Mariemont Town Crier, April 2018, Vol. XLII, No. 7

Page 1


Mariemont to Turn Ugly Electric Poles into Works of Art

If you happen to be a Village resident who uses electricity in your home, you’ve likely noticed a few power outages over the past several months. You can thank Duke Energy and their ominous new utility poles along Murray Ave., Hiawatha Ave., and Rembold St. for those dark and Internetless afternoons. (Apparently, they’re a

necessary evil, but they look just plain evil to us.)

In an effort to beautify these transformer-esque eyesores into something more esthetically compliant with our Mayberry-like Village, it’s been decided that the poles be adorned in artistic totem-style

décor—an oh-so-subtle nod to the area’s Native American roots, of course.

Design ideas have been submitted by three branding firms, and the Village is seeking resident input on which designs to implement. Visit the Mariemont Town Crier Facebook page to cast your vote.

Three possible designs for the electric "totem" poles.

Village Mariemont Trivia: Name That Place

By now, you’re all experts in old storefronts of Mariemont. To poke a few holes in your comfort zone, here is the latest historic item for you to scout out. I can’t give you any clues without giving it away, so this one you’ll have to rely on your eagle eyes to find. You can see the weather vein in the photo and a few of the details on the cupola. Where is this famous cupola?

Last month’s Name That Place was Horton’s Drugstore & Central Trust in the 1970s, and is now the Quarter restaurant. Thank you for sharing your memories of Horton’s with us on Facebook!

Letter from the Editor

As I write this, the day after the first day of spring, I am looking out my window at a beautiful snow-covered landscape. I could be shocked, but we live in Cincinnati…

Speaking of spring, April 23 is Mariemont Founders Day. It was on this day in 1923 that ground was officially broken to begin building Mariemont. Read more here: https://mariemontpreservation.org/ gallery/212-2/. If you have a Mariemont Flag, today is the day to fly it! If you don’t have one, MPF sells them on their website at https://mariemontpreservation. org/mariemont-flag/.

The May Town Crier is the final issue of our publishing season, so if there are any events you’d like us to cover for May through August, please email them to mariemonttowncrier@gmail.com by April 10. We will resume in September.

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 Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview Avenue Mariemont, Ohio, 45227

Rob & Linda Bartlett

Denis & Marianne Beausejour

Edward & Karen Berkich

Sharon & Rex Bevis

Big Idea Group

Richard & Jeanne Boone

William Cartwright

Janet Cleary & Phil Bender

David & Donna Lou Davis

Sam & Nancy Duran

Jenny & James Ferguson

Laura & Grant Karnes

Garden Club of Mariemont

Bradley & Cherri Govert

Marian Hicklin

Editor Suzy Weinland mariemonttowncrier@ gmail.com

Business & Advertising

Manager / Layout

Matt Weinland mariemonttowncrier@ gmail.com

Distribution

Tiffany Proffitt 271-0672 / tmproffitt@fuse.net

Proofreaders

Suzy Weinland / Kim Wuertemberger

The Mariemont Town

Claire Garrison Kaeser

Raymond & Judith Kagrise

Bob Keyes

Don & Peggy Keyes

Todd & Jamie Keyes

Julie Northrop

Leah & Chad Osgood

Malia & Mark Ridge

Nina Rogers

Ed & Carolyn Tuttle

Village Church of Mariemont

Lisa Wharton & Larry Bourgeois

Suzy & Matt Weinland

Woman's Art Club of Cincinnati (The Barn)

Thank You for Supporting The Town Crier!

Staff

Contributors

Kim Beach kbeach@cinci.rr.com

Rex Bevis rexbevis@fuse.net

Delta Crabtree dcrabtree@comey.com

Margaret Jevic amjevic@gmail.com

Peter McBride pete@spnet.us

Elizabeth Wood elizabeth.miller.wood@gmail.com

LLC,

Laura Young lb.young@gmail.com

Photographer Ron Schroeder ronschroederimaging@gmail.com

Carriers

D avi D a n D rews r achel B ohl s cott h ollan D J ackson h ouse

a lly an D Z ach M aier a lex M antle

M ax an D F inn M arque Z c olin M ikesell a BB y M iller o wen P ro FF itt w ill q ueen h enry t eght M eyer n oah v anags B ray D en w olu J ewic Z D ylan w olu J ewic Z

(Siblings listed together share routes; siblings listed separately have their own routes)

May deadline:

The deadline for the next Town Crier is April 10, 2018 All camera-ready ads and articles must be submitted by 5p.m. to Matt Weinland at MariemontTownCrier@ gmail.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: Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview, Mariemont, Ohio, 45227

of the Village of Mariemont," is published monthly from Sept. through Dec. and Feb. through May as a service to residents and organizations of the Village of Mariemont.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: Press releases, photographs and event calendars are welcomed. Please contact Suzy Weinland at MariemontTownCrier@gmail.com to discuss article ideas. All submissions are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. The editorial staff reserves the right to select and edit articles for both content and space. Photos sent as .jpg files via email are preferred, but originals also will be accepted and returned upon request. Signed letters to the editor are accepted and will be published 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 necessarily represent the views of the Town Crier Staff.

INSERTS: As a public service to the non-profit organizations of Mariemont, the Town Crier accepts inserts for a flat fee of $50, due at the time of delivery (check made out to Mariemont Town Crier). Inserts must be pre-approved and scheduled with the editor, printed and separated into stacks of 50, and delivered to Tiffany Proffitt at 3585 Homewood Rd. by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Please contact Tiffany ahead of delivery at tmproffitt@fuse.net or 513-271-0672. Inserts and ads of a political nature are not accepted.

ADS: All camera-ready ads must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the 10th of the month prior to publication to Matt Weinland at MariemontTownCrier@gmail.com. Payment and advertising contracts should be delivered to Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview Avenue, Mariemont, Ohio, 45227, and must be received prior to publication.

The Mariemont Town Crier, LLC. 2018 (c)

Crier,
"The Voice

Mariemont Athletics Accepting Nominations for Kusel Hall of Fame

The Mariemont High School Athletic Department is accepting nominations for the “Doc” Kusel Athletic Hall of Fame, named after the long time athletic director and coach of Mariemont High School. The inaugural class was inducted in 1971. Each individual of every class has their name displayed on the Kusel Stadium concourse as well as their pictures and accomplishments on display in the school’s Hall of Fame Walkway.

Former athletes, coaches and school administrators are considered for induction, as well as individuals with a long record of service to the athletic department. Former athletes can only be considered for nomination to the Hall of Fame after a minimum of five years have elapsed since their graduation from Mariemont High School.

Nominations may be sent to athletic director Tom Nerl by email (tnerl@ mariemontschools.org) or mail (Mariemont High School, 1 Warrior Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227). Nomination information should include the individual’s name, year of graduation, current contact information, high school athletic and academic achievements, years of participation in athletics and the level of the sport played (varsity, junior varsity, freshmen), as well as verification of any all-league, allcity, all-district, or all-state recognition. The verification can include copies/scans of yearbook articles, certificates, press releases or news articles.

Once an individual is nominated for consideration, their name will remain on the ballot for subsequent years. The selection committee is comprised of former athletes, former and current coaches and other representatives from the community.

The deadline for the submission of nominations to be considered for the 2017 induction class is April 27, 2018, although nominations are accepted throughout the year. The Class of 2018 Inductions will take place before the varsity home opening football game against Blanchester on Friday, August 31, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.

Village

Flooding Impacts South 80

Last month, flooding greatly affected the South 80, a park located in Mariemont on 80 acres that contains hiking trails and a community garden. Volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore the park and reopen it to visitors. Quite a bit more work needs to be done, however, to prepare for spring.

“[As we began cleanup] on the outer trail, I sunk into the mud about six inches deep and got stuck,” reports Steven Spooner, one of the volunteers.

As far as the gardens are concerned, volunteers have been collecting salvageable items from the gardens and placing them on flatbed trailers located on the western inner trail. Volunteers ask that the items are removed only by their owners.

“A volunteer clean- up day will be scheduled as soon as the park is safe to re-open,” said Spooner. “I also want to thank the folks that worked very hard that first weekend of cleanup. Mark Glassmeyer and I are on the South 80 Committee, and also putting in a lot of effort were Nate Garvey, John Swisher, Dave Haynes, and Matt Graham.”*

Despite the flood, the gardens will be open this year. Plots are available to anyone interested and can be reserved by stopping by the Village offices and speaking with Sue Singleton.

For more information on reserving a plot or helping with volunteer efforts, visit Mariemont Community Garden on Facebook or email mariemontgardens@gmail.com. The park is located south of 6000 Mariemont Ave.

