Raison d'Être
Vive la France! Eric Vespierre, a board member with the Alliance Français, talks about their annual Bastille Day fête and how the organization reaches out to Francophiles in the region to celebrate French food, culture, and language.
Bastille Day Party
Friday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Weller Park, 10021 Weller Road
The event is FREE for members, $5 for individual guest, and $10 for a non-member family.
Details at www.afcincinnati.com/event-cms/bastille-day.
Vive la France!
Alliance Française de Cincinnati, the primary French cultural institution in Greater Cincinnati, celebrates Bastille Day at a family picnic on Friday, July 15.
Board member Eric Vespierre talks about the event, as well as how this non-profit organization shares their passion for French language and Francophone cultures in our local community.
Get Together
Visit Cincy brings one of the largest conventions in years to town, as the CME Church opens its 40th General Conference this weekend . Local leaders, including Mayor Aftab Pureval and Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, offered a warm welcome to Bishop Lawrence Reddick, the CEO of CME.
Cincinnati hosts one of its largest conventions since the pandemic, welcoming the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church for their 39th Quadrennial Session and 40th General Conference.
The C.M.E. Church convenes on a quadrennial basis for the purpose of conducting the Church’s legislative business and financial reporting. The Conference includes presentations from dynamic and nationally known preachers.
Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton
The first woman elected a CME bishop during the Conference, Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, will open the conference, making it an historic occasion.
The General Conference is a delegated meeting composed of the church’s active and retired bishops (known as the College of Bishops), its department heads (General Officers), Judicial Council, laity and clergy delegates and alternates, and visitors. The General Conference meets every four years, and the presiding officers are the bishops of the church who take turns each day in their order of seniority. Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III is the Senior Bishop of the Church and the Chief Executive Officer of the denomination. Bishop James B. Walker is the Chair of the College of Bishops, and Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. is the host bishop.
On That Note
Cincinnati Opera returns to Music Hall for its 2022 season, with fan favorites and challenging new works. Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, talks about the opera's triumphant homecoming.
After two seasons away, Cincinnati Opera returns to Music Hall and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Evans Mirageas, the Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director at Cincinnati Opera talks about the 2022 season, inviting fans to be swept away by one of the most famous love stories ever sung, set sail on a swashbuckling adventure, experience the grandest of all grand operas, and discover new voices telling compelling stories through music.
The 2022 Summer Festival
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
June 18, 23 & 25
Music Hall
Get swept away by one of the most famous love stories ever sung. La Bohème has captivated generations of audiences with its unforgettable music and its sweetly sentimental tale of young, bohemian lovers in Paris.
World Premiere!
Fierce
William Menefield & Sheila Williams
July 6, 9 & 10
School for Creative and Performing Arts
Four teenage girls struggle with the pressures of school, family, and friendship. Despite the chorus of trolls that taunts them, they soon unite in a transformative journey toward empowerment and self-assurance in this heartwarming premiere.
The Pirates of Penzance
Arthur Sullivan & W.S. Gilbert
July 7, 8 & 10
Music Hall
Set sail on a perfectly preposterous adventure, complete with dutiful daughters, cowering constables, and softhearted swashbucklers. With vibrant sets and costumes, memorable tunes, and rapid-fire laughs, The Pirates of Penzance is a modern, major spectacle for the entire family.
World Premiere!
Castor and Patience
Gregory Spears & Tracy K. Smith
July 21, 23, 24, 28 & 30
School for Creative and Performing Arts
A long overdue reunion finds two African American cousins at odds over the fate of a historic parcel of land they have inherited in the American South. With soaring music and a powerful original libretto, this topical premiere is the buzz of the opera world.
Aida
Giuseppe Verdi
July 22, 26, 29 & 31
Music Hall
Experience the grandest of all grand operas in this lavish production evoking the splendor of Ancient Egypt. From its star-crossed lovers to its thunderous “Triumphal March” featuring a 60-voice chorus, Aida is an epic romance for the ages.
Special Concert Event—One Night Only!
Morris and Friends
Morris Robinson
July 27
Music Hall
World-renowned bass and Cincinnati Opera Artistic Advisor Morris Robinson hosts and curates a special, one-night-only concert of opera, gospel, and musical theater.
