter.com/wineoverwater

Gathering of the Guilds | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Weavers Guild of Greater Cincinnati.

DETAILS: Fine contemporary craft shopping, demos and food trucks featuring ten local guilds. Free.

 gotgcincy.org

Ken Anderson Alliance, Wine Over the Rhine | 5:30-8 p.m. Lombardos’ Anderson home. DETAILS: Vineyard tour and wine tasting.

 kenandersonalliance.org

Stepping Stones, Viva La Bloom | Little Miami Event Center, Milford.

DETAILS: “Vegas” themed games, entertainment, food and silent auction. Chair: Nancy Aichholz. Tickets: $150.  cincybloom.org

SEPT. 10, SUNDAY

UC Foundation, Sunflower Rev It Up for Parkinson’s | 6:15 a.m. Sawyer Point Park. DETAILS: 1K walk, 5K run/ walk and 60K bike ride through downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

 secure.qgiv.com/event/2sriufpw

SEPT. 12, TUESDAY

Goering Center, Annual Family & Private Business Awards | Hard Rock Casino. DETAILS: Recognizing businesses who have demonstrated exceptional achievements.

 business.uc.edu SEPT. 13, WEDNESDAY

Dress for Success Cincinnati, Fashion Show | 10:30 a.m. Hard Rock Casino. DETAILS: Celebration of DFSC clients, contemporary fashions, presentation of Mary Ivers Award, raffle and pop-up shop from Portaluca Boutique. Co-chairs: Meredith Blum and Lauren Gucciardo. Honorary Chair: Dr. Meredith Shockley Smith. Tickets: $100.

 dfscincy.org/blog-and-events/ fashion-show

SEPT. 14, THURSDAY

Findlay Market, Flavor of Findlay | 6:30-9:30 p.m. Findlay Market. DETAILS: Tasting stations, wine pairings, silent auction, DJ, live music, games and raffles. Tickets: VIP $150; general: $90.  betterunite.com/2023flavor

SEPT. 15-16, FRIDAY-SATURDAY

New Life Furniture Bank, Open House | DETAILS: Tour the new and renovated Community Engagement Center.  nlfurniture.org

Nancy Aichholz chairs a Vegas-themed Viva La Bloom fundraiser for Stepping Stones at the Little Miami Event Center in Milford on Sept. 9.

SEPT. 15, FRIDAY

Boys & Girls Club, Kenton County Golf Outing | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Devou Park Golf Course. DETAILS: $100/individual; $400/foursome.

 bgcgc.org

Indian Hill Historical Society, 50th Anniversary | 6 p.m. Peterloon Estate. DETAILS: Live music by The Mercy Men, cocktails, dinner, and dancing.

 indianhill.org

SEPT. 16-17, SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Ride Cincinnati | DETAILS: Weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Kickoff party. Routes ranging from 10 to 64 miles. Special rider celebration.

 ridecincinnati.org

SEPT. 16, SATURDAY

Angels’ Castle, Flamenco Party | 4-8 p.m. Porras-Ryes Residence. DETAILS: Food, drinks, music, silent auction, raffles. Tickets $125.

 eventbrite.com,

Life Learning Center, High Stakes

Gala | 6 p.m. Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. DETAILS: Semi-formal event with live entertainment, dinner, drinks, silent and live auctions. Tickets start at $150.

 e.givesmart.com/events/vR2

SEPT. 18, MONDAY

Talbert House, Annual Luncheon

| Noon-1:30 p.m. Hard Rock Casino.

DETAILS: Celebrating achievements.

 talberthouse.org/news/events-2

SEPT. 22, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Zoo, Zoofari | 6 p.m.midnight. DETAILS: Dinner by-the-bite samples from local restaurants, cocktails, entertainment and dancing. Tickets: $250.

 cincinnatizoo.org/events/zoofari

SEPT. 23, SATURDAY

Caracole, Gala 2023 | 7 p.m. The Hotel Covington. DETAILS: Chair is Pam Kravetz. Tickets start at $125.

 caracole.org

SEPT. 25, MONDAY

DePaul Cristo Rey, Golf Classic | Noon. Western Hills Country Club.

DETAILS: Four-person scramble, skills contests, lunch, cocktail reception, prizes. Registration: $250.

 depaulcristorey.org

Dragonfly, Annual Golf Classic | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Heritage Club, Mason. DETAILS: Shotgun start at noon, lunch, hole-in-one contest, beat-the-pro and prizes.

 dragonfly.org/golf

SEPT. 28, FRIDAY

The Center for Great Neighborhoods, Annual Celebration | Time: TBA. Hellman Creative Center, Covington. DETAILS: Silent auction, lite bites, beer truck and Heart of the Community Awards.

 greatneighborhoods.org

SEPT. 29, SATURDAY

Art Beyond Boundaries, Jazzed About Art | 6-10 p.m. Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Cocktail hour, dinner, raffle and live jazz. Tickets: $75.

artbeyondboundaries.com/events

CancerFree KIDS, Celebration of Champions Dinner and Concert | 5:30 p.m., MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport.

DETAILS: Cocktail hour, dinner, auction and outdoor after-party.

 cancerfreekids.org

Clermont Chamber, Golf for Kids | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Elks Run Golf Club.

DETAILS: Contest holes, raffles, splitthe-pot, lunch, dinner. Tickets: $250.

 clermontchamber.com

Ohio Valley Voices, BBQ, Bourbon, & Brews Cruise | 6:30-9:30 p.m. BB Riverboat – Belle of Cincinnati. DETAILS: Semi-private cruise on Ohio River, barbeque buffet, live music, raffles and silent auction. Admission: $80.

ohiovalleyvoices.org

SEPT. 30, SUNDAY

Forever Kings, Building Strong Men Gala | 6-10 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. DETAILS: City’s only gala for young men of color. Tickets: $125.

 event.gives/buildingstrongmen

NKy Children’s Advocacy Center, Advocates Grand Gala: Onyx & Ice | 6 p.m.-midnight. Airport Marriott, Hebron. Honorees: Marc and Lori Watson.

 nkycac.org

Pig Works, FCC3 Race | 6 p.m. The Banks. DETAILS: Participants receive race shirt, finisher medal, refreshments, TQL Watch Party, drink ticket. Registration starts at $30.

 raceroster.com, flyingpigmarathon.com

Ronald McDonald House, Red Tie Gala | 6 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. DETAILS: Honoring Algis Koncius with HEART Award. Cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, dinner, after-party. Tickets start at $250.

 one.bidpal.net/redtiegala2023/welcome

OCT. 1, SUNDAY

FBI Cincinnati Citizens Academy Alumni Association, “Fore!” A Fight Against Human Trafficking | 4-7 p.m. TopGolf West Chester. DETAILS: Games, raffles, food. Tickets start at $75.

 fbi-ccaaa.org OCT. 2, MONDAY

Ken Anderson Alliance, Golf Classic | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Traditions Golf Club, Hebron. DETAILS: Guest: Former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson. Scramble.

 kenandersonalliance.org

OCT. 4, WEDNESDAY

Better Business Bureaus, Torch and Spark Awards | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cincinnati Art Museum. DETAILS: Networking, awards show, artwork, hor d’oeuvres, drink tickets, complimentary parking. Tickets: $100.

 www.bbb.org 

More

See Page 4 for print deadlines.

22, 2023 CiNcInNaTi

SePtEmBeR

ExClUsIvE

Owls and foxes and porcupines, oh my!

BoUrBoN TrAiL

An exclusive trail for Zoofari hikers

Brews and specialty cocktails around the Zoo LiVe MuSiC

SiLeNt DiScO

Featuring the Naked Karate Girls!

TICKET PACKAGES AVAILABLE

Gifts/Grants

Yung Foundation donates $1 million to Christ oncology program

The Yung Family Foundation, based in Crestview Hills, has donated $1 million to The Christ Hospital Health Network to grow its Comprehensive Oncology Program into a leading cancer center for the region. The foundation has been supporting community assets that strive to deliver best-in-class services, with significant investments in healthcare.

The network is expanding in cancer care in response to the increasing cancer rates throughout the region. Christ Hospital was named to Newsweek’s Best Cancer Hospitals list for 2023.

Last year, The Christ Hospital Health Network became the only institution outside of the Northeast to join the Dana Farber Cancer Care Collaborative, a consortium of top-performing hospitals in adult medical and radiation oncology.

The Yung donation, led by Bill Yung , founder and president of Columbia Sussex Corp., and his wife, Marty, is in recognition of the care their daughter received from Dr. Jennifer Manders, surgical oncologist at Christ.

Easterseals Redwood receives vocational grant from Ky. Colonels

Easterseals Redwood has received a $5,517 grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. The money will be used to purchase an industrial shredder for Redwood’s Vocational Day Training Program, in which adults living with disabilities learn workplace skills through training and subcontract work such as shredding large amounts of paper.

In all, the Colonels awarded $3.1 million in grants supporting 343 nonprofits that reach more than 3.8 million Kentuckians.

Bi3 awards $6M for health equity, youth mental health

Grantmaker bi3 announced $6 million in grants to its strategic partner TriHealth and five local nonprofit organizations to advance patients’ health, accelerate birth equity and improve youth mental health.

Funding to TriHealth will support the creation of a Center for Health Equity, while grants to community organizations will expand youth mental health resources and grow local doula services to help improve maternal birth outcomes.

Grants include:

• $4.3 million to TriHealth: To support TriHealth in launching a wide-scale, strategic approach to health equity, starting with the launch of a new Center for Health Equity.

• $200,000 to NyNi, Inc: Three-year grant to increase the number of trained and certified community-based Black birth doulas in Butler and Hamilton counties.

• $200,000 to Blaq Birth Circle: To support efforts to build a professional support network for Black birth workers, including doulas.

• $30,000 to The Health Care Connection: One-year grant to support THCC’s Centering Pregnancy program, providing access to critical diagnostic services for populations that experience disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

• $1.3 million to Best Point Behavioral Health: One-year grant to enable the youth behavioral health organization to increase its workforce and crisis services and better serve families in need.

• $50,000 to Consortium for Resilient Children: One-year grant to position the consortium of 10 early childhood and mental health organizations to build capacity through pilot training and development of early childhood professionals.

UC alum’s gift supports LGBTQ center

A University of Cincinnati alumnus has made a $200,000 gift to the university’s LGBTQ Center. Bruce Besanko, retired Kohl’s chief financial officer, has created the Bruce Besanko Support Fund for the LGBTQ Center. The center enhances the campus community for LGBTQ students and their allies, providing a safe space, intersectional programming, and access to culturally relevant resources. The center has been on campus since 2011.

Besanko says he wants to directly help students who use the center as a resource. His gift will support both operational and direct student support. Besanko, who retired from Kohl’s in 2020, joined the United States Air Force in 1982, rising to lieutenant colonel during 26 years of service. He received the Air Medal for numerous aerial combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.

Council on Aging receives AARP grant for transportation

Home52 Transportation, a service of Council on Aging subsidiary home52, has received a 2023 AARP Community Challenge Grant , one of only 310 grants nationwide. The $35,168 grant is in the transportation systems change demonstration category, supported by Toyota Motor North America.

In 2022, the program provided nearly 40,000 rides for approximately 1,200 riders countywide. These trips were scheduled through a central call center. In 2023, home52 Transportation will launch an online scheduling and trip management system known as Passenger Portal. The AARP grant will fund educational tools to help older riders use Passenger Portal.

University of Cincinnati alumnus and benefactor Bruce Besanko

The Christ Hospital Health Network main campus Kentucky Colonels Commanding Gen. Gary Boschert presenting Bruce Ripley of Easterseals Redwood with a $5,517 grant

SOC grants funds to boost education in construction careers

The Spirit of Construction Foundation has distributed $80,000 to local organizations that provide area youth with training for careers in the construction industry. SOC has awarded over $1 million over the past five years.

Organizations received between $2,000 and $7,500 each to support their programs. Recipients: Brighton Center, Felicity-Franklin Local Schools, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation, Easterseals, Campbell County ATC, Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program, Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati/Design Lab, Goshen Local Schools, Holmes High School Carpentry, Construction Career Days, Learning Grove – Navigo, Northern Kentucky Community Action, Oak Hills High School and Reading Schools.

Local groups to receive Health Challenge funding

Collaborative project Building a Healthier Cincinnati has been selected to receive a BUILD Health Challenge award from The Community Builders Inc.

Over three years, BHC will receive $300,000 in funding and additional resources to support the work of mobilizing Black women in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood toward social and economic prosperity. The effort aims to build a healthier Cincinnati by supporting healthcare career pipelines and creating a social justice center at Avondale Town Center.

BHC is composed of several local organizations, including All-In Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, City of Cincinnati Health Department and Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio.

Harriet Beecher Stowe House receives funds for restoration

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Walnut Hills has received a $10,000 grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Made possible through the sponsorship of the Cincinnati Chapter DAR, funding will be used to reproduce appropriate period carpeting for the parlor as part of the ongoing restoration of the house. The house was built in 1832 as the president’s home for Lane Theological Seminary, and the parlor was the site of future abolitionist author Harriet Beecher’s marriage to Lane Seminary professor Calvin Stowe in 1836.

Three area schools added to JumpStart Theatre Program

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has named the newest area schools that will partner with the Educational Theatre Association’s JumpStart Theatre Program for underserved schools. Batavia Middle School, Shroder High School (grades 7-8) and Covedale Elementary School were selected for the three-year program beginning in 2023-24.

Each school will receive services and materials valued at $12,000 in training, mentoring and production support for a full-scale show. Students will be involved in every aspect of the production, and TCT with EdTA will also host an annual JumpStart Theatre showcase.

Foundation provides funds for Santa Maria’s preschool program

Santa Maria Community Services received a $30,000 grant from Greater Cincinnati Foundation for its Promoting Our Preschoolers program. POP aims to address academic

inequity in kindergartens within the Price Hill community by tackling the disparities in education access faced by individuals of color and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

With this grant, Santa Maria will be able to provide more families in Price Hill with the resources they need for their child’s educational journey.

