February 2024

ARTS & CULTURE | COMMUNITY | PHILANTHROPY

February 2024

ArtsWave chairs

Lisa Sauer & Jon Moeller Playhouse ‘Dracula’ director Joanie Schultz Polly Campbell: delights of second-best choices

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Movers&Makers February 2024

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Publishers’ Letter 4 Arts/Culture 6 ‘Moby-Dick’ art at NKU 6 New artistic model at May Festival 6 Music venue replacing Coney Island attractions 7 ‘Dracula’ director Joanie Schultz | By David Lyman 8 A/C List 10

The Datebook 17 Social calendar with a spotlight on the movers and makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s fundraisers, friend-raisers and community events.

FOCUS ON: Corporate Philanthropy P&G’s Jon Moeller and Lisa Sauer | By John O. Faherty 20 Notable corporations in philanthropy 22

Nonprofit News 23 Names in the News 25

Gifts/Grants 27

Barbara Moran, resident since 2017 Gladys Cox, staff member since 2001

Snapshots 29 4C Champions for Children 29 $400K for Cancer Family Care 30 Adopt A Class celebrates two decades 31 Opera’s gala a B&W masquerade 32 CABVI dines in the dark to bring awareness 33 Designer transformations boost New Life Furniture 34 Kenzie’s Closet celebrates founders, students 35 Nutcracker Luncheon supports Ballet 36 TQL event raises $150K for Learning Grove 38 AFP presents five awards on National Philanthropy Day 39 Community Action Agency honors partner agencies 40 Support Community “Stronger Than Cancer” 42 Improv helps ERS in Gathering for Good 44 CYC installs Hall of Fame for helpers 46 Make Camp Possible earns $140K 48

The Last Word 50 Polly Campbell: Surprising delights of second-best choices On the cover: Lisa Sauer and Jon Moeller, photo by Helen Adams

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2024

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PUBLISHERS’ LETTER

I

n the coming weeks, the annual ArtsWave campaign will begin, with a fundraising goal of approximately $12 million to support some 150 area arts organizations. This year’s campaign chairs are Jon Moeller, CEO of Procter & Gamble, and his wife, Lisa Sauer, former senior vice president at the company. John Faherty interviewed the couple about their reasons for taking on this role and the extent to which they, personally and corporately, value the arts. Learn their perspective on Page 20.

Joanie Schultz has the “best job” as associate artistic director of Playhouse in the Park. She tackles Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” in the Rouse Theatre this month in her mainstage debut. Find out more about Schultz on Page 8, what she loves about making theater, and what makes her such a popular stage director among actors, courtesy of David Lyman.

You’ve heard of second chances. Polly Campbell believes in the power of second choices. Check out how one special teenage summer gave her new appreciation for making the most out of any situation. Page 50.

Are you a planner? No better way to see what events are coming up than to peruse our arts & culture listings, Page 10, and Fundraisers Datebook, Page 17. We remain the most comprehensive resource in the region for both.

If you haven’t yet done so, we invite you to subscribe via our website to our free weekly email blast in which we highlight upcoming events and why they are worthwhile.

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And please join us as we rekindle our series of monthly happy hours in February. Because we know all you lovebirds will be celebrating each other on our usual second Wednesday (Valentine’s Day), please join us the night before, Feb. 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. New location this month: The Summit Hotel just off Red Bank Road in Madisonville. (Thanks to the Kinley Hotel for hosting in 2023!)

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Full 2024 schedule available at: www.moversmakers.org/publishing-schedule © Copyright 2023 Movers & Makers Publishing We make every effort to verify information submitted for publication (print and online), but are not responsible for incorrect information or misidentified photos provided to us.

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Experiencing O’Dell Again BENEFITTING DR. O’DELL MORENO OWENS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Join us for an evening to experience the legacy of physician, leader, educator, and lifetime member and founder of The Metropolitan.

FEBRUARY 24, 2024 7-11 PM THE METROPOLITAN CLUB Featuring dueling DJs with dance music from Motown to now, dynamite dinner-by-the-bite, and signature cocktails to benefit the Dr. O’Dell Moreno Owens Scholarship Fund at the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation.

Tickets $150

Tables $1,000

Owens championed hope and change in our community and his untimely passing in 2022 left a huge void. With an eye to the future, the Dr. O‘Dell Moreno Owens Scholarship Fund awards renewable scholarships to African American and Hispanic students’ seeking workforce certifications, associate or bachelor degrees.

Produced by Experiencing O’Dell Again Steering Committee: Chris Owens, Taylor Oswald; Jamila Watson, FedEx; Robert Lamothe, Commonwealth Seed Capital; Mario Nocero and Dalen Wess, Uninhibited Hospitality Group/Honey; Anthony Bradford, AM Titan Group; Dr. Kimberly Luse, Strategic Ethical Solutions; Stephanie Byrd, American Red Cross of Central & Southern Ohio Region; Whitney O’Neal CFRE, Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation; James Johnson, Holly Hill; Valentina Moreno-Cheek, Valentina’s Baskets; and Doug Bolton, The Metropolitan.

ARTS/CULTURE

Arts/Culture NKU adds to whale-sized ‘Moby-Dick’ art collection Northern Kentucky University’s collection of artworks interpreting Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” recently became considerably larger thanks to a donation of 66 pieces by artist Aileen Callahan.

NKU is adding the charcoal drawings to its Special Collections section inside Steely Library on the school’s Highland Heights campus.

Prior to Callahan’s gift, the collection already featured more than 200 works depicting the mammoth white whale or other elements of the 1851 book. Existing pieces came from artists such as Robert Del Tredici, Matt Kish and Vali Meyers.

NKU believes the campus is now likely home to the largest collection of art inspired by the literary classic at any college or university.

Robert Wallace, NKU regents professor of English, is a leading expert on “Moby-Dick” and teaches courses studying the book’s inclusion in various artistic medias. “(They are) unique for their ability to convey the shape, texture, force, finesse and symbolism of the skin of the whale through abstract patterns of charcoal on a white paper ground,” Wallace said of Callahan’s pieces.  nku.edu

“Red Fire,” a charcoal and mixed media drawing Aileen Callahan donated to NKU

After 150 years, May Festival adds annual festival director

“Matchmaking,” a sweet forbidden romance about tolerance and love, opens this year’s Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, Feb. 3 at Memorial Hall.

Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival returns this month The long-running Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival returns in February with a range of films showcasing unique Jewish and Israeli stories.

Events run from Feb. 3 to Feb. 29. The lineup features nine in-person and four virtual screenings, as well as several short films. Virtual showings and companion special features will have a 48-hour watch availability.

Most films offer optional supplementary programming.

That includes conversations with directors as well as local experts on issues covered in the films.

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FEBRUARY 2024

The Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival dates back to the 1988 Israeli Film Festival in honor of the 40th anniversary of the state of Israel. Today, the stated goal of the festival is to let Greater Cincinnati residents experience thought-provoking stories from Jewish filmmakers from around the world.

None of this year’s films have a rating, but Mayerson JCC described them as suitable for mature audiences only. More details are available on the organization’s website and in M&M’s online datebook.  mayersonjcc.org

Movers & Makers

The Cincinnati May Festival has for this one last round of concerts. announced Pulitzer Prize-winning Matthew Swanson was recently composer Julia Wolfe will be its named to succeed Porco after this inaugural festival director for the year’s festival. The festival will pay tribute to Porco’s 35-year tenure upcoming season. with a community celebration For the first time in the event’s March 23 at Music Hall.

150-year history, the festival has Porco is also one of four conducadded an annual festival director.

The festival tors to lead the director, drawn May Festival from a variety of Chorus and CSO artistic disciin this year’s plines, will be performances, engaged each year in addition to to “offer fresh Teddy Abrams, perspectives and Stephanie Childress experiences that infuse the Festival and François with artistic López-Ferrer. innovation and Featured soloists include exciting new colsoprano Camilla laborations,” according to a May Tilling and tenor Composer Julia Wolfe Nicholas Phan.

Festival release.

Ensembles include Bang on a Can Executive Director Steven All-Stars, the Lorelei Ensemble, the Sunderman said the goal is to Steiger Butte Singers of Chiloquin, “invigorate all aspects of artistic planning and preparation” through Oregon, and the May Festival the close collaboration between the Youth Chorus.

Full event details are available artistic leads. on The May Festival website and in In this new role, Wolfe will M&M’s online arts listings. work closely with the director of  mayfestival.com choruses, Robert Porco, who will prepare the 140-voice ensemble

ARTS/CULTURE

CSO/MEMI plan music venue at former Coney Island site Coney Island closed for good on New Year’s Eve to make room for a new $118 million music venue owned by a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

CSO and Music & Event Management Inc., known as MEMI, acquired all assets of the Kellogg Avenue amusement park and pool owned by Coney Island Inc. The newest East Side entertainment venue will feature a best-in-class sound system, topend amenities and an adaptable seating arrangement, including dynamic standing areas that cater to diverse concert-going preferences. CSO President Jonathan Martin promised the facility would have “architectural significance.”

“Now, with CSO’s historic success with Riverbend and PNC Pavilion, we are creating an expanded music, arts and entertainment campus for the region to drive artistic excellence and innovation as well as the local economy,” Martin said.

Preliminary venue designs remain in process.

CSO and MEMI set a target opening date of spring 2026.

Shuttering Coney Island closes a chapter on one of Greater Cincinnati’s oldest entertainment

destinations. The amusement park opened in 1886 and added Sunlite Pool in 1925.

Beyond the park’s closure, the move may impact the future of Summerfair. The fine arts and crafts festival has taken place at Coney Island off and on since 1977.

Summerfair announced shortly after the announcement of the park’s ensuring closure that it was looking for a new home.

MEMI responded it was in talks with Summerfair’s operators about the future of the event.  memi.biz

Cincinnati Early Music Festival returns after 4-year absence Southwest Ohio is once again a showcase of pre-1750 classical music thanks to the relaunch of the Cincinnati Early Music Festival.

Catacoustic Consort started the festival in 2014.

After one of its founders, Annalisa Pappano, relocated to Germany, Christopher Wilke stepped in for 2018 and ran the event until the COVID-19 pandemic.

After a four-year absence, Krista Cornish Scott and Erin Krista Cornish Scott Sigmund decided to spearhead the relaunch of the festival.

“Welcoming people into a space that traditionally has been the realm of academics and professionals is a labor of love,” Cornish Scott said. “I’m thrilled to see both the return of familiar faces and opportunities for new enthusiasts.”

This year’s schedule features at least 14 concerts.

Performances include beloved works from the Medieval, Erin Sigmund Renaissance and Baroque periods at churches and venues across the region.

The first official event is Feb. 2 at Northern Kentucky University’s Greaves Concert Hall – a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” by harpsichordist Michael Delfin.

A complete list of events is available on the Cincinnati Early Music Festival website and the M&M online datebook.  cincinnatiearlymusicfestival.org

Preliminary renderings of the future CSO/MEMI music venue at the former Coney Island site

20 2023-2024

Learn More!

20th Anniversary Season

David Briggs February 18, 2024 3:00pm Silent Film (King of Kings, 1928) with improvised organ accompaniment

Hyde Park Community UMC | 1345 Grace Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45208

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2024

7

ARTS/CULTURE

‘Dracula’ director Joanie Schultz

By David Lyman

Mythic possibilities and hope

Y

ou can be forgiven if Joanie Schultz’s name doesn’t ring a bell.

She’s the associate artistic director at Playhouse in the Park. The job is enormous, overseeing the day-to-day operations of artistic operations, as well as leading the Playhouse’s new play development. But she isn’t the face of the Playhouse. That’s producing artistic director Blake Robison.

Besides, Schultz arrived in Cincinnati in late 2021. It was a curious time. Just weeks after she got here, there was a huge spike in COVID cases and many of us went back into hiding.

Meanwhile, just as Schultz was trying to settle into her new job, the Playhouse was preparing to raze the theater’s mainstage, the old Marx Theatre, and start producing shows away from its Eden Park home.

Indeed, the first Playhouse show that Schultz directed – “Frida … Self Portrait” – took place at The Carnegie in Covington. It would be a year and a half after she arrived before Schultz directed a show on one of the Playhouse stages – the world premiere of “Origin Story” in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. And it turned out to be a particularly memorable production – thoughtful, humorous and filled with quirky characters. It was one of those rare shows that, when it ended, you wished there was another act.

After the opening night performance, one of the Playhouse’s largest longtime benefactors – who asked to remain anonymous – turned to me and said, “This is one of the best shows I’ve seen at the Playhouse in years.” I had to agree.

Now, Schultz is preparing to make her Playhouse mainstage debut with “Dracula,” a collaboration with her “Frida” collaborator, Vanessa Severo. The show opens Feb. 8 in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.

Perfect timing “To be honest, I had never met Joanie when I called her to talk about the position,” Robison said. “I knew of her by reputation. I knew that she was a very accomplished member of the Chicago theater community. But would we see eye to eye? Would we even get along? I had no idea.”

Robison’s timing was perfect.

“After the pandemic shutdown, I was 8

FEBRUARY 2024

Movers & Makers

Joanie really makes a rehearsal room a truly collaborative space. As an actor, you always have a say in what you’re doing. You have no idea how rare that is. Joanie Schultz, associate artistic director at Playhouse in the Park

Photo: Joe Mazza

completely unemployed for the first time in my life,” said Schultz, who had started teaching online to make ends meet. “Then, Blake called.”

A few years earlier, she’d had a bumpy experience as artistic director of a theater in Texas.

But after speaking with Robison, she thought perhaps it was time to give arts leadership another try.

“He sounded like such a good guy on the phone,” she recalled. “I called a few people who had worked with him. I wanted to know if that was really the case. There are a lot of artistic directors who are much more ego-driven and hard to get along with. But everybody who had worked here as a director said they thought he was the real deal.”

From Robison’s point of view, she has been a boon to the Playhouse. Because of Schultz’s stellar reputation in Chicago, she has opened the Playhouse up to a pool of actors and directors that had seldom been drawn on before.

“She brings a different community of actors to the Playhouse,” Robison said. “The stereotype is that Chicago actors are emotionally raw.

Think of those scene-chewing superstars from Steppenwolf,” he says, invoking the name of one of Chicago’s best-known theater companies, a place where Schultz has worked often. “In my experience, Chicago actors are deeply devoted to the stage.”

– Actor Amira Danan

It’s no coincidence that, in the last 18 months, the Playhouse has employed far more Chicago actors than at any time since Robison arrived here in 2012.

Besides, the job sounded like everything she might want.

“I spoke with Michael Haney about the job,” said Schultz, referring to the man who was the Playhouse’s associate artistic director from 2002 to 2013. “He said that associate artistic director is the best job in the American theater. I get to run the artistic part of this theater – for the most part – yet I don’t have to be involved in most of the really hard stuff that Blake has to do, like working with the board and fundraising and staff management.”

Getting hooked early Schultz’s first brush with the stage was when she played Belinda Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol.” She was 6 years old and was working in a community theater in Aspen, Colo.

“I fell in love with the theater right then,” she said. “The people, the being backstage, the getting to know everyone. That really hooked me. I was the big drama kid from then on.”

Schultz stopped the conversation for a moment. She knew what it sounded like when she said she was raised in Aspen.

“I usually avoid telling people I’m from

ARTS/CULTURE knowing one another. It’s about the characters knowing one another before you – the audience – wander into the room.

It’s very hard to achieve on the stage. It has to begin in the rehearsal room.

“Joanie focuses on building an ensemble,” Danan said. “It’s such an important part of the process of rehearsing. It is often overlooked because you have such limited time. But not with Joanie. She creates such a light in the room, such a sense of freedom. She really is the best.” 

