Ms. Mary’s Place Yard Sale Benefits ‘Wigs for Kids’
By Suzy Weinland
Ms. Mary Marchal is a Mariemont staple. For 14 years, through her in-home preschool Ms. Mary’s Place, she taught more than 40 children ages 3 to 6 to read and write, count, expand their imaginations, and – most importantly – tie their shoes! Ms. Mary cherishes the many photo collages she created showcasing each child on the day they learned to tie their shoes.
When Ms. Mary sent her last two students off to kindergarten on August 16, 2018, she officially closed. “I probably don’t have to tell you how bittersweet that was,” she shared. “I am especially proud that I got to teach several groups of siblings – two Cables, two Quiambaos, two Siegels, three Pembers, the Mehl children.”
Ms. Mary said her focus was always “to get her students as ready as possible for kindergarten. I was never in it for the money. I kept my rates low, and never turned anybody away due to finances.”
She made sure to call each school where her students would attend kindergarten, to ensure the writing style and curriculum she was teaching aligned with what her young students would have to know. “At times it would not be strange to have three different learning levels among the group,” said Ms. Mary.
And of course there were MANY fun adventures, especially the group's weekly outings to the Mariemont library for Makers & Shakers storytime. Anyone who lives on the north side of Wooster Pike can attest to seeing Ms. Mary with her big smile and energetic
step, and students like ducklings in a row, walking to the library in the sunshine, rain and snow!
Speaking of rain, the students loved going on “puddle hunts,” according to Ms. Mary. Before trekking out, they would get fully dressed in raincoats, rain boots and umbrellas. They even named a few puddles just around the corner from Mary’s Murray St. home. One deeper, muddy puddle was nicknamed “the swamp,” and another longer puddle that seemed to move in the rain was dubbed “the stream.”
“We would always have to visit those before heading out to find new puddles to
jump – or lay – in,” laughed Ms. Mary.
There were weekly journals, Tuesday and Thursday “lunch at the park,” and free morning movies at the Mariemont Theatre. And lots and lots of photos. In fact, as a student left Ms. Mary’s to become a big kindergartener, she would give them several photo albums that chronicled all of their adventures at Ms. Mary’s Place. There was even an annual Christmas photo with Santa!
These bright, young students gave back to the community as well. It was Ms. Mary’s kids' idea to create a sign for the former, elderly
Ms. Mary Marchal (third from left) with former students (L-R): Carson Quiambao, Peyton Quiambao, Trey Gruen, Cory Pember, and Caroline Pember.
The Mariemont Preservation Foundation and the Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center (The Barn) will co-sponsor a special lecture on the internationally famous photographer Nancy Ford Cones who, in 1926, lived a year in Mariemont to photograph it for publicity. The talk is entitled “The Lady of Loveland: The Romantic Photographer of Mariemont” and the speaker will be Dr. Ren Egbert, a Milford dentist, who is a NFC scholar and collector.
While working on his Masters in Art History at the University of Cincinnati, Egbert was introduced to Margaret Cones. Margaret was the only child of James and Nancy Cones and still lived in the family home in Loveland Ohio. She had perfectly preserved all the photographs, awards and documentation of her parents’ photographic career. The talk will cover the Cones’ 40 year partnership and
Lecture
amazing photography. It is a heartwarming story of a couple dedicated to their art and family.
The lecture is October 18, 7 p.m. at the Barn, 6980 Cambridge Ave., with a reception and slide show from 6 to 7 p.m. This event is part of the Cincinnati FotoFocus 2018 Biennial and The Barn is one of the participating venues. Cones’ beautiful pictorialist photographs from the collections of Dr. Egbert, Len Weakley, and the Mariemont Preservation Foundation will be on display at the Barn from October 9 – 31. The Barn’s FotoFocus opening reception is October 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information
on the exhibit please visit artatthebarn.org or call 513272-3700.
This lecture is part of the MPF’s continuing Millard F. Rogers, Jr. Lecture Series. Rogers was Director of the Cincinnati Art Museum, president of the Mariemont Preservation Foundation, and a published authority on the history and planning of Mariemont. He also appointed the first curator of photography at the Art Museum. This lecture series is underwritten by the generous contributions of Nina Rogers, Millard’s widow.
Village
Share Your Holiday Memories With Us!
The Town Crier invites you to share your favorite holiday tradition, memory, or gift (given or received). Please send
your full name and up to 125 words about your favorite tradition/memory/ gift to mariemonttowncrier@gmail.com by
The
Club
NOVEMBER 10. We will then run as many as we can in our December issue! Feel free to include a photo if you would like.
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. Your contribution can be mailed to: Mariemont Town Crier c/o Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview Avenue Mariemont, Ohio, 45227
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November deadline:
The deadline for the next Town Crier is October 15, 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.
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West Street crossing guard, Ms. Betty, so she could park in the elementary school lot, in the closest spot to West St. and Madison Rd. When their cardboard sign deteriorated, they decided as a group to go to the Village offices and ask the mayor for a permanent, metal sign. Mayor Policastro worked with Council to get a permanent sign erected for Ms. Betty and any future West St. crossing guards.
Trey Gruehn, a third grader at Sand Montessori and one of Ms. Mary’s last students, reminded her that they also put up a warning sign next to a raised area in a nearby sidewalk so people wouldn’t trip. “We like signs,” chuckled Ms. Mary.
When asked what his favorite thing about
Village
Ms. Mary’s Place was, Trey quickly replied “Making Ms. Mary laugh – and taking naps.” Mariemont third grader Brooklyn Panvarella chimed in that she likes to trick Ms. Mary into getting her ice cream!
As Ms. Mary’s Place began to wind down, her granddaughter Violet and a friend came up with the idea to sell all the teaching and playtime items and send all proceeds to Wigs for Kids, where Violet donated her locks last year. So, on September 15, Ms. Mary and a few of her “special friends” set up a yard sale in Ms. Mary’s front lawn. “We raised $157, which is really good. Got a lot of donations, too,” said Ms. Mary.
Ms. Mary admitted, “This is a sad time for me, but I am so happy to have touched so many lives.” For more info on Wigs for Kids, visit
"Ms. Mary" from page 1
Ms. Mary’s Place former student Jackson Vannorsdall and Ms. Mary’s granddaughter, Violet Marchal.
Marah Dillon and Brooklyn Panvarella accept a toy donation from neighbors Reghan and Colin Cutcher and give them a “grab bag” of goodies in return.
Photo collages showcase all of Ms. Mary’s students on the day they each learned to tie their shoes!
Business Highlight
LOTUS Brings Integrative Therapies to Mariemont
By Kim Beach
After reading Dr. Andrew Weil’s book “Spontaneous Healing” as a young woman, Ingrid Keating knew her lifelong calling would be to help people through integrative medicine approaches and therapy. A high school internship at a local hospital reinforced this belief.
Growing up in New Richmond, Ohio, Ingrid was an avid synchronized swimmer, earning national and international awards, including representing the U.S. with the Cincinnati Synchrogators. Her swimming ultimately earned her a scholarship to Wittenberg University where she studied pre-med and was on the competitive swim team. To focus on her Occupational Therapy goals, Ingrid transferred to Alvernia University in Reading, Pa., and graduated in 2001 with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy (OT).