*Editor’s Note: Steve was interviewed for this article in early March, soon after the flood. A sincere “thank you” also goes out to any other residents not mentioned in this article who have helped with the South 80 clean up thus far.

Come Bird Watch in the South 80

Mariemont has so many wonderful qualities. One of my favorites is the parks that integrate green space within the Village. They provide great opportunities to hike, bike, walk the dogs, or just smell cookies baking while getting some exercise in a National Historic Landmark.

Birding has been a longtime hobby of mine, but after watching the movie The Big Year, the inhouse question (joke/tease/inspiration!) became

“How many species have you seen?” This led me to log bird sightings in the South 80 over the past couple years. The 151 species seen so far are included in my “South 80 Bird List,” which can be found on the Mariemont South 80 Facebook page.

The format is inspired by Florida’s “Sanibel Island Ding Darling List,” which includes not just the species, but the times of year when they can be expected to be seen. The list also incorporates information from ebird.org, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website that shares postings from individuals, creating a citizen science database that can be used to explore local and even international bird sightings. This mix of observations and scientific data creates an informative yet accessible summary of the birds that might be observed while in the park.

The bird that likely created the largest sensation in the South 80 was the elusive Connecticut Warbler, which drew birding enthusiasts from around the region. Bald eagles are another favorite, and one was recently seen when the valley was flooded. The South 80 is

an important habitat for birds as well as many other flora and fauna, and connects the National and State Wild and Scenic Little Miami River with other parks, including the adjacent Ruthven Nature Preserve.

With the recent flooding, the re-opening of the South 80 trails has been greatly anticipated. Personally, I look forward to heading back with the binoculars to see the resident birds that weathered the high waters and will also be on the lookout for spring migratory species that are making their amazing yearly journeys.

Anyone interested in learning more about birding in the South 80 is welcome to join the fifth annual family-friendly bird walk on May 28th at 7:30 a.m. We will meet at the pool parking lot. Experienced birder Ann Oliver will lead the walk around the park, where we typically see 40 to 50 different types of birds.

And by the way, April 28 is National Go Birding Day, another good reason to get out on the trails!

Pictured is a green house that was moved several hundred feet by the flood. (Photos courtesy Steve Spooner)

Village

The Village Speaks, Learns, and Listens: Town Meeting 2018

On Sunday, March 11, approximately 60 Mariemont residents took the opportunity to renew The Village’s historic tradition of Town Meeting, which was initiated here in 1941.

Dr. Bob Keyes, Mariemont’s official and historically-costumed Town Crier (after which function this publication is named), sounded the meeting’s traditional ”Hear Ye! Hear Ye!” call-out to all in attendance. He reminded attendees that the concept of a “town meeting” harkens back to its origins in colonial New England as “the most meaningful and direct form of democracy that has ever existed in America.”

Town Meeting Chairperson Clem Luken then called the meeting to order and introduced the meeting’s program. Secretary Alan Henning shared minutes from the 2017 Town Meeting, which 65 people attended. Sam Duran provided the Treasurer’s report, noting that after the most current expenses were covered, Town Meeting’s current balance would be a healthy $1.54.

Next on the agenda was a motion to amend the rules of Town Meeting to permit organizers to hold future meetings “in either March or April in even-numbered (i.e. non-election) years,” depending on each year’s calendar of scheduled holidays, school calendars, and other local events that could conflict with attendance. The audience approved the amendment by voice vote.

Special guests State Senator Steve Wilson; Ohio House Representative Tom Brinkman; and County Common Courts Judge Steve Martin were introduced and offered greetings and updates.

Mariemont School District

Superintendent Steve Estepp reported on the District’s continuing academic excellence and related achievements (e.g. Mariemont High School’s ranking in the top one percent of Ohio schools, all A’s and B’s on the State

Report Card, the Junior High’s 5th place standing in the state’s Power of the Pen writing competition, the state champion Boys Lacrosse team) coupled with its adept financial management (just two percent average annual growth in spending for the past four years, despite a 19 percent cut in state aid).

Mr. Estepp reminded the audience of the critical school levy coming up this fall, most of which will go towards badly-needed “repairs and replacements” of the high school’s aging structure and facilities. In response to an audience question about costs and impacts, the Superintendent replied, based on multiple 3rd party estimates, that an approximately $43 million cost of construction would involve an increase in local taxes of around $200 on each $100,000 of assessed property value for 37 years.

The School Board will vote in May on the specific details of the levy, but all data is currently posted on the District website. School tours and further information can be arranged on request.

Mayor Dan Policastro introduced Council members and committee chairs and further announced that The Village has a positive surplus of $1.135 million, additionally applauding the number of grants applied for

and received for the following departments:

- Police ($5,500, including officer training)

- Fire/EMS ($2,500 to purchase medical supplies and/or equipment for paramedics)

- Engineering ($50,000 for repairs of Settle Street).

The Mayor further recognized the countless praise-worthy contributions and efforts of local individuals and groups: to name a very few - Mariemont’s tree program; our state-ranked household recycling efforts for communities under 10,000 population; the July fireworks spectacular (paid-for in part by donations collected by the Civic Association as well as a volunteer group of school-age youngsters, who collected $1,200 door-to-door); the storm-water- control upgrades for Center Street (Homewood Ave. is next); the completion of the third Greiwe Development Group condo building and the progress on construction of the new condo community on Miami Avenue; the Planning Commission (Bill Brown, Bob Rich, and Denny Malone) efforts, especially related to the Town Hall expansion; and many, many more - that only lack of space prevents us from listing.

The audience seemed to enjoy and heartily endorse the Mayor’s expressions of congratulations and appreciation (yes,

Representative Tom Brinkman addresses the 2018 Mariemont Town Meeting.

including a shout-out to this publication –thank you, Mr. Mayor). But the attendees perhaps saved the most applause and “headnods” when he acknowledged “Garden Lady” Louise Schomburg’s Village-wide and ceaseless outdoor landscaping and clean-up efforts (as described in the March issue of The Town Crier).

Oh, yes, and attendees also appeared to fully appreciate the impressive buffet table spread, generously hosted by Lisa Hopkins and generously provided gratis The Mariemont Inn.

As the final – and what appeared to be perhaps the most “audience-engaging” – topic on the program, there followed an explanation and subsequent “exploration” of the purpose and value of Town Meeting.

Dr. Bob Keyes (now back in civilian attire) initially provided a thorough, brief and yet informative overview and reminder of the origins of Town Meeting, its

adoption/adaptation and purpose (in/for/ by Mariemont) seventy-plus years ago, and its current status and related issues. (The summary of the history of Town Meeting in Mariemont also can be found in the March issue of the Town Crier.)

There followed a lengthy, hour-plus discussion regarding the nature of and alleged misinformation about Town Meeting, led by Town Meeting Chair Luken, who posed a variety of challenges, questions and comments: What is and isn’t Town Meeting’s purpose? What are the prerogatives and responsibilities with regards to nominations/ appointments to fill empty Council seats, as has recently raised issues (and some eyebrows) in The Village following the resignation of District 2 councilperson Dennis Wolter. Can/should a mayor appoint same? Can a mayor thereby “stack” Council with candidates he appoints or endorses? Or does it require election by voters, and only

in a caucus of those in the district(s) directly involved? Does such an unexpected vacancy require the Town Meeting nomination and caucusing process to go into effect – and only with the district(s) affected? – to meet the traditions and legal requirements of the charter (that latter of which may be somewhat “under-defined”)? Should the council’s “by district” system be changed to a “councilperson-at-large” representation system?

Opinions and counter-opinions were offered by several audience members, but it seemed (to this reporter at least) that there were no clear answers or much consensus on many of the issues. Hence, it would appear that many questions about Town Meeting remain open to further healthy discussion and respectful debate, a debate highlighted in a recent Town Crier online survey regarding opinions on Town Meeting. See results of the survey beginning on the next page.

The Tradition of the Town Crier

In all of North America, there are only about 14 Town Criers. Our small village is helping to keep this venerable tradition alive in the person of Dr. Bob Keyes (left), who succeeded Hank Kleinfeldt. Our Town Crier is considered an officer of Town Meeting. His official duties include opening Town Meeting and leading the Memorial Day Parade. Dr. Keyes also dons the uniform to speak to groups about his position, and to preside over a few functions each year.

The first Criers date back to biblical times and were advance men, advertising the day’s sale of cattle, slaves, or imported goods. Once towns became more developed and the merchants remained as permanent fixtures, the role of the Town Crier shifted. Towns and villages hired them to call out the news of the day and keep the citizens informed.

