Sophisticated Living Cincinnati May/June 2024

{Cincinnati’s Finest}

NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES

BIGELOW ST & DORCHESTER AVE

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STREET

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Three-story homes.

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PL II & III OAKLEY EDWARDS RD & ATLANTIC AVE

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Custom ranch and two-story homes with top-of-the-line finishes. Minutes to restaurants and shopping. $999,000+

HYDE PARK LUXURY TOWN HOMES

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Wabi Sabi, lounge chair, four-seat sofa, coffee table, designed by Sutherland Creative Director Eugeni Quitllet (sutherlandfurniture.com)

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Credit to Brad Ewing, ESM Architects • Jeremy Hensley Contractor • Beau Bolce, Bogart Paz, Quince & Quinn Interiors

Photography by Josh Beeman

From the Editor-In-Chief

As I write this particular letter, the weather is wonderful outside. A few strong storms came through the first of April, but things have warmed up beautifully, and the trees and flowers are really starting to bloom. We have eaten dinner outside 4 of the last 6 nights. The bugs haven’t yet become a nuisance and the humidity hasn’t become unbearable yet. In a fitting way, this issue is highlighted with spring outdoor articles.

The cover story on ‘The Rebirth of Lytle Park’ (pg. 66), was a really fun article for me to put together. Having been a member of the University Club of Cincinnati on 4th and Broadway for 14 years, I have always been keen to this ‘quiet’ side of downtown. Significant changes have occurred most notable with the remodel of the Anna Louise Inn turned into Lytle Park Hotel; a major campaign to preserve the Taft Museum of Art’s exterior wood façade; as well as more recent updates such as a new Balcony on the University Club, updates to the 550 Apartment buildings, upgrades to the Residence Inn Hotel rooftop, and the major updates of Lytle Park. It was fun to put this article together and learn more about the history of this area, the significance of its residence and original ‘founding’ families. More recently, learning more about the impact that Western & Southern Financial Group has personally taken on to ensure that this area remains significant, up to date, and of interest for both out of town visitors and locals alike. I tried to share a little bit of the history and background, and hope that you will venture down to see the rehabbed park this season.

With the season in mind, we also have some wonderful insight on gardening from our friends at Wimberg Landscaping with their help on some native plantings and pollinators in the article ‘A Balanced Approach to Garden Design’ (pg. 72). I also caught wind of a wonderful ‘parcel’ of land in Indian Hill, with 13 acres of gardens, sculptures, a lake, and amazing villa/grotto/guest house feature, the Kroger/ Fleishmann estate which we take a look at in ‘Estate of Mind’ (pg. 76). We also take you through a few of the wonderful buildings and some of the property that the Cincinnati Nature Center has to offer (‘Woodland Magic pg. 86).

The first story we open with is our local restaurant feature on Thunderdome Group’s newest downtown addition, The Davidson (pg. 24). Looking over fountain square, and the Tyler Davidson Fountain, the restaurant is a modern brasserie, blending American, French, and Italian cuisine. Having personally dined there a few times, the restaurant has a terrific offering for every occasion. From an amazing burger and fries, to crudo and brown butter scallops, the lively restaurant, with a wonderful patio/multiseason area, is the perfect stop after walking through Lytle Park a few blocks away.

This was an especially fun issue to put together. I hope you enjoy it and this wonderful weather, in our terrific city!

We Find Meaningful Work for God’s Children with Special Needs

disabilities report that they “want a job and need help” finding one.

– There are 1,850 students with special needs in Hamilton County who will be transitioning out of high school in the next year and will be seeking meaningful work.

– Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 80% of individual with a disability are unemployed.

Genesis at Work Foundation was founded to address this problem in our community of Cincinnati.

If the Genesis story touches your heart, you can help by becoming a member of our Inclusive Employer Program, volunteer or donate. www.genesisatwork.org

tremendous challenges that families with young adults with special needs face when leaving school or looking for a job.”

JIM FREY, OWNER OF PELLA CINCINNATI

Left to Right: Bryan Holland, CEO of Genesis at Work, Scott Holland the inspiration for his father starting Genesis and Jim Frey, Owner of Pella Cincinnati.

Emily Duffy

Another Genesis at Work Success Story in Finding Her Dream Job!

“Every day Emily says how much she loves her job. Every parent wants her kids to succeed, and she truly is." Amy Powers, Emily’s mother

Emily Duffy, a Genesis at Work job seeker, is an extremely talented individual who, with the help of Genesis at Work, found meaningful employment at Pella Windows & Doors. Emily and Pella are a perfect match who can positively impact each other professionally and personally.

At Pella, she is known for her unwavering honesty and dedication to her work. She approaches her tasks with a strong work ethic and thrives in a structured environment where she can channel her energy and focus into producing high-quality results. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure that her

ability to interact with customers and being a part of meetings and a part of unmatched, and she will do anything she can to help and contribute.” Jim Gehm, Emily’s supervisor at Pella

Unfortunately for many with special needs, employment opportunities are

hard to come by and rarely as good a match as Emily and Pella. The Genesis at Work Foundation works with people like Emily to create truly customized jobs. Jobs that match their skills and needs create a situation designed for success.

Within our Discovery Program, we embark on a journey to create custom employment opportunities for individuals with special needs. Our process begins by delving into the unique abilities of each job seeker. This comprehensive exploration usually spans several months. We learn about their interests, skills, strengths, learning preferences, and ideal work environments. Without knowing the needs and preferences of a job seeker, it’s impossible to know which jobs are good options.

After this process is completed, we craft an individualized employment plan. This plan serves as the blueprint for developing a profile and visual resume, strategically positioning the job seeker for opportunities in inclusive workplaces.

These roles are also tailored with the organization's needs and goals in mind to help not only the job seeker but also the organization. And that’s exactly what this role has done. Emily has the chance to use her talents while directly boosting productivity and helping Pella achieve their business goals.

Everyone deserves a chance to use the talents God has given and carry out the plans He has for us. At Genesis at Work, we believe those plans include meaningful employment for all who seek it. Emily is the perfect

DIVINELY, THE DAVIDSON

The Davidson’s ambitious menu and primo location offer a host of delectable dining options.

Downtown Cincinnati’s significant culinary evolution continues to gather momentum with the renovated Foundry building unveiling its newest establishment, The Davidson. Capitalizing on a perfect corner location across from Fountain Square, home to the Tyler Davidson Fountain, the Thunderdome Restaurant Group, under the leadership of locals Joe and John Lanni (second-generation restaurateurs) and co-founder Alex Blust, have created a spectacular American-style brasserie.

The 5th and Vine address provides a prime spot to take in the bustling action in Fountain Square. Glimpses of the Tyler Davidson fountain from the Vine Street-side ‘patio’ pay homage to the interior’s refined Art Déco décor infused with updated transitional touches. Grasscloth and floral-patterned wallpapers decorate the walls around the open kitchen window, positioned prominently in the main dining room. A large mahogany-channeled rectangular

bar trimmed in gold and black metal accents is the focal point of the other half of the restaurant. A museum-quality exhibit of Tyler Shields’ photography adds to the sophisticated ambiance.

The full-service bar and cocktail menu are an ideal jumpingoff point for the dining experience. More Art Deco influences are discernable in classic cocktails and the glassware used to serve them. The Manhattan is prepared classically and served neat a ‘Nick and Nora’ glass. The G&T is crafted with Uncle Val’s Botanical small batch Gin and Fever-Tree tonic and poured over grapefruit and pink peppercorn ice, adding complexity as the drink fluxes. Fresh pureed peach highlights the Bellini Spritz adorned with dehydrated blood orange and fresh mint. Patrons can order sparkling, white, and red house wines by the glass, half-liter, and liter. The remaining wine list offers an excellent selection of French, Italian, and American offerings to complement the cuisine.

Brick Pressed Chicken Au Vin,

photo by Andrew Kung

The Davidson Bar and Patio, photo by Andrew Kung

Moroccan Roasted Eggplant, photo by Andrew Kung

Vongole Spaghetti with littleneck clams, photo by Andrew Kung

Hamachi with blood orange, sicilian olive oil, basil, photo by Andrew Kung

The menu derives influence from classic American, French, and Italian cuisines. It reads how the owners envision it should be enjoyed, with a selection of starters, crudo, and bits, followed by salads or mushroom bisque, then handmade pasta and entrees.

The ‘Starters’ selections are shareable, particularly the baked alpine fondue of three cheeses with sweet and tart agrodolce of caramelized onions, which comes paired with fresh apple slices, endive, and Allez grilled sourdough for dipping. The Moroccan roasted eggplant is an experience all its own. Prepared table-side, the roasted eggplant is split and then covered with accompanying harissa oil, garlic tahini, and herbs. Crudo options, including yellowfin tuna, hamachi, and carpaccio, present a sweet, salty, and savory umami bomb to share (or not!). The finely sliced hamachi is served between equally delicate slivers of blood orange with olive oil and fresh basil, creating melt-in-your-mouth delectable bites. Bacon, Calabrian chili, and fresh breadcrumbs decorate the tops of the Clams casino, while mini tuna tartare cones round out the ‘Bites’ appetizers.

The mushroom bisque, a house specialty and staff favorite, is topped with crème fraiche and sherry and decorated with housemade breadcrumbs. The roasted vegetable salad comes with red wine poached pear, quinoa, and goat cheese and topped with apple cider vinaigrette. The Italian chopped salad is hearty enough to be a meal on its own with copious amounts of provolone, chickpeas, olives, and crispy prosciutto sticking up from the greens.

Paying homage to the Lanni brother’s heritage, handmade pasta dishes could be enjoyed as a meal or split as a side dish with other entrees. The pesto Malloreddus has the perfect kick of chili to bring a touch of heat to the almond-basil-pesto-filled nooks in the gnocchii-esque pasta. The vodka rigatoni also has warmth from the Italian sausage simmered within the green pea and vodka sauce. Ricotta-filled cannelloni is paired with Swiss chard instead of spinach and topped with a garlic crouton herb mash in the roasted tomato cannelloni. White chili flakes make an invigorating counterpart to the freshness of littleneck clams in white wine-sauced Vongole Spaghetti.

Main dining room with views onto 5th Street, photo by Andrew Kung

Davidson Burger and Fries with Espresso Martini, Davidson Old Fashion, Clams Casino, and Italian Chopped Salad

Yellowfin Tuna with citrus vinaigrette, cucumber, calabrian chili, sesame, capers, photo by Andrew Kung

Roasted Vegetable Salad with red wine poached pears

Veal Milanese, with lemon-caper sauce, frisee and arugala salad, photo by Andrew Kung

Roasted Tomato Cannelloni, with roast garlic tomato sauce, swiss chard, ricotta

Scallops Grenobloise in brown butter, with lemon, caper, haricot verts, butternut puree, house crouton

A customary practice at all Thunderdome Restaurant Group establishments is that before each dinner service, each dish is prepared and taste-tested by the kitchen and management to ensure all are prepared to pristine perfection, ensuring consistency day in and day out.

The entrees are the highlight of the dining experience. “Lighter” options include the Gruyere and caramelized oniontopped Davidson burger and the classic French Nicoise salad with seared yellowfin tuna, fingerling potatoes, soft-boiled egg, and haricot vert.

The remaining entrée options highlight the diversity of the kitchen. Steak frites Americanize the classic French dish by taking a large 8oz filet, covering it with a cognac cream au poivre peppercorn sauce, and accompanying it with a side of fries to help soak up the sauce. The Veal Milanese is lightly battered and served with a frisee and arugula salad, which pairs well with the acidity of the lemon and caper sauce. An umami sweet and sour agrodolce

tomato-rosemary sauce covers the bone-in pork chop, which rests on a bed of sliced squash and kale.