Ingrid began her career at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 2002, where she helped form the Drake Center Aquatic Therapy Program. Wanting to expand her experience beyond Cincinnati, she moved to Chicago and worked in Aquatic Therapy and Pediatric OT for severe and profound pediatric populations within the Chicago Public School System. In 2004 she launched a Clinical Watsu® program at The Galter LifeCenter. She was later promoted to clinical director of the integrative therapy department at the Galter LIfeCenter Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, offering acupuncture, massage, posture program, reflexology and Watsu® Aquatic Therapy.
Watsu® is a passive form of aquatic therapy for rehabilitation. It promotes deep relaxation and
quieting of the nervous system, which benefits neuromuscular injuries, stress, chronic pain, and special needs populations. Watsu® is characterized by one-on-one sessions in which a practitioner or therapist gently cradles, moves, and stretches the receiver in chest-deep warm water (you can find out more about Watsu at www.watsu.com).
year-old daughter they adopted from Wuhan, China in 2013.
Ingrid Keating, owner of LOTUS Integrative Therapy
Ever the student, Ingrid went back to school and completed her Masters in Oriental Medicine, focusing on acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition, with combined Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, Ill. She also met her husband John while in the Windy City. John is an entrepreneur who works with start-ups and is currently involved with WorkJam, a company that is focused on shift-worker labor solutions.
Wanting to move closer to family, the couple relocated to Cincinnati and picked Mariemont to call home. The Keating family consists of Ingrid, John, three boys (9, 7-year-old twins) and a five-
Ingrid’s lifelong passion for learning and integrative medicine has led her to open her own business, LOTUS Integrative Therapy. She picked the term “lotus” because it is the Chinese symbol of growth and healing. LOTUS Integrative Therapy is rooted in the conscious integration of Eastern and Western medicine, providing exceptional integrative medicine and therapeutic care. The services LOTUS will provide include: Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, rehabilitative medicine, and Watsu® Aquatic Therapy. Ingrid’s practice specializes in integrative medicine, women’s health, family medicine, and fertility.
She sees her biggest opportunity in the next year to be “educating people on the benefits of Chinese medicine and integrative therapies.” Her office will be opening in October at the Mariemont West Building, 3814 West Street, Suite 112. Ingrid invites all area residents to the official ribbon cutting at her office at 6 p.m., Thursday, October 25.
In addition to her Mariemont office, Ingrid provides aquatic therapy at the Kempf Aquatic Rehab Center in Montgomery. She also is currently co-writing a book with Harold Dull, the creator of Watsu®.
Village Move for Good Benefits You and MPF!
By Kim Beach and Delta Crabtree
Have you been thinking about starting a fitness program? Are you looking for a group to hold you accountable? Would you like to “do good” while getting a workout? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, we have the program for you: Move for Good!
Move for Good is an 8-week walking program that mixes fitness, friends and a good cause! Groups will meet at several pre-determined times and locations in the Village each week to walk. Each walker will “earn” a cash amount per mile walked (example .50 per mile) and at the end of the 8 weeks, the total amount of “earned” dollars will be donated to the Mariemont Preservation Foundation. Our Move for
Good sponsor, Comey & Shepherd, has generously donated the “Move Money” for our efforts. Thank you!
There will also be lots of incentives along the way. Tri-State Running Company has generously donated gift certificates for different levels of accomplishments during the 8 weeks. They will also provide information about the right shoes you should wear, how to layer for the weather
and other important training expertise.
The program will kick-off on Wednesday, October 10, and we would love for you to join us. The cost for the 8-week program is only $10 and will include a Move for Good t-shirt. If you are interested in joining the fun, please email Kim Beach at kimbeach13@gmail.com, 513-252-4262 or Delta Crabtree at dcrabtree@comey.com, 513-304-4719.
For more information about our sponsors, please visit: www.comey. com, www.tristaterunning.com, and share your "Move for Good" photos on Instagram @comeyrealtors and @ tristaterunningcompany.
Village Resident Pursues Passion for Soccer in Career “Second Act”
By Laura Young
Brett Dickson started his career as many Cincinnatians do, enduring the hustle and bustle of busy corporate life at Proctor and Gamble. He worked in Global Business Services for 13 years, implementing and supporting information systems. “I learned a ton, got to work with incredibly talented and diverse colleagues, and experienced living abroad in the Philippines and England as well as travelling to nearly 20 countries.” Dickson remarked. “On self-assessments, I could always list more under ‘building the organization’ than under ‘building the business.’”
During the weekends, however, Dickson could be found engulfed in his ultimate passion: playing soccer. Brett had been playing soccer every step of the way, at Ohio State and throughout his travels abroad. Although he assumed his soccer playing was only recreational, it would eventually turn into more.
Dickson eventually left P&G to pursue his Master’s in Business from Xavier and to start his own business consulting company. “It was humbling to leave P&G,” Dickson remembers. “My understanding of internal systems and processes was no longer of much value, and even though I’d just finished my MBA at Xavier, my network was still 95 percent inside P&G.”
Even though his consulting company proved unsuccessful, he didn’t walk away from the experience empty handed. “As part of my MBA program I had completed an assessment to determine my ‘Passion Profile’ and my results were Teacher, Builder, Transformer,” remarked Dickson. “I still thought I wanted to run my own
business, but I decided I wasn’t ready. So I went about finding work matching my passion profile.”
Dickson then went from one job to three, one of which included coaching youth soccer at HammerFC.
“I met Russell Lewis while coaching. He was the best coach I’d ever seen. The players loved him. His training sessions were fun, productive and adaptive,” said Dickson. Lewis challenged Dickson every chance he could and always focused on ways to improve, but in time, Dickson began to return the challenge.
“After we became friends, I began to answer his calls with ‘are you calling because you’re ready to start Cincy SC?” said Dickson. Finally in 2015, Lewis’s answer was “Yes!” After many long nights of brainstorming and planning, Dickson and Lewis took what they knew about soccer clubs and business and challenged the assumptions. “We wanted to build a community of cool soccer
people. We made it easy for new players to join and easy for parents to manage. We wanted to share our values and hold ourselves accountable to them.”
The “EPIC” core values of Cincy SC are Excellence, Player development, Integrity, and Community. “I love that I get to start work each day making decisions based on those principles and that parents in our club can recite the core values of their kid’s soccer club,” remarked Dickson. “I love that when we deliver a great service, we see the results of customers rewarding us for it.”
Starting a soccer club in Cincinnati hasn’t been met without challenges, however. Cincy SC wasn’t allowed into the local select league for over two years, and every year their players become free agents, with several other clubs trying to win their business. Local government has also been a stumbling block. “For the last year, we’ve been going through a zoning process with Newtown to get permission to build a parking lot and permanent restrooms at our training facility.”
Challenges aside, Cincy SC has been profoundly successful. They started with an astonishing 192 players, and have grown to 335 players in just a few short years. There is no denying that Dickson is proud of his soccer club and the community impact they’ve had. While they’ve their fair share of constructive criticism, their customer satisfaction rating is higher than Harvard’s Business School’s.
At the end of the day, Dickson has no regrets about branching out from P&G and starting his own business. “I went to a lot of retirement parties in my corporate days. Colleagues would share some cake and a story about the one or two big projects that seemed to define a career,” said Dickson. “I like to think Cincy SC will allow my legacy to be a bit more meaningful.”
