Just Getting Started

Last week's opening reception for Summerfair Cincinnati’s Emerging Artists exhibition was a celebration for family and friends at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave.

This annual exhibition features works by junior and senior art students from Greater Cincinnati colleges, with participants nominated by their professors.  

Summerfair also recognized this year’s winners.

• Jerry Bollen Award: Madison Taylor, Mount St. Joseph University

• First Place: Kerigan Pollard, Mount St. Joseph University

• Second Place: Sophia Kroto, UC–DAAP

• Third Place: Ethan Fessler, UC–DAAP

The Emerging Artists exhibition continues through Feb. 28. The gallery is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Madison Taylor, Mount St. Joseph University, winner of Jerry Bollen Award, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Kerigan Pollard, Mount St. Joseph University, first place winner, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Sophia Kroto, UC–DAAP, second place winner, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Ethan Fessler, UC–DAAP, third place winner, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Saying I Love You

Love is in the cards this Valentine’s Day, and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is making sure it reaches every corner of our community.

How to share the love…

• Visit a participating YMCA location

• Pick up your free Hallmark Valentine’s Day card

• Write a heartfelt message

• Drop it in the box and let the YMCA send it to your someone special

This Valentine’s season, the organization is giving members a heartfelt way to connect through its “1,000 I Love Yous” initiative.

Through this heartwarming program, YMCA members can send free Hallmark Valentine’s Day cards to their loved ones—because nothing says “I love you” like a handwritten note straight from the heart. The effort is part of the YWCA’s ongoing mission to strengthen relationships and build a more connected community, one love note at a time.

The goal was 1,000 cards, but now the YMCA is shooting for 3,000 love notes before the end of the week.

“We know relationships are so important and this type of programming is a key to our mission: improving family relationships and friendships. It's a big part of what we do at the Y,”said Jeff Saunders, vice president of brand experience at YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. "Bonus points if you send a card to someone you haven't said ‘I love you’ to in a while.”

Members can stop by all YMCA locations to sign and address their free cards, and the YMCA will take care of postage and mail them to their loved ones!

That’s a Wrap

The 46th edition of Utah’s Sundance Film Festival, while remaining a must-do for cinephiles, admittedly has a different vibe this year.

First, Park City’s Main Street, the principal destination for fest-goers, looks different since police barricades at the top and bottom of the street make it a pedestrian-only thoroughfare. (More on that later…)

Second, the usually snowy Wasatch Mountains surrounding Park City are nearly barren. While New Orleans got more than 8 inches of snow last week, Salt Lake City has received barely 6 inches for the season and the Wasatch Range’s snow drought of 2024 continues in 2025, with some areas reporting less than 60% of normal snow/water equivalent.

Third, is the undercurrent of Sundance’s possible move, with Salt Lake/Park City one of three finalists, along with Boulder, Colorado and, of course, Cincinnati as the new home for the iconic film festival. While no decision is expected until spring, it certainly was the early talk of the festival.

While we await the decision, let’s remember that Sundance is, first and foremost, a tradeshow for movie makers looking for buyers for their films. It is the premiere showcase for independent filmmakers, with nearly 16,000 submissions from 33 countries vying for one of the 88 film (and six episodic) projects making the cut this year. On top of that, it’s an economic boon for the host. The festival’s total economic impact in 2024, according to the festival, was estimated at $132 million, generating an estimated 1,730 jobs for Utah and generating $13.8 million in state and local tax revenue.

If the film’s the thing, then filmgoers had plenty to sample this year. Remembering that Sundance is a showcase for distributors looking for the next “CODA” or “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” Variety came out with its top picks for this year, including

• “Kiss of the Spider Woman” with Jennifer Lopez, based more on the Broadway adaptation than the 1985 film of the same name.

• “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” a documentary of the Oscar winner’s career and her activism within the deaf community.

