ARCH CITY ESCAPADES
Clintonville • Grandview • Easton • Powell Clintonville • Grandview • Easton • Powell
THE BIG PICTURE
Electric go-karts from the first Columbus-area location of K1 Speed cruise around the race track. Story on p.62;
Photo by Aaron Massey
Opening Volley
JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-in-Chief
New Heights
As anyone who knows me at all will tell you, I’m just about the furthest thing there is from a purist. I put ketchup on potato chips, wear Crocs in the winter and listen to Phoebe Bridgers while working out.
But when it comes to rock climbing, well, that’s a different story.
As I imagine most people do, I started climbing at a local gym. It’s much more approachable and convenient than climbing on real rock. You have multiple locations around Columbus to choose from, so there’s no approach hike through rough terrain. It’s heated. There are lights. It doesn’t rain indoors. Gyms also have all the gear you’ll need to climb on-hand (or for rent if you don’t want to shell out $100 apiece for rope, shoes and a belay device), and they offer a greater number of unique climbs than any crag around Columbus.
Approaching things logically, with a list of pros and cons, it’s not even close. Gym climbing seems like the clear winner. But it’s not that simple.
There’s something ineffable about actually climbing outside on real rock, something truly inspiring that I don’t fully understand and can’t accurately explain. One part danger, one part nature, one part getting absolutely whipped by how hard it is and still coming back for more. And even that doesn’t do it justice.
As an avid–and nearly-exclusive–gym climber, I went to Quarry Trails Metro Park a few weeks ago to jump on real rock. The area, on the far West Side of Columbus, features a beautiful stretch of quarried limestone, stones from which were used to build Ohio Stadium and the Ohio State House more than a century ago. There’s some loose rock, yeah, but it's about as close to idyllic as Columbus proper gets, and it represents the only sport climbing on actual rock inside 270.
From that day, there was one route that stuck with me. It was short. Only a handful of hard moves stacked at the start, where you make your way across and up a jagged crack system on an overhanging chunk of limestone. I didn’t finish it. It left my hands bloody and my ego bruised. But it was on my mind for days afterwards. There was something about digging and trying hard moves on real rock that resonated with me in a way I don’t have a congruous explanation for. It was a high. One I’ve only really felt following my first-ever gym climbing sessions, nearly two years ago now, when climbing was still a novelty to me.
It would have been a whole lot easier for me to climb inside that day. To not gather up carabiners, rope, a tarp, a helmet and the litany of other things needed to climb safely outdoors. In fact, I’m sure I would have had a great time had I climbed indoors. Instead, though, I went outside my comfort zone, and had an experience that felt, for lack of a better word, transformative.
It’s always easier to do something comfortable, to binge watch Cold Case Files and eat Corn Nuts (don’t hate), and while there’s absolutely a time and a place for this, you will never regret getting out into the world and outside of your comfort zone, and you may find something you never knew you needed. Even if that something is weird, awkward, or mildly unsafe. Even if it means you’re spending your day climbing a rock.
Enjoy your adventures, Columbus. They’re waiting for you.
Someday by Mark Warren Jacques
Diurnal Cycle by Dillon Beck
The Nook by Luka Weinberger
� STAFF PICKS
Finding Fun
Sure, we’re a landlocked city, with flat farms surrounding us for miles. But that doesn’t keep us from seeking adventure and having fun. From frequenting metro parks to trying spicy Pad Kee Mao, here’s how the (614) Magazine staff finds the thrill right here in Columbus:
Adventure in Columbus is going anywhere with my fiancée for a date night - usually asking friends at work where to go next!
— Andrew Thomas, Creative Coordinator
I always like to check out the metro parks! Sometimes I'll bring my cat on his leash so he can enjoy the adventure too.
— Meg Rhoads, Creative Designer
Literally just walk out the door. Every corner of Columbus has an identity and there's never a shortage of things to do, see, or try.
— Austin Black, Video Producer & Editor
Rock climbing at Quarry Trails!
— Jack McLaughlin, Editor in Chief
I've learned that experiencing a new area in Columbus, or just a new street or section, where I don't recognize what I'm looking at or know exactly where to walk or go, is what makes me feel a sense of adventure here.
— Tori Smith, Creative Designer
I'm not into hiking or rock climbing (surprise, surprise?), so my idea of an adventure is trying out a new Thai or Ethiopian restaurant in town!
— Sav McKee, Associate Editor
ON the WEB
Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’ top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!
FOOD & DRINK
‘Seattle’s favorite bakery’ headed to Columbus, for a limited time
Piroshky Piroshky, the concept tapped as one of the nation’s 20 most iconic food destinations in the country by Smithsonian Magazine and self-described as “Seattle’s favorite bakery,” is coming to the Arch City for a day.
OPENINGS
1920s Bourbon-themed speakeasy opens inside Central Ohio bar & arcade
While you can already play arcade games, listen to live music, and enjoy great food & drink at West Church Social, an entirely new experience is now available.
Car almost crashes into popular grocery store after nearly striking pedestrians
A car at the intersection of Townsfair Way and Easton Loop nearly hit pedestrians leaving from and going to the grocery store at that corner, Trader Joe’s.
HOT TOPICS
PRES S PLAY
614 VIDEO
Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. Scan the QR codes to watch our newest videos, and keep an eye out for more!
How Columbus Coffee Pros Redefined Cold Brew Coffee
What started as a coffee experiment in an apartment basement behind a blast shield has evolved into a streamlined, high power, high pressure solution to making fast, efficient, and most importantly, delicious, cold brew coffee.
(614) INSIDER
We Found the Wildest Basement on Zillow! In our new weekly roundup show, (614) Insider, Editors Sav and Jack dive into the week's top stories.
#AsSeenInColumbus
STOCK & BARREL
This local Mario Kart Band puts you in the center of the action by bringing the hit game’s soundtrack to life: you pick the tracks, they play the music
By Jordan Abbruzzese
It’s time for Rainbow Road. You’re locked in, you’re throwing bananas, and you’re accompanied by a live jazz band playing the beloved Mario Kart soundtrack. Oh yeah—that’s right. Columbus has its own live Mario Kart Band, playing at a bar or music venue near you.
When Colin Davis’ Mario Kart Band started in late January 2025, they had about 200 Instagram followers. Flash forward to March, and they have accumulated over 3,000 followers and counting. Known for playing at Rumba Café in Clintonville and Grandview Theater & Drafthouse, the Mario Kart Band is zooming to popularity.
“I definitely didn’t invent the idea,” said Colin, honestly. “I saw the original group that did it called Mario Kart Live from Australia. I reached out to them and asked if I could bring their idea to the United States and they said, ‘Yes!’” →
Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Meg Rhoads
That was over two years ago. Since then, Colin has taken on arranging the music for the most popular Mario Kart tracks himself, and soft-launched the band concept in his hometown of Youngstown with a couple of musician friends. Last year, Colin decided to move to Columbus for more music gig opportunities and to be closer to his older brother who has seen success in the local punk rock scene. Colin felt the band could really take off in Columbus, but needed to find musicians first.
He hit The Ohio State University music building, pinning up posters. He also turned to a “Musicians Wanted” group on Facebook, putting out a call for talent.
“There are plenty of Facebook groups for stuff like this. I made a QR code with a Google form,” explained Colin. “I got a bunch of people who were interested but had no way of hearing them. I went based on experience and how long they’ve been playing their instrument.”