Duke Foundation awards $265K in job training grants

The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 13 grants totaling $265,000 to organizations in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky focused on workforce development and job training programs. In the past five years, the foundation has awarded 66 workforce grants to more than 45 regional nonprofits.

This year’s awardees:

• Brighton Center : $10,000

• Gateway Community and Technical College: $40,000

• Learning Grove: $25,000

• Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission: $15,000

• Cincinnati Works Inc.: $15,000

• Easter Seals Redwood : $20,000

• Freestore Foodbank : $10,000

• Hamilton County Education Service Center : $20,000

• Journeys Soaring Impact : $5,000

• Miami University : $25,000

• Per Scholas: $10,000

• University of Cincinnati Foundation: $50,000

• Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio: $15,000

Sule Foundation invests $10K in local arts and culture coverage

Movers & Makers Publishing received a grant of $10,000 to help expand its regional arts coverage. This show of support comes from the Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, which counts investment in the arts as one of its key focus areas. According to co-publisher Thom Mariner, “As mainstream media continue to chase clicks, shares and impressions, we recognize the need to invest in what makes Cincinnati unique among its peer cities, and that is the breadth and depth of what we offer in terms of arts, culture and humanities.” 

Representatives from the organizations awarded Duke Energy workforce development grants pose with Duke officials.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Walnut Hills

Philanthropic giving declines, but nonprofits can adjust

Philanthropic giving declined in 2022, but the outlook is far from bleak, the Giving USA Foundation reports.

Each summer, the foundation releases a report on philanthropic giving. This year’s 350-plus page report provides indepth analysis on total charitable giving. The bottom lines: Annual giving for 2021, coming out of the pandemic, was the highest on record. But given high inflation and a mediocre stock market in 2022, a 3.4% decline in donations last year (a 10.5% drop, adjusted for inflation) was not unexpected, according to the study’s author, consulting researcher Melissa S. Brown, former editor of Giving USA.

Contributions for 2022 totaled $499.33 billion, 64% of which came from individuals, and 27% of which went to religious causes. Both have been the largest categories historically.

Economic uncertainty and a “resettling” to normal were primary factors in the 2022 decline. When people have less confidence in the economy, Brown noted:

• People who own stocks hold onto what they have.

• People who intended to make gifts of appreciated stock hold off until prospects improve.

• Foundations, which invest their funds and are required to give away a percentage (typically 5%) each year, adjust to meet the market.

The most surprising change, Brown said, was the rise of human services to the No. 2 category, behind religion, thanks in part to a dip in giving to education. “People are finding real value in their communities by the services delivered,

such as food banks, youth development organizations,” Brown said. Giving to support arts, culture and humanities, while still the No. 8 category at $24.67 billion, increased 2.9%. Brown’s advice to nonprofits:

“People give when they understand the need and they see the impact the organization can make. It’s our job as fundraisers to make sure our constituents know what we’re doing.”

“Consistency, to keep the same brand, to keep the same core message, is really important. … Surround people with your message.”

“People want frictionless giving. Make it as easy as you can.”

 www.givingusa.org, www.msbrownllc.com, www.theyunkergroup.com

Where did the generosity come from?

The POWER of Collective

Melissa S. Brown

Thank you!

Dr. O’dell M. Owens Founding Board Member Board Chair, 2020 - 2022

We appreciate those who made contributions in memory of Dr. Owens’ inspirational and selfless leadership on behalf of young children. Your support plays an essential role in our work to ensure every Cincinnati child has access to a high-quality preschool.

Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati

Dr. James and Mrs. Deborah Allsop

Castellini Foundation

Monica Newby, D.D.S. The Schweier Family Fund

“Education is a gift from our past to the present to ensure our future. So, the greatest gift you can give a child is learning how to read.” — Dr. O’dell M. Owens

www.cincy-promise.org

Nonprofit News

Six to be honored on annual National Philanthropy Day

The Cincinnati chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals has named its honorees for the 2023 National Philanthropy Day recognition of outstanding community service. The chapter will recognize the honorees, each of whom was nominated by a local nonprofit, at a Nov. 16 luncheon at Music Hall. The honorees:

Phillip and Gail Holloman, Philanthropist of the Year, nominated by the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

The Hollomans are both actively involved community leaders, notably for their philanthropic support in establishing the Center for Social Justice (CSJ) at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. In 2019, the Hollomans established the 7 Principles Foundation, which provides grants to nonprofits that specialize in childhood development, job readiness training for adults and social equity advocacy.

Marty Humes, Volunteer of the Year, nominated by the Junior League of Cincinnati Humes’ volunteerism in Greater Cincinnati has benefited CET, Cincinnati Parks, Cincinnati Woman’s Club, Wyoming City Schools, the University of Cincinnati and the Playhouse in the Park, serving as co-chair of the Leading Ladies Steering Committee for their 10th anniversary during the 2022-23 reopening season.

Eshaan Gandhi, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, nominated by Cincinnati Tennis Foundation and TriHealth

Inspired by his love of music, Gandhi founded Music on the Court, a program that provides music programming for students who might not otherwise have access. He is also an active volunteer with TriHealth, helping to educate patients on how to read their MyChart.

Charles H. Dater Foundation, Outstanding Foundation, nominated by the Taft Museum of Art

The Dater Foundation continues to support educational programming for many organizations, including the Taft Museum of Art, Bethany House, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Santa Maria Community Services and others. The foundation maintained or increased funding support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and aftermath, allowing organizations to continue to thrive.

Darlene Kamine, Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising , nominated by Adopt A Class and Community Learning Center Institute

Kamine has been a leader in the Cincinnati philanthropic community and fearlessly champions other leaders and causes. She has received recognition for her leadership in the community and her achievements in fundraising are outstanding.

Cincinnati nonprofits VIA, Mayerson announce merger

Two pioneering Cincinnati nonprofits, VIA Institute on Character and Mayerson Academy, have announced a merger.

VIA, an organization dedicated to bringing the science of character strengths to the world, and Mayerson, which develops strength-based learning programs for individuals, schools and organizations, will operate under the name VIA Institute on Character.

Neal Mayerson, founder of both organizations, will continue to lead the VIA board of directors. Dr. Jeffrey Levy will continue as CEO of VIA, and Jillian Coppley, president and CEO of Mayerson, will lead the combined organization’s expansion as president and chief program and services officer. The merged company’s headquarters will remain in Cincinnati.

“While this merger will strengthen our ability to

generate scientific knowledge and practical tools to help our international audience better their lives, we will continue to see Cincinnati as our epicenter for demonstrating how important this work can be,” Mayerson said.

The new organization will embrace VIA’s research, education, and training programs, along with Mayerson Academy programs for workplaces, online learning and more.

“The combined organization will continue to put character strengths at the center of everything we do,” Levy said.

Aligning the two nonprofits’ programs “will magnify the positive impact of our shared operations,” Coppley said.

 www.viacharacter.org, www.mayersonacademy.org

Jillian Coppley

Jeffrey Levy

Neal Mayerson

Phillip and Gail Holloman Marty Humes Eshaan Gandhi Darlene Kamine

Rotary awards CPS teachers

Cincinnati Public Schools teachers and administrators who inspire, innovate and support students were honored by The Rotary Club of Cincinnati at the Rotary’s annual Teacher Recognition program at the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel.

“These educators represent the best of what education is, not only in the Cincinnati Public Schools, but in the country,’ said Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Wright, who presented the awards.

• Teacher of the Year: Traci Cummings, teacher at Sands Montessori School in Mt. Washington.

• Administrator of the Year: Vicki GravesHill, principal of Roll Hill Academy in East Westwood.

• Community Service: Robin Day, math teacher at Winton Hills Academy in Winton Hills.

• Humanitarian of the Year: Antonio Smith, teacher at Ethel M. Taylor Academy in Millvale.

• Innovator of the Year: Bradley Gerard, technical theater director at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Over-the-Rhine.

City honors Dick Rosenthal

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval honored arts patron Dick Rosenthal with a key to the city and proclaimed June 7, 2023, as “Dick Rosenthal Day” before an audience of Cincinnati Art Museum supporters, staff, board members, volunteers and friends. The occasion was the museum’s opening of its “Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection” exhibition. The event honored and celebrated the Rosenthal family’s patronage, dedication and commitment to the people of Cincinnati.

Great Parks tops 18,000 acres with new greenspace acquisition

Great Parks has acquired 240 acres of land near Miami Whitewater Forest to expand its total land holdings beyond 18,000 acres (more than 28 square miles), building on its position as the largest landowner in Hamilton County. Great Parks purchased this property from the James L. Lake and Carolyn H. Lake Trust.

The wooded property is adjacent to Miami Whitewater Forest to the north, east and west. Great Parks will focus on restoring the land to its natural state, including reforestation and removing invasive species such as honeysuckle. Great Parks will also evaluate the property for the potential addition of walking or biking trails.

CPS dining director receives award

Jessica Shelly, director of student dining services for Cincinnati Public Schools, received the 2023 IFMA Gold Plate Award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association during its 69th annual awards celebration. Nominated in the elementary and secondary schools category by P&G Professional and Nestlé Professional, Shelly is the first winner in that category in 29 years.

Zoo boosts local economy by $170M/yr.

The top-ranked Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s economic impact in Hamilton County has totaled $679.7 million in the past four years, or approximately $170 million a year, according to a new study by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center.

Over the same period, fiscal years 2020-23, the zoo generated $34 million in tax revenue for local governments and the state of Ohio.

The study also determined that for each dollar the zoo received in tax levy funding, it generated $10 in economic benefits for Hamilton County because of spending by visitors from outside the

county, which averages $68.7 million a year.

“The Cincinnati Zoo is foundational to the Cincinnati region’s economic and societal well-being,” said Brad Evans, project director at the UC center. “In addition to the qualitative benefits it provides, the zoo also directly and indirectly supports the local economy. During the four-year period that we studied, the zoo led to or supported the employment of 8,825 individuals, which created, sustained and supported a total $295.9 million in wages being paid.”

The zoo was voted best in the United States by USA Today readers in 2022, 2021, and 2019.

Charitable boutique now in Newport

Mannequin Boutique, an Over-the-Rhine resale shop that donates 100% of its sales proceeds to local charities, has opened a new, 8,000-square-foot store on Monmouth Street in Newport, Ky. The new store opened June 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials.

The boutique was founded by Cincinnati philanthropist Moe Rouse with the aim not only of supporting local charities but of protecting the environment by repurposing designer apparel. The store, led by director/proprietor Marjorie Longeway, has grown since its founding in 2010 and features a variety of unique, vintage and high-end apparel.

Mannequin welcomes all donations of vintage, designer or “fun” men’s and women’s clothing (and, soon, bridal apparel) in every size, as well as jewelry and accessories.

Proceeds are donated to: I Have Wings Breast Cancer Foundation; UCAN Nonprofit Pet Care Clinic; Welcome Home; Mary Magdalene House; Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank; Mentoring Plus; Tender Mercies; and Wesley Chapel Mission Center. 

The Rotary Club honored teachers Bradley Gerard, Robin Day, Vicki Graves-Hill and Traci Cummings, with Rotary President Steve King and Rotary member Allison Kaufman.

Newport Commissioner Ken Rechtin, Fire/EMS Chief Frank Peluso Jr,, Commissioner Mike Radwanski, Commissioner Julie Smith-Morrow, Mannequin Boutique proprietor Marjorie Longeway and historic preservation officer Scott Clark

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and patron Dick Rosenthal

Jessica Shelly received the IFMA 2023 Gold Plate Award.

YWCA Greater Cincinnati has announced the appointment of two new executive team members: Kat Steiner as chief development officer and René J. Cheatham III as chief financial officer. Steiner, who has served as interim chief impact officer at the YWCA, has 20 years of development experience in higher education and national nonprofits. Cheatham joins the YWCA with extensive finance leadership experience in nonprofit, corporate and government sectors. 

The Christ Hospital Foundation has announced its newest board member, Dr. Rodney P. Geier. A retired board-certified oncologist from The Christ Hospital Health Network, Geier was named one of Cincinnati’s Top Doctors by Cincinnati Magazine on several occasions. He will assist the foundation’s efforts to enhance The Christ Hospital Health Network through charitable giving. 

Doug Bolton, CEO of Cincinnati Cares, has been named president of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, the region’s largest and oldest professional leadership and service club. Bolton, former editor and publisher of the Cincinnati Business Courier, was named president of the Metropolitan Club in Northern Kentucky earlier this year. He also is board chair of Movers & Makers.

The OTR Chamber of Commerce has named Julie Clayton as its new executive director. Clayton, a native of Cincinnati, graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts and attended Wilmington College. Clayton has spent her career in events, fundraising and sales in Greater Cincinnati.

Autism Connections, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the Southwest Ohio autism community through education, resources,

connections and support, has announced the hiring of Cindy Aardema as outreach coordinator and Sonja Clifton as development director. Aardema, who has 20 years of professional experience in the disability field, will be responsible for operating the organization’s Helpline and community outreach. Clifton will focus on cultivating donor and sponsor relationships to further the nonprofit’s mission.

Taylor Haag is the new development officer for Cancer Support Community of Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky. With nearly 15 years of experience in communications, event planning, social media strategy, marketing, fundraising and community engagement, she will have responsibilities including fundraising events and marketing.

The Young Professionals Choral Collective has named founding board member Stephanie Renny as its interim executive director, replacing Jenny Spring, who left YPCC to become access coordinator for student affairs at the University of Cincinnati. Renny, who has been with YPCC since its inception, has previously taken on various leadership roles within the organization.

Foundation; and Matt Scherocman, co-founder and CEO of Interlink Cloud Advisors and owner of AvieCity Holdings.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum has named Sarah Templeton Wilson, its current development director, as the park’s interim executive director. She replaces Bryan W. Knicely, who will become executive director of the Craft Alliance in St. Louis. Templeton Wilson is a noted arts administrator with experience at Cincinnati Ballet and Miami University.

Cincinnati Ballet ’s board of trustees has named Victoria Morgan as artistic director emerita, in recognition of her many years of leadership. Morgan retired at the end of the 2021-22 season after 25 years as the ballet’s artistic director.

