Perspectives Winter 2015-2016

Perspectives THE MAGAZINE OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI

Winter Issue 2015-2016

WE ARE Women Building Better

Communities in Greater Cincinnati

Contents

In this issue issue ......

2

President’s Perspective

3

Fernside: Fernside: A Path to Healing

6

Remembering a Great JLC Leader: Linda Appleby

8

Active Member Spotlight: Sarah Livesay

9

A Season of Meaning & Giving

11

Refugee Perspectives: Lessons in Understanding

13 13 16 16

JLC JLC Snapshots Snapshots Leading Leading By

By Example: Example: Sustainers Sustainers

17 17

Kelly Lyle & Buffie Rixey Kelly Lyle & Buffie Rixey New New Member Member Spotlight: Spotlight: Lilly Lilly Cohen Cohen

18 18 19 19

Member Member Milestones Milestones JLC Online Online & JLC & Connected Connected

21 21 22 22

Culinary Culinary & & Cocktail Cocktail Delights Delights Staying Fit for the Holidays Staying Fit for the Holidays

##jjlcinnccyy

Perspectives Contributors

EDITOR EDITOR

Marlea Handler

CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR

Sarah Livesay

DEPUTY DEPUTYEDITOR EDITOR

Ashley Mitzel

ttag & & sshhaarre yyo eexxperiieenouurr nccee

VP VPCOMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN DESIGNDIRECTOR DIRECTOR

Jamie Humes

Caroline Kirker

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING COORDINATOR COORDINATOR

Lauren Stewart

CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR

Kristin Boyatt

Our Mission The Junior League of Cincinnati is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The Junior League of Cincinnati is an exclusively educational, charitable organization which reaches out to women of all races, religions, or national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

Perspectives is is the the magazine magazine of of the the Junior Junior League League of of Cincinnati Cincinnati published published multiple multiple times times throughout throughout the the year. year. Advertising Advertising inquiries inquiries and and content can be sent to jlperspectives@gmail.com or via the Online Submission Hub at jlcincinnati.org. content can be sent to jlperspectives@gmail.com or via the Online Submission Hub at jlcincinnati.org.

Follow Follow us us on on Facebook, Facebook, Twitter Twitter & & Instagram Instagram @JLCincy @JLCincy Junior League League of of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 3500 Junior 3500 Columbia Columbia Parkway, Parkway, Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio 45226, 45226, (513) (513) 871-9339, 871-9339, www.jlcincinnati.org www.jlcincinnati.org

#jlcincy #jlcincy| |1 1

PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE

President’s Perspective Happy Holidays! My name is Michelle J. Vaeth, and I’m honored to serve as JLC President this year.

For returning members - I hope you’re enjoying the first part of the League year.

For our New Members — Welcome! We are so happy to have you join our League, and I simply cannot wait to get to know you better.

to develop the potential of women through trained volunteerism and to enact positive change by addressing unmet needs in our community. Everything else was fair game.

Last year we worked through the infrastructure redesign over many months. As a collective membership, we voted in a new split Governance and Management system, which should help to dramatically speed up approvals and the decision-making process, as well as unleash time and energy to getting the real Mission work done. It will also, I hope, allow enough space and air to look far into the future to plan for the success and health of this League.

Women join the Junior League here and across the country for many reasons, and each of us has a unique JLC story.

It’s important we share those stories; this is really the first step to get to know one another and build our JLC community.

I joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2002 because I was new in town, and wanted to make more friends. At my first New Member meeting I met Jenny McManus, who became one of my very best friends. Between Jenny and the many other incredible women I met in the JLC, Cincinnati became home. I discovered along the way that I was quite interested in community and civic development — and I truly wanted to invest my time and energy into making Cincinnati an even better community to live in. That’s my JLC beginning — I’d love to learn yours.

This will be a year of change and experimentation for our League. There are good, important reasons for this. For several years running, the JLC had New Member classes of 100+ women. Our overall JLC membership, however, remained relatively flat. That meant we were losing 100+ women each year! So we rolled up our sleeves, and dug in to find out why.

This process involved leading and participating in focus groups, conducting interviews with Actives, Sustainers and former members, and analyzing membership data to dig into some very honest and transparent feedback. We heard you. For all of the incredible things you had to say about our League and its work, there was some important feedback we had to reflect on as a Board and Leadership team.

You told us decision-making and approvals were slow and cumbersome; many of you found GMMs to not be a good investment of your time; a handful of you felt you weren’t making the connections and friendships JLC-ers of past generations had known and enjoyed; and, while our projects and mission grew and flourished, many of you were feeling burned out. We heard you.

www.jlcincinnati.org | Winter 2015-2016

The 2015-2016 JLC year is now the year of implementing those infrastructure changes — not just running water through the pipes, but actually moving forward and doing, and making decisions and approvals happen faster. It won’t be perfect, but it will be better, and we will learn how to make it even better as we go throughout the year.