Turns out the Mario Kart Band was meant to be, as the group got together to practice before their first gig and jelled seamlessly. The band is made up of nine musicians who work other day jobs like teaching music in schools, and even a couple of current music students from The Ohio State University.
Samantha Vann on flute, Seth Alexander on drums, and Colin Davis on alto sax.
The night goes like this: Players pay for a ticket to the event and sign up to play a requested Mario Kart track upon arrival via a QR code. The band plays for about three hours with an intermission in between, giving everyone time to play at least once on a first come, first served basis. The for the Nintendo Switch), and for the time being, the venue
Alex Adams is on guitar, Bobby Lucas on piano/keyboard, Deed Vann on tenor sax, Gabriel Coffing on bass, John Heino on trumpet, Russell Preston on trombone,
← Visitors to the Grandview Theater & Drafthouse play a round of "Mario Kart" while the Mario Kart Band fills in with live music and sound effects
The musicians play live along with the tracks, even reacting to spontaneous events, like playing special music when a player gets a star. Seth, the drummer, has a mic and is on the look-out for any sudden sequences the band needs to react to, creating an even more authentic experience.
“I feel the reason why it appeals to people is that so many people have played Mario Kart and the concert itself is interactive,” said Colin. “The most requested track is probably Coconut Mall, where you’re just straight up driving through a mall.”
But Colin’s favorite to play is "Dolphin Shoals." A deep love of video game music, especially Nintendo music, is what really bonds this band together. Throughout the entirety of Mario Kart, there are 96 different tracks. The band does not have them all arranged, but are always working on new tracks to roll out at upcoming live shows, like "DK Jungle."
While the band has gotten their start playing regularly at Rumba Café, they are in talks with multiple other gamefocused bars, events, and breweries. In late April, the band will be live at Hoof Hearted Brewing’s Marengo location,
and will be announcing other events soon on Mario Kart’s Bands Instagram.
“People are asking ‘How do I stay in the loop so I don’t miss a show before it sells out?’” Colin said. “I’d say follow our Instagram @mariokartband and turn on post notifications.”
The Mario Kart Band has already been asked to do shows out-of-state, but for now, they’d like to stay local to Ohio. The group is also prepared to size-down and accommodate smaller events that specifically request a jazz combo focusing on video game music.
“That’s why I like it,” smiled Colin. “Ninety-nine percent of people don't pay attention to the music because you’re just playing the game. Someone had to think of that. There is a lot of thought that goes into it.”
To get all the latest updates on where to find
The Mario Kart Band,
Colin Davis on alto saxophone →
← Alex Adams on guitar
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Thenewpastaria in town infuses traditional
noodles with bold, global favors
↓ Tres Leches Tiramisu from Flour
↑ Bright pink walls greet guests at Flour Modern Pasta Bar
It’s clear you aren’t going to be having a chain-restaurantovercooked-spaghetti-with-sauce-from-a-jar dinner right from the moment you walk into Flour Modern Pasta Bar.
The hot pink walls and inspired wallpaper provide the backdrop for a completely new and unique dining experience. At the helm is owner and chef Yash Kishinchand, a Dublin native who has returned to the Arch City with quite a resume, including degrees in pastry and food business management from the Culinary Institutes of America. “I learned about cooking from my mom,” shared Kishinchand. “She grew up in India and New Orleans, so she has a really rich food background. I got my love for food and hospitality from her. And ever since I was very young, my dream was always to go to culinary school and become a chef.”
“EVERYONE LIKES PASTA –IT’S A BLANK CANVAS. SO MANY CUISINES HAVE THEIR OWN VERSION OF A NOODLE AND I HAVE A LOT OF FUN EXPERIMENTING WITH FLAVOR PROFILES.”
Restaurants are truly a family affair for the Kishinchands. Yash's father, Ashok, and brother, Bhavesh, established and are managing partners of Rooh in the Short North. Sister Manisha is a designer who helped create Flour’s space and aesthetic, as well as the menus and website. “My family is very close, and my parents fully support me and my dreams, which is amazing,” said Yash. After attending school in New York and California, he landed in Chicago, where he reconnected with original Rooh chef Sujan Sarkar. The two decided to partner on a new concept, and opened Swadesi Cafe last year. The venture has been incredibly successful, and has been featured in Chicago Tribune and The New York Times. But the Windy City didn’t quite feel like home, so Kishinchand headed back in August to open Flour. “I wanted to bring something new and different to Columbus….having lived in these different places I was ready to introduce some of those big city concepts and that level of excitement here,” he said.
Kishinchand had originally looked at the empty space, which sits at the edge of Polaris Fashion Place, in 2021. But it didn’t speak to him at that time and was in need of extensive work, so he passed. “They reached back out in 2023, letting me know the space was still available and that improvements had been made,” he explained. “After touring it again, I knew that I could work with it and make it my own.”
When it was time to decide on a concept for the new restaurant, the choice was easy. “My background is baking and pastries. I’m a Midwestern vegetarian and I love pasta. I love making and playing with dough and seeing what I can create. So pasta just made sense for this,” said Kishinchand. “Everyone likes pasta – it’s a blank canvas. So many cuisines have their own version of a noodle and I have a lot of fun experimenting with flavor profiles.” →
“I WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT TO COLUMBUS….I WAS READY TO INTRODUCE SOME OF THOSE BIG CITY CONCEPTS AND THAT LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT HERE.”
Whimsical touches abound in Flour, from the wall displays of rolling pins and bundt pans that pay homage to Yash’s love of baking, to the antique pasta machines and dried pasta above the bar area. “I knew I wanted the space to be pink and I knew I wanted guests to walk in and wonder where they are because no other restaurant looks like this,” he shared. A preset menu makes ordering easy, and guests choose a bread, salad and pasta for a flat $28. Everything is made in-house, and both the food and cocktail menus change seasonally. Currently the most popular dishes are the Butter Chicken alla Vodka, which uses the same delicious makhani sauce found at Rooh, and the Tie Dye Ricotta Gnocchi, a tri-colored plate featuring red and white sauces with a pesto drizzle. “All the ingredients are fresh and handmade,” said Kishinchand. “I feel like everything nowadays is so expensive, and I wanted to offer an amazing meal at an affordable price point that works for folks to have a nice, casual dinner experience.”
Spring will bring patio season, where the massive garage doors will open to the outdoor space, which will seat an additional 50 or so diners. Flour is also getting ready to launch a weekend brunch and a daily happy hour from 2-5 p.m. “This concept is different compared to everything else in the Polaris area. Many of the restaurants around here have been operating for more than ten years and there are a lot of chains,” said Kishinchand. “Try something unique the next time you go out to dinner. It’s pasta, so it’s still very familiar and approachable, but it’s also a new experience.” ♦
↑ Flour owner Yash Kishinchand digging into Ramen Carbonara
A Racing
Line Bar patron gets behind the "wheel" of one of the new Downtown bar's racing simulators →
Get behind the wheel of Columbus’ first racing simulator bar
By
The timeless combination of cold beverages and stimulating activities continues its slow march through 4th Street in Downtown Columbus thanks to the opening of Racing Line, Ohio’s first SIM racing center.
On the same street that’s home to axe throwing, duckpin bowling and even rage room options, Racing Line serves up craft beer, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic options amid a set of 12 immersively realistic racing simulators (also known as SIM racing).
