Checking in with our Members

By Sarah L. Flohre

Where do you

live? Hilton Head Island, SC since 2015, but I spent 40+ years in Cincinnati.

What do you do

Ellie Berghausen for a living? I am retired. I was

Sustainer mainly a stay-athome mom and ‘full-time’ volunteer, but I was fortunate to parley my treasurer skills into a short career as a bookkeeper and tax preparer at a firm owned by another JLC members, Janet Simpkinson. Family: Husband Jim. I have two grown children – Mark in San Francisco and Christy, in Seattle. Mark is an attorney. Christy is married and has two daughters Hazel (9) and Eloise (7). Why did you join the League? I was proposed for membership and joined the Junior League in my hometown, Peoria, IL, in 1974. Having just graduated from college and just weeks away from our wedding and move to Cincinnati, I transferred my membership to Cincinnati and completed my provisional year there. If I’m totally honest, the main reason I joined was to meet great people - and, it worked!

How long have you been in the League?

Since May 1974.

Outside of the League, do you do any other volunteer work or have any

hobbies? Over the years, yes, I did do volunteer work outside of the League -- to name a few places - Fernside, Hospice of Cincinnati, Beech Acres Parenting Center. Currently, I volunteer in Hilton Head at Volunteers in Medicine, a non-profit that serves the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved and their household who live or work on Hilton head or Daufuskie Islands. As for hobbies, I love to read and am in two book clubs. I also play tennis and golf and love taking long walks on the beach. What do you like about the League? I like the opportunity to work with like-minded women. Some of my best friends are women I met through the League. I liked working in groups to make something happen – whether it was Festival of Trees, a Show House, the National (and World) Figure Skating Championships, or being on the founding board of Fernside. The satisfaction of being part of a successful endeavor was my reward.

What would you like the League to know

about you? I relish those times when family and friends can gather … and I especially like it when that happens at my house!

Where do you

live? Covington, KY

Where did you transfer from?

Junior League of Louisville

Yashna Patel Where do you

Transfer work? As a Patient Liaison for Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati Family: My husband, Dhruv, and I have a Shetland Sheepdog named Simmie. We are a petite family both in height and in number! Why did you join the league? I initially joined the Junior League to be engaged in the community and meet women who inspire me professionally. I also strive to bring more diversity and inclusion in the League.

Outside of the league do you do any other volunteer work or have any

hobbies? I just moved to Cincinnati this past October and I am really trying to attend local skill classes and find ways to be involved. My hobbies include hiking, taking art classes, Indian dancing, embroidery, reading, cooking, scrapbooking, iphoneography, and traveling.

What do you like about the league?

I love how the league gives women of all backgrounds opportunities to be a leader and serve in the community. The league also creates a safe space for women to explore leadership positions and build up their skill base. Furthermore, it empowers us to make connections and lifelong friendships by offering local social events and helps us rediscover where we live. Currently, I am working with CandO to distribute Valentine’s Day cards to two hundred TriHealth “health care heroes.”

What else would you like the league to

know about you? My husband and I love traveling and being in the great outdoors. You will catch us canoeing, skiing, snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife watching. Our goal is to visit every national park in the US!

Where do you live?

O’Bryonville (Hyde Park)

What do you do

for a living? I help busy moms

Byrd Bergeron plan their family or romantic Active getaways to ensure they’re taking the time for memory making! If you want to learn more, my business website is https://travelbyrds.com/. Family: Joseph (amazing husband), Leila (incredible 2-year old-daughter), Das (slightly annoying cat), and Baloo (overly adoring dog) Why did you join the League? The League was an important puzzle piece for me to be more involved with my community. Prior to moving to Cincinnati, we were a military family so we moved often and I was not able to feel a true connection to the places I lived. I wanted that to be different here in Cincinnati and the League was the perfect way to make that happen! I now see people all over town that I know and I get the opportunity to work with incredible nonprofits every year!

Outside of the league, do you do any other volunteer work or have any

hobbies? I’m from New Orleans so I adore cooking food that is terrible for you in every way but will make your heart (and taste buds) sing! I love to travel and only really ever feel at home when I’m on a plane enjoying the view from 30,000 ft. My favorite city is probably Barcelona as few places are so versatile with their interesting architecture, dazzling nightlife, unbelievable culinary scene, and a spectacular beach front!

What do you like about the league?

I love that the League feels like a place for connection for me. It’s hard to find time to make new friends, especially as a mom, and it feels like the League is able to hand me that on a silver platter every few weeks. I’m always meeting women that I later come to admire!

What would you like the League to know

about you? Running a small business is really scary. Being a mom is really scary. Trying to keep a marriage alive and thriving is really scary. If you see me, I probably need a hug, lol! If you need one, I’m here for it too!