Celebrating SPMH Volunteers - Friends of Music Hall

As SPMH is a volunteer-driven organization, we appreciate the time and effort put forth by our multi-talented volunteers. They are the warm and smiling “face” of SPMH, greeting everyone who comes to Music Hall for tours or just stops by to say “hello!”

It’s fun to party with them, to celebrate a fantastic, successful year!

The Event

Music Hall is located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Ramona Toussaint, Tour Director, feted volunteers at The Skeleton Root, an urban winery and event space on West McMicken. Several board members attended the event, along with CAA’s Music Hall team. They are our great partners, helping SPMH volunteers show off the gorgeous building to visitors.

Ramona Toussaint talks with SPMH volunteers — At the “End of the Year Celebration” party, Tour Director Ramona Toussaint detailed to volunteers the many successes they had achieved for SPMH and Cincinnati Music Hall.

There were catered tasty lite bites…

The catering tables provided a variety of delicious hot and cold bites.

… and a wine bar, featuring – of course – the wines of The Skeleton Root. John Russell, the husband of SPMH board member, preservationist and historian Thea Tjepkema, checked out the wine list.

John Morris Russell at the wine table, reviewing the wine list — The Skeleton Root’s wine list provided a variety of white and red wine from which we could choose.

The event provided an opportunity for everyone to connect and enjoy each other’s company.

Volunteers enjoying each other's company — SPMH volunteers enjoying each other’s company.

Left to right: Dennis Fury, Thea Tjepkema, Mary Bunker, Frederick Warren — While CAA’s Music Hall Event Manager Dennis Fury (left) considered beverage choices, volunteers Thea Tjepkema, Mary Bunker and Frederick Warren engaged in discussion about Music Hall’s history and archives.

left to right: Music Hall event managers Terri Kidney and Kathleen Riemenschneider and SPMH volunteer Lynne Reckman — left to right: Music Hall event managers Terri Kidney and Kathleen Thomas and SPMH volunteer Lynne Reckman

Honoring Scott Santangelo

The event was also an opportunity for the volunteers to wish “bon voyage” to Scott Santangelo, former Music Hall Director of Operations.

left to right: David Lane and his wife; Scott Santangelo; Cliff Goosmann and his wife — Former Music Hall Director of Operations, Scott Santangelo, talks with the David and Jan Lane (left) and Cliff Goosmann and Andrea Wilson.

Volunteers surprised Scott with a beautiful, hand-carved bowl and plate.

Scott showed the hand-carved plate with the rose window etched on the bottom.

Scott looking at the hand-carved bowl with the rose window burned into the bottom.

Lest Scott forget about his tenure at Music Hall and working with the volunteers, the rose window, long a symbol of Music Hall, was etched into the underside of the plate. The design was burned into the bottom of the bowl so as not to damage the delicate finish.

The Music Hall Rose Window design, etched into the bottom of the beautiful hand-carved plate.

These stunning pieces were specially created – designed and carved – by SPMH Program Guide Cliff Goosmann, seen below, standing at the far right of the photo.

Scott acknowledged the talents of Cliff Goosmann, the SPMH volunteer who carved the beautiful plate and bowl.

The wood for these beautiful pieces was recovered during the Music Hall renovation in 2017. The wood, from a joist in the upper level, is old growth and at least 140 years old!

The joists supporting the balcony of Music Hall, as seen during the reconstruction.

It was Scott who “jumped into the dumpster” to rescue this wood for us.

Where and How the Wine Is Made

Another highlight of the event – Kate MacDonald, The Skeleton Root owner and winemaker, told us about her history and how the winery came about.

Kate MacDonald, The Skeleton Root owner and winemaker, shares the origin and workings of The Skeleton Root

Kate MacDonald, Owner of The Skeleton Root and winemaker, talks about her work. — Kate MacDonald, The Skeleton Root owner and winemaker, described how she – an engineer – became interested in winemaking.

Kate, a native Cincinnatian, also explained this city’s history and importance in winemaking, and answered questions from our interested group of tasters.

Kate MacDonald answers questions about winemaking from SPMH volunteers. — Kate answered questions about winemaking from SPMH volunteers.

Much to everyone’s delight, Kate took us on a tour. The main room features a huge reproduction of Nicholas Longworth and his vineyards, which started in what is now Mt. Adams.

Volunteers in the front room of The Skeleton Root.

Several years ago, Kate MacDonald accessed Longworth’s notes and got to work. Now – in August 2018 – her micro-winery will present Catawba wine reminiscent of Longworth’s vintage.

Kate’s tour ended in the wine production room.

Volunteers surveyed the production room while Kate talked about the process.

Not all of the SPMH volunteers could attend, and we all missed our colleagues and toasted them and Music Hall.

The volunteers who attended the celebration, with winery owner Kate MacDonald (holding the bottle of wine) and Ramona Toussaint, second from right, SPMH Tour Director. — The volunteers who attended the celebration gathered to toast their success and Music Hall.

Front row, left to right: SPMH board member Holly Brians Ragusa, Linda Kiefer, Cliff Goosmann, winery owner Kate MacDonald (holding the bottle of wine), Sandra Geiser, Sue Monteith, Judith Martin, SPMH Tour Director Ramona Toussaint and Thea Tjepkema.

Middle row: Al Geiser, Denise McLinden, Patti Cruse, Lynne Reckman, Mary Bunker, Rebecca Moeggenberg, Jay Issler and Alan Bunker.

Back row: David Hatfield, David Lane, Susan Westrick, and Frederick Warren.

Volunteers unable to attend: Ekkehard Bohme, Barbara Gomes, Gayley Hautzenroeder, Ron Hoffman, Carol Kruse, Kathleen Noble, Dale Pepper, Dennis Pratte, Addie Renne, Ed Rider and Serena Tsuang.

This is but one event honoring our volunteers. Want to join the fun? Love Music Hall and have time to offer? Sign up today and get details.