Tickets for all performances at my.cincinnatiopera.org/events
Run Along
Kate Solomon, executive director of the FCC Foundation, talks about the FCC3 (and watch party) on June 18 at TQL Stadium, a fundraiser to support their work to improve the lives of children in the region through soccer.
The FCC3, presented by Medpace, is June 18. This 3-mile walk/run starts on Central Parkway and ends at TQL Stadium, followed by the free TQL Watch Party as FC Cincinnati takes on Philadelphia Union on the road.
Find out more and register at fccrace.com.
Conventional Wisdom
Local attorney Dennison Keller joins national and international leaders for The Cutting Edge of Elder Care: Global Approaches to Serve Elders in Our Own Community symposium to advance care for seniors.
The Cutting Edge of Elder Care: Global Approaches to Serve Elders in Our Own Community
June 2
Oasis Conference Center, Loveland
Keynote Speaker: Eloy van Hal
Symposium topics include, caring for aging baby boomers, hidden symptoms of dementia, race and religion in long term care settings, technology advances in elder care, new research on helping families better communicate as they care for a parent, and culturally competent care for LGBTQ older adults.
The event is open to the public and nurses, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapy therapists can earn continuing education credits.
Register at www.elderlawcincinnati.com
Presented by The Law Practice of Dennison Keller, LLC
Industry leaders including a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, a research scholar in geriatrics, elder law attorneys, and experts in LGBTQ senior care will explore The Cutting Edge of Elder Care: Global Approaches to Serve Elders in Our Own Community, during a new symposium. Eloy Van Hal, founder of “Dementia Village” in the Netherlands, will give the keynote address.
The Law Practice of Dennison Keller, LLC is organizing the event with the goal of bringing positive change and global perspectives to the Tristate. Keller, past President of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA), has over 15 years of expertise as an elder law attorney.
Keller’s firm is Cincinnati’s only member of the LCPLFA, a national association of interdisciplinary law practices that offer care coordination, family education, and help with financial and health care decisions in addition to legal services. His fourteen-person staff includes two lawyers, two nurses, and four licensed social workers.
Van Hal is a superstar in the field of elder care. For more than 20 years, he managed nursing homes and elder care facilities. In 2009, He co-founded the “Dementia Village” known as Hogeweyk, just outside of Amsterdam. It was a completely new model of personalized dementia care, allowing residents to live in a neighborhood according to their lifestyle with the freedom to walk around instead of being locked in the wing of a stand-alone building. In 2015,
Van Hal took on the role of senior managing advisor to help implement communities like the“Dementia Village” around the world. His thought-provoking presentations inspire his audiences to think beyond the status quo, often leaving them astonished by what is possible.
Kind of a Pig Deal
For the Flying Pig Marathon "streakers," the race is an annual celebration. Two longtime runners, Harvey Lewis and Billie Jo Mendoza, talk about what initially drew them to the Pig, and their advice for anyone who wants to be part of the Marathon.
Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon powered by P&G marks its 24th running this weekend with a band of very loyal participants leading the way.
Since 1999, the first year of the Pig, about 70 runners and walkers have completed every marathon and are planning on participating in this year’s event. They’re called “streakers” (for their running streak, not anything else) and are valued members of the Flying Pig family.
Two of the streakers, Harvey Lewis and Billie Jo Mendoza, talk about what attracted them to the Pig in the first place, and their advice for anyone wanting to be part of the Marathon:
What made you want to sign up for the very first Flying Pig Marathon?
Harvey Lewis
Harvey: It was the local hometown marathon in its inaugural year and I was excited to jump in. It was nice to just wake up at home and have a short distance to the start line.
Billie Jo Mendoza
Billie Jo: Team in Training, and also it was my first marathon.
How many years did you run the Pig before you decided you were going to do it every year?
Harvey: I’m not really sure. Certainly, by year 10, but I was probably hooked after the first.
Billie Jo: I’d say by the third year I knew it was going to be THE annual event on my calendar.
What is it about the Flying Pig that brings you back every year?
Harvey: I love the energy that goes into all the details. The race staff, volunteers and fans along the route make the race one of the best marathons in the world. The route is really beautiful in May. It’s a high energy event. The medals are a piece of art!
Billie Jo: Not only my commitment to fundraising for LLS, but also that this the best organized and most fun weekend around.
