Life Lessons From A Triangle
Children have such huge potential for learning, and when they are taught from the earliest of ages to accept and appreciate each other’s differences – even to look beyond those differences to see what they have in common – it is one of life’s greatest lessons.
I get so touched by seeing and even being a part of those opportunities. It is a beautiful sight to see young children who look and do things differently, laugh, play, learn, and participate together. When this happens, all of them grow as a result.
This is why, as soon as my dear friend Blythe Pietila showed me the picture book, Timmy Triangle in Square Park written by Blythe’s friend, Ruth Wacker, I loved it right away…and wanted a copy to read to kids.
With simple words, cheerful illustrations and an easy-to-follow story line, the book teaches this lesson so that young minds are engaged and can understand. It focuses on Timmy Triangle, who tapes another triangle to himself just so that he looks like all the squares and can play with them in their park. They were having so much fun together…until, Timmy’s second triangle fell off during jump roping and was told he could no longer play there. That is when Sammy Square picked up the fallen triangle and announced his discovery, “Look, everybody…I’m made of two triangles!” And they realized they were really all alike. From that day forward, the squares welcomed the triangles in the park.
Timmy Triangle in Square Park is now among my favorite picture books for early readers (published by Reading Reading Books).
I had to talk with Ruth to learn more about the woman behind the story; and when I did, I came to see how this was such a natural project for her. Her friends know her as probably one of the nicest people they know because she loves to smile and make others smile. Someone told her recently, “When I walk away from you, I always feel better.” I can absolutely see that. I seemed to be smiling more when I hung up the phone from our conversation.
Ruth told me that may come from her roots (and the many self help book she regularly reads), growing up in a farming town of what she guesses may include some 300 people. She has three sisters and a brother, and parents who were farmers. From her family she learned about motivation, faith, hard work, love, and lend a hand to neighbors.
And she no doubt instilled those same values into her two adult sons, her biggest inspiration. “They are such selfless people, always willing to help other people. They’ve inspired me with their lack of worry. They have this thing about them that no matter what happens, everything will be ok and it will be good,” she told me.
A first grade teacher many years ago, her children’s writing (she has written several other stories for Amazon Rapids, an app for 8-12 year olds by Amazon Education) is a mix of her passion for writing, teaching, and encouraging friendship and discovery in young people.
Ruth’s voice cracked as she began telling me of Ryan, the inspiration behind Timmy the Triangle in Square Park.
The son of one of Ruth’s friends who is now in his 20’s, Ryan loves golf and would be the first person to pick up something you dropped as an act of kindness. He is also very big into following the rules and is often in a good mood. When his older brother was on the St. Xavier High School football team, Ryan was the team helper. The players looked at him as one of their own.
Yet there were also many kids who kept there distance from Ryan. His having down syndrome meant he looked and did things different from his peers as a child and that made some of them uncomfortable. They didn’t know how to be or act around him. “They were afraid of hanging out with him because they didn’t know what he was capable of, and he has a lot to offer,” Ruth told me.
“You have so much to learn from people who you may be afraid to get to know but if you just say, ‘it’s ok to get to know them’, you will be a better person and they will be better people. It goes for everyone. People should be judged by their character instead of what they look like. I am a big believer in that, and also I believe that kids should grow up to be curious about things. It is how they learn,” she said.
Below are a few more questions I asked of Ruth.
Lisa: What makes you smile?
Ruth: A lot makes me smile. The first thing I think about when I wake up is what I am thankful for. You can always make a list. Mine includes family, friends, my health, sunshine, a job, a house, food, music, books, my dog. The list could go on and on.
Lisa: What advice would you give a younger version of yourself about leading your best life?
Ruth: I used to always be in a rush about everything. I would see how much I could accomplish in an hour. My best advice would be to slow down. Now I love meditation because it makes you aware of so much more instead of having the blinders on with only one path. Open those blinders up. You never know what you may miss laying on the side of the road. Be open to changing your path. I also believe in signs. You’ve got to be open to the fact that something someone says may trigger a thought that means, ‘wait a minute, I’ve been going down the wrong way.’
Life Taught Charlie About Tenacity
Written by Sue Schindler
If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area, you’ve probably heard or seen the UC Health commercials with that booming, yet reassuring voice,
“They call us the tenacious. The authors of breakthroughs. The ambassadors of hope.”