Longtime car enthusiast and Columbus native Shaun Cupp opened the concept this past February as a hub for SIM racing fans of all skill levels, including visitors perhaps well-versed in Mario Kart but less experienced with the realism inherent to SIM racing. →
David Shaw | Photos by Jen Brown | Story Design by Tori Smith
“IF YOU START OUT SLOW AND YOU JUST KIND OF WORK UP TO THINGS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND YOU'RE GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY JUST LIKE DRIVING A REAL CAR.”
“If you start out slow and you just kind of work up to things, you're going to have a good time and you're going to figure it out because it's really just like driving a real car,” said Cupp. “You get the same kind of feedback and you get used to it pretty quickly, but it takes a little skill.”
First-time visitors are supported by Racing Line staff members, including Cupp, who can tailor a racing experience to the skill level and interest of each individual racer. Hundreds of car and track combinations are available through Racing Line’s custom-ordered racing rigs, plus premium, hydraulic pedals, multiple steering wheel types, and triple-screen setups that allow for over 180 degrees of high quality feedback, accuracy and immersion.
“What makes it fun in the long run is that it's not just like you can master it in an hour,” Cupp said. “It’s something you can work on and actually feel some sense of accomplishment when you get it really right.”
Seasoned SIM racing veterans are able to specify tracks, race conditions, cars and control settings to hone in on specific skills. Racing Line offers a number of membership levels that provide benefits like dedicated practice time, early access to competitive events, guest passes, drink discounts and other perks.
Guests enjoy food and drinks after competing with each other at Racing Line → ← Hundreds of car and track combinations are available through Racing Line’s custom-ordered racing rigs
Weekly drop-in races provide the opportunity to apply freshly refined skills in a competitive environment as all drivers are given a standardized car to fairly test each racer’s skill level. Multi-week leagues facilitated by Racing Line are planned for the near future, providing another method to benchmark personal progress. Sessions for all skill levels can be booked online to secure a spot and walk-ins are accepted provided an open rig is available.
Fittingly, Racing Line occupies a space once used as a multi-story downtown car dealership that employed a massive elevator to transport cars to a second floor showroom. Aside from the racing rigs, drink bar and custom post-race podium, the building’s aged features are all beautifully intact. Thick, wooden pillars, exposed brick and original hardwood floors provide an analog, old-school contrast to Racing Line’s advanced racing technology.
A major benefit of a dedicated, centrally-located space like Racing Line is the ability to duplicate and enhance the sense of community inherent to online racing. Headsets can be worn by racers to speak to other competitors, and each digital race is viewable on screens mounted throughout Racing Line, creating a spectator experience for friends and guests. Warm weather plans include rolling up the massive, 4th Street-facing garage door at the front of the building to access recruited food trucks parked nearby.
To further build a sense of community, Racing Line plans to host watch parties for major racing events, blending the real world with the SIM racing experience by allowing racers to digitally sample the cars and track they’re seeing on screen at a particular event. For those looking for a more private but uniquely communal experience, Racing Line is also available for corporate and group events.
“When you're at home, you can race against other people, but it's just online. You don't really know those people and when you come here, you're racing in person,” Cupp said. “Everybody just wants to have a good race at the end of the day, so they’re going to try to make sure they’re not just randomly running people off the road, you know?”
The Return of Logan’s Roadhouse
After closing all Central Ohio locations years ago, the casual steakhouse chain has returned with a new Grove City restaurant
By
Years after the closure of its Easton and Sawmill locations, the beloved Logan’s Roadhouse has made its grand return — this time in Grove City.
The pandemic caused a lot of upheaval in the restaurant industry. But for Logan’s, it presented an opportunity to rethink their next steps.
"It just felt like the right time to come back post-pandemic," said Ryan Russell, senior director of communications and marketing for Logan’s Roadhouse. "We were evaluating where we needed to go, and Central Ohio was always a great market for us. We were sad to leave, but we’re excited to be back now, better than ever."
Grove City stood out as the perfect place for their reopening. Russell revealed that the area’s growth and the demographics of local families made it an ideal fit for the chain’s brand of laid-back comfort and delicious food. →
Chris Alexis | Photos by Evan Frere
Story Design by Tori Smith
Inside the new Grove City location of Logan's Roadhouse ↓
Logan's famous, traditional yeast rolls;
Photo courtesy of Logan's Roadhouse ↓
A hearty steak, loaded baked potato, and ice cold beer from Logan's; Photo courtesy of Logan's Roadhouse ↓
“It’s a growing area, and we’re excited to be part of the community,” he said. Russell described Logan’s as a place where, “You can come as you are, have a cold beer, enjoy a great steak, and just feel at home.”
He pointed to the brand’s classic offerings that have made Logan’s a fan favorite for years.
“We want people to come in for the items that they know and love. Our wood-fire grilled steaks, our fall-off-the-bone ribs, and of course, the rolls. Those hot, fresh rolls are a staple at Logan’s.”
There’s a reason those rolls are oh-so-famous. Russell described them perfectly: “They’re that traditional yeast roll, warm, soft, with just a little crisp on the outside. Slather on some whipped butter, and it’s hard to stop eating them.”
But while the rolls clamor for the spotlight, Logan's menu doesn't fill up on just bread.
Russell explained that their wood-grilled steaks are special, thanks to the mesquite wood used in the cooking process. “It adds a smoky flavor you don’t get from traditional grilling,” he explained. “It’s that little something extra that makes our steaks stand apart.”
In a competitive market like Central Ohio, standing out can be a challenge—especially with so many dining options within close reach. To stay top of mind and satisfy the taste buds of the community, Logan’s is leaning into what makes the brand unique.
"We’re the original roadhouse,” he said. “We’re not just about food; we’re about creating an experience. From being greeted at the door to having your steak grilled to perfection, Logan’s is all about hospitality.”
Part of that hospitality comes from Logan’s Grill Master Program, where chefs are trained to masterfully cook steaks before they’re allowed to touch the grill to serve guests.
“We’re all about the personal connection,” Russell said. “Our goal is to create that one-on-one relationship with our guests, something that you don’t always get at other places anymore.” ♦
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Whether you’re looking to learn more about a gym or yoga studio before taking the plunge on a membership, or just wanting to spend a few hours staying active with other likeminded fitness enthusiasts, the second-annual FIT Social is here.
A condensed version of our FIT week event, FIT Social will be held at The Kee from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 3, allowing you to get up close and personal with local studios, gyms, spas, beauty retailers and more.
Consider the event something like the ultimate “try before you buy” event for local fitness brands, where you can enjoy serious deals and discounts, participate in a number of free workout demos and more importantly, meet the people behind your fitness. →
AYA Yoga is a queer-owned yoga studio in German Village, offering a diverse range of classes, from hot power yoga to yin and slow flow. In addition to regular classes, AYA hosts events and workshops focused on wellness and creative self-exploration. Classes integrate movement, breathwork, and meditation, fostering a holistic approach to practice. Rooted in community, this inclusive space welcomes you exactly as you are.
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Clean Eatz is a locally owned and operated Health Food Restaurant and Meal Prep Company. Our mission is to provide healthy, convenient, and affordable dining options to the community, and we never have any contracts or subscriptions. We have locations in Dublin, Grandview, Grove City, and New Albany.
Our mission is to create a transformative environment where physical fitness, mental clarity, and community connection come together. We provide an elevated experience through innovative classes, mindful practices, and personalized care, empowering individuals to achieve whole-body wellness and balance in their lives.
