Ssshhhh!  See these Super Seven Cincinnati Spaces for yourself…

1. There’s nothing like a walk in the park.  Mt. Echo’s views, the RiverWalk from the Boathouse to the Serpentine Wall, and the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park.  My boys enjoy the annual Butterfly show, including a dash behind the waterfall!  We’ve made a family tradition of visiting the live nativity each December and introducing this gift to the community to others.

2. The sprawling Main Library downtown beckons all of the Kelleys with its lure of knowledge and fun.  We exhausted the Children’s Library staff during 5 year old Alex’s school reading competition, which resulted in 3,011 books and the coveted class prize (a gift certificate to a bookstore!).  Not content with the weeklong summer booksale, we’re on a first name basis with the Friends of the Library volunteer staff in Hartwell – another treasure trove for bargain-hunting bibliophiles.

3. Hungry?  Head to Northside’s Melt or Honey.  YUM! 

4. If you haven’t experienced Over-the-Rhine for yourself, try these two spots for starters:  Music Hall – the Pops & Symphony offer an incredible bargain for diverse tastes in a luminous setting; Findlay Market – I double-blog dare you to find tastier collard greens and cobbler than Aunt Flora’s.

5. Uptown’s full of interesting places.  Families with small children (who are given dough to practice making their own creations) better tolerate the wait for Pomodori’s amazing wood-fired pizzas and simple salads.  Volunteers at Hughes High School catch glimpses of the beautiful architecture of a grand old school building and stunning Rookwood water fountains. 

6. Fountain Square’s a magical place throughout the year.  As our city’s gathering place, Fountain Square offers an eclectic mix of activities.  It’s a short walk to the Carew Tower Observation Deck, Jean Ro’s pot de crème, or a carriage ride.  In April, Michael & I ran into the giant Charmin bears that lumbered about the Square for quick photo opportunities. 

7. O’Bryonville’s Bonbonerie might be the seat of Cincinnati’s, um, Old Girls Network.  Women – and a few discerning gentleman – of all ages gobble up unbelievable cakes and cookies.  On a wintry day, it’s hard to find a free table to grab a delicious cup or two, but it’s worth it!  And busy moms like me have been known to concoct a “home-made” meal from What’s For Dinner next door.

Your 3 favorite spaces would help create a Top Ten list. Please share!

 

Since I joined the YMCA staff team in September 2000, I’ve learned more than I imagined about this 155 year old local institution whose mission I love.  Like YMCA members, I belong to a place that builds strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.  Together we enhance the quality of life for the region.

When I started as the Y’s planned giving director and learned all about “your father’s YMCA” from our Heritage Club members.  According to my calculations, joining the YMCA's Heritage Club is akin to taking out a huge life insurance policy on yourself.  At the 25 year anniversary of the club a few years ago, over 95% of the original members attended -- still alive and kickin' (or doing Zumba, cardio, or some other activity)!  (Dudley Bray would be happy to sign you up, I'm sure!)

Among the lessons learned…  Did you know Cincinnati’s own Walter Laufer swam against Tarzan, Hollywood’s Johnny Weissmuller (and won)?  (See and read more about Mr. Laufer in the front lobby of the Carl H. Lindner YMCA in the West End.)

How about the beginning of the first English as a Second Language program in the U.S. in Over-the-Rhine to teach Cincinnati’s German settlers?  And the 1893 founding of the Salmon P. Chase School of Law before it went to NKU?  All the YMCA.

The good ole days weren’t necessarily so good.  Even in some baby boomers’ not too distant memories, Y pools were, uh, clothing-free – something to do with the filtration system, I think.  And, it turns out those, um, vibrating belt machines were designed to do more than make you jiggle.

Needless to say, things have changed.

Let’s start with a look at YMCA leadership.  You’ll notice a big difference:  diversity!  Not only is this $40 million organization headed by the capable hands of its first female CEO, but my colleagues leading the many branches and Association efforts reflect the make-up of our community.  As the leader of the YMCA of the USA’s national diversity initiative, our CEO also ensures Cincinnati’s commitment to inclusion.

Our diversity contributes to other changes from your fathers’ YMCA.  Like Camp.  Sure, campers find the S’mores are as tasty and they still sing the Mangy Moose theme song as loud as before. 