The Town Crier is looking to highlight Mariemont residents who have left their former career to start a “second act” profession. Please email us at www.mariemonttowncrier.org if you would like to recommend someone to be featured.
Brett Dickson
Talkin’ ‘bout Your Generation! Village
THE MARIELDERS, INC. is so glad to be a part of this exceptional community. In our more than 40 year history, we have enriched the lives of hundreds of adults 55 and older in Mariemont and surrounding communities. This confirms the fact that our role is truly vital and valid. Our motto rings true, that “Aging is Everybody’s Business!”
To our delight, a new trend has emerged. The second generation of MARIELDERS is joining the fun. That’s right, their parents were active members through the years! Now, many of these “kids” are signing up for outings and experiences that are diverse and engaging, like blacksmithing, kayaking, and foreign policy discussion group. Others are very active in the Mindful Maintenance fitness programs. Most of all, THE MARIELDERS remains a great place to hang out and make some lasting friendships.
As we move onward toward the 2020s, please reach out and support our events, activities, transportation, and social services to the community we all love. Please vote on November 6 to renew our levy (Issue 28), which provides 45 percent of our operating funds. That way, your generation can have a great place to stay actively engaged with THE MARIELDERS. Thank you for supporting us since 1977!
MARIELDER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Nancy Powell, nominated by her peers for 2018 MARIELDER of the Year. Nancy joined the Center in 2015 and has been a great, friendly and caring member. She volunteers as a front desk
receptionist and drives other members to doctor appointments. We will be hosting a formal high tea on November 8 at 2 p.m. to honor Nancy. Cost is $8 per person. Please sign up at THE MARIELDERS.
ART CLUB AT THE BARN
Marielders Director Kathy Chapman-Dick (L) with Nancy Powell (R), the 2018 Marielder of the Year Award.
Join us on Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. with David Laug at the WACC BARN for his weekly art class. David teaches a variety of techniques using different mediums and platforms. Cost is $5 for members. Please sign up at THE MARIELDERS.
PIANO LESSONS
Jim Lindenschmidt, a MARIELDER member, will provide one-on-one, 45-minute piano lessons on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:45 p.m. You will learn how to perform chords both major and minor, and simple songs. Cost is $5 for the month. Reservations need to be made at the Center’s front desk.
MEMBERS MEETING
Join us for our monthly meeting featuring guest speaker, Melissa Bales. Melissa is skilled in Medicare and secondary insurances. She will be holding one-hour appointments on November 1 to discuss your health insurance plans. Everyone is welcome to our monthly meeting. Please call Kathy to schedule your free appointment with Melissa.
A DULCIMER QUARTET CONCERT
On Wednesday, October 10 at 9:30 a.m. we will be having a light breakfast and then enjoy a concert by A Dulcimer Quartet. They will play a range of songs from classical to Appalachian music. Cost for this program is $5 and the reservation must in by October 8 at the Center's front desk.
GREAT DECISIONS
Great Decision is a structured discussion group that studies U.S. Foreign Policies. This month’s topic is U.S. Global Engagement and the Military. Join us on Wednesday, October 10 at 1 p.m. in the lower level of THE MARIELDERS. THE MARIELDERS senior center is located at 6923 Madisonville Rd. They can be reached at 513-271-5588.
The National Exemplar Celebrates a 30-Year Neighborhood Tradition
By Hannah Carver
In 1983, The National Exemplar began serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Mariemont, Ohio landmark, the Mariemont Inn. Just a few years later, a true neighborhood tradition began.
For more than 30 years, the Men’s Tuesday Breakfast Club, an informal group comprised of prominent community members like Dan LeBlonde, Jay Karpen, Tom Grote, John Ruthven, Tom Comey, and Tad Lawrence, have met for breakfast at The National Exemplar once or twice aweek.
Proud to be a part of a decades-old tradition, The National Exemplar, along with Mariemont Mayor Dan Policastro, honored the group in August with a hand-drawn caricature by artist Mikey Shields, which will hang in the restaurant,
and a proclamation that August 7, 2018, “shall hereby be The National Exemplar’s Men’s Tuesday Breakfast Club Day.”
From blueberry pancakes to waffles, poached eggs, and English muffins, the men’s favorites vary, but their love of The National Exemplar does not.
“What’s kept us coming back all these 30 years? It’s the best,” Lawrence said. “The personnel who wait on us and serve us make it fun.”
For more information about The National Exemplar and its history – and its breakfast menu – please visit www.nationalexemplar.com.
The Men’s Breakfast Club group (from under the balloon, going clockwise): Dan LeBlonde, Jay Carpen, unknown, John Ruthven, Graham (last name unknown), Tad and Mrs. Lawrence, Tom Comey, Mayor Dan Policastro (standing). Absent: Tom Grote.
Thinking of Selling Your Home This Fall?
While spring and summer are traditionally considered the height of the buying and selling season for real estate, the lack of inventory over the last several years has created a backlog of demand that should work to a seller’s advantage. The fall market finds families settled into the school routines, and the hustle and bustle of the holidays has not started quite yet. It’s the perfect time for your home to showcase the natural beauty that Mariemont has in abundance. Let’s look at ways to take advantage of the season to get your house sold!
Clean Up the Yard
You only get one chance to make a positive first impression, and curb appeal is essential to getting buyers in the door. Make sure that your yard is kept raked and free of debris. Don’t let overgrown trees and shrubbery block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting back bushes and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the
exterior of your home. It’s time to get rid of your summer seasonal plantings and replace them with fall color.
The most popular autumn flowers are chrysanthemums (or mums), and they bloom for a long time. A yard with beautiful mums in pots or in planting beds, with tastefully arranged pumpkins will set the right seasonal tone. Consider staying clear of excessive Halloween displays that although normally fun, while selling your home can actually distract a buyer from focusing on the house.
buyers will notice, or on a subconscious level will sense the lack of care. In this competitive market, you cannot afford to cut corners and risk losing a buyer by skipping over this detail. Take the time to clean the windows inside and out.
Seasonal routine maintenance
Most of us have a fall maintenance list; as a seller not only is it important to complete these tasks, it will also show your buyer that you are a conscientious owner that has not neglected on-going seasonal tasks. Your list should include a routine service call for your HVAC. Best to make sure that it is in proper working order before having a buyer’s inspector identify issues.
The goal is to highlight the beauty of your well-kept yard, planting beds and the front entrance to your home. Consider a fresh coat of paint on your door and make sure that the door hardware, house numbers and outdoor light fixtures are clean and untarnished.
Clean the Windows
You may not notice the accumulation of dust and dirt on your windows, but most
For most buyers, having a working fireplace is a plus, whether wood-burning or gas. Having your fireplace inspected is a good idea. If the temperature is appropriate, consider having a fire going in your fireplace during a showing. If your fireplace is inoperable, in place of logs, consider using decorative candles to add warmth and color. Be careful about over-doing it with seasonal scented candles. A little goes a long way!
Turn on the Lights Everywhere
If you do nothing else, make sure that you allow in as much natural light as possible through your freshly cleaned windows. Pull back or remove heavy drapery, and open window blinds and shutters. Go through your house and replace burnt-out lightbulbs and consider a higher wattage bulb if the fixture will allow. As the days get shorter, it is especially important to have a buyer feel the warmth of a well-lit home.
