Meet Your Neighbor

Read more about your neighbors featured in the latest issue of the Minerva Park Community Association Newsletter

Meet the Knotts! Jeff and Jennifer moved to their home on Jordan Rd. in July 2022, relocating from Toledo to be closer to family. Their son James, a former MP resident, encouraged them to consider the Village. After a challenging search, they had almost ended their house hunting when they found the home. While living near Cleveland Ave. has its drawbacks, they love the Village’s intimate feel, walking paths, and connection to nature. They especially appreciate neighbors from all walks of life who share common interests, creating a welcoming community.

Jennifer grew up in Alton, IL, and moved to Toledo in 8th grade, where she met Jeff in high school. A year later, she asked him to homecoming—and they’ve been together ever since! Married after graduation, they raised their sons, James and Greg, in Toledo.

Jeff earned a degree in agriculture from Owens Community College and spent his career with W.R. Grace in roles ranging from equipment installation to sales, even earning his CDL to deliver products. Today, he channels his passion into gardening, starting plants from seed in their basement and tending a large backyard garden.

Jennifer studied interior design at Davis College but built a career in cost accounting with manufacturing and construction companies. Her most memorable experience took her to Cuba, where she lived on a military base for six months.

Later, the couple moved to the Village of Genoa near Lake Erie, where they discovered a shared love of art, including creating outdoor pieces on their property. Jennifer began painting after receiving art supplies as a gift from James, and both she and Jeff now create unique, repurposed works. Their home—inside and out—is filled with Jennifer’s colorful art and fun character pieces Jeff has built.

Jennifer supports the arts locally as a judge for Westerville Schools’ PTA Reflections program and also works with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, helping recognize and support local artists. Jeff applies his talents through 3D art and home restoration, including repairing all the original windows in their 1923 home, complete with new ropes and hardware.

Their greatest joy is their family. James lives in Lewis Center and is a partner at Nocterra Brewing, while Greg lives in Connecticut and is an Associate VP at Quinnipiac University. They cherish time with their sons, daughters-in-law, and four grandsons.

Fun facts:

• Their home, built in 1923, is believed to be the oldest in the Village today. Their neighbor grew up in the home when her family lived there from the 1950s to the 1980s. Jeff & Jennifer are enjoying learning the history of their home from neighbors. 

• Jennifer and Jeff lived on 7 acres in the Village of Genoa and planted 100 trees and created many gardens!

• They love nature and are creating an inviting habitat for plants and animals in their yard in Minerva Park. There are huge gardens in the back, a homemade house for pollinators, and a nature preserve area on the back of their property. 

• Jeff and Jennifer are so proud of their family and shared fun facts about them, too!

  • Son James was a Producer and Editor on the Larry King Live show before moving home to Ohio and opening Nocterra Brewing. Their daughter-in-law's family also lives in Lewis Center, and the extended families get together often. 

  • Son Greg has a PhD in German and studied abroad before earning his law degree in St. Louis. Greg’s wife also speaks German, and they speak at home with their sons. 

  • Their sons met their wives hundreds of miles apart, and both daughters-in-law are half Japanese. Jennifer and Jeff enjoy learning about the Japanese culture and have attended with their family at the Okinawa Tomonokai Ohio celebrations. 

  • While they are very proud of their sons, they beam with even more pride when sharing stories of the four grandsons!