Chronicle Minute: The Chronicle Chats with Capt. Ron Wilson

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Chronicle Chats where we interview some- one who makes our neighborhood a special place. We hope that you enjoyed our last Chronicle Chats with Cindy Erwin, who has worked at Clifton Skyline Chili for 40 years. In this issue we interviewed the captain of Cincinnati Fire Department’s Station 34 on Ludlow Avenue, Ron Wilson. Station 34 is an iconic Clifton building and that is where we found Capt. Wilson one snowy Sunday this past January.

Captain Ron Wilson and Lucy Whedon

How long have you been a firefighter?

“I have been a firefighter for about 25 years now.”

Do you like the architecture of the firehouse?

“Yes and a lot of people that come by love it too.”

Do you know what year firehouse 34 was built?

“This firehouse was built in 1896”

What hours do you work here?

“All the firemen work 24-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. the next day”.

Do the fireman have a favorite spot in Clifton?

“Besides the firehouse probably the park (Burnet Woods) because we do some of our training there.”

Describe your perfect day here?

“My perfect day at the firehouse would  be with my regular team and there really is no perfect day here because everyday is perfect here. Every day is perfect because every day is different and you never know what will happen that day really.”

What is your favorite thing to order at Skyline?

“My favorite order is probably a small Five-Way, I like the beans.”

What is your favorite ice cream flavor from Graeters?

“My  favorite  flavor  would   definitely be butter pecan.”

Clifton is known for its older houses, is that a problem for preventing fires?

“No, not really, but if there is a fire in an older house they are built differently so it can be difficult.”

Bearcats or Musketeers?

“Ooo . . . I would have to say Xavier.”

You put a water bowl out for the dogs, what is the most interesting dog that you have seen?

“Hmm . . . there are a group of three pit bull mixes that come there very often so   I would say them because they can be in- teresting.”

Thank you to Captain Ron Wilson and all the fire fighters there that make Station 34 so great. For any Clifton Chronicle Chat suggestions, please email thewhedons@ gmail.com.  We will see you next time for our Clifton Chronicle Chats.

Clifton Chronicle: The CTM President’s Message

I believe Clifton continues to be one of the best neighborhoods in the city because of its people. Over many decades our neighbors have worked to protect what is worthy and great, and progress where we can. I feel this dedication toward protection and progress is exemplified by our members, board members and community partners who show up and support our neighborhood though thoughtful ideas, neighborly discussion and plenty of hard work.

Throughout this next year we will be hosting a number of community dialogue sessions both during our regularly scheduled meetings and outside of them, on a wide range of topics. We will be looking for input and we hope you will come to the table to provide your thoughts on a subject that might interest you, or where you may have expertise.

CTM cannot accomplish its goals without a strong and robust membership that supports the community and its council. For those who are already members, thank you and we hope to see you soon! For those who would like to support all of the wonderful community events and priorities that are funded or hosted each year by CTM, please consider becoming a member and a community partner with us!

I also recognize that most projects and activities CTM takes on require the support and cooperation of other organizations, such as the City of Cincinnati, the Clifton Business and Professional Association, the Uptown Consortium, our local elementary schools, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, CliftonFest, the Clifton Recreation Center, the Clifton Community Fund, our neighborhood businesses and all of our funding partners. We thank all of our partners and will strive to deepen these relationships so that, through our joint efforts, we continuously improve our impact on the Clifton community.

I am proud to serve as the president of Clifton Town Meeting for 2019 and look forward to working with our board to contribute positively to the community and tackle many priorities for the organization. If you are interested in becoming a member of Clifton Town Meeting, or donating time, talent or treasure to support our cause, please contact us.

I also want to thank Christine Celsor for her work over the past year as President of CTM, she led us through a successful year and the community should be proud and thankful for the work that Christine has and continues to accomplish!

We are all in this together and with thoughtful ideas, neighborly discussion and plenty of work, I look forward to seeing what we will accomplish for Clifton.

With Appreciation,

Brad Hawse, President CTM