In closing, don’t be intimidated by those that might say that the fall is not a good time to sell your home. Consult your Mariemont professional realtor for propertyspecific advice. If I can be of assistance, or if you have any suggestions for this monthly column, please don’t hesitate to reach out at dcrabtree@comey.com or 513-304-4719.
Children
What’s Happening at the Mariemont Branch Library - October
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.
Crafty Kids — 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
Make and take a fun craft. Ages 5-10.
Tales to Tails — 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
Read a story to Bonny the therapy dog. Ages 5-10.
Teens
Teen Chef: It Came From the Kitchen — 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16
Make spooky treats with your friends! Ages 12-18.
Adults
Easy…and Beautiful: Fall Craft — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8
Which Craft? Needle Craft Club — 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Oct.6 and 20
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, Oct. 25
We will be reading My Italian Bulldozer, by Alexander McCall Smith. Pick up your copy 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; closed Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day Mariemont Branch Library 3810 Pocahontas Ave. 513-369-4467
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ORTHODONTIST
Dr Edward J Wnek… extensive experience and education… a personal approach to each and every patient… and outstanding outcomes! For a beautiful healthy smile, contact us for your personal consultation at 513-271-5265, or visit us at www.wnekorthodontics.com.
Edward J Wnek DDS,MS • Mariemont Square Specializing In Orthodontics
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
from your Town Crier staff – and their kids now & then!
Mariemont Trick-or-Treat takes place on Halloween, Wednesday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. To welcome trick-ortreaters, please leave your porch light on. Parents, keep an eye on your little ones and watch for cars. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Chase (L) and Jimmy (R) Beach stand with their mom, staff writer Kim Beach Megan (L) and Zachary (R) Weinland, children of publishers Suzy and Matt Weinland
Owen Proffitt, son of distribution manager Tiffany Proffitt
Paul Young, son of staff writer Laura Young
Ben Jevic, son of staff writer Margaret Jevic
Caleb Wood, son of staff writer Elizabeth Miller Wood
Fall Gardening Events in Mariemont
By Frances Turner
The Garden Club of Mariemont held its first meeting of 2018-19 on September 5 at The Barn. The Officers will continue from last year: Karen Berkich, President; Mary Alice Maze, Program Chairman; Joan Cochran, Secretary; and Judy Kagrise, Treasurer and Membership. We heard a very interesting talk from Carol Mundy, President of the Herb Society .
We will have some extremely interesting programs in the coming year. We usually meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. at The Barn. The dates of our programs have as yet to be nailed down in time for this publishing. However, we will visit Raptors, Inc. in Milford in either October or November. Other speakers throughout the year will be: Eric Partee from Little Miami Inc., Brian Jorg from the Cincinnati Zoo, and speakers on bats and GMOs. If you are interested in
any of these, please contact Karen Berkich at edwardkarenber@gmail.com or Fran Turner at fturner@fuse.net
Some of the easiest plants to grow are those that are native to our area. After all they have grown here for longer than any of us have been around! The Cincinnati Zoo is offering a one day symposium on native plants on November 10. Cost is $75 and the presenters are top people in horticulture in our area. If at all interested there is information at: cincinnatizoo.org
Assuming that you are well into preparing your yard and gardens for winter, you might be interested in a program given by the Cincinnati Nature Center on Conservation Starters: Winterizing Your Yard. It will be presented on Tuesday, November 6, 6:30-8 p.m. Preregistration required. Members $5; non-members $14. For information call (513)
831-1711. The program will provide ideas on the best ecological ways to preserve the best in your garden.
This is a good time to write down what actually worked in your garden and what did not thrive. By the time spring comes again and those gorgeous plants are in the nurseries you want to be able to remember what thrived and what didn’t. It is important to observe whether or not there was enough sun - or too much. That is a major issue in our wonderful Tree City!
Your Vote Counts
Mark your calendars: Tuesday, November 6 is election day, and your vote makes a difference. There are three issues on the ballot specific to Mariemont this election:
Issue 2 – Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) for the Mariemont City School District for the purposes of providing for current operating expenses and for general permanent improvements.
Issue 27 – Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) for the Village of Mariemont for the purpose of current operating expenses.
Issue 28 – Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) for the Village of Mariemont for the purpose of providing funds for recreational purposes of the Marielders, Inc.
A complete voter guide will be available beginning Oct. 5 through the League of Women Voters website at lwvcincinnati.org as well as at the Mariemont library and in CityBeat newspaper. You can also view all Hamilton County candidates and issues at the Hamilton County Board of Elections website at https://boe.hamilton-co.org/files/files/ elections/November2018/GEN18_Candidate_ Issues_List.pdf.
Schools Mariemont School Foundation Raises Funds to Support Mariemont Schools
By Stacie Holloway, Vice President, Mariemont School Foundation
It is certainly an exciting time in the Mariemont School District. The kids are back to school and settling into what promises to be another fantastic year, and we have welcomed 90 new students into our elementary, junior high and high schools!
For those new to the district as well as those not familiar with the Mariemont School Foundation, we wanted to (re)introduce ourselves and share some of the work we do.
graduates, alumni across the country, and district staff will all receive campaign letters later this Fall. We welcome support from all in our community and would appreciate your participation in this year’s campaign, “All in for the Mariemont Experience”!
The 2017-2018 AFD generated more than $46,000 in contributions from 128 individuals, families, private foundations, and businesses.
The Mariemont School Foundation (MSF) is an independent non-profit 501-(c)3 organization formed in 1996 by a group of committed parents and residents who realized that our public school district could not afford to support every initiative that could enhance the educational experience of our children.
Our mission is simple: To support the longterm success of our students and community through initiatives that preserve, enhance and sustain educational excellence.
Like other support organizations in the district, including our PTOs, the Arts Association, and Boosters, the MSF raises private funds to support additional experiences and programming to meet the district’s financial needs. At the Foundation, we focus primarily on educational initiatives and extra-curricular programming at all four schools that fall outside the district’s annual budget. Here are some examples of things we do:
Annual Fund Drive (...which is happening now!)
The Annual Fund Drive (AFD) is our largest fundraising event of the year. Although we receive contributions to the AFD all year, our biggest push comes in the fall, during the kickoff of our drive.
District families, parents of Mariemont
We focus these funds on supporting the district’s flagship experience program, Warriors BEyond. We are excited to be able to help the District build extras into this program.
After-school art and STEM enrichment, in-school Exploration and Expedition classes in “beyond the classroom” topics, and intersession and Master Class experiences at the High School are the pillars of this exciting program (check out more at www.mariemontschools.org/ academics/warriors-beyond1).
That’s not all we do! We also administer donors’ restricted gifts, which represented nearly $125,000 in additional support last school year. Our other efforts throughout the year include:
Scholarships and Special Programming: The Foundation distributed more than $10,000 in academic, leadership, and athletics scholarships to 12 deserving students. We also disbursed $3,500 from the Angel Fund for district families in financial need and awarded $5,000 from The LO.V.E. Fund to support a Mariemont student completing an undergraduate research fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
More than $10,000 was also awarded for students to participating in the Global Leadership Summit and experiential learning travel programs. Foreign language instruction is partially funded at the elementary schools through a generous grant from a foundation.