On the culture side of the coin: many of you have asked me whether the incubator theme will continue this year. My answer is YES, with the caveat that this isn’t a theme! Over the better part of a century, the JLC has incubated and accelerated projects and nonprofits to address unmet needs in the community. This is what we do, and we are very good at it; but this only one part of the culture of who we are. There are many places and organizations in this city where women can volunteer and invest their time. What sets the JLC apart, and what has been the lifeblood of our nearly century-long history, are the connections our members develop with each other.

That is who we are. We are a real, woman-to-woman, human-tohuman sisterhood.

And it is that sisterhood which, time after time, causes me to double down on the JLC through life’s obstacles. The JLC can and should be a source of strength, support and fun for its members.

It is also a safe, supportive place for our members to learn, grow, and nurture each other while nurturing the community. In order to build thriving communities, we need to ensure we have thriving members. And every one of us plays a role in cultivating this culture and experience for all of our members.

My commitment to you this year is to look at everything we do through a membership engagement and experience lens— and this means everything— to keep our focus on our very core, which is made up of members like you.

It was evident there were two sides to this JLC coin that needed to evolve: our infrastructure and our culture.

I’m so honored to serve you and the JLC as we continue this year.

Last year, as we started the work to redesign our League under Susan Shelton’s leadership, there was only one “sacred cow” on the table—our mission. Our Mission was, and remains,

Michelle J. Vaeth

Warmly, President, 2015-2016

#jlcincy | 2

Fernside::A Path to Healing Don Taylor with his children Leah and Ben

One local family copes with the loss of their loved one through the support of an organization that started as a Junior League Signature Project.

By Sarah Livesay

I

t was the perfect example of high school sweethearts staying together for life. Don and Deanna Taylor met while they were working at LaRosa’s in their high school years. They stayed together through college and married in their early 20s. The couple did everything together. “I can’t think of any time where one of us left the room to go watch ‘our’ show on TV.” recalls Diana. Don and Deanna went on to have two children, Ben and Leah. Don loved playing PlayStation with the kids, reading to them and letting them sit on his lap.

Deanna said Don did all the cooking and family life was very normal. “We both worked. He recently had a major career change … he opened up his own barbershop so we were really excited about that. It was going really well … kids were going to school, children were going to practices, homework, you know normal life.”

However, their lives were turned upside down in November 2013. Deanna returned home from work one evening to find her husband in their basement. Don had passed away of a sudden heart attack at the age of 46. Their son Ben was seven at the time and their daughter Leah was five.

Completely shaken from their sudden loss, the family needed help coping.

Deanna said a few people suggested that they get in touch with Fernside, the nation’s second-oldest children’s grief

#jlcincy | 3

support center. While it’s geared toward children, Deanna said the counselors at Fernside “also end up working with the caretakers of the children, or the parents of the children.

“People are there grieving sudden loss, or loss to long-term illness, murder, suicide, drug overdose — you’re seeing everything there,” she said.

Fernside started in 1986, and was one of the Junior League of Cincinnati’s Signature Projects. According to Fernside’s website, the organization “remains today a national leader in providing grief support services and outreach and education to the community and families.”

Deanna, Ben and Leah went to Fernside twice a month for 18 months after Don passed away. She met with a group of spouses, while Ben met with kids his age and Leah with a group of kids her age.

“Fernside really appreciates the different stages of the children and what they’re going through and what they may be experiencing.”

“ That is a huge part of it, just knowing you’re not alone, knowing that there are other people going through what you’re going through and there are services out there and people trying to help you.”

Deanna pointed out that it’s very difficult to anticipate what a child may be thinking or experiencing when dealing with grief.

“Ben is at a very tender age for this. He’s old enough to know what he’s missing but barely old enough to understand what’s happening. Ben remembers they were supposed to go fishing this year. Leah, being a little bit younger, has a different experience with grief. She remembers him, obviously, but she doesn’t have as many specific memories of him. ” Deana felt a quick connection with Fernside, and that’s what kept her going back. “When you talk to someone who’s

PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Winter 2015-2016

been through it, there’s some instant connection that you’ve walked in their shoes. That is a huge part of it, just knowing you’re not alone, knowing that there are other people going through what you’re going through and there are services out there and people trying to help you.”

Early on in her experience at Fernside, Deanna met a lady who had been through something very similar. This woman had been at Fernside for a year and was still very emotional. Deanna said while this may make other people worried about lasting grief, she was put at ease in recognizing that that’s where she would be in a year. Deana explained, “She was getting through... she was sad and still grieving but it was comforting to see her functioning even though she was doing it through tears.”

Fernside encourages family discussions to continue outside of their bi-weekly meetings. Deanna said, “Even when they’re done sharing in their groups it helps to stimulate conversation at home to get some understanding of what’s going on in their minds. They would share things and I would think to myself, ‘oh my gosh’, they’re worried about my safety; they’re worried about whether it’s going to happen to them.”

Deanna understands that Ben and Leah will never know their dad as they become mature adults. In order to get to know their him better as an adult, Deanna put index cards out at the funeral for friends and family to write down memories and stories about Don. The kids have heard some of them, but will be allowed to read the others as they get older. Deanna, Ben

and Leah also have a special ritual they do at the cemetery to remember Don. They write messages on balloons and send them to heaven for Don to see.