For those who have never run a marathon before, what advice would you give to get people started?
Harvey: Take it all in! Don’t think too much about time. Goal number one, and an outstanding achievement, is finishing. Hydrate consistently from the get go. Jump in a pace group!
Billie Jo: I suggest joining a marathon training group through one of the many charities or local running stores. They will keep you on track with training, motivation and accountability.
Anything else you’d like to add that makes the Flying Pig so special to you?
Harvey: I love seeing all of the other runners each with a personal story and sharing in the Pig adventures. Seeing and hearing many of those stories inspires me into the summer and beyond.
Billie Jo: The Flying Pig will always have my heart mainly because of the wonderful people that organize the event, the volunteers that make it happen and the support of this awesome city and its people.
The 24th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend powered by P&G is April 29–May 1, 2022. Registration is still open for some events at www.flyingpigmarathon.com.
Writing History
Writer, performer, and educator Ajanae Dawkins, brings poetry into the community as the Taft Museum of Art's Robert S. Duncanson artist-in-residence. Founded in 1986, the Duncanson program honors the achievements of contemporary Black American artists.
This year, Ajanae Dawkins, a writer, performer, and educator was named the Duncanson Artist-in-Residence at The Taft Museum of Art.
Meet the Artist
Workshop: Confessional Writing Saturday
April 23, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Women Writing for (a) Change, 6906 Plainfield Road
Join Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, Ajanae Dawkins, and Women Writing for (a) Change for a workshop which explores authenticity in writing. Attendees will investigate who is usually the “villain” or person causing harm in their work. Participants will learn how their writing can act as a distorted mirror and how their work might have the capacity to hold them accountable to be more radically honest. This is a free event. Registration is required at womenwriting.org. New and experienced writers are welcome. Recommended for ages 15+. Materials will be provided, or attendees are welcome to bring their favorite writing materials.
Closing Reception, Duncanson Artist-in-Residence
Saturday, April 23, 7–9 p.m.
Artsville, 5021 Whetsel Ave.
Celebrate the closing of the 35th Duncanson Artist-in-Residence with writer and performance artist Ajanae Dawkins and other community leaders. The evening includes a lively night of spoken word and music. Cash bar available.
More information and tickets.
As part of her residency, Dawkins had led public programs, taught workshops, and visited schools across Greater Cincinnati. Her residency wraps up with a workshop and closing reception on Saturday.
Dawkins has performed, and has been featured, at venues across the country including opening for the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and for the Taft’s first Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, poet Nikki Giovanni.
Her work has been published in the EcoTheo Review, The BreakBeat Poets Black Girl Magic Anthology, The Offing, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, Winter Tangerine, The Blueshift Journal, Voicemail Poems, The Underscore Review, Word Riot, Gramma Poetry, The Rumpus, and other anthologies and journals. Dawkins work has also been featured on For Harriet, Def Jam, and Button Poetry and in EBONY Magazine for the “Faces of Frustration: A Year of Racial Protest.”
Currently, Dawkins is a fellow of The Watering Hole writer’s retreat for African American writers and of Pink Door Writing Retreat. She is also an editor for Voicemail Poems, the 2020 Nancy Craig Blackburn Fellow as an MFA candidate at Randolph College, an Alford Scholar as an M.Div. candidate at Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and has recently been selected as a co-host of the Poetry Foundation's The VS Podcast.
The Piggest Gift of All
Over the years, the Flying Pig Marathon as helped participating charities raise more than $18 million, including through the Piggest Raffle. Joel Barnhill, charity coordinator, talks about how you can support local non-profits.
Joel Barnhill not only works with the more than 300 charities that partner with the Flying Pig and Pig Works every year, he also organizes the Michelob Ultra Victory Party after the Flying Pig. Joel tells us how he first got involved with the Flying Pig, and ways that charities can still get involved in this year's Flying Pig Marathon weekend.
Double Play
Frisch's CEO Tony Vasconcellos talks about their 75th anniversary, their long history with the Reds, and plans for the rest of the year.
As one hometown favorite prepares to start their season, another is sliding into its 75th year.
Big Boy Slider
The Big Boy Slider is made with fresh beef patties, cheese, caramelized onions, Frisch’s Original Tartar Sauce, lettuce and pickle.
