Let's Talk Clermont

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Episode 25 of Let's Talk Clermont. We start with quick county updates Tate Twp land-use survey & a Sept 22 zoning session, New Richmond’s America 250 mural & Liberty Landing work, Bethel-Tate school ratings, and Loveland’s new assistance hub. Then we sit down with Denise Harrison and Jamaica Sturgill from The Plane Street Coffee House & Café in Bethel to talk restaurant life, small-town revival, and their push to lower athletic fees so more kids can play.

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We've been living in sin so long.   All  

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Welcome to episode 25 of Let's Talk Claremont. I am your host, Patrick, and I really appreciate you tuning in.   It's really fun doing this, and I'm really, really happy to see that people are listening. That's always good. You never wanna do a podcast and just shout out to no one. So thank you. Thank you very much for listening, and thank you if you're new for for tuning in for the first time. We're getting a lot of new people,   and so let's just go over kinda what we do here. We're gonna start off with some news from around the county, stuff that's going on, then we'll get into our interview.   And after that, we'll wrap things up with some events that are going around, that are going on around the county. So,   with all that said, let's get started.  

Today, we're gonna start with Tate Township. They have a phase two land survey.   So the townships identified five focus areas   where future development could take place, and the township is looking for feedback on what types of uses should be permitted in these areas   and what the development should look like. And you can take the survey on the township website.   And if you live in Tate, this is important because it's been a common theme on the podcast, but we're growing.   And if you want a voice in in what your township is gonna look like in the future,   this is the way to do it.  

Now you can do this, like I said, on their website, or   you can sign up for the newsletter where I will have a link. Shameless newsletter plug.   Also, coming out of Tate Township, there is a zoning commission special meeting. It's gonna be on September 22   at 06:30PM   at the Bethel Tate Fire Department.   This is gonna be a joint working session with the board of trustees and the board of zoning appeals.   They're going to review and discuss updating drafts of the zoning resolution related to agricultural   and residential zoning districts uses and issues.   This is gonna help continue revising drafts of the proposal updates   and updates to the in revisions   to the Tate Township zoning resolution. So there's not gonna be anything any kind of formal action that's taking place at the meeting.  

This is really just for you to go and learn about what, what they're talking about. And I imagine they might have public comments.   I'm not entirely sure about that. But, again, very important that if you live in Tate Township to pay attention to,   you know, any kind of thing zoning because growth is coming out this way, and if you want a say in it, you gotta participate in these things.   Next up, we go to New Richmond.   They unveiled   the newest America 250 mural in New Richmond, and it's on the New Richmond Military Museum, and artist Scott Hagen   painted a really nice grant memorial,   and I just suggest you you check it out.  

Also in New Richmond, the Liberty Landing project   construction is beginning.   And with that means there's gonna be some road closures. So Front Street is going to be closed to traffic from Walnut to Union Street. The sidewalk on the business side is going to stay open for pedestrians, but pretty cool news that that project is getting getting underway.   Next up is Bethel Tate School District. So in the episode today, we we talk a little bit about the troubles of the athletic department and the rather high,   athletic fees that they have. So I thought it'd be nice to share some good news coming out of Bethel Tate Schools. Their middle school earned a five star rating for the third consecutive year, and it's the only middle school in the county to earn five stars, which is pretty impressive.  

Bethel Tate High School earned a four star rating and remains among the top performing high schools in the county.   The district as a whole earned a four star rating, putting it in the top performing districts in the county and the region. So   good on Bethel Tate for for having some pretty good schools apparently.   Last little bit of news we have, it comes from Loveland. There is a new 45,000   square foot one stop assistant hub assistance hub,   that has opened,   in Loveland through a partnership between a nonprofit called Impacting Tomorrow and Health Source Ohio. It's gonna serve, people across nine counties in the region, and it offers food, clothing, household supplies. And once it's fully built out, they're still building it. It'll offer medical, dental, behavioral health, and OBGYN   services.  

It's really cool too. There's no income test. So if you go there and you say you need help, you'll get it.   The facility   has a 350   pallet warehouse that feeds more than 15 area pantries,   and they have an on-site market.   And the market serves about 2,000 guests weekly   and is described by organizers as the largest of its kind in Ohio.   So I thought that was   pretty nice. So good on Loveland.   That is all the news we have, and   I I should start doing this, and I'm going to start doing it. I'm gonna tease the episode that's coming out next week   because we are going to talk with Karen Schwartz and Taylor Corbett from Batavia Township,   and we are going to talk a lot about   the Baumann CRA, that development by the airport that's got everybody up in arms.  

We get into everything. We talk about how it started,   why the township opposes it, kind of the township's position.   And, you know, there's a lot of heated debate around this.   So I really am trying to get everyone's perspective, and we're going to keep looking into it. So I've got an email out to the airport to try to get their perspective.   I've got an email out to some, village of Batavia officials to try to get them on.   I haven't talked to the schools yet, but I plan on sending perhaps a superintendent or somebody there,   an email to see if they'll come on and and just talk about, you know, if they're for it, why they're for it, if they're against it, why they're against it. So if anybody knows someone from any of the sides, you know, please let me know   because everybody seems to be in their trenches, and I think a a little calm conversation is probably probably do.  

Also, you know, as we get more into these kind of political interviews and political charged interviews with candidates or officials or or whatever,   I think it's important to let you know where I'm coming from. And this isn't I'm not gonna give you some sort of   political manifesto or anything like that. And frankly, if you've been listening for a while,   it probably isn't too hard to guess where I am politically.   Instead, I I want you to know that I am genuinely trying to approach   approach any political interview   with as open a mind as possible, and I'm I don't want to insert my personal views and opinions   because that's not really what you're here for. You're here to listen to these people,   and what they think, and what they believe, and and how they want the county and your communities to   be run.  

That said, I'm not gonna be shy about what I think and believe. I just don't want it to get in the way of hearing what these officials have to say.   And I'll you know, I've interviewed a fair few candidates at for local office at this point, and I can guarantee you that   I don't a 100% align with all of their political beliefs   mainly because   there probably isn't anybody in the world that a 100% aligns with my personal political beliefs. But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna sit down and listen, and that doesn't mean   that we can't find common ground about the things we want for our towns and for our our counties.  

So like I said, as we get more into these political interviews, I think it's I I think it's also important just to remember   that that, you know, these people are our neighbors.   They're our friends. They're our family.   And I think it's good to approach it approach them   with, you know, the best intentions. I think they generally and genuinely   want what they think is best for their county, for their township, for their village, whatever it is. And frankly, they've raised their hand to do a very thankless job for very little money   and I think anybody that's willing to do that   deserves a a little bit of respect. No matter if you agree or disagree with them, just the fact that they're willing to raise their hand and say, I'll do this job that,   you know, a lot of people   probably will disagree with me with and get mad at me for.  

I'll do that and for very little money. So   I think that's a very honorable thing to do. And, you know, in light of last week's events, which I'm not gonna get into because this isn't the platform, I think it's just important to remember that.   You know, there's people talk about it all the time. We've got huge political divides in the nation, and I really do think that if we want to start mending these divides, we gotta start at home. And that's one of the driving motivations of this podcast is to really focus on our local communities and talk about the things that are really impacting our lives. Zoning impacts your lives. Taxes, local taxes impact your lives. Local school boards impact your life and the life of your children.   So these things are are very concrete and real, and I think it's important to come together and talk about them. So   and that actually is not a bad segue into we are a value for value model. And what that means is that if you find value in what we're doing, all we ask is for a little value in   return in the form of time, talent, or treasure. For time and talent, send us an email. Tell us what we should be talking about. What's going on in your community?  

Who in your community should we be talking to? That could be that could be an elected official. That could be somebody that's doing something really cool, really good. Whatever it is, let us know.   As far as treasure goes, you can donate to the show on our website, let's talk clairemont.com.   Head over there. Click the donate tab, and you can donate via PayPal   or Stripe. And both of those accept all different kinds of credit card payments and things like that.   And any dollar amount is greatly appreciated. It really helps us keep doing what we do,   and it's great. It's great to receive any kind of support. But for donations $50 and above, you will receive a special mention on the show. And for donations $200 and above, you will get an executive producer credit,   and that's valid. I'll vouch for that. You can put that on IMDB. You can put that on your resume. If somebody calls me up and says, hey. Jack says he's an executive producer for you. I will say absolutely,   assuming that you've actually donated that dollar amount.  

And we will read a note, and that note can be anything. That can be an ad read for your business. That could be,   you know, something that's going on in your community. That could just be a note that says, hi. It could be a note talking about how terrible I am and how terrible the show is. If you date donate $200 to the show, I will read virtually anything   that you write into me. And as a quick note, I keep forgetting to say this. If you do decide to donate that that dollar amount, please be sure to send an email to info@let'stalkClaremont   with your donation amount   and probably the date that you donated so that I can match the note to the donation. That will be very, very helpful.  

