Those brave souls who volunteered for the singles panel for the Enquirer series, “Single in Cincinnati,” got a lot of different reactions after its run in August. A couple of them report great changes since the summer. Some said after the initial flurry of attention, their lives pretty much went back to normal.

        Sarah Hawkins of East Walnut Hills says she got too busy promoting the recent MidPoint Music Festival to work on her dating life.

        “I've been open to just about anything, though,” she says, “and have a positive attitude overall. I'm going to join a running group soon, where I think I'll meet some fun, fit, regular working men. Really looking forward to moving my dating pool out of the music scene.”

        Several of the panel members began friendships with people they met through the series. Grace Hou of Symmes Township responded to an e-mail from an admirer who saw her picture in the Enquirer.

        “I did meet one brave soul who contacted you for my e-mail address,” she says. “We chatted by e-mail for about two weeks before meeting. We continue to use e-mail to communicate sporadically. The article had a positive effect for my social life, not dating life. However, you have to be social in order to win dates. The best thing is that I met some great people and continue to remain acquaintances with them.”

        Ms. Hou and fellow panel member Christa Johnson of Westwood plan to sign up for a Progressive Daters event soon.

        Another panel member who found new friendships is Betsy Knight of Fairfield. She found a “running buddy:” another member of the group.

        “As a result of the singles panel,” says Ms. Knight, “I have met some really great girlfriends. Sarah (Hawkins) and I have begun hanging out. She has introduced me to the Cincinnati music scene, and she and I have a lot of fun together. I also met Karen Seta through the singles panel chat (during the series). She set up a Reds outing in August and I attended. Of course, I was the only person who showed from the chat, but we had a great time - all of us "chicks.'

        “Sarah and I occasionally joke that we got into this looking for eligible, dating-conscious men, and came out of it with a great girl friend. It's funny how things work out.”

        Did the singles panel help or hurt her chances of finding a date?

        “I would say it helped,” says Ms. Knight, “because as a result I was able to meet other single women - which is a break from the norm in terms of hanging out with married friends. Hence, we will be able to go where the single men go, and who knows what? Now if I can only figure out where they all are.”

        Another panelist looks philosophically at her experience on the singles panel.

        “No one has approached/recognized me - which I figured they wouldn't have anyway,” says Reading resident Marta Trujillo.

        “Concerning my single status, it has not changed with any prospective dates/relationships at the present time - something that doesn't surprise me either.

        “When I was chosen to participate in this series, my main reasoning was to voice my opinions/views about the dating scene in Cincinnati,” she says.

        “I knew that the series' purpose was to not display the panel in a "Love Connection/dating service' sort of way. The panel consisted of logical, intelligent and diverse individuals who shared similar views.

        “Not only was the series well-written but also opened up the eyes of fellow readers. They realized that they were not alone in the somewhat stale dating scene that has increased over time. Hell, even I felt better knowing that I wasn't the only one.”

        Panelist Christopher Ott of Kenwood is one single guy who's out of the picture. He and girlfriend Brandy Bibee, who were featured in the Aug. 9 story on second dates, became engaged last month.

        Jonathan Michael Cobb, on the other hand, is still looking. The only attention he got was from the endless teasing from co-workers.

        “The only thing that happened to me,” says the Kennedy Heights bachelor, “is that my friends teased me with shenanigans ranging from posting the Enquirer cover pic in my cubicle with the caption "Desperate and Dateless' written on it, to leaving harassing messages laughing at me because I cannot get a date in Cincy.”

        Mr. Cobb's frustration at not finding that special love is now causing him to rethink the viability of his current mailing address.

        “With the clock ticking,” he says, “I have decided that if I am not in a steady, healthy and happy relationship by the age of 35 (which is in about two years, three months), I am selling my house and moving elsewhere.”

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