Frisch’s, which has been serving Big Boys, fish sandwiches, hot fudge cake, and other legendary dishes since 1947, continues its long-standing team-up with the Reds.
Frisch’s CEO Tony Vasconcellos talks about that big anniversary, Kids’ Opening Day, and plans for the summer.
But to celebrate the start of baseball season and Opening Day, Frisch’s unveiled the Big Boy Slider, the official slider of the Cincinnati Reds. The little sandwich with huge flavor will be available at the GABP (Look for it in Section 118) and Frisch's restaurants for a limited time.
Frisch’s is serving Rosie’s Red Hot Sliders, made with fresh beef patties, pepper jack cheese, Frisch’s Spicy Tartar Sauce, lettuce and pickle.
Like No Tomorrow
The Contemporary Arts Center's performance festival, This Time Tomorrow, returns April 6–10. Find out more from artistic director, Drew Klein.
With lunchtime talks and after-hours shows, This Time Tomorrow promises non-stop performances. The annual festival at the Contemporary Arts Center returns, expanding its reach into the community, with premieres from some of the most inspiring performance artists and musicians in the world.
Find out more about TTT from the CAC’s director of performance, Drew Klein.
See the full schedule and get tickets at www.contemporaryartscenter.org/this-time-tomorrow.
Bloom to Grow
Daisy Jane's Flower Truck – and shop – can help you bring a little Spring to your home while you're waiting for your own garden to grow.
It started with a truck.
A 1965 Ford Econoline truck to be exact.
Meagan Moore left TV news in 2018 to pursue a dream of bringing a little more joy and beauty to people. That idea blossomed into “Cincinnati's Original Flower Truck.”
“When I first started the flower truck I knew flowers had a special way of bringing people joy,” says Moore. “But that became even more evident throughout the pandemic.”
Along with the original truck, the business now includes a 1961 Ford Econoline truck and a storefront in Walnut Hills. As the demand grew for wedding and event flowers, the Daisy Jane team expanded to incude Sam Meece, a floral designer, and Erika Holt, Moore’s cousin, who operates that second flower truck.
“So many people come to the truck or flower bar to build a bouquet and it becomes a form of self care, which has been really beautiful to be a part of,” says Moore. “Studies show the positive impacts flowers and plants have on your mental health, from relieving stress and brightening your mood, to even helping boost creativity. It is so important to bring a piece of nature inside, especially if you work from home. Flowers really help people feel connected.”
Though we are enjoying some beautiful Spring days now, we also know a cold snap could be just around the corner. If your own garden isn’t in bloom just yet, Daisy Jane’s can help.
“We've been fortunate to work with incredible spring blooms we source from local flower farmers. You'll find native tulips, hellebore, anemones, ranunculus and poppies at Daisy Jane's Flower Bar,” says Moore.
“It is so important to bring a piece of nature inside, especially if you work
from home. ”
The flower trucks are popular destination at outdoor markets and craft shows, but the the trucks (or the mobile flower bar) are also available for private parties and events. For those who want to learn a bit more about planting and flower arranging, the shop offers classes.
“We are really passionate about what we do and love to share those fun skills with customers through our classes,” says Moore. Along with public classes, the shop has private classes on Sundays.
“You can get together with a group of friends and learn how to arrange flowers, make flower crowns, or make a wreath,” says Moore. “Everything we offer at the flower bar is hands on, so you can come in anytime and play with flowers and plants!”
Handle With Care
“We get a lot of questions about the flowers themselves when people stop in and oftentimes we are asked to help make the bouquets, which we are always happy to do,” Moore says.
We like to educate our customers about the flowers in their bouquet, which ones they can hold onto that will dry really well and how best to care for their bouquet to get the longest life out of their blooms.
We always encourage you to keep your water fresh. Change the water every day or every other day, and give the stems a fresh cut when you do.
Keep your flowers out of the sun and away from drafts. We clean up your stems for you, but a good rule of thumb is to make sure there are no leaves in your water as that will cause bacteria to grow and contribute to your flowers dying quickly.
“We love to share fun facts about the blooms and plants in our shop so we love it when you come with questions!”
