(614) November 2020 by 614mediagroup

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

BIG PICTURE The 75th running of the Little Brown Jug harness races at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Sept. 24 saw only a few spectators, limited to those affiliated with the horse owners and trainers. Captain Barbossa driven by Joe Bongiorno was 2020's winner. PHOTO BY DAVID HEASLEY

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NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

Contents

63 28 51 92 14

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

C O V E R PA C K A G E THE AUTUMN OF ALTRUISM

GALLERY SPACE: CAMERON GRANGER 28 BOTTLING IRELAND

(614) HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

WINTER GETAWAYS

ROOTS OF LOVE

REVITALIZING LINDEN

ON THE COVER:

Collage by Paul Barton

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis

STEPHANIE WEST Editor-In-Chief

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press EDITOR IN CHIEF Stephanie West

It's time to GIVE Columbus —and give big

e’re upon the holiday season, my fellow C-Busers, and already the stores are packed with tinsel, all things red and green, and every type of retail sale the human mind can imagine. With the exception of masked faces, it appears, on the surface, like this is any other holiday season. But, of course, it isn’t, is it? In fact, it’s like no holiday season we’ve ever experienced. Families are trying to figure out how to gather safely, perhaps virtually. Shopping is mostly online. Businesses are looking at the end-of-year numbers and feeling scared and vulnerable. Unemployment is high; moods are low. People are feeling scared and vulnerable in ways they never have before. It feels grim at times. I feel that, too. On the other hand, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. And it’s often in disaster that ordinary heroes show up unannounced and provide relief and support for those who are hurt and scared. This is your chance, Columbus, to dust off your cape, roll up your sleeves, and find the good in humanity by being that ordinary hero to the people who truly need it this season—and there are so many who do. Myself and (614) writer Jaelani Turner-Williams talked to Dan Sharpe at the Columbus Foundation and we found out there are five major sectors in our community that desperately need you this holiday: housing, hunger, seniors, the arts, and community learning centers for students who need a place to go school. Together, Turner-Williams and writer Lindsey Escaja, talked to Central Ohio nonprofits in these sectors and got the scoop on the need (and the need is big) and how you can help. Read our cover section and see for yourself how nearly 30% of those standing in line to get sustenance at a local food bank are brand new to the system, among other unbelievable numbers and stories. If you can give to these sectors, Columbus, give— and give big. We also realize you want to give gifts to your loved ones this holiday season, like any other holiday season of the past. And we thought we’d give you a little guide to go by—a local guide, that is. Our

Columbus businesses are hurting amidst the pandemic and shopping local will give them a boost they desperately need right now. Plus, we themed it with some of our favorite holiday movies from Scrooged to It’s A Wonderful Life and more. Have fun with it and support local as much as you can—we think you’ll love the Cub Shrub items, the Wild Sage Collective pieces, and the CakeHound Treat Advent Calendar, among other clever items. Take a peek and then spend local. But more than anything, this issue is about family and love, Central Ohio. The holiday season evokes a desire to spend time with family and friends more so than any other time of year—and we’ve got great stories this month on just these things. From a beautiful collection of stories about trees cut down and turned into family heirlooms from writer Melinda Green to a conversational family piece from writer Lori Schmidt on the succession planning of the Velvet Ice Cream company with children ages 8-17, our (614) hearts are warmed by the love of family. We hope yours is, too. We hope you find a way to give of yourself this holiday season to the people in our community who need it most right now. We hope you do the thing that Columbus is known for—kindness to our neighbors and finding ways to lift them up in a time when many are so down. The way to get through difficult times is to seek and find the good in others—and more importantly, to find it in ourselves.

ASSISTANT EDITOR Allison Grimes 614NOW DIGITAL EDITOR Lori Schmidt 614 CAMPUS EDITOR Nicholas Youngblood STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Julian Foglietti

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Markia Frye, Sarah Pfeifer

CONTRIBUTORS Jaelani Turner-Williams Jack Mclaughlin Melinda Green Zak Kolesar

Lindsey Escaja LEAD DESIGNER Sarah Moore CREATIVE DESIGNERS Justin Remotap, Paul Barton DIRECTOR OF VIDEO John Thorne VIDEO EDITOR Maddy Van Buren DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jayci Haase ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Nikki Harris, Mindy Wilhite Kelly Robson

Give, Columbus. Be the ordinary hero your neighbors need right now. We promise, it will be the best gift you give this holiday season.