Life and Leadership Series: We partner with the District and The Warrior Run to support the Life and Leadership series, which brings in nationally-recognized experts to talk to parents and students about issues relating to mental health and student well-being. Last year’s guests included Harlan Cohen, who met with students at each school to talk about managing transitions (e.g., from high school to college) and Dr. Andrew Sweeney, who discussed how parents can support children with anxiety.
The Annual Scavenger Hunt: At the beginning of each school year, the Foundation runs the annual Mariemont Scavenger Hunt, a crazy, fun, and family-focused event that takes participants on a scavenger hunt through Fairfax, Mariemont, and Terrace Park. It’s all about building community!
Distinguished Alumni Awards: At homecoming each year, the Foundation partners with the Mariemont Alumni Association to recognize our exemplary alumni through the Distinguished Alumni Award. This award is given to one or more individuals each year who graduated at least 10 years ago and have notably distinguished themselves in some aspect of their life. This year’s honorees are Susan Davis-Ali (Class of ’82) and Jim Verdin, posthumously (Class of ’55).
FAB Affair: Who doesn’t love a good party? We certainly do! In partnership with the Mariemont Arts Association and the Mariemont Boosters, the Foundation is proud to host the FAB Affair, an annual fundraiser for the district. Save the Date: This year’s event will be held March 9 at The Summit!
How can you help?
What we do is important. Our efforts require resources, including the generous contributions of many. We are fortunate to have so many generous donors step forward to support us in our mission. If you’d like to learn more or contribute, please visit us at: http:// mariemontschoolfoundation.org/.
Schools Letters to the Editor Regarding the Upcoming Mariemont Schools Levy
This Letter to the Editor is in response to the letter printed on Page 13 of the September edition of the Mariemont Town Crier in which the Residents for Continued Excellence outlined the reasons (the continued offering of the same high-quality education, etc.) for their support of the Mariement Schools tax levy that will appear on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
Although that letter clearly defines the legitimate purposes for the funds that would be generated by this tax levy, the letter obviously omits the major financial impact of the levy that will result in thousands of dollars of increased tax liabilities to the residents of Mariemont, many of whom are senior citizens on fixed incomes and/or single-income residents.
reducing expenses, since this levy will provide a financial burden to all residents.
Linda Sawma, Mariemont Resident
soon as their kids graduate, the seniors who have vanished from the district, the challenge small businesses face when their rents escalate, and realtors steering buyers away from this over-taxed bedroom community.
There are many other creative and logical means for generating the needed funds, which have been utilized with great success by school administrators and parents whose children attend private educational schools for decades. The parents of those students, who expend considerable resources for tuition, are also routinely asked and expected to also participate in capital-generating campaigns in order to procure the needed additional financial resources, since governmental funds and tax levies are unavailable to private educational facilities.
The Mariement residents are so fortunate to reside in such a beautiful and safe location but the continued rising of taxes may eventually result in residents no longer being able to afford and/or justify that excessive expenditure and may also discourage potential new buyers from even deciding upon relocation to the Village.
I encourage the Mariemont Schools administrators and the voters whose children are and will eventually utilize those schools to seriously formulate an alternative plan, rather than this excessive tax levy, for generating the needed funds and/or to consider means of
To the Editor:
For the seventh time since 2000, the Mariemont City School District (MCSD) is asking taxpayers for more. This tired history depicts a continued process of ever-higher property taxes to support an ever-growing educational complex that, in the long run, is not supportable. Witness the families which quickly move on as
Property taxes for a typical residence in the Village of Mariemont (Terrace Park, Fairfax, and Columbia Township are slightly different, but very similar) are distributed as follows: Of the 79.4 mill effective tax burden, 54.4 mills (68.5%) go to the school district, with just under 8 mills going to the village, and the rest for other uses. The November MCSD levy requests an added 8.25 mills (exceeding total village receipts!). It represents a 10% increase in the overall property tax burden and a whopping 15% increase in the school district’s portion.
Though it performs well, the district needn’t place an ever-larger burden on taxpayers to continue its success. In reality it needs to take a hard look at how it uses its current funding and put efficiency ahead of extravagance. And no real progress can be made without controlling personnel costs. The latest MCSD five-year forecast shows that these exceed 70% of total expenditures.
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The high school renovation plan funds a number of expensive tweaks delivered largely by the same cast of companies which over-ran costs during the last major construction project. When watching the district’s film on the high school’s deficiencies, one is shocked to learn that such a massive renovation is deemed necessary for a facility which was brand new in 1970. Far less expensive options were rejected in favor of one which is exceedingly opulent. A business which squandered funds in this manner would long ago have ceased to exist.
Claiming that the excellence of the district is at stake is specious. History is proof. A May 2002 MCSD levy, requesting an increase of 9.95 mills, was soundly defeated. The district made budget cuts and was back in November 2003 with a new request of just 5.5 mills. It passed and the district operated for the next four years on a little over half of what it originally wanted, with absolutely no drop in quality.
Way Too Much is a political action committee made up of district residents and business owners, formed to offer principled opposition to the November MCSD levy. Recently you’ve been seeing our mailings, which highlight logical arguments against the devastating impacts of this new tax burden. You can review our points in more detail (and join our effort) at WayTooMuch. org. Constructive, engaging feedback through the site is welcome.
Finally, let me emphasize that we are parents, grandparents, and friends of MCSD students. Nothing would please us more than to have those same students achieve every success in their
Schools
academic and professional endeavors. Our plea to reject the levy is founded on a desire to preserve the high quality of MCSD instruction. But its spending trends, if continued, will be its undoing. And MCSD kids already have an abundance of the single most important factor for a successful educational outcome – caring, engaged parents. They really don’t need added extravagance to continue the excellence.
P.S. Over the past 26 years I’ve paid close to $200,000 in property taxes on those rentals without ever having any renter send a single student to an MCSD school. I believe those taxes entitle me to engage in any political process which so seriously impacts my investment. Higher taxes retard its value, just as it does for every other piece of real estate in the MCSD – family residences included.
Mark Temming, Treasurer, Way Too Much
Mark Temming lives in Indian Hill and owns rental property in the Mariemont City School District.
Dear editor:
This November 6, our schools are on the ballot for a critical levy that will ensure that existing services and programs can continue to be offered in our Mariemont City Schools. The funds will be used to retain existing staff who are needed to ensure that there are enough teachers to provide students with individual attention.
This ballot issue is important to provide
funding to the classroom. It is also important because it will address the needs at Mariemont High School — needs that are draining our district’s budget and our ability to remedy them. Specifically, in addition to funding existing services and programs, the levy will provide:
• New labs in Mariemont High School to provide students with advanced training in science, technology, engineering and math coursework
• Critical plumbing, roofing, heating and air conditioning replacements at Mariemont High School; and, safety enhancements in all district buildings to better protect students.
The levy contains two issues that are combined as one ballot issue. So, two issues but one vote. Why? Because both are needed and because the district cannot have one ballot issue without the other. Our schools need operating dollars for the classroom and facility dollars for the serious needs facing the district that are both draining their budget and that cannot be solved with their existing budget.
If the levy passes, we can ensure that existing services and programs can continue to be offered in our schools. If it fails, things get worse and not better. We only further delay the need, bring cuts to our schools and make it more expensive for everyone later with increasing construction costs.
We appreciate that the school district is being open and transparent about the needs facing our schools and that they spent years vetting the needs. They listened to our community. We also appreciate that they have communicated clearly as to what happens if the levy does not pass. What we face are not threats; rather, these reductions represent the fiscal reality facing our schools.