But if you can’t make it to City Flea and don’t have time to stop in the store, you can still enjoy gorgeous, fresh flowers any time. Daisy Jane’s delivers flowers seven days a week. All of the arrangements include a vase and are custom made, using the freshest seasonal blooms available the day your flowers are delivered.
Beyond flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, or just because, Daisy Jane’s also offer a subscription service, with monthly and bi-weekly deliveries available.
“It is so fun seeing people light up when we deliver bouquets!” Moore says. “It gives you a boost to know someone is thinking about you and that someone took the time out to brighten your day.”
Moore adds that people stop in the store to pick up plant babies as well. Along with the plants, they also offer advice, helping you find the right plant for the right space, sharing information about the best lighting and a proper watering schedule for your choice.
“Getting your hands on flowers and building your own bouquet, whether at our truck or at the flower bar is really therapeutic and gives you an opportunity to be creative!” says Moore.
Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck, 772 E McMillan St., daisyjanesflowertruck.com
In the Long Run
Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to get in your10,000th step, the story of these "Queen Bees" will inspire you to keep going.
As many around the Tristate – and the world – prepare for the Flying Pig Marathon, “Pigs on the Run,” talks to longtime runners and supporters about their experiences.
A photo on the Queen Bee Facebook page of four friends linking arms as they crossed the finish line prompted an email from one of the women in that picture. Listen to their story of friendship, of perseverance, of tragedy and triumph.
Coming of Age
Zaire Sims, from Meals on Wheels Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky, has been chosen for ASA Rise, a national fellowship for the next generation of leadership from the American Society on Aging.
– by Skip Tate
Being a teenager is tough. The hormones. The physical and emotional changes. The peer pressure and drama of high school. Good grief. It’s stressful just thinking about it. Just ask Zaire Sims. She knows. She went through the struggles just like everyone else, but with an added challenge weighing her down. A big challenge.
Her family was homeless.
Throughout most of her four years at Western Hills University High School in Cincinnati, her family bounced around, finding shelter where they could. Sometimes they stayed with friends. Sometimes they stayed in a hotel room. Zaire ended up moving in with an aunt during her senior year just for a little bit of stability.
While the weight would crush most people, Zaire somehow survived.
“High school was a pretty bad time for me,” she says. “Although I may not have realized it at the time, I was learning resilience, that no matter what happens things will eventually get better. I also learned that you can literally have nothing and still serve others.”
Buoyed by an inner knack for perseverance and a wide range of knowledge gained from hard life lessons, she applied for a scholarship to The Ohio State University through its Young Scholars Program. The program helps propel first-generation college students with a high financial need by giving them coaching, mentoring and advising support, as well as other tools and resources. She thrived in the environment, graduating in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and the honor of being the program’s inaugural Outstanding Senior Award winner.
“That program changed my life,” she says. “It changed my trajectory.”
It’s a trajectory that eventually led her to Meals on Wheels Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky, where she began as a representative payee social worker and is now a building coordinator at Hillcrest Elderly, a senior apartment community in Roselawn where she oversees the activities, programs and support of the community’s 205 residents.
One program, a special Lunch & Learn session at the Delores H. Bland Senior Day Center set for Monday, Feb. 28 focuses on Black History Month. During the event, seniors are invited to talk about their own history and experience, to pass on cherished traditions and to show they are part of history.
Sims’s trajectory also helped her land a national fellowship in the American Society of Aging’s Rise Program.
The Rise Program is a launching pad for the next generation of aging leadership, according to the ASA’s website, whose goal is to create a pool of leaders who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color who can improve the policies and programs at the local, state and national levels, thereby improving the well-being across an increasingly diverse aging population. For Zaire, the ASA program will “allow me to work toward my ultimate goal of providing older adults with an optimal quality of life and promoting a positive perception of aging.”
More than 120 people applied for the fellowship nationally. Zaire was one of only 30 who were selected.
“This is a big, big deal,” says Cheryl Bolender, senior manager of case management services who oversees the social work team and first hired Zaire as an intern. “When I saw the program application, I immediately thought of her. She’s just a perfect fit. When she came to us, her experience was mostly with children who were living with severe with mental illnesses, but she embraced working with seniors. And her having worked with other age groups has really brought a lot to the table and impacted the way we deal with seniors.”