And you could connect with us on Facebook, Let's Talk Clermont podcast on Instagram at Let's Talk Clermont.   And like I sneakily mentioned before, we do have a newsletter. And sometimes there'll be little bonuses like movie reviews or restaurant reviews or something like that in there.   But it's really nice just to keep keep up with what we're doing over here at the show.   And we only bug you once a week. So it's not like you're gonna get a whole bunch of emails from us   trying to trying to get you to do something or something like that.   And, please, if you haven't already, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or whatever it is you use for podcasts.  

It helps the show out a lot, and you get notified every time a new episode comes out, so that's good.   And as always, we love hearing from you. Info@let'stalkclaremont.com.   Send us a note   and, let us know what's going on. Even if it's just to say hi. Nothing wrong with just saying hi.   Alright. Now that the value for value pitch is out of the way, let's talk about who we're talking to today. We're talking to Denise Harrison and Jamaica's   Sturgill. And don't worry, we do talk about where her name Jamaica came from, and it's pretty interesting story.   But they both work at Plain Street Coffee House and Cafe in Bethel. Denise is a bartender and Jamaica is the general manager.  

And we talk about all kinds of things, really. We talk about the restaurant industry as a whole, talk about having kids, providing small towns.   And then we do talk about something pretty important, and that's the work that they're doing to help lower those athletic fees,   at the Bethel Tate schools.   And they'll tell you how you can get involved with that. And overall, the Plain Street Coffee House and Cafe is they seem to be doing a lot of work for the community and not just   for, the athletics at Bethel Tate Schools. So I really enjoyed the interview. It's always fun talking about the restaurant industry. If you've never worked in it,   it can be a wild time.  

But, overall, I think it's a great interview,   and I really hope you enjoy it.   So we will start like I start all of these, and just tell us who you are and what you do. Okay. Hi. Well, my name is Denise Harrison,  

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and and I am a bartender at Plain Street Coffee House and Cafe.   Longtime friend of Donna Loeven, the owner. And,   so I do bartending and pretty much anything else she needs.  

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Yeah. I've had jobs like that before. Yeah. It's a friendship thing too. Yeah. Yeah. How long have you known Donna?  

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Twenty five plus. Where'd you meet her? We worked together in a restaurant setting. So you've been in the restaurant industry for a long time? I I have been, but   when Donna and I parted ways back then,   I wound up going into food sales. Oh, okay. So I still worked in the industry Yeah. Yeah. But not, you know, not in the That's probably weird. I bartended  

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I actually bounced for a little bit up in the Puddin Bay. All bartenders bounce. Yeah.   Well, I guess I'm a bigger guy, and they're like, oh, put you on the door. Oh, no. Oh, I thought you meant bounced around. No. Oh, no. No. No. I mean, like, I I was a doorman. I wasn't a bouncer. No.   I only bartended once. It was at a Mexican restaurant slash burger place. Okay. It was very odd. A lot of margaritas. I was gonna say made a lot of margaritas Yeah. Probably in a machine.   Actually, they had them on tap. Oh. Yeah. Yeah. They had them frozen too, but they made them all. It was like a secret recipe. The guy would mix them up and put it in the cake, and nobody was allowed in there while they was doing it. It was just margaritas.   Have  

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you ever seen Kung Fu Panda? The secret ingredient is there is no secret ingredient. Right. But you tell everybody there is. Of course. Yeah. And yep. So when did, Plain Street Cafe start and come about? I think that she's right about three years. Mhmm. And Donna remained in that industry forever, and she ran How did she get her start?   As a teenager.   Yeah. Yeah. Literally, I think she was, like, 14 or 15,   and she's never left. She's been, you know, stayed in the industry,   but she ran some very successful,   restaurants over the years for other companies and,   eventually,   I guess, just decided it was time to try to do something on her own. Yeah. Yeah. And I think what's fun is that she's this all began the Plain Street Coffeehouse and Cafe. It began   as her idea for a small,   quaint hometown   coffee shop Yeah. Yeah. Where people would come and have a latte   and a conversation,   you know, and a a good scone or a muffin or something.  



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A good scone is actually really hard to come by. That's correct. Do you guys have good scones here? Very good scones. I'm gonna have to get a scone for you. We have some amazing desserts and sweets and things. What's your favorite? But,  

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I don't know. Right now, I think it's probably the, the chocolate. There's a chocolate coffee cake topped with a I do. Almond topping. I'm a sucker for coffee cake. Yeah. It's hard to pass up. But so, yeah, it was her idea to just have something like that. Just small and hometown and,   a gathering place.   And then the business kind of drove.   It grew the business. Yeah. Customers grew the business by, you know, obviously, wanting to have some lunch items. Mhmm. And then So it just started off as a coffee shop. Yeah. Just a quaint little get together   kind of place.  

And I think that it still has that feel Mhmm. Even though it grew from that to getting the first liquor license in the town of Bethel since I know we talked about that earlier. Ever, like, unprecedented People trade those sometimes, don't they? They're all there. It's like almost like a commodity. Well, if they are a commodity, but Bethel, there wasn't. There wasn't. There were zero liquor license. Zero liquor license. Really? Why is that Until about five years ago, you couldn't even buy it in stores here. Really? Yeah. So it's been a dry town   historically  

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forever. I didn't know that at all. Yeah.  

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So,   when did that change? I think they started selling it in stores maybe five years ago. Okay. That's a guess. Twelve years ago. Okay. Because I used to live in Felicity, and I drive through Pleasant Bethel all the time. When I lived there I'd get boos in I'd get boos here. Right. So I was like, when did this happen? When I lived in Bethel, and I've been out of Bethel for probably twelve years,   you had to go ten minutes north, south, east, or west. I had no idea about that. You could go to George well, I guess, Hammersville,   Amelia, or I guess, speed ticket in Hammersville.  



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Yeah. So has everyone who's ever driven through there. Yeah. I'll tell you what I because we lived in Newport when we were dating and we got married. And then we we're gonna have a kid. So we're like, oh, we gotta find somewhere to go, and we don't wanna live in the city anymore. Right. So we're like, let's do the exact extreme opposite of what we've done opposite. And go, like, get 10 acres in Felicity.  

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Wow. So  

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we did that, and I have never gotten more speeding tickets in my life   than just driving around   all over Felicity. I think I got one in Hammersville. I think I got one was that 52 or 50 that goes oh, man. My guess is  

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crime rate. Yeah. You know? Living downtown or in Newport,   the police officers are are they're very busy, like Oh, yeah. Chasing criminals. It's hard to speak. You go to Felicity. Well but, yeah, you go to Felicity and the police officers Yeah. Don't you know, they're not chasing down criminals all day. But I think Hopefully. This is  

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I don't wanna make this sound like it's disparaging to small town police forces, but   so I think some of the realities of small towns like Felicity and Hammersville is there's not a whole lot of tax revenue. So how are you gonna fund your police department? Very true. You know, and, like, busting up drug rings or, you know, getting drug addicts off the street, that doesn't   that costs money. You know? It does cost money. Yeah. Yeah. So, again, that's not to be disparaging. Necessary. Right. And, you know, the speed limits are speed. It's the law. I was breaking the law, so it's not   like I don't like it. I wasn't happy about it. Right. It wasn't uncalled for. No. No. It wasn't. It was my fault   that I was going 30 and a 25, but   so, anyway, so you you've been in the food service industry twenty five years. What At least. What has that experience been like? I like I said, I've worked in it, but for people who have it because I think it's easy to go to a restaurant or a bar and, you know, like, oh, this is so much fun, and this is so easy, and, like, oh, these waiters and bartenders. You know, the old thing is, like, a guy when he gets to be about 40, he's like, oh, you know what? I'd love to have a bar. Right. That's a mistake. Mistake.  

Yeah. Because you don't realize  

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what it actually entails. No. And I've seen that many times in my career because when I met Donna twenty five years ago, it wasn't the beginning of my, you know Oh, yeah. Time and, food and beverage.   But I've seen too many   small restaurants and bars open and close.   And with people, as you said, maybe midlife who had this great idea that it would be so much fun. It'll be like Cheers, man. It'll be fun, and all my friends and my family will help me. Mhmm. We're just gonna have a really All your friends and family come and try to drink for free is what happens. Correct.   So I have seen a lot of people, unfortunately,   lose some of their life savings. Yeah. Thinking that it would be a fun idea. So,  

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You know, the other thing they don't show you in Cheers is I'm staying up till four in the morning, cleaning the baths, the bar, and cleaning everything and putting the tables out. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. It's a lot. But at the same time,  

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it is a fun industry. Yeah. And some of that's a personality   type too. You know? It is. My my friends who are introverts   would not think that what I'm doing is fun. I am 100%  

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an introvert,   and I Really? Did not enjoy. I it was fun. Like, it it's fun to bartend. You know? But I I don't like talking to people, right, which is odd because I'm sitting here talking on a podcast. But So You know, just like people that as a it's an odd relationship between a bartender and a customer. Right? Because as a bartender,   you need to be nice and accommodating. But   at least for me, a lot of times, I was like, I've got 50 drink tickets   that I've gotta get through. And I   I I like your story. Run, but I'm busy. I'm I'm actually at work here. So I know you're off work and you're having a good time, but I'm not. I gotta go do things. Yeah. And it was just tough to juggle.  

