Happy March! I certainly am feeling lucky to be volunteering with such great people for such a fine cause. Congratulations and thanks to Suzanne Nemeth, our South Region Leader, and groups 3, 29, 45, 56, and 65 for organizing such a wonderful fundraising event at AR Workshop, who we thank as well for their support of Kindervelt. It was a great evening, and the participants went home with lovely creations and the knowledge that our fun time also helps us make a difference in the lives of those at Cincinnati Children’s.

As we begin the 4^th quarter of our fiscal year the anticipation of our annual gift presentation on May 18th grows. It’s going to be a busy quarter with many special group events! We have Fashion Shows, Luncheons, Golf Outings, Bunko Parties, and much more, as well as the finalization of a new slate of Board of Trustees, selection of the 2022 Barbara Fitch Award winner and groups working on compiling new lists of officers for 2022-2023. Kindervelt is so fortunate to have such dedicated members that never stop! There is always something going on with Kindervelt and I wish all the groups the best of luck with their spring events!  

Katrina Smith

Kindervelt City President

It's time for our annual Barbara Fitch Award nominations. The committee is looking for an exemplary individual to honor, so please consider for nomination any current Kindervelt member in good-standing with at least 5 years service.  This person should be dedicated and committed--one who is an ambassador for Kindervelt in the community, who is an active contributor to her local group, and who gladly gives her time, talents and energy to promote our cause.  The nominee should represent the true spirit of charity as well as embody the mantra "others before self".

The 2022 award winner will be honored at this year's Annual Meeting On May 18th.

If you find that your teenager has been self-harming, my first recommendation is to stay calm and not overreact.  Instead, sit down and talk with them about it. Focus not so much on the self-harming behaviors but rather the precipitating emotions. Keep in mind that self-harm serves a function of relieving those emotions. Take time to learn about their stressors, worries, and thoughts they are having. If your teenager is not already seeing a therapist, then schedule an appointment for them to see one. Try to find one that has a background with understanding and treating self-harm. There are many therapists out there that have a background in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (for example) which offers a near endless amount of skills to help reduce emotional distress. As always, you can start with the pediatrician as a starting point in getting treatment recommendations. You can also use www.psychologytoday.com to help find a therapist. If at any point you have imminent safety concerns you can bring your teenager to the nearest emergency department for an evaluation. 

KV #3 is back to meeting in person, for now anyway! At our last meeting, we approved our slate of officers for 2022/2023, with Jean Kachikis stepping into the President's position. In addition, Becky Barnaclo retains her Treasurer duties, Claire Kupferle continues as Publicity and Corresponding Secretary, Val Taylor takes over as Recording Secretary, Mimi Dyer will handle Membership, Barbie Giambra is in charge of Projects, and Joanne Shreve continues as Sunshine coordinator.

KV #3 Several members of our group and assorted friends had a good time at the South Region event at AR Workshops the end of February, creating fabulous household items while enjoying wine and appetizers. The group also continues to generate funds through First Fridays, in which members can buy homemade goodies from each other. 

KV #22 spent a chilly Tuesday in February at the nearby March First Distillery on Kemper Rd. Supporting local! So much to discuss as we opted out of a January meeting!

KV #49 We are sad to have our dear friend and long time Kindervelt member Margaret Nelson moving to Texas in the near future to live close to her daughters. Margaret has been very involved in our Kindervelt #49 group – and has been a Kindervelt member for 25 years! She has developed many Kindervelt friends throughout the city from her years volunteering on the KV Board of Trustees and Markt Committees. We will miss her friendship, her commitment to KV and CCHMC, and wish her happiness in her move to be closer to her family in Texas.

KV#49 We are pleased to welcome back Grace Jones to our Kindervelt group and look forward to her future support of CCHMC. She and her husband have supported us for years selling programs at the tennis tournament! Thanks Grace and welcome!

KV #68 would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Diana Peters for hosting our February meeting and to Kathy Werner for supplying the delicious desserts.

The South Region had a very successful and fun event at AR Workshop, Friday February 25th. Members from several groups enjoyed the AR workshop, and maybe even learned a few tricks for our own Kindervelt Crafts!

KV #16 sends congratulations to one of their newest members, Andrea Beaver, who recently was awarded the 'Best in Chic Readers' Choice Awards for 2022 for Chiropractor services. We are so very proud of you and grateful that you can now take care of us "older" members.

KV #77 Proud Moment for Elaine Santos as her son, Raymond Santos, a native of West Chester, Ohio, will be a featured soloist with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra where he has served as Principal Clarinet since 2008. He will be performing the "Mozart Clarinet Concerto" on his birthday weekend of April 1st - 3rd, 2022.

KV #68 would like to thank everyone that supported us in the Super Bowl Split the Pot. We had three pages.  The winners for each quarter are: Quarter 1 -Jenny Fallon, Tom Fish & Debbie Mayes. Quarter 2 Kelly Bollinger, BFK, Marty P.  Quarter 3 – Fran Acito, Jeanine Chaney & Diana Peters. Quarter 4 – Kelly Bollinger, BFK & Marty P. There were 36 change of score winners.

Ann joined KV 9 Fox Chapel in the early 70s and served as Kindervelt City President 1978-1979. She was instrumental in Kindervelt’s success with the 1987 World Figure Skating Championships and due to her many volunteer endeavors she was named Cincinnati Woman of the Year 1988. She was passionate about Cincinnati’s Russian Sister City, and all the Tall Stacks events. Her enthusiasm and fun loving personality was contagious. She loved people - made others feel good as she engaged groups to work with her. Ann was not afraid to get in and tackle a big job. She passed away at 88. Full obituary HERE.

KV #16 Sends heartfelt condolences go out to KV #16 member Karla Sargent on the tragic loss of her son Logan. Much love and prayers from your KV #16 family!

KV #77 Condolences to Mary Jo Hoffman losing one of her fur-children, her dog Wilson.