Along with the Lamplighter and Night Watchman, the Town Criers were an important part of daily life, particularly in England. With a call of “Hear Ye! Hear Ye!” these “men of good voice” would draw people together to hear proclamations, edicts, laws, and news of plague, victories in exotic lands, births and deaths.

Much of the credit for Mariemont’s version of the Town Crier goes to Ralph Smith. The official wording used by the Town Crier and the authentic uniform he wears were researched and selected by Ralph after extensive study. The uniform is based on the look of a country squire. The tradition of the Town Crier is another unique aspect of life in the Village of Mariemont.

Village

Mariemont Town Meeting: Defining Tradition

Following the publication of the March edition of the Town Crier, a survey was posted for residents to provide feedback on the tradition of Mariemont Town Meeting. The brief, 8 question online survey solicited over 100 responses. Below you will find the questions presented and graphical

breakkown of answers provided. With each question, we provided the opportunity to contribute a written answer in the category of "Other Feedback." Due to limited space, we are including only a few verbatims in this publication. However, every verbatim is available on our Facebook page @ www.

Q1: I attend Mariemont’s annual Town Meeting:

- Never have but always want to! Think it’s a special tradition that is part of what makes Mariemont unique.

- Have never attended because have never seen a notification.

Q2: I view Town Meeting as: (Click all that apply.)

- Nice in theory, but so poorly implemented that it is a detriment, not a boon.

- To be able to participate in the election process for our Village Council members

facebook.com/mariemonttowncrier. Answers were not edited for content, only for grammar and inappropriate language.

It is our hope that you will find the discussion interesting and continue to have the passion and commitment to our Village that our residents have always had.

Q3: The program of topics, speakers and presenters at Town Meeting: (Click all that apply):

- Too much time spent at this year’s Town Meeting trying to justify a terrible decision.

- Some speakers are just right, others are too long.

Q4: The time of year and time of day that Town Meeting is held:

- Needs to be a set date every year. I.e. 3rd Sunday in March.

- Since such a small percentage of residents attend TM perhaps in its current format it is no longer relevant.

Village

Q5: Town Meeting format and/or attendance could be improved by: (Click all that apply)

- Making it clear that it is not an official Village of Mariemont government gathering and that it is a PAC.

- Stream the event and give opportunity to respond/vote online.

Q6: Town Meeting format and/or attendance could be improved by providing more information about (check all that apply)

- Have sign ups available for annual events like Taste of Mariemont, Police Night Out, etc.

- None of the above would consistent with what it is legally defined as a political action committee.

Q7: Town Meeting's role in putting forth candidates for village council is:

- So I lean toward "outdated & should be revised" but I do understand the idea of preserving tradition. So perhaps a balance between the two. More flex, less panic about running "outside" of town meeting.

- Totally outdated. Mariemont should have a city council and term limit on the mayor. A community this small does not need geographic representation. Not a soul knows anything about districts in Mariemont.

Q8: Other suggestions and opinions (please specify):

- Time to end Town Meeting.

- Town Meeting is crucial to ensure that there is fair representation of all of Mariemont on Village Council and prohibits a concentration of power in a certain area of the village. It also does not allow that Village Council candidates from certain areas [i.e. districts]] get preferential 'consideration' or that 2-3 individuals in the village ultimately select the Village Council candidates, which seems to have occurred during the most recent District 1 appointment.

- Their made up districts that do not coincide with our election process is, at best, confusing to voters and, at worst, being misused to persuade voters to vote for their candidates on the basis of their “fair representation” campaign which is only based on districts they made up, which is irrelevant given all candidates are elected at large and therefore represent the entire village.

See all of the verbatim responese at facebook.com/mariemonttowncrier

Village

Get Ready for the Annual Mariemont Kiwanis Golf Outing

Are you looking for a way to have fun, enjoy a beautiful day on a golf course and help raise funds for Mariemont High School scholarships? Each year, The Kiwanis Club of Mariemont puts on a major fundraiser that includes an afternoon of golf, lunch and prizes. This year, the outing will take place on Saturday, May 5, at Reeves Golf Course at Lunken. Start time is 11:30 a.m.

The cost is $70 per golfer, which includes greens fee, cart, lunch and door prizes. There will also be prizes for 1st and 2nd place, men’s and women’s longest drives, and closest to the pin.

There are opportunities for local businesses to become involved by sponsoring a hole or donating a prize/gift certificate. For $100, a sign will be placed either at the tee or green of one of the 18 holes. The sign will be in the shape of a ball on the tee with provision for your company name and a brief statement of services available, or a message of support. Companies may also advertise through donations of gift certificates or prizes for our awards ceremony or items for “goody bags” for over 70 golfers.

Please visit mariemontkiwanis.org/golf for more information and to download a Golf Foursome form or Sponsor/Donor form. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please call David Haynes at 513236-0114 or email dhaynes@goimpackt.com.

This annual Spring golf outing, along with our Fall Art and Craft Fair, Fairfax Festival and Holiday Nut Sale, helps Mariemont Kiwanis raise $15,000 annually for scholarships given to graduating seniors of the Mariemont School District. To date, the Kiwanis Club of Mariemont has given away over $200,000

in scholarships to over 70 students from Mariemont, Fairfax and Terrace Park.

In addition, Kiwanis works closely with students in the surrounding communities to provide mentoring relationships and support local youth activities. For information about how you can become more involved in serving our youth, visit the website at MariemontKiwanis.org. You can also find

them on Facebook (Mariemont Kiwanis) and Twitter (@MariemontKClub).

The Kiwanis Club of Mariemont meets every Tuesday morning at 7:40 a.m. in the Mariemont Elementary school cafeteria. A continental breakfast is served, and guests are welcome anytime. Meetings last less than one our and feature a variety of local speakers. We would like to encourage you to attend!

Community

What’s Happening at the Mariemont Branch Library - April

Children

Movers & Shakers — 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays

Bring the little ones in for stories, songs, and dancing as they learn about the Library. Ages 1-4.

Library Babies 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays

Have fun, meet other parents and babies, and promote early literacy! Ages 6-18 months.

Tales to Tails — 4 p.m. Thursday, April 12

Read a story to Bonny the therapy dog. Ages 5-10.

Crafty Kids — 4 p.m. Thursday, April 12

Make and take a fun craft. Ages 5-10.

Adults

Bike to Basics: Tune Up Brakes and Gears — 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 23

Learn how to tune up your brakes and gears with local bike expert Jay McKillop. Teens are welcome to attend as well.

Which Craft? Needle Craft Club — 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, April 7 & 21

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.

Book Club — 6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 26

We will be reading So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. Copies will be available at the branch.

Library hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Mariemont Branch Library, 3810 Pocahontas Ave. 513-369-4467

Village

News from Our Mariemont Girl Scouts

Troop 47305

In January, the Ambassador Girl Scout Troop went to Hueston Woods State Park and enjoyed a naturalist led hike, before going ice skating and shopping in Oxford. In February they served lunch at Our Daily Bread near Findlay Market during days they were off school. It was a great way to help serve at a local organization.

Troop 47773

The Senior Girl Scout Troop went to the Madison Escape Room for a troopbonding exercise on February 25. They did the White House Room, and got out with just over a minute to spare. The puzzles were challenging, and the activity was a great way to build up important skills like communication, teamwork, and problem solving.

On March 2, they held a Girl’s Empowerment Workshop at the Parish Center to earn their Silver Award. The event was presented to 6th grade girls, and focused on themes like confidence, body positivity, and how to handle stress. The night involved fun games, pizza, and an ice cream bar! The troop had two speakers come in to speak about different parts of getting older and growing into yourself. Eve Smallwood, the director at Camp Kern, came in to talk about ways to be more confident in new situations and manage stress. Eve told the girls how important it is in life to meet new people, try new things, and spend time with nature.

Later, Hannah Coates, the founder of Mariemont Girls United, at Mariemont High School, came in to talk about body positivity. She stressed how important it is to love yourself and spread love to those around you. The girls also did an activity where they worked in pairs to come up with hurtful labels and stereotypes that actually aren’t true. Then, after writing them on balloons, they “popped the label” by breaking the balloon!

Before leaving, they wrote things that

they loved about each other on pieces of paper with their hands traced on it. The workshop was fun and a great way to help prepare the girls for the transition into 7th grade.

Troop 47837

In February, the 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop collected “Soup Cents” to support La Soupe Cincinnati. La Soupe is a local organization that rescues food waste and transforms it into delicious and nutritious meals for paying customers and families in need. The girls made posters and decorated and distributed collection quarts to capture loose change.