Now you’ll find international camp counselors building friendships with teen counselors and campers, making our world a little bit smaller.  The high ropes course offers personal challenges that aid self-discovery. 

Even though some of the methods may change (note the Banana Boat and Blue Tree), I’m reminded that there are some constants that remain over time.  Exhausted campers (and staff).  Gaining new experiences.  Warm summer memories.

And summer turns to autumn.  As a working mom of two rambunctious boys, I eagerly await the back-to-school season!  The YMCA evolved with society and became the largest childcare provider in America. 

Today, Cincinnati’s YMCA operates 111 program child care, CincyAfterSchool, and 21st Century Community Learning Center sites, in addition to its 17 branches and summer camp locations.  And 90% of the 410 youth in our tutoring program increased an average of 27.5% in their district benchmark scores! 

To endure, non-profits, like the YMCA, must constantly assess and adjust to the needs of its community and offer relevant services.  No doubt, the changes from your fathers’ YMCA underscore the growth of our great Cincinnati community.

1993… First Impressions

The Mt. Auburn Welcome Wagon tracked me down within a month of my arrival to Cincinnati.  Community volunteers fanned the flicker of interest I expressed in the Mt. Auburn Community Council, one of the City’s 52 neighborhood associations.  Quickly pressed into service, a whirlwind of activities ensued:  A Day in Eden, National Night Out, District 4 Police Appreciation Night, Community Gateway Garden, and more.

Within a few months, I surprisingly surpassed the civic engagement level back in my home state of Maryland.  Maryland prepared me well for community involvement as the first state to institute 75 hours of service as a high school graduation requirement.  Even though I had served as a youth representative on our PTA, a youth advisor to the County, Governor’s Intern and head of Goucher College’s Community Auxiliary for Service corps, the speed of acceptance and inclusion in civic life in Cincinnati pleased me.

On more than one occasion, I had to overcome the urge to answer the name of my college to the quintessential Cincinnati question of “What school did you graduate from?” (meaning which high school).  Like every Cincinnati transplant, an “I’m not from here” reflex kicks in, followed by a quick transition to another way to build connections.

Who knew that people saying “Please?” are really asking you to repeat yourself?  Charming.  There’s a secret pleasure that non-native Cincinnatians take in finding shortcuts to the airport using the West Side, exploring parks on the East Side, visiting restaurants in Hyde Park, and shopping in Northern Kentucky.  Foil those misconceptions.

1999…  First Recruit

Michael & I debated where we would live after our wedding in Eden Park.  After 6 years of Cincinnati life, the city’s charms grew deeper.   A native New Yorker, Michael had spent over 5 years living in Charlotte after stints in DC, FL, & Bloomington, IN.

Charlotte (ironically also known as the Queen City) boasted warmer climates, shorter drives to the Ocean, fine parks, and great YMCAs.  Access to North Carolina’s state college system also proved attractive.

Cincinnati’s history, illustrated by architectural beauty of a diverse housing stock and unique buildings, may have been the deciding factor.  Knowing Michael’s appreciation for Civil War history, a few well-timed visits to U.S. Grant’s birthplace in Point Pleasant, OH, his boyhood home in Georgetown, and such may have been the trump cards I needed in this delicate negotiation.

My first recruit to Cincinnati arrived to stay on April 16th, a week before the wedding.  Future taxpayers, Alex & Adam, arrived 4 and 5 years later.

2008…

After lifetimes in Baltimore and a lengthy search for the right retirement environment, Mom & Dad picked Cincinnati!  Besides the obvious benefits of being minutes or hours closer to all of their grandchildren, they eagerly await our region’s lower cost of living, bigger house for the same money, and, yes, much lower taxes.

Frequent road warriors, Mom & Dad will now be within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the U.S.   Daytrip opportunities abound to all sorts of awesome places to visit.  And, coming home to Cincinnati is all the sweeter.

Speaking of sweet, Mom can’t get enough black raspberry chip from Graeters and my special order raspberry-filled white cake from Servatii’s.  I’ll need to add another 30 minutes of cardio to my work out to make up when the Carb Queen moves within a mile of us!  (Anybody got a friend who needs a great house in Baltimore??  The boys want Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop here now!)

Now, onto those northern Ohio siblings of mine…