The stars of the whole menu are the brick-pressed chicken au vin, and scallops Grenobloise. The half-chicken is cooked in a savory Bordeaux jus and paired with flavorful mushrooms and carrots over mashed potatoes. The scallops Grenobloise deliver multiple layers of crunch and flavor. The base is a butternut puree, followed by a layer of crunchy haricot verts, then a ‘slice’ of housemade ‘crouton,’ and finally, the substantial scallops. A sweet and savory brown butter and caper sauce further unites the elements. Whether for an after-work cocktail, tapas-style snacking and a burger before a show, or a special occasion with family and friends, the menu at The Davidson offers something to fit every scenario. Under the Thunderdome experience and leadership, The Davidson will remain the new hotspot staple of downtown. sl

The Davidson is located at 501 Vine St. Downtown. Call 513.263.1060 or visit thedavidson.com for reservations and more information.

The Davidson Patio looks onto Fountain Square, photo by Andrew Kung

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GIRL ON FIRE

Laurence Basse Returns to NYFW with "Burn This City" Collection

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Runway photos by Paolo Lanzi / Gorunway.com

Portrait of Laurence Basse by Britt Carpenter Studios, courtesy of Laurence Basse

The road to prominence in the fashion world is rarely straight and smooth. French designer and leather expert Laurence Basse's journey to her first solo runway show during New York Fashion Week began decades ago. After being discovered by Jean-Paul Gaultier in the late nineties, Basse, a native of Normandie, France, used the money she made as a print and runway model to go to fashion school in Paris. "I loved to dress up as a kid but never thought of becoming a designer until my brother and I started making clothes in high school. We sold our clothes to the more privileged kids, so it became a hustle! People were hustling drugs, I was hustling clothes," said Basse.

Fans of Project Runway may recognize Basse as a season 15 finalist (2006) and a season 20 "All-Star" runner-up (2023). While these appearances helped elevate her status as a fashion designer, her unwavering commitment to detail and structure is what continues to garner fans, including NBA superstars Dwight Howard and Serge Ibaka, Jada Pickett Smith, actor Aldis Hodge, Grammy winner Samara Joy, and comedian/actor Yvonne Orji.

Basse's "Burn This City" FW24 collection was heavy on leather, her signature material, to which she added denim, silk, and wool. Building on a base of black, Basse incorporated tones of pink, blue, green, and sheer metallic. She collaborated with jewelry designer Mr. O Atelier to create custom-designed chain-link jewelry worn by nearly every model.

After her successful runway show, we had the opportunity to ask Basse a few questions about her long career in fashion and what's on the horizon for LAURENCE BASSE PARIS.

Laurence Basse

Laurence Basse

SL: As someone with a self-professed passion for "well-designed things," what made you gravitate to leather as your preferred material?

I love intricate, simple, and well-made clothes, and I already perfected working with all types of different fabrics. I needed to challenge myself, and I thought that leather was perfect for many reasons: I always thought that leather was only accessible to the rich, and I loved leather but couldn't afford it, so what better challenge than to teach myself? That's how we fell in love (leather and me).

SL: How did you remain relevant in the fashion industry between fashion school and your breakout appearances on Project Runway?

Between the time I left fashion school in Paris and created my LBP line, over 15 years went by, and I never left the fashion world. I was modeling in Paris and NYC during that time and learning the flip side of that business. Of course, it was a struggle to remain in the fashion industry, but when you love what you do as much as I do, there is no other way! I've been in fashion for so long that it's part of my DNA. I never felt pressured to have my work go in a different direction to appeal to a larger audience… that's just not me and never was! I'm an artist and a rebel at heart; I do what I feel, and if you feel me, you'll rock with me. No one can please everyone; that's why you have different brands and different styles.

SL: Describe what it felt like to have your first solo show at NYFW. Do you have a favorite piece in the collection?

It's a dream come true, definitely a milestone in my design career. It was made possible by my incredible team, led by my dear, long-time super-talented friend, MyKel C. Smith.

I have several favorite pieces, but if I have to pick one, I'll go with the all-black leather long skirt (mermaid vibes) and cropped leather jacket with short sleeves and an exaggerated collar. (bottom center image)

SL: What inspires you?

My inspiration comes from everything outside of me, just LIFE and how I feel at the moment of creating. Art is a vessel of communication for me. I am literally inspired by everything around me... it's a gift that keeps on giving. I am never short of ideas...they just keep coming… I'm blessed.

SL: Who is your ideal client?

I have two ideal clients. One of them inspired me during my youth and was instrumental: Grace Jones. My new school client, who has that je ne sais quoi, is none other than Rihanna.

SL: What is the future of LAURENCE BASSE PARIS?

The future of LBP is limitless. We will be a household name next to the GUCCI's and ST. LAURENT's of this fashion game. Let's go BIG or go home… and we ain't going home! sl For more information, follow on Instagram @laurencebasse or visit laurencebasse.com.

EAST MEETS WEST

The Rise of Japanese Whisky

Written by Claire Williams

The Land of the Rising Sun has given Westerners plenty of things to geek over, including sushi, samurai, and sake. And now, Japan has mastered a Western classic: whisky. You can put away your choko (traditional Sake glass) and exchange it for a glass tumbler as demand for Japanese whisky continues to explode. In 2022, the Japanese whiskey market was valued at $3.86 billion and is forecasted to triple in value in the next ten years. Comparatively, the US whisky market is valued at $62 billion. Still, the Westerners have also had over five centuries to perfect their craft. The first written records of whisky appeared in Scotland and Ireland in the 15th century, and it would take four centuries for those distilling techniques to migrate to Japan.

While the companies that have sprung forth from the two godfathers of Japanese whisky—Shinjiro Torii and Masataka Taketsuru—exist as rivals today, both were vital to the other's success during their lifetimes. In 1899, Torii opened his first store, Kotobukiya (known today now as Suntory), one of the first stores to sell imported alcoholic beverages, specializing in wine, but he dreamed of creating his own spirit. As his company grew, despite opposition from his executives, he decided to establish a distillery in a suburb of Kyoto, a well-known area for its excellent water quality, and where the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyu, a seminal influence on the Japanese "Way of Tea," built his tearoom.

Torri hired Taketsuru to run his distillery, as both men shared a similar vision of the future of Japanese whiskey. Taketsuru was

born into a family of sake brewers. He set off to study chemistry in Scotland in the early 1900s, where he fell in love with Scottish whiskey and women (he wed Jseeie Roberta "Rita" Cowan in 1920 despite opposition from both families). After moving back to Japan a year later, Taketsuru helped Torri establish his distillery.

The men worked together for over a decade, releasing Japan's first whisky, Suntory Shirofuda, in 1929, almost one hundred years after the first bottles of whisky were sold in the United States. Five years later, Taketsuru founded his distillery on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, where he believed the local terroir resembled Scotland's more closely. Taketsuru's company, now known as Nikka, sold its first whisky in 1940. The company was taken over and expanded by Taketsuru's adopted son after his and his wife's death. After the Second World War, Japanese whisky gained traction and popularity on the island nation.

The two distilleries fought for the top position in the 1950s as drinking whisky with Japanese food became increasingly popular. In many bars and izakaya, the "bottle keep" system, where customers could purchase a bottle of liquor and have the unfinished portion stored until the next visit, took root, as well as the popular style of drinking mizuwari (two parts of cold water mixed with one part of the spirit and some ice), which most Western whisky purists frown upon. After a decline in the 1980s, Japanese whisky rebounded in the 2000s in part due to the highball craze and Japanese whiskies garnering numerous awards and accolades. Nikka's 10-year Yoichi

single malt kicked it off when they won "Best of the Best" at Whisky Magazine's awards in 2001.

The "terroir" of Hokkaido lends itself to making excellent whisky due to its superior water quality, a climate that leads to faster maturation (producing whisky that tastes older than it is), and high elevation that results in a more flavorful, aromatic, silky smooth whisky.

Japanese whisky has found a way to marry the techniques of Scottish and American whisky styles to create its own avenue that's now become a global phenomenon. Scotch lovers find themselves drawn to Japanese whisky, as the foundation of Japanese whisky was forged in Scottish distilling techniques. However, Japanese whiskey has now taken on a life of its own: the student has become the master. Many distilleries in Japan also import Scottish ingredients to use in their whiskies, such as peat, making it more reminiscent of those dry and smoky styles.

Contrary to this, Japan is currently making its own traditions regarding whisky, similar to American whisky pioneers who enjoy experimenting and trying new flavor profiles even today. The Japanese carefully consider the water used, the boiling point given the altitude of the distillery, and local wood varieties to craft their barrels (a well-known variety is known as the rare Japanese oak tree called Mizurana). All of these give their whisky a unique taste not found anywhere else.

While Japan has an impressive range of whiskies, knowing your preferences will help you find your perfect match. If you enjoy rye

whiskey, you know it often has a drier, peppery, and spicier finish than other American whiskies. You'll likely find most Japanese whiskies pleasant on the palette as they generally resemble rye whiskies. An excellent starting bottle for beginners is Suntory's Yamazaki 12-YearOld Single Malt, which is the core expression of their single malt range and one of their brand's most well-known bottles. The whisky is floral and fruity, and its notes are similar to Scottish whiskies, but it also has a style that's very much its own. Nikka's Yoichi Single Malt is for Scottish whisky fans looking for a lightly peated whisky balanced by tropical fruits and caramel flavors on the palette.

If you're more of a bourbon fan and enjoy a smoother, sweeter whisky, Nikka's Coffey Grain Whisky is made with a majority of corn in the grain mash, giving it a sweeter, creamier finish. Nikka's From the Barrel Whiskey has notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak that Bourbon drinkers would love.

For those who want to have the full "When in Rome" experience, Suntory's Toki Whisky is an ideal choice for highballs. It is a blend of whiskies with notes of pink grapefruit, almonds, and a light vanilla finish. Pair it with sparkling water and a lemon for the perfect highball.

As the American whisky craze rages on, Japanese whisky offers an unexpected compliment to an already booming industry with new styles and unique flavor profiles. Japanese whisky is another opportunity for connoisseurs to fall in love with whisky once again and raise a glass to the future of whisky ripe with innovation; kanpai! sl

FLOWER POWER

Compiled by Bridget Williams

This page, clockwise from top left: Picchiotti diamond and tsavorite necklace ($159,100). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewellers in St. Louis, and picchiotti.it. Verragio single pearl necklace ($780). Available through Genesis Diamonds in Nashville and verragio.com. Silvia Furmanovich leaf cuff (silviafurmanovich. com). Louis Vuitton Silhouette Blossom open ring ($3,150; us.louisvuitton.com). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Gigi Clozeau rose pendant ($255) and Poppy necklace ($415; gigiclozeau.com). Kwiat Cluster floral pendant ($3,950). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and kwiat.com. Cece Jewellery rose diamond pendant (from $2,771; cecejewellery.com). Fred Leighton necklace (fredleighton.com). Lugano titanium flower brooch (luganodiamonds.com). Nadine Aysoy Summer Love earrings ($15,305; nadineaysoy.com). Future Fortune Dahlia earrings ($5,000; futurefortunejewelry.com). Basak Baykal Fuschia earrings (basakbaykal.co.uk). Modern Moghul Pranja earrings ($1,800; modernmoghulcom). Ritique Serenity wire ring ($890; ritique.com). GUZEMA Fine Jewelry brooch ($950; guzema.com).

FUTURE PERFECT

Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy of BMW

BMW painted a bold portrait of the brand's future at IAA Mobility 2023, Germany's leading international automotive trade fair, unveiling the BMW Vision Neue Klasse (see the related article in our November/December issue). Building on this vision's aesthetics, technology, and sustainability, the company recently announced that the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, part of the Sports Activity Vehicles sector, will begin production at their plant in Hungary in 2025.