The Taylors ended their time with Fernside in June 2015, and remain grateful for the grief support services they received. Fernside is not prescriptive, but does serve as a significant resource of support for those who are grieving. In addition, Fernside can connect clients to additional community resources available to further assist families as they go through the grieving process.

Deanna is now choosing for her kids to see a counselor they love. She explained that she can’t anticipate what thoughts may be going through their minds about their dad’s passing, and counseling further helps with their grief, while also helping her to be prepared for what their thoughts are and how to talk about them constructively.

The JLC was instrumental in launching Fernside in the mid1980s, providing early start-up funding, as well as extensive volunteer support. Due in large part to our JLC ‘s involvement, Fernside began to gain additional corporate and widespread community support. This was a true passion project for our Junior League that met a strong, but until then underserved, community need.

Fernside is a non-profit offering support and advocacy to grieving families who have experieced a death. Fernside offers peer support for grieving families - children, teens and adults. Fernside works to increase community awareness of grief issues through community outreach.

Today, Fernside is the nation’s second oldest children’s grief center and remains a national leader in providing grief support services, outreach and education to the community. Fernside is an affiliate of Hospice of Cincinnati.

All Fernside services are offered free of charge. www.fernside.org

Don with daughter Leah

whole world’s “ The turned completely upside down. ”

Deanna and Don Taylor

Don and his son Ben on vacation in Tennessee #jlcincy | 4

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Remembering a Great JLC Leader The Junior League of Cincinnati lost a dear friend, long-time volunteer and leader earlier this year. Fellow Sustainers and close friends re ect on er gracio s spirit and pa tri te to inda pple s legac t ro g esta lis ing a ne tradition in her honor.

www.jlcincinnati.org | Winter 2015-2016

In 2012, a group of Sustainers led the first Junior League of Cincinnati Bus Tour for the JL’s New Members. The tour has been a part of the New Members’ curriculum in the subsequent three years and took place once again in October 2015.

Linda Appleby was instrumental in planning and implementing the inaugural bus tour, drawing on her expertise as a relocation advisor and her great knowledge of Cincinnati history and civic activities and initiatives. She gave the Junior League a great gift, one that continues to be among the New Members’ favorite activities.

Wanting to carry on Linda’s legacy of being a fully informed volunteer and cheerleader for our city, the committee will honor Linda during future tours by displaying the tour logo shown above and beginning each tour with the following tribute:

Linda Appleby JLC President 1988-89

Linda Appleby, president of the Junior League of Cincinnati in 1988-89, joined the JLC as a provisional transfer in 198081. Using her innate leadership skills perfected during her career at P&G and honed through the Junior League, she was a valuable volunteer- to the Junior League, the community and her church.

Listing the many community and JLC programs and projects Linda worked on would provide a glimpse into who she was, but it was the way in which she quietly but firmly conducted herself that reveals her strengths. Linda was a consensusbuilder. She was adept at running a meeting so all felt comfortable. She could bring a group to consensus, with each committee member feeling good about owning the results. In the volunteer world where the payback is intangible, Linda’s skills were invaluable.

Linda was generous with her time, her talent and her treasure.

Whether she was running board meetings, working a soup kitchen, mentoring teens or drafting a marketing plan, Linda selflessly gave of herself to make the world around her a better place to live.

Welcome to The Junior League of Cincinnati’s Cincinnati Bus Tour offered by Junior League Sustainers in memory of Linda C. Appleby, JLC President, 1988-89.

Linda Appleby was the complete personification of all the finest attributes of a member of the Junior League of Cincinnati. She led with consensus and enthusiasm…served as a mentor to young women of all ages…taught us how to totally embrace our activities and visions…how to celebrate life, demonstrate commitment…and how to be a compassionate and loyal friend.

Linda became an expert on all things Cincinnati. It was she who worked tirelessly to design the first bus tour – preparing the routing, script information, etc. It was an enormous undertaking and she handled it effortlessly. Linda’s influence will live on as the tour for the League’s New Members is reprised each year. This tour is only one of countless contributions Linda left behind. Linda Appleby passed away suddenly while hiking in Colorado in August 2015. She was 59. We miss her terribly!

Submitted by the Junior League of Cincinnati’s Cincinnati Bus Tour Committee: Susan Anthony, Whitney Campbell, Angie Carl, Amelia Crutcher, Judy Dalambakis, Saralou Durham, Marty Humes, Chris Lewis, Linda Smith, Martha Steier. With thanks to Jan Kiefhaber for logo design.

Linda was also a people person. She was an empathetic, reflective listener. She was intuitive, often leaping effortlessly to the core of an issue and then helping to unravel a knotty, complex issue.

Through her many community activities, Linda has left a significant legacy. But it is her contagious laugh, her enthusiasm, her faith, her joy and her caring that endure.

By Elllie Berghausen #jlcincy | 6 9

PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Winter 2015-2016

most about being a Ben-Gal Sarah’s answer was clear, “I LOVE dancing. I absolutely love performing and crowd-pleasing. This is my time to block everything else out.”

OFF THE FIELD One of the most rewarding aspects of being Ben-Gal is the opportunity to give back to the community. The team supports Cheer for Savannah, a nonprofit with a mission to “cheer” on the recovery of children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The charity helps to raise funds for a playground as well as gifts for the patients.

