Everything You Didn't Know About Our Police & Fire Departments
By Margaret Jevic
Now, I’ve lived in the Mariemont community since I was 4 years old, and truth be told, I kind of thought I knew everything there is to know about Mariemont – I mean, it’s a pretty small town. However, I’ve recently come to appreciate our police and fire department in an entirely new way.
After my husband and I attended our first infant safety class at seven months pregnant it was recommended that we have someone in the fire department install our infant car seat to make sure it was in properly. Who knew this service was provided at fire stations? Definitely not us. Fast forward about a month and we finally took a stab at installing the seat by ourselves, just to make extra sure we weren’t incompetent in this area. It was certainly not one of my more glamorous moments as I plunked the base down in my back seat, hooked the latch, clambered into the back seat, and attempted to tighten the strap. It was a no go. I’m going to say it’s because I am eight months pregnant, but my husband didn’t have any luck either. We looked at each other and realized it was time to make that appointment with the fire department to help us out.
I tell you this story because after watching a burly fireman wrangle and subdue our car seat base to within a centimeter of movement, I began to wonder about all of the things our police and fire department does for us we may not know about. I reached out to our chief
of both the police and fire departments, Chief Richard Hines, and he sat down with me to tell me everything I (and maybe you, too) didn't know about our police and fire department.
So, I waddled into his office two weeks before my due date, and explained why I was suddenly so curious about their services beyond the obvious. We started with car seats. Car seat installation is provided by many area fire stations, although Mariemont is not currently one of them. They used to have this service, but it does require personnel to attend special classes and obtain a certification so they can not only install the car seat to safety standards, but also pass on important information to expectant parents. Chief Hines told me that
Mariemont is working to have a few staff members certified and will again offer car seat installation to Mariemont’s residents –
Waldorf School Holiday Faire Open to All
Cincinnati Waldorf School (CWS), located at 6743 Chestnut St, is hosting its annual Holiday Faire on December 2 and 3. Enjoy a night out with friends and neighbors December 2, from 6-9 pm. This event is for adults only, so schedule your babysitter and come out for a fun, casual evening of light hors d’œurves, a cash bar, live music and shopping for one of a kind, affordable gifts from our Vendor Village, located in the CWS gymnasium. The vendors will include over 25 local artists, craftspeople, jewelers and more.
December 3, 11 am-2 pm, is a big day for the kids to have fun playing games, make beautiful crafts, enjoy goodies from the bake sale, including coffee for mom and dad, and grab a delicious, wholesome lunch from the burrito bar. Entrance is free. Food and most activities require the purchase of tickets. We hope to see you there!
Correction:
The child pictured in the photograph on page 8 of the October issue was misidentified as Lucy Eversole.
The
Club
The Town Crier would like to thank our supporters! Funding for production of The Town Crier comes solely from our advertisers and your contributions. Individuals contributing throughout the publishing year will have their names included in each remaining issue. Those donating more than $25 are indicated in bold type. Your contribution can be mailed to: Mariemont Town Crier c/o Claire Kupferle, 3844 Indianview Avenue Mariemont, OH 45227
The Crier Club 2016 - 2017
Marty and Tom Allman
Anonymous
Marty Bartlett
Rob and Linda Bartlett
Denis and Marianne Beasejour
Nancy Becker
Patricia Beglen
Ed and Karen Berkich
Rex and Sharon Bevis
Biff and Janet Black
Robert and Barbara Blum
Peggy and Karl Braun
Christopher Breda
Arlene Brill
Phyllis “Bridey” Brower
Ruth and Robert Bullock
Clifford Clemons
Thomas and Nina Coates
Donna Lou and David Davis
Linda and Carl Deblasio
Sam and Nancy Duran
Mary Ann Fieler and Robert Faelten
Jim and Ann Foran
Garden Club of Mariemont
Editor
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Staff
Contributors
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Kim Beach kbeach@cinci.rr.com
Rex Bevis rexbevis@fuse.net
Delta Crabtree dcrabtree@comey.com
Matt Crawford jmatthewcrawford@gmail.com
Margaret Jevic amjevic@gmail.com
Bob and Jeanne Naugle
Julie Northrop
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Dan and Barb Policastro
Roger and Rosemary Reavill
Malia and Mark Ridge
Jan Timothy and Miriam Riker
David C. Robisch
Nina Rogers
Steve and Pat Salay
Audrey Sharn
Kim and Eric Smith
Charlie and Gretchen Thomas
Frances B. Turner
Carolyn and Ed Tuttle
Jerry and Suzi Vianello
Christian Bolen Walker
Susan Westerling
Lisa Wharton and
Larry Bourgeois
Village Church of Mariemont
Woman’s Art Club Cultural
Center Foundation
Peter and Faye Zelinski
Ellie Kapcar ekkcar@gmail.com
Elizabeth Miller Wood elizabeth.miller.wood@gmail.com
Joan Welsh joanwwelsh@gmail.com
Randy York ryork@cinci.rr.com
Photographer Ron Schroeder ronschroederimaging@gmail.com
Carriers
D avi D a n D rews s cott H ollan D J ackson H ouse a lly an D Z ac H M aier a lex M antle M ax an D F inn M arque Z c olin M ikesell a bby M iller o wen P ro FF itt b en r eiter H enry t eg H t M eyer n oa H v anags e rin w il D er b ray D en w olu J ewic Z
(Siblings listed together share routes; siblings listed separately have their own routes)
December deadline:
The deadline for the next Town Crier is November 17, 2016 All camera-ready ads and articles must be submitted by 5 pm to Claire Kupferle at indy3844@aol.com. Articles should be sent via email in Microsoft® Word, with photos sent as jpg files of at least 350KB. Payment and advertising contracts should be submitted to: Claire Kupferle, 3844 Indianview, Cinti., OH
The Town Crier is published monthly from September through May as “The Voice Of The Village Of Mariemont.” The Mariemont Town Crier, LLC is published as a service to the residents and organizations of the Village of Mariemont. Articles (typed and double-spaced) and photographs are welcomed. They may be dropped off or emailed by 5 pm on the article due date. Signed Letters to the Editor are accepted as space allows. The Town Crier reserves the right to edit letters for length. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinions of the authors and do not represent the views of The Town Crier staff. Photographs will not be returned unless indicated. Due to limited space, the editorial staff reserves the right to select and edit articles for both content and space. As a public service to the non-profit organizations of Mariemont, The Town Crier does accept inserts for a fee. The editorial staff reserves the right to select and edit inserts. Inserts and ads of a political nature are not accepted.
Mariemont Town Crier, 3844 Indianview,
Village Election Day Reminder and Ballot Language
As a reminder, Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day. In addition to voting for the President of the United States, voters will be faced with many other decisions that affect Ohio, Hamilton County, and our Village of Mariemont. Specific to Mariemont are Issues 25 & 26. We have printed the ballot language as a service to our readers prior to Election Day.
As with any election the best way to prepare is to be knowledgeable about the candidates and the issues. Below are the issues specific to Mariemont directly quoted from the ballet. To see the ballot in its entirety simply visit the Ohio Board of Elections website at http://boe.hamilton-co.org/ and click on “Am I Registered?”. Enter your name and address to access the ballot you will be using on Election Day.
Issue 25 - Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Village of Mariemont
A renewal of a tax for the benefit of the Village of Mariemont, County of Hamilton, Ohio, for the purpose of PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS at a rate not exceeding three (3) mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to thirty cents ($0.30) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for five (5) years, commencing in 2016, first due in calendar year 2017.
Issue 26 - Proposed Ordinance (By Petition) - Village of Mariemont
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
Ordinance to follow the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices in regards to STOP signs in Mariemont:
In order to comply with Ohio Revised Code and ensure proper safety, consistency and objectivity in the placement of STOP signs throughout the Village of Mariemont, the installation of any new STOP signs shall require:
I) a study be done by an independent professional traffic engineer. For purposes of this Section, the term “independent” means a qualified consultant that has not otherwise performed work as a W-2 employee or a 1099 consultant for the Village of Mariemont for a
period of 12 months prior to the date of such study.