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Aviatra Accelerators, a Cincinnati nonprofit dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs, has appointed three new board members and four new Advisory Council members. The new board members: Ann M. Keeling , president, Cristofoli-Keeling Inc.; Heather Harris, president, Intelligent Office; and Manny Hernandez , commercial relationship manager, First Financial Bank. New Advisory Council members: Cyndy Wright Sellers, vice president, Park National Bank; John Keller, vice president and relationship manager, PNC Bank; Laura S. Menge , senior philanthropic advisor, Greater Cincinnati

Ellen E. Roberts has been named the Sallie Robinson Wadsworth director of curatorial affairs for the Taft Museum of Art . Roberts will lead the Taft’s exhibition program, serve as the senior curator and oversee the permanent collection and historic house. Roberts joins the Taft from the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla., where she has been senior curator of American art since 2012.

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired announced Denise Carl as its vice president of advancement. Carl, who has nearly 20 years of experience in development and fundraising, will be responsible for all functions of fund development, communications, media relations and community relations. She most recently worked for Disabled American Veterans, and previously had roles with Thomas More University, The Health Collaborative, University of Kentucky, University of Cincinnati Foundation and Easterseals Redwood.

Denise Carl

Ellen E. Roberts

Victoria Morgan

Sarah Templeton Wilson

Matt Scherocman

Laura S. Menge

John Keller

Cyndy Wright Sellers Manny Hernandez Heather Harris

Stephanie Renny Ann M. Keeling Taylor Haag

Sonja Clifton Cindy Aardema Julie Clayton Doug Bolton

Rene J. Cheatham III

Kat Steiner Dr. Rodney P. Geier

Chris Goddard has joined Catholic Charities as its 10th executive director. Goddard spent 30 years as a healthcare executive, 20 of those as HealthPoint Family Care CEO, before taking a sabbatical four years ago to teach religion at Seton High School and Notre Dame Academy.

Jasmin Luna-Villa , a 2016 graduate of DePaul Cristo Rey High School, has returned to her alma mater as admissions and financial aid coordinator. LunaVilla graduated from Mount St. Joseph University in 2020, and has served as a preschool teacher aide at Holy Family School and as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at the Su Casa Hispanic Center in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance , a mountain-biking organization, has announced that Brian Bozeman has become the organization’s new board chair. Bozeman, who has served as a CORA volunteer and board member, is vice president of business development at Skanska in Fort Thomas.

TriHealth has named Dr. Clint Hutson as the next president and chief operating officer of Bethesda North Hospital. Hutson joined Bethesda North as a hospitalist in 2006 and has assumed progressively

more responsible clinical and administrative leadership roles since then. He led the start-up of TriHealth’s hospitalist service at Dearborn Community Hospital and later assumed leadership of Good Samaritan Hospital’s hospitalist program. In 2021, he was appointed associate chief medical officer for the Good Samaritan Region.

Cincinnati Art Club has named Christine Kuhr, who has over 20 years of marketing and product introduction experience, as its new president during a time of revitalization for the club. Kuhr, who spent four years on the club’s board of trustees, retired from Wells Fargo Insurance Services. The club also added new members to its board: Lynann Doll as membership chair; Katherine Hurley as development chair; Steve Nassano as house and property chair; and Shalmah Prince as hospitality chair.

Cincinnati Nature Center has added a second raptor to its Animal Ambassador Program: Zihna , an 11-year-old, male redtailed hawk. He joins Unicorn, a 1½-year-old, male gray morph Eastern screech owl. Thanks to a partnership with Glen Helen Raptor Center in Yellow Springs, the raptors now have homes at Rowe Woods. 

Zihna

Shalmah Prince Steve Nassano

Katherine Hurley

Lynann Doll

Christine Kuhr Dr. Clint Hutson Brian Bozeman Jasmin Luna-Villa Chris Goddard

Notables: Early Childhood Education

Movers & Makers asked organizations involved in early childhood education to introduce their notables to our readers, part of a regular feature highlighting people making a difference in Greater Cincinnati’s nonprofit community.

Terri Betts leads effort to ensure kids are ready for kindergarten

Terri Betts joined United Way of Greater Cincinnati in late 2022 as senior manager of Success By 6. A results-driven leader with more than 20 years of management and operational experience, she leads United Way’s collaborative efforts to ensure all children from birth to age 6 are healthy and ready to succeed by the time they start kindergarten. Betts focuses on research, data and policies while building strong relationships with parents/caregivers, schools and community partners, including libraries, faithbased organizations and businesses. She is a strong supporter of preschool and kindergarten teachers. Betts previously was quality program specialist at 4C for Children and director of Early Childhood Services at Lighthouse Youth and Family Services. When she’s not working, Betts enjoys traveling, concerts and comedy shows. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Les Birdies Golf Club Inc., which introduces African American women and girls to the sport. 

With experience and creativity, Carolyn Brinkmann brings help

Carolyn Brinkmann, vice president of CoStars Early Childhood Services at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health, is an innovative program director with over 30 years of nonprofit leadership and clinical experience. Under her strong and flexible management style, 2,500 children and their families annually work to achieve optimal development, readying children for school, and positioning parents to meet ever-changing family needs. Her career includes serving two years as chair, vice-chair and member of the Joining Forces for Children Steering Committee and member and acting director of Consortium for Resilient Young Children, leading the Resilient Children and Families Program. With a Master’s degree in art therapy, Brinkmann has an art studio and loves to paint, draw and create beauty. She brings her creative spirit into her work and loves to innovate and help others step into their full light.

Brinkmann enjoys spending time with friends and family – especially her nieces and nephews. She loves being outdoors – sporting events, concerts, hiking, bicycling or being on the beach. 

Catrena Bowman expands programs for NKY families

Catrena Bowman, executive director of the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission, has worked in the Community Action Network for over 22 years. During that time, she has worked in early childhood education through the Head Start programs in Lexington and in Northern Kentucky. Bowman has worked in the classroom, working directly with the children and parents for Head Start, helping them to create comprehensive plans and ensuring they followed the plans. She has also served in leadership roles in the Head Start program, ensuring program compliance, creating programming, collaborating with local businesses, conducting community forums, conducting neighborhood assessments, developing annual outcome-based community plans, staffing an advisory council and a parent committee, and making sure that best practices ensured that Head Start children received the best education possible. As executive director at NKCAC, she has led the organization to a 100% budget increase, expanding programs for families and children. 

Dellisa Ford Edwards stands up for early childhood programs

Dellisa Ford Edwards has been a champion of early childhood education throughout her 26-year career at Brighton Center, where she is family and child development director. During her tenure, she has led two home visitation programs (Every Child Succeeds and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) and two early childhood education centers (Bright Days Child Development Center and Early Scholars Child Development Center), ensuring our youngest learners are ready when they enter kindergarten. Edwards passionately leads educators who ensure learning that narrows social, economic, and racial inequality.

She loves spending time with her family; traveling, exploring, and learning the history, culture, and languages of different places. She loves broadening and exposing her two children to new experiences. Her voice is also heard as she leads the Saint Martin De Porres Choir and sings in the Kent State Gospel Choir, the University of Cincinnati’s African American Culture and Research Center Choir, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Choir, which led to her performance in a "Lion King" production. 

Jennifer Frey helps little children through key time for young brains

Jennifer R. Frey, president of Every Child Succeeds (ECS), is most notable for her tireless work to ensure an optimal start for children. Addressing the critical period of brain development, ages 0-3, ECS is based on the principle that parents are their children’s first and best teachers. ECS equips 2,000 low-income pregnant women and new parents each year with the educational tools and information needed to succeed in school and life. The program also connects families to community services, linking them to quality preschool when they graduate from ECS. During her first 2½ years at the helm, Frey led ECS through the global pandemic and launched its first strategic planning process. She has championed traumainformed care, community partnerships, and cultural responsiveness as keys to ensuring children have an optimized path for reaching their potential. When not working, Jennifer enjoys playing with her 3-year-old son. 

Renee Daniel supports growth, ensures quality of many programs

Renee Daniel is the vice president of early childhood education for the CincinnatiHamilton County Head Start Program. She is passionate about her work with families of young children and supporting the growth and development of children from birth to 5 years old. Her greatest impact in the Early Childhood field has been ensuring the quality of the Head Start program and supporting the growth of early childhood education in our community. The wonderful thing about Daniel is that she understands that this work cannot be done in isolation, it takes a village and she is intentional about building relationships in the community that will make a positive, long-lasting impact on our children and families.

Her favorite thing to do is make quilts. Daniel is a mother of three adult children. Two were married in the last year and she cannot wait to be a glam-ma. 

Thanks to the sponsors of the 20th Annual Giving USA Briefing

Karen Patrick went from JCC camper to early childhood

teacher

Karen Patrick, a teacher at the Mayerson JCC Early Childhood School, has been at the ECS for four years but has been affiliated with the J for much longer. Karen began her journey at the JCC when she was 10 years old as a camper at the J. She transitioned to a camp counselor and worked in this role for eight years. Karen is a kind, loving and caring teacher who focuses on creating a high-quality learning environment while creating strong bonds with each of the children in her classroom. When Karen is not teaching in the classroom, you can find her spending time with her dog, enjoying a good meal, and connecting with her friends. Karen is celebrating her five-year anniversary as a volunteer at the Crisis Text Hotline. 

KarenPatrick

JenniferFrey

Featured speaker Melissa Brown sharing results of the 2022 Giving USA Report with over 150 nonprofit leaders in the Reakirt Auditorium at Cincinnati Museum Center on June 20, 2023.

ReneeDaniel

Katrina Proud’s dedication creates supportive places for children

Katrina Proud is director of children’s services at Easterseals Redwood. Her dedication and passion for providing exceptional education and service to children are unparalleled. Throughout her remarkable 23-year career there, Proud has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to children with significant medical needs, developmental/intellectual disabilities, and typically developing children in integrated classrooms. Her expertise in creating inclusive and supportive environments has resulted in her program being awarded the highest rating of five stars in the STARs program. Proud will soon be expanding her program to Boone County. She has the ability to manage complex initiatives, build collaborative relationships, and drive positive outcomes. She will continue to excel in her career and positively impact the lives of countless children and families. 

Jaime Mutter is advocate and educator in improving early childhood outcomes

Jaime Mutter is a prominent figure in Cincinnati’s early childhood education sector. With over 22 years of experience in education and nonprofits, she has served 15 years at Santa Maria Community Services. Mutter began as a home visitor for the Promoting Our Preschoolers program and became a program supervisor in 2014. Her outstanding contributions led to her appointment as Every Child Succeeds director in 2021 and early childhood program director in 2023. Alongside teaching elementary education and preschool, she also instructed English composition and literature at Brown Mackie College. Mutter’s expertise encompasses family advocacy, education, early childhood development, school readiness, and leadership. Her exemplary leadership qualities and dedication make her an influential figure in the early childhood education sector. Mutter, mom of two and stepmom of one, likes to travel and affectionately refers to her minivan as The Muttership! 

Pandemic didn’t stop Sandra Woodall from opening new agency in NKY

Few individuals would found a nonprofit agency during a global pandemic, yet that is exactly what Sandra Woodall, executive director and CEO of the Early Childhood Learning Education Assessment Resource Network, did in Northern Kentucky. EC LEARN launched in June 2020 as a manifestation of her belief that quality early childhood experiences build the foundation for success in school and life. Woodall leads her team to inspire families, early childhood professionals, and community leaders to prioritize early childhood experiences. With her appointed seat on the Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council, Woodall advocates for issues influencing early childhood experiences. Established as the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, Woodall secured a $375,000 state contract in 2021 to increase access to family child care. Woodall loves spending time with her husband, John, her two sons, five grandchildren and friends. She enjoys camping and finding treasures in her thrifting adventures. 

Patti Gleason involved in range of early-childhood initiatives

Prior to becoming chief program officer of Learning Grove, Patti Gleason was the CEO of Cincinnati Early Learning Centers. Over her 30 years at CELC, she grew the program from one site to eight and added outside services, offering parent engagement and coaching to community programs. Gleason has been at the table for nearly every community initiative in our region, serving on the planning committees of many, including Success by 6, Cincinnati Preschool Promise, the Homeless Solutions Early Childhood Committee and the Consortium for Resilient Young Children. She has also represented our region at the state level on many occasions. Gleason is on the CPP cost of quality groundwork advisory committee, and the Ohio Job and Family Services’ early childhood task force. Gleason’s contributions to the field of early childhood education have been recognized by 4C for Children and the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children. Patti enjoys entertaining and watching British mysteries. 

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KatrinaProud

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SandraWoodall

By Shauna Steigerwald

Chara Fisher Jackson Preparing children to thrive

AlthoughChara Fisher Jackson has held a variety of roles, her career has centered around one issue: Equity.

“Equity is what drives me,” she said. “The experiences of my family have taught me how equity can be a catalyst for how generations can move out of the most challenging circumstances. Access to education made the most difference.”

Since 2019, when she became executive director and CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, Fisher Jackson has worked directly toward that education piece, driving the organization’s mission: “to ensure equitable access to high-quality preschool so that every Cincinnati child is prepared for kindergarten.”

“My view of equity is taking proactive steps to make sure everyone has access to what they need, in the way that they need it, when they need it, to give (them) a chance and an opportunity to thrive,” she said.

That philosophy dovetails with the work of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, which takes a systemic approach: Not only does it help families find and afford high-quality preschool, but it also provides support for preschool teachers and providers. Providers must be in the Cincinnati Public Schools District and can be family child care providers; single or multicenter sites; and parochial schools with “a quality rating of 3, 4, or 5-star in Ohio’s Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) system.”

“Ultimately, everyone benefits from the Preschool Promise being successful,” Fisher Jackson said. “Entrepreneurs and preschools are set up well. Teachers are paid fairly and are willing to stay in this profession. Children are learning and they’re there

“If you could see what I see in one day visiting a preschool, you would never question the value of early childhood education,” she added. “It will take your breath away.”

Education was a family value

Fisher Jackson’s maternal grandparents were farmers who didn’t attend school beyond junior high. Yet Fisher Jackson’s mother and all six of her mother’s siblings attended college.

“My grandparents worked hard, and my parents worked just as hard, but the difference in their life experiences is because of access” to education, she said.

