Shillito’s Elves Return to Mariemont
By Suzy Weinland
The spirit of the holiday season comes alive once again as the “Shillito’s Elves” interactive wonderland returns for another year in Mariemont. This enchanting Christmas display, proudly presented by the Mariemont Inn, takes visitors on a captivating journey into the heart of Santa's Workshop.
Those who grew up in Cincinnati may recognize parts of the original SantaLand display! In 1979, Shillito’s Department Store in downtown Cincinnati put over 130 animated figures, created from scratch by local talent, into 10 interior scenes, 7 storefront windows, and more than 20 other merchandising windows throughout the store. This holiday tradition continued for many years, drawing visitors from near and far.
Visitors to this year’s magical display will be transported into a realm of holiday enchantment where 60 of the original Shillito’s
Elves are set in 14 largely original, animated scenes of Santa’s Workshop. Discover elves sorting out letters to Santa in the mailroom, working hard to craft toys, and loading toys
onto Santa’s sleigh to deliver on Christmas Eve. A few new scenes are planned for this season as well!
This unique holiday experience is very similar to the original walk-through SantaLand and blends newer technology with the timeless charm of Christmas traditions. There are also designated photo spots throughout where visitors can capture memories with friends and family.
New this year is a scavenger hunt and raffle. Grab a card upon entry to Santa’s Workshop, shop or dine at two participating Mariemont businesses (they will stamp your card), and then redeem the card at the front desk of the Mariemont Inn for a free Santa’s Workshop keychain as well as to be entered into an end of season raffle.
Bill Spinnenweber, owner, expressed his excitement, stating, "This holiday display is
cont'd on page 4
Mariemont Featured in Ohio Historical Connection’s Latest Issue of Echoes
By Suzy Weinland
Early last summer, the managing editor of the Ohio History Connection’s magazine, Echoes, reached out to the Mariemont Town Crier because he had heard about our Centennial and was interested in promoting upcoming events. I shared all the Centennial celebrations and projects that were planned, talked about the unique annual events, offerings, and groups within the community, and suggested they do a feature on our wonderful, planned Village.
I then looped in Town Crier writer,
MPF volunteer and then councilman Matt Ayer, Councilman and Vice Mayor Randy York, and Mayor Bill Brown. With everyone’s help, Echoes writer K.M Stammen crafted a beautiful tribute to Mary Emery that was just published in Echoes’ Nov.-Dec. 2023 issue. The publication also ran a piece on the building of Mariemont itself, which was originally published in SAH Archipedia by the Society of Architectural Historian’s and University of Virginia press. With permission from the Ohio History Connection, please enjoy “A Brighter Sun: Mary Emery’s Planned Community” at bit.ly/ mariemontechoes
The
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Shillito’s Elves (from front page)
a labor of love that combines the magic of Christmas with the technology of animation. We're delighted to bring the historic Shillito's Elves back into the spotlight, ensuring the spirit of the season shines brightly for all to enjoy."
Little ones are encouraged to bring your letter to Santa and mail it in the elves’ oversized mailbox. “With special holiday magic, this enchanting mailbox can whisk all letters directly to Santa’s mailroom at the North Pole, where busy elves sort bags and bags of letters,” says one of Santa’s helpers. You can download, print and fill out an official Santa’s Workshop Letter to Santa from the Santa’s Workshop website.
This display is wheelchair accessible. For more information on the display and scavenger hunt, or to keep tabs on latest news and possible weather-related closures, visit:
• thesantaworkshop.com
• Facebook @thesantaworkshop
• Instagram @shillitoselves
Location: 6940 Madisonville Road (Across from the Mariemont Inn)
Date: November 24 - December 30. Closed on Christmas Day. Extended days the week leading up to Christmas.
Time: Thursdays and Fridays from 2 - 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ticket Information: Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.
Village
Valerie Crow Kreimer
Mariemont Connector Updates
Council Member Matthew Ayer and Village Engineer Chris Ertel, P.E. prepared a Q&A document to answer questions received from residents concerning the Mariemont Connector Project. The Q&A is focused on the segment from Miami Road east to the terminus where the path will connect behind Mariemont Library to ODOT’s Columbia Connector Project. The Village has received an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Clean Ohio Trails Fund Grant along with the local match from private donations to complete this segment in 2024. Please visit the Mariemont Connector page at mariemont.org to read the full Mariemont Connector Q&A, to access archived studies and plans as well as to view the proposed Miami Rd. intersection improvements. Comments and questions are welcomed at info@mariemont.org.