• ‘Jimpa,” where we see John Lithgow (ALL of him, if you get what I mean) as a gay grandfather living in Amsterdam. His daughter (Olivia Coleman) visits from Australia with her nonbinary child that Lithgow lovingly calls his “grandthing.” 

• “Pee-wee as Himself,” a documentary where Paul Reubens talks about his career, his alter-ego Pee-wee Herman and his personal life. It truly is the last word on Reuben’s career, as he died in 2023, the day after recording his last interview for the documentary.

The movies go on, with increased police presence visible all around the festival. After the mass killing in New Orleans on New Year’s, law enforcement made the decision to close off Main Street and secure side streets going into the heart of town. While some feared the restrictions would cut down on retail and restaurant traffic, the opposite seems to be the case, at least through the first weekend. Attendees seemed to relish the open spaces of the street, and retailers liked the foot traffic unincumbered by parked cars, delivery trucks and piles of snow (remember, it hasn’t snowed a lot).

At the close of Sundance, the grand jury award winners included “Atropia,” in U.S. Dramatic competition; “Seeds,” U.S. Documentary competition; “Sabar Bonda” (Cactus Pears), World Cinema Dramatic competition, and “Cutting Through Rocks,” World Cinema Documentary competition. The NEXT Innovator Award presented by Adobe went to “Zodiac Killer Project.”

It was hard to go to a movie screening this week without running into someone from Cincinnati, as the region’s business, civic and arts leaders were out to experience the Sundance magic along with Film Cincinnati, the non-profit that brings new productions into the Greater Cincinnati area. In between the premieres and the parties, there’s serious business that happens at Sundance, nnd Cincinnati is right in the middle of it.

Stay Cool

This past Saturday, hundreds of brave souls said “Come on in the water is fine!” during Cincinnati Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ohio at The Banks.

The Polar Plunge is their largest community fundraising event benefiting athletes. This year, the event raised incredible $95,000.

In order to participate, individuals or teams collect had pledges to make the icy plunge in the name of inclusion. The commitment from plungers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters helps Special Olympics empower athletes of all abilities and spread the message of inclusion far and wide.

Did you miss out? It's not too late to donate. You can still make a donation at sooh.org/polar-plung

Picture of Health

Do you know a student who is committed to supporting wellness and mental health for other young people?

The Joe Burrow Foundation invites Greater Baton Rouge, Greater Cincinnati, and Southeast Ohio students in grades 7–12 to develop and participate in activities commemorating World Teen Mental Wellness Day.

Find more information and apply at joeburrow.org/programs/world-teen-mental-wellness-day.

The Joe Burrow Foundation, bi3, Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!), Interact for Health, and the Rain Will Bring Flowers Foundation are inviting students to participate in World Teen Mental Wellness Day at their school.

In support of World Teen Mental Wellness Day, the Joe Burrow Foundation and partner organizations are awarding up to$1,000 per school to promote the day and raise awareness. The deadline to apply is Jan. 24.

The grant can be used by students to plan programs for World Teen Mental Wellness Day. These include wellness initiatives, raising awareness about mental health resources, and inspiring others to engage in self-care.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day, March 2, is observed annually to raise awareness of the mental health issues faced by teenagers, promote mental wellness, and determine solutions.

Each school can submit one application. Plans to promote World Teen Mental Wellness Day should:

• Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and accessing care

• Increase awareness about the mental health resources available to students within your school and communities

• Encourage students to participate in wellness activities

Some ideas include:

• Promote the day on social media

• Create gear to wear on World Teen Mental Wellness Day

• Raise awareness for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Inspire students to engage in self-care

• Set up resource tables on campus

• Give students stress balls or other helpful items

• Breathing exercises with entire school

• Yoga or other physical activities with students

Best and Brightest

We loved BLINK. You loved BLINK. Now Ohio loves BLINK!