The Rise Program is 20 weeks long, requiring daily work, two-hour meetings each week and attending the national ASA conference on aging in New Orleans in April.
“When Cheryl talked to me about it, it definitely seemed like something I would be interested in,” Zaire says. “She has always believed in me, and because of her I was able to find my passion of helping seniors.”
Her passion for seniors actually has its roots in those difficult days of her youth. Her grandfather had schizophrenia, and she got to witness the unfortunate and unkind ways he was treated.
“But I would always run into his social workers,” she says, “and I was able to see that no matter what someone was going through, you can treat people with respect.”
As a student at OSU, she secured an internship with the Ohio State University Department of Social Change at the Isabell Ridgeway Care Center, which was a nursing home, where she got to see another difficult aspect of senior living: social isolation.
“I saw that outside handful of people, most of the residents there didn’t have anyone to sit and talk with them,” she says.
After working a year in Columbus, she moved back to Cincinnati with the intent of earning a master’s degree in social work at the University of Cincinnati. While earning her MSW during the day, she spent her nights working in the neural behavior unit at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, which was for children on the autistic spectrum.
“There were some days I would only get two or three hours of sleep,” she says. “Bang (the energy drink) was my best friend.”
As a graduate student, she was continually drawn to the issue of social isolation among seniors that she witnessed as an undergraduate.
“Study after study shows that social isolation increases abuse, exploitation and neglect,” she says. “It was difficult enough, and now COVID has brought social isolation to the forefront. It’s further isolating seniors.”
Which is why she works hard at creating activities and events for the seniors at Hillcrest, whether it’s bingo or ice cream socials or bringing in a food truck. As she knows all-too-well, there’s nothing that anyone can do about their past, but that doesn’t mean you can’t impact their present—or with the help of the ASA Rise Program—change their future.
“There were times I was sure I was not going to make it, when I had self-doubt,” she says. “But I worked hard to get where I am, and my goal is to be and do better. I want to develop skills to help more people.”
Bolender smiles at Zaire’s convictions and determination.
“I keep telling her that when I retire I will be able to say I knew her when.”
Super Charged
The Bengals weren't the only ones representing Cincinnati in Los Angeles last week. Find out more about the other organizations that worked to make our city proud.
Along with the AFC Champion Bengals and thousands of their fans, Cincinnati business leaders traveled to Los Angeles.
In the Cincinnati Media Center, these leaders sat down with ESPN’s Jordan Cornette to discuss how the city’s strengths and passions go way beyond the football field.
Cincy Culture
Cincinnati arts and culture leaders – Alecia Kintner (CEO, ArtsWave), Kristen Schlotman (Executive Director, Film Cincinnati), and Billy Thomas (Founder, Cincy Nice) – discussed what makes the city such a special place for artists, filmmakers, and musicians.
Video by Shae Combs
Cincy Business
Cincinnati business leaders Julie Calvert, CEO of Visit Cincy, and Kimm Lauterbach, President & CEO of the Regional Economic Development Initiative, discussed the economic impact of the Bengals on the city and how Fortune 500 and start-ups find success in the city.
Video by Shae Combs
Cincy Travel
Julie Calvert (President and CEO of Visit Cincy) and Adam Burke (President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism) talked about the importance of tourism, for both business and leisure travelers.
Video by Shae Combs
Cincy Cares
In Los Angeles for the Super Bowl, Jennifer Steele (CEO of the Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY) and Vanessa Rosales (Director of Corporate Affairs, Kroger) discussed the innovations solutions they are developing to address senior hunger in the community.
Video by Shae Combs
Leading Edge
Marcus Margurem, interim director of the Contemporary Arts Center, is guiding the organization during a major exhibition focused on art in the Midwest and the development of the new Creativity Center.
Marcus Margerum joined the Contemporary Arts Center in March 2021, in the newly created position of deputy director and chief business officer. When executive director Raphaela Platow stepped down in July 2021, Margerum was named interim director.
During that time, the CAC has launched The Regional, the first major multi-museum survey dedicated to contemporary artists based in the Midwest, and embarked on a landmark campaign to redesign the sixth floor of its building and open a new Creativity Center. The new Center will be an environmentally conscious hub for creative learning, will amplify the CAC’s commitment to fostering innovation and curiosity in audiences of all ages
You've Got a Friend
Friends and colleagues remember Rich Walburg, a cheerleader for Cincinnati throughout his life.