Fisher Jackson’s mother – who participated in sitins at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, N.C., during the Civil Rights movement – eventually earned a doctorate in education and worked as a college professor.

Fisher Jackson’s father was a CPA.

Even with how tuned into education her parents were, when Fisher Jackson wanted to learn to read, they recognized that they couldn’t teach her themselves. She needed preschool.

“I am who I am, I have the luxury of being the leader of the Preschool Promise … because investments were made in me by loving parents and loving educators in those early years,” Fisher Jackson said.

Unexpected opportunities

Fisher Jackson grew up in Marietta, Ga., just outside Atlanta, and attended Oglethorpe University before earning a law degree from William & Mary Law School. After serving as a bailiff in a Georgia state court, she worked for a series of Georgia-based nonprofits, including one that focused on equity issues in the court system. Eventually she landed what she thought was her dream job: pursuing her passion for civil rights work at the ACLU in Georgia, where she rose from legal director to deputy director to interim executive director.

Eric Kearney, president and CEO of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce and a fellow lawyer, knew of her work there. “She’s famous on a national level for some of the cases she’s done,” he said.

They included challenging racial profiling in Georgia; challenging the practice of shackling women during childbirth in Georgia's prisons; challenging the denial of an “adequate public education” (as guaranteed by Georgia's constitution) for children sent to an alternative school; and challenges on voting rights and absentee ballots.

But after a series of particularly difficult cases, Fisher Jackson decided to take a break at the end of 2014.

“Complex impact litigation is a tough job, and I was ready for change,” she said.

A desire to continue doing work that made a difference ultimately brought her to Cincinnati. Her partner lived here, so she’d traveled back and forth – until she saw that the Greater Cincinnati Urban League was hiring an executive director. Within 11 days of interviewing, she had the job and was moving to Cincinnati.

“The city was wonderful and welcoming to me in a way I’d never expected,” she said of her new hometown. “There’s an energy here that I haven’t seen everywhere (of) ‘What can we do together?’ ”

If you could see what I see in one day visiting a preschool, you would never question the value of early childhood education. It will take your breath away.

– Chara Fisher Jackson

Chara Fisher Jackson of Preschool Promise

Fisher Jackson saw the role at Urban League as an opportunity to get in front of issues she’d litigated about.

“We can help people be on the right path … if we start earlier in the process,” she said, with the help of programs such as the job training, advocacy and small business support that the Urban League provides.

Fisher Jackson eventually became interim CEO of Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. Working there was a “great adventure” that allowed her to “touch every part of the community.”

But when she got a call from a search firm seeking Cincinnati Preschool Promise’s next executive director, she saw a way to get to the very core of issues in the community by helping young children.

“If you show up to kindergarten ready to learn, you’ll continue to be successful throughout your academic career,” she said.

Her skills and background made her a perfect fit for the job, according to Vanessa Freytag, president/CEO of 4C for Children, who was one of Fisher Jackson’s references. Freytag describes it as a “complicated role” involving multiple organizations, political issues and legal ramifications, among other challenges.

“I cannot think of another person who has the breadth of skills to not just handle all of that, but to work through it always, always to the betterment of the community,” Freytag said.

Making a Promise

Cincinnati Preschool Promise resulted from a Cincinnati Public Schools levy, passed in 2016 and renewed in 2020, that allocated $15 million per year to “expand access to quality preschool.”

The idea is to eliminate barriers, such as preschool costs and the fact that there weren’t enough high-quality preschool “seats” to serve every child in every family, Fisher Jackson said. So in addition to helping families with tuition, there is a need to “help fund and create high-quality preschools with experienced and prepared teachers and an appropriate learning environment,” particularly because tools such as quality playground equipment and evidencebased curriculum are expensive, she said.

With a good preschool foundation, children will start kindergarten ready to learn – and that’s what’s happening, she said. She shared a pre-CPP report that compiled 2014 data from Cincinnati Public Schools. It noted that only 52 percent of children entering kindergarten “were classified as ‘on track’ for school readiness as measured by language and literacy skills.” According to Cincinnati Preschool Promise’s five-year impact report, 73 percent of preschoolers who received tuition assistance through the organization went to kindergarten ready to learn.

That report also noted that CPP has supported 7,955 preschoolers through tuition assistance; created 1,415 new high-quality seats through quality improvement; and provided 185 teacher promise grants. There are 268 providers in the CPP network.

Leading the way

Freytag believes Fisher Jackson has been successful in the role thanks to qualities such as her insight, compassion, loyalty and humility. And there’s her ability to “cut to the chase” and find common ground to bring multiple sides together.

“I’ve seen her navigate a really dicey situation politically, and it’s like watching a master class,” Freytag said.

“She is a great communicator,” she added. “She’s very skilled at shifting that communication style in a way that best connects with the group.”

Through his work at the chamber, Kearney has partnered with Fisher Jackson both during her time at the Urban League and at CPP.

Through the years, he has appreciated her leadership skills, open communication,

charismatic personality and sense of humor. He also admires her ability to excel at both policy and program implementation. “It’s rare to have both of those skill sets in one person,”

“She deeply cares about the work,” he added, calling her compassion “exemplary.”

Fisher Jackson thrives on constant improvement. “I always want to do more, learn more, build more,” she said.

This has included continuing her education beyond her law degree. She earned her master’s in criminal justice through the University of Cincinnati’s online program, and she’s pursuing an educational leadership certificate at Harvard.

“I did accept that I may be a little bit of an overachiever … but I’ve also learned when it’s good to say no and how to prioritize,” she said.

Beyond her work, Fisher Jackson values her Nichiren Buddhist faith and her time with family, whether that’s her partner – now fiance, and his three daughters and granddaughter – or her father, who she talks to every day and visits in North Carolina every other month.

After all, family is where her equity journey began. “Seeing the equity in everyone is something my parents gave me,” she said. “You're not better than anyone because you have access to education or because you have this job or title. Everyone has value.”

Looking ahead, her biggest concerns for CPP are finding the next generation of early childhood teachers and making sure they’re paid fairly. She also thinks about the ongoing investment in CPP. (The current levy ends in 2025.) Her day-to-day experiences fuel her passion for the work, challenges and all.

“Every day when I go to work I see myself. I see myself in the educators who are our teachers, in the preschool providers who are the entrepreneurs and workers. (They’re) women who look like me and the people I grew up with,” she said.

Then there’s her joy in seeing a child’s eyes light up when she gives them a book. And success stories of families who are grateful for the help getting their children into a good preschool.

“I haven’t met a parent who doesn’t want the best for their child,” she said. “They need to know how to access it.”

Thanks to her work at Cincinnati Preschool Promise, more families will have that access to high-quality preschool.

“Without Chara, our community and our early childhood education prospects would certainly be less than what they are today,” Freytag said. “She has been instrumental these last (few) years in helping the preschool promise become what we hoped it would be when it was voted in. She’s an exceptional woman.” 

 www.cincy-promise.org

Photo by WenDell g ibbs Jr, eleven27 Photogra Phy

Opportunities and obstacles to youngest children’s success

Researchhas shown that 90% of a child’s brain is fully developed by the age of five. High-quality early learning experiences have been proven critical to children’s rapidly developing neural connections. Movers & Makers invited five local experts in the field to share their perspectives on the importance and challenges of early child education and development. Responses were edited for clarity and space.

 MOVERS & MAKERS: What is the single, most important factor in early child development and why?

HARTE: It is experiences that build the architecture of the brain. When we talk to, read to, play games with and engage children, it facilitates their growth in all areas of development.

LANE: Environments can either propel children forward or can slow down the process of healthy development. But if we can provide high-quality classroom environments, we can help children by providing them with food, community and learning experiences that will spark their curiosity and learning, and help them to feel safe.

WILLINS: Having a supportive, nurturing, responsive caregiver is essential to early development. This builds both security and trust, and sets the stage for learning in all areas.

ROWE: Language-rich home environments, where children’s needs for food and shelter are secure with minimal exposure to toxic stress, best set children on a trajectory for success.

 M&M: What is the largest obstacle to early child development? What does that obstacle hinder?

HARTE: Lack of opportunity and toxic stress are fairly big obstacles. Prolonged exposure to violence, abuse, neglect and poverty can impact children through adulthood.

MOOMAW: Poverty. It is difficult to create a nurturant environment when families are struggling to provide food, shelter and medical care. Stress on families leads to stress

on children, which hinders social-emotional development and cognitive growth.

WILLINS: All of the barriers that get in the way of mental wellness for families and children. Whether it is poverty, trauma or chronic stress, these all hinder a child’s ability to build a strong social-emotional foundation. It is critical for children to recognize and manage feelings in themselves and others. Learning ABCs, 123s, shapes and colors will be more impactful when children also know what to do when someone knocks over their blocks.

ROWE: I am highly concerned that … there are efforts being made at the state level to provide minimal child development education to graduating high school students so that they can be deployed to work in early childhood settings as lead teachers. They are not prepared for that level of responsibility or decision making.

 M&M: What do you wish parents knew about early child development?

HARTE: I wish parents knew they were already experts. They are their children’s first teachers, and they have funds of knowledge and expertise. No one knows their child as well as they do. The impactful things are free and simple. Talking to, playing with and interacting with children helps them to learn about the world around them.

LANE: I wish the parents really understood the importance of using lots of language to talk with their children to encourage vocabulary and literacy. Even infants respond to language from their parents or caregiver. They begin to try and mimic these sounds as those connections are made in their brain to begin talking.

MOOMAW: I wish parents understood the need for unconditional love during the infant years along with the importance of interacting with infants, talking to them, and responding to their curiosity.

WILLINS: Back and forth interactions matter in terms of development. This can happen during playtime, mealtime, care routines, transitions – many types of interactions

Marie Willins Board President, Southwest Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children

Helene Harte Co-Director, Learning + Teaching Center, Professor of Education, Behavioral Science Department, University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash College

Deanna Lane Vice President, Family & Community Services, Learning Grove

Sally Moomaw Associate Professor Emeritus, Early Childhood Education, University of Cincinnati

Tracey Rowe Vice President, Ohio Programs, Learning Grove

support connectivity that more complex learning can be built on over time.

 M&M: How would you assess the value of creative play?

HARTE: Creative play is extremely valuable. Children need time to be children, to explore and fail and try again. They need to get dirty and ask questions and create. Even structured or guided play should follow children’s leads. We need to be aware of children’s interests, contexts, uniqueness and commonality.

LANE: Children can be taught to memorize concepts, but this knowledge does not sustain them past third grade and beyond. Children should be in classrooms that allow them to be critical thinkers and discover knowledge on their own.

MOOMAW: Play should be unstructured to encourage children’s imaginations and interactions. Adults should ensure a safe play environment and follow the child’s cues when joining in play.

WILLINS: The research is clear in that play is a crucial part of learning and is the most valuable “work” a young child can do. With creative play, it is important to focus on the process more than the product.

ROWE: Research tells us that when children are provided the opportunity to learn by doing they are far more likely to make connections that will last. Children retain the learnings they achieve through hands-on experiences rather than those that come through rote learning and memorization.

 M&M: What is the most important recent discovery, either yours or another expert’s?

HARTE: Recent research on the benefits of inclusion provide a reminder that children with disabilities and children without disabilities should be learning together.

WILLINS: There is more information now known through imaging studies about what areas of the brain store, process, and use language. This is important

in broadening our understanding of the positive impact in exposing children to language even prior to birth.

LANE: One of my most important recent discoveries is that children are never too young to begin to notice differences about each other, in particular, racial differences. Children should understand that it’s okay to be different and that it is those differences that make each of us so unique. We want children to see color and appreciate the special differences we all possess that make us unique.

ROWE: Children need to be in environments where teachers support the understanding that it’s okay to be different and that it is those differences that make each of us special and unique.

 M&M: What are the ultimate, societal benefits of optimal early child development?

HARTE: Society benefits when we look at all children as our children. We also have to remember that children do not grow and develop in isolation. Optimal child development happens when we support families, provide resources in communities and create the frameworks that allow children’s needs to be met.

LANE:

grow up to be unique individuals who can think for themselves and contribute their talents and skills to the global community.

MOOMAW:

society of healthy, intelligent, pro ductive citizens who can produce a stable, productive and nurturant society.

WILLINS:

savings in education and healthcare costs, we must also consider the benefits that come from supporting strong executive functioning and re lational skills. The mental flexibility that optimal early child develop ment provides supports our future growth as a society as a whole.

ROWE: up with the skills necessary to be problem solvers and critical thinkers who cherish and embrace those who are different from themselves.

 M&M: What are the costs to society of failure?

HARTE: The costs of failure are what we see in toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences, negative outcomes for physical and mental health.

LANE: As people are getting worried about what children lost during COVID and our children not being ready for kindergarten, we are doing a lot of direct instruction [simple sharing of information, not experiences] and teaching to the test, so that we have good kindergarten results. But the reality is that when we only do direct instruction, children are in a worse position, because they have not learned how to think critically on their own, which is a skill that will sustain them for a lifetime.

WILLINS: A widening of the gaps of inequity.

MOOMAW: Poverty, intellectual stagnation, mentally troubled citizens, discord, inability to work toward common societal goals.

 M&M: What else should we know about the current status of early child education?

WILLINS: The role of equitable access to quality early care and education and the barriers that prevent this for working families. This is an issue for much of the workforce now.

ROWE: The consequences of a lack of funding at local, state and federal levels that support childcare. ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding is ending and many childcare programs will not be able to be financially viable without these types of dollars.

MOOMAW: What is the current status of the early child development field? The answer is serious decline. Childcare teachers are difficult to find, and when centers can find people to work, they are untrained. Colleges are not turning out early childhood teachers, in part because Ohio has done away with early childhood licensure and replaced it with elementary school licensure. Early childhood is the canary in the mine. 