II) the study must establish that the proposed location for the STOP sign meets the criteria laid out in the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or such other and further authority on such topic hereafter adopted by the Ohio Department of Transportation or its successor agency. Specifically, the location being studied must meet at least one of the Guidance criteria or two of the Options in Section 2B.04 or 2B.07 of the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, along with any other pertinent requirements, or such other and further
authority on such topic hereafter adopted by the Ohio Department of Transportation or its successor agency.
III) any ordinance to implement any STOP sign shall go through the required three readings at three separate Village Council meetings and shall not be passed as an emergency measure unless there has been a significant increase in the number of documented accidents at the proposed location. Furthermore, the reason for having to pass the STOP sign ordinance as an emergency measure should be included in the ordinance as well.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8!
Dear Mariemont Residents,
Village
Vote Yes on Issue 26
On November 8, Mariemont will vote on Issue 26. Over 250 of our residents signed a petition to put this on the ballot. Issue 26 creates a process for assessing the need for new STOP signs on residential streets that complies with Ohio law and the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD). Also, Issue 26 is for STOP signs only and doesn’t impact other traffic signs or traffic studies in any way.
Mariemont’s current STOP sign process, described in the November, 2015 Mayor’s Bulletin, doesn’t use an engineer or comply with the OMUTCD. Numerous studies by the Institute of Transportation Engineers and others show that STOP signs that don’t comply with these guidelines create a more
unsafe environment, especially for younger children.
Furthermore, the ODOT Regional Traffic Engineer said any tickets that are issued at STOP signs that do not comply with the OMUTCD can be overturned in court. Over the past five to six years, more than 20 new STOP signs have been installed in Mariemont. Most don’t comply with the OMUTCD. The damage done to Whiskey Creek is an example of what happens when we don’t use experts or follow the right processes.
Finally, there are rumors that STOP sign studies are expensive. Four local engineering firms were contacted. All four will accept traffic and police report data from the village at no charge. The lowest cost was TEC
Engineering at $300 to $500. In 2015, total Village spending was $3,243,320. A $400 STOP sign study represents 0.0001 of that spending.
Mariemont residents want facts, not rumors. We have created a Facebook page called “Mariemont ISSUE 26” with documents and links to other sources so you can educate yourself.
The bottom line is: is it safer to break the law or to follow the law? Issue 26 ensures Mariemont is following the law.
Signed,
Rob Bartlett
3611 Mound Way
Vote No on Issue 26
Citizens of Mariemont are asking, “What is Issue 26 and why is it on the ballot?” Here is the answer:
A group of citizens wants an outside traffic engineering firm to start making decisions on traffic signs in the Village. They engaged an outside attorney to write a referendum that, if passed, would require the Village to hire an engineer to conduct a traffic study EACH TIME a stop sign is proposed. The Village DID NOT place this referendum on the ballot. This demand for an outside engineer doesn’t make sense when we already have qualified staff to do a study. We have an outstanding engineer that has safety and traffic training plus our awardwinning police chief.
Why should you vote no on Issue 26?
This would cost the Village to unnecessarily spend tax dollars to being in an expensive outside traffic engineering firm when we already have qualified staff to conduct a traffic study.
Every year we get quite a few requests for
traffic studies. Currently, we have 7 areas to be studies in the near future. If we need to bring in an outside firm for each study it will start to drain our capital budget which will affect other badly needed projects.
We have 4 large projects slated to be completed over the next 2 years and we will need to use money from our Capital Improvement funds to accomplish them. These projects include the Settle Road flood problems, Homewood Road catch basin improvement, Murray Avenue parking, and the Pleasant Street/ Mariemont Avenue sewer repairs. Why would we want to chip away at our capital improvement fund by hiring an outside engineer for a traffic study for every sign request when we could be directing those funds toward these important projects.
Currently we have the “home rule” which helped keep the Eastern Corridor from going through Mariemont. We don’t want to sacrifice any part of our “home rule” advantage, since it is “home rule” that lets the Village, not the state, decide what is best for our residents.
Do you remember last spring when we woke up one morning to find Wooster Pike lined with signs for the Safe Route to Schools project? It took a lot of very intense negotiation to get the state to allow us to take down 24 unnecessary signs. While the goal of Issue 26 may be to reduce the number of signs, it has been our experience that outside traffic engineers often want to add more signs than what was proposed. They follow a set formula that does not take into consideration the unique aspects of our community.
Our main concern is now and always will be SAFETY. Fortunately, our police chief and village engineer know our community and understand its needs. We already have the resources to complete traffic studies in a timely manner. Let’s not waste our tax dollars on an outside firm.
Signed,
Rick Hines - Police/Fire Chief , Dan Policastro – Mayor, Chris Ertel – Village Engineer, Eric Marsland – Finance Committee Chairman, Dennis Wolter – Public Works Chairman
Garden Club Celebrates a Carnival of Color
Colder temperatures and winter weather may be on the horizon, but it doesn’t mean gardening has to come to a complete STOP. A fall activity I enjoy is making fall arrangements from gathering materials from my garden, local nurseries, farmers markets or craft stores. It’s enjoyable to select a vase, basket, or pottery piece to combine a mix of flowers, dried pods, gourds and colorful foliage.
Our garden club member, Karen Berkich, created a large autumn arrangement using her grandmother’s wooden bowl, cut hydrangeas from her garden, white strings of berries from Michael’s and a greenish pumpkin from her farm. Voila! You have a lovely, peaceful floral arrangement to be placed in any room in your home.
I purchased a small pottery piece that had five holes on top for both water and flowers. It was a small gift to a friend in North Carolina. We hiked and searched for unusual pods, thistles, seeds and added bittersweet to create a small arrangement. The smaller container could be placed on any size table.
I encourage you and your family to scout around your yard, walk the railroad tracks or hike the South 80 to locate those
unique flower shapes and foliage. Get your memorable container or carve out a gourd (place a jar or soup can inside) to create your carnival-of-color autumn arrangement.
Anyone interested is cordially invited
to the next meeting of The Garden Club of Mariemont on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 1:00 at The Barn. The speaker will discuss the topic: Valley of the Daylillies.
Submitted by Carolyn Tuttle
so stay tuned parents of little ones!
I knew the basics of what police and firemen do, but I really knew very little about our particular department. Chief Hines told me we have a rather diverse fire department, made up of 35 firemen, most of whom work full time at other stations and work for Mariemont on one of their days off. According to Chief Hines, this really gives our department a lot of experienced staff members because many of them work in departments that encounter fires and other major events more regularly than Mariemont. We have also had multiple police officers given awards for bravery and officer of the month. Our station has also been awarded AAA’s Platinum award for community traffic safety every year since 2010, and the Gold award from Hamilton County OVI Task Force since 2012.
Beyond being a heavily awarded station, here is a sampling of things you may not have known that our police and fire department do for us, at no cost, beyond their obvious job description:
• The department is planning to offer CPR certification classes to village residents who wish to acquire this lifesaving skill.
• For all of the new drivers, you can pick up traffic cones from the station to
practice your parallel parking!
• If you go on vacation, you can fill out a small form and the police department will gladly check on your house while you’re away. They will also keep an extra eye out since they know you aren’t home.
• The department has a program for senior citizens who would like someone to check in on them. The station staff either call to check in, or pop by the residence. They will also help out with things like changing light bulbs and checking to make sure the heat is working.
• Many of the firefighters have acquired side jobs, like carpentry, and actually built the storage shed outside the municipal building, saving the village plenty of money. Chief Hines also pointed out various walls in the municipal building the firemen had worked on instead of having to hire a contractor for the work. The firemen also mow the grass around the municipal building so the village doesn’t have to pay someone to do it.
• You can have a fireman come to your home to inspect your smoke detectors and give you tips on how to make your home safer from fires. A policeman can also come out to provide tips on protecting your home from potential criminal activity.
