Summer 2022 Cincinnati is made up of 52 neighborhoods. And there are neighborhoods in Mason and Covington and Lawrenceberg … all over the Ohio Valley. Neighborhoods can divide us physically, as Clifton and Camp Washington are separated by I-75. They divide us culturally, as the West-East divide in Cincinnati (which I’ve always thought was more urban in-joke than reality).

But I’m inclined to think we neighbors have more common interests than differing ones. That we look out for each other, bring casseroles in time of need, pitch in with yard work, jump a faulty battery. We help. Wave hello. Keep an eye on kids.

There’s a lot of neighborliness in this issue. Gathering spaces where people congregate, like Just Q’in in Walnut Hills. And issues that unite us, like supporting small farmers across our region that raise animals with care and conscience to provide protein for our tables. We’ve even tapped our far-flung Edible neighbors—publications in communities across the U.S. and Canada—for some inspiration for much-needed summer travel. For our Last Word column, I chatted with a leader of one of the region’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Over-the-Rhine.

We live in pretty divisive times. Here’s hoping a spirit of neighborliness can help us see past the differences in superficial traits to see that all of us humans are made of the same stuff. We’re all in community together.

Cheers!

– Bryn Mooth, Editor

Edible Ohio Valley