FLIP + CHING

Larcher’s Market Revisted

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Ching under Food and Drink.

When we learned that Larcher’s Market has lunch menu items, we decided we would go there for lunch one day and check it out.

Both Chris Townley and Brian got the chicken sandwiches while I had a burger. As much as I love Larcher’s coffee and the whole idea of it all, I would not recommend going for lunch. I think the most disappointing part of the experience was the lack of ample seating. I think the seating itself would not be an issue if people weren’t just hanging out in there. When we were looking for a place to sit, there was literally this girl sitting by herself reading, sprawled across a couch in a seating area that could easily fit five people (maybe even six). There were several people, just hanging out talking. So, since there were all of these people just sitting there not having lunch, there was literally nowhere for people who were planning on having lunch there to sit and eat.

I think we probably would have been more forgiving about the food, if we weren’t so cranky about not finding anywhere to sit. Brian felt his chicken was mostly breading and very little chicken. My hamburger was just okay. Overall, we found the lunch options limited and a tad overpriced. I think we are spoiled because you can get great burgers and sandwiches at Local Flavor for a lot less and there’s never a shortage of tables.

Anyway, Chris and I still love their coffee. And, the breakfast options are better than anywhere else. Plus, they serve breakfast all day. This is probably one of the reasons they felt they could get by with limited lunch selections because people could easily order breakfast items for lunch instead. So you’ll probably see us still going back there time and again. However, I’m never going back for lunch though.

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Checking Out Larcher’s Market

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Ching under Food and Drink.

Finally had a chance to check out Larcher’s Market in College Hill.

Chris Townley and I both had the “Morning Delight” iced coffee and it was truly delightful. I ordered the 16 oz by mistake instead of the 20 oz. That’s why my drink is smaller than his. I’m ordering the big one next time.

I also got crepes to go.

Larcher’s is awesome. We are already planning to go back for lunch next week. The best part? They serve breakfast all day.

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It’s Pickleball Tournament Season Again

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Ching under Community, Pickleball.

Cinco de Mayo weekend was packed with tournaments but it’s only the beginning. Once we get to this time of year, I feel like there’s multiple tournaments competing for your attention every weekend.

On Saturday, May 4, we were at Chicken N Pickle for Erica Case’s pickleball tournament to raise money for her Leukemia Lymphoma Society visionary of the year campaign. Ronnie, Jay, and Becca were actually playing in that one and they needed a fourth. I volunteered Brian. I hadn’t donated to Erica’s campaign yet at this point so I figured paying for Brian’s team was a good way to show my support.

The next day was the day of the first iPickle Nation 3-player team tournament which was held at Genesis Rock Road. We had just the right number of teams for the courts that we had. Katie Merrill and Deana Holman came up from Oklahoma to play. The event went pretty smoothly and we finished right on schedule.

Here’s a little highlight video that I made.

Speaking of iPN, the weekly Nation Builder Series round robins are back at Riverside. We are playing every Sunday starting at 9:30 AM (except June 16 because that’s the weekend of the Midwest pickleball tournament). You can sign up for the weekly iPN mini tournament here.

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Dustin and Katie’s Wedding

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Ching under Events.

A couple of weeks ago, Brian and I had the privilege to attend Dustin Herman and Katie Gann’s wedding. It was a beautiful wedding at a Catholic church just down the street from the Belmont. (That’s why we ended up brunching there before the wedding.) I was concerned at first because of all the sitting, kneeling, standing, kneeling, sitting, standing again that goes along with Catholic ceremonies and my whole knee situation but I guess you can opt out of the kneeling part and just sit so that’s what we did. It was a beautiful ceremony and Katie looked absolutely stunning. I also loved that they had violinist there. They started the ceremony right on schedule and everything went so smoothly. I am glad that we went to witness their special day.

We weren’t really sure about going because we were worried we wouldn’t know anyone but I really wanted to be there for Dustin and Katie. They are such a lovely couple and so sweet together. Seeing young couples reminds me of how Brian and I were 25 years ago. It just warms my heart.

I am so glad we went because there were actually quite a few pickleball people there so we did know people! And, I liked how they arranged people who knew each other into tables together so, rather than sitting at a table with strangers, we were actually among friends. Our table had Scott and Michelle Wolford, Michael and Naomi Harris, Noi and Lock Sourinthone, and us. I cracked up because another pickleball person came by and asked who was at our table and Brian listed everyone including “Noi and his wife.” I had to explain to him that Lock is Noi’s brother. Brian just assumed that since we were all couples at our table and they had the same last name that they must be husband and wife also.

It was so nice to finally meet Scott’s wife. For a long time we all thought she was imaginary. She is actually outgoing and fun. She just doesn’t play pickleball and so that’s why we never see her.

Brian and I were both relieved to see people there that we knew.

There were quite a few “pickleball” tables. Here’s another one right by ours.

They had quite an extensive guest list. Four hundred people were invited to the reception and I think almost everyone came. We even saw our family doctor there! As it turns out, Dr. Scott Hane is a friend of the Gann family. The bride grew up and went to school with his kids.

Lucky People performed at the wedding reception and we ran into one of my coworker’s exes who does sound for them.

Pickleball daughter #2 Kendra Wicks was working the event. She is such a pro!

Reception was fabulous. The food was delicious (all of it) and the drinks flowed freely. Our table was conveniently by the bar. I couldn’t really drink — I had the one drink and champagne toast — because of my meds but being by the bar proved to be quite entertaining. They also had these digital disposal camera thing that I thought was a really neat idea.

Katie and Dustin looked so perfect together. I am so happy for them!

Anyway, here is a short little highlight video that I made using pictures from the evening. Congratulations to Katie and Dustin!

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Brunch at the Belmont

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Ching under Food and Drink.

As many times as we’d been to eat at the Belmont over the years, we’d never been to brunch there. Dustin and Katie’s one o’clock wedding was the perfect excuse to do so because the church was just down the street from the restaurant.