The Cast
“There are all kinds of love in this world but never the same love twice.”
Each of these friendships are incredibly unique and special to us. Without this crew, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thanks for always standing next to us.
THE BABES
Emily Fraser
Resilient. Energetic. Jokester. Sister. Maid of Honor.
How do I pick just one memory from the girl who I’ve done everything with? I think my favorite times were playing make-believe and sharpening those important imaginations of ours. Her favorite to play was “Business Lady” where she’d file papers and answer the phone. Flash forward a few years and she’s made an incredible business career for herself and I couldn’t be more proud. This star is the one to watch.
Sarah Marotto
NURTURING. DEVOTED. LEADER. BFF.
It all started with a feather earring in Mrs. Wable’s first grade class. Sarah admired my daring fashion, I was attracted to her bubbly personality and we both had football helmet haircuts [thanks Moms]. Highschool, college, marriages and kids — we’ve remained best friends through it all. Emily and I truly consider Sarah our sister. Though we’ve reconsidered every time she wears overalls in public.
Colleen Burdzinski
Comical. Patient. Free-Spirit.
Broadway show tunes have always been our jam, our favorite being ‘Rent’. Colleen and Sarah and I became friends in fourth grade and we reconnected with Coll as college roommates as the 1005 Girls of Bulger Hall. This girl makes me laugh like no other, and has been, since the beginning, my favorite karaoke partner. Here’s to singing about tigers in cages until the band stops playing.
Krissy Campbell
Determined. Devoted. Listener.
We were college roommates with plenty of memories playing beer pong and and walking to class together in feet of snow, but our relationship grew when I was able to take a trip to Vegas where she lived with her husband Ben, to celebrate her 30th birthday. I got to meet her sons Jack and Owen and get a taste of what being a mother of two is like :) She now has 4 kiddos and when they moved to Seattle, I was able to visit her again. Our favorite holiday is Halloween so she took me to a haunted restaurant near Pike Place and we actually saw a ghost!!
Myra Bhatnagar
Compassionate. Creative. Advocate.
Myra was my first Cincinnati friend. I decided to host a girls night for a few aquaitences to try and make friends and she was the only one who showed up. To this day, its still the best first date I’ve ever been on. I made really terrible chocolate martinis and we talked for hours, becoming instant friends with a lot in common. In Myra I’ve met my horror and theme party match and we’ve spent years working on our infamous Halloween parties that take months to build. What I love most is her animal-whispering qualities, her kind heart, and her advocacy for those who don’t have a voice.
Sarah Fry
Goofy. Intelligent. Extrovert.
This girl is the one you can always depend on when you really need a friend. She’s caring and compassionate, thinks on her feet, and doesn’t let anyone giver her shit :) All while being mesmerizingly silly and distracting, and the closest living thing I’ve ever seen to a real life cartoon penguin. We met as baby designers at our first job at an agency and there’s no one to this day I love writing, designing and brainstorming with more than her. Oh, also, she has the worlds tiniest ballerina feet and I have no idea how she doesn’t tip over.
Jen Wright-Schneeman
Grounded. Inspiring. Supporter.
Jen is the friend that’s always there when I need advice, a listening ear, a business owner’s perspective or just a shoulder to cry on. She’s showed up with trash magazines, lotto tickets and chocolate during a breakup emergency and walked me through breathing exercises when I didn’t think I could get through the day. She’s always been there and I know always will be. You can always count on a fellow Taurus for that ;) But some of our best times have been spent sipping mid-day bubbly, and I affectionately refer to us as the Ladies Who Lunch. Jen is also a new momma, so she won’t be able to make the wedding. But She will be in my thoughts on the big day!
Dana Cummin
Magnetic. Understanding. Intuitive.
This kitten is the most charasmatic thing I’ve ever seen. She simply lights up a room with her of understanding human beings, stray cats, and anyone who is struggling. She’s selfless and sweet and summers at her house in Keuka are some of my favorite memories ever. Though a close second is singing country songs in her empty bathtub… the sure winner is the day we realized that bread could be buttered on all four sides. Simple. Genius.
Brenda Baum
Wise. Thoughtful. Connector.
Brenda and her husband Otto were the first investors in Gorilla Cinema. Otto built Overlook Lodge with his own two hands. Since the beginning, they’ve become our parters in the businesses, and in life. Brenda and I have so much fun together. She might seem quiet, but this chic has brains, humor, whit, and always the best gossip on the market. She’s the creative, welcoming, hostess-with-the-mostess super mom, and just all around The Baum. Oh! Favorite memory? The spectacular Cinco-de-Drinko Mexican birthdays Bren throws me every year at her lakehouse, complete with plenty of shots of tequila.
THE BEAUS
David Wechsler
Thor. Best Man.
Whoever is pure of heart and worthy was said to be able to wield the Mjolnir in Norse Mythology. David is the most pure of heart person I’ve ever met and he has always been by my side. A true God among men, David is my biggest hero.
Lindsey Tubbs
Deadpool
You need laugh? You need some fun? Lindsey Tubbs is your girl. She’s always been her own person and Ive learned a lot about living life from her. She is the truest friend in every sense of the word. No matter how much time has past since we’ve seen each other she will always remind me of who I am and where I came from.
Jack Holz
Captain America
Jack represents all the best aspects of what a friendship should entail. Much like Captain America, he’s been a constant positive force in my life and always fights for whats right and just. He’s selfless in his friendship with me and I am forever grateful for that.
Jeff Crowder
Iron Man
Jeff has always been like an older brother to me. Charismatic and always ready to entertain with a great story, adventure, idea or advice, he’s a true a mentor to me and someone that I’ve always tried to be like.
Dominique Darbonne
Starlord
Whenever I needed an Awesome Mix, Dominque has been there to add to the soundtrack of my life. She’s my tiny, delightful partner in crime. Always full of adventure and even a little bit of trouble, because of her my life has been filled with plenty of songs, laughter and out of this world experiences.
Otto Baum
Hawk Eye
Otto has been a rock not just in my professional life but my personal life as well. He keeps me grounded. There’s a scene in ‘Avengers’ where Hawkeye says “I’m just a guy with a bow and this makes no sense but I’m gonna walk out that door and be an Avenger.” That’s Otto in my life. He believed in me enough to walk through that door into this crazy group of people.
Julia Petiprin
Doctor Strange
Being another bar owner, Julia sees what I see and sometimes that feels like looking into another dimension that no one else can fathom. She is a confidant, a mentor, a rival and one of my greatest friends. Much like the world of Dr Strange our friendship is complex and magical.
