We checked in with Betsy Ross, who received the Silver Circle award from the Ohio Valley chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences this year.

The original story is here and her video interview is below.

What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2022?

I think the biggest surprise this year is the bounceback, if you will, from COVID. We always suspected that people were eager to get back together and have events, but this year confirmed that we are, indeed, social people and our natural tendency is to be with our friends and family. It’s been just pure joy to all get back together again.

What’s changed since we last spoke?

I think the big change this year is that we have all learned to adapt to a changing work climate.

Business are still having the debate over in-office versus remote work (and that probably will continue in 2023) but commercial real estate already is making the assumption that there will be less demand for office space and more demand for “elevated” living spaces.

What have you learned about our community this year?

I have been reminded of something that we all inherently knew: Nothing brings this community together like sports. The feel-good story of the Bengals made believers of all of us, and brought us together into one big happy family. I said when we were at the Super Bowl that I wish we didn’t have to play the game, because we all were so happy about the team and I didn’t want the “feel good” story to end. And despite the loss, the story really hasn’t ended.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

There is so much to look forward to in the new year. The new Jeff Ruby restaurant on Foundation Square should breathe new life and excitement into downtown. New events will put Cincinnati on the national map.

And, of course, we get to see how the Bengals do in the playoffs!