For his final segment on Around Cincinnati, John Kiesewetter pays a visit to the Rosemary Clooney House in Augusta, Kentucky. After touring the house for the first time since it opened, he speaks with one of the owners, former Miss America Heather French Henry , who opened the museum with her husband, about some of the classic pieces that are on display and how she wound up opening the museum. Lee Hay produced one of her most popular specials about the Kentucky native called Rosemary Clooney: Big Band Singer in 2013.

Around Cincinnati

The People And Stories Behind The Rosemary Clooney House In Augusta, Kentucky

One of Cincinnati Public Radio’s most ardent fans and biggest supporters is also one of the city’s most talented musicians. Michael Chertock is the pianist for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra , conductor of the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra , and chair of the music department at the UC College-Conservatory of Music . For her final profile for Around Cincinnati, Anne Arenstein has a wide-ranging conversation with Maestro Chertock about his career and how he found his way to Cincinnati.

Sharing Memories And Stories With CSO Pianist Michael Chertock

Around Cincinnati’s longtime theatre contributor, Rick Pender, chose one of the region’s most talented and in-demand actors for his final segment. Bruce Cromer is perhaps best-known to local audiences as either Bob Cratchit or Ebenezer Scrooge in the Playhouse in the Park ’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” but he has performed on most of the other stages in town, plus had a key role in the locally-filmed movie “Dark Waters”; and is an esteemed professor at Wright State University . Bruce Cromer has been a previous guest on Around Cincinnati, including in 2014, talking about “The Iliad” accompanied by director Michael Haney .

A Conversation With One Of The Region's Most Acclaimed Actors, Bruce Cromer

For the final segment of Around Cincinnati’s 15-year run, Brian O’Donnell is joined by musicians Karin Berquist and Linford Detweiler , also known as Over the Rhine . They talk about how they are dealing the pandemic and the shuttering of live music venues, cancelling their shows and tours; their Nowhere Else Festival that will, hopefully, happen again in 2021; and the time they’ve spent on their victory garden and renovating a barn.

How Linford & Karin From Over The Rhine Are Spending The Pandemic

As Around Cincinnati winds down its 15-year run, we want to share one of our shining moments. In 2007, local theatre writer and longtime contributor Rick Pender arranged an interview with Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim . Rick has written extensively about the composer for years, including an upcoming, in-depth biography.

Revisiting Rick Pender's Interview With Broadway Legend Stephen Sondheim

For her final contribution to Around Cincinnati, our literary contributor Kelly Blewett has a conversation with her friend, former co-worker, and bestselling author, Liz Johnson. She just released A Dazzler of Diamonds , the final novel in her Georgia Coast Romance series.

Author Liz Johnson Wraps Up Her Latest Trilogy With "A Dazzle Of Diamonds"

Local Latin musician and organizer Nicholas Radina is with Brian O’Donnell to talk about the pause needed for his Salsa on the Square summer concerts on Fountain Square, his current project featuring Puerto Rican Cuarto instrument, and a book about the history of Cincinnati Latin music.

Local Musician And The Man Behind Salsa On The Square, Nicholas Radina

Barbara Gray concludes her Around Cincinnati book segments by interviewing bestselling author, Louise Penny . She provides a preview of her latest novel in the Inspector Gamache series, this one called All The Devils Are Here , scheduled for release on September 1.

Author Louise Penny Discusses Her Latest Inspector Gamache Novel, "All The Devils Are Here"

Lee Hay's favorite Around Cincinnati interview over the years is the acclaimed designer Todd Oldham ' s 2006 interview of his mentor and friend, celebrated artist Charley Harper , in our studio.

From 2006: Designer Todd Oldham With His Friend & Mentor, Artist Charley Harper

A song from one of Around Cincinnati’s favorites, the late Katie Reider . Trusted Eyes is from her CD, Wonder .

Katie Reider's Song "Trusted Eyes"

Our friend and contributor David Delegator shares some of his pandemic reading list. Many of the books can be found at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Count y .

One Man's Pandemic Reading List

Her voice is familiar to longtime listeners of WEBN or WNKU, and for many, was the first female rock jock most locals ever heard. She’s The Real Mary Peale and she’s with her former co-worker, Elaine Diehl, to talk about her long career and share some fun anecdotes.

A Conversation With Local Radio Legend, The Real Mary Peale

Author Julia Koets , who holds a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati, released The Rib Joint: A Memoir in Essays this past November. She joins our contributor (and former classmate) Kelly Blewitt to talk about growing up and coming of age in the South.

Local Author Julia Koets Talks About Her Recent Memoir

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted local arts organizations, big and small. The Cincinnati Arts Association , manager of Music Hall and the Aronoff Center, has been dealing with two shuttered facilities since March. The CAA’s Van Ackerman joins Jim Stump via Zoom to detail what the organization is doing to stay afloat and what the future may hold.

How Cincinnati Arts Assocation Is Faring, And Planning, Through The Pandemic

Local author Sara Bennett Wealer has just released her latest YA novel, Now & When , a romantic tale featuring a mysterious website. Barbara Gray welcomes her to Around Cincinnati for a conversation about the story and the characters in her new novel.

"Now & When" Is The Latest YA Novel From Sara Bennett Wealer

Greater Cincinnati has a vibrant arts scene, and Around Cincinnati keeps you up to date with local, regional and national guests.

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