2025 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio

Arts Administration 

• Zachary Thomas | Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) 

Arts Education (co-winners) 

• Padma Chebrolu | Cincinnati (Hamilton County) 

• James Swearingen | Grove City (Franklin County) 

Arts Support (co-winners)  

• Sara Jane DeHoff | Perrysburg (Wood County) 

• WYSO-FM | Yellow Springs (Greene County) 

Community Development and Participation (co-winners) 

• William Henry Caldwell | Dayton (Montgomery County) 

• Artsbridge, Inc. | Marietta (Washington County) 

Individual Artist 

• Gerardo Teissonnière | Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) 

Irma Lazarus  

• BLINK | Cincinnati (Hamilton County) 

Hailing from all corners of the state, nine outstanding Ohioans and arts organizations were selected to receive a Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio this year.  

BLINK, the nation’s largest art and light festival, was honored with the earned the Irma Lazarus Award as part of the 2025 Ohio Governor's Awards..

A tradition since 1971, the Governor's Awards showcase and celebrate exceptional Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts leaders and supporters, and educators. Award recipients are presented with the only arts award in the state that is conferred by the governor.   

"Through their work, this year’s Governor’s Awards winners have brought positive national and international acclaim to Ohio,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “Their artistic talents and contributions have improved the lives of Ohio’s residents. These honorees share efforts that align with the Ohio Arts Council’s mission to strengthen our communities culturally, educationally, and economically.” 

Additionally, Charley Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation and board president of the Ohio History Connection, will receive a special recognition from the Ohio Arts Council’s board for his work to advance the arts throughout the state. 

In recognition of their impactful and visionary leadership in Ohio’s creative sector and their sustained dedication to promoting artistic excellence, awardees will be honored during a ceremony on May 28.  Each of the winners will receive an original work of art by painter Tara Yarzand of Sylvania.   

Making Good

Santa isn’t the only one making deliveries this holiday season!

The Joe Burrow Foundation, in partnership with Kroger, delivered 300 food boxes to families in need in all of its service areas.

Joe Burrow Foundation board members and Kroger representatives delivered 100 boxes to Cincinnati families yesterday at North College Hill Elementary. The Foundation will also be delivering food boxes in Athens, OH and Baton Rouge, LA today.

Families were invited to receive a box full of products for a holiday meal that includes ham, potatoes, fresh vegetables and dessert. They also received a swag bag from the Joe Burrow Foundation!

Brightly Shining

In honor of Joe Burrow's birthday on Dec. 10, the Joe Burrow Foundation partnered with Kendra Scott jewelry on a special line and a special donation to the organization.

Robin Burrow, Joe’s mom and the secretary and treasurer of the Joe Burrow Foundation, designed three pieces for the event – Who Dey! and Geaux Tigers! necklaces and a #9 charm. The store donated 20% of all purchases through Dec. 10 to foundation.

Though the sales event is over, you can still donate to JBF at joeburrow.org.

Artfully Done

The Contemporary Arts Center held one of the most creative fundraisers in the city on Saturday, Nov. 23, During the evening, CAC welcomed over 400 guests and raised nearly $170,000 in support of its mission to be a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms.

The event, Cuisine Art Cocktails, explored the interplay between the visual and culinary arts through a full-museum immersive experience and celebration of contemporary Cincinnati. More than 40 partners activated the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art with cuisine, art, and cocktail experiences, all to support Cincinnati’s home for contemporary art.

Photos: Shae Huth

Take Me to the River

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Some 200 cruise experiences will be offered during America’s River Roots on

• Steamboat NATCHEZ from the port of New Orleans

• Belle of Louisville and the Mary M. Miller from the port of Louisville

• Celebration Belle from the port of Moline, Illinois

• Belle of Memphis from the port of Memphis

• Three Rivers Queen from the port of Pittsburgh

• Anson & Betsey Northrup from the port of Minneapolis/St. Paul

• Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen from the port of Cincinnati

Cruise options: brunch cruise, lunch cruise, dinner cruise, late-night cruise, Riverboat Race cruise, parade cruise, sight seeing cruise and family sight seeing cruise. Tickets for cruises are on sale now.