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hOm is a Creative Wellness Organization focused on providing Sound Baths anywhere and everywhere. Since its inception, hOm’s monthly Sound Baths have become one of the most successful event series of its kind in the country—and possibly the world. Founded in 2022 by musical composer Jesse Burkett, who has composed music for brands such as Disney, Google, Redbull, and even NASA, hOm reflects the same level of care and attention to detail in each Sound Bath experience. These events are transformed into immersive concerts where traditional sound healing and modern mindful sound practices are blended together using instruments like cello and piano with the soothing sounds of singing bowls, ocean waves, and songbirds.
← Doctor Oluyinka O. Olutoye, Surgeon-InChief at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Meet Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, the Nigerian-born surgeon who built a first-class fetal care center at Columbus’ world-class children's hospital
By Jack McLaughlin
Nearly two years ago, Brittany Badenhop was preparing for surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. But the procedure wasn’t for her.
At 25 weeks pregnant, Badenhop and her daughter—who is known now as “Baby Lexi”— underwent surgery to correct spina bifida, a condition that impacts the development of the fetus’ central nervous system.
The procedure was a success, and it also ushered in a new era for Nationwide Children’s, representing the first fetal surgery performed by the Columbus hospital.
The man behind the scalpel, and behind Nationwide Children’s recently-launched fetal medicine program, is world-renowned surgeon and Nationwide Children’s Surgeon-In-Chief, Doctor Oluyinka O. Olutoye, or Dr. O, as he’s known around the hospital. Baby Lexi’s successful intervention marked the beginning of the hospital’s Fetal Center, a comprehensive program which includes, but is not limited to, performing fetal surgery. Nationwide Children’s is one of less than two dozen hospitals with such programs in the country.
“We have fetal issues that may be identified before birth, and we often have to wait until the baby is born to address these issues,” Dr. Olutoye said. “Most of the time this is fine, but there are some conditions that we can see are deteriorating over time, and by the time the child is born, the die has already been cast. Fetal surgery gives you the opportunity to intervene early when appropriate." →
Photos by Aaron Massey
Story Design by Bryce Patterson
A Surgeon in the Making
A native of Idoani, Nigeria, Dr. O recalled an interest in surgery–and pediatric procedures, specifically–ever since he was a teenager. The biography of South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard, who performed the first successful human-to-human heart transplant in 1967, stoked a fire in the young doctor-to-be that, to this day, still burns brightly.
“There was a lot in Barnard’s biography, about how fetal abnormalities develop, and it was the first time I learned that you could operate on the fetus,” Dr. Olutoye said “That stuck with me.”
He acquired his medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, before receiving his PhD in Anatomy from Virginia Commonwealth University. Before joining Nationwide Children’s as the Surgeon-InChief–where he leads 12 surgical departments, and one of the world’s largest children’s hospital surgery departments–Dr. O was the co-director of the Texas Children’s Fetal Center at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
It was the allure of helping to create the foremost children’s surgery program while also having a hand in creating another fetal center from the ground up, and doing so at one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, that ultimately led the Nigerian native to the Buckeye State.
Nationwide, Worldwide
In 2019, Olutoye joined Nationwide Children’s as Surgeon-In-Chief, and over the next several years, he worked to assemble a star-studded team of fetal care specialists en route to launching the Nationwide Children’s Fetal Center.
“The interest for me in Columbus was having a fetal program here at a powerhouse hospital with a demonstrated record of advancing innovation and transformative care. But we knew there was no point in even creating another program if we weren’t going to make it the best,” he said.
Dr. O and Nationwide Children’s brought in experts from across the country–and the world, as far as Argentina–to create a comprehensive program that offers not just fetal surgery alone, but a holistic package of treatments, including fetal medical therapy, genetics, radiology, laser treatment, labor and delivery, neonatology and more.
And in 2023, the new Fetal Center was ready for its first surgical patient. Or, more accurately, patients.
The interest for me in Columbus was having a fetal program here at a powerhouse hospital. But we knew there was no point in even making a program if we weren’t going to make it the best.
← "Dr. O" stands in a Nationwide Children's Hospital operating room
Baby Lexi
Diagnosed with spina bifida following a 20-week ultrasound, Baby Lexi became the first case of fetal surgery through the Fetal Center when Dr. O and his team operated on Brittany Badenhop. And her procedure was a success.
The condition, which affects about 1 in every 2,000 live births in the United States, occurs when the fetal spinal column doesn’t develop properly, affecting the child’s nervous system. It can sometimes result in children requiring the help of a walker or wheelchair for their entire lives.
But not Lexi.
According to a 2024 press release from Nationwide Children’s, the Fetal Center’s first surgical patient is currently thriving. Last year, she received her one-year post-surgery MRI, which found no fluid build-up on Lexi’s brain, indicating the procedure continues to be a success.
And for Dr. O, there was also the gratification of seeing the hospital’s Fetal Center coming together and working seamlessly as a single unit.
“It was a procedure we had all done before, but it was special for us, because it was the first case here, and we saw how all of these phenomenally dedicated folks came together to make it happen,” he said. “You can have an all-star team, but if you don’t play/work well together, you don’t win.”
Now nearly two years from their first surgical patient, Dr. Olutoye and the Fetal Center continue to care for fetal patients, before and after birth, with the passion and dedication that Baby Lexi received.
“To look at Lexi, you would never suspect that there's something different about her,” Badenhop said. “You would never suspect that she is a child with spina bifida unless you saw the little scar on her back. She looks like a typical child who is the happiest baby you've ever seen, smiling, laughing, having fun with her sister.” ♦
Powell’s newest fitness studio prioritizes community outreach while combining yoga, dance and more
By Jack McLaughlin
← Gina Oliveira, founder + owner of Studio 614 Fitness
Photo courtesy of Luca Sportelli
You probably already know the city of Columbus has no shortage when it comes to yoga studios. But not all of them are created equal, and next to none were launched by a former professional dancer with a mind for community engagement.
That’s where Powell’s soon-to-be newest yoga spot, Studio 614 Fitness, comes in.
Located at 240 N. Liberty St., the new fitness spot will open its doors to the public on June 14 (which also
happens to be 614 day, in case you forgot). Presale for unlimited memberships–which cost $99 per month–begins on May 5. Military, first responders, teachers and students can all sign up for a special $88 rate. As a promotion, you can stop by to check out free classes the week of May 26-31 (you’ll be able to sign up for these May 5 as well).
Owner and operator Gina Oliveira started dancing at the age of five, and it turned into a passion that would stick with her
for life. She eventually went on to tour stages across the country with The Charleston Ballet Theatre, The Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre and Opera Cleveland. Who knows, maybe you’ve even seen her on stage before.
“Throughout my journey as a professional ballerina and dancer, I’ve realized that resilience, determination and commitment are my strongest allies. As a female entrepreneur, every move I make intertwines grace with grit.” →
“THROUGHOUT MY JOURNEY AS A PROFESSIONAL BALLERINA AND DANCER, I’VE REALIZED THAT RESILIENCE, DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT ARE MY STRONGEST ALLIES. AS A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR, EVERY MOVE I MAKE INTERTWINES GRACE WITH GRIT.”
← Oliveira delivers free meals to local firefighters; Photo by Jen Brown
Now realizing her dream of owning a studio, Oliveira has created a communityfocused fitness hub that sets itself apart from yoga concepts, and it all starts with her dance roots.
While Studio 614 Fitness will also offer several variations of traditional yoga (including Power, Flow, Rolling Restore and Sculpt classes), you can take a general dance, Mommy + Me dance classes and barre classes as well.