Sarah also volunteered her time for Cheering for Charity benefiting Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. This holds a special meaning to Sarah as her grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s. Sarah will appear this year at Holiday at Children’s, an event that helps lift the spirits of young patients.

The children love it– they get the opportunity to meet the Ben-Gals, Cincinnati Reds’ mascots, the UC Bearcat, Disney Princesses and of course, Santa.

JLC MISSION MOMENTS

Active Member Spotlight

BEN-GAL Sarah Livesay is a third-year member of Junior League on the Perspectives Magazine Committee, a managed print consultant, a philanthropist, a runner, an outstanding doggy mom, and also happens to also be a Ben-Gal Cheerleader. After moving to Cincinnati in 2012 to pursue a job opportunity in sales, it didn’t take long to make Cincinnati her home. She joined JLC in 2013, and in the spring of 2014, she made the bold decision to try out for the Ben-Gals.

AUDITIONS

During Sarah’s second year as a Junior Leaguer she served on the Sponsorship Committee (now the Major Gifts Committee).

She worked with the Refugee Connect Committee to put together a sponsorship packet. Sarah also volunteered with Refugee Connect and helped teach Chin refugees to speak English. She knew the communication barrier could be a challenge. The refugees were able to learn new words and form sentences through repetition and looking at different pictures.

“Working with them really makes you appreciate what you have. They came here with nothing and are having to rebuild their lives from the ground up.”

Sarah balances work, home life, volunteering, the Junior League of Cincinnati and cheering like a true professional. Like many Junior Leaguers, she has multiple commitments and a full schedule. She prioritizes well and does it all with a positive attitude. It is well worth it to her- she knows the value and benefits of community engagement, as this is what continues to make her feel more connected and right at home in Cincinnati.

By Lauren Stewart

With a background in competitive cheer and dance, and experience dancing for an Arena Football Team, her skills came back naturally. Auditions are a pretty intense process. The first round of auditions consists of dance ability and the second round is based on turns and leaps. This is followed by several weeks of practice for the final audition, which is a large production open to the public.

TRAINING The ladies practice together two nights a week. On off-nights, Sarah practices choreography with Gabbie, her dog, in her living room. Outside of practice Sarah does circuit training at Terry Bryans, and trains for half-marathons. This year she completed the Hudepohl 14k and the Queen Bee Half Marathon.

ON THE FIELD This year Sarah was named Cheerleader of the Week at the Bengals season opener against the Chargers. When asked what she enjoys

Sarah cheering on the Bengals #jlcincy | 8

A SEASON OF MEANING AND GIVING

W

hat do the holidays really mean? The holidays hold a different meaning for everyone so I asked a couple of our Junior League members what the holidays mean to them.

“The holiday season is a time to slow down from ordinary and spend time celebrating the relationships I have with friends and family. It’s a time where everyone comes together and from opposite sides of the country and share a moment together. The holidays mean memories in the making.”

- Emily Sides, New Member

“Holidays are a time to unwind, spend time with friends and family, and plan for the year ahead.”

- Anu Reddy | Fashion Show Committee

“The holidays are about celebration, nostalgia, and tradition for our household. They bring out the inner child in everyone and allow us to travel back to an innocent sense of wonder and an immense feeling of being part of something large than oneself. The holidays mean the whole to me as I get to spend it with family and loved ones as they serve as a great reminder for us to be thankful for all we have. “ -Anisha K. Jindal | Tour of Kitchens Committee

The common thread between all of the holidays and family traditions is giving to each other, and spending time with those you love. Below are a few inspiration ideas to consider when giving to those close to you this season.

W AY S T O G I V E B A C K GIVE A GIFT THAT GIVES BACK TO A WORTHY CAUSE that’s close to your heart. Donate to a family member’s favorite charity or organization in his or her name. Support a silent auction benefiting United Way at your office. Buy a ticket to a show Downtown to support the arts, or to the Cincinnati International Wine Festival, a local nonprofit event whose proceeds go to many local charities.

GIVE A GIFT OF YOUR TIME. It’s common to think of cooking dinner, but what about after the meal? When dinner is over, offer to do the dishes for the host and give them some time to make memories with their out-of-town guests rather than spending the additional time in the kitchen.

GIVE A PERSONALIZED GIFT. Instead of giving gift cards this year, give them a snapshot of their family – order a photo gift from Shutterfly or craft that DIY pin you’ve been meaning to tackle.

GIVE A MEMORY. Instead of buying something, give the gift of an experience, or contribute to a trip someone close to you has been planning to take.

By Lauren Stewart

New replacement holiday image pending more modern #jlcincy |9

#jlcincy | 8

PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Winter 2015-2016

JLC Spotlights Are Shining On...

Within the pages of Perspectives, you will receive a closer look at these four unique JLC members who reflect the range of generational membership...from New Member, Active to Sustainer. Together, they reflect how we are One League comprised of multiple generations..a core strength of our organization.