For information, visit www.americasriverroots.com.

America’s River Roots, a celebration of inland river cuisine, music and culture to kick off America’s 250th Anniversary, announced today the nine riverboats that will be featured in the event to be held along the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport from October 8–12, 2025.

At the event Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. issued good-natured challenges to the mayors of Louisville and Memphis to riverboat races. Captain Alan Bernstein of BB Riverboats explained to to everyone the grand history of shenanigans historically involved in riverboat races.

Mayors from river cities, including Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati of Moline, IL, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell have been invited to join in America’s celebration of river culture by participating in the River Expo Pavilion and identifying their best musicians to perform one of nine stages.

America’s River Roots has been endorsed as an official event of the Ohio 250 and Kentucky 250 Commissions to celebrate America’s 250th in 2026. Rob Portman is working with the U.S. America 250 Commission, established by Congress, to secure designation as a national signature event.

Additional programming will be announced throughout 2025 and will include: nationally-recognized and emerging artists who will perform on multiple stages on both sides of the river. A River Roots Gospel Revival and education programs will put a spotlight on The Freedom Journey, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. Culinary attractions will include celebrity chef presentations, bourbon and craft beer tastings, multicultural food vendors, and regional food artisans.

With Honor

The DAV 5K is an annual walk, run, roll, or ride to thank those who served, and to raise awareness of the issues our ill and injured veterans face every day. On Saturday, Nov. 9 More than 2,300 participated in the event.

Funds raised help Disabled American Veterans (DAV), headquartered in NKY, provide a lifetime of support to veterans. Downtown buildings will also be lighting up green for DAV in honor of Veterans Day.

In Fine Style

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Dress for Success celebrated its 25th anniversary with an unforgettable event on Friday, Nov. 1 at Cincinnati Museum Center, raising more than $425,000 to support their mission of empowering women.

The program included a fashion show, silent auction, and raffle. Models, including DFS clients, wore ensembles from designer Gerardo Encinas and Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs. The evening’s emcee, Tierra Strickland, received the Mary Ivers Success Award. whose story of resilience perfectly captured the spirit of Dress for Success Cincinnati. Jackie Reau, a longtime supporter of DFS, was the honorary chair of the event.

Find out more about DFS Cincinnati and donate at dfscincy.org.

Lights Out

Did you BLINK?

Cincinnati played host to the the nation's largest immersive art and light show last weekend, as BLINK®, illuminated by ArtsWave stretched more than 30 blocks from Findlay Market to Newport and Covington.

BLINK 2024's impact is still being tabulated, but Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and partner organizations determined the 2022 BLINK festival attracted more than two million attendees across the four-day event, resulting in a direct economic impact of $126 million dollars. Additionally, the 2022 event directly supported or created 1,687 jobs, and generated $1.5 million dollars in direct artist commissions, honorariums, and art fees.

At the heart of its mission, BLINK continues to solidify the Cincinnati region as a hub of arts and culture, and the BLINK team made this possible by honoring the rich and diverse history of the city itself. Known for its collaborative spirit, BLINK paired awe-inspiring murals with projection mapping and lighting to create wholly engaging experiences.

Ready to Glow?

Click to download PDF map.

The best way to navigate is with a map, obviously.

This is especially true for BLINK. Spanning three cities this time out, you’ll need more than a route, you’ll need a plan.

Start you journey with the dynamic map at blinkcincinnati.com/map.

With the Experience Map you’ll be able to see exact locations within the footprint where light projections, newly painted murals, activations, live music performances, suggested walking routes, and key locations like drone viewing and hospitality areas can be found.

This map also includes interactive features that provide additional details about the art and artists. 

BLINK organizers have created walking trails within each zone to guide attendees in their travels. Each trail is less than 1.5 miles, and it’s recommended attendees try one or two per night to see key highlights of the festival if they do not have time to plan on their own.