On February 14th, La Soupe’s soup mobile came to Mariemont Elementary to

provide customers with delicious soup for dinner. The soup mobile followed a “Pay by the Heart” model with customers making a donation for their purchases. The Fifth Grade Girl Scouts and La Soupe thank you for your support! Learn more about at lasoupecincinnati.com.

Troop 47773 particpates in an empowerment workshop.

Village

MariElders News

Italian Festival

Mark your calendars and dust off those dancing shoes for our annual Italian Festival, April 13.This fundraiser is open to the community. Tickets are available at the Center for $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Join us for a great meal and live music from the Paul Wagner Band. Doors open at 5:30 at the Fairfax Cribbet Center.

Just the Guys Bridge

If you’re a gent and enjoy bridge a new group is playing every Friday afternoon at the MARIELDERS lower level at 1 p.m. If interested please call the Center at 271-5588 and leave a message for Russ.

Genealogy

Mr. Lee Cole will be available throughout the month of April to assist in researching your genealogy on Tuesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m.

Ted Talks

On Wednesday, April 4 at 2 p.m. we will be showing and the discussing the Ted Talk, The Surprising Science of Happiness by Dan Gilbert. The author challenges the idea that we will be miserable if we don’t get what we want. Join us for this interesting video. This session will be held in the lower level of the Center.

Book Clubs

The Center has two book clubs that meet every month and are led by Kelly Hartman, Mariemont Librarian. On April 5 at 11:15 a.m., the fiction club will meet to discuss A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles. Then the non-fiction club will meet on Wednesday, March 28 at 11:15 a.m. to discuss Steve Jobs, written by Walter Isaacson. Everyone is welcome to join us on the first floor of the Center, and the books are available at the MARIELDERS.

Great Decisions

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book and meeting in a Discussion Group to talk about the most critical global issues facing America today. This new program will be held in our lower level on April 11 at 1 p.m. For more information regarding cost please call the MARIELDERS at 271-5588.

These are just the highlights of all the great things happening at THE MARIELDERS. For more information check us out at marielders.org.

MEN'S SOFTBALL STARTS IN MAY

The Mariemont men's softball league begins its 8-week season in late May. If you are not affiliated with a team but would like to play, contact Mayor Policastro at 513561-2619.

Village

Eight Troop 149 Scouts Finish Projects, Earn Eagle Scout Rank

Eight Eagle Scouts from Troop 149 were honored at Mariemont Community Church on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

They include: Jack Barnes, son of Michael and Natalie Barnes, Alex Copetas, son of Ted and Judy Copetas, Brett Gilbertson, son of Mitch and Teresa Gilbertson, Will Henning, son of Alan and Jo Henning, Jacob Mantle, son of Dave and Cheryl Mantle, Nick McCarthy, son of Jim and Jennifer McCarthy, Colton Urbanski, son of Rob and Laura Urbanski, and Fletcher Wells, son of Greg and Lila Wells

Eagle Scout is a distinguished honor and the beginning of the next transition in these young men’s lives as they graduate high school, said Eagle Scout Committee Chair and former scoutmaster Darren Wilner. Troop 149 is excited, honored and proud to have eight Eagle Scouts in the 2018 Eagle Scout class. These young men have all been involved with scouting since Cub Scouts.

Pastor Denis Beausejour of the Community Church of Mariemont was present to congratulate and bless the Eagle Scouts and attendees. The Community Church is the sponsor for Mariemont Troop 149—their building hosts meetings and troop functions. Mayor Dan Policastro was also on hand to present the honorees with a proclamation declaring February 25, 2018 as “Eagle Scout Day” in the Village.

One of the capstone requirements of earning the Eagle Scout rank is planning, leading and executing an Eagle Scout project. The project must benefit the community in one way or another. Projects also go through tedious critiquing and approval from the troop and scout councils. The projects beneficiaries included Mariemont City Schools, the Village of Mariemont, the City of Cincinnati, and an orphanage in Haiti.

Urbanski’s project, building bunk beds and coordinating delivery for an orphanage in Haiti, was awarded “Project of the Year” by the Dan Beard Council out over 300 projects performed in the Greater-Cincinnati area.

The other projects by each Scout included:

Alex Copetas - Composting units for garden plots at the South 80, below the Mariemont Community Pool.

Brett Gilbertson - Garden Arbors for the Madisonville Foraging Garden in Madisonville, Ohio.

Fletcher Wells - Outdoor classroom nestled in a shady spot at the Mariemont High School, which included clearing seven truckloads of overgrown brush and debris, building four 8-foot benches, and laying pine straw.

Jack Barnes – Creation of a Mariemont Police Dept. Stray Dog Shelter outside of the Mariemont Municipal Building.

Jacob Mantle - Built a memorial grove near the front entrance at Mariemont High School.

Nick McCarthy - Renovated eight picnic tables and installed a permanent tether ball pole at the Mariemont Community Pool for families to enjoy in the pool area.

Will Henning - Finished picnic tables for students and families at Mariemont Elementary.

Wilner shared that he is proud of all of the Scouts’ hard work, dedication and perseverance they have illustrated throughout their scouting careers. He added, “It isn’t an easy path, especially with all the merit badges you have to earn, the service you give back to your community and the hard work of supporting your fellow Scouts along the way,” as only about four percent of all registered scouts achieve the rank.

Current scoutmaster Mike Wood hopes that all of the dedication, hard work and strong work ethics continue within the troop. He said, “I think it gives all the younger scouts within the troop something to look forward to and helps them to realize the rank of an Eagle Scout is achievable if you are willing to work hard for it.”

Wilner and Wood not only accredit the Scouts’ own dedication, but also the mentorship and leadership the adult volunteers provide at every meeting and troop outing. “I think our troop has excellent adult volunteers who are involved and share the same goals, and it is a great group of boys,” Wood said.

As for the future of Troop 149, the scoutmaster said the scouting program is for the scouts and should be a place they can do what they want to do and learn along the way. Wilner expects the troop to continue to serve the Mariemont community for years to come. Both Wilner and Wood are proud to have been a part of the Eagle Scouts’ journeys and Troop 149.

“Scouting provides strong character building and helps to push some scouts out of their comfort zone from time to time. I see the boys try new things they thought they could never do, and then realize there is so much to see and to do in this world. Scouting is fun with a purpose,” said Wood.

If you have questions regarding Troop 149 or are interested in joining, please contact troop149.bsa@gmail.com.

Pictured L to R (top row): Nick McCarthy, Will Henning, Brett Gilbertson (middle row): Alex Copetas, Jacob Mantle (front row): Fletcher Wells, Colton Urbanski, Jack Barnes.

Village Mariemont Garden Club News: Annual Plant Sale and Spring Planting

Join us this this Wednesday, April 4, at 1 p.m. at the Barn as Rosemary Ballard gives a talk on Arrangement and Design with Roses. All are welcome.

Local Plant Sales

Then mark your calendars for the Mariemont Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m.-3p.m. The venue has not yet been determined, so stay tuned! It will be in Mariemont. We will have gorgeous hanging baskets, selections of annuals, and, best of all, plants from our members’ gardens. If they are from our neighbors’ gardens, you know that they will grow in Mariemont! There will also be

decorative items for the garden.

The other recommended Plant Sale will be at the Civic Garden Center on Saturday May 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Civic Garden Center is at 2715 Reading Road, on the corner of Reading Road and Wm. Howard Taft, opposite old Bethesda Hospital. There will be a large selection of all different kinds of plants with booths staffed by volunteers of the Center. Whether novice or experienced gardener, you are sure to find healthy, beautiful plants that will thrive in our area.

Spring Planting Tips

Speaking of thriving, it is essential to pick plants that will grow in our Zone. We live in Zone 5, bordering on Zone 6. A Zone indicates what average temperatures can be expected in that area. We also need to pick plants that will succeed in our yards. Because of our splendid trees, many of our yards are in the shade. And, of course, many of us want color to brighten up the shady parts of our yards. Most of those brilliantly colored plants that we dream about will only prosper in full sun. However, we can have interest in the garden if we select the right plants.

Some smaller, colorful trees that will work in the shade but still need fairly large space are: dogwoods, flowering crabapples and crepe myrtle. For shrubs, I recommend Hydrangeas. They come in all different sizes and colors, have beautiful blooms in summer

to fall and dry very nicely for winter. They do very well in partial shade; 3-6 hours of sun per day. The blues and the reds are particularly fine. If you buy one, be sure to ask what soil amendment they need to keep their color and when they should be pruned.