Joanie Schultz at a rehearsal

Aspen,” she said. “Because we were really poor. We just happened to be in this place which happens to be rich.” Besides, she pointed out, technically they lived in a suburb called Emma, a place mostly devoid of posh condos and overpriced restaurants. Rather, Emma is home to Red Eagle Roofing and Two Roots Farm and a medium-sized auto graveyard. “Down Valley,” they call the area.

“When I was a kid, I thought I was going to be a writer or an actor,” Schultz said. “Meanwhile, I was making plays at recess and telling everybody how we should do it. I had no idea that girls could be directors. It never occurred to me.”

In high school, she would play Winifred in “Once Upon a Mattress” and – “the highlight of my career” – Sister Sarah Brown in “Guys and Dolls.”

The turn toward directing But while attending Columbia College in Chicago, one of her professors – the late Sheldon Patinkin – pulled her aside after class one day.

“He said, ‘Has it ever occurred to you that you’re a director?’”

Schultz started crying. She was sure he was saying she wasn’t good enough to pursue a career as an actor. “He said that sometimes the way I talked about plays in class, I sounded more like a director than an actor.”

She’d directed a couple of plays in high school. But she’d never

really considered directing as an option.

“And now, I love it so much,” she said. “I love looking at all the pieces and helping put them together. I love helping people come together as a team and getting the best out of them. I love seeing the big picture and creating worlds. It’s such an honor to have people come together and to create rehearsal rooms where people can be vulnerable and try things. It’s never about my big old vision.”

On Schultz’s website, she describes her upbringing and philosophy this way: “I was raised by psychic hippies in Colorado and was taught that magic is real and that utopia is possible. These values have found their way into all of my work; my productions are full of mythic possibilities and hope, and my rooms are inclusive, collaborative, and invite a diversity of viewpoints to create a collective genius. I have a generous spirit and quiet confidence that encourages those I work with to bring out their best, and a discerning eye to distill that into a unified production.”

When I read that description to Amira Danan, who played the leading role in “Origin Story,” there was an audible sigh on the phone line.

“I can say without hesitation that Joanie is my favorite director,” Danan said. “Sometimes, directors can make the rehearsal space difficult for an actor. But Joanie really makes a rehearsal room a truly collaborative space. As an

actor, you always have a say in what you’re doing.”

Then, almost as an afterthought, she added: “You have no idea how rare that is.”

Watching “Origin Story” you could almost sense that. Too often, you see plays where the acting may be good, but a sense of ensemble is lacking. In the best of plays, you have a sense that the characters you are watching have a history together. It’s not about the actors

Playhouse in the Park

‘Dracula’ Directed by Joanie Schultz Preview performances: Feb. 3, 6 & 7.

Opening night: Feb. 8 Runs through March 4.

513-421-3888. cincyplay.com

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The A/C List Also online at moversmakers.org ARTS/CULTURE | The List

Cultural Exhibits/Tours American Legacy Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 859-951-8560. americanlegacytours.com Weekly. Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour • Hidden Caverns Tour Saturdays, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. Newport is Haunted • Covington Haunted & Historic Tour Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. 1919 Baseball Tour • Inside Cincy’s Arts Fridays & Saturdays, 11 a.m. & Sundays, 2 p.m. Newport Gangster Tour Saturdays, 1 p.m. Cincinnati Wine and Dessert Tour Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour • The Nightmare on Elm Street Haunted Tour

Fridays, 2 p.m. Sandwich and Suds Tour (Washington Park) Saturdays, 11 a.m. Signature Over-theRhine Tour (Findlay Market) Saturdays, 1 p.m. Walnut Hills Food and Drink Tour • Hyde Park Food and Drink Tour (Hyde Park Square) Fridays, 11 a.m. & Saturdays, 3 p.m. The Original Findlay Market Tour. Learn more about Findlay Market.

Cincinnati Museum Center | Union Terminal, Queensgate.

513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org Feb. 18-July 28. Pompeii: The Exhibition Cincinnati Observatory | Hyde Park. cincinnatiobservatory.org Oldest professional observatory in the United States

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. americansignmuseum.org Permanent collection

Cincinnati Type & Print Museum | Lower Price Hill. cincinnatitypeprintmuseum.org Permanent collection of equipment, tools and artifacts

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. bcmuseum.org Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky

Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale.

513-281-4700. cincinnatizoo.org Friday-Sunday thru March 15, 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Penguin Days

Brewing Heritage Trail Tour Center | ​ Over-the-Rhine. 513-604-9812. brewingheritagetrail.org Sundays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 2 p.m.; Built on Beer Tour Wednesdays & Fridays, 2 p.m. & Saturdays, 10 a.m. Over & Under the Rhine Tour Saturdays, noon & 3 p.m. Cincinnati Brewing & Distilling Tasting Tour Cincinnati Fire Museum | Downtown.

513-621-5553. cincyfiremuseum.com Permanent collection Cincinnati Food Tours | Findlay Market. 513-602-5602. cincinnatifoodtours.com Sundays, noon. Beyond the Market Tasting Tour (Findlay Market) Mondays, 10 a.m. Cincinnati City Tour (Findlay Market) Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour (Findlay Market) • Findlay Market Mini Tour (Findlay Market) Fridays, 1 p.m. The All-American Food Tour in Pendleton (Ziegler Park)

10

FEBRUARY 2024

Once a staple of the ballet repertoire, this setting of the “Don Quixote” legend by Edward Minkus returns after several decades to Cincinnati Ballet, Feb. 16-25.

Accompanied by the CSO.

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2787. friendsofmusichall.org Indoor tours of Cincinnati landmark Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664. police-museum.org Permanent collection Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center. 513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibitions regarding the Holocaust Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. lloydlibrary.org Permanent exhibit. George Rieveschl Jr.: History of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Milford Historical Society | Milford.

513-248-0324. milfordhistory.net Permanent exhibit. Historical displays of art, artifacts and more.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks, downtown. 513-333-7500. freedomcenter.org

Movers & Makers

Permanent collection exploring themes of individual freedom

deladancecompany.org Feb. 23-March 2. “DanceCincinnati24”

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting | West Chester.

513-777-0027. voamuseum.org History of Voice of America anti-propaganda program

Northern Kentucky University | Greaves Concert Hall, Highland Heights.

859-572-5464. sota.nku.edu Feb. 16-18. Dance ’24

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. 513-221-1875. csm.huc.edu Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience”

Dance Cincinnati Ballet | Music Hall, Over-theRhine. 513-621-5219. cballet.org Feb. 16-25. “Don Quixote” College-Conservatory of Music | Cohen Studio Theater, University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu Feb. 29-March 2. Student Choreographers’ Showcase Dayton Ballet | Dayton, Ohio. daytonperformingarts.org Feb. 16-18. “Swan Lake” Dayton Contemporary Dance Company | Dayton, Ohio. dcdc.org Feb. 17-18. “In Modern Moves” DE LA Dance Company | Kennedy Heights. 513-871-0914.

Revolution Dance Theatre | Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. revodance.com Feb. 24. “Blackout” Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Dancing With The Stars: Live!

Fairs/Festivals/Markets 20th Century Cincinnati | Sharonville Convention Center, Sharonville. queencityshows.com Feb. 23-25. Celebration of 20th-century design, crafts and furniture Cincy Beerfest | Duke Energy Convention Center, downtown. cincybeerfest.com Feb. 2-3. Craft beer tastings and more Northminster Fine Arts Fair | Northminster Church, Finneytown. facebook.com Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Original art from regional artists, gourmet cafe, kids activities and fair trade market

ay d o T r a t S e r Co me S e e a Fu tu anc e m ! r o f r e P t u b e D at Hi s U. S .

US DEBUT

YUN ZENG FRENCH HORN

DONNA LOEWY PIANO

Sunday March 3, 2024 3 PM Memorial Hall — OTR

• In 2023, at age 23, became principal horn for the Berlin Philharmonic • In 2022, at age 22, won the audition for the much-coveted post of principal horn of one of the oldest orchestras in the world (founded in 1570), Staatskapelle Berlin

• 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition— 1st Prize in the newly introduced brass instrument category • 2021 ARD International Music Competition— 2nd Prize in the horn category • Shines as a soloist on international stages

Tickets:

MemorialHallOTR.org or 513-977-8838 MatineeMusicaleCincinnati.org

ARTS/CULTURE | The List

Film The Barn / ARTFlix | Mariemont.

513-272-3700. artatthebarn.org Feb. 9, 7 p.m. “The Moderns: A Valentine’s Month Art Mystery” Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown.

859-957-3456. cincyworldcinema.org Feb. 5, 7 p.m. “Hundreds of Beavers” Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills Branch Library. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org Feb. 24, 2 p.m. “Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask” Mayerson JCC, Jewish & Israeli Film Festival | 513-761-7500. mayersonjcc.org Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. “Matchmaking” (Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine) Feb. 4-6, 7 p.m. “Barren” (virtual) Feb. 7, 7 p.m. “Irena’s Vow” (Mariemont Theatre, Mariemont) Feb. 8, 7 p.m. “Children of Nobody” (Mariemont Theatre, Mariemont) Feb. 10-12, 7 p.m. “Jerry’s Last Mission” (virtual) Feb. 13, 7 p.m. “The Catskills” (Seven Hills School, Madisonville) Feb. 14-16, 7 p.m. “The Holy Closet” (virtual) Feb. 18, 3 p.m. “Remembering Gene Wilder” (Mayerson JCC, Amberley Village) Feb. 19-21, 7 p.m. “GIADO – Holocaust in the Desert” (virtual) Feb. 22, 7 p.m. “Vishniac” (Skirball Museum, Hebrew Union College, Clifton) Feb. 25, 3 p.m. “Stay With Us” (Mariemont Theatre) Feb. 27, 7 p.m. “Less Than Kosher” (Esquire Theatre, Clifton) Feb. 29, 7 p.m. “The Story of Annette Zelman” (Union Terminal, Queensgate) Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine.

513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. “The Sweet East” Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. “Drift”

Literary/Lectures Barnes & Noble | Virtual. 513-972-5146. stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3408 Feb. 6, 3 p.m. Amy Jo Burns “Mercury” 12

FEBRUARY 2024

Feb. 6, 7 p.m. Discussion: Ali Hazelwood “Bride” Feb. 7, 3 p.m. Discussion: Jordan Harper “Everybody Knows” City of Cincinnati | Cincinnati Public Schools office, Corryville. cincinnati-oh.gov/cityofcincinnati Feb. 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 7, 11:30 a.m. Celebrating Self Series: Kirsten Spicer: “Two Women in a Kitchen – Party Time” Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills Branch Library. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Discussion: “Two Early Black Abolitionists” Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Rookwood Commons. 513-396-8960. josephbeth.com Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Discussion: Mariana Zapata “All Rhodes Lead Here” Feb. 12, 7 p.m. Discussion: Tia Williams “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Discussion: Crystal Wilkinson “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts” Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine.

513-977-8838. memorialhallotr.com Feb. 7-8, 7:30 p.m. The Moth Mainstage.

Sponsored by CET. The Well | Camp Washington. thewell.world Feb. 8, 6 p.m. An Evening with Alan Lightman with Brian Raphael Nabors: “Our Quest for Meaning: Music, Science and Wonder”

Music Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas | St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Terrace Park.

513-831-2052. bachensemble.org Feb. 18, 5 p.m. Bach Vespers for Lent Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. bogarts.com Feb. 2, 8:30 p.m. Sugar: The Nu-Metal Party Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. Veil of Maya Feb. 17, 8 p.m. The Kills Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. Haken Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. Jackson Dean

Movers & Makers

Photo: Jaclyn Simpson

Washington Park | Over-the-Rhine. washingtonpark.org/events Feb. 17-18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mittenfest 2024: craft beers, DJ, tented food vendors

Soloists Joèlle Harvey and Will Liverman join Louis Langrée, the CSO and May Festival Chorus in Brahms’ gorgeous, humanistic “A German Requiem,” Feb. 9-11 at Music Hall.

Bromwell’s Harth Room | Downtown. bromwellshearthroom.com Wednesday-Saturday evening. Live jazz Butler Philharmonic | Fitton Center, Hamilton. 513-844-5151. butlerphil.org Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. Fitton Family Friday Caffè Vivace | Walnut Hills.

513-601-9897. caffevivace.com Most evenings, live jazz performances Chamber Music Cincinnati | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine.

513-342-6870. cincychamber.org Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. Danish String Quartet Chamber Music Yellow Springs | First Presbyterian, Yellow Springs.

937-374-8800. cmys.org Feb. 4, 4 p.m. Aero Quartet Christ Church Cathedral | Downtown. 513-621-1817. cincinnaticathedral.com Feb. 3, 1-5 p.m. Children’s Music & Art Festival Feb. 4, 4:30 p.m. Choral Evensong w/ Matthew Geerlings, organ ◆ Music Live@Lunch (Christ Church Chapel) Feb. 6. 12:10 p.m. Don Broerman, guitar Feb. 13, 12:10 p.m. Lagniappe Feb. 20, 12:10 p.m. Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas Feb. 27. 12:10 p.m. Faux Frenchmen Christ Church Glendale | Glendale. 513-771-1544. christchurchglendale.org Feb. 1, 12:05 p.m. Vox Cor Trio

Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra | 513-280-8181. cincinnatijazz.org Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Big Band Series: A Tribute to Wayne Shorter feat. Rick VanMatre (The Redmoor, Mt. Lookout Square) Feb. 4, 2 p.m. Jazz@First Series: Mardi Gras Party feat. Queen City Vintage Vibe (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) Cincinnati Early Music Festival | cincinnatiearlymusicfestival.org Jan. 28, 10:45 a.m. Knox Choir: Heinrich Schütz’s Symphoniae Sacrae III (Knox Presbyterian Church, Hyde Park) Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Michael Delfín, harpsichord: J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University) Feb. 3, 4 p.m. Christopher Wilke, Baroque lute: The Last Master: Music of Bernhard Hagen (Church of Our Savior, Mt. Auburn) Feb. 4, 3 p.m. Four Seasons with Seven Hills (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kenwood) Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. Classical Revolution, Early Music Edition (The Loon, Northside) Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Queen City 6: A Night of Renaissance Madrigals and Motets (St. Catharine of Siena, Westwood) Feb. 15, 11 a.m. Cincinnati New Horizons Band Ensembles (St. Barnabas, Montgomery) Feb. 17, 10 a.m. Early Music Sing-A-Long (Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park) Feb. 18, 3 p.m. Hortus Deliciarum: Early Music in the Garden (Civic Garden Center, Avondale)

ARTS/CULTURE | The List Cincinnati Early Music Festival (cont.)