That voice belongs to Lebanon, Ohio’s Charlie Hines. A talented and versatile musician and songwriter, Charlie gives his all when writing and arranging music, singing and playing guitar and keyboard, encouragingly mentoring musicians of all ages and abilities, and recording voice overs for national Walmart and other companies, colleges, churches and commercials. Charlie even wrote the national campaign song for Luxottica’s, Gift Of Sight, (now One Sight) nonprofit program during his time in the corporate world.
Referring to Dictionary.com for, “tenacious,” this word effectively describes Charlie: persistent, determined and steadfast. He recognizes gratitude while overcoming obstacles. He continually embraces the people in his life especially valuing his lifelong friendships. Charlie is quick to point out words of inspiration, as we talk in his state-of-the-art home studio.
He is a passionate family man, husband and father and lover of life. He treasures his new and lifelong friendships and enthusiastically comments on how he now musically advises the teen and adult children of these friends. “There is no expiration on the seeds we sow,” he told me. As a compassionate and continuous giver, Charlie advises to be on the lookout for what you can do to encourage others. “Your mission could be the people in your back yard,” he said.
Charlie fondly talks about giving a first guitar lesson to the child of friend, recording artist Tim Miner, in Colorado. Charlie held this child just a few hours after birth while wearing “that cone head blue cap.” This is the child who called Charlie, “Rah, Rah,” and now has a worship ministry of his own.
Charlie strongly idolized Tim’s teenage voice during his teens, as Tim was already an established recording artist. Through a social media re-connection, Tim agreed to provide vocal and musical backgrounds on, “A Charlie Hines Christmas” 2018 album.
Joe Boyd, CEO of Cincinnati-based Rebel Pilgrim Productions, and Charlie met while Joe was the teaching pastor and Charlie was the worship leader at Vineyard Cincinnati. Joe referred Charlie to his recent UC Health voice over, which after auditioning, Charlie performed from his home studio.
Prior to a budding music career, as a guitarist, Charlie was an avid soccer player. At age 14, a deteriorating hip left him sidelined and hospitalized for 8 weeks. While recovering in the hospital, he was introduced to the guitar. “I was frustrated with the healing process of my hip. However, there was another purpose for me. If I hadn’t been in the hospital, I never would have learned how to play the guitar or be the musician who I am today.”
A Columbus, Ohio resident born in Virginia, his father’s military career led the family to Stuttgart, Germany soon after his hospital discharge. Arriving on crutches as his hip continued to heal, Charlie’s new guitar expertise quickly gained him acceptance into a new church band as he continued making lasting friendships. Prior to Stuttgart, Charlie only played in his Catholic Church’s folk group. In Stuttgart, he met Clarence Church and Tony Sutherland. Today they are accomplished worship pastors, writers and authors.
And what happened to Charlie’s soccer career? Once his hip was healed, Charlie played for Stuttgart’s Military-based school soccer team, the Patch Panthers. They played other military-based schools with the much more athletic German players. It was with the Patch Panthers and during Charlie’s first game back from his hip recovery that he scored his first and only career goal. Not only did Charlie hear God telling him, “I allowed you to find music at the expense of soccer. But I didn’t want to take soccer away from you.”
Charlie vividly remembers the team’s 1984 train ride into East Berlin. It was five years before the Berlin Wall was taken down and East Berlin was communist controlled.
On the right side of the track was West Berlin with blue skies, the German Polezi wearing green, and American Military Police. “It was safe.” The city was lit up and like any city of the free world.
When looking to the left, or East Berlin Polezi were dressed in blue and the soviet border guards were dressed in their Russian red., Charlie saw bombed-out buildings and no people roaming the streets. West Germany was home to the Porsche, BMW and Mercedes, but the only cars roaming the streets in East Berlin were white Trabants. (Writer’s note: History calls, them “the worst car ever made.”)
Disobeying their coach’s instructions of not pulling down the train’s windows to talk with East Berlin soldiers out of concern of being shot, Charlie and his friends tried to engage anyway. “The soldiers ignored the soccer players”, as Charlie recalls their “stone-faced” expressions.
While playing that soccer game, Charlie noticed several holes in walls and anchors in the platforms around the stadium and was told these were effects of bomb blasts, and where tanks were anchored in on display. Charlie internalized that just 40 + years before playing here, he could have been shot to death for being African American or being an American!