We cannot let our schools falter. Our support matters when our schools need us the most: At the ballot box. Please join us in voting #FORMariemontSchools in the Tuesday, November 6 election. Please join us in voting to ensure that existing programs and services can continue to be offered in our Mariemont City Schools.
Sincerely, Jill Welch, Mariemont Resident and Residents for Continued Excellence Co-Chair With Co-Chairs Jamie Overbey, Ry Naticchioni and Laura Organisciak
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center Autumn Art at The Barn
Haystacks of Enrichment at The Barn
FotoFocus at The Barn: A Free Lecture on The Photography of Nancy Ford Cones
Opening Reception: October 14, with refreshments, 1 – 4 p.m.
Dr. Ren Egbert Lecture: October 18, 7 p.m., with refreshments and slide show from 6-7 p.m.
Other gallery dates and hours: October 9-31. Tuesdays-Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; weekends 2-4 p.m.
Cowan’s
Roadshow at the Barn Returns
The Barn presents its third annual Antiques Roadshow with Cowan’s Auction. Cowan representatives will be at the Barn to evaluate artwork on Friday, November 9 from 9 a.m.-noon.
Registrants will have an opportunity to bring in jewelry, paintings, sculptures, vases, and other easily-transportable items for evaluation. Please note, this event will not provide an assessment for insurance, tax or estate purposes.
Please visit http://www.artatthebarn.org/ events-calendar/eventdetail/4696/-/cowan-sat-the-barn-art-roadshow for registration. $25 fee PER ITEM.
Jungle
Book kicks off another season of monthly activities for children
Bring only your bare necessities, please. The Barn and the Mariemont Preservation Foundation invite you and your little treeclimbing loved-ones to attend the season’s first live production of classics.
The Jungle Book tells the story of a boy lost at birth in the entangled vines of India. Adopted by a pack of wolves, the boy learns about greed, loyalty, and love, through the
squirmy antics of Baloo, Bagheera and that grumpy, but oh-so-lovable, Shere Khan.The presentation is brought to us by Off the Hill, a theatrical troop originated by Playhouse in the Park. More than 40,000 contributors of the ArtsWave community make this event possible.
The adventure begins at 10 a.m. on October 20. For reservations, please go to thebarn.cincyregister.com/mpp2018.com or call 513-272-3700. The Barn loves surprises, so feel free to swing in at the last minute. Admission $5.
Mark your calendars for the following Saturday morning events.
Nov. 17 Family Artmaking – Artist Beth Renick
Dec. 15 The Wizard of Oz – MadCap Puppets
Jan. 26 Cyrano – Cincinnati Playhouse Off the Hill
Feb. 16 Rosa Parks –CTC on Tour, a division of the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Mar. 16 Variety Puppet Show – Frisch Marionettes
Apr. 6 Family Artmaking - artist Beth Renick
May 18 Five Little Monkeys – Cincinnati Playhouse Off the Hill
ARTflix Presents Finding Vivian Maier—Change of Date!
The Barn presents Finding Vivian Maier on Tuesday, October 9.
at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in 2013.
Art educator Dave Laug will open the barn doors at 6:30 p.m. with a lively discussion and refreshments. BYOB.
The free film festival includes the following classics:
The Barn, also known as The Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center, is located at 6980 Cambridge Avenue, Mariemont, Ohio. Please visit artatthebarn.org or call 513-272-3700.
Finding Vivian Maier is an award-winning documentary about a French-American nanny in Chicago who dedicated her free time to the love of photography.The film documents how its producers discovered her work after her death in 2009 after buying her negatives at an auction. The film had its world premiere
Nov. 8 “The Monuments Men” (2014).
Dec. 13 “Loving Vincent” (2017). Van Gogh quilts will be available for viewing.
Jan. 10 “The Agony & The Ecstasy” (1965)
Feb. 7 “Words & Pictures” (2013) —A love story for February.
Mar. 14 “Rembrandt” (1936)
Apr. 11 “Camille Claudel” (1988)
May 9 Double Feature! “Matisse-Picasso” (2002) AND “A Model for Matisse”
Reservations: thebarncincyregister.com/ artflix. The Barn welcomes walk-ins.
Fall art classes at The Barn Drawing the Face and Hands with
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Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
Charlie Berger: Five Wednesdays beginning September 5-October 3 from 9 a.m.-noon. Skill Level: Intermediate, or Beginner with some experience. Graphite and charcoal. Each session with a professional model. Fee: $175 includes the model fee. Call 513-272-3700.
Drawing Bootcamp: Essentials of Good Drawing with Charlie Berger: Five Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. beginning September 6October 4. Classes are for beginners or those with little experience. Fee is $145. 513-2124679.
Drawing Mariemont: Landscapes and Adventures with Charlie Berger: Five Fridays beginning September 7- October 5 from 9 a.m.noon. Fee: $165. 513-212-4679
Mosaics with Sandy Caruso: Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. beginning October 9. Held in the Tack Room at the Barn in Mariemont. To sign up, go to the Art Academy Community Education page.
Pencil, Paint and Composition with Eileen McConkey: Tuesdays at Noon. 513801-7648 or Eileen.mcconkey@gmail.com.
Introduction to Creative Drawing and Painting with Dave Laug: Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m-noon. 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.) No sign-up required.
WACC Open Model Sketch: First and Third Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m., $10 for members, $15 for non-members—cash only. Deborah Ridgley at 513-259-9302.
Oil Painting with Jan Boone: Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1:15-4:15 p.m. $20 per class. 513-791-7044 or janwrites@fuse.net.
Acrylic Painting with Dave Laug: Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-noon and at 7-10 p.m. dvdlaug@gmail.com or 513-885-5284.
Drawing and Painting: Thursdays with Mary Lou Holt. 1:30 -4:30 p.m. 513-2263833 or marylou@marylouiseholt.com.
Watercolor Magic: Mondays now through October 29. 1-4 p.m. Please visit artatthebarn. org.
Japanese Caligraphy: Wednesdays from 7-10 p.m. Please visit artatthebarn.org.
Oil Painting with Jeff Morrow: Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. jeffmorrow@gmail.com or 937267-6868.
China Painting: Mondays now through October 22. 6-9 p.m. Please visit artatthebarn. org.
Graduate Pastels with Ray Hassard: Second and final Fridays of each month. 12-3 p.m. 513- 941-1116.
Mosaics with Sandy Caruso: Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., October 9 – November 13. Please call the Cincinnati Art Academy at 513562-6262. $173 (standard), $165 (seniors).
Sew a Library Tote: Thursday October 11 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Please visit artatthebarn. org.
Perfect Finishes: Binding Your Quilts: October 20 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please visit artatthebarn.org.
Foundation Paper Piercing with Dana Kuhnline: Saturday, November 3. Please visit artatthebarn.org.
Cincinnati Skyline Intro to Quilting: November 19 and 26 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Call 272-3700 for more info.
Keep the eyes of your needles open for additional sewing and fiber art classes— Coming Soon!
Ruthe Wyman Exhibit: State of the Art
The Woman’s Art Cultural Center, also known as The Barn, invites the community to attend the opening reception of State of the Art, an exhibition of the acrylic paintings of Ruthe Wyman, a resident of Florence. The reception occurs on November 2 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Woman’s Art Cultural Center in Mariemont, also known as The Barn.