Feb. 18, 5 p.m. Bach Ensemble: Bach Vespers for Lent (St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Terrace Park) Feb. 20, 12:10 p.m. Bach Ensemble: Music Live at Lunch (Christ Church Cathedral, downtown) Feb. 23, 6 p.m. Nerd Night & Saucy Sing-A-Long (Northwood Cider Company, Norwood) Feb. 24, 3 p.m. Early Music Festival Tapestry Concert (Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park) Feb. 25, 3 p.m. Heri et Hodie (St. Martin of Tours, Cheviot) March 3, 3 p.m. Gallicantus (St. Peter in Chains Basilica, downtown) Cincinnati Men’s Chorus | Liberty Exhibition Hall, Northside. 513-542-2626. cincinnatimenschorus.org Feb. 10, 7 p.m. “Diamonds and Pearls: A Cabaret Show” Cincinnati Symphony & Pops | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. cincinnatisymphony.org Feb. 2-3. (CSO) “Shostakovich: 1905” Cristian Măcelaru, conductor; Kian Soltani, cello Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. (Pops) Audra McDonald; Andy Einhorn, conductor Feb. 9-11. (CSO/May Festival) “Brahms’ Requiem” Louis Langrée, conductor; Joélle Harvey, soprano; Will Liverman, baritone

Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. Brass Choir: “Star Quality 5” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Lab Band (Corbett Theater) Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Ariel Quartet: “Cetera Desunt: The Rest is Missing” (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Ayane Kozasa, viola (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. Composition Series: “A View from the Edge” (Corbett Theater) Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Wind Symphony: “The Creation of the World” (Corbett Theater) Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Orchestra: “Essentially Ellington Festival: Gala Concert” (Corbett Theater) Feb. 25, 2 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Polina Bespalko, piano (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. Guest Artist Series: Park Stickney, jazz harpist (Werner Recital Hall) Collegium Cincinnati | Christ Church Cathedral, downtown. collegiumcincinnati.org Feb. 3, 4 p.m. Frederic Rzewski: “The Fall of the Empire,” Allen Otte, percussion

Covenant-First Presbyterian Church | Garfield Park, downtown. covfirstchurch.org Feb. 25, 4 p.m. Sixth annual Organ Festival

Feb. 18, 4 p.m. “The Best of Three” (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. Encore of previous (Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland)

DownTowne Listening Room | Madeira Silverwood Church. downtownelisteningroom.com Feb. 10, 7 p.m. My Brother’s Keeper

Linton Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions: “It’s A String Thing” | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org/pbj Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m. (Lindner Annex, Kennedy Heights Arts Center) Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m. (Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Park) Feb. 16, 11 a.m. (Symmes Township Branch Public Library, Loveland) Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m. (Westwood First Presbyterian Church) Feb. 20, 6 p.m. (Child Focus, The Carter Center) Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m. (Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church) Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m. (Living God Church)

Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. Butler Philharmonic Orchestra Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Cincinnati Pops Poptet Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com Feb. 17, 10 p.m. Brody Jenner and Devin Lucien Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church – Organ Concert Series | Hyde Park. 513-871-1345. hydeparkchurch.org Feb. 18, 3 p.m. David Briggs Linton Chamber Music | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. Elvie Shane Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Trippin Billies Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Adrian Vandenberg Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Karyn White

Classical Revolution | The Loon, Northside. classicalrevolutioncincinnati.com Feb 11, 7:30 p.m. Chamber music in casual bar setting College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. Concert Orchestra: “Celebrating Chinese New Year” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 4, 2 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Dror Biran, piano (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Kurt Sassmannshaus, violin (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Bass Clarinet Festival (Cohen Studio Theater) Feb. 11, 2 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Titus Underwood, oboe (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Guest Artist Series: Ricardo Morales, clarinet (Mary Emery Hall, Rm. 3250) Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: CCM Faculty & Friends (Werner Recital Hall)

A V O L C A N O AWA K E N S • A C I T Y VA N I S H E S F E B R U A RY 1 6 – J U LY 2 8 T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E N O W

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2024

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ARTS/CULTURE | The List Ludlow Garage (cont.)

Feb. 24-25 & 27, 7:30 p.m. Mac McAnally Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. Rome & Duddy Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m. Eric Gales

Trinity Episcopal Church | Covington.

859-431-1786. trinitycovington.org Feb. 21, 12:15 p.m. Midday Musical Menu: CCM Organ Dept.

Feb. 25, 5 p.m. Evensong

Madison Theater | Covington.

859-491-2444. madisontheater.com Feb. 9, 7 p.m. Crypta Feb. 17, 8 p.m. Eggy Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Charlie Worsham

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine.

513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com Feb. 2, 8 p.m. The Montvales

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. Umphrey’s McGee Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Zoso Feb. 23, 6 p.m. Neck Deep Feb. 24 & 25, 7 p.m. Subtronics Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m. Static-X and Sevendust Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine.

513-977-8838. memorialhallotr.com Feb. 5, 7 p.m. Brazil’s Carnival w/Mambo Combo Feb. 12, 7 p.m. Mandy Gaines Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Hawthorne, Schneider, Holt & Merk Feb. 26, 7 p.m. The Music of Weather Report feat. noisepolice Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Aimee Mann w/ Jonathan Coulton Miami University | Souers Recital Hall, Center For Performing Arts, Oxford.

513-529-3200. miamioh.edu/music Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Catacoustic Consort Miami University Regionals | Johnston Hall 142, Middletown. miamioh.edu/regionals Feb. 27, 4 p.m. Old-Time Music Jam Oxford Community Arts Center | Oxford. 513-524-8506. oxarts.org Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Hedy Lamarr Soli Music Society | Wiedemann Hill Mansion, Newport. solimusicsociety.com Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. Showcase Series: “Duos: Violin & Cello” Sorg Opera House | Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org Feb. 10, 8 p.m. The Belairs Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Gaelic Storm TempleLive at Riverfront Live | East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com Feb. 10, 7 p.m. Crush Bon Jovi Experience 14

FEBRUARY 2024

The plays of August Wilson have become a welcome fixture in Cincinnati. Here’s one of his last, 2002’s “How I Learned What I Learned,” Feb. 17-March 10 at Ensemble Theatre.

Xavier Music Series | Gallagher Center Theater, Xavier University. 513-745-3161. xavier.edu/musicseries Feb. 1, 8 p.m. Ningjialu Liu & Nuoya Zhang piano recital Feb. 8, 8 p.m. The Bad Plus

Opera College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati.

513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu Feb. 15-17. Mozart: “The Marriage of Figaro” (Cohen Studio Theater) Feb. 29-March 2. Janáček: “The Cunning Little Vixen” (Corbett Auditorium)

Theater ArtsWave: Flow | artswave.org Feb. 16, 17 & 22, 5:30 p.m. August Wilson’s “How I Learned What I Learned” (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati)

August Wilson Photo by David Cooper

Janáček’s “The Cunning Little Vixen,” is a rare chance to experience one of the most underappreciated composers of opera – Feb. 29-March 2 at CCM. Image: Mikki Graff

Beechmont Players | Anderson Center, Anderson Township.

513-233-2468. beechmontplayers.org Feb. 2-10. “American Son” Broadway Across America | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown.

513-721-3344. cincinnati.broadway.com Feb. 20-25. “The Book of Mormon” The Carnegie | Covington.

859-491-2030. thecarnegie.com Feb. 2-18. “Hello, Dolly!”

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati | Taft Theatre, downtown. 513-569-8080. thechildrenstheatre.com Feb. 17-26. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition” Cincinnati Black Theatre | 513-621ARTS. cincinnatiblacktheatre.org February. “5 Guys Named Moe” Cincinnati Landmark Productions | Covedale Center, Price Hill. 513-241-6550. cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com Thru Feb. 18. “Wait Until Dark”

Movers & Makers

Cincinnati Music Theatre | Jarson Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. cincinnatimusictheatre.org Feb. 9-17. “And The World Goes ‘Round” Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative | Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-ARTS. cincyplaywrights.org Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Leo Bradley: “The Magic Opry” Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-2273. cincyshakes.com Thru Feb. 11. “The Amen Corner” College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu Feb. 8-10. “Clue: On Stage” (Corbett Theater) Feb. 21-25. “Little Women” (Location TBA)

ComedySportz Cincinnati | Madcap Education Center and Clifton Comedy Theatre. cszcincinnati.com Fridays, 8 p.m. Short-form comedy improv Sundays, 2 p.m. Short-form comedy improv Ensemble Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-3555. ensemblecincinnati.org Feb. 17-March 10. “How I Learned What I Learned” Fairfield Footlighters | Fairfield.

513-867-5348. fairfieldfootlighters.org Feb 23-25. “You Can’t Take It With You” Falcon Theatre | Newport.

513-479-6783. falcontheater.net Thru Feb. 10. “Vincent” Footlighters | Stained Glass Theatre, Newport.

859-291-7464. footlighters.org Feb. 15-March 3. “Murder on the Orient Express”

ARTS/CULTURE | The List The Ghostlight Stage Company | theghostlightstageco.com Feb. 5, 7 p.m. Shining a Light Workshop & Lecture Series: “Financial Literacy for Artists” (First Financial Bank Innovation Center) Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre | Parrish Auditorium, Hamilton.

513-737-PLAY. ghctplay.com Feb. 15-18. “Barefoot In The Park” Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com Feb. 2, 8 p.m. Matt Fraser, psychic medium Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com Feb. 10, 8 p.m. We Them One’s Comedy Tour Human Race Theatre | Dayton, Ohio. humanracetheatre.org Feb. 22-March 10. “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment: The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)”

School for Creative & Performing Arts | Over-the-Rhine. 513-363-8100. scpa.cps-k12.org Feb. 2-3. “And Then They Came For Me” Sharonville Cultural Arts Center |Sharonville. 513-554-1014. sharonvilleculturalarts.org Feb. 9-10. “Who’s Killing The Great Chefs?: A Murder Mystery” Sunset Players | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill.

513-588-4988. sunsetplayers.org Feb. 16-24. “The Outsider” Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Dancing With The Stars: Live!

Village Players | Ft. Thomas.

859-392-0500. villageplayers.org Feb. 23-March 2. “Art” Xavier University | Gallagher Theater. 513-745-3939. xavier.edu/theatre-program Feb. 9-18. XT Student Showcase Series

INNOVAtheatre | Sorg Opera House, Middletown. innovatheatre.com Feb. 11-25. “Greater Tuna” Know Theatre | Over-the-Rhine.

513-300-5669. knowtheatre.com Feb. 16-March 3. “Kairos,” by Lisa Sanayedring Feb. 12 & 26, 7:30 p.m. Serials! 14 Thunderdome

Visual Art Art Academy of Cincinnati | Over-theRhine. 513-562-6262. artacademy.edu Thru March 1. AAC Faculty Exhibition 2024 Feb. 9-18. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards ARTclectic Gallery | Silverton.

513-822-5200. artclecticgallery.com Thru Feb. 29. “Ultimate Eclectic” Arts Alliance | Building B, Sinclair College, Mason. 513-309-8585. the-arts-alliance.org Thru March 30. “Canvas Conversations: A Fusion of Styles by Deepa Agarwal” ArtsWave, Flow | artswave.org Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m. “African Modernism in America” (Taft Museum of Art) Feb. 10, 10 a.m. “African Modernism in America” (Taft Museum of Art) ArtWorks | V² Gallery, Walnut Hills.

513-333-0388. artworkscincinnati.org Thru March 14. “Crafting Conversation: Art as Protest”

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. bakerhunt.org Thru Feb. 23. DBL Law Regional Art Show The Carnegie | Covington. 859-4912030. thecarnegie.com Thru Feb. 3. “Exhibition X: an utterly incomplete examination of collage in contemporary art” Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park.

513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org Thru June 30. Modern and Contemporary Ceramics Thru Feb. 25. Charles White: “A Little Higher” Thru April 7. “Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass” Feb. 23, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark Contemporary Arts Center | Downtown. 513-345-8400. contemporaryartscenter.org Thru April 14. Tai Shani: “The politics of emancipation through a female lens”

Celebrate Black History Month

La Comedia Dinner Theatre | Springboro. 800-677-9505. lacomedia.com Thru Feb. 11. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” Feb. 15-March 24. “Guys and Dolls”

Is That Black Enough For You?!

Friday, February 2 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Tickets available now.

Why Kids Need Truthful History Classes Thursday, February 15 7–8:30 p.m.

Free with registration.

gOD-Talk Saturday, February 17 7–9:30 p.m.

Free with registration.

The People’s Referendum: George Chidi on Protecting Democracy Thursday, February 29 7–8:30 p.m.

Tickets available now.

Loveland Stage Company | Loveland. 513-443-4572. lovelandstagecompany.org Feb. 9-10. “Crushin’ It! (Vol. 2)” Mason Community Players | Mason Community Playhouse, Mason.

513-398-7804. masonplayers.org Feb. 24-March 2. “Proof” Playhouse in the Park | Mt. Adams.

513-421-3888. cincyplay.com Feb. 3-March 3. “Dracula” (Rouse Theatre)

freedomcenter.org

(513) 333-7500

Subscribe for program updates and announcements.

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2024

15

ARTS/CULTURE | The List Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. 859-572-5148. nku.edu/gallery Thru Feb. 1. Faculty exhibition. Reception: Feb. 1, 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 19-March 14. Juried student exhibition

Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 3-April 6. “Double Take” Reception: Feb. 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. kennedyarts.org Feb. 3-April 13. “Déjà Vu: Creativity Repeats Itself” Reception: Feb. 3, 6-8 p.m. (Lindner Gallery) Feb. 10-March 16. “Resilience Through Clay: Community Exhibition with Vibrancy Fellow Erika NJ Allen” Reception: Feb. 10, 6-8 p.m. (Kennedy Gallery)

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine. 513-4214339. pendletonartcenter.com Feb. 23, 5-9 p.m., open studios Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. csm.huc.edu Thru June. Modern Israeli art, Mark Podwal prints and recent gifts Thru Feb. 4. Ellie Beth Scott: “Eve: I Understand,” “Motherhood Essence and the Feminine Divine: Cincinnati and Israeli Artists Interpret The Female Experience,” curated by ish

Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. lloydlibrary.org Thru April 20. “Flora Mania” Manifest Gallery | East Walnut Hills.

513-861-3638. manifestgallery.org Thru Feb. 23. “Foodstuffs” art about food • “Waxworks” art about or made of wax • “Paperwork” works made about or of paper

Solway Gallery | West End. 513-621-0069. solwaygallery.com Feb. 1-April 26. John E. Dowell: Paintings and Aquatints • Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson: “Works from the 1980s” and the Esther and Alan Saks Collection Reception: Feb. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Middletown Arts Center | Middletown. 513-424-2417. middletownartscenter.com Thru Feb. 29. “Tomorrow’s Artist Today,” “Art Sprout Preview”

At The Weston Art Gallery Now – March 3, 2024 Brianna Gluszak

Late Bloomer Gallery Talk Saturday, Feb. 3, 2pm Exhibition Co-Sponsor Vanessa & Richard Wayne

Aaron Peters

We Felt Everything Without Gallery Talk Saturday, Feb. 3, 2pm Exhibition Co-Sponsors Marilyn J. Scripps, Mu Sinclaire and the Sinclaire Family Foundation

Byproduct Studios

Perceptions of a Material’s Purpose Gallery Talk Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2pm Aaron Peters, Straight ahead, 2023, found glass (Detroit, May 2023), white gold overglaze, lead, steel, copper, 6" x 7" x 11"

www.westonartgallery.com • WestonArtGallery@CincinnatiArts.org

Exhibition Sponsor Whitney and Phillip Long Exhibition Co-Sponsor Kolar Design

Tue–Sat 10am–5:30pm, Sun noon–5pm • Open late on Procter & Gamble Hall performance evenings. • Hours subject to change. • Always free. Open to all.

513.977.4165 • •

Pointdexter Village Quilt, 1966-1984, (Shells, buttons, thread, leather, wool and rags on felt)

Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson: “Works from the 1980s” opens at Solway Gallery on Feb. 1 along with works by John E. Dowell.

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery | Mount St. Joseph University, Delhi. msj.edu Thru Feb. 19. “The Kool-Aid Wino” Michael Thompson solo show Summit Hotel | Madisonville.

513-527-9900. thesummithotel.com Thru May 18. “Circles, Squiggles and Lines” Visionaries & Voices | Northside.

513-861-4333. visionariesandvoices.com Opening Feb. 2. “For Sentimental Reasons”

Wave Pool Gallery and The Welcome Project | Camp Washington. wavepoolgallery.org Thru March 2. “Story Quilts” Weston Art Gallery | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-977-4165. www.cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery Thru March 3. Brianna Gluszak: “Late Bloomer” • Aaron Peters: “We Felt Everything Without” • Byproduct Studios (Molly Jo Burke & Nathan Gorgen): Perceptions of a Material’s Purpose 

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FEBRUARY 2024

Movers & Makers

The Datebook FEB. 1, THURSDAY

FEB. 10, SATURDAY

CityLink Center, Community Conversations: Impactful Inclusion | 6-8 p.m. CityLink Center. Learn where DEI is making true change and how to go from policy to real-world impact. Panel of local and national leaders moderated by Chuck Mingo of UNDIVIDED. Refreshments provided. Tickets free, but registration required. ¼citylinkcenter.org/upcoming-events

Victorian at Riverside, Annual Gala | Private club. Emcee: Evan Millward, WCPO anchor. James Bond/007-themed evening with auctions, desserts, games and music

by Kim Kelly. Gala chair: Andrew Campbell.