After moving to Cincinnati, years later, one of the first things he did was to drive to Voice of America (VOA in Butler County Ohio). Charlie got out of car to recognize how VOA’s broadcasts into East and West Germany played a huge role in our freedom. Charlie points out that Hitler frequently referred to the VOA as the Cincinnati Liars because their broadcasts dispelled enemy propaganda.
I could have listened to Charlie’s words of wisdom and vast experiences for much longer than our time allowed. His final words of wisdom involved moving from worship director at a larger church to one that is more intimate. Charlie explained that the initial move was difficult. It was the only church that his daughters ever knew. “It was the source of my income, spiritual growth, the place where I could exercise God given gifts, lead a team of people and was the foundation of so many life- long friends. Anyone would feel lost if it all ended suddenly,” he said.
Now three years removed, settled and very comfortable in this newer setting, his advice is to, “Let go of the ego & do what you do best. It doesn’t matter the size of your audience.” Charlie Hines is persistent, determined and steadfast. We call him, “tenacious.”
These Students Are BEYOUtiful
When you were beginning high school, was a reason for your being super excited for it to begin because it meant you could be involved with and surrounded by peers who value community service?
Jessica Mitsch and Grace Brecht, juniors at Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati, were. Helping others, doing their part to make the world better, brighter for people outside their inner circle is what makes them smile. At such a young age, they have learned that all people – no matter their age, ability, mode of communication or mobility, culture, religion, ethnicity – have gifts to share. That ALL people have value and are worthy of being a friend. Philanthropy has already become a way of life. It has become a part of them that will always be there.
Jessica and Grace are co-chairs of MND’s BeYOUtiful Project, a partnership with The Children’s Home of Cincinnati where students from MND and high school students who have autism at The Children’s Home do service together.
I sat down with the girls to learn more about them and the impact of their involvement.
Lisa: How did you first get interested in community service?
Grace: In my grade school I was involved with an organization called Helping Hands as soon as it was formed. It was in my sixth-grade year at Sacred Heart in Fairfield. I became the organization’s vice president. We mostly focused on service in the Fairfield area like retirement homes, the Joe Nuxall Miracle Leagues, and also a boy who had a brain tumor. When he passed away, we created a memorial garden for him. We also did things around the school like a canned food drive.
In high school, I met a senior who inspired me and encouraged me to participate in youth community council and then opportunities branched off from there.
Jessica: Before high school I did a few service projects. In 8th grade, we went to Matthew 25 Ministries. Then through my church, I helped sew dolls for kids at the hospital.
One of the main drawing points for MND when I shadowed a student to learn about it, was how extensive their service learning is. And I could see myself growing with that and enjoying it. When I came here, I joined just about every service club and joined all of the freshman service days.
Lisa: What impact have you seen and felt from your community service?
Jessica: I hope that through my service I make an impact on others. Through the BeYOUtiful, I didn’t know people with autism before. Now I have become more understanding. I see them as they are the same as us. I’ve become less ignorant of the world.
Through Youth Philanthropy Council we did service at Winton Place Youth Center, an after-school program for elementary kids in the Spring Grove area. Most come from families below the poverty line. We went there and tutored students. It made me more accepting and less ignorant of people’s situations.
People have taught me that you can be an amazing person no matter what your situation is, and you can give back, no matter your situation.
Grace: I think just spreading joy to others and giving of yourself to other people really helps in general in their lives. You feel like you are serving along side them not just serving them, so you are equals. It has a big impact on people who are in need of service because they are not typically treated as equals. I feel like I bring that aspect to community service.
With the BeYOUtiful project, I have made a lot of friendships with the high school students at the Children’s Home. They have been a source of joy in my life and I am a source of joy in their lives. I just went there this weekend and I was talking to all of them. They know my name, and we just caught up on each other’s lives. They are just normal high schoolers.
I had been around a few people with autism but getting involved with BeYOUtiful was when I began understanding it. I think it doesn’t define who people are, it is just something they live with and something that makes them unique in the world.
Lisa: Tell me about a student who has touched your life.