Stuff

Saturday, August 5 10am – 1pm

Kenwood Towne Centre (Main

www.crayons2computers.org

Snapshots

Ballet’s Club B presents evening of fun, whimsy

Cincinnati Ballet’s biggest annual fundraiser, Club B, brought an evening filled with fun and whimsy to ballet supporters, family, staff and dancers. This year’s event at the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills, titled “In-Wonderland,” was co-chaired by John Hinger and Kristen Oyler. The evening included performances by Cincinnati Ballet Second CompanyCB2, flamenco artist Irene Rodríguez, Lachey Arts and DANCEFIX. KeyBank was presenting sponsor.

 www.cballet.org

Club B co-chair John Hinger, Cincinnati Ballet Artistic Director Jodie Gates and Club B co-chair Kristen Oyler.

Club B entertainment sponsor and Cincinnati Ballet board member David Cook and Cincinnati Ballet sustaining trustee Joselyn Pfeil

Lisa Altman, Cincinnati Ballet President and CEO Scott Altman and Lachey Arts founders Lea and Drew Lachey

Heather Britt (far right) and DANCEFIX members perform.

Larry Sheakley and Cincinnati Ballet Trustee Emeritus Rhonda Sheakley

Lisa Stone and Cincinnati Ballet Board Chair Joel Stone

(Back) Vito Damiano, Jennifer Damiano, Sam Epstein, Nicholas Bierwagen, Scott Reed, Megan McCuen and Mike McCuen; (front) Julia Gundzik, Mia Steedle and Ramsay Miller

Attendees from KeyBank, presenting sponsor of Club B 2023

Lachey Arts perform “label•less,.

INTRODUCING THE CHATFIELD EDGE

Supporting first-generation and non-traditional students

The Chatfield Edge is a new nonprofit organization that empowers people to achieve their life goals through education and is built upon the 177-year-old educational legacy of the Ursulines of Brown County.

Four Ways We Support

Education Endeavors

We help students identify a field of study, select a school or program, and complete applications.

Chatfield Scholars

We assist students with identifying financial resources (e.g., personal contributions, grants, loans, and scholarships), and o er scholarships if there is still a gap.

How YOU Can Support Mentoring

Future Now

We o er mentoring, coaching, and career counseling because we know that ongoing support can lead to long-term success.

Servant Leaders

We provide opportunities for students from all faith backgrounds to reflect on their values and give back in service to others.

Mentors are key to our mission. If you have the desire to listen, o er guidance, and walk along one of our amazing scholars, contact us today at https://chatfieldedge.org/mentoring/.

Giving

A financial gift to The Chatfield Edge is an investment in a mission that impacts individuals and builds our community. Learn more at https://chatfieldedge.org/give/.

Someone else has invested in my education, which makes it even more of a responsibility to do the best I can. I also have a responsibility to future students. If the donors don’t see me using their money, they won’t continue to give.”

- Pamala, 2023 Chatfield Edge Scholar

If you or someone you know is a first generation or non-traditional student in need of support, contact us today.

Guests go wild to support zoo education programs

Approximately 2,000 guests came together at Zoo La La, presented by Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc., to support Cincinnati Zoo education programming. More than $405,000 was raised for programs including the Living Classroom Education Access Fund, providing free educational experiences to children in need. The after-hours party at the zoo was hosted by the Ambassador Council, a group of emerging leaders committed to furthering the zoo’s mission, and was chaired by Aleicia Ennis. The party featured food from restaurants around the city, including Thunderdome Restaurant Group, Prime Cincinnati, YouYu and more. Eventgoers experienced a special Cheetah Run, up-close animal encounters and live music from 3 Piece Revival.

www.cincinnatizoo.org

Zoo diverts 99% of Zoo La La waste

Cincinnati Zoo aimed to recycle or repurpose 100% of any material used during Zoo La La, and achieved 99% of that goal.

“Everything that was handed out to guests was either 100% recyclable or compostable,” said Ben Liles, manager of park services. “Because of this, we diverted 3,585 pounds of waste away from landfills and of that rescued 1,000 pounds of edible food for the community.”

The Zoo is planning to continue this effort with its upcoming Wild About Wine and Zoofari events.

Mike Rudnicki, Tracey Stofa, Dan Carter and Brandie Carter

The CZBG Ambassador Council, which has hosted Zoo La La since its inception in 2011

Joe Rigotti

Dominic Iacobucci, Jess Iacobucci, Josh Obermeyer, Kelli Hamilton, Steve Hamilton, Leah English, Ryan English, Moreen Nienaber and Dave Nienaber

Lauren Niestradt and Adam Niestradt

Shae Miller and Cruncher

Matt Ennis and Zoo La La chair Aleicia Ennis

Ambassador Council member Libby Heil

Guests enjoying 3 Piece Revival

Women Helping Women’s gala celebrates 50 years of advocacy

Women Helping Women celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Journey to Joy Gala in the Music Hall Ballroom.

The black-tie affair included speakers, videos and recognition of volunteer sponsors, donors, staff and former executive directors, including co-founder Dr. Jill Bley. The event raised nearly $115,000, surpassing the $110,000 goal. Kroger was the event’s Gold Sponsor.

For five decades, Women Helping Women has supported survivors of gender-based violence in Hamilton, Butler, Brown and Adams counties. In 2021, WHW provided a record-breaking 26,083 services to 7,051 domestic violence survivors while training 4,982 community members to support them.  www.womenhelpingwomen.org

Interim board chair Terri Wallace, WHW executive director/CEO Kristin Shrimplin, Kendall Fisher, Ann MacDonald, Helen Magers, Lucy Crane and Joseph Bley

Beverly Grant

Robert Keith, Kathleen Thorton, Elaine Seuss and Tom Sapinsley

Amy Blesser, Victor Hernandez, Terri Wallace, Da’Vonna Waller, Kyla Woods and Allen Woods

THANK YOU to our supporters and our Gold Sponsor for helping us surpass our goal with our 50th anniversary Journey to Joy Gala.

Hall of Fame Experience raises funds for Muñoz Foundation programs

The Anthony Muñoz Foundation hosted its 22nd annual Hall of Fame Experience, the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Festivities included the Hall of Fame Dinner, presented by Furniture Fair, and the Hall of Fame Golf Classic, presented by altafiber. The event brought together more than 400 local partners, 180 golfers, 120 area veterans, five Pro Football Hall of Famers and dozens of local celebrities.

The dinner at Manor House in Mason included a silent auction, cocktail hour, performance by country music singer and actor JT Hodges, presentation of the Jim & Cheryl Semon Impact Award winner and more. Six area high school seniors received 2023 Scholarship Fund awards of $20,000 each.

The golf classic, at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, included a record 36 foursomes, each paired with a pro football Hall of Famer or local celebrity. To honor local men and women for their service, the foundation also invited veterans to the annual Veteran Spectator Hole, which included music by DJ Toad, food by Skyline-Maineville and multiple giveaways.

Anthony Muñoz Foundation board members Jon Sanchez and Jack Geiger

Anthony and Dede Muñoz flank 2023 Scholarship Fund recipients Myles Kirksey, Jay Patel, Tiara Watkins, Emilie Diop and Mortaza Anwari. Not pictured: recipient Heylee Leach

Anthony Muñoz and the Hall of Fame Golf Classic 2023 runners-up, a foursome sponsored by E.M.A. Construction: Nico Pallotta, Eddie Allen, Anthony Muñoz, Blake Mason, Wheeler Renfro and Jimmy Burrow

Former Bengals center Bruce Kozerski accepts the 2023 Jim & Cheryl Semon Impact Award at the Hall of Fame Dinner.

Chris Pettigrew, Al Early, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, Mark Anderson, altafiber CEO Leigh Fox

Anthony Muñoz and the Hall of Fame Golf Classic 2023 winners, a foursome sponsored by Friend of the Foundation Dave Browne: Tim Stidham, Mark Householder, Anthony Muñoz, Duane Charbonneau and Kevin Hall. Not pictured: Corwin Anthony

CINCINNATI’S BEST

Are Getting Even Better!

2023 will be a monumental year of progress for the Sharonville Convention Center and the Northern Lights District. With our upcoming $21 million expansion set to begin this year, the City of Sharonville continues to grow our amenities. The new Todd Portune Hall will accommodate up to 2,000 people for our large galas while our Northern Lights Ballroom will continue to accommodate events up to 700. With the new Delta by Marriott Hotel, our connected Hyatt Place hotel and the award winning Third Eye Brewery all just steps away, your guests will truly enjoy a one-of-a kind experience.

Get Inspired. To learn more contact us at 513.771.7744 or at sccinfo@cityofsharonville.com sharonvilleconventioncenter.com

Talbert House celebrates fathers, raises $333K

Talbert House and 340 guests celebrated dedicated dads and strong families at its annual Fatherhood Celebration in Memorial Hall. Presented by the Hatton Foundation, the event raised more than $330,000 to support Talbert House’s Fatherhood Project, a program that supports responsible, committed and nurturing dads.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, introduced by his father Sherwood Taylor, gave the keynote address, and Taylor and Fatherhood Project graduate Larry Thomas were honored as Fathers of the Year.

The honorees shared their perspectives on being fathers to their children and the lessons learned from their dads. View the videos: www.youtube.com/talberthouse1  www.talberthouse.org

Fatherhood Project committee members: (Back) Josh Arnold, John Silverman, Ben Willingham, David Hoguet, Mitchel Livingston, Peter Klekamp, Bernie Calonge and Joe Greiner; (front) Becky Scullin, Mark Addy, Jack Greiner, Sam Rossell, Craig Kurz and James Horn

(Above right) Bengals mascot Who Dey with Kelly Blake, Jason Blake, Dan Scullin, Jenni Kohlhepp, Scott Kohlhepp and Sam Kohlhepp

John Silverman, Laurence Jones, Margaret Lunsford, Walt Lunsford, Steve Scherzinger and Neil Tilow

John Silverman, Sherwood Taylor, Fathers of the Year Larry Thomas and Zac Taylor, Jack Greiner and Neil Tilow

IPM Food Pantry paving the way for its new home

IPM Food Pantry showcased the ongoing construction of its future home in Eastgate at its Paving the Way event. IPM will consolidate its pantry operations from two leased buildings into one 12,000-squarefoot, permanent facility near I-275 in western Clermont County later this year.

The new building will enhance IPM’s mission to create a thriving, food-secure community. It will expand efficiencies for food storage and distribution to families throughout eastern Hamilton County and Clermont, Brown and Adams counties.

IPM has reached 80 percent of its $5 million goal to complete its new home, including a $1 million anonymous lead gift and a $500,000 contribution from the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.

 www.ipmfoodpantry.org

Signing the door for IPM’s new pantry: Laurie Hubert of the Ed and Joann Hubert Family Foundation Inc., IPM board member Matt Kite,

IPM board member Jane Portman, Sarah Steinman, IPM President and CEO Alida Hart, and IPM board member/campaign co-chair Nirvani Head

Nirvani Head and Marge Putman

Amy Overbey, IPM board chair Steve Elliott and Kurt Reiber, Freestore Foodbank president and CEO

Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan and Union Township Trustee Michael Logue

Corey Drushal and Brittany Long of TQL Foundation, with Alida Hart

Joy Lytle, Clermont Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, with Tricia Mullins

Overview of IPM Food Pantry Paving the Way event

Cincy Shakes REVELs in fundraising gala

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company welcomed donors and supporters to “REVEL and Rise,” a gala and benefit performance of “Trouble in Mind.”

Raising more than $112,000 for “Shakespeare For All,” the event honored Dick Westheimer with the 2023 Globe Award in recognition of his two decades of support and service. In addition to the performance, the evening featured a reception, dinner by-the-bite, a raffle and dessert.

REVEL was presented by Bartlett Wealth Management.

 www.cincyshakes.com

REVEL sponsors Sue Ann Painter and Mark Painter

Sara Clark, CSC director of development, presents the Globe Award to Dick Westheimer.

Robert Killins Jr. of REVEL host Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Dick Westheimer and REVEL host Myron Hughes

CSC’s Sara Clark and Candice Handy with Jim Mason and Debby Mason, CSC Education Season sponsors, Christina Vassallo, executive director of the Contemporary Arts Center, and Rosemary Schlachter, CSC board president and REVEL host

Candice Handy as Wiletta Mayer in “Trouble in Mind”

Angela White with REVEL hosts Cynthia Batte and William Batte REVEL host Kelley Downing, Nick Decker, Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat

Kyle Pohlman, Gretchen Bloomstrom, Jason Katz and Julie Katz, representing presenting sponsor Bartlett Wealth Management

Andrea Canterbury, Matt Canterbury, REVEL sponsor Marilyn Duke and Heidi O’Connor

Jodi Woffington and Jay Woffington

William Young and Catherine Anne Young with Elizabeth Mariner and Thom Mariner

Amy Samad and Jake Samad, representing REVEL host RKPT

Golf classic raises $96K for Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones hosted its 22nd Annual Golf Classic at O’Bannon Creek Golf Club, netting more than $96,500 to benefit year-round programming for children, teens and adults with disabilities.

Golfers participated in a raffle with 10 packages and four challenges with luxury prizes. As the tournament came to a close, golfers relaxed in the clubhouse where dinner was provided and awards were presented. Greg Tudor, Mike Tolle, Joe Voss and Trey Voss won the morning tournament and Tim Goss, Tom Tweedlie, Nick Goss and Allen Goss won the afternoon tournament.

Major sponsors included Edgewell Private Brands, Wells Enterprises, Niagara Bottling, Yasso, TreeHouse Foods and Reddy Ice.

Stepping Stones is an impact agency serving people with disabilities in day and overnight programs that increase independence and promote inclusion.

 www.steppingstonesohio.org

Morning round winners Greg Tudor, Mike Tolle, Joe Voss and Trey Voss

Afternoon round winners Tim Goss, Tom Tweedlie, Nick Goss and Allen Goss

Sue Krauss, Christy Pucci, Barb Rohs, Tenesia Wildermuth, Blake Gustafson, Elizabeth Rogers, Anne Shanahan and Heidi Felton

Sabrina Mennen and event chair Steve Mennen

Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust

Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation

The Alpaugh Foundation

The Corbett Foundation The Fullgraf Foundation

Thomas W. Busse Trust

Mueller Family Foundation

The Stephen H. Wilder Foundation Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Sheila and Christopher Cole

CABVI’s Fun Fest features Brennaman in ‘beeping baseball’

The Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired held its annual Fun Fest, a free, accessible event to further its mission of empowering people to seek independence. The event, at Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine, included a cornhole tournament, a live DJ set, “beep baseball,” carnival games and food.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman kicked off the event by pitching to participants in a special Beeping Baseball Home Run Derby. Everyone who stepped up to the plate wore a blindfold to learn what it is like to participate in physical activities with a visual impairment. CABVI also offered an accessible cornhole tournament with optional beeping boards.

 www.cincyblind.org

CAM Catalysts’ Happening takes art lovers on Pablo cruise

Cincinnati Art Museum’s CAM Catalysts board, which benefits the museum’s youth and family programs and thousands of free public programs onsite and in the community, hosted “A Happening with Pablo” fundraiser at the museum.