Tickets: $130. 859-431-6913 for reservations. ¼victorianatriverside.org

Northern Kentucky Chamber, Women’s Initiative Breakfast | 7:30-10:30 a.m. Turfway Park.

Barbara Moran will receive the Spirit of Achievement Award; Children’s Law Center is nonprofit honoree. Members: $80; non-members: $100; YP: $60. ¼nkychamber.com

FEB. 11, SUNDAY

FEB. 3, SATURDAY Good Samaritans, Annual Gala “Artrageous” | 6-11 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. Black tie. 2024 Gala Physician Champion: Dr. Stephen Blatt.

Tickets: $300. ¼9116.thankyou4caring.org/gala FEB. 6, TUESDAY Stepping Stones, Open Your Heart | Eddie Merlot’s, Montgomery. Chairs: Stephanie and Leo Dalle Molle. Cocktail hour, raffle and artwork created by Stepping Stones participants.

Tickets: $185. ¼cincyopenyourheart.org ¼steppingstonesohio.org FEB. 8, THURSDAY The Well, An Evening with Alan Lightman | 6-8:30 p.m. The Well.

Physicist and best-selling author, along with The Well founder Stacy Sims and contemporary composer Brian Raphael Nabors, will discuss science and music.

Tickets: $100. ¼thewell.world/events FEB. 9, FRIDAY Ignite Peace, How Sweet It Is | 7-9 p.m. Bake-off fundraiser ¼ignitepeace.org

DATEBOOK

With a Spotlight on the Movers and Makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s Fundraisers, Friend-Raisers and Community Events

Barbara Moran Johnson will receive the 11th annual Spirit of Achievement Award at NKY Chamber’s Women’s Initiative Breakfast on Feb. 1 at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.

Andrew Campbell (left, with board President Ron Padgett) serves as chair for the Victorian at Riverside annual gala Feb. 10.

Lindner Center, Touchdown for HOPE | 5:30-10 p.m. Bally Sports Club, Great American Ballpark.

Super Bowl party and unlimited buffet, including Cincinnati favorites.

Registrations: $100/person, $75/YP, free/15 and younger. ¼lindnercenterofhope.org FEB. 13, TUESDAY Baker Hunt, Annual Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil Take-Out | 5-6:30 p.m. Baker Hunt Kitchen. Dinners consist of crawfish boiled with potatoes, corn, onions and Cajun sausage, sides and dessert. Dinner: $69. ¼bakerhunt.org/events Mardi Gras for Homeless Children | 6:30-10 p.m. Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

Culinary celebration with live music and silent auction. Proceeds benefit Bethany House Services, Brighton Center and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky. Tickets start at $100. ¼nkramardigras.com FEB. 15, THURSDAY Found House, Faith in Action Breakfast | 8:30 a.m. The Ventura, Norwood. Experts address issues regarding affordable housing and the role of faith communities in delivering the American dream.

Breakfast and coffee provided. ¼foundhouse.org/fiabreakfast

FOUND HOUSE INTERFAITH HOUSING NETWORK'S

FAITH IN ACTION BREAKFAST

THE ROLE OF FAITH IN DELIVERING THE AMERICAN DREAM Join us February 15th, 8:30 AM

Panel discussion on the role faith communities play in securing housing for all and addressing the affordable housing crisis.

Coffee will be available.

Breakfast provided by Bailey Family Catering.

FEB. 15, 2024

$30

8:30 AM THE VENTURA NORWOOD 4557 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45212

REGISTER AT FOUNDHOUSE.ORG/FIABREAKFAST QUESTIONS CONTACT JAMIE GREEN 513-471-110 EXT 118 JGREEN@FOUNDHOUSE.ORG

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DATEBOOK FEB. 17, SATURDAY American Heart Association, Heart Ball Gala | 6 p.m.-midnight. Duke Energy Convention Center. Chair: David Spaulding. Honoring Rodney McMullen and Dr. DP Suresh. Celebrating 100th year of American Heart Association. ¼heart.org FEB. 21, WEDNESDAY Clovernook Center, Sixth Annual Ohio Regional Braille Challenge | Cincinnati Museum Center. Students tested on fundamental Braille skills for a chance to earn a spot at the National Braille Challenge Finals. ¼clovernook.org FEB. 22, THURSDAY Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Trivia Night for Brighter Futures | Rhinegeist Brewery. Cocktails, raffle baskets, split the pot, dinner, trivia and prizes. ¼cycyouth.org/cyc-trivia-night

Energy Convention Center. Chamber’s premier business event, highlighted by the newest class of Great Living Cincinnatians: John F. Barrett; Sally Duffy, SC; Delores Hargrove-Young and Donna Salyers. Tickets: $250-$2,500. ¼cincinnatichamber.com MARCH 5-6, TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY Council on Aging, Forum on Aging | 7:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. Breakfast, roundtable, networking, workshops, buffet lunch and keynotes. One-day: $125; two-day: $195; annual meeting and awards: $30 ¼help4seniors.org/news-events MARCH 7-9, THURSDAY-SATURDAY Cincinnati International Wine Festival | Duke Energy Convention Center and various locations. Winery Dinner Series on Thursday. Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday.

Charity Auction and Luncheon on Saturday. Proceeds benefit a variety of nonprofits. ¼winefestival.com

FEB. 24, SATURDAY

Midwest Black Male Educator Summit | 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Cincinnati Public Schools. Celebrating accomplishments of Black male educators and dialogue on how to support, retain and recruit Black males in field of education.

Cost: $20; CPS employees and college students: free. ¼cps-k12.org/mwblackmaleedsummit Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Lunar New Year Gala | 5 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Showcasing Asian culture, performances and cuisine.

Tickets: Tables begin at $2,000. ¼eventbrite.com FEB. 29, THURSDAY Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Legacy and Promise: A Celebration of Leadership| 5-8:30 p.m. Duke

FEBRUARY 2024

On Feb. 24, the Metropolitan Club will host an evening benefiting the Dr. O’dell Moreno Owens Scholarship at Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation.

MARCH 8, FRIDAY

Metropolitan Club, Experiencing O’dell Again | 7-11 p.m. 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington. Dueling DJs, dinner-by-the-bite, signature cocktails. Benefiting the Dr. O’dell Moreno Owens Scholarship at Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation. Tickets: $150.

Tables: $1,000. ¼metropolitanclub.net

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Alex Noel, Baker Hunt kitchen education director, will lead a Mardi Gras-inspired takeout feast for pickup at Baker Hunt’s kitchen on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Saturday Hoops 20th Anniversary | 6-10 p.m. North by Hotel Covington.

Dinner-by-the-bite, bar and entertainment. Tickets: $125 ¼cycyouth.org MARCH 9, SATURDAY Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Knockout Tournament | 9 a.m-12:30 p.m. Cincinnati State Arena. Breakfast, lunch, bracketed knockout games and prizes. Free. ¼cycyouth.org/knockout

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber will celebrate the newest class of Great Living Cincinnatians – John F. Barrett, Sally Duffy, Delores Hargrove-Young and Donna Salyers – on Feb. 29 at Duke Energy Convention Center.

The Cure Starts Now, Once in a Lifetime Gala | 5:30-10:30 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. Three-course meal, open bar, silent/live auctions and entertainment. Tickets: $90. ¼thecurestartsnow.org Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, 27th Anniversary Gala Speakeasy | 6 p.m. Newport Syndicate.

Cocktails, dinner, music, live/silent auctions and basket raffles. Tickets start at $100; limited VIP tables available. ¼littlebrotherscincinnati. org/26th-anniversary-gala

Movers & Makers

The Council on Aging will present a two-day forum on aging March 5 & 6 at the Sharonville Convention Center featuring keynote presentations from April Ibarra, Lisa Keefauver and Gregory W. Lester.

DATEBOOK MARCH 14, THURSDAY

MARCH 22, FRIDAY

APRIL 14, SUNDAY

Clovernook Center, Vision Over Sight | Nicola’s Ristorante.

Five-course dinner and awards ceremony. VIP preview event. Patron tickets: $250; general admission: $150. ¼clovernook.org

Woman’s City Club, National Speaker Forum and Fundraiser | 7-9 p.m. Memorial Hall. Presentation on “Truth in Journalism” by Jenn White, host of 1A on NPR, followed by VIP reception. ¼womanscityclub.org

American Lung Association, Fight for Air Climb | 8 a.m. Great American Ballpark. Designed for every type of climber, from beginners to competitive climbers.

Complimentary snack and water. ¼fightforairclimb.org/Cincinnati

APRIL 13, SATURDAY

APRIL 27, SATURDAY

Junior League of Cincinnati, A Night in Monte Carlo | 7-11 p.m.

Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. Gaming night featuring blackjack, Texas Hold’em and craps, with light bites and beverages and silent auction. ¼jlcincinnati.org/springfundraiser

Dragonfly, Grand Gala | 6-11 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Dinner, music, entertainment, open bar, silent auction, grand raffle. Black tie optional. ¼dragonfly.org/gala

MARCH 20, WEDNESDAY Dan Beard Council, BSA, Good Scout Award Luncheon | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. Honoring Paul Verst, chairman and CEO of Verst Logistics. ¼danbeard.org/gsal MARCH 21, THURSDAY Meals on Wheels, Meals Madness Gala | Hard Rock Casino. Honoring DJ Hodge, division president at iHeartMedia Markets Group. NCAA games on the screens, sports betting kiosks and live music. ¼muchmorethanameal.org/ madness

Lighthouse, Beacon of Light | 6-10 p.m. 20th Century Theater, Oakley. Honoring Yvette Simpson, Jeannette Taylor and Greater Cincinnati Foundation. ¼lys.org

Purcell Marian High School, Grand Event: Revelry in Red | Purcell Marian High School. Seated dinner, open bar, silent auction, Praestan Award presentation, raffles, live auction. Cocktail attire, “best red” requested.

Tickets on sale February. ¼purcellmarian.org MAY 3-5, FRIDAY-SUNDAY

UpSpring, Benefit Bash | 6 p.m.

Great American Ball Park. Open bar, dinner, silent/live auction. Tickets: $100. ¼upspring.org/benefitbash

Flying Pig Marathon | Annual weekend of races benefiting regional nonprofits. ¼flyingpigmarathon.com 

More Datebook at MoversMakers.org Make sure your fundraiser or community event is listed at moversmakers.org/datebook Listings are free.* NPOs may send event details and photos of honorees, chairs or speakers to: editor@moversmakers.org

Stand out Consider advertising.

Contact Thom Mariner: tmariner@moversmakers.org for digital and print options. *See Page 4 for print deadlines.

Events must meet our editorial standards. Print content is chosen at the discretion of editorial staff and featured as space allows.

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FEBRUARY 2024

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FOCUS ON: Corporate Philanthropy

ARTSWAVE CHAIRS

Jon Moeller & Lisa Sauer

Vibrant arts strengthen bright, creative economy

By John O. Faherty

Y

ou should donate to the arts in our community because you love the sound of music, are motivated by paintings or sculptures or love nothing more than an opening night at the ballet.

But the truth is, you should donate to the arts if none of those things speak to you. You should donate to the arts because they lead to increased vibrancy in our economy and our community and because a city rich in culture attracts new citizens and retains old ones.

“Increasing our commitment to the arts is not just to make things nicer or prettier,” said Jon R. Moeller, chief executive officer of Procter & Gamble, during an interview in his home.

“Supporting the arts is also good business.”

Every city is fighting for new people to move there. But attracting the best and the brightest is what really matters. That was the premise of Richard Florida’s seminal work, “The Rise of the Creative Class.” Florida is clear about how important these people, frequently younger and more diverse, can mean to a city’s economy.

“Access to talented and creative people is to modern business what access to coal and iron ore was to steelmaking.”

Much of the fuel for this economic engine in the Cincinnati arts world runs through ArtsWave, which has been funding the arts for nearly 100 years. Money given to ArtsWave each year goes to more than 150 artists and organizations that make our city feel more alive and more relevant. And the importance of that feeling is not to be discounted.

“The arts have a unique capacity to strengthen community connections, bridge divides, 20

FEBRUARY 2024

Movers & Makers

Lisa Sauer and Jon Moeller

enhance physical and mental wellness, and bring us together through shared experiences,” said Alicia Kintner, ArtsWave president and CEO. “In addition to these superpowers, the arts play a key role in our region’s economy. They help make Cincinnati a compelling place for the best employee talent being recruited here by our Fortune 500 companies; they drive billions of dollars in media attention to our region each year, differentiating Cincinnati from other places; and within our neighborhoods, they’re inspiring the next generation of our community by fueling learning and creativity. The arts make Cincinnati the place we are happy and proud to call ‘home.’”

Raising the bar This year’s ArtsWave campaign will try to surpass last year’s haul of $11.9 million donated by more than 25,000 people. The campaign will be headed by Moeller and his wife, Lisa Sauer.

Although, in fairness, it might be better to say it will be run by Sauer and her husband, Moeller.

She has been connected to ArtsWave for years and wants to exceed last year’s total.

Sauer retired as senior vice president of product supply at Procter & Gamble and knows how important supporting the arts is even for people who have no interest. “It’s not about the art. It’s about a more vibrant economy and a more connected community.”

And P&G has a tradition of giving in no small part because this has been the company’s home since the beginning. And their employees live here, too.

Photo: Helen Adams

It is in my best interest to attract the best minds to come and work for Procter & Gamble and then to keep them. And that is true for all the companies here. We all benefit when talented people make this home.

– Jon Moeller Barbara Hauser worked at a variety of cultural institutions in town before becoming community relations manager for P&G. She worked at places that have received money, and she now helps to give it away. She sees the whole picture.

“At P&G, improving the communities where we live and work is part of purpose, values and principles as a company,” Hauser said. “When we support the ArtsWave campaign, we enable people in our community to experience the arts.

In turn, this supports thousands of local jobs, contributes to safer neighborhoods, improves education and increases cultural diversity – all making our community stronger.”

FOCUS ON: Corporate Philanthropy To be clear, Sauer and Moeller are deeply committed to the arts, even if only for the art.

Their home in Northern Kentucky is filled with paintings and sculptures they have collected from around the world. But they live in the real world and call this place home. They want the community enriched by the arts in every way. And if that makes it easier to recruit and retain employees to P&G or Fifth Third Bank or Kroger … all the better.

attending a cultural event spends an additional $31.47 per person, per event beyond the cost of admission.

If 2,200 people fill Music Hall, that’s $69,234 spent in our community. People traveling from farther away spend more. Those benefits are real and immediate. But sometimes, the real bonus comes in personnel offices across the region.

A long tradition

We have all chortled at the alleged Mark Twain quote “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it’s always 20 years behind the times.”

First of all, it does not appear likely that he ever said that. But more importantly, nobody really wants to move to or stay in a city that is only terrific as a way to delay the apocalypse.

The truth is, people move to a city because it looks like a great place to live. Today, what makes a city great is arts and culture, sports teams and beautiful parks. Plus, housing and schools and all the traditional reasons.

A city needs all of those pieces to be healthy, which is why corporations are so committed to helping the arts through giving.

Moeller does not shy away from the additional benefits of a strong arts community. “It is in my best interest to attract the best minds to come and work for Procter & Gamble and then to keep them,” he said. “And that is true for all the companies here. We all benefit when talented people make this home.”

