I thought, when given this amazing chance to have a first-person column, I would be offering my opinion on a variety of subjects. I’ve got opinions. But that’s harder than it seems.
Polly Campbell: Yeah, I’ve got some opinions
Category: Guest Editorial
Polly Campbell: Cherishing traditions with a flip to something new
On the other hand, while I was writing a book about Cincinnati food history, I realized that the stubbornness pays off: We have our unique regional menu because the Graeters kept doing things the old way until the rest of the world caught up with them. Grandmothers and neighborhood butchers never stopped making goetta, though no one made it anywhere else. That’s to be treasured.
Arts patron Amy Katzman: Doing the thing she loves to the absolute max
When my husband and I go to concerts or any performance, of course we look around for anyone we know. With amazing regularity, we spot a woman with a familiar head of long gray-red hair, wearing colorful glasses and a flowy dress, using a cane or maybe a rolling walker. Yep, there’s Amy, we’ve said for years, always with amused pleasure at her sheer omnipresence at the cultural events of the city.
Polly Campbell: What’s college for?
For my father, it was everything. It can take my breath away to think how close he was to never going to college.
Moira Weir: ‘Evolved’ United Way a product of community input
We are an evolved United Way, changed from 18 months ago, three years ago, and even a very different United Way from a decade ago. We value and understand equity and how to apply it; and we are driven by community input that focuses on the economic well-being of all.
Looking for a fling or a commitment? Find your perfect way to help
I’m too old and married for dating apps, but I’ve just dived into something that feels similar. I’ve been wanting to find a meaningful volunteer job, and I’ve been spending some quality time on www.cincinnaticares.org, the local website that helps match up volunteers with nonprofits.
‘A Voice…’ goes silent, but doors remain open elsewhere
Just about 10 years ago, I founded an organization called A Voice For The Innocent, a community of support for people who have been impacted by sexual violence. This year I have decided to step away, and AVFTI will be closing at the end of 2021.
Creativity in the everyday
Snarky political memes on Facebook, squirrel obstacle races and the guy on TikTok skating to Fleetwood Mac have all helped me in little ways to get through the pandemic. Other social media content, has of course, infuriated me. And there was one meme that popped up on my feed during the first few months that struck terror in my heart.
Polly Campbell: On the ‘good-deed doers’ of Cincinnati
My writing life in Cincinnati until now has been writing about food and restaurants, so this may seem like a swerve. But the people I covered, the restaurant owners and chefs, the farmers and food producers, are movers. They are also makers. They followed vision and passion into the difficult business of selling people something to eat.
Un(re)tiring
Eight Cincinnati community leaders on living an active, purpose-driven life: Carole and Ed Rigaud on success and happiness for all; for Kitty and Dick Rosenthal stagnation is not an option; Susan and John Tew on good health of mind and body; Barbara and Larry Kellar on the value of hard work.