Note: Please join us Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Avondale Rec Center for our General Body Meeting.
I hope you were able to make it out to North Avondale Montessori PTO’s Trunk or Treat. It was quite the event!
Doctors “Crutchenstein,” “Jekyll-Johnson,” and “Weird Science Walt” were there to represent NANA with our Real Monsters of Cincinnati. These are real critters from our area, featured on collectible “Monster Cards” with tons of real—and often horrifying—facts on the back of each card.
Around 150 young visitors were invited to join our research team. Their mission? Learn more about the natural world around them and fill out a blank Monster Card featuring a creature they discover in their own neighborhood.
If your child completes their card, send us a photo! We’d love to see what they discover!
We didn’t win “Best Trunk,” possibly because our sweet treats looked like scorpions, ants, millipedes, and mosquitoes encased in lollipops. (They really were candy and not insects, despite their appearance!) And let’s face it—if you’re willing to act as a human claw machine for several hours to entertain kids, you deserve to win.
But I’m OK with not winning. I spotted several young “Monstigators” sneaking back into our line repeatedly to collect more than our normal two-card-per-kid limit. And if we helped spark an interest in the natural world for even a few kids, then we won as far as I’m concerned!
We did run out of some cards, so if your child is looking to complete their monster collection, you can download and print all the cards here. We’re also happy to share cards we have left if you stop by Tuesday’s NANA General Body meeting.
Events like this are more than just an opportunity to have fun. They’re a chance to connect with our neighbors, engage young families, and invest in our community. That’s an important part of what NANA is about.
While we were fortunate to use a City grant to fund NANA’s contribution to Trunk or Treat, our work throughout the year requires resources, volunteers, and the support of our neighbors.
Not everyone has the time to volunteer, attend meetings, speak at City Hall, or advocate for our neighborhood. But EVERYONE can play a part in making NANA stronger.
One of the easiest ways is to become a dues-paying Enrolled Member of NANA.
Your annual membership dues help fund the work that NANA does on behalf of our neighborhood—from community events and communications to advocating for residents and working with the City on issues that affect our quality of life. We’re still raising funds for Historic District consulting fees, assistance to eligible homeowners with Certificate of Appropriateness fees, and neighborhood beautification, including our flower pots.
We take our financial responsibility seriously and work hard to be good stewards of the money you entrust to us. Click here to see a snapshot of how NANA has used its resources over the past year.
And that work extends well beyond community events. This year, NANA has actively participated in planning efforts for the East Mitchell Gateway Revive Plan, reviewed and submitted numerous Community Budget Requests to the City on behalf of neighborhood priorities, welcomed over thirty new families to the neighborhood, and engaged with City leaders, public agencies, and community partners to advocate for North Avondale’s needs.
Of course, one of our most significant accomplishments was the successful effort to establish the North Avondale Historic District.
That effort reminded us of an important truth: When North Avondale comes together around a shared goal, we can accomplish extraordinary things.
But that kind of work doesn’t happen on its own. It takes committed neighbors, dedicated volunteers, and the financial support needed to keep NANA operating effectively.
If you value the work NANA does for our neighborhood, I encourage you to financially support it as an Enrolled Member or make an additional donation.
Your generosity will help us accomplish even more together!
For those who can’t contribute financially, NANA also offers a free General Membership. Registered General Members can stay informed, participate in meetings, and have a voice in most neighborhood matters. We want every eligible neighbor to have a way to participate.
Joining NANA is easy. Simply visit our website to make a financial contribution and become an Enrolled Member or register for a free General Membership. If you prefer to mail a check, a membership letter and return envelope will be arriving in your mailbox soon.
The more neighbors who actively support NANA, the more we can accomplish together.
Take care of each other,
Reg