If you’re looking for more detailed itineraries – and want to share those with friends – download the NEW ArtsWave app.

Not only is the app your guide for BLINK, it’s also your passport to the best in arts and entertainment in Cincinnati.

New app users can BLINK Insider with a $10 donation to ArtsWave.

The BLINK Insider is the best way to see what’s happening before and during the event, with insights from BLINK’s executive director, artist interviews, and sneak previews. The Insider also includes easy-to-use zone maps, itineraries for each day of the festival, and the music line-ups, all at the click of a button. Along with information about parking and finding restrooms, the BLINK Insider will offer real-time event updates from BLINK’s Command Central.

 Users who download the app through the end of BLINK will automatically be entered to win a stay at 21C Museum Hotel in the NightWatch Room. This exclusive experience includes dinner at the Metropole and two theater tickets.

The ArtsWave app is available now in the App Store or Google Play.

Picture Yourself

On the heels of being named a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival, Film Cincinnati now has even more to celebrate.

Next year, Cincinnati will be the host city for the Association of Film Commissions International (AFCI) Cineposium and the organization’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2025. Cincinnati joins such cities as Bogota, Colombia, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Los Angeles who have served as hosts for the global event.

In light of unprecedented challenges in the industry, including strikes and production delays, Film Cincinnati has sought innovative ways to diversify the film industry’s economic impact. As a nonprofit economic development agency, Film Cincinnati’s mission is to create and cultivate the local industry ecosystem and develop a robust workforce.

“We believe it is crucial to explore all possibilities beyond traditional film," said Kristen Schlotman, president/CEO of Film Cincinnati. “What better way to show what our region has to offer than to bring the leaders of the global film industry to our area.”

With the AFCI's return to North America, Film Cincinnati will have the opportunity to showcase Cincinnati to a global audience. Following the successful bid, Cincinnati will host industry professionals from around the world in September 2025 for a conference and celebration. The conference will also be open to interested parties outside of the association.  

“We are honored to have the leading association of film commissions in the world coming to Cincinnati,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, meetNKY president and CEO. “Film Cincinnati has made our area a desired location to shoot movies and it is exciting to have the industry’s leading decision makers come see what we have to offer.”

Established in 1975, the AFCI is the only global non-profit professional organization representing city, state, regional, provincial, and national film commission members across six continents. AFCI champions advocacy, connectivity, and education, empowering film commissions and industry stakeholders to drive economic growth, build robust infrastructure, and advance professional development.

“As we mark AFCI’s 50th anniversary, we are energized to unite our global membership with industry powerhouses in Cincinnati for this milestone event,” said Jaclyn Philpott, AFCI executive director. “This celebration is not just about honoring our past, but about igniting new collaborations between film commissions and the industry at large.”

Well & Good

What should have been a fun weekend of food sampling, celebrity chef encounters, and workouts with world-class athletes was a wash-out. Though the Kroger Wellness Festival was cancelled due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, Kroger found a way to make to things brighter.

Kroger decided to give to those in need by donating products from the more than 200 vendors set to participate in the festival to local charities and hurricane relief efforts.

Matthew 25: Ministries is assisting organizers in coordinating the donations to the Southeast. See how you can help!

The Hole Story

Lydia Ko continued her impressive 2024 streak with her 22nd career victory on the LPGA Tour at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G on Sunday, Sept. 22 at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio.

Ko finished with a final round of -9 to finish -23, the lowest ever score at the Kroger Queen City Championship.

She began the day in second place, two strokes behind Jeeno Thitikul, who led the tournament for two rounds. Ko finished the back nine with four birdies and an eagle to pull away from Thitikul, who finished at -18.

The Queen City Championship also had on the future, presenting the 2024 Game Changers scholarships to 24 female students from each community that Kroger serves with a $2,000 scholarship.