There are many good hostas that are brightly colored. You will find them at both of the plant sales mentioned above and at the local nurseries. Low-growing Japanese grasses make a wonderful statement and bring color and a different shape to the shade garden. The old favorite, ferns, will do well and will bring in an airy feel. These are all perennials.

For any perennials I strongly recommend getting them from one of our local nurseries. Perennials cost more than annuals, so you want them to last. The nurseries hire people who are knowledgeable, so you can ask questions. If the plant dies on you in the first year, they generally will refund your money. Be sure to ask about the guarantee.

I tend to be less picky when it comes to annuals, but if you want annuals that do well in the shade, the nurseries are still the best bet. They will be displayed in an area for shade plants, so you won’t go wrong! Growing annuals in pots can be great fun and spur your creative juices! If you have very little sun, using the sunny spots to grow sun-loving plants can be nice experiment. More about that later in the year!

Watch out! That adorable little yellow, waxy flower that bloomed in your yard in late February and early March is an extremely invasive plant that will take over your lawn and/or garden in a couple of seasons. It should be dug out, roots and all. It is called Lesser Celandine. By now the flowers have gone, but the round, waxy leaves are still there. Get rid of them!

Worthy Yoga Brings Love, Light and Community to Mariemont

Practice at Worthy Yoga is more than a workout. It’s more than just a spiritual experience. Worthy is a community of instructors and students who want to posture their hearts toward Christ through breath, movement and purposeful intention.

Longtime Mariemont resident Brenda Westfall opened Worthy Yoga studio at 6936

experience and be able to express whatever it isit could be worship, it could be surrender, it could be that you don’t even know what you’re feeling today but you can trust that God is going to meet you on your mat and you’re going to work this out and you’re going to feel better when you’re finished.”

As a Worthy member for two years, I can attest to that. Even when I enter Worthy frazzled, and can’t think of an “intention,” I leave feeling

expression happens, that integration happens, maybe it changes a conversation, maybe you feel safe and supported.”

Madisonville Rd. on September 1, 2014. The studio has 11 instructors, all of whom are encouraged to offer a Christ-honoring intention for each class. “We are welcoming to all faiths, and invite people to come in and honor Christ, regardless of what their walk is,” shared Brenda. “When you have a practice that is ‘holy,’ it is set apart for Christ. It really is about the posture of your heart.”

Brenda explained that yoga means “union,” or “to yoke.” “When we yoke ourselves to Christ, we take on his easy burden,” she said. “The goal here is not to be perfect, or to look like someone else in the room. It’s to be able to have an

calm and have clarity and guidance for the day. There also is the realization that our lives are all interconnected, and we can serve and love on each other in community. Before and after class, the women and men of all ages who practice yoga at Worthy check in with each other, share what is happening in their lives, give a hug, share a laugh, or say a prayer.

“When you start to move, breathe and create space in the body with your breath, and then clear the mind by focusing on your intention, the totality of who we are, and how we are created to be is able to be gathered together and expressed,” said Brenda. “We just want to be a safe space for people to be in community. So when that

Brenda started practicing yoga several years ago, but at the time had small children and didn’t fee she had the time for yoga. Then, as she began to figure out what yoga was all about, she says she was ‘met’ by God in the practice. “I was practicing quite a bit and wanted to do instructor training. I didn’t think I was going to be an instructor, but just wanted to do it because I was fascinated and wanted to go deeper.”

Not wanting to be away from her husband and girls on the evenings and weekends it would take to train, Brenda held off. Then she found holy yoga, which offers very accessible online training. “There is a lot of accountability and selfstudy. You have to be motivated,” she said. “Then you go away for a 1-week intensive of contact hours.”

Brenda knew this Christ-centered community was where she’d like to spend

Worthy Yoga owner Brenda Westfall (standing, center) leads her instructors through a practice. (Photo by Rachel Kolb Duncan)

time, and where she felt really supported. Initially, Brenda wanted to get certified for crisis pregnancy training, but God had a different plan.

“I came home from training, and while walking past the recently emptied ‘Lolli’s’ space, I looked in and thought ‘this looks like a nice, big, empty yoga studio’.” She began to look in the window on her walks, and pray. “I would say, ‘No way, God! I am a stay-at-home mom. I have no business acumen. I can’t do this.’” Her daughter Grace and husband, Brad, had more faith in her. “They both started asking me what I wanted to do with my yoga training. I told them I didn’t know, but that Lolli’s would make a great yoga studio. They told me I had to do it.”

From the get-go, Worthy Yoga has been about ministry, to see if it would meet people where they are, said Brenda. “We decided this would be our way of giving to the community, with the hopes of being able to cover costs by the third year. In its third year is where flourishing has begun to happen,” shared Brenda. “We are covering costs, and it’s all God. Of course I have to instruct well and bring renewed energy to the space, but everything else… He shows up for. He brings the

Business Highlight

people who are supposed to be here. People come, they bring a friend or family member, and just share.”

Worthy classes range from slow and gentle flow classes, to yin, to vinyasa, to restorative practices. And whether you are new or advanced, the instructors always offer modifications throughout each class. Brenda said, “Our instructors offer a lot of different gifts to reach a lot of different people. For the high school sports teams who come in, Worthy has an instructor with a fitness background. “Angel” instructor, Rachel, guides a very gentle class. Tami and Mary Anne have a heart for seniors. I love guiding the restorative practices, where I can offer healing touch to people. And I also love leading an upbeat class where we can all feel that energy.”

For those who wish to step up their practice, Worthy just added a new power class, called Ignite Flow. “It will move a little more quickly, so we’re going to assume you know what you’re doing, and the names of the poses, and how to go at your own pace,” said Brenda.

Worthy has also recently introduced themed

flows, where a regularly scheduled class has themed music. Their recent themed flow was a St. Patrick’s Day slow-flow class to the music of U2. There are workshops and special events throughout the year as well. A few upcoming in April and May include:

Saturday, April 14 – 1-4:30 p.m. Story workshop, with Waking Bird Studio, led by Brenda Westfall and Megan Busch. This expressive arts workshop using clay begins with a yoga practice, finding freedom through form and introspection, then coming to the table and working through personal stories with clay.

Sunday, April 15 – 4-6:30 p.m. Align & Honor: Root Chakra. This will be the first of two classes in a series led by Lauren Pax, and will focus on the root chakra.

Sunday, May 6 – 4-6:30 p.m. Align & Honor: Sacral Chakra. This is the 2nd in the series led by Lauren Pax, and will focus on the sacral chakra.

To learn more about Worthy Yoga, or to sign up for classes, workshops and events, visit worthyyoga.com or call 814-397-7205. Namaste!

Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center

Springtime at the Barn: A striped hat, a cup of soup, and a room with six figures

Holy Cow!

Thanks to the generosity of the Louis and Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation, The Barn, also known as the Woman’s Art Cultural Center (WACC), may complete its plan to update the Loft of the former Resthaven Barn, previous site of the Lindner Quality Milk Company.

The Louis and Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation contributed $78,500, which the Barn will apply to the installation of a service lift for wheelchair accessibility and a handicapaccessible restroom upstairs.

“The Foundation is ecstatic about the extremely generous donation from the grant, which allows us to install an elevator up to our newly renovated hay loft. The finished loft provides much-needed space for exhibitions, movies, lectures, performances, classes, and events. And soon we will have full access for all,” said Nancy Reynolds, president of the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation, the non-profit organization that operates The Barn.

Louis and Louise Nippert, long-standing supporters of the arts, established the Foundation in 1981 as a means to provide financial assistance to non-profit organizations related to nature preservation, music, the arts, medical research, and education. In 2017, the Foundation donated more than $3.4 million to worthy causes in the Greater Cincinnati area.

“Thank you…for all you do to make the Greater Cincinnati area a better place,” said Carter Randolph, president of the Louis and Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation, in a letter written to the Barn upon notification of the award.

For more information about the Louis and

Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation, please visit lnlcharitable.org.

In the

Lamplight: Music, Food, and Parlour Games from the 1800s

The Barn presents its yearly dinner and auction on April 20 in the spirit of Eduardo Vuillard, a French painter and printmaker. Evening pleasures include an array of unique raffle items and an opportunity to purchase small Vuillard-inspired paintings donated by the gifted hands of local artists. Guests will have an opportunity to hear about the artist from art expert Richard Brettell, a faculty member from the University of Dallas, who will speak at the Taft Museum on the following day.

Brettell specializes in Modern and 19-20th Century Impressionism. The professor, who holds the Margaret McDermott Distinguished Chair of Art and Aesthetic Studies Chair and the Edith McDonnell Chair, has had numerous academic appointments at the University of Chicago, Yale University, and Harvard.