Mariemont Junior High Cross Country and other teams routinely use the shared use path for training.
Holiday Collections, a Garland Family Tradition
By Mary Beth York
Each holiday season, the phrase “the hostess with the mostest” is a spot-on praise of lifelong Mariemont resident Sandra Garland! Sandra’s home is as warm and welcoming as her smile, and her beautiful Christmas collections are sweet reminders of time-honored holiday traditions.
During her 27 years as a member of the Garden Club of Mariemont, she has graciously hosted the annual Christmas Tea eleven times! And her impressive collection of 697 Christmas Trees and nearly 200 Santa Clauses solidifies her as being the Garden Club member with the most Christmas collectibles.
baskets are left in place and dressed up for the holidays with all sorts of trees; many include Sandra’s favorite bird, the Cardinal.
Sandra refines her collections by editing out the less desirable pieces. New purchases are then limited to ongoing collections, such as redware and salt glaze pottery Santas, or specific artists, such as David T. Smith and Eldreth Pottery. She keeps records of the treasured objects holding her memories and includes notes of which child or grandchild is deemed the future owners, to carry forth her traditions.
As for those traditions, they can sometimes evoke a range of emotions and memories. Sandra shared that the Garland Family adds a Red Cardinal ornament each year to one specific tree in memory of a family member that passed away. This
tradition of collecting Cardinals provides comfort and family unity. And the revered Garland tradition of counting trees and Santas is enjoyed by the family as well as guests.
Who will win bragging rights among the ladies of the Garden Club? Good thing this Town Crier issue comes out after the Christmas Tea so as not to spoil the highly contested seek and count tradition!
In preparation for her December entertaining, Sandra spends a week in early November to unpack the 18 boxes of decorations. Working room by room, she creates new groupings and displays, or she recreates old favorites by referring to photos. The cozy Shaker home décor compliments her handmade Christmas collections of quilts, mini punch needle art, a felt mitten ornament tree, and a very special tabletop tree of over 30 needlepoint ornaments representing the years of friendship with each crafter.
Each vignette is planted with lots of bottle brush trees ranging 1 to 6 inches tall, leaving no space untouched. Heavy crocks and
“Over 80 Years of Service”
Village
Sandra Garland with her holiday mantle collection
Hoosier cabinet displays trees and needle punch art
Community
Mariemont DAR Chapter Participates in Veterans Day Ceremony
By Sarah Hartkemeier
In honor of Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, the American Legion Northeast Post 630 of Blue Ash, in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Mariemont Chapter, lead the effort to mark all veterans' graves at Hopewell Cemetery in Montgomery on Saturday, November 4.
It was a great day, weather wise, to place American flags on veterans' graves from throughout history at Hopewell Cemetery. There was a ceremony, a veteran poem, and a prayer lead by the American Legion NE Post 630. Instructions were given on placement of flags along with saluting to the veteran and thanking them for their service.
Officers of the Mariemont DAR Chapter who participated in this event included: Regent Mary Jo Holohan, Recording Secretary Sharon Conrad, and Historian/Librarian Sarah Hartkemeier. Approximately fifty volunteers came to assist in placing of the flags. There are about four hundred veterans buried at Hopewell Cemetery, some dating back as far as the Revolutionary War.
For more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution Mariemont Chapter, visit genmarker.com/DAR/
Pictured L-R: Mariemont DAR Chapter members Sarah Hartkemeier, Mary Jo Holohan, and Sharon Conrad.
Schools Astronauts, Celebrities Spotted at Mariemont Elementary Halloween Parade
Photos by Steve Spooner mariemontstuff.org
Mariemont Elementary School has a time-honored fall tradition that the entire community looks forward to each October – the ME Halloween Parade. Students in grades pre-K through 6th grade don funny, scary, beautiful, and unique costumes, while teachers typically dress up according to a grade-wide theme.
While we couldn’t find an exact start date for this fun tradition, ME’s Mrs. Fiorina (fourth grade) shared that she's been doing it for 21 years and it was there before she was. A long-standing tradition for sure! Thank you to Steve Spooner (mariemontstuff.org) for capturing this year’s ME Halloween Parade fun!
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Pre-schoolers (bottom left), Kindergarteners (above), and First Graders (bottom right)
Second Graders (top left), Third Graders (top right), Fourth Graders (middle left), Fifth Graders (middle right), and Sixth Graders (bottom left). See if you can spot the following: Wednesday Addams, Michelangelo, Two (2) Harry Potters, Two (2) Astronauts, and Five (5) Taylor Swifts!