Nidhi Patel, Game Changers Scholar, LPGA Player Amari Avery, and Sydney Breeze, Game Changers Scholar

The program, presented by The Kroger Foundation and Always® Brand, supports underrepresented women seeking degrees in business and liberal arts and is in its third year.

Nidhi Patel and Sydney Breeze. two of the scholarship recipients, took part in a putting clinic on Saturday hosted by LPGA player Amari Avery. Patel, from Batavia, is pursuing a finance degree at Xavier University, and Breeze, from Lexington, Ky., is studying exercise science at Asbury University where she also plays soccer.

“Through the Game Changers program, we are honored to have supported more than 400 women in pursuit of their academic and professional aspirations, including awarding nearly $100,000 to students since the scholarship program began,” said Kate Meyer, Kroger Health & Beauty Care vice president. “Together with P&G, we are so proud to empower these female scholars to pursue their dreams.”

Saturday was also Junior Day sponsored by Venus and Gillette. All children received free admission, plus a backpack, T-shirt, free Graeter's ice cream, free Skyline Chili coupon, and more.

Activities throughout the day include a Junior Clinic presented by Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports medicine at the Bounty Driving Range, where young golf fans can learn more about the game from LPGA player Aline Krauter.

Additionally, kids participated in a photo scavenger hunt, courtesy of First Tee, and the crowd favorite Secret Autograph Alley, where fans of all ages got selfies and autographs from LPGA players. In the Fan Zone, Crest and Oral-B's Smile 360 Station allowed fans to grab a 360-degree selfie to commemorate the day. Zevo also selected a Family of the Day to take home a gift basket of products, plus Queen City Championship merchandise.

Beauty on the Green was back for the second year with Pantene, Head & Shoulders and Herbal Essences providing free dry styling for kids and adults.

The “Pampers Family Center” was extremely popular to get kids out of the heat, complete with toys, a mom’s room and space for parents to take a break with their little ones.l.

“We are so proud to showcase how Cincinnati is a great place to work, live, raise a family, and enjoy world-class events like the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G,” said Pat Cady, P&G Sales senior vice president. “In our first three years, it's incredible to see how the impact of the Game Changers program has grown to empower women not only here in Cincinnati, but also across the country.”

According to tournament officials, more than 50,000 fans attended the tournament, with an economic impact of $14 million to the area. The tournament was broadcast globally on GOLF Channel with more than three billion media impressions from coverage earned over the four days.

“We are thrilled with the success of the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G in its third year,” said Emily Norell, tournament director. “We could not put on this world-class event without the support of our corporate partners, our fans and our volunteers. We also want to congratulate Lydia Ko on her championship, and thank the staff at TPC River's Bend for welcming us to a true champiopnship course.”

Clutch Hitters

Great American Ball Park has definitely seen it’s share of Hall of Famers.

But on Monday evening, some of the greatest of all time were recognized for their accomplishments for their work off the field. At this year’s Greater Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame induction ceremony, nine veteran Cincinnati sports journalists were celebrated by family, friends and colleagues in GABP’s Bally Sports Club.

The inductees, who have over three centuries of sports journalism experience in Cincinnati media.

Kevin Barnett

Ken Broo

Paul Daugherty

JohnFay

Dennis Janson

Wayne "Box" Miller

John Popovich

Betsy Ross

George Vogel

See videos of 2024 Greater Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame inductees.

This year’s inductees were

• Kevin Barnett: WKRC-TV Executive Sports Producer

• Ken Broo: WKRC-TV, WLWT-TV & WCPO-TV sports anchor/reporter

• Paul Daugherty: Cincinnati Post and The Cincinnati Enquirer sports columnist and author

• John Fay: The Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati Reds beat writer honored posthumously

• Dennis Janson: WKRC-TV & WCPO-TV sports anchor

• Wayne “Box” Miller: WLW Bengals Radio Network Pregame/Halftime/Postgame host, sports marketer, WDBZ Sports Director and DEI Director at St. Xavier High School

• John Popovich: WCPO-TV Sports Director

• Betsy Ross: Cincinnati’s first female sports reporter at WCPO plus work at WLWT-TV, WXIX-TV, ESPN & Game Day Communications Founder 

• George Vogel: WLWT-TV sports anchor/reporter

Equal parts roast and tribute, the inductees spoke to and about each other, noting the team work necessary to truly be the best, on the field and off.