With vibrant colors, efficient dynamics, and a pared-down yet forward-thinking design emphasizing spaciousness and the joy of driving, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X presents a decidedly youthful and optimistic face.

"Neue Klasse means BMW driving at an even higher level," explains Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for development. "The BMW of the

future will have four totally new super-brains: high-performance computers working smartly together on what, up until now, was processed separately. We developed the first super-brain completely in-house. It integrates the entire powertrain and driving dynamics with up to ten times more computing power. The second super-brain will enable the next quantum leap in automated driving. Going forward, we will combine four key control units in a single high-performance computer. The result will be more dynamic performance, more precision, more efficiency, and even more fun to drive."

The BMW kidney grille is notably reimagined as a threedimensional sculpture with vertically aligned and backlit contours. The headlights and kidney grill operate in tandem to create a lighting effect that activates as the driver approaches the vehicle and continues in the interior.

BMW Vision Neue Klasse X

A commitment to sustainability has led to several innovations. "Verdana," a wholly plant-based, mineral-based, and petroleum-free surface material, is used on the lower portion of the door paneling and in the center console. Maritime plastics, such as recycled fishing nets, are being utilized for the first time for injection-molded parts. Recycled mono-materials comprise the side skirts and front and rear apron attachments.

Inside the cockpit, the driver's slightly elevated seating position enables a confident driving experience. A redesigned steering wheel with multifunction buttons, a Central Display with intuitive touch control integrated within the instrument panel, BMW Panoramic Vision that projects key information across the entire width of the windscreen, and advanced voice control of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enhance the human-car connection. The sixth generation of BMW's eDrive technology represents its

most efficient yet, with new and now round lithium-ion battery cells and a transition to an 800-volt system, improving charging speed and range by up to thirty percent. A ten-minute charge enables a range of up to 180 miles. A reduction in drag and a brake system optimized for fully electric vehnicles combine to incrase overall efficiency by up to twenty-five percent.

"Together with the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X showcases the breadth of our future BMW model line-up. The Neue Klasse reflects the variety of all the models that customers want today and in the future – from sporty sedan, with all its derivatives, to modern SAV family," says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. "In this way, we are underlining that the Neue Klasse is much more than just a car or a specific concept; it is redefining the BMW brand – and, at the same time, will be more BMW than ever." sl

InsideOutside

Compiled by Bridget Williams

The gradual blurring of lines between indoors and out has led to an increased need for outdoor furniture that looks just as good as its indoor counterparts. That equals high-end, durable, and weather-resistant materials with forms that match or surpass the functional aspect of the designs.

Fernmob Balad stand ($423) and Balad lamp ($329; fernmobusa.com). Darlana Large Linear Lantern ($2,179; visualcomfort.com). Limbo, from Heller, designed by Hlynur Atlason is a versatile indoor/outdoor chair ($1,175; hellerfurniture.com). Riviera bench from Mambo Unlimited Ideas (mambounlimitedideas.com). OASIQ’s Coco armchairs offer customers the ability to fully customize each design (oasiq.com/us). Teak Warehouse raw concrete dining table ($1,189; teakwarehouse.com). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Wabi Sabi four-seat teak sofa, designed by Sutherland Creative Director Eugeni Quitllet with cushions from Perennials Fabric (perenialsandsutherland.com). Roè chair by Francesco Meda and David Lopez Quincoces for FAST (fastspa.com). Florentino sofa, Esversa and Eivissa coffee trables from NV Gallery (nvgallery.com). Native Trails Avalon 72-in concrete soaking tub ($10,590; nativetrailshome.com).

This page, clockwise from top left: Riviera dinner table from Mambo Unlimited Ideas (mambounlimitedideas.com). NV Gallery The Reunion Florentino pouf ($350; nvgallery.com). Naca Table designed by Francesco Meda and David Lopez Quincoces fpr FAST (fastspa.com). Molteni&C Sway sectional (molteni.it). Milos outdoor seating by Vondom (vondom.com). Vondom Milos outdoor coffee table (vondom.com). Brezza chair, designed by Alessandro Stabile for S-Cab (scabdesign.com) Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Petalo outdoor armchairs from Molteni&C (molteni.it). Holly, a marble armchair designed by Christophe Pillett for Kreoo, is suitable both for indoor and outdoor use and it can be customized in Travertino, Calacatta Arabescato, or Bianco Carrara (kreoo.com). Soake Pools Garden Tub (soakepools.com/the-garden-tub). ‘A Piedi' and 'Occhiata' comprise a modular system of three-dimensional ceramic pieces that stack together to create a lattice of extruded stoneware or brise soleil (apegrupo.com/en/products/a-piedi/)

BETWIXT THE BUSTLE

In a country laying claim to the world’s most densely populated city, Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, protects and provides access to one of its last regions of true wilderness.

Written by Bridget Williams

Hokkaido was not the Japan I expected. Deplaning at the sleepy airport in Kushiro, there was nary a geta-shod Geisha, sumo wrestler, or Harajuku girl in sight (although I'd spy the latter two several days later in Toyko). Instead, just outside the terminal were super-sized renditions of this island's most famous inhabitants: Ezo deer, Ussuri brown bears (a smaller cousin of the grizzly), Japanese cranes, and Blakiston's fish owls. Far from EPCOT's version of the Land of the Rising Sun, Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture in Japan and the country's second-largest island, is graced with mild, low-humidity summers, sub-zero winters with heavy snowfall and a culture that's distinct from the mainland. After a week and some reflection, I surmised that what I experienced was far more authentic than the saccharine version I had anticipated.

Jet-lagged and famished following a 24+ hour travel day, arriving on Hokkaido under cover of darkness had us wondering if it was evening or predawn. Our hosts, representatives from the Japanese National Tourism Organization (japan.travel/en/us/),

ushered us to a van for the one-hour drive to Teshikaga Town in Eastern Hokkaido, one of Japan's few remaining places of true wilderness. We made quick work of beef and fish hand rolls washed down with Hokkaido corn blend tea that smells of freshly baked cornbread. Exclusive to the island, the unsweetened beverage was the first of many forays into culinary parts unknown.

The pungent smell of sulfur greeted us outside Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei SUIKAZURA hotel (suikazura.jp/en), set alongside a hot spring river in a tiny village of a few thousand inhabitants. Slippers sat at the point where my guestroom's vestibule stepped up into the sleeping space, complete with tatami floor mats and a pair of low twin-sized platform beds. A second pair of slippers awaited outside the bathroom, which was a welcome introduction to Japan's affinity for high-tech, derriere-washing and warming toilets. It's a multifunction luxury that extends to even the lowliest gas station loo, which are always clean enough to please kawaya kami, the toilet god and household deity of Shinto, Japan's native belief system.

Yoshida Satoshi Kussharo Eco Tours with his dogs Aki and Yuki

Lake Kussharo

Found in eastern Hokkaido, the red-crowned crane is among the rarest cranes in the world.

Photo by Ondrej Prosicky

My bewildered body clock allowed me to have the hotel's onsite Kawayu Onsen all to myself (thankfully, given my nervousness about following the rules). There are more than 3000 onsen (geothermal hot spring baths) found across Japan, and specific rules for enjoying them include showering before entry, pulling up your hair, and bathing in the mineral-rich waters in your birthday suit. The most traditional onsens require that visible tattoos be covered. Following a detoxifying dip, I headed to the breakfast buffet, where I grabbed a bento-style plate and proceeded to fill the little squares with an array of mystery meats and vegetables of varying textures and viscosities, comforted in the knowledge that if my experimentation went awry, I had a stash of protein bars back in the room.

Across three days that included canoeing, snowshoeing, and skiing, a common thread among our activity guides was a deep love of the region's natural wonders, including old-growth forests, nine active volcanoes, and pristine caldera lakes. One of these, Lake Kussharo, is popular among canoers and anglers. In the winter, when chunks of ice make the lake unnavigable, enthusiasts take to Kushiro-gawa, the only river flowing out of the lake. You can travel all sixty miles of it to reach the Pacific Ocean.

Our animal-loving guide, Yoshida Satoshi—who greeted us upon arrival at Kussharo Eco Tours (kussharo-eco.com) with an

injured cat contentedly convalescing in the warmth of his insulated coveralls—asked if he could bring along his well-behaved collies, Aki and Yuki, adorably outfitted in matching onesies. We floated along, admiring the pristine setting, and stopped at a natural island for hot chocolate and crispy honey-sweetened pastries made by Satoshi's wife. After our chilly excursion, we warmed up with lunch at cozy Poppotei restaurant (/poppotei.wixsite.com/home/ en) where I thoroughly enjoyed their Mashu-no-Megumi ramen noodles topped with locally sourced vegetables and floating in a salty cow’s milk broth (comically translated as "bovine breast milk").

You can look at but not touch the deep and pristine waters of Lake Mashu, as no trails lead to the shores of this caldera lake in Akan Mashu National Park (japan.travel/national-parks/parks/ akan-mashu). A lack of contaminants lends a unique deep blue color called "Mashu Blue." While two observation decks are accessible via car, during winter, when as much as 600 inches of snow falls, the road is closed, and the caldera's rim is fully accessible to those willing to strap on snowshoes and work up a sweat in search of sights. At the turnaround point of our trek, our guide, Shinobu Katase, served hot lemonade sweetened with maple syrup tapped from trees on his property. Our tour departed from the main visitor's center, whose large gift shop sells "Mashu

The Akanko Ainu Kotan

Ainu guide and sculptor Kengo Takiguch making a mukkuri

Blue" jewelry and local treats like caramels, seafood-flavored potato crackers, and yummy freeze-dried strawberries coated in creamy white chocolate.

Prior to 1868, the year that Japanese mainlanders founded Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, the indigenous Ainu people had been subsisting as hunter-gatherers as far back as the 12th century. Paralleling the plight of Native Americans, the Ainu saw their language and lifestyle outlawed and their traditional lands seized in the 1800s before gradually reclaiming their rights and legacy in the latter part of the 20th century. In the 21st century, the government of Japan has made efforts to revitalize the Ainu culture, uniquely in tune with the Hokkaido’s abundant natural beauty.

On the shores of Lake Akan, the Akanko Ainu Kotan (akanainu.jp/en) is one of the largest Ainu settlements, introducing the Ainu culture through a multisensory experience encompassing dance, music, art, and food. At the Ikoro theatre, we were greeted by Ainu guide and sculptor Kengo Takiguchi, a man with gentle eyes and a warm smile who learned English while living in Australia. Dressed in traditional winter clothing, Takiguchi taught how to make a mukkuri, a bamboo instrument that vibrates to produce a jaw harp-like sound, before leading us on a snowshoe tour around the lake to show us how his people

relied on the trees and plants of the natural world to survive the frigid winters. We dined on traditional Ainu fare, including deer sashimi and seasonal mountain vegetables at Poronno, which has been in business for over four decades. The restaurant sits in the middle of a steep street lined on both sides by artisan shops laden with carvings of Blakiston's fish owl, the largest living species of owl that the Ainu revere as a divine being.

Going from tranquil to frenetic in the span of a few hours, we made our way from the sleepy Nakashibetsu Airport to Sapporo, a city of nearly two million inhabitants and our "base camp" for exploring the Kokusai Ski Resort. Located in the heart of the neon-lit urban jungle and within a 15-minute walk of more than 3,500 restaurants, OMO3 (hoshinoresorts.com/ en) is a youthful offering from Hoshino Resorts with a motto of "staying up late happy." The cheery lobby displays a board with conditions at all six nearby ski resorts, a DIY ski-waxing area, and a large GO-KINJO map, a whimsical creation depicting the neighborhood's attractions and staff recommendations. The property's "OMO Rangers" offer late-night bar and restaurant tours. The all-day grab-and-go area in the lobby provides locally sourced culinary delights, such as a black bean paste with butter on bread that's a regionally popular breakfast item.