Your friend is your friend. You don’t really think about how your friend is with other people. To you, he’s funny and kind and supportive, commiserating about a mutual annoyance and quick to praise a very specific talent you have.
Giving Back
To honor his legacy, his life’s work, and his alma mater, the Richard Walburg Media Scholarship at the University of Cincinnati has been established.
You can donate to the scholarship at foundation.uc.edu/ccmscholarship. Please put “Richard Walburg” in the memo line.
One day you find out he makes everyone feel that way.
And it makes him an even better friend.
Those of us who worked with Rich found him to be talented, smart, completely unflappable, and effortlessly good at his job. We were also fortunate to call him a friend.
When Rich passed away last week, the out-pouring of love and support from his friends and former colleagues made those sad days more bearable for us at Game Day.
“Rich was Cincinnati’s cheerleader for most of his career. From programming The Big One, 700 WLW, (I loved the way Rich said his W’s) to programming the World’s Largest Chicken Dance, his clever ways will always remain with me. We were so lucky to have Rich join us at Game Day for a few years ago. I miss Rich as a trusted colleague and, more importantly as a great friend,” says Jackie Reau, CEO of Game Day.
The world being what it is, with no direct way to channel their grief, Facebook became the place to share memories of Rich, offer support to those who will miss him, and tell favorite stories about his exploits.
This is just a snapshot of the organizations, the people, and the city who are all better for having known Rich Walburg.
4 MORE: DORA
The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area opened at The Banks in March, just in time for Opening Day. Tracy Schwegmann shares her impressions on the inaugural year.
As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting Cincinnati People interviews from 2021.
We checked in with Tracy Schwegman, marketing director/property manager at The Banks, about the DORA district.
The original interview from March is below.
What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2021?
The overwhelming success of DORA. We will easily surpass distribution of 1million DORA cups by our 1st Anniversary. We knew a DORA district at The Banks would be popular, but did not anticipate that it would be SO successful out of the gate.
What’s changed since we last spoke?
The DORA and pedestrian Plaza have opened up new opportunities to bring people together, and new ways to think about engagement and activation at The Banks.
What have you learned about Cincinnati?
The immediate response to DORA reaffirmed the notion that people really do crave connectedness, shared experiences, and social interaction. It was important to rekindle that coming out of COVID.
What are you most looking forward to in 2022?
The continued collaboration and synergy among the various Banks stakeholders. The Banks is a continually evolving neighborhood with great partners who work together to make big things possible. Onward to 2022!
After 18 months of hard work–and in the middle of a global pandemic–the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area at The Banks is now open! Tracy Schwegmann, The Banks' marketing director/property manager, tells how DORA is the light at the end of the tunnel for the businesses and the community.
4 MORE: Summerfair
After a year away, Summerfair returned to Coney Island. Jayne Utter tells us what it was like to be back and how programs for 2022 are already well underway.
As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting Cincinnati People stories from throughout 2021.
We checked in with Jayne Utter, the managing director of Summerfair about the return of the in-person arts festival.
The original interview from May is below.
What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2021?
The best, biggest surprise was how huge the response to Summerfair 2021 was. We had one of the largest crowds in years. Most every artist had record sales. The food court was booming. Everyone was courteous and respectful of personal space.
The worst biggest surprise was/is how slow our return to normalcy has been. Slowly we are building up confidence to get back to our old ways. And, yes, artists are applying for the 2022 event.
What’s changed since we last spoke?
I am back working at our office and gallery space. I think we all learned how to connect via the internet and social media. Some of our exhibitions had to go virtual and they worked so well our plan is to do both virtual and in-person versions.
The one thing that didn’t change for us was we were still able to be true to our mission. We distributed over $80,000 to the arts in Greater Cincinnati, which we do each year.
What did you learn about Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is an art-loving community. We love our one of a kind art to wear, display, enjoy and give to others. Our artists were truly missed. Gosh, we were truly missed. Plus the fact that we are a non-profit that gives back to the arts community draws a lot of interest. Through our our annual three-day fair, we have given back to our local artists for 54 years!
What are you looking forward to most in 2022?