A highly-spirited JLC passionista with a killer voice, a respected philanthropic leader who is always super cool, and an emerging YP just starting to build her professional and civic foundation in Cincinnati, and a multi-priority mastering athlete and dancer. Each quite unique and accomplished, and all share a strong commitment to the Junior League of Cincinnati.

These are some mighty women...and are proudly JLC. The spotlight is yours, ladies. Shine on!

Left to right: Buffie Rixey, Kelly Lyle, Lilly Cohen and Sarah Livesay

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reFugee PersPectives:

Lessons in Understanding

By Jan Connelly As an experienced English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) instructor, I thought I had seen every challenge possible.

For 13 years, I had been tutoring expats working at our city’s biggest companies – from P&G and GE to Ethicon – but nothing could have prepared me for the challenges facing Greater Cincinnati’s refugee community.

A New Challenge My first experience with the Burundian refugee community was at St. Leo the Great church in 2012. While teaching a student who does not speak my language is nothing new, my previous students and I always seemed to have more in common than different. We have enjoyed similar socio-economic advantages, workplace cultures and family structures. For the most part, we’ve lived in secure homes and relatively safe cities.

This was not the case for my newest students – refugees from Burundi.

The men and women from Burundi are long-displaced from their home country because of a genocide. Several lived in refugee camps for more than two decades, while a few others never knew life outside the camps before being resettled in the U.S. about 7 years ago. Most of the oldest students in the group, between 55 and 80 years old, have always been non-literate in their own languages.

My usual lesson plans did not work for this population. Not only were they unfamiliar with English, some had never held a pencil.

nderstanding

eir

perience

During the months that followed this first interaction, my fellow instructors and I learned about the challenges our students had faced – and were still facing. On occasion, these insights came from younger community members who were able to interpret for us after they learned English in school.

#jlcincy | 11

One particular woman shared a story highlighting the low priority placed on education in her community homeland. When she was young, her father told her she could “choose school or watch the goats,” and she chose the goats.

Others told us what it was like to live in a war-torn country.

A woman talked about how she walked barefoot through the night and over many, many miles to escape her village. Another briefly shared the torture she experienced at the hands of a man who scarred her body and intentionally blinded her in one eye.

When we recognized her struggle to see the visual images used in class, we brought her to a nurse who gave her glasses, which significantly improved the vision in her other eye and helped her writing exercises.

My usual lesson plans did not work for this population. Not only were they unfamiliar with English, some had never held a pencil. e

orst sn t

er

The more we work with these students, the more we realize that they still desperately need our help – and not just to learn a new language.

It never ceases to amaze me when I see these students laugh and smile. Not only did they escape dangerous situations and – in many cases – lose loved ones, they are still struggling today. Most of the Burundian students live in Millvale, one of Cincinnati’s most violent and crime-filled communities. And they are not immune to the violence.

Households of up to12 refugees exist on one or two minimum wage jobs - when their English is good enough to obtain one and food stamps.

PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Winter 2015-2016

They have been robbed. They have been discriminated against by their neighbors. One student walked outside one morning to find found a “Go back to Africa” sign planted in her his front yard. This is all happening in our hometown.

While we are trying to teach them how to hold a pencil, they are facing discrimination and violence in the neighborhoods in which they were placed.

Hope e ains Despite the difficulties these students face, they still have joy in their lives. The satisfaction on their faces when they can master writing the letter “S” or the smiles and laughter they share when we all do the Hokie Pokie together is priceless.

While some community elders have spent more than 300 hours learning to say the days of the week, months and year, we do have stories of faster success.

Many of the 20- and 30-year-old community members speak English well enough to work for Club Chef, Amazon or Wayfair. Even the 55-year old who tended the goats in her childhood has learned enough English to find a job. As a result of our Citizenship Test preparation instruction, some of our Burundian refugees have proudly become American citizens.

A project of the Junior League of Cincinnati, RefugeeConnect educates, unites and engages Greater Cincinnati to improve the quality of life of resettled refugees as they acclimate to life in our city. Its primary goal is to construct a sustainable support system through a physical and virtual resource center, which will connect refugees with available resources in the community.

Through RefugeeConnect, the Junior League of Cincinnati is the first local organization to establish a framework for expanding English as a Second Language (ESOL) curriculum training across targeted refugee populations and to create a seamless network that links service providers to one another and refugees to address the long-term acculturation needs.

All of their achievements are made possible because of their strong and incredibly resilient spirit – and the Cincinnati organizations that continue to rally around them. St. Leo the Great Church community, the Tri-Health Community Outreach Nursing program and the wonderful Junior League volunteers are all making a difference in these students’ lives.

We play a critical role in their lives by offering the educational avenue for them to assimilate and move out of poverty and into the safer communities they so deserve to live in.

Thank you for your commitment to the refugee community – we couldn’t help them without you!

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JLC Snapshots JLC JLCSnapshots Snapshots

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Sustainer Sustainer Luncheon Luncheon 2015 2015 Sustainer Luncheon 2015

The The Giving Giving Fields Fields ||October |October October 2014 2014 The Giving Fields 2014

Emily Emily Ryan Ryan & Molly & Molly Flanagan Flanagan Emily Ryan & Molly Flanagan

New New Member Member BusBus Tour Tour | October | October 2014 2014

New Member Bus Tour | October 2014

#jlcincy | 14

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Leading by Example. . .