Dogwood Park Centennial Plan Evolves
By Randy York
The Mariemont Centennial Committee held two public meetings on September 13th and October 26th to present proposed plans to update Dogwood Park. The presentation was organized and conducted by the Kleinger’s Group who have been contracted by the Village to prepare the plans.
Following the September 13th meeting, a survey was announced in the October edition of the Mariemont Town Crier, posted on the Village website, and announced to Village email subscribers. Based on the 241 responses, the plans for Dogwood Park have been updated.
The seat wall at the entrance plaza has been eliminated. An entrance feature can be added later that may match the other stone entrances in the Village (Plainville Road and Hopkins Park). Kleinger’s is working on options to reposition the handicapped parking near the playground. The original plan required the removal of a large heritage street tree; the revised plan would provide that no street trees or heritage trees in the park be removed. The parking lot at the south end of the park would be redesigned to provide a one-way entrance and exit and provide a drop-off point. The footprint of the parking lot would be reduced while still bringing the parking lot up to code.
To-date, $540,000 has been raised that is designated to Dogwood Park. In September, the Village was awarded a 90% matching grant to construct a sidewalk along Dogwood Park from Mariemont Avenue to Wooster Pike. The Village has applied for a Land & Water Conservation matching Grant that could fund up to $500,000 for the park, and there are
Village
Snip, Snip, Hooray!
By Margaret Jevic
Just shy of 50 trees have been pruned over the last few weeks in the Village. This dormant season, Districts 2, 4, and Wooster Pike will be the main targets of this round of pruning. Tree Board members donning safety vests, pole saws, loppers, and can-do attitudes have been out and about clipping away and answering many of your questions about what we are doing and how you can join us!
It has been a pleasure to interact with residents and have fruitful conversations about the Village trees and the importance of the work that is happening. The type of pruning we are doing is young tree training and structural pruning. Our primary focus is young tree training, which is when we prune trees younger than about 15 years old in such a way that we encourage growth that will be favorable for strength, longevity, and their environment adjacent to a road or sidewalk. Ultimately, we are looking at the future growth habit of the tree and want to set it up for success.
Structural pruning for our juvenile trees older than about 15 years old means we are pruning limbs to correct issues that may not have been addressed in the past, like co-dominant leaders, low branches interfering with pedestrian or road traffic, or branches we anticipate growing into buildings or other structures in a couple of years. Our mature trees are also getting some gentle limbing up and crown cleaning as needed. Our job is to make sure we have enough sidewalk and road clearance to protect both traffic and the tree - anytime a tree branch gets hit by a truck, it damages the wood and creates a place for rot to set in.
To serve our trees best, juvenile tree pruning will ideally take place on an approximately 3-year cycle, and mature tree pruning every 6 years. When we are out there, we are making cut decisions knowing we won’t see that tree again for a few years. What can look a bit extreme right now will fill in with time and help prevent issues in the future.
Tree Board members have been trained extensively by ODNR and are certified to prune Village trees. Village trees are any trees that fall within the right of way (ROW) of the Village, which is mostly the strip of grass between the street and sidewalk, or in the case of no sidewalk, typically 5-10 feet into a front yard. So, while a tree may appear to be on someone’s personal property, it is located in the ROW and you will likely see a Tree Board member out pruning it in the near future.
We have had many questions about this from residents, and rightly so! This is not obvious information. Any street tree is the property of the Village and cared for solely by the Village. We know you may want to grab your loppers and help us out, but please refrain. Many trees in the Village have some significant needs and we are working as diligently as we can. We appreciate your patience and grace as we work through certain areas this winter. We are a fun bunch of people and would love to talk with you and teach you about what we are doing and whyso come on out if you see us near your house!
Pruning is incredibly important for the health of our urban forest and we are always looking for volunteers. No experience, tools, or prior knowledge necessary - we will train
you! All you need is a can-do attitude and a love for our trees. We work on flexible timelines and volunteer availability. The more hands we have, the better we can serve the Village. If you are interested in helping with pruning, or in any capacity with our tree board, let us know at mariemonttreeboard@ gmail.com. Each member of our group has a different skill set, we’d love to tap yours!
Centennial Tree Receives Special Plaque
Back in April, in celebration of Arbor Day and Mariemont’s Centennial, a Northern Red Oak was planted at the corner of Wooster and Oak St. It has grown to nearly 15 feet tall and is settling into its forever home as one of our Village’s special canopy trees. This November, the tree was honored with a plaque describing its species and significance for posterity.