That happens, of course, not just because you can hear an opera singer fill Music Hall, or an actor make you cry, and then laugh, and then cry again at the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati.

No, it happens when you sit in an audience with other people crying and laughing and crying

This support for the arts for a variety of reasons is not new to Cincinnati or P&G. The first board chair of the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts (the predecessor of ArtsWave) was none other than William Cooper Procter.

This commitment over the decades has created a rich cultural environment that we still benefit from. Cincinnati is the 11th-most vibrant arts community in the nation. And we are keeping good company as numbers 8, 9, and 10 on that list are Nashville, Los Angeles and New Orleans, according to the 2023 SMU DataArts, part of the National Center for Arts Research.

Who benefits? For example, the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Playhouse in the Park, BLINK and the Contemporary Arts Center. And of course, every person who gets to come and enjoy the remarkable works presented there.

But downstream, our entire economy benefits. The idea of dinner and a show has filled a lot of restaurants for early seating. People are paid to park cars, serve dinners and maybe even make more art.

Americans for the Arts has been studying the economic significance of the arts since 1960.

Its most recent data shows that each person

Fostering a healthy city

again. That is the feeling of community that makes a person decide not to move to Chicago or Denver.

In 2021, major arts donors like the Kresge Foundation, the Bush Foundation and Robert Woods Johnson Foundation worked collaboratively with the National Endowment for the Arts to try to gauge the importance of the arts on communities’ overall health, which is really just another way of saying: Would you want to live in a certain city or town? Their findings in “How Arts & Culture Unite People to Work Toward Community Well-Being” were not surprising.

The report found that arts and culture can help grow and amplify social cohesion for community well-being for all. This is done particularly through strategies that build and share power through community ownership, connect people across their differences and align with community change goals to reinforce desired impacts.

That might seem a little squishier than affordable housing and good schools, but it matters.

It might be the reason why a lawyer and her schoolteacher husband might come to visit a friend and decide to come back to live. Or it might be why they stay.

It is certainly why Jon Moeller and Lisa Sauer decided to head the 2024 ArtsWave Campaign.

At their best, the arts make our community better, they make our economy stronger, they connect people to strangers and ask us all to consider things in a new light.

“We give to the arts because it is the right thing to do,” Moeller said. “It also happens to be the smart thing to do. So, of course, we want to do this.”   artswave.org

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FOCUS ON: Corporate Philanthropy

Notables in Corporate Philanthropy Movers & Makers asked area corporations to share information about their philanthropic philosophy and practices. Notables is a regular feature highlighting people and organizations making a difference in Greater Cincinnati’s nonprofit community.

U.S. Bank’s giving adds strength to local communities

First Financial’s donations focus on low-income communities

Community Possible, U.S. Bank’s unified giving and engagement strategy, focuses on closing the gaps between people and possibility in the areas of work, home and play. The bank adds strength and vitality to local communities through the U.S. Bank Foundation, corporate contributions, employee matching gifts and volunteerism.

First Financial Bank contributed $8.5 million in philanthropy from 2018-22. First Financial received an Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve Board for their community commitment and received the 2023 Corporate Partnership Award from the National Community Action Partnership.

The foundation supports organizations focused on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, and communities connected through arts and culture. Examples include organizations that offer job skills, career readiness and small business development training; provide homeownership education and access to sustainable housing; or engage children and adults in arts programming and education, active play and environmental stewardship. The U.S. Bank Foundation considers operating, program/project and capital grants.

First Financial Bank and the First Financial Foundation conduct an annual grant campaign, teaming up with community groups in the areas of workforce development, education, culture and the arts, and neighborhood development, with an emphasis on low-income communities. Associates also donate time, completing thousands of volunteer hours each year.  bankatfirst.com

 usbank.com/community

Kroger puts $300M a year to fight hunger and waste

Scripps Howard Fund’s grants promote childhood literacy

Through corporate giving and the work of its two foundations – The Kroger Co. Foundation and The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation – Kroger directs more than $300 million annually to organizations across the U.S.

The Scripps Howard Fund awards more than $800,000 annually in grants to Cincinnati-area nonprofits focused on childhood literacy and, secondarily, emergency needs. Groups that focus on childhood literacy and prioritize children living in poverty are especially encouraged to apply.

Since introducing Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, the retailer has directed more than $1 billion to organizations on the front lines of hunger relief. This includes in-kind food and cash donations to provide meals for individuals and families in need. Partnerships with organizations like Feeding America, No Kid Hungry, the USO, American Red Cross and many others help ensure that everyone has access to nutritious, healthy food.  thekrogerco.com/community

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Through the annual “If You Give a Child a Book…” campaign, Scripps employees and WCPO 9 viewers bring free Scholastic book fairs to children in six Greater Cincinnati schools that serve low-income students. The fund also partners with WCPO 9, for community fundraisers, such as the annual Toy Team 9 drive.  scripps.com/fund

Nonprofit News ToolBank expands to new training center in Roselawn

Mercy Health opens region’s newest hospital in Mason

Cincinnati ToolBank has cut the ribbon on a new $600,000 training center it considers crucial to expanding its work supporting regional nonprofits and strengthening local communities.

The 25,000-square-foot facility on Seymour Avenue features training rooms, workshop areas, co-working space and meeting rooms, which are available to ToolBank’s nonprofit partners.

Plans are to use the newly expanded space to host things like skill-building workshops and apprenticeship programs, according to executive director Kat Pepmeyer.

Nearly three dozen project partners have supported the project. Donations totaling roughly $135,000 came from local foundations and $400,000 from construction companies and nonprofits came in the form of labor and building supplies. Students from Woodward High School, Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy and Easterseals Redwood’s Fast Trac program assisted the ToolBank’s construction partners on parts of the project.  cincinnatitoolbank.org

Mercy Health has opened its longawaited $200 million medical facility in Mason. Kings Mills Hospital is located on Kings Island Drive, on the former site of the College Football Hall of Fame.

The 60-bed, 175,000-square-foot acute-care facility is the first to serve Mason and only the second in Warren County. Mercy Health officials said its two-story compound is the first full hospital built in Greater Cincinnati in nearly a decade.

Kings Mills Hospital features a 24/7 emergency department that has 16 permanent treatment spaces. An on-site helipad aims to make it easier to transport serious trauma cases to and from other facilities.

The hospital also offers general and orthopedic surgery, a Level 1 catheterization lab, an intensive care unit, four operating rooms and three procedure suites. The 30-acre compound also has an attached office building for specialist care.  mercy.com

Mercy Health – Kings Mills Hospital is the region’s first new hospital in nearly a decade

Ken Anderson Alliance, Bengals’ Karras partner on supportive housing plan The Ken Anderson Alliance and a socially conscious development firm, co-owned by Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras, have partnered to create a residential community for adults with disabilities.

Cincinnati-based KAA hopes to create an independent living community for its clients.

Beyond affordable housing, it also plans to offer on-site support, ranging from job opportunities to social activities, to help ensure clients’ quality of life.

The nonprofit’s founder, Bengals legend Ken Anderson, said the project aligns with his

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Red Bike closed all of its stations this winter because of financial issues.

organization’s mission to create opportunities for people to live, work and engage.

Paradigm Construction, coowned by Karras, will support the development. The Indianapolisbased firm’s Village of Merici is similar to what KAA plans, according to Christina Waddle, KAA’s director of development.

Waddle said the most likely location is somewhere inside the I-275 loop.

KAA plans to launch a capital campaign to support the project in the near future.  kenandersonalliance.org

E V E RY T H I N G I T TA K E S

O C T O B E R

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Benefiting The Christ Hospital Health Network Comprehensive Oncology Program Presented by:

Red Bike hopes to restart service in spring

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Lindsey Zahner at 513-585-2187 or visit TheChristHospital.com/Gala. de

2024 Gala Kick Off Event

Marty Humes, Kathy Jennings, Judy Dalambakis (co-chair) Brian A. Mannion, MD, Carolyn Fovel (co-chair), Cindy Broderick, Kathryn Ann Weichert, MD

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Citing growing financial concerns and a need to reduce its staff size, Red Bike has ceased operations for the winter. Executive Director Doug McClintock stressed a desire to re-open the nonprofit’s more than 70 stations in early spring.

Launched in September 2015, Red Bike had a record-setting year in 2023 in terms of ridership, McClintock said. He said one-third of those rides came from the income-qualified Red Bike Go program.

Despite the increase in use, Red Bike, like many forms of public transit, operates at a financial loss – and costs are only getting higher, McClintock said. Red Bike aims to transition to more sustainable and advanced e-bikes, which come with increased costs for things such as charging infrastructure and maintenance.

Earlier this year, UC Health decided not to renew its sponsorship of Red Bike. The contract expired at the end of June. As a result, Red Bike announced its first price increases in six years.

As part of the shutdown, Red

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Bike will make what McClintock described as “significant staff reductions.” Remaining team members will work during the closure to prepare bikes and stations for the spring.  cincyredbike.org

Pete Blackshaw leaving Cintrifuse after five years After more than five years of pushing for Cincinnati to become a national hub for startups and tech entrepreneurs, Pete Blackshaw is leaving Cintrifuse at the end of March to pursue new opportunities.

During his tenure, Blackshaw and his Union Hall staff worked Pete Blackshaw with hundreds of entrepreneurs in their pursuit of seed funding and other financial investment. In 2021 alone the Over-the-Rhinebased organization supported startups receiving $320 million in funding.

Under Blackshaw, Cintrifuse refocused its capital fund on attracting more and larger local investments. He also ignited the annual StartUpCincy Week and worked to strengthen strategic partnerships with the region’s major universities and businesses, such as Kroger and P&G. Blackshaw will act as adviser to assist with the transition and to help a search committee find his replacement.

“Pete has helped to position our organization well so that our next leader can take us into our next chapter,” board Chair Guy Persaud said.  cintrifuse.com 

NAMES in the NEWS

Sarah Weiss

Rasheda Cromwell

Sara Bolton

Sarah Templeton Wilson

Amanda Emmons Shumate

Melanie Burden

Michelle Hopkins

Eric Jackson

William Lampkin

Bryan Surface

Caroline Trennepohl

Cy Wood

Jennifer Hafner Spieser

Sneja Tomassian

Wonda Winkler

Matthew Swanson

Scott Kelly

Susan Kelly

Kimberly Mages

Jim Scott



The Greater Cincinnati Foundation ended 2023 with a series of executive-level leadership changes. Sarah Weiss, longtime head of the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, joined GCF’s executive team as chief philanthropy officer. She oversees donor services, business development and marketing communications. Also, GCF promoted Rasheda Cromwell to chief impact officer.

Cromwell joined the organization in 2021 and most recently was vice president of community strategies. GCF hired Sara Bolton to a newly created chief of staff position. Most recently she was a vice president for AMEND Consulting and previously spent 11 years with the Health Collaborative.



After a months-long national search, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum selected Sarah Templeton Wilson as executive director. She had served as interim director since June. A longtime development professional, Templeton Wilson will lead all aspects of operations, including curatorial oversight, fundraising, marketing, education and community engagement. She’ll also oversee diversity and equity initiatives.



Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati named Amanda Emmons Shumate its vice president of marketing and development. She taught for 17 years, mostly in Boone County Schools, and has worked as a freelance graphic designer for nearly a decade. A longtime volunteer leader in the arts, Emmons Shumate’s family has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sister for nearly a decade.



The Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation elected six new members to its board of directors: Melanie Burden, vice president of people and culture at Boys Hope Girls Hope;

Michelle Hopkins, director of communications at the Cincinnati Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and a co-host of Cincy Lifestyle on WCPO 9; Eric Jackson, associate dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University; William Lampkin, digital advertising campaign manager at E.W. Scripps Company; Bryan Surface, vice president of technology at Terillium Inc.; and Caroline Trennepohl, campaign manager at E.W. Scripps Company.



Cy Wood is the new executive director of Young Professionals Choral Collective.

The longtime New York City-based actor and producer had spent the last seven years teaching music and theater at Butler Tech School of the Arts.



The Cincinnati Parks Foundation promoted longtime executive director Jennifer Hafner Spieser to the role of president and CEO. Hafner Spieser re-joined the foundation in 2015 after an eight-year tenure leading communications and development for the Cincinnati Fire Department. She previously worked for the foundation from 2004 to 2007.



Former Cincinnati Opera executive Sneja Tomassian returned to the Queen City to lead philanthropy efforts for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She most recently served as senior director of development for the School of Arts and Humanities at University of California, San Diego.



Wonda Winkler received an NKY Community Award from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for her work supporting residents of the region. As CEO of Newport-based Brighton Center, Winkler leads a team that delivers a range of community

programs, including workforce development, education and substance abuse recovery. She’s also on several boards and committees, such as Northern Kentucky Partners for Health.



The Cincinnati May Festival promoted Matthew Swanson to be director of choruses when Robert Porco leaves at the end of the 2024 festival. Swanson joined the chorus for the 2011-12 season in the tenor section. Currently, he’s director of the May Festival Youth Chorus and serves as associate director of choruses.



The Salvation Army Eastern Territory appointed Scott Kelly and Susan Kelly as the new divisional leaders for the SWONEKY Division, based in downtown Cincinnati. With Salvation Army careers each spanning 34 years, the Kellys – both with the rank of major – have served in various capacities across the United States.



Central Clinic Behavioral Health turned to a familiar face in Kimberly Mages to replace its longtime CEO Walter Smitson.

Mages began her career with the outpatient mental health clinic in 2008 as a case manager.

Over the past 15 years, she ascended the ranks to hold multiple leadership positions. Most recently she served as chief clinical officer.



Longtime radio personality Jim Scott will serve as the honorary grand marshal of the 2024 Findlay Market Opening Day Parade.

Scott, who received an ALS diagnosis last year, has walked or ridden in every Findlay Market Parade since arriving in Cincinnati in 1968.

He’s held the title of official spokesperson for the event for more than a decade.

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NAMES in the NEWS

Aaron Bley

Dan Feldmann

David Sparks

Robert Fohl

Tess Burns

Christi Godman

Sister Sandy Howe Rev. David Meredith



Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired named Aaron Bley its chief mission officer. Bley most recently held the titles of vice president of community relations and chief development officer.



The Mercy Health Foundation of Cincinnati appointed Dan Feldmann as board chair. The Fifth Third Bank executive has been on the board since 2021. He’s also an executive board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters and REDI Cincinnati.



Gateway Community & Technical College named Tess Burns as vice president of advancement and Christi Godman as vice president of operations. Burns previously served as the college’s manager of web services and social media from 2008 to 2015 and as an adjunct instructor. Most recently, she was a major gifts officer at Learning Grove. Godman has been with Gateway since 2002. She’s held a variety of roles within the school’s Workforce Solutions office, including multiple executive positions.



Crayons to Computers appointed Scott Thomas to its board of trustees. A CPA by trade, Thomas is the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of a local single-family office. The organization said he brings extensive financial and leadership experience and a passion for environmental and education causes.



TriHealth named Jeremiah Kirkland the new president and chief operating officer of McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Kirkland joined TriHealth in 2018 as executive director for Women’s Services. In addition to his new job, Kirkland will continue as president and COO of Bethesda Butler Hospital and senior executive of Women’s Services.

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Scott Thomas

Wendy Maxian

Jeremiah Kirkland

Carissa Rosa Blea

Guillermo Villa

Kaitlyn Carrender

Yalie Kamara, Kathryn Gibbons, Phyllis Davis, Kim Chiodi, Faith Cargile and MoPoetry Phillips



Santa Maria Community Services appointed longtime banking executive Carissa Rosa Blea to its board of directors.