Sustainers Buffie Rixey and Kelly Lyle

By Susan Shelton, Sustainer Advisor to the Board Sharing a job is not always easy, but Kelly Lyle and Buffie Rixey, Co-VPs of the Sustainer Council, make it seem like it is! Both are dedicated members, seamlessly supporting each other and the Junior League. They lead by example, showing a high level of commitment to one another and our JLC members.

They personify that we really are One League. These Sustainer Superstars were more than willing to share what the JLC means to them.

Why did you join the Junior League of Cincinnati?

KELLY: I joined the JLC as a way to meet other women who instill the same compassion that I have for giving back. I am a lifelong Cincinnatian but wanted to meet other like-minded women. I was always involved in volunteering and then I heard about the benefits of the JLC. I wanted to learn more about Cincinnati and the great things that the JLC can do for those in need.

BUFFIE: I joined because I am passionate about helping others and making a difference in my community. The Junior League provided me with excellent training that launched my volunteer career, the opportunity to work with other women and exchange ideas, all while supporting women, children and the Cincinnati community.

My mother, Barbara Eveland, and my mother-in-law, Nancy Rixey Gottschalk, joined the JLC as young women and they shared their love of the JLC with me. My mom said I would "meet the most amazing women while doing great work that mattered in our community." She was right! I have met, worked (and still work) with amazing women, who now are very dear friends.

at ere so e of o r fa orite place ents KELLY: My favorite placements have been on fundraisers. It is a great way to meet other members and feel part of the JLC. I love seeing an event come together from the planning stages to the ultimate goal of a successfully implemented fun party!

BUFFIE: The Junior League Choral Group is a favorite of mine. I have sung in the Choral Group for over 30 years, performing some solos and had the opportunity to serve as Chair when we honored our long-time Director, Pat Matchette. I am passionate about singing and by reaching out to others in extended care facilities through music has not only brought joy to the patients, but it has also been extremely rewarding for me, too!

The Junior League provided me with excellent training that launched my volunteer career, the opportunity to work with other women and exchange ideas. - Buffie Rixey

Buffie Rixey & Kelly Lyle, Sustainer Council Co-VPs

Why have you stayed involved with the Junior League?

KELLY: I have stayed a part of the JLC because it has had a positive effect on my life. When I was getting back into the workforce, I was told they hired me because I was a member of the JLC! Seeing all the wonderful things the JLC has done for the community, looking in Express and noticing many local nonprofit events have been chaired by JLC members, proves the educational experience and contacts that you make in the JLC are invaluable!

BUFFIE: I am a “people person” so I am continually energized to be able to work alongside so many kind, bright, gracious, talented and committed JLC women. I treasure the bond of friendship and sisterhood I have with so many amazing JLC women. I also remain very committed to the organization’s vision, mission, projects and our membership, both Actives and Sustainers.

My involvement has helped me expand my volunteering into leadership roles where I continue to grow and learn. - Kelly Lyle

What has the Junior League meant to you over the years?

KELLY: I can honestly say the JLC has been my savior many times. My involvement has helped me expand my volunteering into leadership roles where I continue to grow and learn. You can tell when an event is run by a JLC member. It is done effectively, efficiently and is always a success! I love being asked to help on other events and projects and credit my JLC connection. I am very proud to be in the JLC and I spread the good word all the time!

BUFFIE: The Junior League is near and dear to my heart. By helping others through the JLC, I have in turn received back much more than I have given! The JLC has brought unmeasurable joy into my life by giving me opportunity to help others and at the same time it has helped me make lifelong friends. #jlcincy | 16

my jlc story just beginning My name is Lilly Cohen, and I am a Tar Heel...born and bred. I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1992, and then only moved 55 minutes down I-40 to land in what had always been my second home for college: UNC-Chapel Hill.

At UNC, I thrived by staying busy and dipping my toes in a variety of organizations: the Kenan-Flagler Undergraduate Business School, the Chi Omega sorority, UNC Dance Marathon and multiple intramural sports leagues to name a few. UNC truly inspired me to pursue my primary interests of business, friendship, service and athletics. The North Carolina community is one that values friendship, service, and culture, and I planned to immerse myself in a city after college that felt similarly.

That being said, I was prepared to explore the country beyond my NC borders, so I approached applying for jobs with an open mind. I scanned all the familiar metropolitan cities 20-year-olds seek out: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and the list goes on.

However, my open mind was not truly challenged until I was faced with my most exciting job offer with Kraft Foods, which would land me in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Not only had I never visited the city, but I did not even know a single person. I was quickly connected to a few people in what would soon be my new office, and when I posed the question of, “so… how do you meet people?” one of the first responses I got was, “the Junior League”. After doing some research, I believed Junior League aligned with many of my passions and values: voluntarism, community, and friendship.

New Member Lilly Cohen Children's Hospital's annual Halloween Party, I jumped on the offer. I was finally able to connect the work I had done with the UNC Children's Hospital throughout college with my new life in Cincinnati. Furthermore, it would allow me to yet again meet new people who felt passionately for the cause like myself.