• The police and firemen help Boy
Scouts obtain merit badges.
• Children are welcome down at the station any time. The firemen spend 8 hours every day performing maintenance checks at the station and are more than happy to let your little one interact with the trucks and equipment, as well as get to know the firemen (something I know my husband is looking forward to doing with our little one).
In addition to all of the above, the police and fire department are present at all of the village’s major events, making sure streets are blocked off and everyone stays safe. Also, this year Mariemont High School has its first resource officer present during the school day to interact with students, maintain safety, and work the traffic light near the library to ease traffic congestion at the end of the day. Police officers also make frequent visits to the elementary school, and maintain a presence when school begins and lets out to make sure little ones are safe.
I was amazed to learn so much about our police and fire department, and I am without a doubt so grateful to our police and firemen for not only doing the job laid out for them in their job description, but for everything they do to go above and beyond for our community. As Chief Hines said, “Mariemont is a unique community. It’s not just a job.” To our police and firemen, I’m thankful for everything you do for us, and to show my appreciation, I plan to bring my drooling baby down to the station to thank you personally.
Village Tree Lighting and Luminaria Scheduled For December 10
Walking through Mariemont the night of Luminaria is something very dear to many who live and pass through Mariemont. For those new to our community or this event, we hope you can join us as we light up the night and celebrate the upcoming holiday season. If you missed the chance to buy luminaria kits for your house, which include the bags, sand and candles, a limited supply of kits will be sold at the Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale (located at the Mariemont Municipal Building/Firehouse) on November 26, November 27 , December 4 , and December 10. Please contact Christine Pressey with any questions at cspressey12 12@gmail.com
The annual event is organized by Mariemont Preschool Parents Group. Keep in mind, this year it will occur on Saturday, December 10 which is the second Saturday in December from 5:308:00 pm. This year, festivities include a Carillon concert, musical and dance performances, carriage rides, hot beverages and cookies, a visit from Santa, and, of course, the annual lighting of the tree!
The Tree Lighting and festivities in the Old Town Square will be held as they have been for the past 24 years to create joy and fun for our community. Whether Luminaria is a timehonored tradition in your family or you are new to the Village and want to create new traditions, this event is enjoyed by all. Let’s light up the Village!
All Luminaria proceeds support community projects such as park improvements, children’s library materials, and various local charities.
The Old Town Square glows on Luminaria night.
Mariemont Chapter of the DAR Enjoys a Day of Learning and Giving
Mariemont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) combined a day of learning with a day of giving the our October 15 meeting. The day was extremely busy as we were treated to a wonderful program by Leslie Arendt, “Daddy was a Confederate: A Kentucky Perspective” The story of Susie Lafferty and her father living in Kentucky during the Civil War. We visited with Susie “in her parlor” as she relayed the story of her family and many Kentucky families who lived during a very tumultuous time period in our history.
Following the program, members formed an assembly line around a huge table filled with homemade cookies. The project was to honor first responders by delivering boxes of homemade cookies to the police and fire departments in our communities for the National Day of Service. Mariemont chapter has members from at least 12 different communities in the Cincinnati area. Twenty-one boxes of cookies were assembled and delivered to some of these first responders by members of our chapter. Each box contained approximately three-dozen homemade cookies and a few small candy bars. Police and Fire departments in the communities of Mariemont, Terrace Park, Sharonville, Indian Hill, Madeira, Batavia, Milford, Little Miami, Montgomery, Miami Township, Deer Park, Silverton, Hyde Park and Sycamore Township received a visit by ladies from their own neighborhoods. Not only did we enjoy honoring such important people in our communities, but we also had fun baking and assembling the boxes.
Recipients of the boxes were very gracious and we look forward to the possibility of expanding this project next year. For
further information regarding DAR or the Mariemont Chapter please contact Regent Jan Mauch at jan@mariemontdar.com
DAR members filling boxes with cookies.
Leslie Arendt speaks to the group.
By Kim Beach
Village Village Residents Promote Generosity
“No one has ever become poor by giving”~Anne Frank
On November 15, people around the world will come together to celebrate
National Philanthropy Day, a celebration of giving, volunteering and charitable engagement. Philanthropy is the “love of humankind” and on this day, citizens will put that word into action and recognize the change that the word has brought to our communities.
Every year, since 1986 when President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed November 15 as National Philanthropy Day, communities across the globe have celebrated by hosting events to recognize
cont'd on next page
Diane Sabo
Michael Burkhouse and Carlo Ramundo
Jani Viox
Barb Anderson
Steve Spooner
Kathy Chapman-Dick
Jeff Kraynick
Chief Rick Hines
Nancy Miller
activities of donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations, and others engaged in philanthropy.
It is also a grassroots movement to increase public interest and awareness of the importance of philanthropy, as well as knowledge on giving and volunteering. If you are interested in giving or getting involved, the Town Crier has asked your neighbors which organizations are the most important to them by posing the question, “If you had $10,000 to donate to a non-profit organization or charity, which one would you choose”?
‘Tis the Season
Serving locally since 1885, The Salvation Army in Greater Cincinnati provides clothing, emergency shelter, food, utility bill assistance, job training, after school tutoring, youth summer camp, Christmas assistance, meals and many other services to families and
Following is a list of the people we talked to and the charities they support:
Jack Butcher ProKids
Vicki Quiambao
Pink Ribbon Girls
Barb Anderson
Village Church of Mariemont and Marielders
Diane Sabo
Cancer Family Care
Don Keyes
Alzheimers Association
Village
people throughout our local communities.
The donations received at local Kroger stores each holiday season are an important part of the money raised for the work of the Salvation Army. Each year, the residents of Mariemont, Terrace Park, Indian Hill and other communities take on the job of ringing the bell at the Mariemont Kroger. Many families have been involved for years and it has become a family tradition. It is a wonderful way to share a small amount of your time to help make a difference for those in need. And what a fun way to see your neighbors and friends during the holiday season as they visit our wonderful Kroger’s.
If you would like to be part of the effort this year at the Mariemont Kroger (November 25-December 24), please email Kim Beach kimbeach13@gmail.com or call her at 513252-4262.
Jani Viox
Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Missy Osgood ALS
Claire Hern SPCA
Jeff Kraynick
Stepping Stones
Page Murphy
Cerebal Palsy Foundation
Isabelle Holland
Greyhound Rescue
Nancy Miller
1N5 (Warrior Run)
Steve Spooner City Gospel
Jo Henning
Inter Parish Ministry
Michael Burkhouse/Carlo
Ramundo JDRF
Julie Renner
Mariemont Arts Assoc.
Sue Mullan
Hospice and Marielders
Kathy Chapman
Marielders and UC Alumni
Chief Rick Hines
St. Jude
Jack Butcher
Jo Henning
Sue Mullen
Vicky Quiambo
Village
Nextdoor Community Guidelines
As a service to our readers, we are sharing community guidelines for Nextdoor as published on their website. Join the community at https:// mariemontoh.nextdoor.com/
Our mission is to provide a platform where neighbors work together to build stronger, safer, happier communities all over the world.
We want all neighbors to feel welcome, safe, and respected when using Nextdoor. For that reason, we’ve developed a set of Community Guidelines describing what behaviors are – and are not – allowed on Nextdoor. The crux of our Guidelines can be boiled down to one simple statement: Everyone here is your neighbor. Please treat each other with respect.
We rely on you, the neighbors who make up the Nextdoor community, to report content that violates these Guidelines. Violating the Guidelines has consequences, which may include removal of content, suspension of posting privileges, or even a permanent ban from Nextdoor. Because of the diversity of people in any neighborhood, please keep in mind that while something may be disagreeable to you, it may not violate our Community Guidelines.
Be helpful, not hurtful
The heart and soul of Nextdoor are the helpful conversations that happen between neighbors. When conversations turn disagreeable, everyone on Nextdoor suffers. Our Guidelines prohibit posts and replies that discriminate against, attack, insult, shame, bully, or belittle other Nextdoor members.