Blea is vice president, small business sales manager at U.S. Bank. She’s also an active member of the Miami Valley Non-Profit Collaborative’s board. Santa Maria’s board also appointed Jorge Seda, retired from GE Aviation, to board chair, while Guillermo Villa of Johnson & Johnson assumed the role of immediate past chair. Additionally, Kaitlyn Carrender of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, is taking over as secretary, David Sparks of Mariner Wealth Advisors is the new vice chair and Robert Fohl of Metcut Research Inc. will continue as treasurer.

The organization also congratulated Sister Sandy Howe on celebrating 25 years as a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati. The Sisters of Charity founded the organization in 1897.



Ignite Peace welcomed two new board leaders, Rev. David Meredith and Wendy Maxian. Meredith has been the senior pastor of Clifton United Methodist Church since 2012. Maxian is an associate professor in the Department of Communications at Xavier University.



At its annual meeting in December, the Friends of Harriet Beecher Stowe House welcomed six new and returning members to its board: Yalie Kamara, Kathryn Gibbons, Phyllis Davis, Kim Chiodi, Faith Cargile and MoPoetry Phillips.



Jorge Seda

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center added six new members to its board of directors (not pictured) and re-elected current chair Kenneth B. Robinson for an additional year. The new members are Robert W. Jones, president and CEO

of Realm Capital Ventures; Robert W. McDonald, partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; Roy A. Mitchell, principal in the firm of Kunimura Mitchell & Company LLC; Michael Moore, president and CEO of Black Achievers Inc.; Jaia Thomas, Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment attorney; and Meggan E. Thompson, wealth management banking specialist, AVP with Merrill Lynch.



The Cincinnati Art Museum board of trustees elected five officers for the 2023-2024 term (not pictured), including re-appointed member Rance Duke, retired from Fort Washington Investment Advisors, as board chair. Other leadership roles went to Bruce Petrie Jr., senior counselor at Bricker Graydon, president; Andrew B. Quinn, retired from ILSCO Corp., vice president; Susan Kelley-Fernandez, investment property manager, treasurer; and Eric Kearney, CEO of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, secretary.

The board also picked seven new members to serve through 2026. They are Jeff Berding, co-CEO of FC Cincinnati; Missy Byrne, retired from Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati Belting Transmission; Jutta Lafley, CAM shareholder and trustee of The Seven Hills School; Dan Schimberg, president of Uptown Rental Properties; Lauren Shafer, ArtsWave board member and member of CAM’s Founder’s Circle; Rachael Magowan, associate wealth advisor at Mariner Wealth Advisors; and Cherie Silverstein, chair of CAM’s Women’s Committee and the president of the Volunteer Advisory Council. 

Gifts/Grants Miami grads Brian and Jennifer Niccol donated $2 million to their alma mater to support the growth of its basketball program.

CancerFree KIDS Executive Director Jill Brinck thanks the crowd for supporting a record research investment.

Hoffman’s $56M gift to UC creates scholarships, supports Bearcat athletes

Chipotle CEO, Miami grad wife gift 2M to alma mater

CancerFree KIDS makes record research investment

A University of Cincinnati alumnus’ $56 million donation led to the creation of a new scholarship program at three of the school’s colleges. The bequest also aims to support Bearcat student-athletes for generations to come.

The gift from the estate of the late Hugh Hoffman is the largest donation to scholarships in UC’s 200-plus-year history. Hoffman earned his MBA from UC in 1963.

Scholarships will go to undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences, the CollegeConservatory of Music and the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. The first cohort will be selected before the 2024-25 academic year. The Hugh H. Hoffman Scholarship Fund will also provide $14 million in financial support to student-athletes, with an emphasis on women’s teams, UC said.

The gift is part of UC’s Next, Now: The Campaign for Cincinnati, a $2 billion-plus fundraising effort to benefit the university and UC Health.  gobearcats.com

A married couple who met at Miami University donated $2 million to their alma mater’s men’s basketball program to support RedHawk student-athletes during and after their college careers.

The donation came from Brian Niccol and Jennifer Niccol, who graduated from Miami in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Brian Niccol is chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Through this gift, every player who meets Miami’s academic qualifications and remains eligible to play will receive up to $5,980 annually. Half will go to the players each year and half after they graduate.

“For the student-athlete, at the end of the day, it’s nice to know that there are people supporting you and believing in you and willing to invest in you,” said David Sayler, Miami’s athletic director.  miamioh.edu

CancerFree KIDS is making a record investment of $1.25 million into 21 research projects at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Columbus-based Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

It’s the most money the organization has given to pediatric cancer research grants at one time in its 20-year history. Since its inception in 2002, CancerFree KIDS has committed $9.45 million to 215 research projects.

The Loveland-based nonprofit supports high-risk, high-reward research projects in the crucial early stages of development, according to executive director Jill Brinck.

Researchers have reported receiving more than $78 million in follow-on funding because of work funded by CancerFree KIDS.  cancerfreekids.org

Xavier lands record-tying $50M gift to create new medical school Xavier University received what it’s calling a “transformational” $50 million gift to support the creation of a College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The anonymous donation equals the largest in the Catholic university’s 192-year history. The school’s president, Colleen Hanycz, described the “historic gift” as allowing Xavier to take on an “essential role in our nation’s primary care landscape.”

Slated to become the nation’s first Jesuit medical school of its kind, the College of Osteopathic Medicine aims to address a critical need for additional primary care doctors throughout Ohio and beyond.

Dr. Steven Halm will serve as the college’s dean to lead the formation of the school. The inaugural class is planned for 2027.  xavier.edu

YWCA Greater Cincinnati wins big gift from Bezos-led fund YWCA Greater Cincinnati received a $1.25 million grant from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s foundation to enhance its efforts to support local children and adults in families experiencing homelessness. The flexible-use, one-time grant came from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.

YWCA Greater Cincinnati plans to use the funding to expand services to meet the need for access to safe transitional and permanent housing for families experiencing homelessness in Hamilton, Clermont, Brown and Adams counties. The nonprofit operates the only emergency shelters for domestic violence survivors in Hamilton and Clermont counties.

CEO Rickell Howard Smith described the grant as “transformational.”  ywcacincinnati.org

Nonprofits receive $275K to improve health equity research A group of Greater Cincinnati grant-making organizations awarded a total of $275,000 and technical support to 11 nonprofit partners to enhance health-related data collection and improve local community health.

The Data for Equity Funding Collaborative is a partnership between bi3, HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and Interact for Health.

Through this program, each recipient receives a $25,000 grant to increase their capacity for data and evaluation. The partners will also co-design learning opportunities and receive technical assistance and training.

Nonprofits taking part this year are A Picture’s Worth, Brighton Center, Children’s Law Center, Found Village, Girls Health Period, Health Care Access Now, MORTAR, School Board School, TABLE, The Empowerment Foundation and Youth at the Center.  interactforhealth.org Movers & Makers

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GIFTS/GRANTS

A rendering of Xavier’s future College of Osteopathic Medicine

ArtsWave awards $212K to Black, Brown artists A collection of 22 African American and other minority artists from across Greater Cincinnati will receive a combined $212,500 in funding to support upcoming projects and promote diversity in the local arts community.

The grants are part of ArtsWave’s annual Black and Brown Artist Program. Now in its fourth year, the program provided $10,000 to all but one of the projects. Emily Hanako Momohara’s “Mother Tongue” received $2,500.

Other winning artists are: Ethan Avery, Markus Cook, Jori An Cotton, Ashley Glass, Brandon Hawkins, Doug Hilson, Chaya J., Faith Marie, Noel Maghathe, Lisa MeridaPaytes, Anupama Mirle, Yemi Oyediran, Alicia Redmond, Sarah Rodriguez, Gauravi Shah, K.A. Simpson, Derek Snow, tt stern-enzi, Margaret Tung, Ingrid Woode and Asha the Artist.

The artists will create projects on the themes of truth and innovation. Each work must incorporate some form of community collaboration.  artswave.org

DePaul Cristo Rey receives $200K for work-study program DePaul Cristo Rey High School received a $200,000 endowment gift to support its workstudy program and the students who benefit.

The donation came from Christy Horan and Terry Horan, well-known philanthropists and volunteers in Cincinnati. The couple gave the money in honor of longtime school volunteer Doug Miller.

To make its education affordable, DePaul Cristo Rey partners with businesses and the community to operate a work-study program.

Students go to a job five days a month at one of 85 partner organizations around the region.

Beyond the financial component, student participants learn professional skills and receive

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Terry Horan, DPCR President Siobhan Taylor and Doug Miller celebrate a $200,000 donation to DePaul Cristo Rey.

exposure to different industries and careers.

The Horans’ gift will support several aspects of the program, including underwriting jobs for students employed by a local nonprofit.  depaulcristorey.org

Haile Foundation honors former execs with $100K in grants Visionaries + Voices and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital each received a $50,000 grant from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation in the names of a pair of past executives.

The grants honor Tim Maloney, former president and CEO, and Leslie Maloney, former senior vice president and education program manager. The couple retired in March 2022.

While leading the Haile Foundation, they supported organizations across the Greater Cincinnati region with tens of millions in financial gifts and investment. The grants went to efforts for which the Maloneys showed a passion during their careers.

For Tim, it was finding creative ways to support new and inspiring programs, such as V+V’s Teaching Artist Program, or TAP. Cincinnati Children’s will use its funding to help sustain the success of its Prescription for Reading program.

Leslie had a “steely focus on driving systemic change within the educational landscape of Greater Cincinnati,” according to the Haile Foundation.  hailefoundation.org

Santa Maria Services gets $30K for education programs Santa Maria Community Services received a $30,000 grant to improve the educational advancement and self-sufficiency of residents on Cincinnati’s West Side.

The gift from the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation will go to Santa Maria’s Education Advancement program. The program has two

primary objectives: supporting individuals working toward their high school equivalency diploma and helping non-English speakers and English as a Second Language students to improve their proficiency.

H.A. Musser Jr., president and CEO of the nonprofit, thanked the foundation for the “generous support” of its mission.

“This grant will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of individuals in our community, helping them gain essential skills and confidence to pursue better education opportunities,” Musser said.  santamaria-cincy.org

OTR nonprofit awards $265K in grants to local startups Main Street Ventures awarded $264,524 in grants to 15 local entrepreneurs over the past three months. In total, the Over-the-Rhine-based nonprofit distributed $1,103,754 to 64 startups in 2023.

These grants are part of Main Street Ventures’ Leap and Launch funding programs. Launch funding provides pre-revenue businesses with $5,000 to $10,000 to help them move beyond the concept stage. Through the Leap program, revenue-generating companies receive $10,000 to $30,000 to scale their operations and increase their odds of survival.

Launch funding went to 6 ‘N The Mornin’, Brewed & Frothy Coffee, Inland Shrimp Company, Outmore Gear and Qualzai.

Meanwhile, Leap funding went to Beards & Bellies BBQ, BenSuite, Commonwealth Sanctuary, Jet Black Vintage, Live N Learn, The Delish Dish, Micromerch, Modica, OBA-AI and Spotted Yeti Media.

Since 2018, Main Street Ventures has distributed nearly $3.5 million to 164 companies.

All grants are given equity-free.  mainstventures.org 

Snapshots Who, what, where & why

DATEBOOK

4C gala celebrates Champions for Children More than 400 people gathered to celebrate four honorees for their support and dedication to quality early childhood education amidst an ongoing child care crisis.

The recognitions were part of the 2023 4C for Children Champions Gala, sponsored by PNC Bank, at Music Hall.

These Champions for Children were recognized for ongoing support of 4C for Children and the mission of providing quality child care and early childhood education to every child in Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley: • Anchor Fluid Power • Anna Campbell • Kimberlyn Fadare • Christine Gibson, Ph.D.  4cforchildren.org

Event honorees Peter Coffaro and Jenna Ramsey representing Anchor Fluid Power, Christine Gibson, Kimberlyn Fadare and Anna Campbell with 4C for Children CEO Vanessa Freytag Rick Staudigel, Kelly Dehan and Debbie Hayes

Gala co-chairs Chris Pratt and Jessica Yankie Emcee Michelle Hopkins of WCPO Gala hosts and hostesses Jeff Chapman, Cheryl Rose, Penny Pensak and Myles Pensak

Paul Kruth, Cate Kruth, Tony Bezold, Katie Bezold, Tom Stanek and Gayle Stanek

Robyn Perkins

Schueler Group table: (Back) Tom Cloud, Mike Schueler and Kathy Cloud; (front) Diana Kramer, Joe Kramer, Penny Pensak, Myles Pensak and Digi Schueler

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SNAPSHOTS

Wine, bourbon and balloons raise $400K for Cancer Family Care Cancer Family Care welcomed more than 500 guests to the Manor House for its 44th annual Wine Tasting and Auction. The event included silent and live auctions, wine and bourbon tastings, raffles, dinner and more.

This year CFC honored the Hennie family for their many years of service and support. Cancer survivors Doug Flora and Leanne Langdon shared their cancer and CFC stories as the room filled with balloons for the “Fund the Mission” balloon auction, raising over $100,000 in five minutes. The event raised more than $400,000 for CFC programs and services.  cancerfamilycare.org

Cancer survivor Leanne Langdon Barbara Weinberg and Irwin Weinberg Maria Holmes and Ryan Holmes

Doug Flora, Andrea Flora, Dwinelva Zackery and Whayne Herriford Troy Luke, Vicky Luke and Pat Rowan

Michelle Krummen, Roger Krummen, Deedra Testa and Vince Testa

Brittany Speed, Karen Meyer-Yoder, Barb Carelli and Terri Cornetet Clayton and Holly Morgan

Rob Hengelbrok and Paige Hengelbrok

The Hennie family

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Adopt A Class celebrates 20 years mentoring children

(Back) Courtney Burgtorf, Sarah Wallis and Erin Mullen; (front) Kristen Tierney, Katie Andress and Hannah Rizzi

The Adopt A Class Tomorrow’s Leaders Celebration was held at the Bell Event Centre. The event celebrated the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary and featured live and silent auctions, interactive experiences and games. There was also a special whiskey blending and tasting opportunity with locally owned Brain Brew Custom Whiskey.

Approximately 230 guests were in attendance and helped raise more than $130,000.

Adopt A Class strives to ensure all students in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have access to adult mentors who help them reach their goals.  aacmentors.org

Adopt A Class founder Bill Burwinkel, CEO Sonya Fultz and board member Greg Geiser thank attendees for their support.

Event volunteers Tim Tierney and Julie Harmon help run the Minute to Win It game booth.

Matt Waters & The Recipe perform “The Best Degree,” written and produced exclusively for Adopt A Class.

Marushwa Kingu plays the wine bottle ring toss.

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Opera’s gala sparkles along the river

Photos: Paige Pederzani

Cincinnati Opera held its fall soirée, The Gala, at Smale Park’s Anderson Pavilion. The event, co-chaired by Dr. Reena Dhanda Patil and Brian L. Tiffany, and honoring Milly Huffman and Doc Huffman, blended entertainment against a view of the Roebling Bridge and the Ohio River. Guests donned black, white and masks, while enjoying sparkling cocktails, rides on Carol Ann’s Carousel, live performances and cuisine. Funds raised will support the opera’s mission to enrich and connect the community through diverse opera experiences.  cincinnatiopera.org

Event co-chair Brian Tiffany; Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera artistic director; Thomas Dreeze; Bruce Preston and Doug Ignatius

Event co-chairs Brian Tiffany and Reena Patil with Chris Milligan, Cincinnati Opera general director and CEO

Joan Waddell, Randy Waddell, Tommy Thornbury, Barbara Thornbury, Helen Bradford, honorees Milly Huffman and Doc Huffman, Nancy Gruber, George McDaniel, Laura Ladd and Greg Ladd Soumaya Jabrazko, Cory Speece, Regina Carswell Russo and Matthew Russo

Alicia Bond-Lewis and Christopher Lewis Baritone Elliot Madore serenades gala attendees. Alva Jean Crawford and Alvin Crawford Libations provided

by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.