If you’re new to it, Barre is a workout format that incorporates elements of ballet, Pilates, yoga and strength training. With Oliveira’s unique dance background, she’s the ideal instructor for your fitness needs.
And it’s not just Oliveira’s first-hand experience as a professional dancer, what also sets Studio 614 Fitness apart from local workout spots is its commitment to the Columbus community.
“Our mantra is ‘Community is Motion.’ I started this for our community. The whole concept evolved based on the needs from that, what local residents have shared with me and what I’ve learned,” she said. “Getting involved in local fitness classes really shifted my whole trajectory. I became very close friends with a lot of students who were members at other studios, and those people really spoke to me.”
One of the unique ways Oliveira’s focus on community comes through in her new Powell studio is in the form of a play lounge, which will be ready soon. Don’t have someone to watch the kids for your workout? No worries, the room will provide a space for children to play and interact with others while their parents take a class.
“IN EVERY HEARTBEAT OF OUR COMMUNITY, THERE’S A RHYTHM OF TOGETHERNESS. WE RISE, WE MOVE, WE GROW— BRINGING DREAMS TO LIFE WITH EVERY STEP WE TAKE TOGETHER.”
In fact, Olievria recalled the day to day of busy family life is often a hurdle to her own fitness
“It was challenging for me with my daughter. The only time I found that worked for me were the 5:30 a.m. classes, and I’ve never been an early morning person like that,” she said.
Studio 614 Fitness’ community commitment goes beyond the walls of their new space as Oliveira also operates an outreach program called Kids in Motion, a riff on her “community in motion” mantra. Kids in Motion serves local schools, encouraging little ones to stay physicality activity and fostering physical fitness through a series of free classes. Oliveira also brings meals to local firefighters, including her famous lasagna.
“In every heartbeat of our community, there’s a rhythm of togetherness,” she said. “We rise, we move, we grow—bringing dreams to life with every step we take together.” ♦
Visit studio614fitness.com to book a class.
Photo courtesy of Luca Sportelli
Netflix binges got us through the colder months, but now it’s spring. The world is finally waking up. It’s hard to think of a better time than now to get out there, you know, into the real world. Our cover section this month focuses on four Columbus adventures, catered both toward the outdoor types and the, well, not so outdoor types. This also means you have no more excuses, for better or worse. It means your adventure starts today. →
STEP RI
Otherworld’s new carnivalinspired gaming concept is officially open and electrifyingly fun
By Jordan Abbruzzese
Come and witness the stunning, the spectacular, the one and only: Gamegrounds at Otherworld.
As you enter, neon lights and oversized blinking eyeballs evoke the eerie carnival delights of Something Wicked This Way Comes meets the digital age. In fact, a magical carousel would fit right in amongst "The Bearded Lady" game and an entire room full of talking ventriloquist dummies straight out of a Goosebumps fever dream. →
GHT UP
Photos by Aaron Massey
← A Gamegrounds patron uses a dance mat to play Tetris with their feet, an installation created by Brooklyn-based LED Designer Smooth Technology
Gamegrounds is the latest immersive experience at Otherworld, located in Columbus at 5819 Chantry Dr. Opened in partnership with Smooth Technology out of Brooklyn (the team behind LED work for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour), the new concept offers experiential art games with a carnival theme.
Behind the giant circus curtain is Otherworld Founder Jordan Renda, who has partnered with many local and national designers, artists, and his incredible Otherworld team to make the Gamegrounds vision come to life. According to Renda, this new experience has been in the works for a while.
“Gamegrounds was originally inspired by a section of Otherworld that looks like you’re inside a video game called ‘Space Boopers,’” Renda explained. “In the Philadelphia Otherworld, there is actually a ‘Space Boopers 2,’ and there is now a ‘Space Boopers 3’ in Gamegrounds.”
When Jordan Renda was a kid, he was making haunted houses in his friends’ basements every Halloween. This early tradition led to Renda’s passion for the immersive as he later designed and managed haunted attractions professionally, opened up an escape room in Charlotte, and then launched Otherworld when he moved back to Columbus. The Otherworld destination serves as an interactive, futuristic art museum in Columbus. Gamegrounds now lives in the Otherworld building, in a completely different space all on its own.
The games and attractions at Gamegrounds vary, covering modern twists on carnival classics to collaborative light and color-based games. Some challenges require excellent timing and memory, while others test your aim and strength. If you check out "Space Boopers 3", the concept that started it all, you and your friends can blast pixelated aliens in outer space with laser guns in an enclosed, starcovered dome. In the middle of the large room stands the concession area, offering nostalgic carnival-themed snacks and beverages, like cotton candy-flavored or ring-toss-inspired cocktails. →
The many games were brought to life through art direction by the Otherworld team in partnership with talented creators. "Ball is Life" is a trippy basketball-themed game designed by Columbus artist Dillon Beck, while Scott Schaff (Columbus artist and CCAD graduate) provided a wealth of art direction for both Otherworld and Gamegrounds. Inspiration was also drawn from artist INCEDIGRIS of Philadelphia, who focuses on cosmic carnival creations and “psychedelic, interdimensionaltype artwork,” according to Renda.
“So we came up with the game concepts, set the creative direction and the game play, then worked with the designer for the art direction,” said Renda. “We worked with the designers on the direction for the space, description of the games, then they put their own spin on it or had ideas that got added
“We felt like Gamegrounds was pretty complimentary to Otherworld, and definitely still surreal and artist-driven. It isn’t strictly an arcade or artist space, but installation inspired,” said Renda. “Otherworld is definitely more self-guided and exploratory and less goal driven. Gamegrounds for people who want a concrete objective. It is more gamified—a little more active and intense.”
being in a more central location in Columbus, experimenting with 21+ adult gaming events or tournaments. Otherworld is always growing and changing by nature, as plans for completely new future installations are already in the works.
Both venues will continue to be open during concert events and available for private parties. With plenty of snacks and games to go around, Gamegrounds serves as the perfect location for going out with friends, celebrating a kid’s (or adult’s!) birthday, and team building.
While Gamegrounds stands as a separately ticketed attraction from Otherworld, visitors can purchase a combo ticket to both attractions to receive a discount. Experiencing the two immersive offerings in their entirety is worth it, giving guests the chance to explore and interact in different ways.
Standout features include the "Ball is Life" basketball game, "Animal Tamer"—a modern take on "Skee-Ball" where you roll balls upward into creepy lion mouths–and a rhythm game that you can play solo or with a large group. Each attraction involves colorful lights and its own unique blend of music and graphic design. I personally tried my hand at blasting aliens, testing my memory against the ventriloquist dummies, and playing a version of Tetris with my feet (which I totally thought was "Dance Dance Revolution" at first, and I lost terribly).
While the future of Otherworld and an eventual Gamegrounds expansion isn’t quite set in stone, Renda would like to explore
Gamegrounds is ultimately built for groups, as you compete against others or collaborate on high-energy games that aren’t exactly high-stakes. No matter if you win or lose, you’re bound to have fun. Grab a giant pretzel, slurp on a sugar-filled beverage, and get ready to play! ♦
Otherworld and Gamegrounds are open daily, Wednesday-Monday. To get the latest Gamegrounds news, follow them on Instagram at @gamegrounds.
