Help us celebrate our third annual College Hill Community Cookout at the College Hill Library on Friday, July 21 from noon to 3:00pm. We will again have games, food, lots and lots of fun for people of all ages--and free hot dogs for everyone! Last year, we served 300 people.

New this year is a visit from the Red's Mascot "The Gapper," who will be with us from noon to 1:00pm.

The Cookout is a celebration to reward and thank all the children and their families who participated in our Summer Reading Program called READQUEST 2006. The Cookout also celebrates the entire College Hill community for their dedication and commitment to our wonderful library.

Children’s Librarian Arnice Smith contributed to this article.

Perhaps the smallest garden on June's Gardens of College Hill tour was also the most spectacular. Invisible from the front of the little Nahant Street Tudor house, the backyard garden is as perfect as it is possible for a garden to be.

Enclosed by a tall wooden fence, the garden includes a tiny patio area and a corner bench seat. (An obliging young woman is shown here sitting in its shady comfort.) Cone-shaped firs soften the fence, while bushes, green plants and flowers of all kinds tucked into every available space make this outdoor "room" a delight whichever way the visitor turns. Shade trees, a small lawn, lighting and decorations add variety. Nothing is out of place, but nothing is stiff or formal.

Larger spaces give the gardener room to experiment and fail--if something doesn't work out this year, you pretend it's not there until next year and start over. This garden is so small that every spot is visible from every other spot. Yet every inch is pleasing.

It's no wonder that several national gardening magazines are interested in featuring this gem. Their scouts have been here visiting, and the homeowner is waiting to hear the results. The eNewsletter will keep you posted!

This is the first of a series of articles about the gardens on the College Hill Gardener's Garden Tour in June.

Contributed by Gail Finke.

"Last week was the biggest and best market yet this summer. We had six vendors plus the Farm Market Team." So reports Diana Porter. She goes on, "After these great rains, I'm sure that there will be wonderful produce this week. The green beans are in and we had our first tomatoes last week."

To join the Farm Market team, contact Diana Porter at porterd@cinci.rr.com.

The Farm Market is held every Thursday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at Llanfair and Hamilton Avenues.

Former Forum President Josh Weiser, for whom the annual Josh Weiser Community Service Award is named, had some things to say about the College Hill community when he responded to our request for eNewsletter feedback in a previous issue.

Besides having some nice things to say about the eNewsletter, he says, " I am greatly impressed by the community organizations and the activities of the people of College Hill. You have looked on your problems as opportunities and are making good use of them. Many people I worked with are still working hard to build good relationships among the residents. I am as proud of College Hill as I have ever been. Keep up the good work."

Josh and his wife Fran now live in Southlake, Texas, where they continue to be active in community work.

McAuley High School senior Destiny Lattimore will serve as a National Scholar representing Ohio at the 2006 National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. this fall. She was selected by McAuley teacher Michele Walters because she is “an outstanding individual who has achieved academic excellence and possesses strong leadership potential.”

Destiny will participate in leadership workshops and special functions with her peers and 430 members of Congress over a period of six days.

Destiny is thrilled by her appointment. She is a member of the McAuley Leadership Council, a club that develops leadership skills in young women. She credits McAuley principal Cheryl Sucher with being a wonderful example of a successful woman leader.

Ever wonder about your house in College Hill? Your neighbor's house? Why it's called "College Hill?"

Be a part of the first meeting of the College Hill Historical Society's revival. Join with those seeking to breathe new life into our Historical Society at a meeting on Thursday, July 27, at 6:30 pm at Twin Towers.

For information call 513-884-6497 or email collegehillhistory@yahoo.com.

The Harry S. Johnson Masonic Lodge in College Hill will hold its annual Corn Roast this Saturday, July 15, from noon to 7:00 pm.

The community is invited to an all-you-can-eat dinner of roast corn, beans, coleslaw, brats, metts and hot dogs for a donation of $8; children under 12 eat free.

In keeping with the corn theme, the Lodge will also hold a Community Cornhole Tournament. Signup starts at noon. Fresh corn will be available to take home for $4 a dozen, so you can have a corn roast of your own Sunday.

The Lodge building, which is located on North Bend Road next to the old Eastern Star Home, was not part of the Home's sale for the new Linwood Park development.

Monthly pancake breakfasts will resume in the fall.

Contributed by Gail Finke.

"The College Hill Forum is one of the most active and best-attended community councils in Cincinnati," according to Forum President Elizabeth Sherwood.

"Through the Forum, College Hill residents and stakeholders address issues and make decisions that shape the future of our neighborhood. To find out what's going on in College Hill, join us at the Forum. The meetings are informative, upbeat and fun."

You can see that she's right at the next Forum meeting Tuesday, July 25 at 7:00pm at the Recreation Center. The Forum meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month except August and December.

The Kentucky Post reports, "The Cincinnati Arts Association is once again presenting its special Overture Awards introductory workshop at 5:00 p.m. July 20 at Pleasant Hill Academy. The goal of the workshop is to encourage minority students to take advantage of the Overture Awards--the biggest high school arts scholarship competition of its kind in the nation."

There's an informative article about the Saint Clare school in the Catholic Telegraph.

There will be a Friends of the Library book sale at the College Hill branch on Saturday, August 5, benefiting the Urban Library Support Group.

Arnice Smith, Children's Librarian, is looking for volunteers. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for a two-hour shift, please contact Arnice ( arnice.smith@cincinnatilibrary.org, 513-369-6036) The sale runs from 10:00am to 5:00pm, but she needs volunteers from 8:00am (for setup) through 6:00pm (for clean up).

This Friday, the 14th, a non-musical special event comes to the Coffee Company. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm, Gai Russo, jewelry artist, will present a trunk show and sale of her original, wearable art. She'll donate 10% of all sales to the Arts Revival in College Hill (ARCH) to further the performing and creative arts and events in our community. Mai's jewelry pieces are all hand-crafted in sterling silver, gemstones and other natural materials.

This Saturday, Randy Amann & Dinah Devto perform. Classic rock (Randy) meets bluegrass and gospel (Dinah) and the result is a compelling evolved sound that insures an evening of entertainment that evokes our roots and emotions.

Next Saturday, the 22nd, it's Dr. Feelgood and the Feelgood Posse presenting R&B, blues, country and gospel. Oh yes, funk also. If you don't get up and dance, something is wrong. This is pure energy and entertainment.

Coffee Company concerts are on Saturday nights from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. There is no charge, but tipping the performers is welcomed.