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It is. It is.  

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Yeah.   So what would you say what would you say a lot of successful   restaurant and bar owners? What what do you see them doing?  

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Well,   starting small. Mhmm.   Some of the,   businesses that I've seen fail are ones who were successful   in their first brick and mortar Mhmm. And then decided to hurry and open another location.   Oh, expanding. And third. Yeah. Yeah.   I've seen that happen a lot, to to the detriment   of the owners.   And I Donna has grown slowly here,   and,   I think that has a lot to do with her success.   Do you  

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is there, I guess, a worker shortage? Is it tough to find people? Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. We are short staffed  

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most of the time. Yeah. And,   you know, it's tough because you meet people and you interview and you hire people,   and, you know, that just you're just certain they're the right fit, then I I don't know what's happening   because it's so different. And   even after leaving,   restaurants and and restaurant management,   I was still a hiring manager and and I've never seen it. I've never seen this happening   until the last maybe couple of years, which is, like, really crazy high turnout. Three people, you have to hire six because   and I don't understand.  



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Do do you have any idea why that is? Did you find it just in people in general, or is it, like, younger generations, older generations?  

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Yeah. I think it's probably younger generations. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. And,   I don't know. I don't know what that's all about. I don't wanna say, well, these young kids today. No. I I listen, the older I can. Wanna work or what you know? Yeah. But it's it's the dynamics are different for them.  

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And, in what way? I don't know. Because certainly, at least for me, bartending, it's not I mean, if you're good at it Right. You can make really good tips. And make money and have fun. And there's certainly  

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a good camaraderie  

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Oh, yeah. You know, in in good settings. Like, we are always fun. Yeah. Yeah.  

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But,   I don't understand it. I'm I'm completely stopped Yep. As to why we can't, you know, we can't hire enough people. Do you have any  

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really great restaurant stories? Everybody I've ever worked in restaurants and bars, they've got some great ones. I have. I'm sure I do, but I don't know what would be appropriate. Come on. Come on. I'm sure you got something. I'll have to think about that one.   Because   I'm   all we all maybe this will ease you into it because I've   some of the wildest times I've ever had in my life have been working at a bar. Right. Specifically, Put in Bay. I understand. Oh, yeah. Put in Bay. Oh my gosh. So we would I worked at the beer barrel saloon, which is the world's longest bar. Right. Bounced there. And they would close at one, and all the other bars would close at about two in the morning or something like that. So we were kinda lucky in that respect. But after everybody kinda cleaned up and shut down, you were allowed to drink pretty much for, like, an hour.  

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Like, as much as you could. Because the bar was still legally Exactly. For another hour. So,  

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they also had so there's this guy there named Spider.   Even it's a short little guy. He was a bouncer slash bar back, and they had something called a spider shot, which was a glass, like a I'm   people aren't gonna be able to see me do this, but I guess what would you call it? Like a like a plastic glass. Oh. Like a blue. They were all plastic glasses because they don't wanna Alright. Right. Glass all over the bar. Way. Yeah. Exactly.   But it was maybe about, I don't know, how many inches is that, four inches, something like that. It was a sizable glass, but not a big glass. K. They would fill it to the top with the Jagermeister. And if you were a new bouncer, you had to take that shot. Initiation.   Well, they called it the spider shot because spider had drank   so much Jager   that on, I think it was maybe two occasions,   his heart stopped. Oh my god. And he still did it again. Oh. He repeatedly. Hate. I'm not oh, no. And then, like, when I worked with him, he was still drinking like that. Yeah. Like, he you know, just some of the most wild people. There's yeah. There's wild people. Did that jog any memories perhaps? Not any of it. I'm  

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gonna  

[00:26:18] Unknown:

Alright. Alright. We'll move on from that. That's that's   that's fair enough. So you lived in Bethel for a while. I did. And then now you're in Emilio. Correct. And you've lived in Clermont County your whole life. My whole life.   So I'm not gonna ask you how old you are because my mother raised me. Right? But,   how have you seen the county change? And and   especially in the the food industry, like, you kinda get a real look at Yeah. At the people and what's going on. Well, I just think as a county, it kind of  

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ebbs and flows like everything does. Mhmm. And as a town,   when I lived here for twenty five years when I was having children and raising children   Let me get you. Of three. Three. And so they grew up   in Bethel and all attended, you know, by the way of Bethel.   And I thought it was a great town.   Great town to raise kids in.   And and, you know, we have the Midway Theater.   Yeah. What happened to that? It is that It's just out of business now. I think primarily   because   the equipment is antiquated. Yeah. And they just, you know, to upgrade the system, and I think that's probably   the theaters are one of my favorite. Oh, it was a great I could take the kids to a first run movie Yeah. That people were paying $10 a ticket at, you know, Eastgate for $4 Yeah. And and get the best popcorn. Yeah. Perhaps in the city. Maybe maybe in the state of Ohio. It was really good popcorn. Was so good. But, you know, it was that quaint, you know, small town feel, you know, and we participated   in the parades every year and all the sports teams and,   you know, chaired committees for PTO or whatnot. It was a small, you know, tight knit group of people, and it was a great small town feel. Mhmm. And then I think it seemed to me   well, we left Bethel,   and just moved down the road, but I felt like things got really quiet and not   so   didn't have the same feel Yeah. That's true. In town. But I see now that there's this rejuvenation   Yeah. In Bethel. You know? There's a new shops and Mhmm. You know, new restaurants and coffee shops. Yeah. And and,   especially being in this building and helping her helping Donna,   that sense of real tight knit community is back in full force. Yeah. Donna is probably part of the driving force behind that.  



[00:28:53] Unknown:

You know? Well, don't discount your friendly local bartender.  

[00:28:56] Unknown:

Well, you know?  

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Yeah. I mean, I'm pretty proud of this place and everything that she's done and we're all doing. Yeah. I mean, I've talked to a couple different people from a couple different town, like New Richmond. Yeah. A couple people from New Richmond, Bethel. I know I'm gonna forget a bunch of people. But   across Claremont County, it seems to be a common story like that Mhmm. Where it seems like things are kinda waking back up and you're getting in these small because towns like Bethel. I mean, the it's a unique town in that it's Bethel, but the structure of it isn't unique across Ohio. Correct. I mean, there's tons of small towns like this with Yeah. Just incredibly  

[00:29:33] Unknown:

cool downtown little downtown areas. Things to do. Yeah. Yeah. Well but there's lots of vacancies. Like, even in Bethel, like, there's still lots of vacant buildings. There are. And it feels like there's a lot of opportunity for somebody if they are entrepreneurial minded to to really start a good business. And smart business people. Yeah. You have to have a smart head for business that you know, we have, like, coming up this weekend, and I'll be out of town. I'll miss it, but they're having Burke Fest. What's I don't know what's going on. It's a concert in the park   and food trucks and, you know,   I don't know what all the activities.  

Yeah. But, and at the the Bethel Historical Society I did  

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an interview with those ladies. Okay. Yeah. I hope I don't I know Judy. Mhmm. I   apologize if she's listening. I think her name was Susan. I I mixed it up when I It's Susan. I think I called her Suzanne. I can't remember. Yeah. I'd apologies if you're listening. I'm sorry. She was a lovely lady. Yeah. It was a fun interview. You're having a, you know, event Saturday morning where they're dedicating a new room,  

[00:30:34] Unknown:

that the scouts will be have access to, girl scouts and boy scouts and whatnot,   and the band's gonna be there.   And I love that whole small town. Mural is really cool too. That's amazing.  

[00:30:46] Unknown:

How many towns actually have,   Ben Franklin five and die? I don't know how many could even be left. I know. I don't I mean, it it's looks like I've never gone in there, and I know I need to, but it looks like such a cool store. Well, you remember, you know, the movie,  

[00:31:01] Unknown:

old the old man and the gun   Oh. Was it was, Sissy Stasek and,   Clint Eastwood. Robert Redford. Robert Redford. It was Redford.   And, they did   film scenes here. That was maybe five years ago,   and some of it was, at the same time theater.  