Coinciding with the opening day of CAM’s latest exhibition –“Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds” – attendees enjoyed an immersive experience created by AGAR, live music from Bluewater Kings Band, unique menu items and festive cocktails.

Co-chairs were Natalie Leonard, Rachael Magowan and Vaughn Smith.

 www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Natalie Jones from Q102 and Aaron Bley, CABVI vice president of community relations and chief development officer

Local 12 anchor Paula Toti, CABVI board member Tim Smith and CABVI President Teri Shirk

Hall of Fame announcer Marty Brennaman, Amanda Brennaman and CABVI board chair Glen Vogel

Marty Brennaman pitching to CABVI client Rikki Guy with Reds mascot Gapper as catcher

CABVI client Nick Buscani playing carnival games

Maurice Huey, CABVI vice president of vision services, and Larry Klug, access technology specialist

Cornhole Tournament winners Zeke Coleman and Tia Coleman

Guests enjoy Cincinnati Art Museum’s “A Happening with Pablo” fundraiser.

Springer Celebration raises $280K for school

Supporters gathered at Newport Car Barn to raise funds for Springer School and Center at A Springer Celebration 2023: Farm to Feast.

Guest speaker Kip Kummerle, a Springer alumnus who sends two of his children to the school, shared his story of growing up with a learning difference. Kummerle and his wife are the owners of Liberty Farm Market, an organic farm market in Liberty Township.

He likened his business to his experience at Springer, saying, “We support, stand beside and empower our partners to lean outside of their comfort zone … focusing on their strengths.”

Rob and Carrie Gould chaired the event, which raised $280,000 for financial aid, school operations and learning programs.

 www.springer-ld.org

Kip Kummerle, Jen Kummerle (standing, in back), Sully Kummerle, Owen Kummerle and Sue Kummerle

Chancze Lepore, Joshua Smitherman, Albert Smitherman, Olivia Smitherman and Justin Smitherman

Bree Bergman, Michael Bergman, Kathy Bergman and Tom Bergman

Heather Gockerman, Doug Fassler, Cecily Fassler, Joelle Ragland and Eva Booher

Event chairs Carrie Gould and Rob Gould

45th Concours d’Elegance:

Porsches

and Corvettes and Beetles, oh my!

With the theme “75 Years of Porsche,” the 45th annual Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance showcased more than 200 pristine collector vehicles, sponsored by Porsche of the Village, during its weekend of events in Ault Park.

The show also featured 13 classes of classic, vintage and exotic automobiles and motorcycles and special display classes: the 70th Anniversary of the Corvette and the 85th Anniversary of the Volkswagen Beetle.

More than 600 guests enjoyed a display of jets, collector vehicles and exotic automobiles at the Hangar Party, hosted by Executive Jet Management, Lunken Airport. The event included dinner by-the-bite, wines from Hart & Cru and a silent wine auction with proceeds benefiting the Arthritis Foundation’s juvenile arthritis programs.

Lou Velazquez, Victoria Della Donna and Amy Scalia

Judy Wells, Ben Wells Jr. and Carley Wells

Helen Harding, Dick Harding, Rich Harding and Keely Harding

2023 Miss Kentucky Madalyne Kinnett and Tony McBride

Fred Jones, Beverly Corsmeier and Rich Frantz

Brandon Brooks and Amiri Ormond

Mike Valentine and Dave Sheehy

George Elliott and Peg Valentine

Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park

Glenn Jividen Jr. and Steve Reubel

The MOTA Car Club Team: Debbie Porter, Joe Porter, Dan Wiggins, Amelia Wiggins, Stacy Kostiuk and Ted Kostiuk

Gene Perkins and Sally Perkins (honored collector)

The 2023 Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance Hangar Party 

Beverly Corsmeier and Rocky Corsmeier

Best Point celebrates achievements at 159th annual meeting

Best Point Education and Behavioral Health saluted staff, board members and trustees for their work at the organization’s 159th Annual Membership Meeting and Dinner, held at its Heidt Center of Excellence.

The meeting provided members with an overview of the organization’s status, recognizing those who have worked to serve Best Point clients, as well as integrate St. James, CATS and St. Aloysius into the organization.

The meeting was opened by Brendon Cull, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval proclaimed June 7 as “Dr. Robert S. Heidt, Jr., M.D. Day” for his years of service at Best Point. Outgoing board chair Tony Hobson passed the gavel to incoming chair Karen Bankston. Best Point also recognized staff and volunteers with a variety of awards:

• Presidential Award: Jenny

Carmen, Teresa Hortenberry, Ashundai Early, Dayna Coleman and Isaac Brown

• Best Point Promise Award: Margaret “Maggie” Botts, Taja

Sigmon and Leyla Ashraf

• Co-Star Award: Elaine Hamilton and Theresa Wandstrat

• Heidt Center of Excellence

Award : Brett Schmidt, Alex Gross and Meg Roe

• Best Point Education Award: Katherine Glass, Tamica

Thomas and Jacob Boehne

• Volunteer of the Year: LaSabra Hyden

Best Point was formed in 2022 through the merger of two long-standing organizations, The Children’s Home of Cincinnati and St. Aloysius Orphanage.

 www.bestpoint.org

A Memory Support Environment

While your loved one receives support for daily needs, they’ll also be encouraged to fill their day with engaging moments. Whether it’s music, art, socializing, or technology — our programs offer a range of opportunities for residents to connect through things they enjoy with people who care.

“My husband and I still have our emotional connection because we have each other every day. It’s a good

for each of us where we’re living. It’s a good fit for what our needs are.”

-Kathy, on her experience with husband Peter, Assisted Living Memory Support Resident Call, visit, or request more information today!

Dr. Robert Heidt Jr., Best Point student intern Daniel Smith and Best Point CEO John Banchy announcing June 7, 2023, as “Dr. Robert S. Heidt Jr., M.D. Day” in Cincinnati

Volunteer of the Year Award winner LaSabra Hyden and CEO John Banchy

 Outgoing board chair Tony Hobson is honored by CEO John Banchy.

 Hamilton County Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas

 Karen Bankston begins her two-year role as Best Point board chair.

CAC Block Party celebrates creative minds of all ages

Several hundred guests enjoyed the annual CAC Block Party, a free public event celebrating community artmaking and creative exploration. Held in the Creativity Center on the top floor of the Contemporary Arts Center, the event encouraged creative minds of all ages to drop by and make art, enjoy snacks, learn new crafts and have fun.

In addition to independently led projects like flag designing and rock painting, Terence Hammonds led a workshop on screen printing, Cierra Cogle facilitated group mural painting, and docent Chris Ebling helped create seed bombs. Guests also participated in an artist Q&A that focused on the process behind each artist’s installation, as well as the importance of collaboration and community.

 www.contemporaryartscenter.org

Cincinnati Art Club kicks off campaign to renovate its building

The Cincinnati Art Club kicked off its “For the Love of Art” capital campaign with news of a member donation that put the club at 10% of its $300,000 goal.

The club is raising funds to renovate the exterior of its 57-year-old building at the Parkside Place entrance to Mt. Adams. The event brought together members and the campaign committee for a cakecutting ceremony that honored the club’s long history and celebrated a revitalized future. Don Schuster, who steps down after five years as club president, was awarded an honorary membership.

Founded in 1890, the Cincinnati Art Club remains dedicated to promoting visual art through education and fellowship, with community art workshops, demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, student competitions, publications and scholarships.

 www.cincinnatiartclub.org

Lily Brossart and Audrey Oaks make seed bombs.

Artist Terence Hammonds demonstrates screen printing.

Artist Pam Kravetz, musician/storyteller April Combs Mann and CAC Executive Director Christina Vassallo Alex Yazdian paints a flag.

Kelsey Wabler, Chris Conlon holding Alexandria, Pam Kravetz; (front) Elizabeth and Victoria

Caroline Kircher

Guests gather for the “cake-cutting.”

Michael Paolercio, Carol Holland and Barbara Weyand

Steve Hart and Don Schuster

Canoes and Conversations celebrates revival of Mill Creek

More than 180 guests celebrated the resurgence of the Mill Creek at the fourth annual Canoes and Conversations – a day featuring canoe rides, tours of the Mill Creek Barrier Dam pumping station, guided nature walks along the Mill Creek and bike rides along proposed trail routes, all near the mouth of the Mill Creek at the Ohio River.

Canoes and Conversations offered a forum to explore the economic, recreational, environmental and development opportunities of the Mill Creek, a 28-mile-long hidden gem through the heart of Hamilton County. The event in Lower Price Hill highlighted how various local organizations and leaders are collaborating to extend the Mill Creek Greenway Trail north from the Ohio River to connect to parks and other community assets.

 www.themillcreekalliance.org

John Juech, Todd Palmeter, Melissa Wegman, Wym Portman, Tim Heyl, Jan Portman, Gary Lang, Bill Burwinkel, Mary McConnell, Cincinnati Council Member Meeka Owens, Simon Gifford, Missy Gottschlich, Hannah Roberts and Bennett Kottler

Cincinnati Council Member Mark Jeffreys and Ethan Emery

Cincinnati Council Member Meeka Owens and Wade Johnston

Forest Park Mayor Aharon Brown and Dave Schmitt

Todd Palmeter, Tim Heyl and Jason Barron

Holly Christmann, Lincoln Heights Mayor Ruby KinseyMumphrey, Donna Hartman, Jon Frodge, Debbie Rumpke, Jeff Rumpke, Steven Schuckman, Ashley Feist, Colleen McSwiggin, Emma Byrd and Patrick Gallagher

Melissa Wegman, Bill Burwinkel, Cincinnati Council Member Meeka Owens, Mary McConnell, Gary Lang and Jason Barron watch canoes on the Mill Creek.

Reese Johnson and Bruce Koehler on the Mill Creek

Rigel Berens, Sofia DeFrancesco, Patrick Liben, Robert Flury, Amy Flury, Mike Donohue, Brad Bowers, Rachel Culley and Margaret Weinholz

State Rep. Sedrick Denson and Lincoln Heights Mayor Ruby Kinsey-Mumphrey

Joe Nuxhall Miracle League hosts ninth annual car show

The Ninth Annual Cruise In For Kids Car Show raised more than $23,000 to support the legacy of “The Old Lefthander,” Joe Nuxhall. The Fairfield Professional Firefighters of Local 4010 served as presenting sponsor for this year’s event.

Proceeds from the event support The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields – a place where individuals with challenges get the chance to play baseball. This inclusive recreational campus is home to more than 300 special-needs athletes ages 4 to 79.

The car show has raised more than $140,000 in all to support maintenance and facility needs, adding enhancements like the Skidmore Sales Mini Golf Club and programming for special-needs athletes. More than 120 cars participated in this year’s show, with awards given out to the best entries in nine categories.

 www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org

Ky. Girl Scouts enjoy day of racing, STEM activities

Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road brought girls together from throughout Kentucky for a day of creativity and innovation with the Girl Scout 500, its first valve car race and STEM fest. More than 65 participants attended the event at the future Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Northern Kentucky Leadership Campus in Erlanger.

A valve car is a hollow vehicle housing made with a valve cover from a car engine and is powered by gravity. ATech Training provided kits that the girls have been working on since January to create the fastest car. The program encourages creative thinking and experimenting with engineering principles.

Divided into teams, 35 middle and high school Kentucky Girl Scouts raced their valve cars. The winners: a team from Morehead dubbed the Hipster Whale came in first; the Schlondpoofas, from Northern Kentucky, won second place; and Farm of Friendship, from Lexington, was third place winner. Participants engaged in a range of STEM-focused activities, exposing girls to an array of potential career opportunities. The event was sponsored by ATech Training and the Covington Rotary Club, with help from Duke Energy, GE Aviation, Mubea, the Coast Guard, Coca Cola and Perfetti Van Melle.

 www.gskentucky.org

The Hipster Whale winners from Troop 7381

Attendees view the cars on display.

Cincinnati Reds batboy and Nuxhall Humanitarian Award winner Teddy Kremer with his father, David Kremer

Event co-chairman Ken Rhodus gives the thumbs up.

DJ John returned for another year as the event’s main DJ.

A dragster on Hot Rod Row

Larry Tischler, Nuxhall Foundation vice chairman, invites Youth League All-Star Liam Gorski to pull the winning split-the-pot ticket.

Event volunteers Ebow Vroom and Krissy Cadle of HYUR Staffing Services enjoying an ice cream break from Flub’s

Kim Nuxhall, Nuxhall Foundation president and board chairman, welcomes car owners and event attendees.

Movers & Makers July happy hour

Movers & Makers hosted its monthly gathering in July at the Kinley Hotel, downtown. A mix of readers, nonprofit staff members and nonprofit supporters joined M&M staff and co-publishers Elizabeth and Thom Mariner for happy hour beverages and free light bites and networking. Next opportunity is Aug. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m., again at the Kinley, Seventh and Race streets.