The mood of the evening is centered on Vuillard’s Interior with Six Figures (1897)

He was a painter who whispered when others cried out, according to Brettell. Come visit the Parisian apartment of Vuillard’s inner mind in the newly-renovated Barn on Friday evening, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. Register at thebarn.cincyregister. com/lamplight or call 513-272-3700.

Behop and Art at the WACC Annual Juried Show

Jazz musicians may be able to blend harmonies like artists blend colors, but few are willing to share the spotlight. In honor of its 125th anniversary, WACC is embracing the sweet sounds of Bruce Menefeld and his saxophone at its closing event of the annual juried show this April.

As a member of Cincinnati’s jazz heritage, Menefeld has performed with some of the best musicians in jazz, such as Peanuts Whalum, Clark Terry, and Ronnie Laws. In addition, Menefeld, studio producer of Black Sax Records, was one of the “Four Tenors” in a landmark concert at the Hyatt in 2006, which included a frontline of Billy Harper, Bennie Maupin and Eddie Bayard.

Menefeld speaks out with personal experience.  His career has been marked by his ability to create ensembles that have spun into independent artists, while maintaining a hard groove and delivering strong messages that characterize his work.

The WACC-sponsored special-anniversary art exhibition and sale will showcase original artwork completed by regional female artists who are competing for more than $3,500 of award money.

Judges Laurie Risch and Bridgette Turner will focus on craftsmanship, color, and composition with an emphasis upon diversity in style and subject. Risch is the

cont'd on next page

Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center

Executive Director of the Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington and founder of the popular freshART event, now in its 25th year. Turner is the owner of the Turner Studio & Gallery in Columbus. As past president and board member for the Ohio Plein Air Society, she has served as juror for state and local art leagues, as well as the Ohio State Fair Plein Air Competition. The Joan Cord Foundation is offering $1,500 to the first-place artist.

Not unlike the spectrum of the color adorning the walls, Menefeld and his piano accompanist Brian Brachelor-Graetor will perform music he created and designed “in the moment” and for an outcome he offers to God. The music allows for the versatile sax range from baritone through soprano and serves as an educational service that advances the rich legacy of jazz as an African-American cultural contribution to our society.

Brian Brachlor- Graetor, a native of Akron, is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, majoring in Jazz. He has played and recorded music in a jazz studio for 15 years.

The musical performance occurs at the exhibition’s closing reception on Sunday, April 29 from 1-4 p.m. The Club, the nation’s oldest woman’s art organization, will be offering light appetizers and wine. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit the Barn’s renovated loft.

The WACC-sponsored art exhibition runs April 8-29.

Opening Reception and Awards Presentation: Sunday, April 8, 2-5 p.m.

Closing Reception: Sunday, April 29, 1-4 p.m. (Menefeld and Brachelor-Graetor performance)

Gallery Hours at The Barn: Weekends, 1-4 p.m.; Tuesdays – Fridays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Soup Shots Anyone?

The Tuesday-Night Painters invite the community to do a few soup shots with them at their annual art show coming this May at The Barn. Thanks to the generosity of La Soupe, a Newtown-based food charity, visitors to the free show can indulge in miniature portions of homemade soup as they admire the paintings hanging on the gallery walls.

The artists, who meet weekly at The Barn to paint and to share ideas, agreed to donate 20 percent of their sales to La Soupe in support of the organization’s effort to feed hungry families in the Cincinnati area.

The event will take place on May 3 and 4 from 6:30-8 p.m. The paintings will be on exhibition from 2-4 p.m., May 5 and 6.

Cat in the Hat

MPF Sponsors “Cat in the Hat” at The Barn – April 28 at 10 a.m.

Thanks to the generosity of the Mariemont Preservation Foundation and the talents of the Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, everyone’s favorite cat comes to life in this theatrical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic.

From the moment his tall, red-and-whitestriped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most ornery cat that they have

ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure... but what will mum find when she gets home?

To register, go to thebarn.cincyregister. com/MPF2017. Walk-ins are also welcome. For ages Pre-K and up. Don’t forget to wear your red hats!

The next MPF presentation is May 19. Ages 4 and up are invited to let down their hair as Playhouse Off the Hill performs “Rapunzel.” Young Rapunzel is over protected, but finds friendship from a local boy who helps her find her courage.

Summer Lovin’ – July 9-27

Look for summer camp opportunities for kids and teens in our e-mail subscriber. You can sign up at artatthebarn.org at the bottom right of each page.

Workshops at The Barn

April 6-7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.—Oil “Landscapes” with Jim Effler. LStokerArt@gmail.com

April 28, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.—“Composition and Speed with Acrylics” with DJ Berald.

May 4-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.— “Impressionalistic Watercolor” with Yukon Hall. For more information, go to artatthebarn.org or call 513-272-3700.

Classes for 2018

Pencil, Paint and Composition: Tuesdays at noon with Eileen McConkey. 513-801-7648 or Eileen.mcconkey@gmail.com

Introduction to Creative Drawing and Painting: Tuesdays March 20-May 22 from 9:30 a.m.-noon with Dave Laug. All levels. 513-831-5338 or dvdlaug@gmail.com.

WACC Open Studio: Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free for members; $5 for nonmembers (Cash only, please.)

WACC Open Model Sketch: First and Third Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. $10 for members, $15 for non-members—cash only. Please RSVP to Deborah Ridgley at 513-259-9302.

cont'd on next page

Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center

Oil Painting: Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:15-4:15 p.m. with Jan Boone. For beginning and advanced students. $20 per class. 513-791-7044 or janwrites@fuse.net

Acrylic Painting: Wednesday evenings with Dave Laug. 7-10 p.m. Write dvdlaug@ gmail.com or call 513-885-5284.

Beginner/Intermediate Watercolor: Thursdays from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with Chris Campbell at mmivsu2@comcast.net

Drawing and Painting: Thursdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. with Mary Lou Holt. 513-2263833 or marylou@marylouiseholt.com

Oil Painting for Mid-Level and Advanced: Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. with Chuck Marshall. 404-3161 or marshallstudio@aol.com

Oil Painting-“A Strong Foundation for your Paintings: Thursdays 6-9 p.m. Write or call jeffmorrow@gmail.com or 937-267-6868.

Graduate Pastels: Second and final Fridays from Noon-3 p.m. with Ray Hassard. 941-1116 or ray@rayhassard.com.

Art for Kids – “Artrageous Adventures”: Saturdays from 1-3:30 p.m. with the Art Academy of Cincinnati at The Barn. Ages 5-11.

“Drawing Spring Blossoms” with Charlie Berger: Saturdays from April 7-28 from 9 a.m.-noon. Class fee is $90. 513-212-4679.

Fiber Art: Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. Ages 8 and up. Call 513-272-3700 for more information.

Voluntaire Exraordinaire

Having your portrait done by Mary Lou Holt sounds like a great deal of fun, unless you’re standing next to a judge’s bench.

Holt, a portrait artist and a Woman’s Art Club volunteer, started her artistic career illustrating a few of Cincinnati’s sketchiest folks. But now from her post at her Indian Hill easel, she can look back on endeavors of a far friendlier nature.

“Art is a lonely profession,” she said. With

that in mind, she joined the Woman’s Art Club in 2012 and began teaching oil and pastel classes. As a volunteer, she hosts critiques for her fellow artists.

“It’s a great way to share my enthusiasm and passion,” said Holt, a former school volunteer, Sierra Club member, and nature advocate.

Holt and DeVere Burt, Director Emeritus of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science, founded Masterworks for Nature (MFN) in 1999. MFN, formerly known as Wildlife 2000, holds sales and auctions to raise funds and awareness for conservation projects. To date, MFN has earned more than $1 million for such efforts. Partners include the Greenacres Fine Arts Center, as well as the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, among others.

Holt’s early employment included design for exhibit, commercial and editorial purposes. She currently creates portrait out of her home studio and teaches drawing and oil painting classes at The Barn.

For more information, please visit marylou@marylouiseholt.com

Shop Amazon, Kroger and Support WACC

Please help be a part of Mariemont history. 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 your 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 upgrades on The Barn’s second floor.

For more information about The Barn and all its activities, please visit artatthebarn.org or call 513-272-3700.

Hampstead Park to be Completed in 2019

If you’ve been to the square recently, you’ve probably seen framing for the newest condominium development to hit Mariemont peeking over the south side of Miami Ave.