← Psychedelic carnival vibes abound at Gamegrounds
BACK BIG DARBY ON THE
Stacks of Trapper John's boats line the banks of the Big Darby Creek →
After transitioning to new owners, Trapper John’s Canoe Livery is reopening with big ideas and a fresh look
By Jordan Abbruzzese
When Trapper John’s Canoe Livery opened in the 1970s, it was a resort destination. The property included both lodging and a pool in addition to the Big Darby access bank and original cabin. Over time, the property changed, turning into the Trapper John’s Canoe Livery & Creekside Cafe that we know today.
For decades, Trapper John’s has been the only commercial livery allowed to operate on the Big Darby Creek, until their brief closure in 2024. Now, Trapper John’s is set to evolve again as it reopens with new owners, but keeps the same core values that have made the livery a beloved staple for generations.
Meet new owners Nick Coughlin and Emily Mayes. The two lovers of conservation and community connection are thrilled to be carrying the Trapper John’s torch while preparing the livery to run for another season.
“It’s really exciting that I grew up coming here and have seen Trapper Johns through the years,” said Mayes. “Never once has it crossed my mind that I would own it.”
“It’s what we are here for,” Coughlin said. “For other families to come out and enjoy nature and do something fun together.”
Along with General Manager Park Morrow, the group is working hard to prepare Trapper John’s for the 2025 season by giving the livery the proper updates it needs to welcome back guests. Currently, the team is freshening up the cabin space inside and out, and adding new touches in anticipation of reopening Creekside Cafe. They are also focusing on replacing canoes and kayaks that have seen wear and tear over the years with over 60 new boats, in addition to working on obtaining the proper permits for a new building to help consolidate day-to-day operations.
“We are giving it a face lift, and detailing the shuttles to make a better experience for the customers,” explained Mayes. The couple purchased both pickup points off the river for boat renters as well, one located behind the bridge off I-71, the other off Route US-62.
As Creekside Cafe works to reopen, it will exclusively serve locally-owned Jennings Java and will feature baked goods and home items from other area small businesses, like Bloom Candles. →
Photos by Hannah Anthony
Trapper John’s will also be focusing on conservation efforts, pursuing partnerships with conservation entities like the Columbus Metro Parks or local universities. After last year’s historic drought, the water in the Big Darby was very low, leaving the Metro Parks to research how it impacted the ecosystem. Emily and Nick are currently educating themselves on local muscle and hellbender populations (a type of amphibian), and working to benefit everyone who wants to learn from and help conserve the Big Darby.
The team would also like to lead regular creek clean ups and eco-focused events, while encouraging local studies of the water. Morrow added that historically, COSI has visited to conduct water and wildlife tests, and they will continue to maintain that partnership in the future.
It’s clear that moving forward, Mayes and Coughlin’s main focus is upholding Trapper John’s legacy, while honoring the community that has supported the business over the years. The concept of a family-owned business is one they take seriously, as they forge partnerships with other small businesses and look forward to raising their daughter in the Trapper John’s environment. The couple would be remiss to
not shout-out their parents for their help with cleaning, IT work, and all other jobs, and Nick’s sister Erica who has been leading Trapper John’s HR structure.
“It’s worth mentioning that to take over something that has had such a positive reputation in the community is not something we take lightly,” said Mayes. “We are working so hard and are honored to take up the responsibility, and have a duty to continue upholding this legacy for the community like Trapper John’s has for the past 50 years, and keep it going for the next 50 years.”
The public support has been resounding, motivating the new team. After missing Trapper John’s in 2024, Columbus is more than ready to welcome the canoe and kayak rental back this spring.
Season passes for 2025 are coming soon, with bookings and group reservations opening in April. Come on out and meet the new Trapper John’s family, grab some coffee at the cafe, and get ready for another fun season of adventures out on the Big Darby. See you on the water! ♦
New Trapper John's owners Nick Coughlin and Emily Mayes →
← Trapper John's sits on the Big Darby Creek in Grove City
FOR NEED SPEED
Cruise up to 45 mph at the first-ever Central Ohio location of this prominent national gokart chain
By Lindsey Escaja
Photos by Aaron Massey
If you’ve ever dreamed of zipping around a track like a pro, feeling the rush of high-speed turns, the hum of the engine beneath you, and the thrill of overtaking your competition, K1 Speed in Hilliard is your new playground. This highadrenaline indoor racing experience takes go-karting to another level with all-electric, Italian-built race karts that hit speeds up to 45 mph. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, every lap around their multilevel, 1,487-foot-long track delivers pure, pulse-pounding excitement.
Unlike traditional gas-powered go-karts, K1 Speed’s electric karts deliver instant acceleration. “There’s no delayed response—it’s instant. As soon as you hit the gas pedal, you’re gone,” said Mike White, Manager of K1 Speed Columbus. And for younger racers, junior karts offer a thrilling top speed of 20 mph—fast enough to give kids a real taste of the action. →
← K1 Speed patrons cruise around Hilliard's massive, indoor racetrack
“TO ME, K1 SPEED IS LIKE WALKING INTO A TREEHOUSE AS A KID; IT’S EVERYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE. THERE’S SOMETHING HERE FOR EVERYONE.”
The track itself is a rollercoaster of excitement, boasting 15 sharp turns and an elevated layout that makes every race feel like a scene straight out of an action movie. “The first time I did it, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is awesome. And the adrenaline was out of this world,’” said White.
The venue also features an arcade, event space, and a viewing area where spectators can catch all the action. And when you need to refuel in between races, the Paddock Lounge serves up classic pub-style food, like chicken fingers, pretzels, and sliders. “To me, K1 Speed is like walking into a treehouse as a kid; it’s everything you want it to be,” explained White. “There’s something here for everyone—whether you want to race, play arcade games, have a bite to eat, or just hang out.”
And for a unique keepsake, this location does something extra special; you can take home an actual gokart tire. “We take the actual go-kart tires off and gift them to those celebrating a birthday party, hosting a corporate event, or to a kiddo who might not have been able to finish their race because they got scared halfway through,” White shared.
For those with a competitive streak, K1 Speed hosts monthly league races where top adult and junior performers earn a shot at state and even national championships. “The monthly leagues get very intense,” White said. “If you closed your eyes while in the viewing area, you’d think you were attending a NASCAR race,” he added. Columbus might be new to the K1 Speed scene, but White has no doubt that some local races will soon make their mark on the national circuit.
Looking to shave a few seconds off your lap time? White’s pro tip: “Come out here during the day when it’s slower…so you can race without the heavy traffic. We have spotters on the track who will give you real-time suggestions following your race on how to improve your speed.”
A single race lasts about seven to 10 minutes, with racers aiming to complete 12 laps before the checkered flag waves. And if you visit on your birthday, you get a free race—so there’s no excuse not to hit the track at least once. If you’ve ever felt the need for speed, now’s your chance. Strap in, hit the pedal, and let K1 Speed show you just how fast fun can be.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges.
Organized by Farnsworth Art Museum.
ATTHE TOP
Quarry Trails Metro Park provides bonafide outdoor climbing action across multiple disciplines, and you won’t even have to leave Columbus to try it
By Jack McLaughlin
← Tyler Mills scales a sport climbing route in Quarry Trails Metro Park;
Photo by Jes Jung
While you won’t find anything resembling the monolithic granite of Yosemite or Squamish, B.C., you’ll probably be surprised to learn that true, outdoor sport climbing opportunities exist inside Arch City limits.
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks’ newest addition, Quarry Trails, brought an ambitious slate of outdoor recreation to Central Ohio when the park first opened in November of 2021, including immersive mountain biking courses, a waterfall and even a massive sledding hill.