[00:31:20] Unknown:

Well, Cincinnati's had a big push for Oh, yeah. Yeah. All the movie. Yeah. The film industry. And it's booming in Cincinnati. This whole area is actually really because there's so many different landscapes, architectures.  

[00:31:30] Unknown:

Right. It's cheap. Like, it it's not like California or something where you have to get crazy permits and No. I totally there's 50 different pea it's almost like the movie mafia. There's, like, 50 different people you gotta pay off. I know, but I love to think that they came to Bethel. Yeah. Yeah. No. That is cool. You see the scene, you know, where they're in the movie theater Yeah. Or they're at the gas station Yeah. Or you know? I loved it that they made it to Bethel.  

[00:31:55] Unknown:

You know, I'm glad you actually you brought up the Bethel Historical Society,   because when I was interviewing them, they thought that it sounds like there are   multiple people in this town 90 years and above and   many people in the past who have lived   almost well into their hundreds. Maybe it's in the water. Well, I was about to ask you, is there a fountain of youth here? Can you confirm that? I don't know. Maybe I'm 106,   and you just don't think I will get it. Well, I'm telling you. Like, they were talking about all these people. Like, he lived to 100,   and he was actually alive during the civil war. And  

[00:32:31] Unknown:

and I stopped him. I'm like, why are there so many people living so long in Bethel? Maybe because they were farmers, and they were more down to earth people who worked hard. And Yeah. You know, now everybody's like, drink your water and get your steps in. They already knew this. They were already doing it. They knew that's That's just how they lived. A hundred years ago. Right? That's just how they lived. Yeah. So maybe that's the secret. Maybe it's not a secret.   It probably is. My husband's grandmother lived to be 103.   Is she from Bethel? No. Oh, okay. But I was gonna say there's more data points. My gosh. No. But she had about a 100 and two healthy years, and I said I asked her what her secret was, and she said, well, honey, there's no secret. You just have to stay busy. Yeah. So maybe that's what farmers do. That's what my mom says. She's like, you know, I just eat less, move more. Yeah. That's my plan Yep. And stay busy. Yep. Yeah. Because I  

[00:33:22] Unknown:

I work from home, and I'm I have, like, a essentially an office job where you sit in a chair all day.   By the end of the day,  

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I don't feel good.  

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I just don't feel good. This isn't that   exercise and things like that to try to counteract it. But, you know, sit I actually heard somebody say a long time ago that sitting is the new cancer, which is kind of a weird saying. But Well, I don't think it yeah. I can't I just don't think it's good for you. It's not. No. You have to move.  

[00:33:50] Unknown:

So set a timer on your phone and get up every   forty five minutes. Yeah. Walk around the house or something.  

[00:33:57] Unknown:

I tried to. Drink a glass of water. I've got three kids too, and they're all under five. So Oh, god.   Do. So when I say I get off work and I don't feel good, it's like I get off work, and then I'm running after a toddler and yelling at my five year old to stop doing something and carrying a baby. So I remember.   Yeah. It's a it's fun. They are. It's really fun. Though. Yeah. It's hard to feel it now because they're little, but Yeah. Especially my oldest girl, her name is Olive,   and   that girl is gonna be the death of me.   And we we had we just had a baby about four weeks ago. He's a boy, and our middle child's a boy too. And when we found out that the new one was gonna be a boy, I let out the biggest sigh of relief.  

I think they probably heard it across the country   because I was just like, I can't I can't handle it. Some of that birth order,  

[00:34:44] Unknown:

you know, I believe the firstborn,   they're  

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yeah. Well, my mom always says it's like the first batch of pancakes.  

[00:34:54] Unknown:

I love that. Yeah. You know, you know, I'm the firstborn. So I read it like a, you know, meme or whatever,   this describes my family or my children. It says,   I'm the firstborn child. I make the rules. Yep.   I'm the middle child. I'm the reason we have rules.   Yep. I'm the last born child. The rules do not apply to me. And that's   That's actually my family  

[00:35:20] Unknown:

That's painting out. Kids. Yeah. It's all of us why we have rules. Oh, no. I'm sorry. She makes the rules. She makes the rules. She will be bossing those boys around. And she's she's already a little motherfucker. Rest of her life. Yeah. Which   thank god because I know what I was like as a young boy, especially as I got into my teenage years. And, yeah, I didn't cause too much trouble for my parents, but that's because they didn't know how much trouble I was causing. Correct.   And it was all fun natured. I yeah. Boy kind of trouble. But there's a couple instances where I'm lucky to have not killed myself doing something incredibly dumb. Right. Yeah. I understand.  

[00:35:55] Unknown:

Yeah. Even to this day, I mean, my kids are on their facilities, and I say, you don't need to tell me Yeah. Just that you did No. Twenty years ago. I don't need to Do you ever stop worrying about them? Never. No. I didn't think so. No. No. No. I didn't think so. It just gets worse, doesn't it? So much worse now than worrying about a toddler   or a seven year old. Lose that control, don't you? And not necessarily control, but it's like control. You just don't have the ability. You can't fix it. Yeah. You know? Yeah. I mean, probably fathers too, but   for mothers, you just have this primal   maternal   drive to, like, fix everything. Yeah.  

The older they get, the older I get, the more I realize that they have no control over their lives whatsoever.  

[00:36:37] Unknown:

Yeah. You talk about mothers having that innate.   This is something about moms because I one of my favorite time because I've been there   for all of our children.   Yeah.   My favorite moment is always when they hand her the baby because it's been nine months of her just being miserable.   And it was so funny because we we wanted another baby, but we it's not like we were planning it. And so she always said she never wanted to be pregnant during summer.   And then she gets pregnant, and it's, like, the hottest summer in decades.   She's   just absolutely miserable. And, like, god love her. She   she did it with great grace.  

But, you know, it's all done in the hand or the baby, and you just see her face. And I'm like, that is   oh, man. But I do too because it's my it's literally my favorite part of the whole thing because you just see, like, all that just pain and suffering she's gone through for nine months. I also think that there's a hormone that women have that   roughly   ten to twelve months after having a baby, it erases their entire memory of pregnancy,   and they wanna have another I know. You know what I mean? I don't know what it is. Experienced that memory loss. Yeah.   Well, my wife did three times. Yeah. I have three babies in four years. Yeah. Three and four. Yeah. Wow. It's good. It's fine. Are you Irish? No.  



[00:38:02] Unknown:

23 and me.  

[00:38:05] Unknown:

That that must have been difficult.  

[00:38:06] Unknown:

Yeah. How long? Because we've got two under two. Under two. Yeah. So my son had just turned four by the time I had the third. The girls are not even two years apart. So Yeah. Like, right now, they're a year apart, but then there'll be a birthday coming.  

[00:38:22] Unknown:

They'll be two years apart. Probably two years apart.   So if we switch track from kids Yeah.   So, again, you've you've been in the county a long time, and I talk on the podcast. At least I pay attention to development a lot.   Mostly because where I live in Batavia,   I I live in a nice spot. Like, it's it's kinda far away enough from everybody. Our neighbors aren't miles away, but I I can still see their house, but they're not right up next to me. Yeah. We got a huge farm field behind us. Nice. That's why we moved there. County's growing. County's developing.  

[00:38:53] Unknown:

How have you seen it develop, and and what do you think about that? I mean, personally, you know, I don't wanna go into politics. Oh, you don't have to go into politics. I just feel it seems   like it's all growing too quickly. You think so? Yeah. I mean, I look at I'm in West Claremont School District. I mean, at this point, it's a huge, gorgeous   new school, and then   so many, many, many, many Yeah. New developments have gone up that they're running out of money  

[00:39:20] Unknown:

Oh, absolutely. From what I understand. Well, they had that levy not too Yeah. Longer that failed, and they wanted that because I think their middle school has well, it was bigger than my I've been to Middletown High School, and then that's a big high school. It was, like, bigger than Middletown High School. They're middle school. Yeah. I mean, that's crazy. I know. So I guess that's my concern is where  

[00:39:40] Unknown:

where we're gonna put all the kids. We're gonna  

[00:39:43] Unknown:

be educated. And Well, property tax is a concern too because if if you grow this fast and your schools need more money, they need to get money somehow, and that's typically through property tax. Right. But, I mean, if people are buying new homes, then, you know, that goes along with it. And, hopefully, I would like to think that  

[00:40:02] Unknown:

people buying   big new homes are people with children.   Yeah. So they will be more motivated   Yeah. To pay the taxes. And I always I felt   that was kind of a problem   in Bethel Yeah. When I lived here and the kids were growing up because we had so much difficulty passing a school levy Yeah. Because there were so many elderly people. Yeah. Middletown had the same problem. Yeah. And, you know, they had raised their kids and have their grandchildren,  

[00:40:31] Unknown:

and they they didn't have any motivation at all Mhmm. To pay more taxes. Which, you know, I can't blame you. No. I can't I can't blame somebody who's raised all their children and they've all moved on. Like Yeah. You know, why would you wanna pay more taxes?  