Special thanks to Larry Gray and David Middleton for selecting the boulder and plaque, and for arranging every detail. And thank you to John Scherpenberg and Kevin Schmid with the Village service department for placing the plaque.
Larry Gray (L) and David Middleton (R)
Pictured, L-R: Bob Faelton, Kristin Van Scoy, and Mary Beth York prune trees along Miami Ave.
Support Student Achievement, Become an MAA Patron Schools
By Dr. Anastasia Nurre, MAA Membership Chair
As I write this article, the Mariemont High School fall play is just a week away. The Layover is the most recent in a number of fall and spring plays that showcase the talent of Mariemont School District students. Participation in the play, as well as district chorus, band, orchestra, and visual arts programs goes well beyond a fun display of local skill.
As an art history educator at the college level, I begin classes by citing research regarding the benefits of studying and participating in the arts. Scholars from many disciplines agree that students with arts backgrounds develop critical thinking skills, empathy, creativity, and perhaps most
surprisingly, heightened test performance and subject comprehension. For example, visual and performing arts experiences in elementary, junior high, and high school can equate to increased public speaking ability, compassion for differing perspectives, heightened ability to read and interpret the written word, and enhanced abstract thinking skills leading to strong problem-solving ability.
Musical education is equally impactful on district students. The study of rhythm and timing is proven to help students understand essential concepts related to the study of objects and ideas in space and time, which translates to increased test scores in math. In addition to improving educational outcomes, study of music along with other types of arts increases self-esteem and confidence. These
benefits are not limited to students with a natural inclination to the arts. Studies are increasingly showing that study of the arts and application in academic classrooms can help students observe detail and remember information in core subject areas.
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MAA (from previous page)
Those of us with children in the arts are well aware of the passion and dedication that it takes for our students to succeed in artsrelated fields. Just like our district athletes, our arts students are constantly practicing their crafts, taking risks in the public arena or on the stage, and experiencing successes and failures. Each experience builds the resiliency and creative problem-solving skills needed to succeed in a complex, increasingly visuallyoriented world. What may be a surprise is that these experiences also impact academic achievement. Every student, regardless of skill, benefits from arts programs, starting in kindergarten.
As a third-year volunteer for the Mariemont Arts Association and parent of two children in the Mariemont School District, I’ve come to believe that the strong administrative and community support of arts education is one of the things that sets us apart from other districts. Many community members likely connect the Mariemont Arts
Schools
Association with high school performances and plays. But the organization contributes to student achievement beyond the high school level in every corner of the district.
MAA regularly funds visual arts classroom supplies, instrument tuning, props and costumes for junior high and high school plays, additional pit musicians, and specialized instructional assistance. Graduating seniors have the opportunity to apply for yearly scholarships dedicated to honoring achievement in the arts and supporting continued participation at the
college level.
Those of us at the Mariemont Arts Association hope that you will add your support to district achievement by supporting MAA as a patron. With your help, we can continue to help the arts, and by extension academics, thrive in Mariemont District Schools.
To join, please visit mariemontschools. org/MariemontArtsAssociation. Follow MAA on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/ mariemontartsassociation
What’s Happening at the Mariemont Branch Library
December 2023
All Ages
Celtic Harp: Holiday Roots — Thursday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.
Nancy and Frank Bick Clark engage the audience with songs of the season on Celtic harp with light percussion. Presented by Creative Aging Cincinnati. No registration necessary.
Magic Show with Tom Bemmes — Thursday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.
Children
Library Babies — Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories, and movement. Ages birth to 18 months.
Preschool Storytime — Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Ages 3-6.
Toddler Storytime — Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Encourage emerging language skills with books, rhymes, music and fun. Recommended for ages 18 – 36 months. Movers & Shakers — Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
You and your child will shake it together! Sing, dance, and enjoy music, movement, and fun. Ages 1-4.
Winter Holiday Spectacular presented by May Festival MiNiS — Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.
Discover holiday traditions through MUSIC, connecting with diverse cultures, and celebrating the spirit of unity. This program engages, entertains, and educates children of ALL abilities in music education.
Coding Club — Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m.
Learn to code with new games and challenges every month. Laptops are supplied and no prior coding experience is needed. Recommended for ages 8-12. Registration required. Legos @ the Library — Saturday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m.
You bring your imagination, we bring the LEGOs. Show us what you can build and connect with other LEGO enthusiasts.
Teens
New! Teen Advisory Board — Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
Help create library events, displays, and projects as well as guide the library's approach to teens.
