I grew up in Cincinnati and love living here, again, but that hasn't always been the case. In fact when I finished school, it was a city I couldn’t wait to leave. Surely there were more glamorous places ripe for discovery so I accepted a job with United Airlines and, well, took flight. I’ve lived in Chicago, Houston, Denver, three major cities in Florida and my last stop, San Francisco. When I decided to return in 1999, wide-eyed friends were mystified. “You’re leaving the city by the bay and returning to a city on the river...in Ohio?” they asked incredulously. “Aren’t you going to miss the scenery and the weather and all the fun things to do?”
Here’s the thing about big cities. They’re big. Big and congested and hell on parking fees. More than that, they can be lonely. I made friends wherever I lived, and still have them, but the long term connection and shared experiences I have with my friends and family in Cincinnati trumps the lure of the bright lights any day. Any where. I remember when I first returned, I went to the York St. Café in Newport with my dad and my aunt. When I saw the owner’s name on the menu, I knew who it was immediately. “Are you Terry Cunningham?” I asked, baiting him a little. "Why, do I owe you money?” he shot back with a smile. Years, and I mean years, ago I went on spring break to Daytona Beach with my then newly acquired pal, Terry, and a crazy collage of friends. I’ve rarely laughed so hard. Spontaneously, we were in lively conversation, laughing again and traversing decades. That never once happened in San Francisco. As Dorothy would say, there’s no place like home.
I started this blog to share the fun I’ve had rediscovering Cincinnati. Some places you may know well, some you don’t, and some you may have forgotten. If you‘re looking for a calendar of events, this isn’t it. You’ll find a little bit of news on everything from restaurants and shops to services to special events. Here’s hoping you enjoy the ride around Moe-town.