[00:40:45] Unknown:

Well, so then let's   let's   flip the coin and say that the development,   while it may be moving too quickly,   could also be,  

[00:40:56] Unknown:

you know, a positive thing. Oh, yeah. You know? Well, that's that's the thing about more revenue. Exactly. And that but that's the thing about growth and development. Yeah. Like, you know, we need great. We're growing. We're gonna get people and jobs and the economy will grow, but I also don't wanna see the whole countryside paved over with dollar generals or something. You do you know what I mean? Like, if you live in some kind. Well, yeah, living some cornfield. Yeah. Well, exactly. Like, I don't wanna live in some kind of, you know,   strip mall hellscape. No. You know? Crap. Yeah. Yeah. So it's it's a balance. It really is. And it's a tough one to strike, I think. Yeah. And I think it's it I don't wanna criticize any of   the towns or governments that are because it's not an easy problem to solve.  

Correct. Yeah.   So let's talk about Bethel Tate athletics.  

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Well,   I'm hopefully not the person to talk about.   Well, I can talk about   some financial problems.  

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Yeah. And what you could talk do you know what Donna's up to trying to Well,   well, let's start with what the problem is. Okay. The problem  

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is that and I wish I had the numbers in front of me, but I really know we'd be having this conversation. No. That's alright. But If you I'm sorry. There's another person. If you if you wanna jump on the microphone, you're more than welcome to.   So I know that   the list that I saw that I wish I had in front of me showed,   what sports fees were for each There it is.   School district. Mhmm. And that Bethel Tate was the highest at $425  

[00:42:30] Unknown:

per child. Per is it per child per sport? Correct. Yeah. And Does it go does it go down to $2.50 after, like, the third sport or something? No. It's it's $4.25   across the board. So if I've got a kid   in football and basketball,   that's what? $8.50. Yeah. And that's not including, like, for football, you still gotta go and buy cleats. You still gotta go out and buy, like, the athletic stuff. Absolutely.  

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Yeah. I'm told that West Claremont is a 125.  

[00:42:57] Unknown:

There's a lot of schools and a lot of schools cap it after they do something after, like, the third or second sport, or they'll say, like, you don't have to pay more than $350  

[00:43:06] Unknown:

for your kids to play sports here. And let's take it a step further and look at median income. Yeah. I was about to say West Claremont and Bethel Tate. Yeah.   There are probably   more families.   There are certainly more families   in the Bethel Tate School District   who are struggling   financially   than in the West Clermont, you know, where it's just different, different,   demographics. And,   so to have the highest school fees and the lower incomes, there's there's no way to balance it. Yeah. Donna is trying to combat it by raising funds,   and she's done it in conjunction with other businesses here in town.  

I don't know how much money has been raised,  

[00:43:53] Unknown:

at this point Sure. To date, but I see Is there a target that you guys are after? Not I don't know. Or it's just as much as you can. I don't want it. Seriously, you're welcome to get on the way. I'm gonna tell you, get on the microphone eventually. So you're not gonna get out of this without getting on the microphone.  

[00:44:08] Unknown:

We wanna talk about this.  

[00:44:10] Unknown:

I I think it was Well, hang on just a second. Let's get the microphone in front of you.   And like I said, you want it about kinda like that. And  

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So they have done,   various fundraisers.  

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Well, first off, let's back up just a second. Who are you, and what do you do?  

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My name is Jamaica Sturgill,   and I am the general manager here at Blanket Street. Okay. I am the jack of all and the joker of none. So,   Donna is very, very engaged,   with underprivileged   families,   just to try to give them the opportunity to sit at the same table,   you know, with families that have a better source of income and a better quality of life.   You know, that's we we donate lots of time, and there's a lot of things that she does behind,   the scenes that nobody even knows. She's not looking for recognition of,   but she is trying to be the village   that comes together and assures that every children has the same   opportunity and can stand on the same platform,   no matter what your financial stability will be at home. Mhmm. We do the band booster,   events here.  

Our last one being the party in the parking lot,   which was just, you know, phenomenal.   Yeah. You can find it on our, Facebook page.  

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And do you help her with I'm assuming you help her with these things. Oh, absolutely. Okay. Yes. Yes. 101100%.  

[00:45:44] Unknown:

So if if she's not here, I'm here. Okay. So it's, you know, it's a team effort for sure. Oh, wait. Are all extracurriculars  

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at Beto? So, like, banned. Is that struggling as well with Yes. So it's it's pretty much all extracurriculars.  

[00:45:57] Unknown:

Correct. Correct. The, the average family income in Bethel is only about $42,000.   Okay. That is the national   average,  

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for a household in Bethel. And to have to pay $450,   I mean, that's that's a huge chunk for somebody. Correct. Correct. Just, I mean, for if you have   children in Indian Hill, and it was like, oh, I've gotta pay 450. Well, okay. I make $500,000   a year. Correct. Whatever. Yes. But for Bethel, that's a I mean, that's almost a guaranteed way that no kids are gonna play sports. Correct. Correct. And and just, you know, I mean More extracurriculars  

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in general. For sure. For sure.  

[00:46:34] Unknown:

We   Donna caught wind at the end of the school year last year,   that some children who had unpaid lunch fees were not going to get to participate   in the, last day of school field day activities   because they had outstanding   lunch fees.   The community,  

[00:46:54] Unknown:

and Did they not do free reduced free  

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lunches here? They they do. Okay. They do.   But we we rallied together,   and we delivered checks to not one, but two schools,   and paid off all the fees. That way, the children didn't have to sit in a punishment.  

[00:47:10] Unknown:

I was gonna say that seems  

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financial That seems like a really odd thing to do. Again, I don't wanna be disparaging because I don't I don't know the politics of the school board or what they're thinking, but I don't know. For my money, that seems like an odd because, yeah, why would you punish your kids for that? Correct. It it plants a bad,  

[00:47:28] Unknown:

seed in the children's head. Yeah. Like, they've done something wrong. Yes. Yeah. You know, that I I was that child Yeah. That, you know, couldn't do certain things because, unfortunately, my parents weren't in the financial   situation   to ensure that I got to do those things.   So I just, you know,   a, I think a lot of it,   you know, is Clay, her son. Mhmm.   You know, it's a legacy to him Mhmm. As well when it comes to her being so active. Yeah. You know? And and I think that's just absolutely amazing,   because all of Donna's children, you know, she's very in entwined and have the born and raised and, you know, now lives in the same house that she grew up in.   But it just you know, children shouldn't have to pay and or carry their parents' financial  

[00:48:19] Unknown:

burdens Oh. In a class or sins of the father. Right? Shouldn't be visited on the son? Correct. So And and, you know, that's Not not that not that making that kind of money is a sin, but you know what I mean. Yes. And, you know, and we we all have children  

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and, you know, that's we want them all to have the same opportunities   and not have them, you know, have to carry   that, you know, I'm different because I can't be a part of Yeah. Well, especially for extracurricular  

[00:48:47] Unknown:

and I'm assuming you would agree with this, but   extracurriculars,   especially sports, and band and all of those things. But sport, for me, football   in high school and middle school,   it kept me out of a lot of trouble. It developed me as a   not just a person, but as a man, like, having   to struggle and and really   sacrifice a lot,   to accomplish   a goal. I mean, it's it's incredibly important for, I think, children and especially high schoolers. And I would make the argument, especially high school boys, that   if you don't find a way to channel that young boy energy in a productive way,   bad things are gonna happen. Like, very bad things will happen. Like, if I wasn't on a football field, I would have been getting in a lot more trouble than I ever did. And half the reason I didn't wanna get in trouble wasn't necessarily my parents, but I knew I'd pay for it, you know, in practice on Monday. You know? Yes. So at least that's my take on it. I don't And, you know, that's our our  

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children and the younger generation of children. You know, that that's our security in the future. Yeah. You know, that's we're not,   just investing in ourselves. We're investing in what the world's gonna look like for our children and our children's grandchildren. Yeah.   Sometimes it's hard to do the the right thing. Yeah. But at the end of the day, if everybody in the world, you know, decided to not be selfish and to stand up for somebody who is a little less privileged   Yeah. What a beautiful world we can live in. Yeah. I agree with that. So if somebody,  

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told me wanna get involved and help out, how would they do that?  

