Cincinnati Notes, Shrinking Lake Chad

Final Notes from Cincinnati Visit; Our House 

Do you ever go back to the house where you lived long ago? From 7th grade, age 12, to leaving for Nigeria in 1962, my home was 224 South Grand Avenue, Fort Thomas. I walked to and from Highlands High School, a distance of 1.2 miles, I find on Google Maps. (I was sure it was much farther!)

A few years ago my sister Beth and I pulled into the driveway of the house. We were curious to see how the backyard looked. Without asking, we walked behind the house to see where the tire swing used to hang, and where there had been a grape arbor. We knew the pasture at the far end of our property where two or three horses grazed was long gone.

A housing development had replaced the pasture many years earlier. The swing and the grape arbor were also gone. But a few memories and one large tree remained. I’m guessing no one was home.

On this visit I wanted to see the house again. I didn’t try to go to the backyard. However I did pull up into the driveway. I considered going up to the front door and ringing the doorbell. A light was on in the dining room.

Instead I just got out of the car and took a picture! But recollections of years in that house swirled in my mind – piano practice, bridge games, Sunday dinner at the dining room table, and the bedroom I shared with Beth.

Then I drove back to Cincinnati, checked out of Six Acres Bed & Breakfast, and saw my sister at the rehab facility where she’s having physical therapy for a painful knee.

My Sister and Her Family

I hadn’t seen Beth for too long, so spent a good part of the reunion weekend with her and her family. Her daughter Michelle has a serious boyfriend, and I was happy to meet him over lunch. A long-time family friend Marcia took us to a restaurant called Melt Revival, owned by her daughter Shannon and Shannon’s wife Diane.

The restaurant serves delicious vegan, vegetarian, and “regular” food.

My nephew Chris brought us the famous Cincinnati chili for dinner on Sunday night! Then we had a couple of Scrabble games. Beth boasts about his skill in Scrabble, but I had great letters and he didn’t stand a chance against me!

The First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati

We attended the Presbyterian Church in Fort Thomas when I was in junior high and high school. I was an active participant in the youth group, even becoming part of the state-wide youth organization. So I thought I might visit the church on Sunday morning.

But I decided instead to attend one of the three Unitarian churches in Cincinnati. I picked First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati. I liked the fact that it’s historic and has a new Black woman minister.

I was welcomed when I walked in the door, and welcomed again as I approached the sanctuary. On the back of the program I found that Team Four was handling the duties of the day. They did well on the greeting part at least!

The church was founded in 1830 and moved to its current location in 1916. William Howard Taft attended the church and was part of its movement opposing the US entry into World War I.

I spoke to Rev. Connie Simon, saying I was from Denny Davidoff’s church. As I suspected, she knew Denny and had warm words for her. “We all miss her,” she said.

I will go back next time I’m in Cincinnati!

President Buhari at the UN

Nigeria’s President Buhari had his turn to speak at the UN General Assembly this week. He commended the countries that have treated migrants, including those coming from Nigeria, well.

He emphasized the devastating effects of climate change on Nigeria and neighboring countries. These are part of the cause of migration and local terrorism, Boko Haram specifically.

He said, “It is our lot in Nigeria, together with our neighbours around the Chad Basin, to live with the climate change consequences of a drastically shrunk Lake Chad and the parching up of otherwise fertile arable lands.”

Lake Chad has been a major source of livelihood to many millions in the region. Today the lake’s shrinking has contributed to instability.

Lack of grazing land is a major problem. Apart from Boko Haram, Buhari named “the intense economic competition especially between farmers and herdsmen.”

Buhari said, “What is required is continuous and robust UN cooperation with national Governments and sub-regional and regional organisations such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, to enhance capacity in conflict prevention, conflict management and peace building.”

Lofty words, and difficult, nearly impossible tasks! I hope President Buhari has enough good people in his government and military working on enhancing capacity. The conflict between farmers and herdsmen is especially troubling in my mind, but of course dealing with Boko Haram is also critical!

Women’s Choir at The Unitarian Church in Westport

This morning the Women’s Choir was at the church to record five compositions by our revered minister and director of music, Rev. Dr. Ed Thompson!

The recording is part of our celebration of Ed’s forty years at the church. He’s composed hundreds of pieces. We’re only able to record a few. He chose the ones he wanted, and assigned them to the six or seven different choirs.

Today we did several takes of our five. We trust they’ll sound great. I can’t wait to hear the recording!