Adults
Saturday Morning Coffee Club — Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.
Taste-test a variety of local Cincinnati coffees to determine your new favorite blend, meet some new friends, and take time to unwind from a busy year. No registration necessary.
Mariemont Mystery Book Club — Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Join us for lively discussion of A Test of Wills by Charles Todd. Copies available at the branch. Book Club — No Bookclub in December. See you in January!
Library hours are 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Mariemont Branch Library, 3810 Pocahontas Ave. 513-369-4467
Season of Gratefulness Community
By Erin Rothfuss, Marielders Executive Director
In this season of gratefulness and generosity, the MariElders thanks you for your continued support. Because of your support of our levy, this year we played Canasta, practiced yoga, spiked volleyballs, and learned about Medicare. We toured Raptors, Inc., snacked at the Dilly, listened to the Symphony and enjoyed Graeter’s. You’ve likely spotted our MariElders van full of restaurant goers, Kroger shoppers, and medical appointment goers.
In this next year we will learn, play, support and go even further! We will learn about renovations to help us stay at home, enjoy the Playhouse, eat Muffins with the Mayor, play Bridge and volunteer together.
As you enjoy your holidays, MariElders is a hub of holiday goodies as well. The Kiwanis Nuts are back! You can purchase them here, or at the school concerts. This year, Servatii’s Holiday cookie tin is available here at MariElders for the same price as the store. You can order them here by December 15 and pick them up December 20-22nd. MariElders
will receive a portion of the proceeds. We also have Christmas cards and Mariemont Church ornaments for sale at the Center.
We welcome you for a visit, MondayFriday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Find us online at marielders.org, or give us a call at 513-2715588
Marielders’ driver Kim Flick gives a ride to Mariemont resident Charles Short.
Village
State Leaders Recognize Mariemont’s Centennial, Support Capital Campaign
By Suzy Weinland
As Mariemont marks its 100-year anniversary of breaking ground as a model
planned community, many projects have been planned, undertaken, and a few completed. There have been private fund drives, grant applications, and assistance from
various community and state leaders to help Mayor Brown, Village Council, Centennial Committee, and Mariemont Preservation Foundation continue Mary Emery’s dream as well as build on it.
The Village of Mariemont contacted the Ohio Governor's office, Representative Denson, State Senator Ingram, and Congressman Landsman early on concerning grants and programs to support the Village’s infrastructure needs, park upgrades, and special projects – all a part of Mariemont’s Centennial Capital Campaign. The Centennial Committee also sent them information about our Centennial celebrations and invited them to visit our Village.
Congressman Landsman, State Senator Ingram, and Representative Denson visited the Village in 2023. The Ohio Senate, House and Governor’s Office then bestowed three separate proclamations that recognize Mariemont’s Centennial and applaud all that our Village leaders and community members do on a daily basis to not only keep Mary Emery’s dream alive, but to build on it for future generations.
Mariemont Council Member Randy York commented, “They have all been incredibly helpful and, as these resolutions indicate, they are genuinely interested in the Village of Mariemont and are generous with their guidance and support.”
Proclamations are being framed and will be hung in the Village Municipal Building.
Community
J Lux Lash is Open For Business
By Kim Beach
Jennie Maiden is a young entrepreneur with big dreams! Jennie grew up in Oak Hills, on the westside of Cincinnati, and has made her way to the eastside to pursue her business passion. She studied at Paul Mitchell The School where she became a licensed cosmetologist. As a younger woman, Jennie was always interested in the beauty industry, specifically with makeup and lashes.
It was Jennie’s giving spirit that brought her to Fairfax and her current location. She was helping a pregnant homeless woman and had connected with someone in Mariemont to pick up free baby bottles for her. As she drove through Fairfax in 2020, she noticed the strip center with vacancies and thought it might be a perfect location for her business.
Jennie started J Lux Lash several years ago and was operating in a suite at Salons by JC in Rookwood. She was very specific about the attributes she wanted for her own salon: ample free parking, storefront, high traffic, and a safe environment. The location
at 6006 Wooster Pike in Fairfax seemed to fit all her needs, so she signed a lease and began to build out the interior. The salon finally opened in July of 2022, and she has been happy with the response of the local community.
Jennie thinks her biggest opportunity will come from increased awareness of the location to grow her clientele. She is also interested in growing her “team” so she can
service more clients. Her success comes from “not having the option to fail,” Jennie says. She is motivated to succeed by her 6-yearold son Jax. Her favorite activities include “kid stuff” like visiting pumpkin patches and sporting events. As a self-proclaimed “coffee junkie,” Jennie’s favorite spot in Mariemont is Starbucks in the square. She mentions coffee as the one thing she can’t live without!