The lobby of OMO3 in Sapporo.

Yozorano Genghis Khan Susukino Kosatenmae offers a Hokkaido's version of Mongolian-style barbeque.

"JAPOW" is what they call the iconic powder of Japan, and for our ski day at Sapporo Kokusai (sapporo-kokusai.jp/en), one of the snowiest ski resorts in Japan, we had plenty of it. OMO3 offers a complimentary shuttle to the resort, about an hour away, amid the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The drive provides a prolonged view of a picture-perfect winter wonderland as it follows the twists and turns of the Chitose River. Compared with the US, where a one-day pass can cost as much as $300, a lift ticket at Sapporo Kokusai is approximately $30 ($37 with a delicious ramen lunch (après the Japanese way); you can add on skis, boots, poles, a jacket, pants, and goggles for another $60.

After some serious stretching, awkward balance-busting drills that included single-leg skiing, and a few bunny hill runs, our ski instructor announced that our amateur group was ready for prime time and escorted us to the top of a green run. Enjoying the confidence boost from successfully navigating a graceful exit off the ski lift and the near whiteout conditions that gave us little notion of the slope's steepness, we made our way down mostly unscathed, save a few close encounters with flailing beginner snowboarders and an ill-placed but well-padded tree mid-way down the run.

Back in Sapporo, we ate and shopped our way through the neighborhood. At Semina (trattoriasemina.com), we savored a Japanese take on Northern Italian cuisine. In this densely packed city, non-descript multi-story buildings contain a plethora of culinary delights, as we discovered when an elevator opened on the 5th floor and into Yozorano Genghis Khan Susukino Kosatenmae, offering an elevated view of the city's famous 50-foot-tall LED Nikka billboard. This Hokkaido take on Mongolian-style barbecue is a 90-minute all-you-can-eat and drink feast of marinated lamb, beef, pork, and vegetables cooked on a special grill with a raised mound in the center. Our hosts reveled in getting their American guests to try local delicacies, including Shiokara—squid fermented in its viscera and salt—and voraciously documenting our reactive expressions on their iPhones. The scene repeated at Sapporo's Nijo Market, where I slurped down an enormous oyster but passed on the uni.

When our hosts suggested capping off our final evening in Sapporo by experiencing the shime (late-night) parfait culture, I fully expected a basic soft serve layered with fruit and granola, so I was ill-prepared for the towering, elaborately layered, and eyepopping creation far superior to what one would typically seek out at a greasy spoon after last call. And, if you're still not ready to

Tanuki Koji shopping street in Sapporo.

One of Sapporo's most famous landmarks the Former Hokkaido Government Office was built in 1888 and modeled on the Massachusetts State House

Fresh Oyter at Nijo Market in Sapporo.

call it a night, head to the Mega Don Quijote Sapporo Tanukikoji Honten. With more flashing lights than a Vegas casino, I must credit one of my travel mates for the intro to this always-open multi-floor Target-meets-Walgreens on steroids and the wonderful world of Japanese skincare products.

We had one day in Tokyo before heading back to the US, so to fully appreciate the sprawling nature of this city of 14 million in such a brief timeframe, we headed up 751 feet to the open-air observation deck at Shibuya Sky (shibuya-scramble-square.com), where you can marvel at Shibuya Crossing. During the busiest times, as many as 2,500 people cross the intersection every two minutes.

After admiring the layered and billowy yet tailored looks of the well-dressed women hustling across the famous intersection, I was excited when our wandering landed us in an upscale department store, allowing me to try to re-create the look. It was a humbling experience to say the least. "You need big size," said the petite clerk, as I held up what seemed to be an oversized dress. I knew her words were not meant as intentional barbs, just pulled from a limited well of English vocabulary. They stung nonetheless, and instead of feeling chic, I looked like someone whose checked bag was overweight, and they were piling on layers to save on excess baggage fees.

Moving onto the famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku, I marveled as people seemed to flow out of side streets like water from an open tap to form a raging current of bodies making their way past sweet shops, "cute couture" clothing boutiques and places offering interactions with various animals including otters, puppies, and pigs.

The sizzle of the iron table grill during lunch on Tsukushima Monja Street (monja.gr.jp)...the crush of the crowds…the discordance of hearing Taylor Swift tunes blaring on every street corner…the smell of seafood at breakfast, lunch, and dinner (particularly pungent to this piscine eschewer)…the constant pulse of neon lights...my head was on a swivel as I tried to take it all in.

The frenetic pace and sensory overload are a continuity of controlled chaos harnessed beautifully by the teamLab Borderless digital art museum (teamlab.art/e/borderless-azabudai/), which opened in Central Toyko in February of this year. Here, dynamic projection graphics flow from room to room, react to one another and morph along with the movement and interaction of onlookers. There's no map as you make your way through the varied installations, which left me beguiled by bewilderment, a sensation I experienced more than once during this varied journey through Japan's natural and humanmade wonders. sl

Ainu guide and sculptor Kengo Takiguch making a mukkuri

A gallery at teamLab Borderless digital art museum in Toyko

Compiled by Bridget Williams

HORSING AROUND

Adina Reyter horseshoe rays pendant ($450; adinereyter.com). Kaura Jewels Warrior Balance Horse Pendant ($750; kaurajewels.com). Karina Brez Horsea lapis Night Star pendant ($4,900; karinabrez.com). Happy Horse pendant with mini paperclip chain ($1,295). Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati (richterphillips. com). Love token necklace from Heavenly Vices (heavenlyvicesfinejewelry.com). Lugano bespoke horse head diamond & ceramic ring (luganodiamonds.com). Episodic Montana wrap from Vincent Peach Fine Jewelry ($8,500, vincentpeach.com). Lugano black diamond stirrup earrings (luganodiamonds.com). Meili citrine saddle hoops ($2,600; meilifinejewelry.com). David Yurman Petrvs pinky ring ($2,950). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers and Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Clarkson Jewelers in St. Louis and davidyurman.com. Kelly Herd Pavé English Riding Boot pendant ($7,995; kellyherdjewelry.com). Capucine de Wulf Equestrian Snaffle Bit Cuff ($250; capucinedewulf.com). Lionheart Jewelry Lucky Emerald horseshoe charm ($2,185), Johanna tiger’s eye horse medallion ($2,370; lionheartjewelry.com). PICCHIOTTI Horse Ring with diamonds and large cushion cut tanzanite. Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewellers in St. Louis, and picchiotti.it. Golden Pony ring from Seal & Scribe (sealandscribe.com). Sig Ward onyx and diamond horseshoe ring ($3,600; sigwardjewelry.com). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Marie Lichtenberg horseshoe ring ($15,400; marielichtenberg.com)

AMPED UP

Ten years after its launch, the Porsche Macan is heading in a bold new direction.

Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy of Porsche

Earlier this year, Porsche launched its second all-electric model: the new Macan4 and Macan Turbo. “Our aim is to offer the sportiest model in its segment with the all-electric Macan. In many ways, we are taking a very successful SUV to a new level,” says Jörg Kerner, Vice President of the Product Line Macan.

Meeting the discerning standards Porsche owners expect with the spaciousness offered by an SUV, the Macan achieves high efficiency and optimal reproducibility of power output by utilizing the latest generation of permanently excited PSM electric motors on the front and rear axles. Combined with Launch Control, the Macan 4 produces up to 300 kW (402 hp) of over-boost power to sprint from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and to a top speed of 136 mph. Even peppier and capable of 161 mph, the Macan Turbo, generating up to 470 kW (630 hp), only needs 3.1 seconds to hit the standstill to 60mph mark.

Under ideal conditions, the lithium-ion (HV) battery in the underbody from which the electric motors draw their energy can be charged from ten to eighty percent within approximately 21 minutes at a compatible fast-charging station. Additionally, Regenerative braking allows up to 240 kW of power to be recuperated via the electric motors while driving.

Both Macan variants boast all-wheel drive, and the electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) operates around five times faster than a conventional all-wheeldrive system and can respond to wheelspin within 10 milliseconds.

“Thanks to its particularly sporty seat position and low center of gravity, as well as its impressive driving dynamics and steering precision, the new Macan delivers a real sports car feeling,” explains Kerner. Thanks to Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA), which has

active and passive elements and a drag coefficient of 0.25, the new Macan is one of the most streamlined SUVs on the market.

For the first time, the Macan is available with optional rearaxle steering, with a maximum steering angle of five degrees. It enables a compact turning circle of 36.4 feet in urban traffic and when maneuvering while simultaneously enabling exceptional driving stability at higher speeds.

While the compact SUV’s lines are undeniably Porsche, designers added distinctive elements to the all-electric variant, such as a shallow-pitched hood and strongly pronounced fenders that lend a dynamic appearance even when stationary. A longer wheelbase, offset by short overhangs at the front and rear, can be optioned with 22-inch wheels with staggered tire fitment. The Porsche flyline forms a unit with the flat rear window. The sleek, sporty design

is further pronounced by frameless doors with characteristic side blades. A benefit of electrification is increased luggage space, up to 18 cubic feet behind the rear bench seat, depending on the model and equipment fitted. A “frunk” offers an additional 2.9-cu-ft of storage.

The driver positioning is low, spacious, and performancefocused, with large windows and a mix of digital user interfaces with select analog control elements. The new Macan enables a high degree of customization with high-quality and sustainable materials, such as leather-free seats comprised of recycled interior elements and floormats and flooring using Econyl®, which is made from regenerated nylon.

The new Macan will be produced at the Porsche Plant in Leipzig. MSRP for the Macan 4 is $78,800, while the MSRP for the Macan Turbo is $105,300. sl

HOME AGAIN

The Omni Homestead, America’s oldest resort, reasserts its prominence following a $150 million renovation.

Written by Bridget Williams

My favorite activity while roaming the hallowed (and hopefully happily haunted) halls of a historic hotel is to imagine what the guest experience would have been like in a bygone era. It's an easy exercise at America's oldest resort—The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia— founded ten years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, where legacy and luxury receive equal billing, even fresh off a $150 million renovation. This star of the Shenandoah Valley sits amid 2,300 acres, offering guests abundant activities inside and out.

The sprawling 483-room resort has an interesting tie-in to my hometown of Louisville, as both can credit their origins to Captain Thomas Bullitt (1730-1778). In 1764, Bullitt, along with Charles and Andrew Lewis, paid 30 shillings to acquire 300 acres that included seven hot and warm springs, and within two years built the first Homestead, named in honor of the homesteaders who built the resort and bathhouses. The original wooden 18-room inn was destroyed in a fire and replaced with a brick structure that stands today. Less than a decade later, Bullitt led a 40-man surveying party into Kentucky, where he laid out a town site near the Falls of Ohio, which later became Louisville.

Twenty-four U.S. presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and George W. Bush, have vacationed here. This National Historic Landmark enjoyed Gilded Age ownership by scions of industry and banking whose last names are synonymous with success. It's where a teenaged Jacqueline Bouvier learned to play golf on one of the first golf courses in America, The Old Course (built in 1892, its first tee is the oldest in continuous use in the U.S.). And it's where I was lucky enough to spend a few blissful days in early spring.

Our visit coincided with spring break, and while some fellow empty-nesters would be less-than-pleased, I loved seeing all the youthful energy. It reminded me of my last visit more than a decade ago with my daughter, who fondly remembers putting on her fanciest frocks for dinner each evening. I can't help but think that the place's grandeur fondly lingers in children's subconscious for a lifetime. My spacious room, which overlooked the resort's verdant" backyard," was buzzing with families playing badminton, croquet, catch, and more from early morning until the last rays of sunshine disappeared behind the Allegheny Mountains.

Originally built in 1761, the Warm Spring Pools recently reopened following a $4 million rehabilitation.