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

(614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614columbus.com www.614now.com

� S TA F F P I C K S

Gifted

It's the start of the holiday season and our November (614) issue is a reflection of that. Whether it's gifts (check out our holiday gift guide!) or charity (check out the Autumn of Altruism cover story), this is the time to show our beloved Columbus community how much we care through carefully thought-out presents or finding the charity closest to our heart and giving time, money, or resources. So we asked our staff, this holiday season, which person or charity are you most excited to give a gift?

My puppy, Kaia. She's getting a stocking full of chew things because, puppy. And also, my shoes can’t take much more. — Stephanie West, Editor-In-Chief

This Christmas I get to tell my daughter something I never thought I’d be able to say - We’re going to Disney World!! I couldn’t be more excited and grateful.

( LET TER to the EDITOR ) We want to hear from you, Columbus. And Letter to the Editor is just the place to do it. Like something? Hate something? It’s fair game. Send us your thoughts (no profanity or name calling—let’s keep it clean) to editor@614now.com and sound off on the good and bad about us, Columbus, or what you’re seeing in your area of Central Ohio.

ON the WEB Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now. com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’s 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. brewdog_carbon_negative.jpg

— Nikki Harris, Account Executive

I am testing out the theory of gifting all of my friends and family red wine on the off chance they will 'gift' some back to me. — Lindsey Escaja, 614now Digital Editor

My sisters just bought a farm, so I'm going to buy them a dwarf goat for Christmas. I can't wait! — Allison Grimes, Assistant Editor

My brother recently left for Army Basic Training and won't be home for the holidays, so I'm looking forward to shipping him something small at least! — Jayci Haase, Marketing Director

I don't know, I guess the thousands of dollars I spent getting a piece of rubber remote control button out of my kids ear? — Paul Barton, Lead Designer

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

PHOTO COU RT ESY OF B REWDOG

→ Beer goes green BrewDog is brewing up more than beer in 2020. The popular craft beer joint has made history by becoming carbon negative—and it doesn’t stop there.

→ Fire pits for good Rob Schenz, owner and operator of Specialty Gas House, believes in taking care of his community, one fire pit, fireplace, gas line repair, grill, fireplace, gas line repair, and food truck fill-up at a time.

→ Cocktails for a Cause Local bartender Jesse Hubbard is organizing his 2nd annual Cocktails for a Cause event to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The month-long fundraiser will culminate in an event at the Buckeye Bourbon House Nov. 28.

SS PL

SO CIAL CO M M EN TARY

61 4 V I D E O Did you know that (614) launched a new YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. We’re expanding our ever-growing content to include video across our web and magazine stories. Keep an eye out for more on our 614 Columbus account and on social media. In the meantime, check out the newest videos on our channel:

Columbus, you are a social-ing bunch, and we couldn’t love it anymore than we already do—unless YOU had a giveaway for US! Still, your quirky, witty, commentary, sometimes full of love...sometimes not so much, gives us much to talk about during the day. So, have @ it Central Ohio—we’re listening!

fa ceb oo k

now playing...

Jeni's & Land-Grant collab announcement: LEWIS GORDON: From a scrolling glance I thought it was Wonder Bread beer

Former Buckeye coaches tackle the topic of COVID-19 BRIAN ADAMS: How much did they get paid?

Brazenhead closes leaving behind treasures for auction PAUL WHITTAKER: My rehearsal dinner was supposed to be there next week

• Roots of Love See how Jennie Sheldon turned a tree into a family heirloom to bring healing and love into her home after the passing of her husband, Greg. now playing...

inst a g ram Glen Echo Park fall photo of stairs @AMYSREFLECTIONS: Beautifully tempting but by the time I make it down and back, it will be Winter!️ @TLJONES91: I beLEAF I’ve FALLen in love with this park!

t wit t e r Any guesses on Ohio's top selling trick-or-treat candy this year? @BRINGMEFOOD_NOM: Jack Daniels

• Fartley Farms Ever wonder about the people who make hot sauce so hot it makes you want to cry? Ron Fartley breaks down how he got into the spicy profession. 614NOW.COM

NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

WELCOME TO THE INSIDER! Have an event you want to shout-out? Send an email to editor@614now.com.

07.

14.

// Short North Arts District The Short North Gallery Hop is still alive and well, though being officially promoted and supported virtually. You can watch the Short North Arts District Instagram feed starting at 1 p.m. to see which businesses have special deals. From there, you can go visit the Short North yourself and enjoy strolling the streets. However, the SNAD is asking that you follow safety guidelines while doing so. You can see what safety guidelines are being encouraged at https://shortnorth.org/ShortNorthSafe/.