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So they can always contact us,   through our page on the Plain Street Cafe,   or they can reach out to, Donna privately,   or stop in the cafe.   Like I said, everybody here is always very knowledgeable,   about, you know, fundraisers   or goals or, you know, somebody in the community   that is in need. Yeah. It doesn't just stop with the schools and sports and that,   you know, Plain Street stands on.   You are part of our community.   And if there's a need that you are struggling with, you know, through communication,   we're gonna do everything we can to assure that we are there to support you and help you,   in in your time of need Yeah. In general,  

[00:51:10] Unknown:

from what I've been involved in and the amount of time that I've been here. Okay. Is there because I I don't wanna cut any time on on the sports stuff because I do think that's important. Is there anything else that people should know or anything else you wanna talk about regarding that?  

[00:51:25] Unknown:

Just, you know, just your your voice needs to be heard.   You know, we all we might not have financial   means,   but,   as you said, you know, show up and be involved in what's going on and, you know, speak your piece on the matter, how do you feel that you wanna see   our community look and, you know, the goal five years from now.   You know, I guess one of my biggest pet peeves is somebody that wants to insert themselves   and, you know, has put no footwork   into the situation.   And that doesn't always have to be monetarily.   Yeah. You know? Donate your time. Time, talent, or treasure. Exactly. Mhmm.  

You know, is I think a big thing that we hear at Plain Street, you know, stand on it. It doesn't always have to be monetarily. Yeah.   You know, it can just be by being present. Also, a lot of times,  

[00:52:17] Unknown:

serving   is more important. You know, you can throw money at the problem all you want, but actually doing something,   putting your time and your skills to use can be far more valuable than a a check. Correct.  

[00:52:30] Unknown:

100%.   Yes.   Cool.  

[00:52:33] Unknown:

So you're not gonna get out of this without talking about yourself.   And so I've got you in front of the microphone.   I think the first question I have to ask you is I have never met anybody named Jamaica.   How   I I don't even know what kind of question to ask about that. Well, how did I guess your parents named you Jamaica. Yeah? Correct. Why what what what was the what's the source of that name? So so I guess the world's gonna hear the true story. Okay.   Well, the the people in Claremont County. So so the easy explanation  

[00:53:03] Unknown:

that I tell people is I was conceived there. Oh, okay. That's that's not the real answer. Okay.   There was an old Cat Stevens song. Oh, okay. So my full name is Jamaica   Skye Gidget. So I not only have one unique name, I have three. Wow.  

[00:53:19] Unknown:

That's and your parents must have been pretty interesting people.  

[00:53:23] Unknown:

They were. They were they were foreign people. I grew up on a 110 acre farm in Really? Like a working farm? Yes. Nice. What'd you guys, grow or raise? Tobacco,  

[00:53:32] Unknown:

soybeans. Tobacco is growing, isn't it?  

[00:53:35] Unknown:

Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, I grew up on my my three wheeler,   in in the stripping   in the stripping shed.   You know, I was in charge of making the coffee. Yeah.   Hard work. Very, very hard work. But, you know, core values like Denise said. Yeah. You know, that's, it wasn't just dad that got up and went to work. It was us as a family that got up and met deadlines and, you know, fulfilled   obligations.  

[00:54:03] Unknown:

My wife actually worked,   I think maybe a summer or something because she grew up in Owensville. Okay. Like I said, I grew up in Middletown, so I'm not from the country.   Not from a big city either. Middletown's kind of an odd place, but she would talk about working tobacco in the summer and how she would be covered in, like, a tar substance and buzzed, like, buzzed from the nicotine that was just kind of getting into her skin.  

[00:54:25] Unknown:

It is filthy.   It is a filthy, filthy job. And people don't grow tobacco too much anymore, do they? It is something that is   slipping away from this region. Yeah. It's still,   in Kentucky. I just was in Somerset last weekend,   and it's you know, you see tobacco   Yeah. Rose as far as you can see.   But, yeah, it's it's something that,   is declining,   but I think it's, you know, the newer generation   aren't smoking cigarettes. They're using vapes.  

[00:54:59] Unknown:

Yeah.  

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But, yeah, it's it's not,   an easy task.   But my my family,  

[00:55:06] Unknown:

owns and runs a feed mill restaurant in Felicity Oh, okay. For over thirty years. That's a ma'am, we go there So it's a fair bit. Yes. So did you start in restaurants in the feed mill? I did. Okay. I did. That was How long you been working in restaurants?  

[00:55:21] Unknown:

Twenty   eight years. What do you like about it? I like that every day is different. Yeah.   You know, that's I'm not gonna come in and just be in charge of   the barista area. Yeah. You know? That's I'm gonna come in and who's to say what? Every day is a fire drill. Correct. Correct.   I I believe people in the restaurant industry,   either have a service mentality.   I don't think that that's, a skill that you can teach somebody. Yeah. I'd agree with that. I think that is something that is just intertwined,   in a person.   You know, I say food is my love language.  

Now if I'm feeding you, then that means that I care for you a lot.   But like I said, I don't think it's anything   that you can,   teach. It's just something you have to have a natural ability,   to do.  

[00:56:16] Unknown:

So,   let's see. I'm sorry? You take a previous Oh, no. That's alright. Unless you want the headphones, you're more than welcome to to take them.   He knocked me off my tray. So   so you've been involved in restaurant. What what kind of positions have you? I would imagine you started as either like a hostess or a server or something like that. So I actually was  

[00:56:37] Unknown:

19,   when I started working for Donna,   at Frish's in Cherry Grove. Nice.   So I'm a grandma now. We're not gonna discuss age, but,   Donna pretty much shaped me Yeah. Into to being a leader in the restaurant industry. And that's not easy to lead. Correct. Correct. And, you know, and it was Again, not to be disparaging to restaurant workers, but I've worked in restaurants, and it's all sorts. Correct. Correct. And it A lot of times, people just don't show up. At all. At all. And and you you have to,   be able to take constructive  

[00:57:10] Unknown:

criticism. Yeah. Being it being good, being bad. Yeah. And you have to learn how to deal with, quite frankly, crappy people. All types. Yeah. All types. I've never in my life before I worked in restaurants and bars would have imagined   that there were just so many kind of vile people. Like, you do everything you're doing everything right. Like, drinks are filled. You're clear on plates. You're like, oh, can I get you anything else? And just no matter what you do, they're not happy. Yeah. No matter what. Those are kind of my my favorite guests. Oh, yeah. Because I I keep going back. Yeah. I'm gonna crack that shell. You know, sooner or later See, this is why I'm not good friends. Being bartending. Yes. Yes. Because I would just say, alright. Fine. You're not gonna drink. I'm out of here. Yeah. That's yeah. And, I mean and who's to say what that person's dealing with? Yeah. You know, who's to say what's really going on, in the background? Yeah.  

[00:57:59] Unknown:

But, yeah, that's you know, somebody has a problem or somebody's upset somebody.   I'm always like, here come. You know what I mean? Here I come. Yeah.  

[00:58:07] Unknown:

And I've learned just, you know, kindness goes a long way. It really does. Very, very long way. Matters. My mother I talked about my mom a lot on this one. I don't know why.   But my mother would always say it's better to have no money than no manners,   and it's incredible.   I we're trying to   we're doing an alright job. She's still five. But,   like, instilling in my daughter,   please and thank you, please and thank you, please and thank you. Because it's incredible what just those two words   can do. Correct. And the other funny thing you talked about, you don't know what somebody's going through. There was it's probably about three years ago. My wife was in a pretty serious car accident. She was in the hospital. It was a rough time.   And I was just strung out because I'm trying to deal with my daughter at the time. It was, like, two and a half or something like that. I'm trying to get a prescription, and it's just everything's going crazy.  

And then I I kinda looked up and looked around. I was like, I wonder how many other people in here are dealing with things like that because you don't think about that. Right? You don't think about you you know, you go about your normal day, and you're like, well, everything's pretty good today. Why is that guy a jerk? Well, you have no idea what's going on in his life. You know? Yeah. I still maintain there are some people who are just jerks. But Oh, that. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's 100%.   I'll tell you another restaurant story. There was a a guy, he would come into this restaurant   pretty regularly for lunch.  

And then one day, the owner decided that he was gonna cut back the portion of broccoli, but there was gonna be a third less broccoli or something like that.   This guy got irate about it. He comes up to me and he's like, I need to talk to you about this broccoli.   Like,   okay. What about the bracelet okay? Is it edible? Or   no. I used to come in here and get this big bowl of delicious broccoli, and now there's less. I'm   sorry. I don't   it's broccoli, man. You can get, like, a bag of it for a dollar at the store if you really want broccoli.   Apologies to him if he's listening, although I'm  

[00:59:59] Unknown:

You know, that that goes with consistency.   Everybody being Yeah. That is true. The same page. Everybody knowing,  

[01:00:05] Unknown:

you know, what recipe consists of. And that's how hard is that in a restaurant to get that consistency? Daily. Yeah. It's daily  

[01:00:14] Unknown:

work. Yeah. You know, it's gonna be lack of will or lack of knowledge. Yeah. You know, and it's my job to make sure that it's not lack of knowledge.  