Immediately upon arrival at the recently renovated resort, I could sense a difference in the best way, akin to the work of a deft plastic surgeon. In the soaring colonnaded Great Hall, a long handmade carpet enlivened with a vibrant floral motif dotted with butterflies bisected comfortable seating areas where children squared off against a sibling or grandparent in a chess match. The room is the site of a daily afternoon tea and cookie social complemented by live music.

Once I put down my bags, I headed straight for the spa complex. The resort is so large that it was a workout on its own to reach the impressive 60,000-square-foot homage to wellness, which encompasses a stunning indoor pool (a suitable locale for a silver screen aqua musical starring Esther Williams); a vast fitness area with a boxing studio; men's and women's spa areas with an aqua thermal suite; and an adult's only Serenity Garden with a geothermal Octagon Pool, deluge shower and River Reflexology Walk fed by two hot springs rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium.

For an even more immersive healing water experience, make an appointment to "take the waters" at the historic Warm Springs Pools,

a five-minute drive from the resort and recently reopened after a $ 4 million rehabilitation. While the healing properties of the waters were known to Native Americans thousands of years ago, the original octagonal stone basin that held the water for bathing was built in 1761, establishing it as the first spa structure in America. Our soak in relative silence was made even more magical via a gentle rain that fell through the oculus in the faceted roof.

Equally enchanting is the naturalist-guided Cascades Gorge hike. Rated as intermediate but easily accessible if you can handle short flights of stairs spread over 1.8 miles, the trail follows a deep gorge near the resort's Cascades Golf Course, where a natural spring feeds more than a dozen waterfalls and cascades. It's just one of scores of available year-round outdoor activities. In winter, the resort's ski area offers 45 acres of tubing, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and snowmobiling. More temperate weather pursuits include falconry, hiking, biking (or e-biking), kayaking, tennis, horseback riding, golf and mini-golf, zip-lining, a pool complex complete with a lazy river and waterslides, and a shooting club dramatically positioned on a mountaintop offering

The Great Hall

The Washington Library

Premier King Guestroom

President's Suite Bathroom

skeet, sporting clays, and a five-stand course (and where a patient instructor "fixed" my aim).

During a rainy afternoon back on property, we did a bit of shopping, followed by a unique Virginia Wine Experience, during which I was surprised to learn that winemaking in the Commonwealth predates Thomas Jefferson's formation of the Virginia Wine Company by 154 years. Quyhn Cohen, The Omni Homestead's sommelier, who is also a certified yoga instructor who leads a regular "poses and pairings" class, has assembled the best offerings from the more than 300 wineries operating in Virginia today, including unique blends and wines made from America's oldest grape, Norton, first cultivated in Richmond.

Our short stay afforded us a taste of two of the resort's signature dining experiences, the American Audubon Dining Room and Jefferson's Restaurant. At the former, the elegant environs, complete with crystal chandeliers and piano music, are a fitting backdrop for the equally elevated cuisine, served with gracious aplomb. In an era of increasing casualness regarding apparel, it was a nice change of pace to see families dressed for

dinner. I continue to be amazed at how donning a blue blazer can somehow get even the most fidgety five-year-old to behave.

We ate heartily at Jefferson's, indulging in a juicy steak topped with truffle butter, with a side of honey-fried Brussels sprouts, and washed down with a pour of Blanton's bourbon from the resort's barrel pick. The clubby Presidential Lounge is an ideal spot for a nightcap and a game of pool. Martha's Market, the resort's popular, all-day outlet, was our go-to for a mid-day sweet treat, and where I enjoyed roaming the room to read anecdotes about past guests of note, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor who scoffed when receiving a bill at the end of their stay. "What do I do with this? I'm not used to paying bills," the Duke purportedly remarked (while tempting, I did not employ this tactic at checkout).

During our exploration, we wandered into the courtly Crystal Room, empty save for a grand piano in one corner, upon which a teenager wearing basketball shorts was playing "Something Like This" by Coldplay. How fitting, I thought, that this space, which hosted fêtes with ladies in hoopskirts in the 1800s, was now holding the attention of a boy attired for an entirely different hoops game. sl

Presidential Lounge

Virginia wine experience

American Audubon dining room

Cascades Gorge

'Twas the First of December in Healdsburg, C-A. All the citizens were stirring for the holiday kickoff this day.

The vendors were staged round the square with care

Knowing that soon, customers (and St. Nicholas) soon would be there.

A steady drizzle couldn't dampen the cheer, as a countdown progressed and the tree lights appeared

While carolers' dulcet tones tickled the ears, the clip-clop of hooves announced that Santa was near.

The children's eyes widened as the sleigh came into sight, capping off what ended up being a very good night.

HO HO HEALDSBURG

Make

plans now to kick off your holidays in the heart of California's wine country.

Written by Elliott Greene

Charming any time of year, the heart of historic Healdsburg— established in the mid-1800s by Ohio native and gold prospector Harmon Heald—is its square. An impressive array of top-notch restaurants, up-scale lodging, tasting rooms, boutiques, and art and jewelry galleries pack the streets facing the central plaza. During the holidays, the scene is made even more magical via Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting, hosted by the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce and Stay Healdsburg (stayhealdsburg. com). Lucky guests in rooms at the front of the 56-room Hotel Healdsburg (hotelhealdsburg.com), located on the western edge of the square, have a prime view of the massive Christmas tree and can enjoy its twinkling lights throughout the season from their Juliette balcony.

This December will mark the fourth-annual Merry Healdsburg event, which includes a Holiday Market, carriage rides, live music, and photos with Santa. The Christmas cheer continues the day after the tree lighting with a Holiday Sip & Shop, during which nearly two dozen participating local shops offer ticket holders extended hours and tastings of the area's award-winning wines. A Holiday Tea at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen in Hotel Healdsburg (drycreekkitchen.com) offers the opportunity to enjoy a festive

afternoon out with friends and family of all ages. The elegant afternoon unfolds with piano accompaniment, custom-blend teas, and picture-perfect sweet and savory bites. I don't know what magical spell was cast or bribes made, but we were absolutely enrapt by the number of children in their Sunday best acting their best, which added another level of enchantment.

Healdsburg is perfectly positioned amid the Dry Creek, Russian River, and Alexander Valley AVAs, and the area around the square is home to more than two dozen tasting rooms. Opened last summer, the elegant tasting room of Ernest Vineyards (ernestvineyards.com), designed by LA-based interior designer Matt O'Dorisio, is a fitting pairing for tasting their site-specific wines. Co-founder Erin Brooks and winemaker Joseph Ryan put a premium on vine health, employing organic and regenerative farming methods on their 35 acres of vineyards spread across several distinct cool-climate sites on the Sonoma Coast. Brooks, a Texas native, exited a fast-lane career in tech for a bumpier but far more scenic backroad adventure as a self-taught vintner. Her analytic and technical skills have not fallen by the wayside, as her company boasts one of Wine Country's most sophisticated production facilities, which she makes available to fellow small producers.

A voracious reader with a nearly insatiable quest for intel on topics in which she's interested, Brooks said that she went from a wine consumer to an enthusiast and now a zealot. She began by tasting lots and lots of wine up and down the Sonoma Coast to define her palette, cold-calling growers, imploring them to sell her grapes, and seeking mentorships from respected vintners and winemakers. While she always felt confident that the "dominoes would eventually fall into place," Brooks says the training wheels didn't come off until she met Ryan. "We just feathered together like two siblings." Ryan, an Iowa native and fellow chardonnay champion, worked in Burgundy and Sonoma County. He executes Brooks' vision for "Burgundian-style wines offering bright acid, low alcohol, minimal oak, and balanced flavor."

When we weren't sipping or shopping—French textiles at Maison Smith (maisonsmith.us), unique men's and women's clothing and accessories at Susan Graf Limited (susangraf.com), beautiful tableware from Forager (foragerhealdsburg.com), and all the pretty things for home and her at Anthem (anthemsf. online), we were eating, a lot. Food always tastes fresher to me in

California. We had no regrets about making quick work of warm Belfiore burrata and fluffy-crust pizza drizzled with truffle oil at the lively PizZando (pizzandohealdsburg.com), located near the entrance of Hotel Healdsburg.

My better half, a committed carnivore, was skeptical about dinner at a one-hundred-percent plant-based restaurant. By the end of our meal at Little Saint (littlesainthealdsburg.com), he didn't miss meat for a moment. Designed as a community gathering place and creative haven, the sprawling two-story establishment encompasses a restaurant, coffee bar, wine lounge, cocktail bar, gourmet graband-go, and music venue outfitted in bohemian-luxe style.

We were thrilled to see that the carrot tahini, cultured carrot spread with tomato chutney, and green lentil hummus we enjoyed as part of a tasting at nearby Marine Layer Wines several years earlier were among the available starters. Just as good as we remembered, we begged the chef to release a cookbook so we could recreate them at home, along with our entrees: a vegan winter squash lasagna with cashew ricotta and a Maitake mushroom au poivre with brandy cream.

Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting

Hotel Healdsburg holiday entrance.

The event green at Hotel Healdsburg

Tons of truffles topping Maitake mushroom au poivre with brandy cream at Little Saint

There are more than 80 wines by the sip or glass to explore along the wine wall at The Matheson.

Dining room at Little Saint Tasting room of Ernest Vineyards

Little Saint's inventive and impressive cocktail menu offers a respite for wine-weary imbibers. At the same time, their conscientious wine list highlights winemakers who are aligned with their business ethos of treading lightly on the earth.

Nirvana for oenophiles, the wine wall at The Matheson offers 88 wines by the dram or glass. While it's obviously heavy on Russian River Valley offerings, there are also popular European classics and several under-the-radar surprises for adventurous imbibers. Similar to Little Saint, the three-story building is home to distinct concepts. Under the leadership of chef/owner Dustin Valette, ambitiousness doesn't hamper ambiance or experience as we enjoyed a delightful seasonally focused dinner in the bustling space, packed to the gills with beautiful people.

A fun spot for breakfast or lunch, don't miss what is likely the largest assemblage of nutcrackers you're sure to spy in one place at Costeaux French Bakery (costeaux.com). From November through mid-January, the century-old institution displays whimsical wooden characters of all sizes, which Will Seppi, the current president and CEO of the bakery, refers to as their "Nutcracker Orphanage."

capped our Healdsburg holiday with a short drive from the square at The Montage (montage.com/Healdsburg), a 258-acre retreat where the 130 modern bungalow-style guestrooms are surrounded by steeply sloped vine-covered hills and stately moss-covered California oak trees. The Montage's sprawling spa boasts one of my favorite fitness studios with a stunning view of their adults-only zero-edge outdoor pool (for a fun off-property workout, book an E-Bike and grab a winery map from Gateway Adventures— getawayadventures.com—to embark on self-guided tour of the area). The refined setting at Hazel Hill, the resort's all-day dining destination, mirrors the terroir-to-table cuisine, quintessentially California with a touch of je ne sais quois .

Elegantly outfitted for the season, the indulgent escape offers tree and menorah lighting ceremonies and other special activities, including a wreath-making workshop. While the décor at The Montage isn't at all saccharine, its daily afternoon hot chocolate station, with a dizzying array of confectionery accouterments, would definitely satiate even Santa's sweet tooth. sl

We

Hazel Hill at The Montage Healdsburg

Gateway Adventures offers guided and DIY bicycle and E-bike winery tours

Forestview guest bungalow at The Montage Healdsburg

Set your sights on the horizon and select your dream voyage from our vast collection of itineraries across every destination.