ALL DESSERT TOUR

SHORT NORTH GALLERY HOP

11.14 - 12.26

// Short North All new All Dessert Tour explores the Short North’s embarrassment of sweet treat riches on foot, with strolling interludes between stops that take in the neighborhood’s public art. Stops include delectable Italian pastries at Quinci Emporium, a sampling of The Pearl’s house-made signature pies, macaron at Macaron Bar, and much more!

THE FLOORWALKERS // Natalie’s Music Hall and Kitchen Throughout the month of November, check Natalie’s in Grandview for live music, socially distanced, of course. Nov. 20 is the Floorwalkers. Visit their website for information and to buy a table: nataliesgrandview.com/events.

Photo via eastontowncenter.com

20.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

WILDLIGHTS PRESENTED BY AEP

11.20 - 01.03.21

// E aston Town Center See nearly 2 million lights around Easton, hear caroling performers throughout the Station Building and maybe even meet Elfe, Easton’s very own elf sent by Santa himself, walking through the streets of Easton Town Center. Don’t miss Easton’s 50-foot Holiday Tree topped with a 6-foot star and nearly 30,000 digital LED lights. Check eastontowncenter.com for details.

20.

Photo via nataliesgrandview.com

24.

Photo via upaintpotterystudio.com

PAW PRINT ORNAMENT MAKING

11.20 - 01.05.21

// Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Enjoy the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s annual light show with festive decorations and unique Zoo animals. Learn more at columbuszoo.org.

// uPaint Pottery Studio Bring your pet to uPaint to have their paw prints taken on a clay ornament. It is the paw-fect keepsake! A uPaint elf will custom paint them once dry. Ornaments will be ready for pick up approximately two weeks after date of event. Make your reservation today! Cost $12 per ornament. Register today online or call (614) 505-6446.

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NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

2019 2020

HO L I DAY G i f t G U I DE

COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART

2019 2020

TINY TEAM BOOKS

480 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 614-629-0314 www.columbusmuseum.org

Facebook: @TinyTeamBooks Instagram: @Tiny_Team_Books www.tinyteambooks.com

Holiday shopping during COVID made easy! In these special times, we want to provide you with an inspiring Museum Store experience, with services that will make your shopping as easy, fast, and safe as possible. Reserve pieces beforehand and pop by for an in-store pick-up, enjoy a virtual store visit, or explore our latest collection privately— the choice is yours. Call Pam Edwards at 614.323.0133 or email pam.edwards@ cmaohio.org to arrange your best shopping experience!

Meet Baby Buckeye! Let Baby Brutus take you and your child on a tour of The Ohio State University in this unique touch & feel book. Visit the Shoe, explore Mirror Lake, take a walk through Buckeye Grove, listen to Victory Bell, and cheer for the Buckeyes!

Raggin’ On The Art of Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson’s House and Journals Exhibition Catalogue that illustrates the new exhibition Hardcover – 12 ¼” by 9½” 234 pages full color

The Perfect Holiday Gift!

$39.95

Remember – we are happy to ship for you and gift wrapping is always FREE!

est. 1876

MASSY'S PIZZA

NORTH MARKET

Facebook: @MasseysPizza Instagram: @MasseysPizza www.masseyspizza.com

North Market Downtown 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH www.northmarket.com

Throughout every location you will find great tasting food backed up by exceptional customer service. This tradition of excellence still guides the company today. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of great pizza or just a serious pizza lover, you owe it to yourself to try world famous Massey’s Pizza. The difference is dramatic!

Visit your North Market this holiday season. Shop for unique gifts and pick up the freshest selection of best-in-class ingredients for your holiday meals. Visit northmarket.org for seasonal specials and discounts!

That’s why Massey’s is known as “The Cadillac of Pizza."

North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017

This season, support local, fresh, and authentic independent businesses at your North Market!