Our Village is no stranger to the orange cones, netting, and beeping machines that come with building condos. Since 2007 when the first Greiwe condo development, Jordan Park, made its debut, three more developments have come to fruition, with one more in progress.

This newest complex, called Hampstead Park, is the fifth and final phase of development in Greiwe’s plans. While the other four condos are in the tutor revival style, Hampstead Park will head in a different

direction, taking after the English cottage-style homes on Albert Place.

Hampstead Park will be three stories tall and home to 18 units, six of which are already sold. There will be both two- and threebedroom one-level options with studies, an open-concept floor plan, and a balcony or terrace for each unit. First floor units will have direct street access.

As for parking, there will be a garage underneath the complex with two spaces given per unit, four visitor spaces, and elevator access. Units range in price from $775K to $1.55M. The development is slated for completion in the spring of 2019.

This Village is always evolving, but somehow manages to simultaneously stay the same. This final round of condo construction will bring many changes, but Mariemont will continue to exude that feeling of timelessness we all cherish.

This Month in Sustainable Mariemont

April is a beautiful month. Spring finally feels like it’s in full swing, flowers are blooming, baby animals are being born, the air is warmer, and the plants inhale as they comes back to life. April is the perfect month to celebrate our planet, and we welcome Earth Day on April 22. Being in the business of green living, Sustainable Mariemont plans to mark Earth Day with a Village beautification event.

We have all seen bits of paper and plastic blowing in yards, and forgotten aluminum cans flattened in the street. It happens. But we can all help. On Saturday, April 21, starting at 11 a.m., we will begin our Earth Day Village beautification. Meet volunteers from Sustainable Mariemont (SM) at Dogwood Park

to receive a trash bag and instructions to help us clean up. SM will provide all the supplies you need, but you are welcome to bring your own gloves in case there aren’t enough pairs to go around.

We’ll canvass the Village in groups of at least 2-3, collecting both trash and recyclables. The drop-off location for collected items is still TBD, but light refreshments will be offered at the final gathering spot. You never know what interesting things you’ll find blowing along the sidewalks or stuck in the bushes.

I ran my own little experiment back in December by bringing a plastic shopping bag with me as I walked around my block. I picked up all the trash I found, and ended up filling the bag all the way. I didn’t realize how much

trash was hiding in plain sight.

SM invites you to join the celebration, to welcome spring, and to get some fresh air while clearing clutter from our neighborhood. If you would like to participate, all you have to do is show up on April 21. There will be reminders sent out from the SM Facebook page as well as the email list.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to direct inquiries to sustainablemariemont@ gmail.com or visit our Facebook page, Sustainable Mariemont. I hope to see you there!

Artist's rendering of the completed Hampstead Park.

Council Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2018

Mayor Policastro called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Council members present included: Mrs. Graves, Mr. Marsland, Ms. Palazzolo, Mrs. Rankin and Ms. Schwartz.

From Engineer Ertel, an e-mail dated February 22, 2018 was read and discussion followed about a proposal from Choice One Engineering Regarding Homewood Road:

“Engineer Ertel said with the Homewood Road drainage improvement we had Choice One survey the area. The $7400 proposal is for construction plans, design depth of the pipes etc. If we are going to do this project, he needs the construction plans in order to prepare the bid package. He can prepare the bid package to include Madisonville Road as well. If we do not get the grant there would be language in the packet for bidders to submit a plan accordingly. We can bid the projects separately but the benefit is to bid the work together. The earlier we go out to bid the better the prices. Mrs. Graves asked when the opportunity would be for residents on Homewood Road to give their feedback. Mayor Policastro said once we get the dollar cost then we would bring in the residents and explain what the Village can do. Mrs. Graves’s concern is if the design does not meet the need of the residents. Mayor Policastro said we have to pace ourselves. We do not have the money to do a fifty year job. We get approximately $350,000 per year in levy funds which also have to be split with projects in other parts of the Village. We did not do a fifty year project on Settle Road either. Engineer Ertel said Settle Road is designed for a two year storm. In the few heavy rain events we have had he has not had any calls of flooding. Ms. Palazzolo asked what the limitations on Homewood Road. Are we resource poor or money poor? Engineer Ertel said there is less space to work in. On Settle Road the utilities were further underground. On Homewood Road we have a foot and one half to work with until we run into water lines and sanitary lines. Ms. Schwartz asked for clarification if we did have the money we could not do the work for a 50-year storm anyway. Engineer Ertel said we would have to look for other places. We would have to run an 8” diameter pipe the whole length of the road. Ms. Schwartz said she talked with Mr. Hawkins who wants to stop the project because it was not a true fix. The work on Setttle Road has been very successful. Ms. Graves

Village Government

asked what happens if we have to go back and fix it. Mayor Policastro said the worst part is the area on Homewood down from Wooster. There was a house with a garage underneath that just filled with a lake of water. It is the lowest spot on the street which is why we want to start there. Perhaps next year we can go to the other side by Murray Avenue and find areas to do $150,000$200,000 worth of work. We still have streets all over the Village that people are complaining that their street is a mess. This could be a phase type project. Ms. Palazzolo asked if there was a situation if you were not limited by anything would moving the utilities be an option – would a municipality that is being halfway responsible choose to do something like that. Mayor Policastro said if you have the money you can do anything. Engineer Ertel said usually you would work with the street space itself or underneath it. Mayor Policastro said every drop of water we can pick up and get rid of before it goes down the street the better. There were no catch basins. Over the years if we do a little here and a little there we should get to a good point to stop these catastrophes. Mr. Marsland moved, seconded by Ms. Schwartz to proceed with the proposal of Choice One. On roll call; five ayes, no nays.

From Police Clerk Maupin: Mayor’s Court Statement for February 2018. From Karen Berkisch, President, Garden Club: E-mail dated March 6, 2018 re: use of front lawn of Municipal Building. Mayor Policastro said this is an old club in the Village made up of great ladies in the Village. It does not work for them to have their plant sale at the Strand with the new florist. Ms. Schwartz moved, seconded by Ms. Palazzolo to allow the use of the front lawn of the building. On roll call; five ayes, no nays.

Mr. Jerry Vianello, 6570 Wooster Pike, was granted permission to address Council. He asked Council to drive by the next day or two and look at the Waldorf School. He can’t tell how many people have said to him what a disgrace it is for our Village. If that is how they are going to treat and maintain their property the concept of them putting a high school where the old Dilly Deli used to be then he cannot fathom what that will do. He wants Council to come to resolution with them. He also would like to thank John Scherpenberg and the Service Department for the help they provided to him.

Mrs. Graves asked what was so bad. Mr. Vianello said there are parts of fences leaning up against the building, it is a mud pit, and logs

Council Representatives

Avia Graves agraves@mariemont.org

Troy Hawkins thawkins@mariemont.org

Eric Marsland emarsland@mariemont.org

Maggie Palazzolo mpalazzolo@mariemont.org

Kelly Rankin kellrankincouncil@gmail.com

Mary Ann Schwartz maschwartz@mariemont.org

Mayor: Dan Policastro mayordan1@gmail.com

have rolled down into the valley. The field next to them is not their property yet they have soccer goals up and play on the field rain or shine. Mayor Policastro said we own the property but it is a park and anyone has a right to play on it. The grass probably will not grow back and there will be no need to cut it. He talked with Mr. Glassmeyer and the Rec Association is not going to need the field this year. Mr. Vianello said he does not mind that they use the parks but he does not think they are conscious of what is going on.

Mayor Policastro said he has a CAGIS map of Waldorf’s property. He is going to send Superintendent Scherpenberg over with the map. He believes the logs are on Village property. He asked the Superintendent to look at the ball field and if it needs to be seeded he will bill the school.

Mr. Rex Bevis, 4011 Miami Road, was granted permission to address Council. He wanted to compliment the Village Staff. On Saturday February 24, 2018 there was a rain storm. At 10:00 p.m. there were two police officers at his front door. There was a lake in his front yard full of sand and gravel. The water was travelling towards his home as if it was coming from a firehose. His neighbor, Carol Williams, rushed over to help drag mulch bags in front of his garage and the front of his house. She helped from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. Police Officers Matt Kurtz and Dan Lyons were the ones on site. The last thing he is sure they wanted to do was stand out in the

cont'd on next page

rain but they did just that and built a two foot dyke out of the sand and gravel. They stayed until 2:30 in the morning. He called Mayor Policastro on Sunday and was reassured that he would get some help. On Monday morning the Service Department (John Scherpenberg, Kevin Schmid, Ben James, Joe Godbey and Mike Evanchyk) showed up with dump trucks, back hoe and shovels. They filled two dump trucks with debris. Superintendent Scherpenberg called professionals to come onsite and assess the situation. The storm pipes were scoped and they found a massive blockage. The water running down Miami Road hit the blockage and exploded out of the ground. Chris Ertel has also been very instrumental in helping get the companies out to look at the problem. He thanked everyone again for their

help during the event and going forward to find a permanent solution.