Grace: There is a student there named Devon. For prom last year, he as not hanging out with anyone. He was alone. He asked me if I would take a photo with him, and I was like, ‘of course. That’d be so much fun.’ He took a picture strip and I took a picture strip. A year later, he came up to me and said, ‘You are the girl who took the pictures with me at the prom. I still have them in my room and look at them every day.’ Every time he sees me now, he fist bumps me. I feel like we are such great friends and I feel so happy that I made him happy.
Devon is interesting to talk to because he knows all about storms. That is his thing. He talks about all the hurricanes, and can list all the stats of the tornadoes that came through here the past five years. He is really kind to me. He never stops smiling and that is inspiring and beautiful. That is what a good friend should be.
Lisa: Please tell me more about the BeYOUtiful Project.
Jessica: It has been a project at MND, but not til last year it wasn’t very well known. I joined it my freshman year but there wasn’t any service that went with it. Last year, Grace was a leader and developed it. We teach the students with autism at The Children’s Home about issues in the community and how they can help, give them an equal opportunity to do service, and go to the prom with them. One of main parts is helping them develop social skills.
Grace: We also sometimes work on awareness projects about autism in Cincinnati. We may go to festivals and set up a booth. Now we are focusing on The Children’s Home and may develop it into broader program. There are about 70 MND students involved.
Lisa: How do you think this focus for you will impact the rest of your life?
Grace: I want to be a speech therapist and part of that job is to teach social skills and mechanics, things that kids with autism need help with. This confirmed that I want to work with people with autism when I get older. It has affected me because I feel like people don’t understand what autism is and don’t understand that when people have autism, that they are not any less capable than someone without it. It just means that maybe they are a little bit different and have different things that they are good at, but they are still incredibly intelligent and incredibly capable. And just as worthy as anyone else and worthy of love and acceptance.
Jessica: I am actually doing something similar to BeYOUtiful for my capstone senior project to exhibit leadership qualities. I am working for the Cincinnati Center for Autism, which is similar to Children’s Home. I am doing something for their summer campers.
We’ve been provided with such an opportunity at MND because not many school have such a strong community service department but we do. We’ve been given an opportunity to shine in that area so I think it is our responsibility to carry that on after high school and to college, the workforce and our family life.
Lisa: What do you tell other kids about why should help others?
Jessica: It does make you feel good but that should not be why you should be helping others. It should be so that you can make an impact on someone’s life and make that person smile and give that person a moment of joy in the day because we are so lucky to be given so much. And some aren’t.
Grace: I think a part of that is recognizing our privilege and using that so that we can help others. Life isn’t about us. Our purpose on this earth is to live for each other. If you just live for yourself, you are not really living. Helping others makes you feel good but gives others a chance to see your light and you to see their light. I think that is really important to see good in others, and the love that you share with them. Service is definitely a way to do that with people you otherwise wouldn’t interact with.
Doris Wants Her Art To Help Souls Sing
Through her acrylic painting, Doris Schnetzer says, she helps soul sing.
Doris calls her art, medicine paintings, because she thinks of them as a wellness tool. Her intention when she sits down with brush in 
her hand is to help people reach a goal, ease the burden of a health challenge, inspire employees of an organization, or either add energy or calmness to day.
“My intention is for the joy that I feel painting to be contagious and to brighten the space around my art-creations,” she said.
It all started with her Aha! Moment. She was working office jobs in spaces void of art, and began creating colorful paintings that brightened her day. “It just struck me that the art I create can help people feel better.”
With her experience using Quantum-Touch, LIIFT and Reiki, this seemed like a natural extension. “To link this with art, it became clear that creating medicine paintings is a way to assist people and organizations on a positively transformative journey.”
please click here to visit her website.
When she isn’t doing her art, Doris enjoys dancing, writing poems, listening to music and walks in the woods. Among her secret dreams are owning a cello, having her own art studio, learning to belly dance well enough to perform, and visiting Spain where she can try flamenco dance.
You can meet Doris Friday, May 3, from 6 to 11 pm at the Art Academy of Cincinnati’s 150th Anniversary block party (1200 block of Jackson Street) in downtown Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine. Her public engagement activity is Inner Child Connection for Adults which includes activities and Inner Child art for sale. Other artists and performers are engaging with attendees, too.
The free event will feature musical performances by Diane Coffee, Ronin Halloway, Knotts, PHYSCO, and Aziza Love of Triiibe. The Parking Lot Experiment (by Wave Pool) will be in the ArtWorks parking lot.