Her clientele’s ages range from 20s to 60s with services including lashes and brows. Jennie’s dream project is to own her own salon suites where she would have spaces for massage, hair, nails and lashes. She thinks “J Lux Lofts” has a nice ring to it!
Jennie lives in Delhi but is thrilled with her new J Lux Lash location in Fairfax. At home, she enjoys time with Jax, her boyfriend, and her red mini-poodle, “Sunny.” She would like to encourage everyone to stop in for a service and is offering a gift card special for the upcoming holiday season ($5 off a $100 gift card). You can book an appointment online at j-lux-lash.square.site or call 513915-2545
J Lux Lash Team member Olivia Dirr (left) and Owner Jennie Maiden (right)
Annual Fund Drive Supports Students Schools
By Megan Okun
The Mariemont School Foundation (MSF) invites you to participate in our most important event of the year, the Annual Fund Drive. It is because of the generosity of families like yours that the Mariemont School District will be able to continue its long history of academic excellence. Please consider a gift to benefit our children and our community. Gifts of ANY size are important in providing an enriched environment for our outstanding school district. Our united effort is more critical than ever before.
MSF is an Ohio nonprofit corporation exempt under Code Section 501(c)(3) that was formed in 1996 by a group of committed parents and residents of the Mariemont School District (the District) who realized that the District could not afford to support
important initiatives that could enhance the educational experience of our children.
MSF serves as a centralized way to provide financial support to the District to fund educational initiatives and extra-curricular programming that fall outside the District’s annual budget, including:
• Warriors Beyond programming at all campuses
• World language instruction and the Explorations program in our elementary schools
• Friday Expeditions programming for
• Master classes and Intersessions for the high school
• District-wide initiatives, such as:
o Life and Leadership Series focusing on issues of wellness, college readiness, and careers
o Scholarships and Special Funds to support individual student needs and travelbased programs, including Camp Kern (elementary), the Washington DC trip (junior high) and the Global Leaders Summit (high school).
In addition, MSF in the last two years has expanded its support to provide expanded mental health resources for the District’s students at all school campuses, as well as to fund new resources that can be used at the discretion of our teachers, including 3-D printers and the star-gazer labs (in partnership with the PTO). These initiatives
MSF (from previous page)
hopes to continue to expand the offerings so that every child who is educated through the District has access to both the resources they need and extra offerings that enhance their educational journeys.
How can you help? Our efforts require resources, including the generous contributions of our District families who are in a position to give. Every gift enhances the educational experience the District is able to offer to its students. Thus, we invite you to GIVE to the MSF’s Annual Fund Drive. Donations can be made via our website at www.mariemontschoolfoundation.org/ annual-fund-drive or you can mail a check to MSF at 2 Warrior Way, Cincinnati, OH 45227.
Happy Holidays from the Girl Scouts!
By Ellie Haynes
The Mariemont Girl Scouts had a great fall and can’t wait for winter! Twelfth-grade Troop 40829 had a busy November with the Wreath Sales at the Boy Scout Tree Lot.
Each November they spend days decorating, labeling, and organizing wreaths for the sales.
This is sadly their last year of leading this festive fundraiser, but they are elated to hand it down to the next generation of Girl Scouts. These girls also volunteered for Our Daily Bread, which gives meals to locals in need. The girls want to thank the community for all of their support with the wreath sales this year; they love seeing houses adorned with their wreaths during the holidays.
Short-Form Memoir Writing One-Day Workshops Sundays from 1 to 3:30 PM at e Barn in Mariemont
Barbara L. Morgenstern, Esq. facilitated by b@mymemoirgroup.com Info & Registration mymemoirgroup.com — A Creative Holiday Gift — for a special someone or yourself All skill levels welcome
Nov 12, Nov 19 Dec 10, Dec 17 $50 each workshop
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
Happy Holidays from the Barn!
Thank you to our supporters!
The Barn features new professional leadership, an action-oriented Board, a remarkable, historic facility, and a host of loyal supporters. In 2024 you will find us scheduling more classes and exhibits, offering more children’s programs, and presenting concerts and dramatic events at our historic location at 6980 Cambridge Avenue. The Barn is committed to serving as an active, visible
the designated colors for the challenge. After judges chose 186 quilts from 386 entires, the quilts were separated into three traveling exhibition collections. — East Side, West Side, and Ambassadors. They will travel to more than 20 venues through the U.S. and Canada.
