Arts + Culture

Reach One, Teach One, Touch One

Patti Collins Shares Bootsy Collins Foundation's Funktastic Enthusiasm to Inspire, Educate & Serve the Community Article by Amanda Stout | Photography by RF Graphics & Provided Patricia “Pepperminte Patti” Collins, President of the Bootsy Collins Foundation (BCF), has been recognized for her philanthropic work with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and celebrated alongside BCF by Cincinnati’s Women100. She’s also lived a life as a Ben-Gals cheerleader, business owner, fitness...

Health + Wellness

Wellness Corner

A Single-Serving Valentine Treat That Packs a Protein Punch Article by Brooke Griffin Farmer | Photography by Sarah Hone & Kandace Smith February always has me craving cozy desserts made with intention—simple comforts that feel like a little act of love at home. This single-serving cherry chocolate cheesecake packs 23 grams of protein into a creamy, no-bake treat that’s perfect for savoring winter evenings. Made with high-protein Greek yogurt, a naturally sweetened oat-date crust and finished...

Arts + Culture

Beyond the Steps

Discover Joy, Confidence & Community with Dance Instructor Maura Garuccio at International Ballroom Academy Article by Tera Michelson | Photography by Len Kaltman When Maura Garuccio steps onto the dance floor, she brings more than technique—she brings presence and passion. Born in Brindisi, Italy, and now firmly rooted in Cincinnati, Maura carries the elegance of the European ballroom dancing tradition, alongside the warmth and accessibility of a local teacher who loves to dance. Italian...

Life + Culture

The Art of a Portrait

A Look Behind the Lens of Local Photographer Kohta Rincon Article by Tera Michelson | Photography by Kohta Rincon Photography If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, local photographer Kohta Rincon is surrounded by it. The world looks lovely from behind her lens. You’ve seen it here in these pages—horses and riders, stunning models and a big-hearted football star. Kohta’s unique style matches her personality: warm, vibrant and compelling. Her artistic portraits tell a story, skillfully...

Life + Culture

An Enduring Light

Honoring the Beautiful Life of Marvel Gentry Harmon Article and Photography by As we reflect on all things local in this issue, we honor the life of local wonder woman, Marvel Gentry Harmon, a colleague as the award-winning publisher of Madeira and Indian Hill Neighbor magazines. A 1971 Walnut Hill High School graduate, Marvel earned a degree from Chicago’s Northwestern University in 1975. During her time at NU, she made history as the first Black pompom girl and the only person of color...

Arts + Culture

Never Stop Being Creative

Local Muralist David Uy Leads an Artistic Life that Combines Creativity, Commerce & Community Article by Amanda Stout | Photography by Mark Lyons—Lyons Photography & Provided Muralist David Uy’s signature graffiti-inspired paintings have left their swirling, abstract mark all over southwest Ohio. Locally, his vibrant work adorns walls at malls, adds art to community gatherings and fundraisers and enhances many homes and businesses in between. Uy built his artistic career through dedication to...

Health + Wellness

What No One Prepares You For After Breast Surgery

Swelling, Scar Tissue, and the Nervous SystemBreast or chest surgery is often framed as something you simply get through. The surgery happens, a recovery timeline is outlined, and eventually you're expected to move forward.What many people are not prepared for is what can unfold after the incisions have healed.Weeks, months, or even years later, lingering swelling may appear. Tightness may fluctuate. Certain areas may feel numb, hypersensitive, or disconnected. For some, these changes are...

Health + Wellness

Recovery & Renewal

A breast or chest cancer diagnosis sets off a carefully structured medical journey. Surgery, oncology care, reconstruction decisions, and rehabilitation all play essential roles in recovery. Yet for many women, healing continues long after formal treatment has ended.For many women navigating breast cancer survivorship, insurance-based care ends before the body feels fully supported.Recovery & Renewal at node & needle was created to meet patients in this exact space.What typically happens...

Health + Wellness

Finding Balance in the New Year

Learn How Reflection, Self-Compassion & Therapy Support Mental Well-Being & Renewal Article by Nina Weierman | Photography by Provided A fresh new year offers us the opportunity to reset after the holiday season's rush. While many take this time to slow down and reflect, the pressure to set resolutions or chase a “new me” is everywhere, filling our feeds and conversations with messages about improvement and change. “So many people feel pressured to start a new year doing things differently...

Health + Wellness

Quality of Life

Local Specialist Serves Community One Patient at a Time Article by Bill Furbee | Photography by RF Graphics In 2021, the American Diabetes Association ADA reported that 11.6% of Americans were living with diabetes, and 29.2% of Americans over the age of 65 were living with diabetes. Statistics like these continue to rise, and one local resident has dedicated her life to helping others seek treatment. “My goal is to develop treatment plans that are guideline-directed but truly individualized,”...