Getting all of our awards and exhibitions back on track and in person. At this time, we are a little backed up with some that were postponed. January and February of 2022 are booked solid with our Emerging Artists Exhibition (college-art students) and Summerfair Select (a tri-annual exhibition for working artists who have received our AIA awards). We will also vote in our Summerfair 2022 Poster winner! It will debut April 7 at Highgrain Brewing Co. in Silverton.
And personally, I want to take a vacation and get back out in the world!
What started as a small art fair’s salute to the opening of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park has grown into one of the oldest continuous art fairs in the country. Summerfair returns to Coney Island for its 54th year June 4, 5 and 6 with 274 juried artists set to exhibit.
Jayne Utter talks with Betsy Ross about all of the great art visitors will experience.
4 MORE: Cincinnati Opera
Though Cincinnati Opera looked a little different this year, Evans Mirageas was thrilled to have live performances. See his reflection on the past season and what's ahead.
As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting Cincinnati People stories from throughout 2021.
We checked in with Evans Mirageas, the Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, about the 2021 season held at Summit Park.
The original interview from June is below.
What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2021?
This summer, since we were still concerned about performing indoors, we built an opera house in the middle of Blue Ash’s Summit Park. And not only did we build it (thanks to a Herculean effort by the Opera’s staff, stagehands, and partners), but crowds came and filled the Great Lawn for every performance. And we were able to showcase some of the finest singers working today! It was an experience I’ll never forget.
What’s changed since we last spoke?
While we have not returned to the old “normal,” it is exhilarating to be back among my colleagues face to face (with masks, of course) in our beloved Music Hall, planning for a summer season indoors (!) in 2022.
What did you learn about Cincinnati?
If you build it, opera fans will come (with apologies to Field of Dreams!). We were blown away by the enthusiasm and support the community offered us in this most unconventional year.
What are you looking forward to most in 2022?
I can’t wait to welcome back our audience and artists to Music Hall this summer and to hear those first notes—that burst of energy and youthful joy that is the beginning of our season-opening production La Bohème, played by the amazing Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
You never know where a road trip will lead you. For Evans Mirageas, the Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director at Cincinnati Opera, a visit to Cincinnati instilled a lifelong passion for summer opera.
4 MORE: Gene Kritsky
We explored what's bugging Dr. Gene Kritsky in May before Brood X made their historic return. He gives us this thoughts on this year's cicadas and what's coming next.
As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting Cincinnati People stories from throughout 2021.
We checked in with Dr. Gene Kritsky, dean of behavioral and natural sciences at Mt. St. Joseph university, and is widely regarded as the go-to expert on periodic cicadas.
The original interview from May is below.
What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2021?
While the emergence of Brood X was expected, there were some notable surprises. In particular, the events of June 8 – 11 in Maryland. June 8 was the day that cicadas were flying in large numbers in the Washington DC area, and they flew into the auxiliary power unit of President Biden’s press plane that it was grounded.
There were so many flying cicadas that they were detected on weather radar, and over the next two days later millions of dead cicadas were washing up on the beach at Herring Bay.
That was a first.
What’s changed since we last spoke?
I had to work out how to map over half a million cicada photographs. That required that I had to learn to use new software. That turned out to be quite enjoyable.
What did you learn about Cincinnati?
You have to love Greater Cincinnati. I received well over 100,000 photos from my neighbors! We really do go bug crazy when the cicadas emerge. I know many people do not enjoy them as much as my wife, Jessee, and I do; but there are also many other do really get into the cicada scene.
What are you looking forward to most in 2022?
2022 is going to be not a hectic as 2021. There are no periodical cicada broods expected in 2022 and 2023. That will give us time to analyze the 2021 emergence. The next cicada emergence will be in 2024 in Illinois where two different broods will emerge together. That only happens once every 221 years, so we are already preparing for that emergence.
Southwest Ohio will next see periodical cicadas in 2025.
Internationally renowned cicada expert, and admitted “frustrated historian,” Dr. Gene Kritsky shares the when, where, and how of the upcoming Brood X emergence. He also hints that though cicadas may not always be great for trees they could be a bit of a good luck charm for the Reds.
Want to hear more from Dr. Kritsky? Check out his new podcast with WVXU, Brood X.