Don’t use Nextdoor as a soapbox
Nextdoor is a communication platform that allows neighbors to mobilize and get stuff done like never before. However, favorite causes that are pushed too hard, political campaigning, and personal views on controversial issues will inevitably rub one’s neighbors the wrong way. We rely on our members to report those who are over-posting, campaigning, and posting or ranting about controversial, non-local issues.
Promote local businesses and commerce the right way
On Nextdoor, we support local businesses
and encourage neighbors to share helpful information about their favorite businesses and services. We also encourage neighbors to buy, sell, and give things away. Nextdoor is actively working on solutions for local businesses to participate in their Nextdoor neighborhood.
Use your true identity
Nextdoor is a network for you and the
people who live in your local community. To that end, using your true identity and honestly representing yourself are key parts of being a Nextdoor member.
Keep it clean and legal
Keep all content and activity family-friendly and legal, and adhere to our rules about regulated goods and services.
Scenes from the Plein Air Event
MPF Prize Awarded at 'Paint Out'
The Mariemont Preservation Foundation sponsored a $300 prize for the Plein Air Paint Out event held October 14 and 15. Artists could compete for the prize by submitting a work they felt best captured the "Spirit of Mariemont." The winning painting, shown above with MPF Board President, Claire Kupferle, was created by Bob Bloom and depicts the MPF building. The group selected the painting for its whimsical style and its emphasis on the building's architectural elements. Originally built as a utilitarian transformer building and owned by Cincinnati Gas and Electric, the town planners made sure the structure had some character and fit in with the overall look of the Village by including a lovely palladian window and a cupola. This attention to esthetics even in functional building exemplifies the Spirit of Mariemont.
The Woman's Art Club recently held a Plein Air Paint Out in Mariemont. Artists
worked outdoors to create scenes from around the Village which are offered for sale at The Barn. Congratulations to all the participants and the wonderful art they created!
An artist creates an original work combining a movie poster and the red call box.
The church was the subject of this artist's painting. Rick Koehler mixes just the right color for his work.
MPF Board President Claire Kupferle with the winning painting by Robert Bloom.
Village
What’s Happening at the Mariemont Branch Library
November
Children
Baby Sign Language — 11:30 am. Fridays, November 4 & 18
Communicate with your baby! Ages 6-24 months. Registration required.
Movers & Shakers — 10:30 am and 1:30 pm Wednesdays
Bring the little ones in for stories, songs, and dance as they learn about the Library. Ages 1-4. Note: No program Noember 23.
Library Babies 11:30 am Wednesdays
Have fun, meet other parents and babies, and promote early literacy! Ages 6-18 months. Note: No program November 23.
Crafty Kids 4 pm Thursday, November 17
Get crafty at the Library! Ages 5-10.
Teens
Unplugged: Teen Board Game Party — Noon to 2 pm Saturday, November 12. Create creepy edibles for Halloween fun! Ages 10-18.
Adults
Digital Magazines: Zinio & More! — 6:30 pm Thursday, November 3
Learn how to download magazines to our computer or mobile device. Registration required.
Which Craft? Needle Craft Club — 10:30 am Saturdays, November 5 & 19
Stop by with your current work in progress for pointers or just to have fun with co-enthusiasts. Knitting, crochet, needlework — whatever you like to do.
Branch Book Club 6:45 pm Thursday, November 17
This month’s selection is Eligible by Curtis Sitttenfeld Copies will be available at the desk. New members are always welcome.
Library hours are noon to 8 pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 am-6 pm Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
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Village
A Mariemont Thanksgiving History
By Ron Adair
It’s hard to believe that once again Thanksgiving is upon us. For many of us, Thanksgiving signifies a four-day weekend, televised football, and over-sized portions of baked turkey and pumpkin pie. At its roots, Thanksgiving usually means gathering with loved ones and showing gratitude for all of your blessings. Most people know the basic origin story of the holiday but many don’t know we have a Thanksgiving tale of our own here in Mariemont.
In November of 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in search of religious and lawful freedom from England. Although these settlers aboard the famed Mayflower were relieved to see land, harsh storms along the Atlantic Ocean pushed them some 220 miles north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. Out of supplies and exhausted from their expedition, the Pilgrims were forced to settle at Plymouth Rock.
What immediately followed was a vicious winter which led to extreme cases of disease and famine. The people of Plymouth Rock were quickly dwindling in numbers. In an act of unexpected kindness, the neighboring Wampanoag Indians came to their aid by bringing food and blankets. Furthermore, that spring, they showed the Pilgrims how to farm the land by optimizing local resources. Many historians believe if it wasn’t for the native Indians, the earliest settlers wouldn’t have survived a year and the land we call America would be a much different place today.
After a bountiful harvest in the summer and autumn of 1621, the settlers at Plymouth
Rock found themselves flush with food for the upcoming winter. As a sign of gratitude for their help, the Pilgrims invited the Indians to a gathering to share in their abundance in what would later be known as the first Thanksgiving.
For the next 150 years, the colonies grew in mass numbers and eventually became the United States of America. After the American Revolution, the government encouraged westward expansion due to overcrowded cities along the East Coast.
In November of 1788, Major Benjamin Stites and 27 others sailed from New Jersey along the Ohio River to the southern end of the Little Miami River. They were looking for fertile land and eventually settled here naming it “Columbia” in homage to Christopher Columbus. Shortly thereafter,
nearby “Losantiville” was settled and renamed “Cincinnati” in 1790.
In 1799, a portion of land from the Columbia Settlement was sold to the Ferris brothers: Eliphalet, Joseph, and Andrew. The Ferris family fared well in their new land that would eventually be named Mariemont. They utilized the Little Miami River to improve farming, built houses and schools in the area, and ultimately set the foundation for Mary Emery’s purchase of the land in 1920.
Prior to the Ferris’ arrival in 1799, Mariemont was home to a culture of Native American Indians dating back as far as the year 1450. These Indians were eventually classified as Late Fort Ancient by local archeologists. In 1750 these Fort Ancient Indians were replaced by the Shawnee Indians who traveled here from Florida. The Shawnee settled in along the hills of the Little Miami River and primarily in modern day Indian Hill. They quickly adapted to the land and became very skilled in maize farming. The Shawnee Indians understood
the extreme seasons and made it a practice to store the dried out maize in underground silos so it could be eaten all year.
There are many tales of Shawnee hunting parties visiting the original settlements in the area that have been passed down over the years but one plays an important role in the evolution of Mariemont: In their first months after acquiring the land, the Ferris family was short on food and facing an extremely bitter winter. Some of the children had taken ill and icy conditions made it hard to travel into Columbia for food and medicine. The neighboring Shawnee Indians visited the Mariemont settlement that winter and brought the Ferris’s buckets of maize. They showed the family how to cook it, grind it, and utilize the husk. If not for this unanticipated visit, there is no telling if they would have survived until the spring. Signs of the Ferris family can still be seen all over Mariemont today. To say that the Ferris family had an impact on the future of Mariemont would be an understatement.
Village
So this Thanksgiving, take a break from the turkey legs and pigskin, and give thanks to those who made this great village of Mariemont possible. Walk down Plainville Road and see the original house built by Eliphalet Ferris in 1802 which is still standing today and is located next to the Mariemont Preservation Foundation building. Take a stroll through the Mariemont Community Church cemetery and pay your respects to the Ferris family and their descendants. Or hike along Miami Bluff Road which borders the Little Miami River and give thanks to the
Shawnee Indians, who without whose help, Mariemont might be a much different place today.
A Ferris family memorial marker in the Pioneer cemetery.
