Laura Chenault took an abandoned garage on Spring Grove Avenue and transformed it into a space for everything from filming indie documentaries and music videos to hosting cooking classes, dinner parties and dance parties, too. But she didn’t do it alone.
The Krohn Conservatory is typically a festive place; the surplus of plants and nature are cause for celebration. The holidays are no exception. The “Trains, Trestles, and Tradition” exhibit at the Conservatory is bringing Cincinnatians back to their roots: both in plant life and in the city. Renowned for its butterfly show, this holiday, the conservatory is featuring a train track that encompasses the entire space. But in an exciting twist, the display also features replicas of Cincinnati landmarks: all to-scale, all recognizable, and made entirely from plants, twigs, berries, and miscellaneous woodland finds. “The holidays are very tradition-based for a lot of our visitors,” says General Manager Andrea Schepmann. A lifelong resident of Cincinnati and an employee of the Parks Department for 26 years, she is thrilled with the exhibit. On Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., visitors can look at a replica of Union Terminal, settled amongst copious Pointsettia plants while enjoying snacks, cider, and make-your-own crafts. The Pearl Girls, a group of retired women who are finding their own way to give back to Krohn, sell baked goods. “This season is very family-oriented,” Schepmann says. ”The events reflect that. For children, these Wednesday evenings feature coloring, crafts, and on some weekends, a special guest will make an appearance; next up is an origami specialist. For adults, the horticulture is spectacular, and a video about the making of the figures is also featured. The Krohn gift shop is also open, and the Parks Department benefits directly from sales. “It all goes back to the parks,” Schepmann says. The same can be said for proceeds from Trains, Trestles, and Tradition. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children. Unlimited access pins are also available for $10. All of the proceeds directly benefit Krohn. “By coming and paying admission, you’re supporting Cincinnati Parks and supporting us [Krohn] specifically by allowing us to keep doing cool things,” Schepmann says. Any funds raised also contribute to the conservatory’s scholarship fund. The fund provides money for in-need school groups to come visit Krohn. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and remains open Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m. Do Good: Attend: the “Trains, Trestles, and Tradition” exhibit and help support Krohn Conservatory Volunteer: at Krohn, or any other park in the Cincinnati Parks network. Donate: and support Cincinnati parks. You can even purchase a bench or tree to be placed in a park. By Gina Gaetano
From typewriter keys to bifocal lenses, antique watch parts to skeleton keys, Lizz Godfroy’s affinity for found objects led her to start Lily in Flux, her own line of handmade recycled jewelry and accessories. Focusing on found objects, Godfroy creates necklaces, earrings, belt buckles, and other accessories. “I’m a sucker for nostalgia,” says Godfroy, which is why her work focuses on recycled and rediscovered objects. To find such objects, she spends her time digging through thrift shops and antique stores. Recently, she traveled to Bloomington, Ind., to purchase a few old typewriters. She typically finds the objects first, and then leaves them in her studio to “marinate down there,” she says. Godfroy moved back to Cincinnati in 2003, after a 10-year stint in Bar Harbor, Maine. Upon her return to her native home, people wanted to buy her designs, and in 2008, she officially started Lily in Flux. She named the business after her first dog. On the weekends, Godfroy participates in a multitude of local craft shows. “A lot of it is word of mouth,” she says. She is a regular at the City Flea and Factory Flea. She has no plans to open a storefront; instead, she wants to focus on the quality of her pieces. Godfroy’s favorite works are the one-of-a-kind pieces she creates. Her 1950s eyeglass collection started it all. Using lenses of old bifocals from the ‘50s, she creates necklaces and belt buckles. “Coming up with new things is always exciting,” she says. Godfroy believes she has found the best spot for Lily in Flux. “Northside has a really grassroots feel, and it’s really authentic,” she says. Jewelry and paintings by Lily in Flux can be found locally at Fabricate, 4037 Hamilton Ave., in Northside. She will also be participating in the Crafty Supermarket at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, at 3711 Clifton Ave. Her work is also featured on her website and on Etsy. By Gina Gaetano
What started as a crusade to save an elementary school in 1984 has turned in a community-based establishment into its 27th year of existence. Nestled in Over-the-Rhine, Peaslee Neighborhood Center is a beacon of community involvement. “We bring people to our center to discover what community really is,” says Kathy Hunt, Peaslee's executive director. At 215 E. 14th St., Peaslee's exterior is decorated with colorful murals. Trees line the building. Inside, the building retains its elementary school charm; it feels like a place for learning. “This is a peaceful place in Over-the-Rhine for peace, education, and people to empower themselves,” says Nina Bosken, an Americorps member at Peaslee. The center offers many programs, both in community education and educational programming. Programs include private piano lessons, African drumming classes, and service learning opportunities. The bottom floor houses a fully licensed education center with space for 47 children, aged six weeks to five years old. Children are grouped into classes by age, and all students come from low-income housing, most in Over-the-Rhine or the surrounding areas. Education is activity-based, with students spending time outdoors, working on literacy, or working the center's community garden, for which they care entirely themselves. On the community education end, Over-the-Rhine residents, college students, high school students, and other organizations can come and perform service learning days. These days include a “pep talk” from community education volunteer coordinator Jenn Summers and three hours of service at up to seven different non-profit organizations in the neighborhood. The morning concludes with lunch at Peaslee and an afternoon of reflection-based activities asking participants to apply what they learned. These community education days aren't self-serving: they affect all of Peaslee. “We educate on multiple levels. Kids downstairs [in the Child Development Center] are impacted by the kids coming to serve,” Summers says. Despite their diverse programming, everything Peaslee does focuses on one connecting concept. “It's participatory education. Everything is hands-on,” Hunt says. In addition to their own programming, the Peaslee Neighborhood Center serves as a network for other like-minded organizations. They provide office space for tenant non-profits, all of which focus on social justice or civic engagement. “We offer community support for each other, and we share missions, visions, and values,” Hunt says. Do Good: Attend: Peaslee's Holiday Stories dinner and silent auction on November 18 at Music Hall. Donate: and help the Peaslee Center continue to provide education for everyone. Volunteer: and help teach kids from low-income families. By Gina Gaetano
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