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Candyse Jeffries and Michael Marrero

SNAPSHOTS

Dining in the Dark teaches about vision-loss challenges

CABVI board chair Glen Vogel, honoree Mary Caposela and CEO Teri Shirk

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s seventh annual Dining in the Dark – A Night at the Disco raised nearly $250,000 to help individuals adapt to vision loss. Guests learned about the daily challenges faced by individuals with vision loss by eating dinner while blindfolded. Participants enjoyed a silent auction, a live auction, a wine raffle, a bourbon raffle, split the pot and a disco costume contest.

CABVI honored Mary Caposela, this year’s Barney H. Kroger Humanitarian Award winner. CABVI client Thomas Davis also shared his story of how the nonprofit’s services helped him achieve personal success. Natalie Jones from Q102 and Anna Marie from B105 emceed the event.  cincyblind.org

Tim Smith, Chris Dacey, Paula Toti and Bill Tedford

Ryan Toerner eats dinner blindfolded.

Emcees Natalie Jones from Q102 and Anna Marie from B105

CABVI leadership team: Jennifer Alvis, VP of business development; Monica Braddock, chief financial officer; Kim McNeer, VP of human resources; Aaron Bley, chief mission officer; Tom Crawford, VP of social enterprise; Teri Shirk, president/CEO; and Nick Vogel, VP of industrial operations Client speaker Thomas Davis Sanserrae Frazier and Myra Walker

NKY Girl Scouts’ leadership center gets boost from local donors

Dani Schwarz of RJE, Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road CEO Susan Douglas and Jude Hehman, campaign chair and mayor of Fort Mitchell

DBL Law gathered Northern Kentucky business leaders at its Covington officers to support the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road’s campaign to create a leadership center. Campaign contributions totalling $25,000 were made by gifts of $10,000 from RJE, a Cincinnati-based workspace design firm; $10,000 from Bob Hoffer, managing partner of DBL Law; and $5,000 from Laura Lyons, CEO of ATech Training. The center will be based in Erlanger and is part of an initiative to improve accessibility to programming for all Kentucky Girl Scouts, with the aim of providing inclusive and transformative experiences for girls.  gskentucky.org Movers & Makers

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SNAPSHOTS

Designers transform pieces for New Life Furniture Bank New Life Furniture Bank held its 2023 Party in the House at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley. Champion designers showed off their transformations of New Life’s gently used furniture, and the pieces were available to bid on and buy at EBTH.com.

The event raised more than $95,000 to support New Life’s mission of providing gently-used furnishings to individuals and families coming from shelters and other devastating circumstances.  nlfurniture.org Design chair Christine Kommer, New Life CEO Dana Saxton and Liz Prebles Champion designers Marjorie Smyth, Amy Youngblood, Laney Reusch, Christine Kommer, Jackie Barnes and Alisa Culyer

Julie Bauke, Shelly Calvert and Ann Lafferty

Jaime Masters and Alison Masters

Jennifer Homer, Amanda Waltz and Karen Wirthlin

Lynn Means, Sam Presnell, Barbie Presnell and Beau Presnell

Champion designers Alisa Culyer, Julie Anne Baur, Marjorie Smyth and Christie Crawford

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Jen Nieman, Amanda Rausche, Julie Anne Baur and Krista DeVaul

Leslie Derrick, Barbara Gehring and Paula Comisar with Kenzie’s Closet founder Brynne Coletti (seated)

Kenzie’s Closet celebrates founders, students Kenzie’s Closet hosted a celebratory breakfast at Kenwood Country Club recognizing its founding board members. Two former students – Jasmine Brown, Finneytown High School class of 2008, and Sophia Jimenez, DePaul Cristo Rey High School class of 2024 – offered testimonials about the impact experiences at Kenzie’s Closet made on their lives.

Brynne F. Coletti founded Kenzie’s Closet in 2006 to provide local high school girls in financial or personal need fashionable, formal prom attire through a one-of-a kind shopping day.

The organization also announced a new endowment from The Farmer Family Foundation, and the creation of the Kenzie’s Closet “Bright Light” Student Scholarship contest.  kenziescloset.org

Brynne Coletti (seated) with guest speaker Jasmine Brown

Heather Redpath, Peter Frey and Sarah Evans

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Brynne Coletti (seated), Bob Coletti, Amanda Fessler Bentley and Missy Hendon Deters

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Twin Towers Life Enriching Communities welcomes people of all faiths.

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Ballet Nutcracker Luncheon delights young and old The Music Hall Ballroom transformed into a winter wonderland during Cincinnati Ballet’s annual Nutcracker Luncheon. More than 600 guests were treated to performances by Cincinnati Ballet Second Company – CB2 and Professional Training Division. There were also photo opportunities with costumed Nutcracker characters, the Land of Sweets dessert display, face painting, balloon animals, hot cocoa bar and more. Presented by Western & Southern Financial Group, the luncheon raised more than $215,000 to support the ballet’s stage performances, extensive educational and community programs and the Otto M. Budig Academy.  cballet.org

Noah Gnes and Andrew Fung of the Professional Training Division perform the Russian Trepak as young guests watch from the stage edge.

Luncheon co-chairs Eileen Barrett, Chrissey Haslam, Carly Byer and Rhonda Sheakley Ballet interim President & CEO Debbie Brant and interim Artistic Director Cervilio Miguel Amador

Photos: Mikki Schaffner and Paige Pederzani

Annie Fitzpatrick and Nicholas Motley of CB2 perform the Sugar Plum Pas de Deux.

Salomé Tregre of CB2 performs the Sugar Plum Fairy variation.

Dr. Khurram and Zofeen Khan family

Sally Hernandez, Mimi Rose and family

The Land of Sweets dessert display Marth Lindner, Tabitha Lindner and family Eileen Barrett with representatives from presenting sponsor Western & Southern Financial Group Colorful face painting added to the festive holiday attire worn by guests young and old.

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Boots, bourbon, biscuits draw support for Children’s Law Center

Sydney Pepper, CLC development director; Dave Chandler from B105; and Sasha Naiman, CLC executive director

The second annual Boots, Bourbon, & Biscuits Brunch brought 150 guests together to support the Children’s Law Center, a nonprofit legal service center protecting the rights of youths across Kentucky and Ohio.

More than $48,500 was raised during the event.

Speakers included Gabby, a CLC client; Alethea Teh Busken, board vice chair; and Sydney Pepper, development director.  childrenslawky.org

Attendees mingle near auction packages.

Boots, Bourbon, & Biscuits Brunch guests

Art Club auction opens renovation campaign

Tim Boone, Jessie Boone and Setsuko LeCroix Karen Fox and Sue Friedman

Cincinnati Art Club held its Big Lift Silent Painting Auction to kick off the public fundraising campaign for the renovation of its building on Parkside Place. The guests of the Halloween-themed party wore hats and costumes to ring in the holiday, and the auction raised nearly $100,000 from original art submitted by 90 artists.  cincinnatiartclub.org

Christine Moore and Donna Townsend James Pendery and Karen Blocher Movers & Makers

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Learning Grove reaps $150K at TQL Stadium gala Nearly 300 Learning Grove supporters and guests gathered at the First Financial Club in TQL Stadium for Gala in the Grove. Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed live and silent auctions, entertainment from DJ Jayy, stadium tours and photo opportunities with FC Cincinnati mascot Gary the Lion. The event raised $150,000 for Learning Grove’s work with local children, youth and families.

The evening also featured the 2023 Charity in Action Awards to key participants, leaders and partners of Learning Grove’s NaviGo College & Career Prep services.

2023 Charity in Action awardees: • NaviGo Alum award: Alex Brockman • NaviGo Shining Stars: Madelyn Benke and Josiah Cole • Educational partners: Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Education Services and Gateway Community & Technical College • Business and community partners: Cutter Construction, Duke Energy, Enzweiler Building Institute, St. Elizabeth, Toyota and U.S. Bank • NaviGo Visionaries: Jim Cutter, Tim Hanner, Stephanie Layton and Larry Tibbs  learning-grove.org

Learning Grove CEO Shannon Starkey-Taylor and Belinda Carlson, Learning Grove FamiliesFORWARD resource coordinator

Charles Banks and Tyler Willis represented honoree U.S. Bank.

Harper Lyman, Leshia Lyman, Aiden Lyman and Chris Lyman with FCC mascot Gary the Lion

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Event co-chairs Katriece Barrett and Ray Gaddis Drew Tilow, Learning Grove board president; Children Inc. (now Learning Grove) co-founder Rick Hulefeld and Meredith Tilow

Learning Grove board member Davette Shorter and Mitchell Harris

Joe Wilson, Megan Wilson, Jenny Driscoll and Dan Driscoll

Board member and FC Cincinnati defender Ray Gaddis snaps a selfie with Mark Cosimi and guests.

SNAPSHOTS Beth Broomall, Darlene Kamine, Bruce Krone, Stanley J. (Jack) Frank Jr., Amanda Prebble Lenhart, Roger Ruhl, Neha Gandhi, Dr. Gaurang Gandhi, Marty Roberts Humes and Gail Holloman Presenting Sponsor Fifth Third Foundation’s invited guests

Philanthropy Day luncheon honors impact of giving The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals hosted the annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon and awards celebration at Cincinnati Music Hall. Nearly 400 individuals attended the event, which honored five individuals and one foundation for their philanthropic impact on the Cincinnati community.

Awardees included J. Phillip and Gail Holloman, Marty Roberts Humes, Eshaan Gandhi, Darlene Kamine and the Charles H. Dater Foundation. Evan Millward from WCPO was the emcee and AFP Chapter President Adrienne Taylor provided the keynote address.  afpcincinnati.org Emcee Evan Millward from WCPO

Jamie Humes and Amy Chatsfield Gold Sponsor Movers & Makers staff and guests: co-publisher Thom Mariner, associate editor Casey Weldon, photographer Wendell Gibbs Jr., board member Brett Stover, advertiser Lou Velazquez of The BMW Store, co-publisher Elizabeth Mariner

Dr. Bryan Strader, president of TriHealth Physician Practices, with Dr. Gaurang Gandhi and Neha Gandhi, parents of Eshaan Gandhi, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award winner

National Philanthropy Day event committee members: (Back) Phillip James, Kendra Struthers, Stephanie Eldred, Emma McAvoy, Gage Woolley, Amanda Jenkins; (front) Morgan Griffey, Mackenzie Overmyer, Adrienne Taylor, Victoria Kuhlman, Laura Berkemeier and Daria Denysenko Movers & Makers

Adrienne Taylor, AFP chapter president; Gail Holloman, co-Philanthropist of the Year; and Christie Bryant Kuhns, president and CEO of Urban League FEBRUARY 2024

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SNAPSHOTS

CAA honors partners in support and education

Don Juan, Angel Wright of CAA, honoree Lincoln Ware and Sharon Ware

The Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency celebrated 59 years of service at its annual luncheon at Cintas Center, with keynote speaker Sgt. Deon Mack of the Cincinnati Police Department.

The luncheon also honored CAA partners who provide support and education to those struggling to achieve self-sufficiency.

• The David Crowley Board Award: Courthney Calvin, public health educator for the city of Cincinnati • The Theodore M. Berry Award: Lincoln Ware, for 50 years of service as a voice of Cincinnati at 1230 The Buzz/Urban One • Bridge Builder Award Recipients: Mindy Corcoran, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Roy Gerber, Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana; Dr. Faith Hayden, Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry; Joe Renois, 160 Driving Academy This year’s presenting sponsor was Fifth Third Bank and the emcee was WLWT anchor/reporter Courtis Fuller.  cincy-caa.org

Damon Frost, CAA board chair, and honoree Courthney Calvin, vice chair

(Back) Lincoln Ware, Courtis Fuller; (front) Iranetta Wright, Gwen Robinson, Nikki Williams and County Commissioner Denise Driehaus

Chandra Mathews-Smith, former board chair, and Courthney Calvin

Tanya Mack and Deon Mack

Royce Sutton of presenting sponsor Fifth Third Bank

Head Start staff (back) Madeline McSayles, PaLaura Parker, Tracy Homan, Wynetta McCants and Teresa Godfrey; (front) Mychal Turnbow and Trinica O’Bryant CAA staff Portia Davis, Ebony Griggs-Griffin, Wynetta McCants and Pamela Minter

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Night for a Cure raises $216K for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation hosted 280 guests at Little Miami Brewing for Night for a Cure, raising more than $216,600, breaking the previous record. Rick Bravo and Steve Zins served as co-chairs.

Honorees were Dr. Robert Isfort of Gastro Health and Renee Etter of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/centralohio

BUILDING DREAMS WITH

EVERY DETAIL

Angela Brinkman, honoree Renee Etter and Mary Fages

Honoree Dr. Robert Isfort

Co-chairs Rick Bravo and Steve Zins with Kathy Toth

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SNAPSHOTS

Stronger Than Cancer event supports free programs

Louie Velazquez, Victoria DellaDonna and Evan Sanders Caroline Martini and Dr. Brent Xia

Cancer Support Community Greater CincinnatiNorthern Kentucky and its supporters celebrated at its Stronger Than Cancer Celebration. The event was presented by St. Elizabeth Healthcare at The Lightwell at NORTH by Hotel Covington. Guests enjoyed dinner by-the-bite and drinks featuring Poti9n, silent auction items, live auction packages and a program emceed by Bob Herzog highlighting CSC’s impact in the region.

CSC presented the inaugural Community is Stronger than Cancer Award to Dr. Doug Flora and the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Integrative Oncology Team. More than $130,000 was raised to support CSC’s free monthly programs.  mycancersupportcommunity.org Whitney Bingham and Vanita Ellington

April Davidow, Harry Davidow, Kelly Schoen and Adam Schoen Michelle Thole, TJ Thole, Marci Cox, Ben Cox, Kyle Wood, Elizabeth Wood, Mike Frey and Katie Frey

Event co-chair Laurence Jones and emcee Bob Herzog

Debbie Weir, Maggie Biesinger and Kelly Schoen

(Back) Ken Wehmeyer, Bob Wilson, Todd Kamphaus, Susan Forest and Matt Beiting; (front) Sandy Wehmeyer, Pam Schofield and Angela Beiting (Back) Nick Scott, Emily Scott, Joan Wurtenberger; (front) Jeff Clift, Caroline Clift, Tray Tepe, Matt Tepe and David Wurtenberger

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Bob Herzog and Gretchen Ramstetter

Cure Starts Now raises $730,000 live and virtually The Cure Starts Now hosted their Giving First event at its Woodlawn offices – an eight-hour give-a-thon style fundraiser.

Families from all over the country came to Cincinnati to participate live, while thousands of families across the country joined the event virtually. Many cancer families, kids and supporters were celebrated during the event.

Giving First is based on the concept “Our Kids Come First.”

Giving First also harnessed end-of-year giving and shopping events such as Giving Tuesday, Black Friday, Cyber Tuesday, etc.

The campaign raised a record-breaking $730,000.  thecurestartsnow.org

Cure Starts Now co-founder Brooke Desserich and director of family support Heidi Varns pay tribute to their respective daughters, Elena and Addison.

Cancer patient Connor George signs the annual report, which featured him on the cover.

CETconnect.org/passport

SATURDAY 6:30PM CET SUNDAY 8:30PM CET ARTS

Dr. Trent Hummel of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital receives $200,000 for research from Keith Desserich, co-founder of The Cure Starts Now.

Staff and supporters celebrate success near the end of the event.