Wyman, a member of the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati (WACC) expresses her
affinity for landscapes, seascapes and the sky with the vibrancy of color, texture and emotion.
“I continually explore color infused with electricity and eccentricity,” she said.
Wyman graduated with honors from Thomas More College (B.A. in Art), University of Cincinnati (M.A. in Art Education) and Northern Kentucky University. Her first career was teaching art to students of all grades at Williamstown Independent and Grant County High School. As a professional artist, acrylic painting has always been her preferred medium with an additional interest in mixed media. She is also a member of the Cincinnati Art Museum, a member of the Boone County Visual Arts Association and serves as publicity chairperson for the organization. Her work has been exhibited at numerous places including The Art Academy of Cincinnati, Carnegie Art Center in Covington, Northern Kentucky University, Nordheim Gallery, Artisans Enterprise Center and other galleries, art fairs and businesses in the region.
Wyman will also be presenting her work at an annual exhibit for WACC members held at the Eisele Gallery of Fine Art on October 19-November 17.
State of the Art runs from November 2 –28. The artist will provide hors d’oeuvres and wine. www.rwymanart.com.
Additional Gallery Hours: TuesdaysFridays, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Weekends, 2-4 p.m.
Did you know Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until arthritis made it too difficult for embroidery? She was 78 years-old. Moses, an American folklorist, produced more than 2000 paintings until her death at 101 years. You can see her cross-stitches in her work.
Village Government News
Due to the considerable length and intricate nature of most Mariemont Village Council meeting minutes, and the desire to inform residents of as many council and committee issues as possible, the Town Crier will no longer run full council minutes. Instead, we will attempt to include summaries of council and committee meetings that may have occurred during the previous month. Complete agendas and minutes for ARB, Council and Planning Commission can be found on the Village website at www.mariemont.org. Video recordings of most full Council meetings are available at www.icrctv.com/community/mariemont. You can also request that agendas and minutes be emailed directly to you by contacting Sue Singleton in the Village administration office at ssingleton@mariemont.org.
Regular Council Meeting – August 27
An update was given from Assistant Fiscal Officer/IT Administrator Elissa Wendler. Mrs. Wendler said she is trying to button down where service comes into the building and how it is distributed throughout the building and to also get it cheaper. Right now the ongoing issue has been wiring into the new addition. Cincinnati Bell is coming next week to install Telco and an electrician will fix wiring. She also believes MITS is better than activating the CMI tax accounting module. They are hoping to move the Tax Department next week.
Council accepted a contract presented from Cincinnati Bell for a new phone system for the municipal building.
Mr. Maddox Moon was presented with a letter of recognition from the Mayor’s office for bringing the matter of a hole in the sidewalk to the attention of the Village, in which he fell and broke his arm. He commended the council for fixing the hole, and members of the council signed his cast. Council member Palazzolo was nominated and accepted as President Pro Tem of Council.
Mr. Brown gave a brief update on the Steam Plant. He was contacted by Mr. Heines’s attorney regarding the property boundary dispute. Brown believes that they need to get the surveyors together to dispute the northern edge of the property, and we also need to enter into a contract with Terracon to help us with the
Village Government
final plans whenever they are submitted by Mr. Heines. Instead of originally building a wall at the toe of the hill, he now wants to do a swale around the hillside which would divert the water to a retention pond on the eastern side of the property. It was agreed by Council to have the Village Engineer contact Terracon.
Ms. Palazzolo asked the Council and the Mayor to have the new Village Council member sworn in after the election at the special meeting in order to address the contract for Chief Hines, and the mayor agreed.
Mayor Policastro referred the matter of the post retirement contract for Chief Hines to the Committee of the Whole. After discussion it was decided to have a Committee of the Whole meeting after the Planning Commission meeting.
Special Council Meeting- August 28
The purpose of this meeting was to fill the vacancy of Troy Hawkins. Six candidates were on the ballot, and they were heard in alphabetical order. Those candidates were: Rob Bartlett, Bill Brown, Michael Cain, and Charles Kronke. Mr. Sean Jordan and Craig Waltz were not in attendance to speak.
After many residents shared their support for various candidates, Mr. Rob Bartlett was elected by the Council to fill the vacancy.
Committee of the Whole Meeting August 30
Vice-Mayor Palazzolo called the meeting to order to discuss the post retirement contract for Police/Fire Chief Rick Hines. The contract has been reviewed by Solicitor McTigue. There has been one change to add Article IV ‘Option to Renew’ which reads “Employee shall have the option to renew this agreement for an additional two (2)-year term under the same terms and conditions, or on modified terms and conditions, as both parties would otherwise agree. It would allow time for training for a replacement for Chief Hines. Chief Hines currently does not have a contract and has been deferring his pension with Ohio Police & Fire. He can only do that for so long, before he would have to retire and leave the pension system or go on a contract. All the benefits he receives now will stay the same. He will continue to pay into his pension but it will be put in an annuity and the Village will continue to contribute as well. Vice-Mayor Palazzolo will
Council Representatives
Rob Bartlett robbartlettcouncil@gmail.com
Bill Brown wbrown1750@gmail.com
Avia Graves agraves@mariemont.org
Maggie Palazzolo magpal00@gmail.com
Kelly Rankin kellrankincouncil@gmail.com
Mary Ann Schwartz maschwartz@mariemont.org
Mayor: Dan Policastro mayordan1@gmail.com
prepare a report for the next Council meeting.
Village Engineer Ertel reported that the road construction to correct the flooding issues on Homewood Road has been delayed due to the Village receiving inaccurate information from Duke Energy. When the construction began, they discovered that the gas line was not where Duke Energy originally claimed it was, and instead was in the middle of an area that needs to be excavated. To proceed with the project an additional $15,950 needs to be allocated. A flier has been distributed to Homewood residents.
The Village received a request from Rumpke to ask permission to change their service days from Monday and Tuesday to Tuesday only, which was referred to the Public Works and Service Committee.
Get Your Luminaria Kits Before They Are Gone!
Luminaria is December 1, and Luminaria kit order deadline is quickly approaching. Don’t be the only house on your street “left in the dark”! Place your order online at www.mariemontppg.com/ luminaria or use the order form located inside this Town Crier edition. Let’s let this year be our brightest, yet!
By Rex Bevis
Mariemont Village Council Selects Two New Council Representatives
Due to recent resignations of seated council representatives, Mariemont Village Council acted swiftly to fill the openings. In a special council meeting on August 28, 2018, council voted to add Rob Bartlett to fill the unexpired term of Troy Hawkins who resigned in July due to his relocation to Chicago. The term of this council position is through December 2021.
Bartlett was selected from a group of six candidates who had filed for the open council position. No stranger to the community, Rob Bartlett was born and raised in Mariemont and graduated from Mariemont High School in 1981. His wife Linda also was raised in Mariemont and is a Mariemont High School graduate. The Bartletts have three adult children.
Bartlett spent 27 years working for Procter & Gamble, mostly in finance and accounting, retiring in 2014. Now a Certified Financial Planner, he works with other ex-P&G finance people at a financial planning firm in Blue Ash helping individuals achieve their financial and retirement goals.