Record breaking numbers at 7th annual 1N5 Warrior Run Village
1N5 starts the conversation to stop the stigma of mental health issues at 5K event
The 7th annual 1N5 Warrior Run 5K event was held Saturday, October 1 with a record-breaking 2,800 participants. Between the Warrior Run and the 1N5 spring dinner event, 1N5 will raise about $155,000 this year, 50 percent more than 2015. Increased registration and fundraising is attributed to heightened awareness about mental health disorders that 1N5 has created in Cincinnati. “The numbers don’t lie…word is getting out and people are ready to start talking about mental illness,” said Nancy Miller, Warrior Run race director and founder of 1N5.
The Mariemont High School drum line started the 5K and Kids’ Fun Run, and postrace, runners enjoyed food and festivities from LaRosa’s, City Barbeque, UDF, Kona Ice and 50 West. The Warrior Run attracted twice as many high school and college students as last year, thanks to 1N5’s involvement in 5 of Cincinnati’s universities/colleges and 8 area high schools. Teams played a big role in this year’s event, specifically Brett’s Team who raised $5,332, Kelly’s Angels with $4,492, and the ElizabethStrong team with 157 members.
“We were very happy to host special guests
from the Run for Greatness organization this year,” said Miller. “Their mission is to provide those with disabilities and special needs a chance to participate in physical events like 5Ks that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. We are thrilled they chose the Warrior Run and that our finish line served as a victory for the Run for Greatness participants.”
“Each year suicide takes about 4,600 young lives, making it the second leading cause of death in children ages 15-24 according to the National Institute of Mental Health,” said Miller. “Thirty-eight percent of high school students have had serious suicidal thoughts and/or attempted to take their own life and twenty percent of kids ages 13-18 are living with a mental health condition. Our youth are in crisis.”
Established in 2008 as the James W. Miller Memorial Fund to honor Warrior Run founder Nancy Miller’s late husband, who died by suicide that year, is now known as 1N5, inspired by the statistic that one in five teens and adults suffer from mental illness. The organization facilitates two events with one purpose, The Warrior Run and 1N5, A Night to Start the Conversation and Stop the Stigma dinner event. Since 2008, 1N5 has raised over $475,000 and impacted 75,000 university
students and 15,000 high school students.
For information about attending, volunteering or being a sponsor at 1N5’s dinner event in May 2017, please go to www.1n5.org To donate to the Warrior Run or 1N5, please go to www.cincywarriorrun.org or www.1N5.org.
Dear Mariemont Residents,
Thank you for being a HUGE part of the Warrior Run. The community support of this event is amazing and so appreciated. Your volunteer support, cooking and baking and participation make this event so special. It is inspiring to see families and friends supporting mental health education in our village.
- Nancy Miller
By Rex Bevis
Whiskey Creek Distillery Remains Located Village
In August, Mayor Dan Policastro contacted Mariemont Preservation Foundation (MPF) President Claire Kupferle regarding some information he had recently learned about “historical whiskey distillation” down in Whiskey Creek which the Mayor thought MPF might want to investigate. The Mayor referenced Dr. Kenneth Tankersley, University of Cincinnati Archaeologist, who had some first-hand experience ‘down in the Creek.’ The creek has long been known as Whiskey Creek, but were there some distillery remains to be found and explored?
Always interested in checking into opportunities to learn more about Mariemont history, Claire contacted Dr. Tankersley and asked if he might point out his discovery. Dr. Tankersley agreed to show her what he had discovered along the banks of Whiskey Creek. I was invited along as well, with Claire thinking there may be a Town Crier article in the offing.
Where exactly is Whiskey Creek? The creek’s above-ground source is in the area adjacent to Dale Park School just north of Wooster Pike. The Creek flows under Wooster Pike at the Boathouse and previously provided the water for the old lagoon. Whiskey Creek flows south in the valley behind the Bell Tower, also just behind the Mariemont Swim Pool, subsequently entering the Little Miami River in the vicinity of the South 80 acres.
In late August, we set out with Dr. Tankersley. We entered the Whiskey Creek basin just below the Swimming Pool and hiked north where Dr. Tankersley pointed out the remains of a large brick kiln, probably a beehive kiln. To my untrained eye, it looked like someone had dumped some bricks on the ground, but as Dr. Tankersley pointed out the circular nature of the ruins and the area it covered, I could imagine a structure similar to the kilns located in the Rookwood Pottery Restaurant in Mount Adams. The Whiskey Creek kiln would not have been part
of the whiskey distillation process but would instead have been used to fire the stoneware pottery (jugs) used to house the whiskey for shipment on the Ohio River. In fact, several of the bricks had remnants of the salt glaze used for the stoneware jugs. Hiking farther to the north, we encountered another area along Whiskey Creek which Dr. Tankersley thought would have been the actual distillation compound, although no remnants are visible aboveground. Further excavation would be required to determine if distillation occurred at this specific site.
Historical documentation does in fact record that whiskey distillation occurred along the banks of Whiskey Creek. Two early settlers, Eliphalet and Joseph Ferris, are cited as specifically involved in this effort.
“Eliphalet Ferris constructed his brick house, still standing at 3915 Plainville Road in Mariemont, about 1802. The two-story part of the house was not built until 1812. Joseph’s
brick home, built between 1813 and 1830, still stands at 5729 Dragon Way, off Wooster Pike, in Fairfax. Joseph and Priscilla first lived in a log house. The early one-room part of the Eliphalet house is said to be the oldest existing brick house in Hamilton County. Eliphalet and Joseph were successful farmers. Joseph also became one of the area’s first distillers which accounts for the name of Whiskey Creek that runs through Mariemont’s Dale Park and Dogwood Park. Making whiskey from corn on the frontier was a fast way to make money. Most of the whiskey went down the Ohio River on flatboats to New Orleans.”
1 (Author’s Note: the reader may observe that Eliphalet Ferris did the corn farming and
had a nice modest home on Plainville Road; Joseph Ferris did the distilling of the corn into whiskey, and the selling of the whiskey, and had a much larger home on Dragon Way!)
Another historical reference comments on an early objective to connect the residential area of Mariemont Avenue with a proposed housing area adjacent to the current Industrial section: “This would have been accomplished with a bridge over what had originally been known as Still Home Hollow, but because of the whiskey making activities, later became known as Whiskey Hollow.” 2
Having now identified the kiln site, Mariemont Preservation Foundation will discuss the ‘find’ in order to determine next steps in unearthing more of this interesting chapter in Mariemont’s history.
1 Pioneers of the Lower Little Miami Valley, by G. Terrence McConville and Fred Rutherford. Published by the Mariemont Preservation Foundation, 2004. Page 41.
2 A Dream Come True: A Brief History of Mariemont, by G. Carlton Hill, Jr. Published by The C. J. Krehbiel Co., 2000. Page 28
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
The Barn Receives Second Grant from the Dornette Foundation
Thanks to the generosity of a $25,000 grant provided by the Helen G., Henry F., and Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation (Fifth Third Bank, Trustee), the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation (The Barn) can proceed with Phase I of its massive renovation of one of Mariemont’s most historic sites. The grant will go toward the installation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the Loft, as well as insulation of the 3600 sq. ft. space. “This generous grant brings us another step closer to creating a unique performance space,” said Jan Boone, former President and advisor to the Loft Fund Raising Team
The Foundation Board of Directors plans to insulate the facility from the outside to retain the rustic feel of the second-floor area, which was once the hayloft of Resthaven Barn. Built by the Mariemont Company in 1924, its soaring wooden rafters reach a peak of 20 feet. The award-winning, National Historic Landmark building boasts the retention of the original pegs for hanging tools and the winching system for lifting and lowering hay bales from the first floor.
This is the second grant the Dornette Foundation has awarded to the Barn. Organizers used the 2015 grant to bring the space into compliance with the fire code, upgrade the electrical system, and add event lighting. These upgrades allowed The Barn to use the Loft on a seasonal basis for affordable classes and events. The addition of the HVAC system will allow for yearround activities open to the community. The Foundation hopes to create a flexible space for performances, classes, lectures, and artoriented events.
“We are deeply grateful for their continued support in expanding our facilities to accommodate rising attendance figures,” said Lynn Long, Executive Director of The Barn.