I believed Junior League aligned with many of my passions and values: voluntarism, community, and friendship.

My first interactions with the Junior League have not disappointed me. I find myself surrounded by outgoing, authentic, and passionate women, all things I strive to be. Our conversations remind me of how I’ve been able to develop a life here in Cincinnati from scratch, and how many have done the same, even those who are from Cincinnati originally.

Although I’ve spent 15 months here learning the city and now can contribute to conversations about OTR, the Cincinnati Reds, and Skyline Chili, I’m now prepared to expand my horizons again by giving back to my new city and connecting with new people.

These children ranged in age and have dealt with a variety of challenges. These challenges, I'm sure, differ greatly with the privileged upbringing me and the other volunteers had experienced. However, we all came together to laugh, play and celebrate. The lead for this event informed us that this event was the most popular of all, and after seeing the excitement on the children's faces throughout the party, you could sense the impact just our presence had on their experience.

The Junior League has offered me the opportunity to do just that: give back in a meaningful way while socializing with others.

When CanDo presented the opportunity to volunteer at the

These opportunities to connect and give back drive me to continue my dedication to the Junior League of Cincinnati, so I look forward to what's to come!

#jlcincy | 17

JLC Member

milestones

Abby Hofmeyer and Max Morgan were engaged on October 17

Beth Locaputo Bradshaw and husband Jeff welcomed Colin John on January 28. Colin joins four-year-old big sister Lauren.

Brianna Frappier-Schirmang and husband Tim welcomed Oliver J Schirmang born September 28

Kelsey and John Bahl were married on July 25.

Emily and Tom Haun welcomed baby Auburn Kristine on August 15

Megan Timmers and husband Thomas are excited to announce the arrival of Paxton Michael Rieger on September 24, 2015.

Jenna and husband Jason Mott twelcomed Emerson Filipkowski Mott born on October 27.

Liz Fry is now serving as Senior Benefits Analyst for the Hamilton County Human Resources Department

Baron’s has named Valerie Newell, RiverPoint Capital Management’s Chairman and Managing Director, one of the top 100 Independent Financial Advisors in the nation. Newell ranked 29th on the list and was one of only eight women nationwide to be named to the list.

First time parents Carrie Jean and Scott McIntyre, Sr. celebrated the birth of their son, Michael Scott, Jr. on October 22.

ns o i t a l u t a Congr one!

Every

Jamie Humes, Alicia Kappers and Kendall Shaw (Pictured L to R) were named to the Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2015.

YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR MILESTONES, CONTACT US & SUBMIT CONTENT

YOUR MILESTONES. We want to recognize...you! New position, baby, significant achievement, engagement, wedding or other exciting news? Tell us everything.

YOUR BUSINESS. Advertising in Perspectives Magazine is a smart and cost effective way to promote your business to a highly targeted demographic. Multiple advertising opportunities and packages are available.

CONTACT US. jlperspectives@gmail.com SUBMIT CONTENT: via the new Communications Content Submission Hub at jlcincinnati.org #jlcincy | 18

JLCONLINE & CONNECTED

We Are Live!

Introducing...JLCincinnati.org JLC Online has been hard at work over the past several months transitioning our former Closerware site to the new Digital Cheetah enterprise solutions system.

Our new site has received a total aesthetic overhaul and is designed to be more user-friendly as a digital resource for all things JLC. The MEMBERS area contains multiple helpful tools to help you manage your JLC experience, including: • • • • •

Sign up for a volunteer shift Reserve a room at Columbia Center JLC Membership Directory Update your Member Profile Personal dashboard

Yes. There’s An App for That.

A companion to our all-new JLCincinnati.org website, download the Seeing Spot app by Digital Cheetah via the iTunes Store (iPhone) and have instant access at your fingertips to multiple features to keep you JLC connected including: • JLC Directory On The Go (email & text members right from the app) • Upcoming JLC volunteer activities • Your personal JLC Profile • Launch JLCincinnati.org website • And more!

Within the MEMBERS area, use RESOURCES to access: • • • • • • •

Quicklinks and FAQs Leadership List Leadership Toolkit Points/Obligations information Budget & Forms Policies & Regulations Submit Content

#jlcincy | 19

JLC Online is available to assist you with any questions on utilizing our new website. Feel free to reach out at communications@jlcincinnati.org

www.jlcincinnati.org

Sincere thanks and gratitude to our generous sponsors for your support of the JLC’s 2015 Tour of Kitchens!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors Margaret Reid Lynn Larson

Wally Construction, Inc.

THE

V

Silver Sponsors Kyle & Kendall Shaw

OL L E TIVE

DESIGN & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Cooks in the Kitchen Taylor Bennett Saralou Durham Hadley Huffman

Marjorie Motch Margarita Munda Ginny Myer

Andrea Piri Buffie Rixey Elizabeth Sharp

Erika Wera Beth Woebkenberg Maggie Wuellner

SPINACH + ZUCCHINI LASAGNA A holiday favorite made healthy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 60 minutes This Spinach and Zucchini Lasagna is vegetarian, low carb and gluten-free. It is made with tomato sauce, skinny ricotta and mozzarella, and zucchini “noodles.” (This is a favorite of Ben-Gal and JLC Member Sarah Livesay.)