Bartlett has been following council activities and attending council meetings frequently since his retirement from P&G. He states “I felt that it was time for me to start giving more of my time to the Village. I feel honored to have been chosen to be on council.” Bartlett gets his commitment to service honestly: mother Marty Bartlett
previously served on Village Council for 12 years! Bartlett volunteered a few of his focus areas as he joins council:
• Leverage his finance experience for the betterment of the Village.
• Create more opportunities to involve Village residents. “We have a lot of very talented people here, and I would like to try to tap into more of the experience and knowledge that exists here.”
• Assist in cleaning up our Village Code of Ordinances, which other Mariemont Council representatives and our Village Attorney have described as out of date and sometimes inconsistent.
He may be contacted at robbartlettcouncil@ gmail.com. Welcome to Village government and thank you for your commitment to serve.
At a second special council meeting on September 4, 2018, Village Council selected Bill Brown to fill the unexpired term of Eric Marsland, who resigned in August. The term of this council position is through December 2021. Brown was also chosen from a group of six candidates who had filed for the open council position. As with Rob Bartlett, Bill Brown is no stranger to the community. Brown and his wife Debbie have lived in Mariemont for the past 34 years. They have an adult son Ted and all three are Mariemont High School graduates. Brown received a BBA Degree in Finance from the University of Cincinnati before starting and owning an interior design firm in Hyde Park for over 30 years.
Bill Brown has previously served almost two
Girl Scout News
years on Village Council so he is quite aware of the responsibilities of the council position. He also has previously served on both the Village of Mariemont Architectural Review Board and the Village Planning Commission. During his previous term on council, Brown served as Chairman of the Economic Development and Zoning Committee and was a member of both the Finance and Safety Committees. Brown is also a Trustee of the Mariemont Preservation Foundation. Additionally, he has been very involved in the Village Municipal Building Expansion, explaining, “As part of a State of Ohio grant, and to help create the Native American Cultural Center, I have been working with Dr. Kenneth Tankersley from the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Anthropology to acquire artifacts for display in the Center housed in the new Municipal Building addition.”
• Brown suggested that the following would be a few of his priorities on council:
• Assist our business community and aid this important part of our community.
• Strengthen our Village Building Code and work to maintain the unique and original design aspects of our Historic District.
• Monitor the development currently underway at the old Steam Plant location.
Bill Brown may be contacted at wbrown1750@gmail.com. Welcome back to Village Council and thank you for your commitment to serve.
By Erin Kelly
Troop 49884
The Junior Scouts held a bridging ceremony in the Spring. The girls reflected on their past two years and they were recognized for the badges that they earned. The transition from being Brownies to Junior Scouts means they will be trying new experiences and learning new skills over the next couple of years. They are all ready for the next adventure!
Troop 47773
The Senior Girl Scout troop is ready for a new year! They reflected on the trip they took to Iceland this past summer and voted on leadership positions for the coming year. They also began to talk about the Gold Award, the most prestigious award for Girl Scouts. The Gold Award is about making the world a better place, and girls are challenged make lasting impacts on their communities.
Village
Teal Pumpkin Project
By Kim Smith
Last October, over 100 incredible Mariemont families made Halloween the most memorable evening for children with lifethreatening food allergies by participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project. We are extremely thankful to our neighbors for creating a safe, happy Halloween experience for our daughter, Parker, as we could not do it alone and we hope that you will consider participating this Halloween!
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project? A teal pumpkin by your door indicates that you have non-food items available (such as stickers, mini bubbles, etc.) which allows children with food allergies to trick-or-treat alongside their family and friends. You can keep candy and non-food items in separate bowls to help eliminate cross contamination concerns! Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project is meant to be in addition (not in place of) your favorite Halloween traditions.
Participating is Simple:
Display a teal pumpkin by your front door. You can purchase a Teal Pumpkin at Target, CVS, Michaels, or I am happy to provide one if you contact me directly (please see below).
Provide non-food items such as glow sticks, spider rings, bubbles, and tattoos (found in bulk on Amazon, Target, Walgreens, CVS, etc.). If you are also offering trick-ortreaters traditional candy, separate bowls are helpful.
Visit tealpumpkinproject.org to register your home on the map so that families with food allergies can easily locate your house (or if you’d prefer to notify me privately that you’re participating, I can share your address with Mariemont families directly).
To help encourage participation and make it as easy as possible, our family is more than happy to provide the non-food items to pass out, teal pumpkins and more information if you are interested. Please send me an email at
kimdonovansmith@gmail.com or text at 513708-8990 and we’ll drop off supplies!
Our goals are to promote inclusion, increase awareness of food allergies, but most of all to show Parker and other children with food allergies that we are so very lucky to be in a community with neighbors that help keep each other safe. Thank you for your consideration!
Village Worship Services
Mariemont Community Church
Mariemontchurch.org
Denis Beausajoir, Senior Pastor
Paul Rasmussen, Worship Pastor
Leslie Seetin, Children’s Director
Mariemont Community Church welcomes you to their Sunday services, held at 9 a.m.
and 11 a.m. at the Parish Center building, 3908 Plainville Rd.
Coming Up:
Women’s Ministries – The Women’s Ministry has a Brunch with the women of New Mission Missionary Baptist Church on October 13, 11 a.m.-2:00pm at 4809 Ravenna Street, Cincinnati, 45227. RSVP to Lynn Robinson lcrobbie5@aim.com
Men’s Ministries - The men have a Men’s Retreat, Friday-Saturday, October 5-6 at Higher Ground Retreat Center in Indiana. Theme: Where Hope is Found. Cost: $75, may apply for scholarship. Contact Rob Seetin rjseetin@gmail.com.
Ongoing:
Weekly Prayer Meeting – Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. Joy Women’s Luncheon – Second Wednesday of each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Family Shop Sale – Second and fourth Saturdays of each month, 9 a.m.-noon.
All activities are held at the Parish Center, 3908 Plainville, unless otherwise noted.
Village Church of Mariemont
Villagechurchofmariemont.org
Todd Keyes, Pastor Jamie Keyes, Children’s Ministries
The Village Church of Mariemont (VCM) invites you to bring a friend or neighbor and join them for worship services each Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Mariemont Memorial Stone Chapel on Cherry Lane. Children’s Sunday School for pre-K through 6th grade is provided, during the service, at the VCM
Village
building, 3920 Oak St. (corner of Oak and Maple), just a block from the Chapel.
Current Sunday Sermon Series:
Join us through November for “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat!” Have you ever wondered how to discern God's purpose for you? Ever wonder what it means to live by faith? Do you have fears in your life that you want to conquer but don›t know how? This series will guide you to overcome fear by following Christ's call so you learn to live the life God intended for you!
Coming Up:
Teen Fall Fest – Calling all teens! Grab a friend and join us at Niederman Farm for hayrides, a corn maze, a campfire, and hot dogs and s’mores. October date TBD. Contact Jamie Keyes at 271-4464 for more info.
Ongoing:
Adult Education Series – Each Sunday, 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the VCM sanctuary at the
corner of Oak and Maple Streets. Our current series: The Christian Worldview: How Should We Then Live? (based on the book series by Francis Schaeffer).
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Men’s Breakfast – First Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. in the VCM fellowship hall.
Whiz Kids – Weekly after-school reading program at Mariemont Elementary. Anyone interested in tutoring a child in this program please contact Jamie Keyes at jamiekeyes6@ gmail.com
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