Superintendent Scherpenberg said they cleaned out all the pipes and all the catch basins that were clogged. The blockage was at the headwall, which had limbs that got caught in the catch basins. He is going to review the video to see if there is a crack in the pipe at the headwall.

Mr. Vianello said there is no storm drain on Wooster Pike from Beech Street to Homewood. The water comes down Wooster Pike and makes the turn to go downhill onto Homewood. The two storm drains cannot handle the flow.

Ms. Schwartz moved, seconded by Mr. Marsland to accept the recommendation of the

Committee of the Whole which met on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the mowing contract for 2018. Present at the meeting were Mayor Dan Policastro, Vice-Mayor Eric Marsland, Councilpersons Avia Graves, Troy Hawkins, Maggie Palazzolo and Mary Ann Schwartz, representatives from landscaping companies and several residents. After discussion clarifying the additional costs that would be incurred for additional, unforeseen services, contracted after the expiration of the contract, it was recommended that Lawnscapers be awarded the contract as they represented the lowest bid of $46,250. Additional services requested after the expiration of the contract would be billed at a rate of $2,700.00 per cut. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Say “Hello” to Your New Councilwoman

Welcome to new Councilwoman Kelly Rankin, who has taken Dennis Wolter’s seat after he resigned in February. Dennis was a loyal and active leader on Council for 10 years, acting as Vice-Mayor for several years, serving on the Finance Committee, as well as chairing the Safety Committee from 2008-2014 and the Public Works & Services Committee from 20142018.

While Dennis leaves big shoes to fill, Kelly is up to the task. She has lived in Mariemont for 16 years and is excited about being on Council. “We’ve got a great team assembled that will

Did You Know?

The Mariemont Tax Office can help you with filing your Mariemont taxes. You do not need an appointment, but bring all of your W-2s and a copy of your Federal Form 1040 with applicable Schedules C, E, F, 1099-Misc, and gambling income. It usually only takes about 5-10 minutes. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., M-F. For more info, call 513-271-1606 and either Debbie or Patty will be happy to help you.

work to continually make this a great place to live,” says Rankin. “There are lots of projects in the works, and I encourage folks to attend the council meetings or watch the meetings on the ICRC and give us some feedback.”

Kelly brings a strong accounting background to her role on Council, having worked in the accounting department for Fomica before going out on her own as a small-business accountant with an office on Murray Avenue. She jokes, “My best client is Wavelength Audio, which happens to be owned by my husband Gordon!”

Kelly says she loves Mariemont because it is so walkable and dog friendly. She can often be seen walking her cocker spaniels Kelsey and

Barley around the village. Kelly is also an avid runner and volunteers for the Columbus Cocker Rescue.

You can reach out to Kelly with any questions or concerns at kellrankincouncil@gmail.com.

Honest-1 Opens Location on Wooster Pike

To owner Mark Santen, Honest-1 Auto Care is “A family business offering service you can trust.” Santen opened the newest Honest-1 Auto Care location at 5907 Wooster Pike in Fairfax in October, 2017.

After spending 21 years in the Greater Cincinnati corporate arena, Santen decided to follow his dream of owning his own business. He found Honest-1 to be the perfect choice. A national business, Honest-1 offers full service auto repair and maintenance with the principles of “providing honest service for your automotive needs.”

“Honest-1 provided me with an opportunity to own a business that is in alignment with my core values and beliefs,” said Santen. He is a staunch believer in delivering quality service at a fair price.

At the core of the business is family. Santen and his two brothers are partners in the business, with the brothers having exceptional mechanical skills and bringing their own unique backgrounds to the business. They are true car aficionados, with a love of restoring old cars to their former glory.

Santen and his team at Honest -1 set themselves apart with their commitment to only perform work that needs to be done while delivering uncommon service with a personal touch, including driving customers and their groceries home, delivering vehicles when repairs are complete, and the occasional house call. Honesty, integrity, and trust are at the heart of Honest -1.

Since their soft opening in October, Santen and his team have built a strong base of loyal customers through their exceptional service and quality work. “I took my car to Honest-1 for an oil change and really liked how I was treated. They were friendly and professional. The waiting area was clean and they offered complimentary coffee, soda, bottled water and snacks, if I chose to wait. I learned they have a 3 year/36,000 mile nationwide warranty on the service they perform, and even have complimentary roadside assistance! I plan to go to Honest-1 the next time I need to get repair or service work done on my car,” said Molly Stewart, Honest-1 customer and Mariemont resident. Her husband, Chuck, echoed her sentiment saying, “I trust the team at Honest-1.”

going on. Honest-1 was close by and they could get me in immediately,” said Curran. “I was glad they didn’t try to sell me on problems with my car that needed to be fixed. I have experienced that with other places and then learned I really didn’t need work done. I really trust Honest-1’s expertise and professionalism.”

Honest-1 Auto Care technicians are ASE certified, and the tools used to test and diagnose a vehicle’s problem are the latest in the industry. “Our technicians stay up-to-date on the latest automotive repair techniques through ongoing training,” said Santen. “We strive to deliver the highest quality service possible in a comfortable and trusting environment.”

Julie Curran, a Fairfax resident and recent customer, concurs. “I needed to get an oil change for my car and as usual I had a lot

Honest-1 will be celebrating their Grand Opening during the months of April and May, culminating with an opening celebration on May 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring a car show, giveaways, food, shop tours and more. A strong believer in supporting the community, Santen will be donating a percentage of sales during April and May to the Mariemont Schools Foundation.

Honest-1 is located at 5907 Wooster Pike and can be reached at 271-1059. Coupons and additional information are available on the Honest-1 website, www.honest1fairfax.com.

JAMES T. WESTERFIELD, D.V.M.
Honest-1 Auto Care (Fairfax) owner Mark Santen and his family.

Neighbors

A Clock for Terrace Park

The Terrace Park Village Green has always been the central gathering place for residents. As a kid growing up in “TP,” my friends and I would walk to what was then “The Market” on the corner of Harvard Ave. and Terrace Place, buy candy, and go sit in the huge evergreen tree that marked the center of the Green. We would decorate and ride our bikes in the Memorial and Labor Day parades that ended at the Green. And residents would attend ceremonies that took place around the two cannons that flank the flag pole, memorializing those who served in World War II and beyond.

In the 1990s, the big evergreen was cut down, but a gazeebo was built to honor long-time Terrace Park resident Dick Ward. This is now the central spot for celebrating Luminaria Night, giving speeches and awards on Memorial Day and Labor Day, Easter Eggstravagazeba, hanging out with friends, and even taking wedding photographs.

Several years ago, Nancy Everhart Safran—who also grew up in TP and now lives in Mariemont—started a Facebook page called “Kids From Terrace Park.” It has been a wonderful way for anyone who grew up in TP to connect, share stories and photos, and reminisce about times gone by.

Seventeen months ago, Nancy started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to erect a commemorative, four-faced Verdin Clock at the Village Green. The goal is to raise $26,000 to purchase and install the clock, create a base for the clock with names of donors engraved on the base or on a plaque, and find a donor to cover the $400/year maintenance package that Verdin offers. Nancy’s vision is to unveil the clock during this year’s Labor Day Festival.

Nancy states on the GoFundMe Page: “Thank you to all who have provided feedback and generous pledges! The most inspiring and exciting aspect about this project is that it truly honors an era we still hold dear in our hearts - your response

shows just how bonded we all are by this shared experience.  It is a testament to our wondrous childhood in Terrace Park, and this landmark will forever remind us and those that follow what a blessing this little piece of heaven is to those lucky enough to have been or are a part of it.”

Contributions initially came in fast and furious. Everyone was excited to see this vision come to life. But ability to reach former Kids of TP who aren’t on Facebook has waned, and contributions, while still coming in, have slowed. To date, 136 people have donated $19,500.

If you grew up in Terrace Park, or are still in contact with anyone who did and can pass along the information, or if you would simply like to support this endeavor, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/2tftukd3 to contribute. For more information or questions, contact Nancy Everhart Safran at everhartsafran@gmail.com.

The “Kids from Terrace Park,” a Facebook group of adults who grew up in Terrace Park, are collecting money from current and former residents to erect a four-faced Verdin Clock (Style #4MST-II), similar to the one in this photo, on the Village Green.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.