Lisa Hill, mother of the late Lauren Hill

Join Barbara Kellar as she showcases artists and cultural leaders from the Greater Cincinnati community.

www.CETconnect.org

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2024

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SNAPSHOTS

Improv helps dementia caretakers Episcopal Retirement Services held the final event in its 2023 Giving for Good Series, “A Night at the Improv.” Inside the Carnegie Center, guests were treated to cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet dinner from Jeff Thomas Catering and entertainment from Rodger Pille, executive director of Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and his improv troupe.

Pille and ERS team members also provided demonstrations highlighting how their staff training collaboration using improv techniques dramatically improves communications with individuals living with dementia.

The entire Gatherings for Good Gala Series was presented by Model Group, Ridge Stone and Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and was supported by Christ Church Cathedral and Clark Schaefer Consulting. Event sponsors were the Ed and Joanne Hubert Family Foundation and TheKey. The series raised nearly $300,000.  episcopalretirement.com

Liza Smitherman; Laura Lamb, ERS president and CEO; and Albert Smitherman, board chair Lucky Chance Improv Group with Rodger Pille

Joy Blang, Ann Sabo and Ron Sabo

Linda Holthaus, Chana Morris and Kim Coleman

Amanda Sarakatsannis, Sean Flanagan, Nick Scott and Sara Scott

Tanya Walton, Vincent Smith and Veverly Green

DD Farmer, ERS cottages household coordinator, with Chuck Landes and Peggy Landes

Noel Horne, Jeanie Zoller, John Zoller and Kathy Kessler

Kevin Richard, Lasserre Bradley and Marsha Bradley

Nanci Koepke, Jack Koepke and Minda Matthews-Smith Al Mayo, Fran Turner and Kit Duval

Gabby Cawthon and Catherine Cawthon Donna Meade, Bob Meade and Eric Meade

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SNAPSHOTS

DPCR serves up Pickleball Palooza DePaul Cristo Rey High School’s first-ever Pickleball Palooza was a full house of 35 teams at The Pickle Lodge in West Chester. The event raised $10,000 in support of the school. The teams were divided into two divisions with winners in each division.

Sponsors included a friend of DPCR, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, MSA Design, Terri and Paul Muething, Pat and Steve Robertson, Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, and Betty and Ed Stenger.  depaulcristorey.org

Betty Stenger, DPCR President Siobhan Taylor and Ed Stenger Advanced/ intermediate division winners Christina Shepherd and Walt Gibler

Teresa Sullivan and Jean Piatt

Barb Rohs, Marty Driscoll, Bizzy Driscoll and Joe Rohs

Dragonfly Foundation’s radiothon shares stories of strength

Amanda Orlando from Warm 98.5 with Dragonfly volunteer Ron Saresky

The Dragonfly Foundation held its third annual Warm 98.5 Radiothon, presented by Papa Johns Pizza. Listeners heard from several Dragonfly families who shared stories of pediatric cancer diagnoses being turned into stories of strength, courage and joy with the help of Dragonfly. Sponsors included Papa Johns Pizza, Rising Star Casino, Once Upon a Child and TruPartner Credit Union. The event raised over $40,000.

The Dragonfly Foundation supports pediatric cancer patients and their families by providing them with opportunities for strength, courage and joy.  dragonfly.org

Amanda Orlando and Dragonfly Bennett

Dragonfly Foundation volunteers at the phone bank

Amanda Orlando, Marty Brennaman, Dragonfly executive director Christine Neitzke and Blessid Union of Souls lead singer Eliot Sloan Santa with a Dragonfly family Movers & Makers

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SNAPSHOTS

Coffee Festival pours out help to protect Ohio River

ORF education programs manager Melinda Voss talks with a festival attendee.

Ohio River Foundation presented the sixth annual Cincinnati Coffee Festival at Cincinnati Music Hall, raising more than $100,000 to support ORF’s mission to protect and improve the ecology in the Ohio River watershed.

More than 4,000 guests joined nearly 50 vendors including roasters, coffee shops, fine food purveyors and baristas to enjoy hundreds of free tastings of coffees, teas, pastries, chocolates and savory foods.

The weekend festival included live music, latte art and other demonstrations by industry experts.

The festival also featured the always popular Latte Art Throwdown, this time featuring celebrity judges Local 12 reporter Luke Jones and New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison.  ohioriverfdn.org

Matt Waters performs.

Latte Art Throwdown judges Luke Jones, Kim Harrison and Andrew Lentz

Robbie Blankenship and Hali Perez compete in the Latte Art Throwdown. Blankenship would go on to win the competition. Kevin Kuyers of Theta Ridge Coffee talks with an attendee.

Photos: Julie May

Sara Brandts with Evan Luse and Kim Luse

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative installs Hall of Fame helpers

Dr. Charlie Cavallo, UC Med Mentors coordinator Karla Arango and CYC CEO Amy Thompson

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative celebrated the installation of their newest Hall of Fame wall, representing individuals who have supported CYC by empowering young people through mentoring, leadership, philanthropic efforts or volunteering. This year’s honorees are: Miriam West, former mentor department director; Ed Berg, founder of Saturday Hoops; Dr. Wan Lim, co-founder of UC Med Mentors; and Dr. Charlie Cavallo, co-founder of UC Med Mentors.  cycyouth.org

CYC chief advancement officer Marie Rusincovitch, Adam Turer, Emma Costello, Kevin Costello, Nancy Costello, Chris Neito, Amy Thompson and Kent Wellington Marie Rusincovitch, Jason Brown, Steven Benson and Tammy West-Gilmore 46

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NextUp brings Fran Hauser to speak on careers to love NextUp Cincinnati hosted author, entrepreneur and angel investor Fran Hauser at Hard Rock Casino for a speech to a sold-out crowd of 450. Her topic was “Creating the career you’ll love, without becoming a person you hate.” Her message aimed to empower the audience to create a career to love and how to actualize it.

NextUp is a national organization advancing all women, growing businesses and transforming workplaces through the power of community.  nextupisnow.org/regions/cincinnati

Beth Fasching, NextUp HQ representative; Fran Hauser, keynote speaker; and Alethea Kirkwood, NextUp HQ representative

NextUp Cincinnati Regional Leadership Team 2023

Co-chairs Mindy Rector of Kroger and Amy Alt of P&G with keynote speaker Fran Hauser

Symposium shares advances in women’s heart care The Christ Hospital Foundation hosted a welcome reception and dinner to kick off the second annual Women’s Cardiovascular Symposium, presented by The Christ Hospital Women’s Heart Center. Speakers, donors, sponsors and board members gathered at the Summit Hotel in Cincinnati to hear about advances in women’s heart care and philanthropy’s role in supporting those efforts. Speakers included Dr. Odayme Quesada, medical director of The Christ Hospital Women’s Heart Center; and Dr. Annabelle Santos Volgman, medical director of the Rush Heart Center for Women.

The annual symposium brings together health care professionals nationwide to learn from clinical experts paving the way to specialized women’s heart care. The Christ Hospital Women’s Heart Center is the first of its kind in the region and is committed to providing excellence in clinical care, innovative research, education and community outreach.  thechristhospital.com/about-the-network/foundation Dr. Garima Sharma, Dr. C. Noel Bairey-Merz, Dr. Odayme Quesada and Dr. Geetha Bhat

Eileen Barrett and Geraldine “Ginger” Warner

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oPen eVeRY thursday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Elevated Street Food · Bourbon Bar · Cigar Lounge · Open-Air Seating · Craft Cocktails

Junglejims.com/TheStation Movers & Makers

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SNAPSHOTS

Rotary Club brings Christmas to Roselawn Condon The Rotary Club of Cincinnati’s annual gift-filled Christmas bash opened the holiday for nearly 90 students at Roselawn Condon School in December. The club’s oldest holiday tradition reflects the Rotary’s 104-year history of support for the region’s first school serving children with significant disabilities. Many of the students’ families also face economic challenges that are magnified by medical needs.

More than 50 Rotary members and friends decorated the lunch room and entertained children with magic tricks, games and songs. Santa and Mrs. Claus delivered gifts. Rotary “elves” helped children unwrap packages and kept busy installing batteries and assembling toys.

The Rotary Club of Cincinnati started Cincinnati’s first school for children with disabilities in 1919. Those early classes eventually became Roselawn Condon, a Cincinnati Public School that serves more medically fragile students and more children with multiple disabilities than any other school in the district.  cincinnatirotary.org

Talbert House event helps make Camp Possible

Talbert House’s annual Make Camp Possible event raised over $140,000 to benefit Camp Possible, a therapeutic-based summer program for children who experience behavioral health challenges.

The event welcomed nearly 200 guests with a “Seuss on the Loose” theme at Ivy Hills Country Club. With the support of the event’s donors, more than 70 children will be able to attend Camp Possible next summer for the 10th year of camp.

Camp Possible provides a safe, structured and stable environment when school is out of session. Campers participate in group therapy sessions and learn skills such as anger management, self-esteem, peer relations and more.

Because over 96% of the children who attend Camp Possible are low-income, there is no cost to attend.  talberthouse.org

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Santa Bob McElroy delivers a gift to fourth-grader Jaeron Pope. In background is party co-chair Mary Brandstetter.

Angie Fischer, Fred Fischer and Ali Fischer Hubbard Kristy Suszek, Sara Pattison and Steve Easley

Jim Hudson shows Ayden Isaacs how his TV toy works, with student Jayden Edwards in the background.

Stephanie Katchman as one of Santa’s reindeer

Performing magic tricks were Gregory Leisner and Richard LaJeunesse.

Make Camp Possible co-chairs Emily Peterson and Alan Piker Mollie Ritter and Tom Ritter of event sponsor Fifth Third Bank with a “Seuss on the Loose” star.

Rahul Dayal and Sharvari Dayal of sponsor Myriad Genetics

Event sponsor USI Insurance Services guests Jen Feldmeyer and Scot Feldmeyer with Mike Baur and Stephanie Baur

Caitlin Maggio and Talbert House Ambassador Board member Christopher Grissom

SNAPSHOTS

Runners and walkers set pace for NKY neighbors in need

C. Blue and Paige Blue Aiken Rich

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky hosted its 16th annual Turkeyfoot Trot 5K run/walk at Thomas More University. More than 600 participants came out to support the organization, raising over $48,000, both record highs for the event. All proceeds from the event support St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky’s parish conferences, which assist with the mission of helping neighbors in need with food, rent/utility assistance, clothing and more.  svdpnky.org

Angi Lampkin and Stephanie Jefferson at the annual Turkeyfoot Trot 5K Lucas Toro, Dylan Valdez and Noah Francis

Flamenco theme highlights Angels’ Castle party

Dr. Beatriz Porras, board president and founder of Angels’ Castle, and her husband, Dr. Alvaro Ryes, board secretary, perform a flamenco dance for guests.

Angels’ Castle hosted its third annual fundraising event with a flamenco dance party-themed garden cocktail party. More than 100 guests enjoyed professional flamenco music and dance, Spanish tapas and paella, sangria and a silent auction.

The event raised more than $45,000 toward creating a place adults with intellectual disabilities can call home.

Angels’ Castle’s future campus in Springfield Township will offer therapy and learning for up to 80 adults.  angelscastle.org

Marco Ryes and his father, Dr. Alvaro Ryes announce winners from the party raffle.

Scott Dick, Debbie Sebastian, Dr. Jack Hahn and Barbara Hahn

Dr. Garth Stevens Jr., Dr. Olga Duarte, Dr. Catharina Toltzis and Dr. Bob Toltzis

Flamenco dancers entertained guests.

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THE LAST WORD | Polly Campbell

The surprising delights of second-best choices

T

he other day we ran out of milk and cream, so I used evaporated milk in my morning coffee, which I consider an acceptable substitute. It took me back to a memory of my first-ever cup of coffee, to the summer I was 16, spent on a French island. Sometimes I have a hard time believing that summer ever happened.

I loved taking French in high school, so I hoped to be picked for a program to go to France after junior year. I was picked, but as an alternate. That was pretty devastating, because I had a history of being chosen for second place. In fifth grade, I was an alternate for a program that sent kids to an international camp – to promote world peace, I guess. The choice wasn’t based on any objective measure, so I felt I hadn’t quite stacked up as a person. I still feel bitter about that, and also about not getting parts in school plays.

My mother took pity on me

and found a different program – an alternate choice, just like me.

It was in a territory of France called St. Pierre et Miquelon, two tiny islands off the coast of Newfoundland. They spoke French, supposedly just like in Paris. A New England French teacher had founded a summer program there for about 30 kids.

So I flew to Halifax, then with the group got on an English steamer. At dinner, they served overcooked mutton, and everyone got seasick. After the crew came around yelling “Wakey, wakey!” we landed at St. Pierre, the smaller island with the largest town. Then another boat to Miquelon, an hourglass-shaped island with a fishing town of 600 people.

My host family picked up me and another girl at the port and took us to their modest blue frame house. Offered coffee, it seemed easier to say oui than non so I had my first cup. They used evaporated

milk since it was hard to import fresh food.

Miquelon is mostly wild and uninhabited, and I was thrilled by the wind and water-swept landscape.

There were rocky beaches with frigid water. There was a mountain to climb, the Chapeau, covered with wild iris and other fleurs sauvage. The waves hit the cliffs with great spray and splash while birds wheeled about and seals lolled on the rocks. Our maman would pack a picnic for us and her two little girls and we’d sit above the cliff, eating sandwiches of jambon and squares of dark chocolate on buttered baguette. I often wandered by myself, thinking deep adolescent thoughts and feeling like the heroine of a tragic novel.

I kept a journal in perfect Franglais. (Sample: “It was beautiful on the coast, very rugged and rocky, then un plage très plat. Il a commencé de fair bon. Edouard a trouvé un perfect starfish.”)

We went to French class, helped around the house and played with little Marie Claude and Vivienne.

I was a little disdainful of the Miquelon women, who seemed to only cook and clean. “I’m coming back with Gloria Steinem and Adelle Davis,” I wrote.

There were student shenanigans: one night on the beach, drunk on French sailors’ rum. In the morning, “I ran home across the fields and through the streets where the horses were roaming and chickens were singing, and got in at 6 a.m.”

Fishing boats came in and out, though I can’t remember eating a lot of fish. One day, an uncle of the family took us out on a boat in the brackish lake that made up the lower part of the hourglass. We scooped up mussels from the bottom and put them on the outboard motor until they opened and we ate them.

There were dances chez Madame Gaspard, a little restaurant and hotel. The village men would solemnly ask the girls to dance and lead them in waltzes and other antique dances played by

Polly Campbell an accordion band. I often took second place, too tall for first. My French got pretty good.

I don’t know what the place is like now, adding to the feeling of my summer as enchanted, a different world. My last entry, written on the plane returning to real life: “At the airport, I bought a ticket home, a Ms. Magazine and a National Lampoon.”

It was a great experience – less glamorous than Paris and a little hard to explain – but it left me not caring so much that I wasn’t picked for France. It awakened my appreciation for the second best, for taking the road less traveled by.

I remain attracted to the alternate choice, voluntary or forced.

(And I must say, even my secondbest choices in life have been pretty darn good.) Sometimes accepting next-best is called “settling” or rationalizing. But not everyone gets picked for the cool French program. You might not get into the college you want. You will not always get the best job or the best house. So you see what’s great about where you have ended up, and go all in on it. It’s really the only choice if you want any kind of satisfying life.

Like, if you’re out of cream, you could drink your coffee black, or spend time and effort running out to UDF for cream while the coffee gets cold. Or you can just drink it with evaporated milk. It tastes pretty good.  Polly Campbell covered restaurants and food for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1996 until 2020. She lives in Pleasant Ridge with her husband, and since retiring does a lot of reading, cooking and gardening, if that’s what you call pulling weeds.

She writes monthly on a variety of topics, and she welcomes your feedback and column suggestions at editor@moversmakers.org.

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