Longworth-Anderson presents Pat Metheny

Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist Pat Metheny graced the Memorial Hall stage with rising stars Chris Fishman and Joe Dyson as part of the LongworthAnderson Series sponsored by the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society. Attendees of all shows are invited to a pre-concert reception with live local music and complimentary food and beverage tastings. The nonprofit series resumes in September.

 www.memorialhallotr.com

Nancy Lipscomb and Richard Lipscomb

Benita Johnson and Eric Johnson Heather Krombholz, Lee Krombholz, Steve Dessner, Kimberly Starbuck, William Baumann, Fran Bailey and Dan Bailey

Dick Reis, Pamela Reis and Bill Baumann

Jason Jones, GE Credit Union; DeShawn Raimey, Western & Southern; Bob Zierolf

Jill Dunne, ArtWorks; Paul Gaitan, Sense Diagnostics

Sue Ann Painter, Cincinnati Book Publishing; Judge Mark Painter

Mark E. Scott, Sleeping at the Wheel; Donna Harris, Over-the-Rhine Museum; Phil Fisher, Movers & Makers

Cheryl Mundon, Fifth Third Bank; Valencia Moses, Vibrant Consulting

Elliot Draznin, Women Helping Women; Zak Draznin, Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky

Maureen Murray and Renee Schuler of Eatwell Catering; Starr Shebesta, ARTclectic

Sue Anne Collins, Guiding Light Mentoring; Tarry Shebesta, ARTclectic

Kelly Heekin; Charlotte Boemker, NKy Child Advocacy Center; Kathy Macke

Kelly Dehan and Rick Staudigel Kyle Snyder and Josh Fardy

RSVP for August 9 Happy Hour

AJC honors Kathy Brinkman for civic, legal excellence

American Jewish Committee Cincinnati presented Kathy Brinkman with the 2023 AJC Cincinnati Judge Learned Hand Award, honoring her civic and legal excellence.

AJC established the annual award in 1964 to recognize leaders in the legal profession. The award honors the memory of famed American jurist Learned Hand, who was well-known for his decisions that centered on questions of constitutional rights and antitrust legislation.

With new national leadership at the helm in CEO Ted Deutch, AJC aims to cultivate the next chapter in Jewish advocacy. AJC is dedicated to fighting antisemitism and extremism, opening doors for Israel and defending democratic values for all.

 www.ajc.org

AFTA bike giveaway brings joy

Bringing joy to 76 children and their families, AFTA-Cincinnati held its annual Bike Giveaway at the Walmart Supercenter on Redbank Road, with help from active military members, veterans and their families. AFTA board members and volunteers collaborated on the event. Each family received up to two bicycles for their children, and each child also received a Walmart gift card for purchasing helmets or other bike essentials. Grants and contributions came from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and others. Members of the Fairfax Police Department provided bike safety materials and souvenirs.

AFTA, the Armed Forces Tickets Association, has supported the Cincinnatiarea military community for 15 years with free or discounted tickets to area events and attractions. To date, AFTA has given away more than $6 million in tickets.  www.afta-cincinnati.org

Carolyn Gilbert and Kathy Brinkman

State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, Kathy Brinkman and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval

(Standing) Adam Mayerson, Dr. Trish Joseph, Dr. Scott Joseph, Dr. Robert Shapiro, Elaine Fink and Brooke Guigui; (seated) Danyel Mayerson, Donna Mayerson, Lynn Reckman and Neal Mayerson

(Standing) John Isidor, Sandy Kaltman, George Brinkman, Kathy Brinkman and Justin Kirschner; (seated) AJC CEO Ted Deutch, Carolyn Gilbert, Melanie Maron Pell and Rick Michelman

Abby Schwartz, Dr. David Schwartz, Lauren Miller and Jimmy Miller

(Far left) Kiana, Kathy Brinkman and Rickell Howard Smith

 AFTA volunteers and board members: (Standing) board member Bob Thinnes, Rick Johnson, veteran Aaron Ware, Joe Drake, Aaron McLearen from the Fairfax Police Department, board member Summer Crenshaw and Julie Thomas; (seated) Jaimyce McClinton, Mitch Cucinotta, Dianne Ashcraft, Terri Wilson and AFTACincinnati President and CEO Randy Randolph

ArtWorks’ new festival amps up artistic expression

ArtWorks’ first ArtAmplified event, a new urban festival dedicated to amplifying expression and connection through art, welcomed more than 200 attendees to three unique experiences. At three Over-the-Rhine venues managed by Lost Hospitality, ArtWorks worked with a variety of partners including Brave Berlin, Embra Yoga, Wildweed and Pones to celebrate Cincinnati’s growing arts community. The event’s premier sponsor was The Annex Gallery, led by artist and ArtWorks board member Jen Rosenkrantz Jr.

 www.artworkscincinnati.org

Five Iron Golf opens with celebrity benefit for First Tee

Twelve celebrity teams competed in the inaugural Five Iron Golf Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit First Tee Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. Jason Hoffman, sports editor of The Cincinnati Enquirer, won the tournament and Who Dey, the mascot for the Cincinnati Bengals, won the mascot longest drive contest. First Tee is a youth program that aims not only to teach golf, but to strengthen character and teach life skills. More than 11,000 area children participate each year in its programs on golf courses, in schools and in community organizations. Five Iron Golf Cincinnati, at 80 W. Fifth St. adjacent to Fountain Square downtown, features golf simulators, instructors, club fitting, and a full bar and kitchen.

 www.firstteegcnky.org

Photos by Phil Armstrong

ArtWorks mural artist Miles Bruggemeyer adding some brush strokes to the canvas of a new mural now on view at Alice Bar

Emilee Taylor, Zero Pruitt, Eve Miller, Madison Lentz, Aspen Stein, Lexi Spurlock and Claire Wagner, with civic artist-in-residence Asha White

ArtWorks artist Madison Lentz (right) interviews a community member during the ArtParty at Alice Bar.

Colleen Houston, ArtWorks CEO and artistic director, at the ArtDinner at Somerhaus, featuring a gourmet meal from Chef David Jackman of Wildweed

Artist Michael Coppage speaking with Sydney Fine, ArtWorks’ senior director of impact, and artist Cedric Michael Cox

As a finale to ArtAmplified, Brave Berlin presented mural-inspired projections outside of Somerset Bar.

WLWT’s Randi Rico, former Bengals Jim Breech and David Fulcher

Fox’s Hemmer hosts benefit tournament for Bayley

The 18th George Knittle Memorial Bayley Golf Classic at Western Hills Country Club, Bayley’s largest annual fundraiser, raised more than $50,000 for the nonprofit retirement and wellness community in Delhi. The event was hosted by its founder, Bill Hemmer, co-anchor of Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom.”

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1990, Bayley provides a full continuum of care for seniors in a park-like setting. Hemmer founded the golf event as a tribute to his late grandparents, Helen and George Knittle, who were residents of Bayley. In its 18 years, the event has brought in more than $1.5 million.

Over 120 golfers participated. The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation was this year’s Tournament Sponsor. Proceeds from the event assist Bayley residents and members of the Bayley Adult Day Program.

 www.bayleylife.org

Great Parks debuts new, interactive Music Garden

Great Parks has raised the curtain on the new Glenwood Gardens Music Garden, an interactive destination featuring all-weather percussion instruments set among rainbow rhythm daylilies and other musically themed plantings. The new garden, located within the Highfield Discovery Garden in Woodlawn, blends a love of music and a reconnection with the wild to form a natural concert arena.

“This inclusive garden is the perfect pairing of nature and music, and every day will deliver one-of-a-kind performances by children and other guests that will add to the magic and beauty of Highfield Discovery Garden,” said Todd Palmeter, Great Parks CEO.

Winding through the garden is an accessible path in the shape of a treble clef. Drums, chimes, bells and other instruments are at different stations along the path. Hanging above the stage’s woodwind-shaped columns are notes to the song, “You Are My Sunshine.” Filling out the garden are plantings inspired by music.

The garden recalls the memory of Becky Reed, a naturalist who worked at Glenwood Gardens for many years and had the vision to add a music garden. Great Parks secured all funding for the garden, including a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks program. Total cost was $390,000.

Garden admission is $6 per person, with no charge for children under 2 years old.

 www.greatparks.org





Glenwood Gardens Music Garden includes a path in the shape of a treble clef and other musical features.

Caren Laverty, Todd Palmeter, Catherine Ingram and Sherry Miller open the Glenwood Gardens Music Garden.

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati foursome: Sister Marge Kloos, Sister Joanne Burrows, Bayley board member Sister Thelma Schlomer and Sister Patrick Ann O’Connor

Bill Hemmer, Bayley President and CEO Adrienne Walsh and board chair Doug Bennett

Bayley staffers Sue Carlton, Dawn Meister, Bev Manning and Michelle Michels

A guest at the celebration tries out one of the musical features.

Adopt A Class celebrates mentors and teachers

Adopt A Class, a program that pairs local businesses and community groups with classrooms for group mentoring, hosted its annual Celebration Breakfast at Greenacres Art Center.

The breakfast, held to recognize the outstanding work mentors have done throughout the year, featured FC Cincinnati co-CEO Jeff Berding as emcee, and an awards ceremony recognizing the outstanding partners of Adopt A Class. Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus declared June 14, 2023, “Adopt A Class Day.”

Attendees had the chance to network and celebrate each other’s accomplishments during the school year.

“Their contributions have made a real difference in the lives of students, and we are grateful for their support,” said Adopt A Class CEO Sonya Fultz.

 www.aacmentors.org

Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus presents a proclamation making June 14 Adopt A Class Day to AAC CEO Sonya Fultz and founder Bill Burwinkel. 

Stephen Hightower II accepts the AAC Spark award on behalf of Hightowers Petroleum Co.

Kate Lackey Solomon and Jeff Berding of FC Cincinnati accept the AAC Funder of the Year Award.

Program Champions of the Year Angela Easton and Joan Carmack from Duke Energy

Mentors from Givaudan, Best Corporate Partner finalists

Thelson Curry, Sonja Harrison, board member Retina Carter, Janice Wilkins, Mildred Kennedy and Team Lead of the Year Edward Barber from Procter & Gamble

Mentors from Metro: Michele Cain, Natalie Krusling, AAC board member Mike Woulms and Alvin Wyatt

The Community Learning Center Institute took home the AAC 20th Anniversary Award.

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

Couric hosts Upstander Awards celebration at Union Terminal

In a ceremony hosted by famed TV journalist Katie Couric, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center announced the winners of the 2023 Upstander Awards to an audience of more than 800 people at Union Terminal. The awards recognize individuals in the region who use their character strengths to stand up for themselves and others.

In addition to touring the center’s museum, Katie Couric discussed her cancer advocacy and upstander work with museum leadership.

Upstander Award winners were selected for their outstanding contributions to the community. Each award is named after a Holocaust survivor, World War II liberator, rescuer or upstander featured in the center’s museum. Each award also recognizes a specific character strength.

• Edith Carter Award for Love: LeTecia Cunningham

• Werner Coppel Award for Perseverance: Michele Berry

Godsey

• Jim Tojo Award for Leadership: Kayelin Tiggs

• Al Miller Award for Gratitude: Mason Bailey

• Frank Bergstein Award for Bravery: Cass Steiner

• Mirsada Kadiric Award for Hope: Carlton Collins

• Charles and Else Heiman Award for Kindness:

Dominique Olbert

• Michael A. Meyer Award for Spirituality: Imran

Malik

• Roma and Sam Kaltman Award for Love of Learning: Krystal Smalley, Patti Davidson and Rachel KeirnsMoore of the Upper Sandusky Community Library

The center also presented community leaders Kick Lee , Amy Spiller and Jaipal Singh with its 2023 Upstander Leader Awards.

www.holocaustandhumanity.org

Golf outing scores $30,000 for veterans

The 2023 Joseph House golf outing raised more than $30,000 for veterans battling addiction, a record for the annual event. The money will go to treatment and recovery programs designed to promote healthy, sustainable lifestyles and reintegration into the community.

The outing took place at Fairfield Greens South Trace and included 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch and cash prizes.

Joseph House is in the midst of a capital campaign for a new treatment facility in Camp Washington for which they broke ground in April.

 www.josephhouse.com

At the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center: Jackie Congedo, HHC chief community engagement and external relations officer; Elizabeth Pierce, museum CEO; Katie Couric; David Wise, HHC interim CEO; and Jill Berkemeier, museum COO

At Union Terminal, Katie Couric, right, chats with Holocaust & Humanity Center officials (from left): Phyllis Jackson, board chair; Jackie Congedo, chief community engagement and external relations officer; David Wise, interim CEO; and Kara Driscoll, director of marketing and events.

Alicia Patterson, Joseph House executive director; Ginny Strawser, administrative assistant; Brian Owens, clinical director; and Joey Daniel, operations supervisor and peer support specialist

Katie Couric meets Holocaust survivor and local educator Zahava Rendler.

Katie Couric, Al Miller Award for Gratitude winner Mason Bailey, 100-year-old Holocaust survivor Dr. Al Miller and HHC interim CEO David Wise

NKY Chamber holds ‘Investing in Equity’ event

The NKY Chamber held its largest DEI event of the year, “Investing in Equity: Building an Inclusive Business Community,” sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. More than 200 attendees from the region’s business and healthcare sectors gathered at the St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center in Erlanger for a half-day of information about ways to remove barriers for attracting and retaining diverse talent to Northern Kentucky.

The event included a keynote presentation by Lillian Dukes, senior vice president of technical operations for Atlas Air; a panel discussion moderated by Darryl A. Peal, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer and Title IX coordinator for Northern Kentucky University; and breakout sessions led by Christopher Johnson of Frost Brown Todd, Travis Speice of The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and Tracy Stokes of St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

www.nkychamber.com

Violinist Woolley honored by MacDowell

The 110th year of the Cincinnati MacDowell Society concluded with its annual meeting and dinner at the Queen City Club, with 72 members in attendance.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra violinist Stacey Woolley received the MacDowell Medal for his 25-plus years of service to CMS and his contributions to Cincinnati’s culture. Past recipients include six former CSO music directors, luminaries in art, dance, opera and theater, and philanthropists such as J. Ralph Corbett, Patricia Corbett and Louise Dieterle Nippert.

Baritone Thom Dreeze, who will become CMS president for the next two years, performed for society members, accompanied by pianist and CMS member Polina Bespalko, who also played solo works by Schubert and Debussy.