[01:00:22] Unknown:

So I guess it would be a question for either of you   Because I think people would look   I don't again, not true everybody. But you would look at a a server job or or even just a hostess job, and you would think, well, that's probably a temporary, you know, it on your way to something else.   I don't think a lot of people would look at it as a career, but you both seem to have made a career out of it. How did you do that? Like, is it something that you that you enjoy doing, and and how do you go from server to general manager to food sales? Like, how do you how do you actually do that?  

[01:00:54] Unknown:

I think it, you know, it goes back to the service mentality.   You know, that's I've never   done,   my job for financial gain. Yeah.   You know, I've always done my job because I truly   enjoy to be in the kitchen,   coming up with new menu items or So you design the menu here too? Not here. Okay. But,   I I was a general manager for wild eggs. Okay. And, I did a lot of the   the the menus and making,   specific bar drinks.   I was an area training general manager for Bob Evans for over ten years. So Okay. Like I said,   I can I can understand where Donna's coming from, having such a new,   business Yeah? Yeah. And also knowing on a daily, not only is she in here,   running a category and helping us be successful,   but I understand on the backside of the business,   you know, when she walks out the door, this is a twenty four seven. This does not end for Donna and Danny. Yeah. This is their life,   you know, just it it's a lot. It it takes a whole lot. Yeah.  

And I think some people think once you get to being a restaurant owner that, you know, money is thrown in and you're kicked back on Meanwhile, the margins are razor thin.  

[01:02:21] Unknown:

Yes.  

[01:02:22] Unknown:

And it's, you know,   it's it's not only a physical commitment, but it's a financial commitment. Absolutely. You know, that's if the guests aren't coming in buying the products,  

[01:02:32] Unknown:

you know, and we still have people here, we've gotta meet payroll whether we put that money in the till or not. Yeah. And those people are depending on that. I mean, it's not like it's not like you missed payroll, and it's like, oh, well, sorry, guys. Right. And especially in the restaurant industry, you're gonna lose servers. Yes. Like, you're gonna lose people really quick. Quick. Really quick. Correct. Correct. It's not like, you know, an office job or something like, oh, sorry. We'll get you next week. It's like, well, okay.   No. Because servers I mean, really, if you're a good server, you can get work spot anywhere in the world Yes. If if you want to. Oh, and and that's another,  

[01:03:04] Unknown:

great perk,   you know, here at Plain Street.   You know, Donna pays well above,   you know, average Oh, nice. When I first came here and, you know, we sit down,   to discuss because I moved back to Bethel from living in the city. Yeah. Yeah.   You know, I think the first thing out of my mouth was like, oh my gosh, Donna. Like, that's a lot of money because, you know, it probably been fifteen years since I even waited tables. You know? I ran the business. I didn't I didn't you know, I I dealt with the mean customers or I ordered the food or did the audits, etcetera. Yeah.   But Donna and Danny included,   are very, very good about taking care of their employees.  



[01:03:49] Unknown:

Well, if you take care of your employees, they take care of you. Absolutely. You know, I I think it's I'm a millennial. I'm an older millennial, but it always cracks me up when I hear generations above me that will criticize millennials and they'll say, well, they just, you know, they want their jobs to have purpose and they, you know, they they want all these things. I'm like, well, yeah. Of course, I want my job to be meaningful, and I wanna be paid well for the work that I do. And who on earth doesn't want that? That's not a criticism. That that's a criticism of employers who are   not paying their people well, and it shows. You know? Like, companies that don't do that don't get good talent and businesses are people. And if you don't invest in your people, they are not gonna invest in you. Correct. Correct. Iota, they just won't do it. They'd stick around for a little bit because, you know, they're making money. But the minute they find that next thing, they're gone.  



[01:04:38] Unknown:

And I and I think that's some of it is,   you know, that there's no longevity,   in employment, and this is my personal opinion only. That's fine.   You know, and and I have three daughters   that, you you know, if there's a bigger and better opportunity   Uh-huh. And there's a little bit more money   involved,   they're not even gonna give a second look to the longevity   or, you know, the time and effort that they put into  

[01:05:08] Unknown:

the place that they're at. Yeah. And and I think that's sad. Yeah. That's very sad. You know, and kinda going back to, I guess, why I asked that question. I think people would look at the service industry. At least this is the way I would look at it. It's kinda like the trades almost where people have ignored them and kinda I'd say look down on it for a while and thought, like, well, that's not a career.   It absolutely is a career. I mean, if you start as a server and you love doing what you're doing, you can put, you know, maybe five, six years into that, be general manager,   open your own restaurant, go into food sales. I mean, it's absolutely a career that is completely viable   if you put the time into it. You know? If just like anything else, if you perfect your craft, you get better and better and better at it. Opportunities   will come. You know, it's not like you're gonna you don't have to be if you wanna be, that's fine, but you don't have to be a server your whole life. There's lots of opportunity in all of these places. And I also say that as a millennial who was kinda sold a bad bill of goods about go to college, go to college, go to college, go to college, go to college.  

Went to college   for geology, and here I am with a podcast. Yeah. Yeah. So it's like  

[01:06:13] Unknown:

In the service industry,   isn't glamorized  

[01:06:16] Unknown:

No. You know? Which it actually should be because it's especially as a young person, it can be pretty fun. Absolutely. Yeah. That's lots of laughs, lots of tears, lots of burns, cuts, swag. One of my favorite time   I've heard it called type two fun where it's miserable while you're going through it, but you look back on it fondly.   Some of those moments in my life where it's you're weeded. You're just in the weeds, but you know there's a way out of it, and you're just firing on all cylinders. You know? It's like you've got food going, you got drinks going, everything's going great, and it's just all gelling together, and your mind is constantly going.   Those were great times. It was terrible in the midst of it because it's like, oh, great. I've got seven tables, and   three of them are five tops, and I'm just going crazy.  



[01:07:04] Unknown:

We we locked the door and two hours team, and I was like, come on. We're we're we're halfway there. Let's get it done. Yep. Let's get it done. But, you know,  

[01:07:13] Unknown:

I think about   when I left the industry,   you know, well, when I left restaurants,   I was so happy and so pleased to get hired with the company that I loved, and I was gonna be, you know, living the dream.   And initially,   I thought, I can't do this. Mhmm. There's no rush. Yeah. The the adrenaline's gone. I didn't have the adrenaline.   Twice a day. Like, it's The dinner rush adrenaline. Dinner time. Yeah.  

[01:07:39] Unknown:

You know? It's like it's 04:00. Here it comes. And then, yeah, I didn't have that. Yeah.  

[01:07:44] Unknown:

Oh god. I don't know if I can do it. Yeah. And it's a personality   type, and I certainly   wasn't   let's say my sitting   at my desk doing working on sales reports and numbers Yeah. Was not my strong point because   I'm just again, it's a personality type. Get addicted to the adrenaline. Still. Yeah. Sitting there and staring at a computer and spreadsheets   and numbers, and and, that was you know, if there was an area that I did not excel in in my career, that was it. Yeah. I was great at selling because I was out with those Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. People and I believed in what I was selling and whatnot. But But you gotta get back to the office and fill out the report that's in the eye. Yeah. But I should miss the rush.  

[01:08:30] Unknown:

I I really You get addicted to that adrenaline. It is. I also used to there was an event, still is, I imagine. The hot air balloon festival in Middletown. I did, PR and media for them for about two, three years. And it's it's actually kind of the same thing like a dinner rush, but just on steroids because the week going into it, you know, it starts ramping up and ramping up and ramping up, and then you get to the event day, and the event lasted two, three days.   And once it started, once you got there, it was from, like, nine in the morning to ten at night. You were just going. You were solving. Because I did PR media, but it's a small team. So   you're doing whatever the hell it is you have to do to make sure and nobody sees that, and it's a lot like restaurants.  

Nobody sees that when you put on an event, if it's a good event. If it's a bad event, everybody sees the train wreck. Everything right. Yeah. But if it's a good event, they don't see that. And by the time   that weekend was done, it took me probably   two or three weeks to just get to get my energy levels back down   because it it was like the day after the the festival. I would still be going. Like, I'd still be in that gear. Right? And I'm just, like, just doing insane things, just, like, wandering around the house and moving things and and, like, oh, maybe I should get into   water acrobatics or something.  

It's like it was crazy. Chris the rush. Yeah. It's it's really addicting.   It really is. And fun. I think it's fun. Absolutely. Well, I'll tell you. I think I think I've come to the end of my questions. Is there anything else you guys wanna talk about? And if there isn't, that's fine. But I do wanna make sure we get another plug for how people can get involved and and help Bethel Tate athletics   and promote that a little bit more. So if there's anything else you guys wanna talk about, but please be sure to talk about that.  