The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati
formed the Foundation in 2007 in order to purchase and renovate the former Resthaven Barn into a community arts center. The Barn serves all residents of the Greater Cincinnati area (men, women, children and seniors) with no membership required to attend events and take classes.
Indian Hill Residents Host Art Affair at the Barn
Shayne and Alleen Manning of Indian Hill will be hosting the Helms Trust Traveling Art Exhibition throughout most of November at the Barn.
The William G. and Mary Jane Helms Charitable Foundation makes it possible for the Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) to acquire student art for its permanent collection. Students compete for cash prizes in realistic or representation two-and-three dimensional works of art.
“This wonderful legacy of arts education has continued to provide students with a curriculum of exceptional art instruction. We are always so impressed and surprised by the students’ art. As a former art teacher, I am excited by artwork we see that is technically excellent and sophisticated. You can clearly see the students are developing their own personal, creative voice,” Manning said.
This exhibit includes pieces acquired between 2007 and 2015 and introduces artwork by 2016 winner Katlyn Wolary, an East Walnut Hills resident. It also includes the work of AAC artists Derek Alderfer, Matthew Bustillo, Emily Combs, Katelyn Dobson McBroom, Katie Koga, Julio Labra, Mi-Hee Nahm, Fahrudin Omerovic, Michael Price and Keey Tadge.
“We thank the Helms Trust for supporting the exhibit and the Art Academy. The Art Academy is not only influencing the creative lives of artistic young men and women but has a major role in the revitalization of OTR as an arts district,
“said Alleen, who has served on the WACC Foundation board for seven years and is now co-chairing a Foundation committee to raise money to renovate the 4000 sq.-foot former hay loft.
For more information, check out www. artacademy.edu and artatthebarn.org. The Barn is located at 6980 Cambridge Avenue in Mariemont. The Helms Trust Traveling Art Exhibition runs from November 3-25, 2016. The opening reception is on Thursday, November 3 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Mannings invite the public to enjoy the artwork, hors drovers and wine as compliments.
Professional events footsteps from your door
Mariemont residents need to go no further than Cambridge Avenue to enjoy professional performances and workshops.
Alleen and Shayne Manning host the upcoming reception.
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
The Mariemont Preservation Foundation is providing yet another season of affordable events on Saturdays 2016-17 at 10:00 am at the Barn (The Woman’s Art Cultural Center).
This fall’s repertoire includes the following:
November 19—Chamber Music for Kids (Ensemble Fioratura). This interactive feature allows families to enjoy an hour of musicmaking together.
December 17—Family Artmaking (Artist Beth Renick). Attendees will make crafts within the charm and warmth of the main floor of the old barn.
WACC will announce 2017 events at a later date. The Barn is located at 6980 Cambridge Avenue. All events cost $5. Check out artatthebarn.org for more information.
Showcase of Arts returns to the Barn
The Barn will host its 2016 Showcase of Arts: A Holiday Boutique on December 3-4 at 6980 Cambridge Avenue.
New to the show this year is Cecelia Wagner and her decorated birdhouses. “The adorable little dwellings are functional and quite bird friendly,” said Jan Boone, Showcase chairperson. Wagner’s birdhouses are made from repurposed design elements.
The Showcase, now in its thirteenth year, will offer numerous other unique, handmade gifts for the holiday season.
Mariemont resident Bob Blum will present an assortment of jewelry using European sequins dating back to the 1890. Many pieces reflect flair of the 1920-40s, but include contemporary simplicity.
“They represent the designs and feelings of the Art Deco and Edwardian periods, using sequins as a medium and period artisans pieces in glass, sterling and gold, said Blum, a sequinologist, whose work has appeared in juried shows in three states.
Blum has been making jewelry for six years after finding abandoned sequins from a dress manufacturer who likely closed its door during WWII when European manufacturers supplied the US with sequins. Most of Blum’s inventory has not seen the light of day in 75
years.
“Sequins are my paint as to a painter or my fabric as to a fabric artist. I use them as a medium to create a look that is distinctly unique," said Blum, whose wife Barbara serves as a color consultant.
Carol Rentschler, a Kenwood resident, learned to knit when she was 10 from her grandmother but quickly put it down as she grew up, only to pick it up again after she was married during her time spent in northern Michigan at the lake.
“Knitting is a great past time when the weather is cold at the lake in Northern Michigan. I’ve been selling my creations for about 10 years. They have evolved over the years… it’s just about the fiber with varied color, texture and stitches,” she said.
This past summer she became a Trendsetter Designer. It’s a Wrap!’ poncho from her Olympia Collection can be found at the Barn event.
Woman’s Art Club member Barbara Pask will offer attendees all original and handpainted items. Pask, a Mason resident, paints hand-turned wooden disks with a lead-free eyelet. Her inventory includes a highlypopular item from years past—4” x 4” deep canvases of Santa.
Additional Woman’s Art Club members will be presenting original paintings for purchase. Other gifts include Madeira resident Jane Lach’s custom aprons and Delhi resident Pat Statzer who makes embroidered dolls with expressions on their dresses. This year’s market will include 28 venders from as far away as Aurora, Indiana and Hilliard, Ohio. Showcase of Arts occurs on December 3 from 10 am to 5 pm and on December 4 from noon to 5 pm.
Classes
The Barn invites budding or accomplished oil painters to attend an informal session of painting on Tuesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm for $5 each evening. Twice each month, artist Ray Hassard will assess the work of the class for $20 per person. Please contact susanelisetemple@gmail.com for more information. Please note that this is not an instruction class. BYOB and supplies.
Sewing seeds of interest
Not a football fan? Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings are set aside for sewing classes at the Barn. No sewing machine? No problem - you can rent one of the Barn’s machines.
Classes will cover sewing knits, making quilts, baskets, bags & totes, even a vintageinspired apron. Classes are for ages 8 and up, so you can sign up with one of your favorite youngsters and learn some new sewing tricks. Call 513-272-3700 for more information.
Painting like a Pro
Eileen McConkey is teaching a fall oilpainting class on Tuesdays from noon until 3 PM. Eileen emphasizes the use of values, color, edges and composition for intermediate students. Cost is $200 for eight weeks. To register check out eileenmcconkey@gmail. com. Class size is limited.
Creative Acrylics with Dave Laug
It’s time to express yourself. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter, allow Dave to help you sharpen your palette while enjoying artistic conversation and artmaking. Can’t commit to ten weeks? Contact Dave to personalize your schedule. Call 513-272-3700 for more information. Classes are on Wednesdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Watercolors! With Bruce
Nationally recognized Bruce Neville will be teaching a workshop on Friday and Saturday, November 11 and 12 from 9:30-4 pm in watercolor. Students will learn about colors, values and recognizing shapes and designs as they explore mood and atmosphere. For more information, contact Lstokerart@ gmail.com or call the office at 513-272-3700.
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Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
Woman’s Art Club Members: $200; NonMembers: $225.
Mosaics with Ray
Create mosaics in an atmosphere of relaxed fun and inspiration. Learn how to use nippers on china and tile. Incorporate a variety of materials such as plates, beads, coins, glass and more. Students may try different adhesives and experiment with grout colors. Ray welcomes all skill levels. All materials and supplies are provided. This class is offered by the Art Academy of Cincinnati and held at the Barn. Learn Advanced Pastel Techniques with well-known Cincinnati artist Ray Hassard. Class meets twice monthly from noon - 3 pm in the Tack Room. Class dates this fall: November 18; and December 9. This is an ongoing class.
The Woman’s Art Club annual free show and sale: Our Stories
The members of the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati will present its annual All-Member Show, entitled “Our Stories” for free public viewing now through October 30 at The Barn.
“Our Stories” collects work from more than 200 local artists who share their statements in print as part of the presentation.
Organizers invite the public to attend the show to view diverse pieces of original art ranging from mosaics to fiber to oil and watercolor paintings.