The CMS also presented a $2,500 artist grant to cellist Miriam K. Smith, a 17-year-old who already has performed at Carnegie Hall and soloed with the CSO.

www.macdowellsociety.com

Outgoing Cincinnati MacDowell Society president Maryanne McGowan, MacDowell Medal recipient Stacey Woolley and

first vice president Barbara Kellar

Thom Dreeze, incoming CMS president

CMS

Panel discussion with moderator Darryl A. Peal, Jessica Wimsatt, Marla Harrington and Melissa McDonald

Cellist Miriam K. Smith, artist grant recipient

Breakout session with Christopher Johnson of Frost Brown Todd

Breakout session with Travis Speice of The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Kyle Frizzell, Erin Reardon, NKY Chamber DEI director Ashleigh DuBois, Dashai Thompson and Holly Nibert

Lillian Dukes, keynote speaker

Leila Urgent Care receives the Spotlight Award: Ashleigh DuBois, NKY Chamber board chair John Hawkins, Ebony Washington, Farduwsa Hassan and Brent Cooper

Impact 100 names seven finalists for four 2023 grants

Cincinnati giving circle Impact 100 announced the seven nonprofits selected as its 2023 grant finalists at its first combined Meet the Finalist and Education event at Terwilliger Lodge. Members and guests heard about the finalists’ projects and discussed the merits of trust-based philanthropy. Four of the following seven grant finalists will receive $100,000 each on Sept. 12 during the Impact 100 Annual Awards Celebration at Music Hall:

• COVERD Greater Cincinnati (dba Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank), for We’ve Got You COVERD – Fly & Dry Basic Needs Bank

• Dohn Community High School, for Keeping Teen Moms in School transportation

• People Working Cooperatively, for its workforce development program

• Samaritan Car Care Clinic , for its vehicle purchase program

• Tikkun Farm, for improving waste reduction strategies

• Whitney/Strong Inc., for youth gun violence prevention curriculum development

• Youth Encouragement Services, Inc., for home renovation

All finalists will present their proposals to the Impact 100 membership at the event, and, after member votes are counted, the winners will be announced.

 www.impact100.org

LLS hosts Light the Night kickoff event

The Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society held its annual Executive Kick Off Event for the Light The Night Walk at Kenwood Country Club. More than 120 executives were in attendance to learn about the work that LLS is doing and how companies can help make a positive impact on the lives of blood cancer patients.

Speakers included Randi Rico, WLWT meteorologist; Jeff Zwick, cancer survivor and owner of Recreation Management Inc.; and Alicia Wilhelmy, cancer survivor and owner of Seemless Printing.

The Hero Award was given to Dr. Peter Ruehlman for his fundraising efforts in 2022 and his commitment to blood cancer patients. This year’s Light The Night will be held Oct. 5 at Yeatman’s Cove.

 www.lightthenight.org/ohio

Executive leadership committee members Kate Schroder, president and CEO of Interact for Health, and speaker Alicia Wilhelmy

A screening of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s newest project to fight children’s blood cancers, hosted by Randi Rico.



Dr. Peter Ruehlman, a blood cancer survivor, won the Hero Award for being the society’s top fundraiser in 2022. Brandon Guyer, 6-year-old survivor Jackson Guyer and Rachael Guyer

Kathy Thornton, Impact 100 board president, with Whitney Austin and Christa Rounsavall from Whitney/Strong

(Back) Nina Creech and Pamela Taylor from People Working Cooperatively, Amy Phillips from Youth Encouragement Services, Ania Nelson and Lauren Weissman from Dohn Community High School, Megan Fischer from COVERD Greater Cincinnati, Bruce Kintner and Karen Zengel from Samaritan Car Care Clinic; (front) Carrielyn Lambert from Youth Encouragement Services, Mary Laymon and Raeann Reiber from Tikkun Farm

Area philanthropists unite at annual breakfast for Israel

More than 300 Cincinnati-area philanthropists came together at the Mayerson JCC for Jewish National Fund-USA’s Breakfast for Israel. The annual community event, co-chaired by Barbara Greenberg, Mark Mayer and Morry Wiener, celebrated Israel’s 75th anniversary and showcased several of the organization’s initiatives to help build a strong future for Israel.

Keynote speaker Olga Meshoe Washington, CEO of Defend Embrace Invest (in) Support Israel, discussed the importance of speaking out against antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and spoke about how her background as a South African Zionist gives her perspective and strength when fighting for the Jewish people.

Attendees also learned about Jewish National Fund-USA’s first Global Conference for Israel in Denver Nov. 30-Dec. 3.

Kay Geiger, Beverly Grant, Rhonda Sheakley and Morgan Geiger

Eric Goldstein, Mark Mayer, Jennifer Bain, Olga Meshoe Washington, Barbara Greenberg and Morry Wiener

Michael Purcell, Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney, Morry Wiener and City Council Member Mark Jeffreys

Barbara Greenberg, Barbara Gould, Nina Paul and Mark Mayer

Jan Evans, Jeff Goldenberg, Kathy Goldenberg and Marci Blachman

Nina Perlove and Madeline Croog

Celebration

honors Warren Countians for community service

The Warren County Foundation celebrated its 16th annual Community Service Awards and 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Manor House in Mason. The event included a social hour, food stations, presentation of six Community Service Awards, Rozzi fireworks and more. Award winners:

• George R. Henkle Philanthropy & Community Service Award: Peggy

Darragh-Jeromos

• Emerging Leader Community Service

Award: Brodi Conover

• Outstanding Organization Community Service Award: Leadership Warren County

• Emerging Organization Community Service Award: Warren County

Imagination Library

• Outstanding Large Business Community Service Award: Otterbein

SeniorLife

• Outstanding Small Business Community Service Award: Manor House

Warren County Commissioner Shannon Jones, foundation board chair, emceed the event. Proclamations were presented to the award recipients by state Sen. Steve Wilson and state Reps. Scott Lipps and Adam Mathews.

 www.warrencountyfoundation.org

WCF Community Service Awards winners with elected officials: (Back) state Rep. Adam Mathews, state Sen. Steve Wilson, Brodi Conover, Bill Thornton and Arla Tannehill from Leadership Warren County, David Nelson from Manor House, state Rep. Scott Lipps and Larry Hollingshead from Warren County Imagination Library; (front) Peggy Darragh-Jeromos, Jill Wilson from Otterbein and Janet Nelson from Manor House

Students take trip to the library with Women’s Alliance

Women’s Alliance Inc. has collaborated with fellow nonprofit Adopt A Class to champion academic achievement and promote the social skills of young people.

The alliance has adopted a third-grade class at the Academy of World Languages in Evanston. During a field trip to Walnut Hills Branch Public Library, many AWL students registered and received their first-time library cards. They held a scavenger hunt, and each student picked a book to take home. They returned to school for lunch served by Alliance members. The group will continue the Adopt A Class program for the next two years.

 www.womensallianceinc.com

Women’s Alliance member volunteers Kandi Staples, Andrea Johnson, Blanche Kabengele, Jessica Manson and Nicole Dowdell

Students at the Academy of World Languages with Women’s Alliance volunteers

WCF board member Craig Salmon Gilmore and volunteer Autumn Miller

Janet Nelson, Cathy Howell and Meredith Raffel

Warren County Commissioner Shannon Jones and Larry Hollingshead from Warren County Imagination Library

Jana Linville, Ernie Dimalanta and WCF CEO Tom Seddon

Fundraisers discuss data, strategy at Giving USA event

At an event hosted by The Yunker Group, a local strategic advisory and executive search firm, Melissa S. Brown – former editor of Giving USA and respected consulting researcher –presented her findings on the state of philanthropic giving in the United States. According to the Giving USA Foundation report, donations nationwide declined by 3.4% in 2022 (10.5% adjusted for inflation) from the previous year to $499.33 billion. (Read more about the report on Page 25.)

Before an audience of philanthropic officers and board members of regional nonprofits, Brown gave an analysis of the numbers to help attendees understand what is behind the new data and how to create action plans.

“I was not surprised by the results,” Brown said, citing inflation and stock market losses in 2022. She advised fundraisers to “make sure our constituents know what we’re doing, how we’re using their money, and how it’s making a difference in people’s lives.”

Movers & Makers served as media sponsor for the event, held at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

 www.givingusa.org

ToolBank volunteers prepare new training center, offices

The Cincinnati ToolBank hosted more than 30 volunteers from Team Depot, Team Rubicon and Bilstein to help sand, prime and paint the walls in the new training center and offices at the ToolBank. Thanks to a grant from The Home Depot Foundation, the ToolBank also received new appliances, kitchen and bathroom fixtures and blinds for the space, bringing the renovation project one step closer to completion.

The buildout of 10,000 square feet includes a training center, co-working space, conference room, meeting areas, offices and a kitchenette. The project should be completed in the fall.

 www.cincinnatitoolbank.org

Nick Geerken of Home Depot

Dani Lewis of Bilstein, JR Method and Mason Rogers of Home Depot

Erin Wilig and Ashanti Ashshkir of Home Depot

Eric Cummins of New Path Child & Family Solutions, Jim Beiting of Transitions and Cassidy Lekan of First Step Home

Networking at the Cincinnati Museum Center prior to event

Thom Mariner of Movers & Makers and Helene Herbert of Grants Plus

Heidi Jark of the Fifth Third Foundation, Jim Yunker of The Yunker Group and Steve Kenat of RevUrbanist Studio

H.A. Musser Jr. of Santa Maria Community Services and Christie Brown of OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Dana Textoris and Christine Guillory of Grants Plus with Amanda Jenkins of StriveTogether

The lost legacy of the letter

Atmy age, I have to be careful about nostalgia, about comparing the good old days to the deplorable present. I don’t bother anyone with my opinions on leggings as pants or expect young people to be impressed that I saw Bruce Springsteen on the “Born to Run” tour for $7. You can’t live in the past, and my opinions about how to live are mostly irrelevant: I’m not in the future’s driver seat. But there are things from the past I don’t mind saying I long for. Like letters. I miss them. For hundreds of years, people wrote their thoughts and ideas down on paper, trusted them to couriers of various sorts, and sent them to and fro around the world. I sent and received hundreds: lumpy folded letters from a friend that she took three days to write, love letters, thin airmail letters folded to make a lightweight blue envelope sent from overseas.

Then, suddenly, sometime in the 1990s they stopped. It’s shocking how quickly they stopped compared to how important they had been.

E-mail was an improvement in many ways. It’s not the same as letters, though. Something is lost; the days spent checking the mail, seeing the distinctive handwriting on an address, ripping an envelope open and diving in. And, unlike texts and phone calls or Instagram posts, letters outlast their writers and capture history. At least as long as someone keeps them.

My family keeps them. I’ve been knee-deep in old letters since I became the caretaker of my grandparents’ and parents’ filing cabinets. I keep digging up treasure. There are letters my great-grandmother sent home from Persia, where she was a missionary to the Christian Nestorians. Thousands of miles from home, letters meant the world

to her. As I read them, I know, but she didn’t, that World War I would soon come to her missionary compound and ruin everything, and make my grandmother an orphan. Then I have letters from friends and patients of my grandmother that show how she raised herself up and became a person people depended on.

There’s a remarkable set of letters from an Army friend of my father’s – the only black man in his unit, a piano player and language adept from Virginia. Their job during the war was learning Japanese. The friend went to Japan and wrote expressive, descriptive letters about what he did and saw, but they stop before I can find out what happened to him in post-war civilian life. I wish I could; he couldn’t have had it easy.

And a folder of letters from 1949 from my father to my mother. “Hot damn, Laura! I’m a real tractor driver now,” he started one letter. They had met in the spring, and by the time my father went off to work on a wheat farm in remote northwest Kansas for the summer, they were in love. “I like driving the tractor at night, because it’s cooler but mostly because it gives me time to think about you,” he wrote.

My mother, meanwhile, was off to France with a church group, building a camp where French and German teenagers could get together and hope to heal from the war.

The Baking Journal

From Strawberry Basil Bars to Homemade

Ice Cream Sandwiches, join Stephanie to learn how to make new family favorites.

“Last night I looked out the window over the rooftops of Paris and there was the moon. It was a Kansas orange even. Guess who and what I thought of as I looked at it. I knew that as I thought of you when I saw it you would think of me,” she wrote, and signed off “Give my regards to your tractor.”

“I get quite a few letters, but yours are by far the best I get,” wrote my father. “To read and re-read them is my most satisfying recreation, much more so than looking at your picture, because somehow, I can see you more clearly as you are in the letters.”

Polly Campbell

I had never seen these letters or heard about that summer. I wondered whether I should look, but my mother sure wanted me to read them to her. They are so lovely, so innocent and young, but very intense and smart. It’s been such a lovely thing to take her back to another time when it was just the two of them in love and the future was theirs.

The future was an academic career and six kids. Mom was super-busy, but took time to write to her parents about our goings-on. It is a gift to read through these and find descriptions of my older sister Sarah, who died this year. She was always an age-determined version of her same self, organized, literal-minded and polite in an adorable way.

I’m there, too. When I was 5, Mom wrote, “Polly asks all manners of questions and asks the meaning of every new word she hears. She makes up wonderful songs, like one that goes “My mother died in Wichita Kansas, (repeated), and ends with ‘ I believe that to be so.’” That’s me! A writer then, just as I became one later.

Here I am, living in the past. But it doesn’t feel like the past while I’m immersed in these letters. Someone took pen to paper and, in the middle of a busy life, freezeframed the moments, making them forever, past, present and future. 

Polly Campbell covered restaurants and food for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1996 until 2020. She lives in Pleasant Ridge with her husband, and since retiring does a lot of reading, cooking and gardening, if that’s what you call pulling weeds.

She writes monthly on a variety of topics, and she welcomes your feedback and column suggestions at editor@moversmakers.org.

CABVI and Northside Distilling Co. are excited to release volume two of the Braille Bourbon Whiskey Series - a hand selected 108 proof single barrel bourbon with braille on the label.

If you missed last year’s sold out version, be the rst to grab Braille Bourbon- volume two, or add this limited edition bottle to

JOIN US FOR THE RELEASE:

Wednesday, September 20th 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Northside Distilling Co. 922 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Braille Bourbon Whiskey will also be available to purchase online at www.cincyblind.org beginning September 21st with pickup at Northside Distilling Co.

For every bottle sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to CABVI to help individuals adapt to vision loss.