The exhibition runs from Dec. 8-17. Hours include: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m and weekends 1-4 p.m.
part of the Tri-State region. We hope you will support us during this exciting new year with your attendance donations to our Annual Giving Campaign.
Just in time for the winter chill
The Barn is pleased to sponsor Cherrywood Fabric’s annual international quilt show.
The Cherrywood Fabrics’s Graffiti Art Quilt Challenge, co-sponsored by Mistyfuse®, asked fiber artists to capture this graphic art form using eight of the company’s hand-dyed fabric colors for their creations. After the announcement, artists, had about six months to design and create 20-inch square art quilts, which look and feel like suede, using only
Next November, The Barn will bring the Caterpillar and Chrysalis collections of the Cherrywood Fabrics MONARCH Exhibition to the Tri-State region.
The Woman's
Art Club of Cincinnati’s 2024 Signature Member Exhibition & Sale
ART is opening with a reception on Sunday, February 4. The public is invited to attend from 1-4 p.m. Come and enjoy lively conversations and nibbles with the artists. The exhibition continues through Sunday, February 25. Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m- 2 p.m. and on Saturday – Sunday 1-4 p.m. Closed Monday.
This exhibition draws works from the Woman’s Art Club’s nearly 100+ members who have achieved Signature Status as artists through a jurying process. They are passionate about art — creating it, enjoying it, celebrating, and sharing it — it all comes together here. For more information and updates about this exhibition visit womansartclub.com.
Artflix: Thursday evening entertainment
Each month, The Barn presents ARTflix: Exploring Art and History through Film. The big Barn doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the films begin at 7 p.m. The Barn provides door prizes, soft drinks and snacks. BYOB. Please join us for discussions before and after the movies.
The 2024 season includes the following films.
January 11 - The Horse's Mouth: Sir Alec Guinness Art Adventure. (1958) An illbehaved, lovely, scruffy painter, Gully Jimson, searches for a perfect canvas determined to let nothing come between himself and the realization of his exalted vision. (Courtesy of IMDb.com) (97 minutes)
February 9 - The Moderns: A Valentine's Month Art Mystery
March 14 - Death and The Maiden: Egon Schiele
April 11 - Vox Populi: (The "Peoples” Choice)
May 9 - Shirley: Edward Hopper Brought to Life
June 13 - Seraphine: Maid Servant Blooms Into An Artist
July 11 - Artworks: Art Forgery Mystery
August 8 - Self-Medicated: A Film About an Outsiders' View of Art
Community
Mark your Calendars
Hog Heaven 24: May 8-14, 2024. A show and sale comprised of the work of 16 regional oil painters, called The Hog Bristle Painters.
Classes
For a complete list of classes, go to artatthebarn.org
All you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.
~ Pa Bailey
“It’s
a Wonderful Life” (1946)
The Barn (from previous page)
Village
Village News
• Leaf collection will continue through the week of December 18th. Thank you for raking leaves to the curb and helping to keep leaves out of the streets! For more information, please visit mariemont.org
• Thanks for a great turnout at the polls last month! Congratulations to Mayor Bill Brown and Council members Marcy Lewis and Robert Van Stone! The following local issues passed: Proposed Ordinance Gas Aggregation, Proposed Ordinance Electric Aggregation, Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Current Operating Expenses Village of Mariemont, Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Marielders, Inc.
• Luminaria & Tree Lighting: December 2nd, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Please check mariemont.org for additional details.
• Our favorite Shillito’s Elves have returned to Mariemont from the North Pole! Check Santa’s Workshop website for hours, location, and more information: thesantaworkshop.com
• Join us in wishing a very happy retirement to two longtime employees in our Service Department: John Scherpenberg and Kevin Schmid. The Village will host a retirement party on Dec. 14th, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., in Council Chambers at 6907 Wooster Pike. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited to stop by and send them off in style!
• Rumpke now makes it easier to recycle more plastics! To see the list of “acceptable hard-to-recycle plastic items,” go to mariemont.org and click on the “Trash & Recycling” icon at the bottom of the
home page. Then scroll down and look for “Guidelines for Waste & Recycling Pick-ups.”
• Offices will be closed for the holidays on December 25 and January 1.
Miami Road Intersection Improvements
The Village is studying how to optimize the Miami/Indianview/Hiawatha/Rembold/ Murray/Lytle Woods intersection for traffic calming and user safety for the Mariemont Connector crossing.