EXPERIENCE THE WORLD YOUR WAY

ENGAGE & EXPLORE

UNRIVALED SPACE AT SEA

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY THE DESTINATION

The Lytle Park encompasses roughly 2.3 acres

REBIRTH OF LYTLE PARK

Written by Matthew Millett / Photography by Tony Bailey

One of the oldest parks in Downtown Cincinnati, Lytle Park, originally founded in 1905, has emerged from its 18-month renovation with a refreshed greenspace and charm characteristic of its history and heritage. However, to understand the importance of the small 2.3-acre city park, it is essential to understand the history of the southeasternmost part of the Central Business District and the people and businesses that continue to guide the city’s landscape. Cincinnati’s original founding in 1788 was situated across from the mouth of the Licking River in Kentucky. In 1789, Fort Washington was built with the current-day boundaries of Fourth Street, Ludlow Street, Broadway Street, and the Ohio River. A commemorative marker located in the west end of Lytle Park marks the fort’s site.

In the early 1800s, residential development replaced the fort, including a circa 1809 large mansion built by the first Surveyor-General of the Northwest Territory and the State of Ohio, General William Henry Lytle. Continued development throughout the 1820s included famed buildings such as the home of William Sargent, secretary of the Northwest Territory, and the present home of the Literary Club of Cincinnati, which took over the property in 1849 upon its founding (the oldest organization of its kind in the United States).

The mansion for Cincinnati’s first banker and manufacturer, Martin Baum, was also erected in 1820. The mansion traded hands to Cincinnati’s first millionaire, Nicholas Longworth, who later sold it to David Sinton, whose daughter Anna Louise married Charles Phelps Taft. Charles and Anna moved into the home in 1873 and lived there until their passing. With no heirs, the Tafts willed their historic home and private art collection to the people of Cincinnati upon their deaths. After renovation, the Taft Museum of Art opened in 1932 and, to this day, is regarded as one of the country’s finest small art museums.

The Tafts took considerable interest in the neighborhood surround their home during their lifetime. In the early 1900s, they donated the land and helped provide funding to build the Anna Louise Inn, now home to The Lytle Park Hotel. Charles (Phelps) Taft built the Phelps Apartment building on Fourth Street (currently The Phelps, a Residence Inn by Marriott) to further encourage residents to live there. In 1879, Charles acquired the ownership of the Seeley and Smith residences, side-by-side buildings near the Broadway and Fourth Street intersections, for a clubhouse for the newly formed University Club of Cincinnati. These buildings would later be combined and still house the 145-year-old private club.

The Guilford Building, originally erected as a school in 1913, The American Book Building, located across the street from The Lytle Park Hotel, and Park Place at Lytle next to the Taft Museum round out the buildings surrounding Lytle Park. In 1901, The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company erected its new corporate offices along Broadway between Fourth and Fifth streets and prominently positioned itself in this famed location.

Lytle Park was established in 1905 and remained in this location, overcoming economic and industrial changes in the

ensuing years due partly to the patronage of local business leaders interested in its preservation. The original Federal Highway Act of 1956 had routed the Northeast Expressway (I-71) through Lytle Park, and years of dispute resulted in a plan to tunnel the highway under the park and create Fort Washington Way. Western & Southern stepped in and used its resources to help cover part of the highway and save Lytle Park and the area’s heritage, one of the first of many essential interventions the company made in the spirit of the park’s preservation.

Since then, Western & Southern Financial Group has continued its commitment to Lytle Park and the surrounding buildings. Under the leadership of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John Barrett, the company purchased the Guilford Building then upgraded and renovated it to house the offices of its real estate investment subsidiary, Eagle Realty Group, as well as its corporate university and fitness center. In 2011, it transformed the Phelps apartment building into the Residence Inn at the Phelps. In 2020, it opened The Lytle Park Hotel on the site of the Anna Louise Inn after helping relocate the organization into a brand-new home with access to transportation and the medical services a few miles away.

Lytle Park Now encorporates softer jogging and walking paths

Marine Corps Memorial

The Taft Art Museum sits at the East end of the park

When the I-71 tunnel was remodeled and updated in 2017, restoration of the park became necessary. When renovation bids skyrocketed after the COVID pandemic, Western & Southern again stepped forward to safeguard the park’s future. This time, John Barrett and his team committed over $3.2 million to the immediate renovation costs. The team also added an annual, ongoing gift of $40,000 for maintenance.

While the park’s footprint is the same, everything else is new. A walking path between landscaped flowerbeds leads to a new decorative fountain. A running track loops around these walkways and connects to more extensive paths through downtown. There’s a new bocce ball court and a “Thrive Outdoor Fitness” playground for youth and adults. The famed ‘beardless’ Abraham Lincoln statue now greets visitors as they enter the park. Upgraded lighting, fresh greenspaces, and a lively list of summer programs and activities via The Cincinnati Parks Foundation, The Lytle Park Hotel, and the Taft Museum ensure the park’s social utilization this season and future seasons.

Over the past decade, Western & Southern has helped ensure this area of downtown remains not only relevant but a destination to live, work and celebrate. Maintaining its headquarters and investing in other properties around the park has created revitalized energy in the area. In addition to the park, the Residence Inn at the Phelps celebrated a renovation of its own – the expansion of its kitchen and, earlier, upgrading its roof terrace – Top Of The Park -- to meet increased demand for dining in the area. Western & Southern also completed a major overhaul of the apartment building it constructed in the late 1960s into luxury apartments now called 550 At Lytle Park, which is 80% leased (at the time of this printing).

Lytle Park’s importance is a true testament to Cincinnati’s vision and those who hold the downtown area dear. The city’s founders and early entrepreneurs owe a debt of gratitude to both the Taft family and the Western & Southern Financial Group team and the leadership under John Barrett for their unique roles in ensuring that the heritage of Lytle Park, but more importantly, downtown, continues to thrive for generations to come. sl

The walking paths center around the new round fountain

A BALANCED APPROACH TO GARDEN DESIGN

Photos by Jennifer Smith

There’s a shift in the way we approach landscape and garden design. Long-held practices, those deeply ingrained in traditional American landscape design and maintenance, are being shaken from their pedestals. Impassioned voices are urging, if not defying, homeowners not to forgo some of their lawn but all of it, every blade. And what’s to take the place of the evicted lawn? Native plants. To further challenge our perception of the ideal landscape, the new native garden is to be left standing through winter and, some say, indefinitely. We should never cut back a garden planted to support nature. That message is strong, yet countless landscaping companies arrive at clients’ homes with dozens of new boxwoods, planting invasive groundcovers, and adding enough chemicals to ensure that no insect, be it harmful or beneficial, finds a home in the landscape. The contrast is sharp and impossible to ignore. Which way do you turn? Do we fall back to our comfort zone of impeccably manicured lawns and rows of tightly clipped evergreen shrubs soldiered along the front of the house, or do we start our landscape over and only use native plants?

“The answer lies in the middle with a balanced approach to landscape and garden design,” shares Peter Wimberg, president of Wimberg Landscaping. “For years, we’ve been educating homeowners on how they can garden with nature. It doesn’t have to be a one or the other situation. We don’t begrudge a homeowner who wants some lawn to either set off the garden or give their kids a place to play. Rather, we strive to find a balanced approach

where we invite nature to our landscapes, and in turn, invite the homeowner to find new enjoyment and beauty in a landscape that until now has been uninviting and static.”

Drive through any neighborhood, and you will likely see the same few plants repeated in landscape after landscape. Not only is this an unimaginative way to design a yard and, in turn, a neighborhood, but we’re creating a monoculture landscape that can be devastated by a new pest, disease, or dramatic weather event. Creating resilient, healthy landscapes and, thus, healthy neighborhoods relies on plant diversity. With plant diversity comes landscapes that change through the seasons while supporting native pollinators and birds. “I believe the time of landscapes looking the same season to season is coming to an end. Homeowners want to see something of interest, a landscape that’s in bloom from early spring to late fall. We want a landscape that embraces each season while offering colors, textures, interesting foliage, and movement. We want beautiful landscapes that support nature,” shares Peter.

Applying a balanced approach to landscape design requires a shift from using just a handful of different landscape plants to dozens of them. Coupling more diverse plant offerings with leaving spent flowers to transition to caches of seeds and allowing plants to stand through winter, we experience a dramatic uptick in bird activity. Many easy-to-grow plants that are mainstays in the pollinator garden, such as Rudbeckias and Echinacea, attract songbirds, including goldfinches, in droves.

Monarch butterflies help to pollinate Echinacea

from

A lushly planted garden offers blooms

early spring until the first hard frost. Native and cultivated plants intermingle with ease. Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’, Echinacea, Eryngium yuccifolium, and an annual salvia attract pollinators in droves.

Hummingbird with Spigelia m. ‘Ragin Cajun’

“Homeowners are very open to planting with nature and adding plants to support the Monarch butterfly and native insects and bees. The key to inspiring homeowners to change their landscape is education,” Peter stresses. “When you see these gardens in action and experience them for yourself, you are more likely to adopt planting with nature. We plant what we know. If all you see are endless rows of boxwoods, then that’s what you’re likely to add to your landscape. The more examples of planting for pollinators we can show homeowners, the more people we can inspire to plant for nature in their own landscapes.”

To that end, Wimberg Landscaping has been creating natureinspired gardens for years. Their award-winning pollinator garden at Ault Park is a magnet for bees, butterflies, birds, photographers, and inquisitive gardeners. “Seeing in person the plants we know should be incorporated in our gardens to support nature takes what homeowners understand from a logical point of view - the need to add more pollinator plants - and makes the concept tangible. At our park pollinator garden, homeowners see different plants and plant combinations that support pollinators,” shares Jennifer Smith, pollinator garden designer. “The success of our pollinator garden at Ault Park to inspire homeowners to add more pollinator plants to their garden pales compared to what we have achieved with the gardens surrounding our offices. There, homeowners can walk through expansive gardens planted with nature while experiencing an even wider array of plants.”

The first step in planting with nature is removing invasive ground covers, honeysuckle shrubs, and old, overgrown plants,

poor health, or not adding value to nature. Plants that are not aesthetically pleasing to the landscape should also be considered for removal. Next, we look at if it’s feasible to turn some or all the lawn into a new garden. “We are not ones to tell someone they must, or they can’t do something in their landscapes. If we took a harsh approach to planting with nature, saying one must forgo all the lawn and only use native plants, I doubt we would have the success we’re having in creating gardens supporting nature. Rather, we approach a new project with the question, ‘Can we take up half of the lawn?’ Next, when we select plants for the newly expanded gardens, we strive to have half of those new plants be native varieties,” explains Jennifer. “Once a homeowner sees how beautiful gardens planted with nature can be, they are apt to expand their gardens. And, while they are building their new pollinator garden, they are inspiring their neighbors to do the same. It’s a beautiful domino effect.”

The way one cares for the landscape also changes. Gardens planted with nature often require less supplemental watering, the reliance on chemicals is drastically reduced or eliminated, and mowing is needed less frequently, decreasing carbon emissions and noise pollution. Homeowners can forgo routine pruning of shrubs, constant deadheading of plants, and excessive seasonal mulching. Another significant difference is the use of mulch. Where traditional landscapes are dependent on masses of shredded mulch to conserve water and reduce weeding, gardens planted with nature use pine straw and more plants. A garden planted with nature is plant-based, not mulch-based. sl

The Wimberg Landscaping office’s awardwinning pollinator garden is never wanting for color with a diverse plant offering of Monarda, Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’, Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea, and Rudbeckia maxima.

ESTATE OF MIND

A significant Indian Hill estate has enjoyed nearly a century of thoughtful stewardship.

Written by Matthew Millett

In 1928, Barney H. Kroger, a Cincinnati native, grocery magnate, and father of five, built a 19-room Colonial Revival home for his daughter, Gretchen Kroger Barnes Graft. In 1957, Charles Fleischman, III, whose father Julius Fleischman, II was one of the Village of Indian Hill founders, purchased the estate. Today, though grand in scale and able to accommodate fantastic fêtes, the residence is comfortable and welcoming for everyday living. Over the years, it has been exceptionally well maintained with sensitive refurbishment to add modern amenities while retaining unique historical details.