Gallery Dates and hours: Tuesdays through Fridays 10 am – 2 pm; Saturdays and Sundays 1 pm – 4 pm. The exhibit runs through October 30.
ArtFlix-- Free discussion and film
Educator and artist Dave Laug will present a free discussion and showing of the film The Rape of Europa on November 17. The film relates the story of the Nazi’s plundering of artwork during World War II, as well as the Allies mission to reduce damage. Organizers will present the feature in the main gallery at the Barn. Barn doors open at 6:30 pm for free refreshments. The movie begins at 7:00 pm. Donations are accepted and will be applied to the Loft Improvement Project. BYOB. Go to artatthebarn.org to sign up. WACC welcomes walk-ins.
Shop Amazon, Kroger and Support WACC
Please help be a part of Mariemont history. As of late August, customers of Amazon.com can help raise money for the Woman’s Art Cultural Center. Go to smile. amazon.com and search for Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation. Select it as your charity, then shop as usual. The donation will not affect the customer’s price.
Also Kroger Community rewards pays the Barn quarterly based on purchases by registered families. Please visit www.kroger. com/community rewards
WACC will apply proceeds to the Loft Improvement Project, which includes the addition of an elevator for handicap accessibility and numerous other upgrades to the Barn’s second floor.
The Barn whole-heartedly thanks supporters in advance.
Mark your calendars
Watch for more WACC events.
November 5-7—Art of Charlie and Edie Harper in needlepoint: A Showing of works by Richard Gegner.
December 2—“Antiques Roadshow: All About Art with Wes Cowan
December3-4—Showcase of the Arts: A Holiday Boutique
December 10-31: Studio 7C-Artworks Visit artatthebarn.org for more information.
What’s in a Name?
Mariemont is home to The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati, The Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center, and The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation — and, they all share the same address on Cambridge Avenue. Yes, it’s confusing but this should help clear some of that up.
The Barn (Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center — WACCC) has quite a history — commissioned by Mary Emery and designed by Hubert Reeves, the Resthaven Barn was constructed in 1924 to serve the farmland and livestock of Mariemont; during the 1930s, the Lindner Quality Milk Company leased the dairy (including the barn); more recently, the barn was used by the Mariemont Maintenance Department and the Tax Office. In 2006, The
Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati, established The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation to purchase and renovate The Barn as a community arts and cultural center. And, they named it — The Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center.
The Club (The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati — WACC) is the oldest existing woman’s art club operating without interruption in the United States. Since its founding in 1892, the Woman’s Art Club has had several homes but none of them had the potential for permanence until 2006 when Resthaven Barn became available for sale. Unable to own property because of its tax status as a club, The Woman’s Art Club created the Foundation to purchase and renovate Resthaven Barn. You guessed it, the name of the foundation is The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation (WACCF).
The Foundation (The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation — WACCF) owns and continues to oversee renovation, maintenance, and operation of The Barn (Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center — WACCC).
The Barn, The Club, and The Foundation share a common goal — to stimulate artistic creativity and provide quality educational and cultural experiences to benefit the residents of Greater Cincinnati. Through The Foundation, The Barn is able to offer opportunities for families to enjoy outreach programs by The Cincinnati Playhouse, The Cincinnati Opera, The Cincinnati Symphony, and other performance organizations. By renting classroom and gallery space, The Barn is able to bring art exhibitions, cultural events, and art instruction into an approachable neighborhood setting. The Barn also serves as a charming venue for weddings, meetings, and other events. The Club (WACC) continues to support The Barn and The Foundation with financial donations, by being its main volunteer resource, and by renting the facility for meetings and exhibitions. The Club also rents office space from The Barn and is delighted to have such a lovely home.
For more information about The Barn, The Foundation, and The Club please visit artatthebarn.org.
Link to a video about our ongoing renovations: tinyurl.com/thebarnloft.
Village
Students at Mariemont High School Connect with Alzheimer’s Patients
By Ellie Kapcar
Each Thursday after school, 15 students from Mariemont High School hop on the bus. Instead of heading home, their destination is the Hyde Park Health Center. These students are part of a photography-based service organization called New Voices. Over the course of ten weeks, students meet, interact, and bond with local Alzheimer’s patients. They help cook, carve pumpkins, decorate for the holidays, and share life experiences together.
The program was founded by David Rosenthal in 2002. “It began with the School for Creative and Performing Arts, which was right across the street from the homeless center. There was a lot of controversy,” says Rosenthal. “I thought it would be interesting for the students to have a voice, as well as the guys living in the drop-in center.”
“We went out in the area and photographed scenes and people together. We found common ground and looked at images of the community and how it was changing: what was positive and what was negative,” says Rosenthal.
“At the end of the program, the students wrote letters to the school board and local newspaper editors, taking a stand on the issue; they wrote about what it was like to be going to school next to the largest homeless shelter in the city,” Rosenthal says. Since 2002 Rosenthal has coordinated over 50 programs in partnership with 12 local high schools. He says, “We’ve connected students with veterans experiencing PTSD, people recovering from addiction, and children living in poverty. It’s all about kids coming together to learn about an issue.”
High school art teacher Kim Richardson has led New Voices at MHS for the past four years.
“Two years ago we worked with Avondale Junior High, a place most Mariemont kids had never heard of. It was very eye-opining and led to some great discussion, which cleared up misconceptions about gun violence and drugs,”
says Richardson. “The Mariemont students kids had a preconceived view of the OTR students and vice versa, but they all found common ground and forged friendships.”
At the end of each program, students create a project to give back to the group. “It’s important for both groups to express what they learn from each other with some visual work,” says Rosenthal.
Richardson says, “It brings joy into these people’s lives and gives them something to look forward to, plus it teaches our kids patience.”
Senior Emma Phillips has been learning to knit with Rachel, a 95 year-old resident at the Hyde Park Health Center. “I like working with people i wouldn’t normally socialize with; I’ve learned that I can connect with people who are different than me. The best part is bonding with Rachel and getting to know her. She’s taught me that age doesn’t show you down,” says Phillips.
Rachel adds, “I love young people, and I think of these girls as little sisters whom I’m trying to teach.”
Sophomore Anna Scheeser is working with a patient named Bob. She says, “Bob shares a ton of life advice, so it’s been really cool to hear about his experiences and opinions. It’s neat to get his perspective on how things have changed since he was alive in the 1950s.”
Scheeser says, “I really like the whole aspect of how we’re paired with another person. You’re gonna find out about them, and they’re gonna find out about you, which is great because Bob is at a different stage of his life. I love learning about a different perspective.”
Rosenthal affirms this is the most important lesson for students. “The common thread is putting a face on an issue, whether it’s people who are in any marginalized or dependent circumstances,” he says. “It’s special being able to empower the people we work with by giving them a voice.”
front/top left: senior Megan Meece back: senior Emma Phillips
front/bottom right: Lee Blackett
top left: senior Conner Engle top right: senior Anna Scheeser front: Bob with his newly carved pumpkin
Rachel teaches her favorite “little sisters” how to knit. Sitting easily with legs folded on the floor, the students were shocked to find out she is 95! (photo by Kim Richardson)
Council
Meeting – September 26, 2016
Mayor Policastro called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Mr. Brown, Mr. Hlad, Mr. Marsland, Ms. Palazzolo, Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Wolter.
Fiscal Officer Borgerding said we will drop this year in the Permanent Improvement Fund. We have been doing a lot of street rehab work. The Street Fund does not have enough to cover so we had to take some out of the Permanent Improvement Fund. Mayor Policastro said last year beat us up pretty good when we had to do $50,000 work to the pool and put in a new heating/air conditioning unit in the Administration Building. He still believes we will have a reserve of one million dollars at the end of the year.
Mayor Policastro said we started our own Paramedic Life Squad in 2003. He believes the levy was for 1.9 mills which is now not enough. Next year during the primary election we are going to look at putting a one mill levy on the ballot for our Paramedic Department. He cannot imagine that anyone would want to vote against our paramedics. It would equate to approximately $35 per $100,000 of home value and would generate approximately $145,000 for the Village.