Change for the Better

Kellanova and The Cincinnati/Dayton division of Kroger have teamed up to tackle the ongoing issue of hunger in the Cincinnati community, donating $20,000 to the Sam Hubbard Foundation.

“With millions of people in America not knowing where their next meal will come from, the need to help feed and fulfill continues,” said Molly Nichols, senior director – Kroger Sales, Kellanova. “Through our Kellanova Better Days Promise, we’re committed to feeding people in need, and we’re proud to partner with Kroger to support those facing hunger in our communities.”

Food insecurity exists in every county in the United States. According to Feeding America, in 2022 49 million Americans relied on hunger relief programs, such as food banks and pantries, to help feed their families.*

“Kroger is proud to team up with Kellanova to support the Sam Hubbard Foundation in our collective efforts to end hunger in the communities that we serve,” said Jenifer Moore, corporate affairs manager at Kroger. “This donation will help provide more resources to local students so that they can thrive this school year.” 

Hubbard’s Cupboards, originally launched as a pilot in five schools during the 2022-2023 school year, the program has experienced tremendous growth, expanding to twenty-one schools in 2025. In collaboration with Crayons to Computers, the program aims to provide underserved students with timely access to essential supplies and healthy snacks. Whether a student faces a mid-year backpack mishap or needs a nutritious snack to bridge the gap between lunch and extracurricular activities, our Cupboards ensure seamless support.

“This is a significant day for our Hubbard’s Cupboard program,” said Sam Hubbard. “As a student, I was fortunate never to worry about basic needs, thanks to the family I was born into. However, many of the students we serve aren’t as lucky. They face the harsh realities of going without food, hygiene items, or school supplies. With the support of Kellanova and Kroger, we're able to ease these burdens, allowing students and teachers to concentrate on learning and growth.”

Good Sports

Greater Cincinnati SPJ Journalism Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Dinner

Great American Ball Park
100 Joe Nuxhall Way

Monday, Sept. 16, 5:30 – 10 p.m.

6 p.m. – Excellence In Journalism Awards Program
7 p.m. – Buffet Dinner
8 p.m. – Greater Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Tickets for the dinner and programs are $75. Reserve now.

Cincinnati is home to plenty of hall of famers.

In September, nine veteran Cincinnati sports journalists from print and broadcast media will join that list!

During a ceremony held in conjunction with the 2024 Excellence In Journalism awards, they will be inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame.

Both programs are sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ.) 

The inductees have over three centuries of sports journalism experience in Cincinnati media:

• Kevin Barnett: WKRC-TV Executive Sports Producer

• Ken Broo: WKRC-TV, WLWT-TV & WCPO-TV sports anchor/reporter

• Paul Daugherty: Cincinnati Post and The Cincinnati Enquirer sports columnist and author

• John Fay: The Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati Reds beat writer honored posthumously

• Dennis Janson: WKRC-TV & WCPO-TV sports anchor

• Wayne “Box” Miller: WLW Bengals Radio Network Pregame/Halftime/Postgame host, sports marketer, WDBZ Sports Director and DEI Director at St. Xavier High School

• John Popovich: WCPO-TV Sports Director

• Betsy Ross: Cincinnati’s first female sports reporter at WCPO plus work at WLWT-TV, WXIX-TV, ESPN & Game Day Communications Founder 

• George Vogel: WLWT-TV sports anchor/reporter

Learn more about each honoree here.