A hand-carved 18th-century mantel, large windows, and random-width plank floors enhance the simple elegance of the light-filled and spacious living room. French doors open to the terrace and offer views of the lake and woods beyond. A gallery hallway leads to the library, which features a bow window, hand-carved mantel, and judges paneling. This room boasts floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a decorative fresco ceiling.

Recessed arched niches, cornice moldings, and wood wainscoting enhance the gracious formal dining room. The crystal chandelier is from Winding Creek Farm, a 1920s estate home that Charles Fleishmann’s father built. The adjoining solarium with walls of arched windows frames stunning scenes in every season.

Highlights of the primary suite include a beautiful hand-crafted fireplace and built-in bookshelves. A wall of windows and French doors opens to a private walk-out balcony with a stunning view of the lake and expansive grounds. The focal points of the primary bath are a Delft-tiled tub and shower and antique marble and wrought-iron vanities. Completing the suite is an adjoining study.

The expansive grounds boast heirloom trees, deep woodlands, exceptional garden terraces, patios punctuated with sculptures, and meandering paths that award the curious with additional captivating details. The lush lawn sweeps down to a private one-acre lake with a small dock. An impressive obelisk fountain depicting the figure of Triton rises from the heart of the lake, while a substantial sculpture of the Greek god’s father, Neptune, looks on from a grotto at the end of the water’s edge.

In 1970, sculptor and designer Theodore Gantz added an Italian-style folly and villa guesthouse to the estate, creating an unrivaled retreat. Fieldstone paths and steps lined with statuary and fountains lead to this stucco and clay-tiled roofed garden folly that transports visitors to the Italian countryside.

A whimsical hand-carved wooden front door defines the folly’s grand entrance. Stepping inside reveals an awe-inspiring rotunda surrounded by a stucco filigree wreath. The walls are finished with raised wood panels, and hand-painted frescoes are decorated with shadow box soffits. A customforged three-tier chandelier commands the center of the room, while the east wall features a granite artisan carved hearth and fireplace.

Connected by a bridge that overlooks a central pool with more sculptures and fountains, the guesthouse includes a small bedroom with detailed woodwork, beautiful tile details such as a custom marble-tiled fireplace, and a wall of windows. A second wood-carved door dramatically reveals a private formal garden, unofficially named ‘The Secret Garden.’

This space, partially enclosed by high stucco walls, is punctuated with custom ornate sculptures and frescos with flying fountains that spring up from the mosaic patio floor. An upper pool cascades into the lower pool and grotto.

Sculptures abound throughout the grounds. A tortoise fountain rests on the lawn, while a bronze “Temple Bell” hung from a timber scaffold lies at the west property line near the edge of a creek.

Resting on a pedestal at the center of a low stone wall, an astrolabe—an astronomical instrument dating to ancient times—marks the site of a former reflecting pool. In contrast, a modern-made granite ball rolling on water springing within a square granite basin offers a more contemporary touch. Thoughtfully placed sculptures along woodland pathways at the south end of the property include an earthen ‘Mud Maid’ in the shape of a reclining woman and a concrete giant’s head, which are copies of sculptures at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England.

Nearly a century of careful stewardship and meticulous maintenance of the home and grounds creates an unbroken continuum among the skilled artisans and craftsmen who’ve left their mark on the entirety of the estate. This coalescence of intention has ensured that this historically significant property can evolve to meet the demands and comforts of contemporary life. sl

EXTERIOR SOLAR SHADES PROVIDE COMFORT, PRIVACY, AND UV PROTECTION

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Motorization is also available for the ultimate luxury and convenience! For more than 50 years, Apollo Draperies has been the go-to resource for Cincinnati Area homeowners for all things custom window treatments and exterior shades.

Our third-generation family owned business is here to help you protect and enhance your investment in your lifestyle and home's beauty.

WOODLAND MAGIC

When imagining a nature center, most people think of bird watching and hiking – and they’re not wrong. But for the brides and grooms saying their vows at Cincinnati Nature Center, a nature center will forever mean “pure magic.”

Couples will recall lush, green forest, fireflies, and songbirds. Their photo album will be full of pictures encapsulating the touch of a spring breeze or autumn sunset. When looking back on their special day, many will remember the beauty within nature and the incredible scenery they became marvelously entwined with for their memorable day.

These brides and grooms will also remember the feeling of being part of something magical. It’s hard to describe how Cincinnati

Nature Center instantly makes you feel better. The long driveway with rows and rows of happy daffodils, the chittering and chirping animals, looking up and seeing large, graceful birds, and being towered over by some of the oldest trees in the region make you feel you are in someplace truly special. Add in two historic grand homes, and you have the perfect place to start your lives together.

Cincinnati Nature Center’s Groesbeck Estate and Krippendorf Lodge spark the imagination and inspire a quest for history lessons. These venues make a marvelous backdrop for a truly unforgettable day. With more than 1,000 acres of stunning forests, fields, ponds and streams, guests will have unparalleled backdrops for festivities and photography in any season.

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Photo

Stephanie Keller Photography

Photo by Stephanie Keller Photography

Photo by Anna Cotton Photography

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Groesbeck Estate features several spaces for both outdoor and indoor celebrations. The house was constructed in 1920 and saw a complete renovation in 2017. This historic home and landmark features a spacious back deck overlooking a wooded ravine. The approach to Groesbeck Estate is captivating, with professionally manicured native gardens and a picturesque, circular Pillar Garden. The unique Haile Pillar Garden is a lovely ceremony setting or an overthe-top, serene break-away station for the focused corporate retreat.

The historic mansion, Krippendorf Lodge, showcases sprawling woodlands, a voluptuous wrap-around porch and a lavish stone terrace. The terrace and arboretum provide a spectacular outdoor setting for your wedding or celebratory event. The custommade awning will provide shelter, shade, and a bit of seclusion, creating a cozy ambiance in nature. Inside the lodge, several

wood-paneled rooms can be opened to create one large space for entertaining guests. If smaller spaces are required, the home’s original pocket doors will organize the rooms into separate, more intimate enclosures.

It’s understandable why Cincinnati Nature Center’s members are dedicated to the land and the organization’s mission of Inspiring Conservation. When you arrive, you want time to stop. When you step out into nature, you breathe deeper. You take the time to stop and smell the flowers. The songbirds will sing to you, and it is hard to deny the inspiration to watch them sing. You may even be drawn to learn about nature and help protect it.

Whether it is your Big Day , a celebration, or a corporate meeting, hosting an event at Cincinnati Nature Center promises pure magic and helps to support its mission of Inspiring Conservation. sl

Photo

Jessica Wiggins Photography

SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY

SOPHISTICATED GIVING LAUNCH PARTY

Non-profit leaders and philanthropists gathered at the Cincinnati Art Museum to celebrate the release of the 2024 Sophisticated Giving Charity Register. Generously sponsored by The Western & Southern Financial Group and The Fort Washington Investment Advisors, WSFG President John Barrett gave remarks on the power of giving and the special connection philanthropy holds in the Tri-State region. Visit the Sophisticated Giving online edition at www.sophisticatedlivingmag.com/home/cincinnati

1) Matthew Millett, Maribeth Rahe & John Barrett 2) Tom Marth, Marie Rusincovitch, Meggan Thompson, Ashleigh Dubois & Jack Geiger 3) Tom Finn, Sarah Gagnon & John Banchy 4) David Millett with Julie Back 5) Paul Brunner, DJ Hodge & Mary Wagner 6) Charia Mam & Caitlin Hedger 7) Joelle Tunning, Jeanne Trifilio & Chris Owens 8) Leann Kuchenbuck, Matthew Millett & Pat Eveslage 9) Deana Hengge & Chris Uihlein 10) Rene McPhedran, Jack Geiger & Doris

TALBERT HOUSE AMBASSADOR BOARD ANNUAL HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS EVENT

Talbert House’s Ambassador Board raised nearly $18,000 at its annual Home is Where theHeart is, held at LoVe on February 23, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Proceeds support the Agency’s Housing Service Line and their efforts to provide affordable housing for adults, veterans, and families who are overcoming barriers such as mental health, poverty, trauma, addiction, and homelessness. Established a decade ago, Talbert House’s Ambassador Board is a group of young professionals supporting Talbert House through volunteering, fundraising and advocacy in an atmosphere that promotes social connections and professional networking. For more information visit: www.talberthouse.org

1) Jasmine Wright, Kenya Sanders & Brittany Fuller 2) Gabe Bahala, Hunter Rambin & Thad Vernon 3) Gabe Ohliger & Joseph Fisher

4) Kayla Fleming, Alyssa Argenti & Ramona Peckham 5) Kate Gormley & Anna Gormley 6) Evan Sander, Kyle Kramer, Meredith Fossett, Louis Velazquez & Tori Roberts 7) Scott & Alex Martin, Jonah Manel, Todd Tyler, Mike Montano, Michael Friedes & Troy List 8) Scott Griffith & Jen Day 9) Talbert House Ambassador Board and Alumni 10) Courtney Mills & Tre James

CURE STARTS NOW ONCE IN A LIFETIME GALA

The Cure Starts Now hosted one of the area’s largest Galas with over 900 guests on March 9th at the Duke Energy Grand Ballroom raising over $681,000. Highlights of the evening included Mark and Missy Meinhardt winning the HERO of the Year award for their work with The Angel Run held each Fall. Ken Wesselman of Broadview Motion Design along with Mikayla Chain received Changemaker awards for their continued support and efforts throughout the year. Dr. Biplab Dasgupta from CCHMC also joined emcee Randi Ricco (WLWT TV) and Brian Thomas (55KRC radio) to describe some of the medical research that is being funded by The Cure Starts Now. The dollars raised will go towards research for pediatric brain cancer and the Homerun Cure™ strategy to cure all cancer. The Cure Starts Now Foundation has now funded over $34M in research and support with their collaborative partners. To learn more visit: www.thecurestartsnow.org

Ken & Connie Meiring manning the Graeters Truck 2) Andrew & Kimberly Slaymaker showing their colors 3) Ken Wesselman of Broadview Motion Design receiving the Changemaker Award 4) Mikayla Chain Volunteer Changemaker Award

Brooke George, Heidi Varns & Jackie Criswell 6) Brooke, Grace, Nina & Keith Desserich (Founders) with

OHIO VALLEY VOICES GALA

Ohio Valley Voices held their 16th Annual Gala on March 2nd at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Cincinnati. It was a lovely evening filled with mingling, dancing, and a heartfelt program. Sponsors and guests were extremely generous, helping to raise almost $325,000 to support the children of OVV and sustain the life-changing work the staff accomplishes every day. Ohio Valley Voices teaches children who are deaf and hard of hearing how to speak through early language acquisition in a nurturing environment where excellence is expected and achieved. For more information visit https://ohiovalleyvoices.org

1) John & Tisha Cummings, Nancy & Steve Frank, Ethan & Whitney Car, Dagmar & Martin Wilhelmy 2) Maria Sentelik & Cindy Macke

3) Debbie Colvin, Amy You, Julie Raleigh, Chris Murphy, Kathy Murphy 4) Danial Pipes, Maggi Kettler & Lori Lang

5) Tom Hodar, Max Reverman, Elizabeth Hodar, Kim Gatto & Robert Froster 6) Anne Neuville, Daria Denysenko & Steve Raleigh 7) Kyle McCallister, Lindsy Herrmann, Brandi & John Ritter 8) Joe & Bethany Leonardi, Andrew & Elizabeth McAllister, Dave & Terry Toot 9) Jerry & Amy You, Julie Raleigh, Chris, Kathy & Bob Murphy

EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISING

Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence

Embark on a delightful journey of culinary art in world renowned regions. The first course on this 7-night Rhône River cruise begins in Paris with a welcome dinner at celebrity hotspot, Fouquet’s. Learn to cook like a professional chef where Julia Child attended culinary school & enjoy lunch at a family-owned ranch in La Camargue with Provençal cowboys. Set out on a walking tour that fills with pastries, crêpes & champagne, ride along the Rhône on a bicycle excursion, and travel to the Beaujolais region for private wine tastings.

