My name is Brian Vuyancih and I’m a photographer in Anderson Township. I recently started a street photography project called Beechmont Stories where I walk around Beechmont Avenue looking for interesting people to interview and take a portrait of.  For those who participate, I will post their portrait and their story.

EVERYONE has a story.  I have a very curious nature and I’m fascinated with people.  I kind of see this project not only as a way to fulfill my own curiosities, but also as a way to acquaint the local Anderson community with one another.  

Life is so busy, we’re all guilty of rushing around town, coldly passing each other by.  Today we exist in cliques, but I feel that in the old days everyone knew each other.  Now I know the times have changed and population has greatly increased, but we’re much more estranged from each other than we should be, so if this project can make a few faces around town a little more familiar, it’s a worthwhile endeavor.  

So here we go. 

Meet “Pnut”

I met Pnut (Peanut) at Harbor Freight on Beechmont on Thursday October 3, 2019. Like I said, everyone has a story, but a man who rocks a long beard with a legume inspired nickname, an old military injury, and a lengthy resume of bar keeping, has many!

Pnut was born and raised on Cincinnati’s east side. He was in the Navy and did a couple stints in law enforcement as a Sheriff’s Deputy, but got out before the job could change him. (Boy that sounds familiar).

The bulk of his labor was as a bartender at Dilly Deli, now known as Dilly Bistro, Bar & Bottle Shop in Mariemont. He also was a bar manager at the now defunct Ei8ght Ball Brewing in Bellevue, KY.

Pnut expressed an interest in Native American history, particularly with their involvement in US military history as code talkers. As we chatted, he stood colorfully before me with a pink walking cane, pink ball cap, and blue shirt. His bellowing voice was not shy as he told me about an upcoming ceremony at Saint Peter in Chains where the Archdiocess of Cincinnati will be recognizing him as an Exemplary Caregiver. This is most likely for his duty to care for his sister who suffers from dementia. I’m told during the ceremony, Pnut will be presented with a rose and a sash.

When his mother died, Pnut was shocked and disappointed by how few pictures he had to remember her. This turned him into a shutterbug, where he now hoards memories and moments with his cameras by taking a lot of pictures. Pnut said he’ll bring his cameras to weddings he attends and take pictures that are better (in some instances) than the hired photographer. He said he specializes in pictures of the bride and groom’s first dance.

I didn’t even scratch the surface with Pnut. We exchanged numbers and I offered to connect with him again in the future and maybe get some pictures of him and his sister if they are okay with it. I also plan to attend Pnut’s ceremony at Saint Peter in Chains.

If you see Pnut around Beechmont, don’t be shy and say hi to him.

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Brian Vuyancih

Brian Vuyancih is a former Cincinnati police officer who hung up his police hat to pursue his interests in photography and writing. He lives in Anderson Township and is the founder and creator of Beechmont Stories.

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