Mr. Jerry Vianello addressed the group to bring Council up to date on the memorial for Jordy Alsfelder. The location of the memorial will be the grassy median area of Center Street at the south end of Center Street Island. It was suggested to have the presentation and placement of the stone and plaque on Veteran’s Day. Mr. Wolter moved, seconded by Mr. Brown to approve the memorial and its location. On roll call; six ayes, no nays.
Mr. Brown said they have had a meeting on construction standards. It was discussed and agreed to leave on the agenda in order to make the language in the ordinance more definitive. Mr. Hlad said the matter of identifying streets with parking issues regarding Ohio fire code street violations is complete and can be removed from the agenda. Ms. Palazzolo said she is still waiting to hear back from Solicitor McTigue regarding the chain link fences in the Historic District. Mayor Policastro said Safe Routes To School takes several years to get anything done. It
Village Government
Council Representative Information
District 1: Dennis Wolter dwolter@mariemont.org
District 2: Bill Brown wbrown@mariemont.org
District 3: Eric Marsland emarsland@mariemont.org
District 4: Maggie Palazzolo mpalazzolo@mariemont.org
District 5: Mary Ann Schwartz maschwartz@mariemont.org
District 6: Lorne Hlad lhlad@mariemont.org
Mayor: Dan Policastro mayordan1@gmail.com
was decided that Mayor Policastro, Mr. Wolter and Ms. Schwartz would walk the Historic District area in the evening when the leaves are down to determine locations for two or three Cobra lights.
Council Meeting – October 10, 2016
Mayor Policastro called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Mr. Brown, Mr. Hlad, Mr. Marsland, Ms. Palazzolo, Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Wolter.
Political Sign Ordinance Questioned
Mr. Rob Bartlett, 3611 Mound Way, was granted permission to address Council. He thanked Mrs. Singleton and Mrs. Van Pelt for posting on Nextdoor Mariemont the laws regarding political signs as he found them very helpful. The Ordinance states that the signs shall not be more than six square feet and should be placed 15’ from the street, unless there are shrubs or topography that block the view. Then an exception can be granted by the Mayor. He is sure that is the case with the signs at Jerry Vianello’s house. He is concerned about the signs in front of the Tudor style apartment building on Center
Street. There are three signs closer than 15’ from the street with no shrubbery blocking the view. Two of the signs are 15 square feet which is two and one half times larger than what is allowed by ordinance. He is curious if anything is going to be done to get them to comply with the law. Mayor Policastro said he has talked with our Village Solicitor. The Village has been sued two times over the last ten years regarding political signs. The Solicitor has said if they are not in violation or causing a safety problem it is best to leave it alone. Mr. Bartlett asked if even the size part of the ordinance could not be enforced. Mayor Policastro said these are our laws and they did not work a few years ago and the Village had to pay $10,000. Mr. Bartlett asked if Mayor Policastro has checked with other communities nearby to see if they have successful laws. Mayor Policastro said we check with our Solicitor. We were sued a few years ago by an attorney named Chris Finney over this. Mr. Hlad said the size of some of the signs on Center Street are positioned in such a way that if you are driving in a certain direction they do obstruct your view
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of oncoming traffic. He asked if it would be possible to have them push them back a bit.
Building Administrator Keyes said the ordinance states the sign should be back 15’ and asked if we can ask the owner to move it back. Mayor Policastro said no – we cannot go by our ordinance. We tried to do that a few years ago and the American Civil Liberties Union jumped all over us. As Mayor he has the right to let them put up signs as long as they are safe. Mr. Bartlett said that is not what the Village Ordinance says – it says only if it is blocked by shrubbery can they move it closer. Mayor Policastro said our Ordinance says that but not the Supreme Court of the United States. It is a Supreme Court decision. Mr. Bartlett said he will look that up. He does not know why we have it in our code. Mayor Policastro said we probably should change it. If we can prove that it is a safety concern we can ask them to move it. Otherwise, he does not want to end up in a courtroom. Mr.
Village Government
Bartlett said it is a shame because he believes it is a good ordinance to have in place to help keep the historic charm of the Village. Mayor Policastro asked Police Chief Hines to take a look at the signs to see if they pose a safety concern.
Mrs. Linda Bartlett, 3611 Mound Street, was granted permission to address Council. She said she remembered the lawsuit and thought it was because we originally banned political signs. Mayor Policastro said there were two lawsuits. The first was because we did not allow signs at all and then the second lawsuit was because we tried to limit size etc. Mrs. Bartlett asked if you can restrict putting signs in the Village right-of-way. Mayor Policastro said you have to give permission. Mr. Brown asked if the amount of signs is unlimited. Mayor Policastro said people can put up as many signs as they want and they can leave them up for as long as they want per the Supreme Court decision.
Second Reading on Ordinance Prohibiting Dogs in Tot Lot
“Ordinance to Amend Chapter 90.01 of the Mariemont Code of Ordinances to Prohibit Dogs from Fenced in Portion or Being Tied to Fenced in Portion of Bell Tower Playground “Tot Lot” had a second reading. Mr. Hlad said he would recommend that a sign be erected at multiple locations (by the two gates) to let people know that dogs are prohibited in the area. Mayor Policastro said he will have the Service Department make two signs to match the wood signs around the Village. Mr. Marsland asked what precipitated this. Mr. Hlad said there were several complaints from parents with small children who would go to the Tot Lot and encounter dogs (leashed and unleashed) running around the playground equipment. There were concerns of safety. Even a well-trained dog can snip at a child if its tail is pulled.
MariElders November News
Texas Roadhouse Gift Cards
Need a great Christmas gift? The MARIELDERS will be selling gift cards to Texas Roadhouse from November 1 through November 15. Place your order for the cards at the MARIELDERS or through a member and by the end of November your cards will be available. The Center receives 10% of all sales. So stop by and purchase your cards.
Mammography Unit
The Jewish/Mercy Hospital Mammography Van will be at the MARIELDERS on Wednesday, November 16 from 1:30 to 3:30. Please call the MARIELDERS (271-5588) to make an appointment.
Lecture Series
On Wednesday, November 9 at 10:30 am a representative from the Cincinnati Art Museum will be here to discuss, Fig Leafing through History. Discover examples of American fashions from the Museum’s costume collection and styles of attire from paintings, sculptures and tapestries.
Reservations are $1 and must be in by November 7 at the Center’s front desk.
Coffee Talk
How much do you know about Siberia and Mongolia? Our guest speaker, Sonya Derge, will be here on November 15 to share her journeys through these two countries. Reservations are $1 and must be in by November 10 at the Center’s front desk.
Todd Sabo (class of '02) with daughter Lucy.
The Junior class channeled the spirit of the 1960's for their winning float.
The roaring '20s came to life on this float created by the seniors.
The Warrior Diner rolled out of the 1950s in this detailed sophomore class float.
A wood-fired pizza truck served up tasty slices.
The freshman class float had a silvery, futuristic look.
Ceremony to Recognize Veterans on Veteran’s Day at Mariemont High School
Mariemont High School is hosting its annual Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony Friday November 11 at 9 am in the high school gymnasium. All local veterans are welcome to attend. If you plan to attend, please email Michael Hanley, Social Studies Teacher at MHS at mhanley@mariemontschools.org or call 513-272-7641.
Craig White, Physical Therapist since 2001
Anne Reed, back to living her life
A er a stay in the hospital I told them my rst choice for rehab was Marjorie P. Lee in Hyde Park. The sta was incredible and they lived up to their reputation for getting people healthy, home and back to living their lives. No wonder they have consistently high patient satisfaction scores and were selected by area hospitals as a Center of Excellence for short-stay rehab. And yes, even the food was great. Call Annie Novak 513.533.5014 or visit marjorieplee.com/rehab.
Expertise includes orthopedics, cardiac, respiratory and wound care.