2024 & 2025 Departures: 10 days - Paris to Arles to Lyon

Culinary Delights

Taste the flavors of France with a pastry class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, breads & cheeses at Les Halles de Lyon food market, & a tour of a truffle farm in Grignan.

Exclusive Experiences

Attend memorable Tauck Exclusive events with a gala dinner at the restored château of Duché d’Uzès, a welcome evening at Fouqet’s on Champs-Élysées, and more.

Focus on Wellness

Indulge in riverboat amenities such as bicycle excursions along the Rhône, guided stretch sessions, and the onboard spa aboard ms Emerald

Contact your Provident Travel Advisor. Call 513-247-1100 or visit ProvidentTravel.com

MEALS ON WHEELS MADNESS GALA

Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY raised nearly $117,000 at its first ever Meals Madness gala on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The event, held at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, featured dinner, drinks, a silent auction and live music from The Chuck Taylors. During the gala, Meals on Wheels recognized two community partners: 2024 Much More Than a Meal Award: DJ Hodge, iHeart Media Division President, and the 2024 Collaborative Partner of Year: La Soupe. All proceeds from the Meals Madness gala will support the organization as it provides meal deliveries, visits, transportation, social services and more for older adults in the local community. For more information visit: www.muchmorethanameal.org

DJ Hodge (gala honoree & board member) & Barbara Turner 2) Matthew Stehlin & Elizabeth Bagel-Stehlin

Emcee, Sheree Paolello

MADI’S HOUSE MARTY BRENNAMAN ROAST & TOAST

The Marty Brennaman Roast & Toast event was a star-studded success raising funds and awareness for Madi’s House. Madi’s House is a non-profit mental health hangout located on Cincinnati’s west side for young adults struggling with mental health and addiction. The Madi’s House team was honored to host the roast at Music Hall with a who’s who of Cincinnati in attendance. The night included endless zingers, fastballs, home runs, and occasional fouls from the roasters and toasters who included Marty’s wife and son, and several famous friends including Jeff Ruby, Joe Deters, Simon Leis, Tracy Jones, Dave Lapham, Bob Kevoian (of the Bob and Tom Show), Bill Hemmer, comedian Josh Sneed and more. The event raised a grand total of $546,787 with all proceeds going toward building the new Simon L. Leis, Jr. Fitness & Wellness Center on the Madi’s House campus. To learn more about Madi’s House visit: https://madishousecincy.org

Steve Releigh, Marty Brennaman & Julie Raleigh 2) Dave Palmisano, Bobby Henderson, Gina Palmisano, Jeff & Leigh Ann Meurer, Mike McCall, Jami & Tommy Heil

Jeff Meurer, Cynthia Grow, Jack Coors, Caryn Scott & Tommy Heil 4) Dan Listo, John & Kathy Burn with Dave & Lynn Lappin 5) Tanner Shirley, Marty & Amanda Brennaman, Ashley Brennaman Shirley & James Shirley 6) Carrie & Pay Naber with Judge Ruehlman 7) Mike & Kimberly Rossetti with Fred & Emily Geraci 8) Charlotte & Dave Simons with Doug & Olga Flynn 9) Don Stallaro, Julie Releigh & Dami Stallaro 10) Dwayne & Sheree Marcum, Paul Naber, Chris Ketteman, Jennifer Barlow, Lloyd & Diane Peterson

KENZIE’S CLOSET

“PAINT THE CITY PINK”: Paint the City Pink was held at The View Mt. Adams on February 24, 2024, to support Kenzie’s Closet. Over 250 partygoers attended the fun, festive and pinkest party in town. Guests enjoyed an evening of fabulous food by Delightmore, open bar, amazing raffles and auctions donated by some of the finest businesses in town and live music by the Airwave Band… all with one of the city’s most stunning views. A wonderful night was had by all to support the kickoff of the 2024 season of Kenzie’s Closet. In 2023, seventy-seven different schools referred 425 girls to Kenzie’s Closet including 34 girls from Lewis County who made over a 2-hour bus ride to get here. To learn more about Kenzie’s Closet and their incredible work go to www.kenziescloset.org.

1) Heather Batdorf, Pam Kravetz, Judge Marilyn Zayas and Guest 2) Karen & Frank Crane of The Edelweiss Foundation 3) Sarah Evans, Meghan Broderick, Ashlee Wooten & Megan Stacey 4) Lilly Evans, Bill Wood, Grace Evans, Jonathan & Sarah Evans 5) Josh & Lisa Diedrichs with Christine and Jason Budzik 6) Michael & Stacey Fessler, Dr. Alex and Molly Donath, Amanda Bentley Fessler & Amy Campbell 7) Maureen Cummins 8) Peter Frey & Natalie Jones 9) Margarita Garcia, Jennifer Reed, Nikki Hayden, Kathryn Hayden 10) Kris & Erin Fairfield 11) Elyse Deters Robson & Will Robson 12) Sue Sieber, Greg & Mary Lee Waddell with Cindy Kelly

GENESIS AT WORK APPRECIATION DINNER

The Genesis at Work Foundation recently held its annual appreciation dinner with wine pairing at the Rug Gallery, sponsored by Brad Olsen, President of Crest Craft Recognition Awards. The foundation’s mission is to find meaningful work for God’s children with special needs, enriching lives and businesses. The event served to celebrate their donors, inclusive employers, strategic partners, and job seekers they’re currently working with. Additionally, the event highlighted the inspiring success story of Emily Duffy and Pella Windows and Doors. This included insights from Jim Gehm and Shawn Jackson from Pella, who spoke about the tremendous impact Emily and customized employment have had on their company. The dinner also included the celebration of two of their wonderful 2024 award winners and featured cooking from Cincinnati Celebrity Chef Michael Forgus. For more information visit: www.genesisatwork.org

1) Shawn Jackson, Emily Duffy, Amy Powers & Jim Gehm 2) Scott Holland, Thad Kucia Stauder, Sam Bright, Seth Mishne, Emily Duffy, Baylie Mason & Zack Philpott 3) Rod Cober & Bryan Holland 4) Brad Olsen, Jim Frey & Bryan Holland 5) Gary Hartman, Beau & Barbie Presnell, Bryan Holland with John Bernloehr 6) Melinda Mason, Baylie Mason & Erin Arlinghaus 7) Emma Glickberg & Emily Duffy

Helping Find Meaningful Work for God’s Children with Special Needs

“I have known Scott Holland since he was three years old and have seen him develop into the inspiring young man he is today. Scott energizes me every time I see him.”

JIM FREY, OWNER OF PELLA CINCINNATI

“Jim Frey’s contributions have significantly impacted the successful launch of Genesis at Work Foundation, which started in July of 2022”, says Bryan Holland, CEO and Founder. In 2024 he increased Pella’s financial commitment to $161,500 over 3 years. As part of Pella’s commitment to supporting Genesis at Work, Pella is the title sponsor of our Celebration Gala on October 5 this year.

In addition, Pella is a member of the Genesis at Work Inclusive Employers Program creating win/win partnerships between our job seekers and employers. By participating in this program, employers gain access to a dedicated, committed and productive workforce while promoting diversity and inclusivity within the organization.

In October of 2023 Emily Duffy, a Genesis at Work job seeker, with an unstoppable work ethic with the help of Genesis at Work, found her dream job at Pella Windows and Doors.

“Emily helps the sales team with writing thank-you notes and assembling customized pocket folders for our sales team. These tasks are helping us improve our closing rates and she has helped me work on expanding my management skills.” explains Jim Gehm, Emily’s supervisor.

“As a result of our team working with Emily, I have seen my team grow closer together. I have seen more positive emotions, engagement, stronger relations, deeper meaning and sense of achievement.” Jim Frey

If the Genesis story touches your heart, you can help by becoming a member of our Inclusive Employer Program, volunteer or donate.

www.genesisatwork.org

Left to Right: Bryan Holland, CEO of Genesis at Work, Scott Holland the inspiration for his father starting Genesis and Jim Frey, Owner of Pella Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI YOUTH COLLABORATIVE SATURDAY HOOPS WEEKEND CELEBRATION

A special celebration was held on March 9th to celebrate 20 years for Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s Saturday Hoops Program. While each Saturday morning throughout the year, Saturday Hoops strives to help improve young people’s outlook on life and themselves by encouraging our young people to be Cheerful Givers, Hard Workers, Overcomers, and Good Stewards in their communities. During the anniversary Saturday Hoops weekend, over $100,000 was raised to ensure the program will continue for another 20 years! Over 400 students, mentors and volunteers were in attendance to celebrate the event and honor Hoops legends, Bill Lammert, Dave Weaver, and Joe Wilmers. Visit www.cycyouth.org website to learn more about the upcoming Golf “FORE” Youth Outing this May 14th and how to get involved with their services.

1) President and CEO Amy Thompson pictured with Saturday Hoops students, Who Dey Mascot, Mr. Redleg’s, and Cincinnati Cyclones Mascots 2) Saturday Hoops Leader with Mayor Aftab \ and Who Dey Mascot receiving City

Ballons by The Balloon Parlor 4)

Hoops

Anniversary Honorees (left to right) Pastor Dave Weaver, Joe Wilmers & Bill Lammert 5) Saturday Hoops Leader Adam Turer and Wife at Saturday Hoops 20th Anniversary Celebration 6) Councilwoman Meeka Owens with the Cyclones Mascots 7) 8–12-year-old 1st place Knockout Champion holding his trophy and prize money

TENDER MERCIES SLATER HALL GRAND OPENING

On Tuesday, March 12, Tender Mercies welcomed private donors, public entities, businesses, volunteers, and friends to the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Slater Hall. Built over the course of approximately 18 months, the $13.5 million building is named for Mr. Edward James Slater, who, along with Randy LaFond and Fr. Chris Hall, founded Tender Mercies in 1985. The building includes 62 units of affordable housing. Amenities include private rooms and bathrooms, modern laundry facilities, 24/7/365 staff support, on-site services and case management. For more information on Tender Mercies and their services visit: www.tendermerciesinc.org

1) Ben Eilerman 2) Randy LaFond, Marcia Spaeth-Kennedy & Ed Slater 3) Exterior of the new Slater Hall 4) Deanna Hengge and Brett Heekin 5) Ed Slater 6) Luke Blocher, Brett Heekin, Dawn Grace, Ben Eilerman, Aftab Pureval, Russ Winters, Ed Slater, Jennifer Snider, Mary Ann Lang, LeeAnne Cornyn & Guy Ford

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CINCINNATI INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL CHARITY AUCTION LUNCHEON

The 2024 Cincinnati International Wine Festival’s annual Saturday Charity Auction Luncheon took place at The Anderson Pavilion. Guests bid on exclusive wine, dinner and travel lots while enjoying food provided by Renee Schuler and Eat Well Catering and expertly paired wine from across the World. Funds raised from the luncheon auction, grand tastings, and dinner events at local restaurants will be donated back to 30+ local non-profits. For more information, visit: winefestival.com

1) Marc & Lori Watson with Viral & Brian Bapatel 2) Kate & Brian More with Susan & Jeff Routh 3) Clayt Daley & George Elliott

Ray & Kim Jackson with Matthew Millett

Janet Reynolds & Graig Smith

Jane Temming, Sara Gagnon, Dan Temming & Dave Ebbler

Nancy Pryor, Jeff Hock, Karen & Rick Blatt

Marcus Relthford, Mary Horn