That’s not to mention legitimate outdoor climbing opportunities, in the form of six bolted sport routes and–according to The New York Times, at least–the world’s first-ever urban via ferrata.
An Italian term that means “iron path” or “iron way” in English, a via ferrata is a series of metal rungs and cables that allows users to scale and traverse a rock face safely, while requiring less physical effort and technical skill than “true” free climbing (not free solo climbing, mind you). Think of them, in a sense, as a way to climb for those who don’t recreationally climb.
This isn’t to say that the Quarry Trails via ferrata is a walk in the park, however.
According to Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks public information officer Jill Snyder, the via ferrata boasts about 1,040 feet of cabled climbing—including a suspension bridge more than 100 feet in the air—that carries users “up and across” a section of the park’s quarried limestone wall. The climbing portion of each tour lasts up to 90 minutes.
While Quarry Trails sport climbing routes came about a bit later in the picture, Snyder said that, from the jump, a via ferrata was always part of the park’s plan.
“Manager of park operations Dan Kaderly is an avid climber, and said [a via ferrata] is definitely what we wanted to do when we were discussing Quarry Trails,” she said. “It’s super unique. He had done via ferratas before, and he also knew it would be the first urban one in this kind of setting.” →
One of the best parts about the Quarry Trails via Feratta? It’s free. Those interested will need to sign up online. There are typically several classes weekly between April/MayOctober, although they fill up fast.
Snyder said the popular attraction, which was created by the Estes Park, Colorado-based Via Ferrata Works, serves a multifaceted role. For some, it acts as a way to enjoy the quarry lake, wildlife and geology of Quarry Trails in a unique setting—the tour even stops to examine fossils, or take in some of the unique birding opportunities offered—for others, it’s a physical challenge, and in some nuanced cases, it serves as, well, practice.
“We had a visitor from Cleveland who was going to Europe for a bucket-list trip where
he had planned to go on several via ferratas. He came to us to get some experience, and to make sure this was really something he wanted to do overseas,” Snyder said.
If you follow Quarry Trails’ limestone cliffs away from the via ferrata toward the park’s massive sledding hill, you’ll find a whole new arena of climbing opportunities. Also created by Via Ferrata Works, the Metro Park boasts six unique bolted sport climbing routes that are free and publicly available to climbers with lead climbing experience and their own gear.
“We also knew we wanted to offer something for people who are regular climbers. When we were looking at the space, we thought it would be easiest to do sport climbing because there’s an access point
and it’s safer and easier for us to manage,” Snyder said. “Just like every other project, it was a process. We had to make sure the rock surface got cleaned, and in order to create a few different routes we wanted to widen the access area.”
Each route—which you can find more details for on the crowd-sourced climbing resource Mountainproject.com—tops out just above 50 feet in the air, and is graded from 5.6-5.9 on the Yosemite Decimal System, which is used in the United States to standardize how difficult a line is.
What’s more, Quarry Trails climbers can take in a unique part of Columbus history as they scale the park’s sport routes. With an active limestone quarry nearby, the park was
POV of the the Quarry Trails via ferrata
Photo by Tony Jackson
“[The via ferrata is] super unique... it [is] the first urban one in this kind of setting.”
also once the home of Marble Cliffs Quarry, which cultivated stones used to build many of Columbus’ most iconic buildings, including the Ohio State House and even Ohio Stadium.
While the city is no stranger to climbing gyms, and Scioto Audubon Metro Park boasts its own outdoor climbing complex, complete with an outdoor wall, multiple autobelays and even artificial boulder problems, there is nowhere else in Columbus that provides bona fide outdoor climbing on real rock.
The Mad River Gorge sits just outside of Dayton, a property in New Albany allows climbers to scale a sandstone crag and several boulders, and the Hocking Hills offers a smattering of sport climbing opportunities. Even among these, Quarry Trails stands alone as the only true outdoor sport climbing experience in Columbus.
And you don’t even need to cross 270 to get there. ♦
Check out metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails to learn more.
By Melinda Green
Photos by Cheyn Roux
Story Design by Meg Rhoads
← Duane Hook, the Columbus cat rescue man
Say “cat stuck in a tree,” and chances are, most of us will pull up a visual image of a little old lady in tears, calling the fire department.
It’s not like that at all, though.
Duane Hook (aka Getmeowtahere Treetop Cat Rescue) is a tree climber by passion, and he combines that passion with a love for animals to provide cat rescue in his free time — not just any cat rescue, but cat-stuck-in-a-tree rescue. His arborist’s climbing gear and careful approach to the task make him a far cry from the storybook firefighter on a ladder.
Hook first discovered this opportunity at a Tree Climbers Rendezvous conference. An arborist in the Pacific Northwest had started a website, catinatreerescue.com, to match cat owners with tree climbers interested in animal rescue. Hook jumped at the idea. “It was another chance to climb more trees,” he recalled. And since Beggar’s Night 2010, he’s been rescuing cats and reassuring owners.
So you think cats stuck in trees are a rare occurrence? Hardly. Hook received more than 380 calls in 2024. But he didn’t rescue 380 cats—it was closer to 75. Rescue is a last resort. Over the past 15 years, he’s learned what works and what doesn’t work for a frightened cat, and he shares that knowledge with the owners.
“I do a lot more counseling of humans than I do climbing after cats,” he said. “If I can talk the humans into following [a specific] course of action, about 70% of these cats will climb down on their own within the first 48 hours. So I have this whole list of things to do and not to do. I've learned, over the years, to not just go chase after a cat that's been in a tree for a few days.” →
"ALL CATS ARE PSYCHOS. THEY'RE ALL LITTLE PSYCHOS IN THEIR OWN WAYS, SO I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT KIND OF PSYCHO I'M DEALING WITH."
A crucial step is understanding the cat itself during those initial conversations with the humans. “I always ask a lot of questions about the cat and what its demeanor is,” Hook explained. “I ask, ‘Can you pick this cat up? Can your family or your friends pick this cat up?’”
“All cats are psychos,” he continued, laughing. “They're all little psychos in their own ways, so I try to figure out what kind of psycho I'm dealing with. That will change my approach a lot. Some of these cats are, you know, precious little babies, and some of them are homicidal maniacs. A lot of times they're just so overcome with fear that they think of me as another threat. Sometimes there's no overcoming that, and I have to use more drastic tactics like a snare pole.”
And that fear is real. Cats climb into precarious positions primarily to escape being chased. “A cat slips out the door, gets chased by a dog, runs up a tree, and now it doesn't know what to do with itself,” Hook said. Besides dogs, the other primary culprits are wildlife (like coyotes and raccoons), and young boys. “Several times I've been told ‘My cat was in the yard, and this troop of young boys came by throwing rocks and chasing the cat, and that's how the cat got up the tree.’”
↑ Duane rescuing Pepper from a hole in a tree
So now there’s a terrified, probably confused, cat in a tree, higher up than it meant to climb—and that’s just the beginning of the challenge. The personality of the cat factors in, as do the age and condition of the tree. Weather can play a huge role. And, Hook noted, it’s not very convenient to live on a tree limb, so after a couple of days, most of these cats are severely thirsty, hungry, and sleep-deprived.
“I never know how it's going to play out, if I'm going to be successful or not,” he said. “And that's a big commitment. It's not like you just climb up there, grab the cat, and it's done so easily every time. I’ve climbed to 110 feet. It can take hours. There are a lot of factors that make it an interesting problem to solve.”
