O c t o b e r 2 0 2 3 • M a r i e m o n t, O h i o • Vo l u m e X LV I I I , N o . 2
Saluting Christina L. Beatty: Mariemont’s Outstanding Citizen 2023 By Pete McBride Earlier this year on May 29, Mariemont preserved a worthy civic tradition that goes back 40-plus years by presenting its annual Mariemont Outstanding Citizen Award (sometimes referred to as “Citizen of the Year Award”). Previous recipients include: Nicholas Bachsheider (first recipient; 1982), Millard F. Rogers, Jr., Peggy Keyes, Sharon Bevis, Rex Bevis, Don Policastro, Mary Beth York, and Don Keyes. For a complete list, visit administration@mariemontpreservation.org; keyword search: Citizen Awards. This year’s long-overdue and richlydeserved recognition was awarded to long-time Mariemont resident Christina L. “Chris” Beatty for her extraordinary service to the Village over several decades. Chris and her late husband, John (aka “Jack,” who regrettably passed away earlier this year), lived in Mariemont for more than 50 years. They raised four children here, including daughter Aileen (still a Mariemont resident) who delivered an elegant tribute to her mom at the award ceremony, sons Patrick and Colin, and daughter Cathleen (deceased). Chris’ leadership roles, initiatives, accomplishments, and contributions to our Village and beyond have been many and varied, including - to name just a few: • Mariemont Preservation Foundation (MPF) Trustee (1995-2001) • Served with Millard Rogers as coordinator of the Village’s 75th Anniversary of incorporation (2016) Commemorative and Renewal, a project that facilitated several large projects, including: • Restoration of the Boathouse to be
used as a meeting place and nature center • Construction of the John Nolan Pavilion at the historic Madisonville Site • Repairs to and illumination of all Village cupolas • Restoration and landscaping of the Old Town Square • Development of nature trails in Dogwood Park. A monumental task, with nearly a million dollars raised for completion of all projects. • Village Council representative for the Fifth District (1996-97) • Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee, which revised and update Mariemont’s building and zoning codes. • MariElders board member • President of the Cincinnati Montessori Society • Recognized for her contributions during the Millard F. Rogers’ Lecture Series- “Celebrating Women” (2019) • Donated her time as a United Way volunteer and as a docent at the Taft Museum
Chris receiving the 2023 Mariemont Outstanding Citizen Award.
Chris is a former Montessori teacher for grades 5-8, with Master’s degrees in psychology and education. So, in keeping with Mary Emery’s vision, Chris also focused her energies and passion on enriching the lives of Village children by enhancing the former Preschool Parents playground and developing a curriculum and presentation tools that are still used by MPF docents to introduce Mariemont Elementary School students to our Village’s history.
Chris has been a long-time advocate for improving the condition of buildings in the Historic District. She served as chair of MPF’s Historic Properties Committee, advocating for tenants, pushing back on housing ordinance violations, and even creating an information booklet for tenants. She also organized seasonal “Green-ups” to preserve the appearance of the lanes behind that district’s housing groups. At this year’s Memorial Day award ceremony, Chris’ daughter, Aileen, recalled her cont'd on page 4