Attendees will also enjoy Cincinnati’s first modular art pod exhibit thanks to the support of a Catalyzing Impact Grant from ArtsWave. 30 local artists, organizations, students and alumni will create 8’x9’ art pod structures that will be strung together to create an interactive exhibit. The exhibit will be housed within 8,000 sq. ft. of the college’s campus that will be lit up by Lightborne. Also activating the space will be DJ COCO, a fashion show by Lindsey Whittle and an AMSR performance by Crystal Tubes.
Neighborhood vendors from Over-the-Rhine will be selling their wares alongside Art Academy students. Food will be available for purchase from Ché and Red Sesame Korean BBQ with 3 Points Urban Brewery providing a special AAC 150 brew.
This eclectic mix of music and artwork is all part of celebrating the Art Academy’s continuing commitment to creativity and innovation.
The Smile Behind Sharonville
At age 14, Sharonville Council’s First Woman President was running into burning buildings as part of her Explorer Firefighter training.
Sue Schindler has known and respected Vicki Brown Hoppe for a long time, and wanted to share some of Vicki’s story. Below is Sue’s words….
The Smile Behind Sharonville
It’s a warm summer weekend in July. For the past 9 years, the air is wrapped with the sounds of local bands, carnival rides and laughter in Sharonville’s Gower Park. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary on July 26 & 27, 2019, Sharonfest is a “Party with a Purpose” hosting local charities and fundraisers.
Sharonfest, now its own 501c3 nonprofit, grew out of the former Sharonville Fireman’s Festival and is the brainchild of Sharonville’s first woman President of Sharonville Council, Vicki Brown Hoppe. Well- known as a servant leader, this lifetime resident saw Sharonfest as an opportunity to support local charities. Sharonfest is Vicki’s proudest accomplishment (of many) and one that continues to provide fun through fundraising during this 2-day event.
Charities range from Princeton High School’s football team members running rides to hosting a game booth to Princeton City School District’s Board Member, Susan Wyder, promoting the Education Foundation. In addition to food trucks, live bands, and rides & games-for-all ages, Sharonfest is also home to a Saturday Motorcycle Fundraiser where all proceeds go to children’s charities including children’s cancer. 2019’s proceeds will go to Spina Bifida’s Rock and Roll event. New to the 2019 Sharonfest is a 250’ zip line and petting zoo.
Called by Wyder, as, “the glue that holds it all together!” it’s no surprise that Vicki comes from a family of strong community leadership, as demonstrated by her parents having over 50 combined years of coaching Sharonville Youth Organization (SYO) sports. Her father, brother, husband, uncle, father in law, sister in law and brother in law all served on the Sharonville Volunteer Fire Department. Vicki, herself was a member of the Sharonville Fire Department Explorer Post, training with the fireman working at the Fireman’s Festival. She also joined the working ranks as a Sharonville librarian assistant.
When asked why people would want to move to or stay in Sharonville, Vicki replied that she loves the “community feel” and unique businesses within 10-square miles. “We have a wonderful, diverse school district with all kinds of opportunities to meet people who are uniquely different. Not everyone is the ‘same.’ Our parks, recreation, Police and Fire services and our public works are second to none. Over 35 years, Sharonville has no property taxes. These opportunities ‘make people want to live here'”, she said.
As President of Sharonville Council, Vicki sets Sharonville policies & procedures and council committees and oversees council meetings. She shares that she has a special place in her heart for Veterans and has been involved with seeing over 125 Veterans receive their high school diplomas through the Veteran’s Day Graduation program at Princeton during her tenure with the district.
Vicki started her public service as a PTA president. She suggests to those seeking public service, “Don’t be afraid to get involved.” Serve on boards or committees, and talk to your mayor about vacancies. Come to council meetings. We have 1 person who attends, and council wants to hear from more.” Volunteer for festivals. Vicki points out that 15 families volunteer to make Sharonfest happen and recently received a Good Neighbor Award from Mayor Kevin Hardman for their tireless efforts. Vicki was nominated to run for council at large in 2006 with no looking back.
Whether running a council meeting, participating in Memorial or Veteran’s Day activities, visiting a local school or ensuring that families and organizations have needed support, Vicki is there for her Sharonville community. She definitely makes Sharonvillians smile.