“Everything's going to be threatening at that point,” he noted. “But sometimes, it doesn't even matter. They're so happy to see me that they just climb onto me. When they start making biscuits on my leg, you know, that's the best. That's the best.”
Hook is careful to always get property owners’ permission before climbing, and he never uses spikes or equipment that could permanently damage a living tree. He uses the latest arborist rope access techniques, which satisfies his love for climbing while he’s helping others.
Hook works primarily in Central Ohio, but he will travel further when he’s needed. He’s rescued cats in the Ohio River area, and even a cat in Marion, Indiana. “These poor folks had a cat named Spidey that had been in a tree for five days,” he recalled. “And, yeah, they were crying. They’d already called the fire department; they'd called all their local tree services. No one had a ladder tall enough.” So off to Indiana he went, successfully rescuing a very grateful Spidey. →
"IT'S A SILLY SKILL THAT I HAVE—TO CLIMB TREES—BUT IT'S THE SKILL THAT I HAVE. AND IF I CAN HELP REDUCE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD, THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO."
Hook may do more counseling than rescuing, but he doesn’t charge a fee when the time comes to take action. “It really enriches my life to be able to do this,” he explained. I would never turn anyone away. I've rescued cats in Muirfield and on the Hilltop and in the Bottoms. The people that I meet love their pets— whatever resources they have doesn't matter. They still love their animals, and they're part of their family.
“But some of the cats, some of the cats are just wild,” he admitted, laughing. “You never know what you're going to get into with
Helen Raptor center. He works on their rescue teams, re-nesting hawks and owls, and helps other native wildlife like orphaned squirrels, using his tree climbing skills.
Reuniting cats and their humans is special to him, though. “I do this to reduce suffering. This animal is suffering; the people who love their pet, they're suffering. It's a silly skill that I have—to climb trees— but it's the skill that I have. And if I can help reduce suffering in the world, that's what I'm going to do.” ♦
↓ Antoher cat named Pepper (no relation) ready to be rescued
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAT IS STUCK IN A TREE
Most cats do climb down on their own within the first 48-60 hours, but here are some of Duane Hook’s recommendations for convincing a cat to climb down from a tree:
1
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5
Stay calm and keep the area free of unnecessary activity.
Do not put a ladder against the tree. Ladders often scare cats higher into the tree, creating more difficulty for the cat to climb down or for a rescuer to climb up.
Do not put food around the tree. Food will attract wildlife and other animals to the area, which will make the cat afraid to climb down.
Keep dogs out of the area. Most of these cats are chased by dogs and run up the tree to get away. The cat will not climb down if dogs have access to the area.
Only the cat’s primary human should call for the cat. Do not call from out in the yard; calling from a distance can lure the cat out onto a small limb. Call from the base of the tree for about 5 minutes; then leave the cat alone. Repeat this process every hour.
If these tactics don’t work after 48-60 hours, contact Duane at getmeowtahere.rescue@gmail.com.
↓ Catherine Adams' maternal great grandfather, Henry Steckelberg, with the cello that he played at Ford's Theatre the night of Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865. The instrument was passed on to Adams
How a historic family heirloom unraveled into something much stranger — and darker — for Columbus resident
Catherine Adams
By John M. Clark Story Design by Bryce Patterson
Catherine Adams has experienced a lot of excitement in her life – living as a child in Germany, successful careers in law and small business, a wonderful marriage to former OSU football star and Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka, raising four children, writing, editing and even staging her own, original theatrical play.
But nothing prepared Adams for the surprise she received while researching a cello that had been handed down from her great-grandfather. The dusty, old instrument turned out to be a tangible connection between her and one of the most horrific events in U.S. history – one that occurred 160 years ago this month. “I had known about the instrument all my life,” she said. “It had belonged to my mother’s grandfather, Henry Steckelberg. After his death, she kept it tucked away at the back of a closet.” Growing up, the dusty, old cello case didn’t interest her in the least. →
That all changed a little over 20 years ago, when Adams read a 1917 obituary of her ancestor. Steckelberg, it seems, followed one exciting musical chapter after another from practically the moment he was born. Showing musical talent at a very young age, his father encouraged him – first with a tutor and then by sending the youth to Leipzig, to complete his musical education at age 18.
Steckelberg’s first musical engagement was at the fashionable summer resort of Helgoland, while serving under the direction of the crown. The blind King of Hanover was so taken by the young man’s musical ability that he often called on Steckelberg to entertain him, and even to engage with him in playing duets. Steckelberg was honored but found the formality of the aristocracy to be repugnant. He gave up his position and was soon drafted into the German Army, playing in the military band.
The next chapters in his storied life portrayed him sailing for America, arriving in New York with only the dress suit he was wearing, his instrument and 40 cents in his pocket. Finding work was not difficult, and he soon joined the ranks of the city’s musically talented, at one time as assistant conductor, helping lead an orchestra for 18 straight seasons. Then, with the Civil War brewing, Steckelberg joined a new musical regiment and was soon marching off to Harper’s Ferry.
History — and Catherine Adams’ relentless research – tells us that on the night of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, April 14th, 1865, Steckelberg was filling in for a regular cello player in the Ford’s Theatre orchestra. As the play continued on stage, the musicians had a short break and may have been playing cards backstage when John Wilkes Booth’s fired a pistol at point-blank range into the president’s head.
Catherine was stunned to learn of her greatgrandfather’s witness to history. But was the cello she possessed actually the one Steckelberg was playing on the night of the murder? The answer came some time later with a visit to The Library of Congress, in Washington, D.C. There, she found an 1895 article in the Sioux City (Iowa) Journal. Entitled, “Two Old Musicians,” the story quotes the 60-year-old Steckelberg as saying his beloved cello had been his “almost constant companion” for 40 years. That’s all the proof Catherine needed to show that the musician and musical instrument had been together on that fateful night, 30 years earlier. →
Catherine was stunned to learn of her greatgrandfather’s witness to history. But was the cello she possessed actually the one Steckelberg was playing on the night of the murder?
But what would this cello, now more than 170 years old, sound like? Was it even playable? One day while tending to business at her European housewares store, Caterina, in German Village, a man walked in whom she instantly recognized. It was Marc Moskovitz, the principal cellist with ProMusica.
“I asked him,” Adams said, “if he would consider playing it.” He agreed. She met Moskovitz after a rehearsal at Southern Theatre. There, he reassembled the cello, which had been stored in its case in pieces, and started playing a melody. “He stopped halfway through and asked if he could play it at the next day’s concert,” she added. “I just felt that he brought this instrument to life.” Next, Adams took the cello to Boston for some minor repairs. And for the past decade, Moskovitz has played it every time he’s come to Columbus for a ProMusica concert.
With the cello fully restored and its provenance confirmed, Adams is now writing a book about her greatgrandfather and his “almost constant companion.” She plans to call it, The King’s Cellist
It appears Steckelberg continued playing his beloved instrument for a few more years in the East, then married a woman in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and discovered what he described as a noble calling. He packed the family off to Nebraska and established himself as a rancher – only occasionally taking his cello out for an impromptu solo.
Adams, now 71, is a bit reticent about who the cello’s next owner will be. None of her children, she said, are especially interested in it. But as long as her friend Marc Moskovitz keeps coming to Columbus to play for the public, the public will continue hearing the beautiful sound whose instrument – and owner – witnessed one of the most infamous events in our country’s history. ♦
→ Catherine Adams with her historic instrument