Maker's Space

JASO N H O LM E S

PH OTO P R OV ID E D

P H OTOS BY SARAH P FE IFER

Pharmacist wins awards for Insta-worthy drink creations BY MEL I N DA G R EEN

“

nstagram-worthy.” Almost everyone knows what that means, overused as it may be. But a local retail pharmacist—and award-winning drink maker—from Grandview is hitting it dead-center these days. Originally from Pennsylvania, Jason Holmes moved to central Ohio for pharmacy school, fell in love with Columbus, and now brings his luscious photographs of imaginative, home-crafted cocktails to Central Ohioans. “Cocktails are my creative outlet, so to speak,” he laughed. “They don’t really encourage creativity within pharmacy—they want you to have this drug, so you get this drug. Cocktails kind of became the go-to, as far as a quick, fun, creative outlet.” Holmes took art classes in high school but recognized that others were better at it than he was. As an adult, he did a little woodworking and gardening, then arrived at cocktails. At first, the creativity involved and the building of flavors seemed intimidating—but all that changed when he discovered David and Lesley Jacobs Solmonson’s The 12 Bottle Bar. “This book basically acknowledges the intimidation factor for the beginner home bartender. Out of the 12 bottles, I think I only started with 7, and over the years, it slowly took off.” His home bar now holds around 80 bottles. In 2019, he was a semifinalist in Remy Martin‘s Equal Parts cocktail competition. In June 2020, he won PB&W Peanut Butter Whiskey’s “Bring Your Jam” competition with his “Black Thai Affair,” complete with a swanky necktie. Holmes loves the competition angle. “Things like that are a nice excuse to get forced out of a comfort zone,” he admitted. Indeed. He soon started posting his creations on Instagram to share his new hobby with family and friends, and, over time, his followers expanded into the Instagram cocktail community. “When I started to share some of these cocktails,” he recalled, “I realized ‘OK, I’m trying to take flavor and sell it on a visual platform. How do I grab people’s attention,

JASON HOLMES

make them wonder what it tastes like?’ So the garnishes, in particular, became more elaborate. I want to make a drink that tastes good, but I also want to make it visually appealing.” A cerulean blue cocktail in a gold-rimmed coupe glass is elevated by the addition of a snow-white flower. An orange zest leopard, meticulously spotted, prowls behind mint leaves. In a nod to his profession, one cocktail is served in a mortar and pestle, decorated with a bright citrus capsule. He carves garnishes with an X-Acto knife. A single piece takes 30 to 45 minutes; a multiple-piece garnish, like his grapefruit-peel continents that float in an ocean of gin and blue curaçao, took nearly three hours to carve and position in a globe glass. And yes, mistakes sometimes happen, necessitating a do-over. He admits being a “sucker” for the glassware that adds character to every photo. “My wife will calmly remind me that I perhaps have too many pieces that don’t match. But it goes back to ‘What can I do, quickly, at a glance, to →

P H OTO P R OV ID E D â&#x2020;&#x201C;

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← PH OTOS P R OV ID E D

" Definitely still a hobby, but it’s consuming more and more of my time. But I enjoy that. "

grab people’s attention?’ If I was using the same one or two glasses over and over, it would kind of start to lose its appeal. So i’m always on the hunt.” He uses a hobbyist-grade camera and sets up most shots in or around his home, sometimes using a lightbox and sometimes using the natural light on his patio. He occasionally takes cocktails to nearby locations, like train tracks, to be photographed. Holmes is intentional about sharing his recipes. “I would see something online, or on Instagram, and it would make reference to ‘This is a variation on an old fashioned,’ but then they didn’t include the recipe. So it’s like ‘Okay, well, I would like to replicate this; where do I start?’ “So I try to make it approachable. Maybe someone will see one of my drinks and think ‘You know, this is good, but I want to improve on it or do this differently.’ This is very much a community focused hobby, in that sense.” Some of his favorite cocktails to create are clarified milk punches. “Perhaps it’s the science background,” he said. “It kind of feels like an experiment. You serve it to someone, and they look at it and think ‘Oh good, it’s probably going to be a little more delicate,’ but it’s a flavor bomb in a very discreet package—a good type of bait-and-switch.” What does the future bring? Maybe sharing his cocktails beyond his family and friends. Definitely more competitions, and more Instagram. The process is evolving into a “focused” hobby, or even intentional brand development. “It’s not like I’d done any of this before, or had any social media experience, by any means. So who knows what it is now?” he asked. “Definitely still a hobby, but it’s consuming more and more of my time. But I enjoy that.” • 614NOW.COM

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the PANDEMIC LIFE Gallery Space