Author: Inspired by Primavera Kitchen Serves: 9

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Half an onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with the juice, or 1 ¾ pound of fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced Salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 3 cups spinach 15 ounces part-skim ricotta 1 large egg ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 4 medium zucchini, sliced ⅛ inch thick 16 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook 4-5 minutes until they are soft and golden.

Add the garlic and sauté, being careful not to burn. Add tomato paste and stir well. Add crushed tomatoes, including the juice if you’re using canned tomatoes.

Add salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a low simmer for 25-30 minutes.

Remove from the heat and add fresh basil, spinach and stir well. Adjust the seasoning if you think it is necessary.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well.

Spread some tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x12 casserole dish.

Layer 5 or 6 zucchini slices to cover.

Spread some of the ricotta cheese mixture on the zucchini slices, and top with the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers until all your ingredients are all used up.

Top with sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Bake 50 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered.

Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.

CANDY CANE MARTINI Inspired by the Original Skinnygirl™, Bethanny Frankel

Ingredients

1 part Skinnygirl™ Bare Naked Vodka 1 part Peppermint Schnapps 1 part fat-free sweetened condensed milk 1 mini candy cane for garnish

Directions:

Combine liquids with ice and shake in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a martini glass.

Add a mini candy cane to make your drink extra festive! #jlcincy | 21

STAYING FIT DURING THE HOLIDAYS

by Matt Kasee

Have you ever felt as if you’re on a fitness and nutrition roller coaster? You work hard all spring to look good for the summer; then, once the holiday season hits, you turn into a polar bear.

Many of my clients face this challenge, but with a bit of strategy, we find ways to achieve a fitness plan they can sustain throughout the year — even during the festive holiday season.

Strive for “accomplishment” and “happiness.”

The first step is finding a type of exercise that you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy exercising, you won’t continue doing it. Find a fun and supportive gym or trainer to support your goals. Work with the staff to find the best approach for you. It can be anything from weight training to yoga, as long as you enjoy it and stick with it.

When you have a healthy relationship with food and exercise, you won’t beat yourself up for eating a cookie. A good nutrition plan allows for indulgences so you’re never punishing yourself and feeling as though you have to “burn off ” that cookie or cocktail. You can eat out, spend time with friends and family, and have impromptu excursions without having to worry about ruining your diet. Remember, our focus is on fulfillment and enjoyment—never restriction and punishment.

Once you find a routine you enjoy, focus on fulfillment. Set a goal and do it! Women are surrounded by messages of burning, shrinking, eating and being less. Forget this negative mindset.

LOCAL FITNESS

CLUBS

Sticking to a nutrition plan during the holidays is tough, but you don’t have to deprive yourself of the cocktails and treats. Instead, focus on portion control to help naturally control caloric intake and stay on track.

Yoga Alive/Body Alive, Multiple Cincinnati Locations Yoga, Barre, Cycle, Body Fleet Feet Running Club, Oakley and Blue Ash Locations The Breathing Room, O’Bryanville Pilates, Yoga, Barre, Core Align Define Body and Mind, Oakley Define Body, Define Mind, Define Revolution LA Fitness, Multiple Cincinnati Locations Fitness Center (Machines and group fitness classes)

Planet Fitness, Multiple Cincinnati Locations Fitness Center (Machines and group fitness classes) Fitworks, Multiple Cincinnati Locations Fitness Center (Machines and group fitness classes) CycleBar, Hyde Park Rookwood Indoor Cycling Theater Pure Barre, Multiple Cincinnati Locations Barre

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cincinnati, Ohio Permit No. 1876

Junior League of Cincinnati Columbia Center 3500 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

Women building better communitiesÂŽ

JLC RefugeeConnect Gives Thanks Thanksgiving is the time of the year when we focus on the things we are thankful for. Volunteers from the JLC were able to share a Thanksgiving meal with some very thankful refugees through our recent RefugeeConnect potluck dinners.

On Thursday, November 19, JLC women gathered with the Chin population in Northern Kentucky and on Saturday, November 21, they gathered with the Burundi population in Cincinnati. Our members prepared and brought the food, helped the refugees make plates and understand what they were eating and shared the meal with the refugees.

While most of the food was new to the refugees, they sincerely enjoyed the meal. They were extremely gracious and grateful that our members took the time to prepare the meal and share it with them. They were especially grateful for the leftovers they were able to take home with them. While communication was often difficult as the refugees are still learning English, being able to share a meal and a few kind words is always a great way to start the holiday season.

Keep an eye out for future RefugeeConnect potluck opportunities! We’ll be hosting again in January, February, April and May. You can sign up to participate through the calendar on the JLCincinnati.org website.

JLC members celebrate a Thanksgiving meal with local refugees

Coming in 2016...

JLC Fashion Forward Saturday, February 27 Hyde Park Country Club

Dark Horse Pre-Derby Day Party Friday, May 6 Venue to Be Announced