Join us this Thursday, June 22, 2023, for a LUNCH (12:00-1:30pm) meeting at The Phoenix, for a presentation by Brent Coleman and C.F. Payne on their book “Cincinnati Characters: The Unknown, Unappreciated, Unhinged”.

Brent Coleman worked as a local news writer/editor in newsrooms for 37 years, 26 of those with The Cincinnati Enquirer. Always interested in American history and architecture, he blended the two near his career’s end, publishing more than 250 home stories plus 50 local history articles. They are the basis of his “Cincinnati Characters: The Unknown, Unappreciated, Unhinged,” a fun and educational book that reveals the fascinating lives of more than 35 diverse men and women who impacted the Queen City’s development in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Cincinnatian, C.F. Payne’s illustrations have appeared in magazines and children’s book for nearly forty years. Graduating from Miami University, he started his freelance career in 1980. Having taught illustration for thirty years, he is the Director of the MFA in Illustration Program at the Hartford Art School. His art has been exhibited at the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Norman Rockwell Museum.  Payne’s cover art has appeared in Time Magazine, MAD Magazine, Der Spiegel, Sports Illustrated and Reader’s Digest.  C.F. Payne has illustrated 20 children’s books. In 2018 C.F. Payne was elected to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

RSVPs are required to attend, whether you are eating lunch or not, so if you would like to attend please click HERE by 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, or contact [email protected]. 

This week’s meal will be a buffet consisting of salad, twice baked potatoes, garden vegetable soup, marinated steak and grilled chicken. Options for gluten free guests will be available at the buffet.

This week’s meeting is sponsored by Rotarian & Past President Bill Henrich.