[01:10:20] Unknown:

No. I just think to make a cover to, you know, call the cafe, come in for a coffee,   have a conversation   with any of us,   about what we're doing and how we can do more and how we can do it better and just just be supportive.   Yep. And, you know, you also tapped into that. You don't have to bring a check. Yep. You know, there's plenty of ways to get involved and, just let let the community and most especially  

[01:10:47] Unknown:

the children Yeah. Part of that. They're being supportive. Yeah. We're trying to help. Yep. The the children are our future. Yep. You know? And let's invest in them wisely. Yeah. That way, a hundred years from now, you know, maybe we've made a little more. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.  

[01:11:03] Unknown:

Well, thank you both very much. Your Patrick. I'm gonna call this successful. Thank you very much.   Well, thanks again to Denise and Jamaica for sitting down with me. I said in the intro, I really enjoyed talking with them, and we'll have to check back in with them to see how it's going at Bethel Tate Schools for the athletic fees.   They also gave me a name of somebody that works with the boosters, and we're gonna try to get her on,   the athletic boosters that is. And we're gonna try to get her on to talk more about what's going on there and how people can get involved and and help these kids play sports, really, which I think is is very, very important.   So let's talk events.  

First one we have is homeschool discovery days bugging out. That's gonna be September 19 from 1PM to 2PM at the man, please somebody tell me if I'm saying this right. Keeley Nature Preserve.   You'll learn about nature's most successful land animal, that would be bugs, through hands on activities and games.   And then they get into the world of insects, spiders, and bugs.   It's a free program, but you do need to register, and you can do that at the park's website.   Next up, mustard seed market is coming. This is gonna be September 19 through the twenty first.   The times are different throughout those all all those dates, so you can check out when it'll be open at rusticgrains.com.  

And it'll be at the Clermont County Fairgrounds, and it's gonna be over a 100 makers, vintage   curators,   specialty food artisans, there's gonna be indoor stuff, there'll be outdoor stuff, there's gonna be food trucks, live music.   It's I've I've said it before, we've taken our family there and it's really is a great time.   It's designed as a vintage market with a unique   flea market feel.   And there is a cost to get in, but I think it's something like $10. It's not crazy.   Next up is Yoga in the Park on September 20 from 9AM to 10AM at Sycamore Park.   It's for adults and teens. It's free. You don't need to register.  

And it's just a gentle yoga session out out in nature led by a certified yoga instructor.   It's good for beginners. You get to learn new poses, and if you're advanced, you can strengthen those poses.   They do tell you to bring a blanket or yoga mat and some water.   Kids only fishing tournament. This is gonna be September 20 from 9AM to 12PM at Miami Meadows Park.   It is an exciting event with prizes for the largest fish in various age groups.   Registration is at Lakeside Pavilion at 9AM, and the tournament runs from 10AM to noon.   You you do have to supervise your children, so you can't just, you know, throw your 10 year old on a boat and say good luck.  

Weigh ins are allowed throughout the tournament with a with the final weigh in at the end.   Only live fish will be, weighed and stringers are not allowed. Only baskets or buckets can be used.   And if you're a fisherman, I'm assuming you know what that means.   An Ohio State fishing license may be required for participants aged 16 to 65,   which, you know, those older ages probably don't matter because it's a kids only tournament.   And each child may use only one fishing pole, which they must bring themselves,   and the event is free.  

This I'd man, some of these events I really love.   So the next event is Bigfoot Bash,   September 20 from 9AM to 9PM   at the campground shelter at East Fork.   And you celebrate Ohio grass man with,   fun activities.   And for the record, or not for the record, but for your your own knowledge, the Ohio grass man is kind of Ohio's sasquatch or Bigfoot. I guess there were some grass huts made   out in kind of Eastern Appalachia, Ohio and people thought Bigfoot was out there making little grass huts.   But, for the Bigfoot bash, you know, you can wear a sasquatch costume and you could win a prize.   Ask the campground office for more details.  

Moving on, we have a Red Stockings vintage baseball game and movie, September 20 from five to 11PM   at the Miami Meadows Park.   It is 1869   rules vintage baseball doubleheader   versus the reds h o f and the 1869   red stockings.   And then you get to watch the Sandlot, which is a great movie. And this is all free.   Next up, we have Moths and Mocktails,   September 24 at 08:30PM at Clingman Park. This is an evening nature program where adults learn about Ohio's native moths   while enjoying   moth inspired   non alcoholic cocktails.   And I am really intrigued to know what a moth inspired   non alcoholic cocktail looks like or is even.  

And then, so after a brief talk and drinks, you'll be, taken on a guided night hike   with red light flashlights to observe the malls up close.   And you do need to pre register pre register,   and you can do that on the park's website.   Another cocktail themed, event,   Sip and Savor, farm inspired inspired   cocktail experience, September 26 from nine I'm sorry, from 6PM   to 8PM   at Losanto Farms in New Richmond.   This is a ticketed farm to cocktail event at Losanto   at Losant   Losanteville   Flower Farm.   You'll enjoy creative craft cocktails made with local ingredients and you get to learn mixology in an out outdoor farm setting. You do need to purchase tickets, and you can do that at the, Los Anvil Farms   website.  

Next up, Volunteer Invasive Plant Removal Workshop, September 27,   10AM to 1PM   at Clingman Park.   This is a hands on volunteer event to learn about and remove invasive plant speech species.   Participants,   you're gonna work together   to clear invasives from the park and enjoy a complimentary lunch. So it's always nice when they feed you.   It's a free program. Hopefully, they they don't make you pay to do this. But you do need to register, and it is suitable for adults and teen and teens. So I imagine,   you know, leave your young children at home. That would   be a nightmare trying to get my five year old out there,   to   to to voluntarily   remove plants.  

Anyway, moving on.   Heritage Crafts black walnut dye. This is gonna be September 27 from 1PM to 5PM at Clingman Park. It's an adult craft workshop where a guest artist is gonna teach you how to harvest black walnuts and brew a natural dye. And if you've ever dealt with black walnuts, you know those things will stain you like crazy.   So you get to create your own small wrap dyed with walnut,   and there are two sessions. So the first session is gonna be one to 02:30PM,   and the second session is gonna be from 03:30 to 5PM.   There's a $5 fee and you do need to pre register, which again, you can do on the parks website.  

We have the Clermont County Food and Farm Tour. This sounds pretty cool. It's September   from 10AM to 08:30PM.   And there's gonna be a whole bunch of different Clermont County farms and markets involved. And it's a self guided tour,   open   that opens up dozens of local farms and producers to the public. So you can meet farmers, you can sample regional foods,   explore agricultural heritage, all at your own pace. There's gonna be tasting, farm activities, local food experiences   all weekend.   I also think Sarah Eisen, who we interviewed a while back, at Flourish in Rome, is participating,   and I think I might actually try to get my family out down there to see Sarah.  

So that should be pretty cool.   Last, but certainly not least, Tri State Warbird Museum is having a war Warbird flying showcase on September 27   from 03:30PM   to 6PM   at the Tri State Warbird Museum. It's a family friendly air show celebrating World War two aviation history. There's gonna be over 10 vintage World War two aircraft,   and they're gonna perform flying demonstration demonstrations.   You can watch from the lawn near the runway, and there's gonna be on-site food trucks and ice cream. Always nice to have ice cream. And you get to learn about the museum's warbirds.   Lawn there's lawn seating, so it's bring your own chairs and blankets.  

And general admission is required, but kids 17 and under are absolutely free. I've been meaning to get to one of these. We live close to the airport, and every so often you'll see these giant,   you know, like b 50 twos or whatever they are flying over the house. So it seems like a pretty   pretty cool event.   And, that is going to lead us into our final value for value pitch. We are a value for value podcast. That means if you find value in what we're doing, we just ask for a little bit of value in return in the form of time, talent, or treasure.   For time and talent,   let us know what's going on in your community. Let us know who we should be talking to. And I was just thinking about this. If you go to any of these events, let us know how they are. There's way too many for me to go to. So if you attend one of these events, write us a note. Let us know how it was.  

For treasure, you can donate on our website, let's talk clairmont.com.   Go to the donations tab, and you can donate via PayPal or Stripe.   Any donation amount is greatly appreciated. It helps us keep doing what we're doing over here.   But for donations $50 and above, you will get a special mention on the show. $200 and above, you will be an executive producer for that show, and I will vouch for that. You can put that on your resume, on an IMDB page, whatever you want,   and,   I'll read a note,   from you that you write.   That can be anything. Like I said in the beginning, it can be an ad pitch for your or an ad read for your business, it can be, you know, funny musings you have. It can be a nasty gram about how you hate me. That's fine. I'll read it.  

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[01:22:39] Unknown:

time.