A public meeting was held Nov. 16th in the Mariemont Elementary Cafeteria, where the public was invited to chat with the Village Engineer Chris Ertel and traffic engineers from Choice One Engineering as well as view the concept drawings and description of the proposed plan.
Concept drawings and description are now posted on the Village website at mariemont.org. You can also offer suggestions or email for more info to info@mariemont.org.
Council Representatives
Mayor Bill Brown mayor@mariemont.org
Rob Bartlett rbartlett@mariemont.org
Susan Brownknight sbrownknight@mariemont.org
Matthew Ayer mayer@mariemont.org
Marcy Lewis mlewis@mariemont.org
Kelly Rankin krankin@mariemont.org
Randy York ryork@mariemont.org
Community Village Worship Services
Mariemont Church mariemontchurch.org
Jamie Moore, Lead Pastor
Paul Rasmussen, Worship Pastor
Amanda Fletcher, Student Ministry Director
Katie Smith, Kingdom Kids Director
Mike Brownfield, Director of Operations
Renee Brownfield, Preschool Director
Nancy Clausen, Office Manager/Communication
Join us for our Christmas Eve services on December 24 at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. There will be no Sunday morning services on Christmas Eve.
Sunday Morning Services at 9 and 11 a.m. Livestream of services is at Facebook.com/Mariemont Church; our website: mariemontchurch.org; and YouTube: www.youtube.com/ MariemontChurch.
Current Sunday Series: The Book of John and connecting with Jesus.
Kingdom Kids Sunday School takes place for infants (nursery) through grade 5 during both Sunday morning services at 9 and 11 a.m. Contact Katie at katie@ mariemontchurch.org for more information.
Next Chapter Youth Group for junior high and high school (Grades 6-12) meets during the 11 a.m. Sunday service and on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Contact Amanda at amanda@mariemontchurch.org for more information.
Next Chapter Youth “Hangouts” for connection, community, games, food, and fun happen every 4th Thursday of the month.
Women’s Ministry: Worship, prayer, connection and community. Grow closer to God and in relationship with other women at Mariemont Church, in the Parish Center, 3908 Plainville Rd.
• JOY in the Morning Bible Study: Tuesdays from 9:15-11:30 a.m.
• Evening JOY Bible Study: 1st/3rd Mondays 7-8:30 p.m.
Weekly Worship Opportunities: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10-11 a.m. in the Parish Center Sanctuary. Join us for worship, prayer, and ministry time. All are welcome! Come for a few minutes or stay the whole time.
For more information about events at Mariemont Church or to learn more about our church, contact Nancy Clausen at nancy@ mariemontchurch.org or 513-509-3030.
Village Church of Mariemont villagechurchofmariemont.org
Todd Keyes, Pastor Jamie Keyes, Children’s Ministries
Remember that Christ is the reason for the season! We invite you to worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the historic Mariemont Memorial Stone Chapel. We also livestream all our services at facebook.com/ VCMChurch.
We are a small church with a big heart. We strive to be a Christ-centered caring community, providing relevent teaching from the Bible and authentic relationships In today’s fast-paced world, we offer a place to slow down, connect, and build lasting friendships.
Our Kidz Connection program is a fun way for children (Nursery to 5th Grade) to learn about the birth of Jesus at Christmas time during our Sunday morning worship services – 9:30-10:30 a.m.
In our December Sunday Series: The Advent of Christmas, we will focus on the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Jesus at Christmas. Sunday, December 17th we will perform a Nativity play during our 9:30 a.m. service. See our website for more information.
VCM Christmas Eve Service will begin at 4 p.m. Step back in time for a celebration of Christmas with carols by candlelight surrounded by the old-world elegance of the Memorial Chapel. There will be no Sunday morning service on Christmas Eve.
Sharing and Caring for Others
• Holiday Canned Food Drive – We will be collecting dry / canned goods in the entryway of the Chapel on Sunday mornings during the holiday season and distributing them to families in need.
• Christmas Giving Tree – This tree will be in the Chapel entryway on Sundays and during Luminaria night. Take an ornament from the tree and give a gift to the needy children of Compassion International. Be a blessing to others this Christmas!
Women’s Bible Study meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. in our Oak Street Fellowship Hall. Check our website for more information.
Men’s Lunch Discussion meets weekly. Contact Pastor Todd if you have interest in this study at toddkeyes@ villagechurchofmariemont.org
For more information about these and other events or to learn more about our church, visit our website at www. villagechurchofmariemont.org or contact Pastor Todd Keyes.