Cam Graneron ger

Wex Center artist Cameron Granger claims his own narrative during COVID

BY M EL I SSA BR A I T HWA I T E P HOTOS BY J UL I A N FOG L I ET T I

hen local artist, filmmaker, and cultural critic Cameron Granger was invited by the Wexner Center for the Arts to contribute to its Cinetracts ‘20 program, he was thrilled to be producing art among artists he admires. Then the world changed when the pandemic struck, affecting his mindset, process, and priorities. Stuck in New York City, Granger was unable to come home to Columbus to work alongside his chosen family in the place to which he feels connected. “I was in a different headspace than I was when I accepted the project,” he said. “So I had to figure out what I was going to do there.” Certainly, the filmmaker, whose work often revolves around notions of blackness, would have plenty of relevant and timely material to draw from, given the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, the subsequent nationwide protests, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. However, Granger said he wasn’t interested in explicitly making something about the protests or COVID. “I don’t like to make work from a reactionary place. I don’t feel like that’s my story to tell or that my work would be of service to those narratives. I try to make something that is coming from my personal point of view first,” Granger said. “Honestly, like, not to say I do not have a stake in the protests—they are literally protesting for my existence—but I didn’t want to show up like that.” Granger’s work is highly personal. He has collaborated with his mother, Sandra, on a body of artwork that includes a piece dedicated to his grandmother, Pearl. Other work includes an experimental piece inspired by stories of black youths slain in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. As his deadline for Cintetracts ’20 loomed, Granger’s mind weighed heavy. Living the pandemic life meant slowing down, giving him an opportunity to reflect and study, which he said has been his primary work of 2020. Although not his plan, he filmed his contribution on his laptop from the studio apartment he was subletting in New York City and focused on what he was feeling and studying. He had been doing some reading on Black people and their history of being redacted, and it was hitting close to home. As his following on Instagram grew, so did his discomfort. “I had all these new white people who were looking to me to perform my Blackness for them. I felt really uncomfortable that I couldn’t exist in the way I wanted to. So I wanted to hide. I was thinking about redaction as a way to control my own narrative →

I don’t like to make work from a reactionary place. I don’t feel like that’s my story to tell or that my work would be of service to those narratives. I try to make something that is coming from my personal point of view first. to protect myself from that violent gaze,” he said. Besides that film for the Wex, Granger said he hasn’t really felt compelled to make much this year. The pandemic has helped him realize that he needed to change the way he was working. “I hope that one thing to come from this period of time is that we can all find ways to disinherit this really oppressive and heavy work ethic that we have inherited from capitalism,” said Granger. “It’s the belief that you always have to be working or producing your hardest at all times. You don’t have to do that,” he said. “In early March and April when there were many virtual discussions with artists, I thought ‘This is so stupid. People are literally dying. Why do I care about what a curator has to say?’” Granger said he felt limited in his practice and made a bold choice to shift his work as an artist so that he could make room for more community work that he cared about. He also realized that even while in New York, he could make an impact at home in Columbus. With that came the idea for the Get Free Telethon, a 24-hour livestream in July with performances, readings, film screenings, cooking demonstrations and discsusions to raise funds for Black Queer & Intersectional Collective, Healing Broken Circles, and Columbus Freedom Coalition. “Get Free was a big epiphany for me. I thought that I have these platforms, I know these people and I have access to these spaces. I can use this to support the work that I want to support. It wasn’t thinking about it as making art at the time, but it is communal art, public art. That’s what I am trying to do to— make more room in my practice toward that,” Granger said. However, Granger says the most important work anyone can undertake right now is to take care of themselves. “If I do nothing else but workout and eat something good, I think that’s a total accomplishment. It’s all about sustainability. I’m claiming that for myself.” As galleries begin to fill their calendars again and shows go up, he says, “for better or for worse, I am trying to make sure that when things start up for real that I am in a place where I feel healthy and ready to jump back into it.” • STI LLS COURTESY OF CA MER ON GR A N G ER →

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This Must Be The Place ↑

You Can't Make Three with Two ↑

Cinetracts '20 Short (Wex Residency Project contribution) ↑

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SWINGING INTO DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS Saucy Brew Works

has unique seating to match its

fun and quirky beer selection

BY JAC K M CC L AU G H L I N | P H OTOS BY MA R K I A F RY E

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

" We’re handling each space that we open differently, so none of them will look the same or have the same type of atmosphere. "

ny craft beer enthusiast has, no doubt, had their fair share of coffee stouts or porters; but, it’s unlikely many have experienced a full-service brewery and taproom complete with an attached coffee shop. For Columbus beer fans, that’s about to change, as the Cleveland-based Saucy Brew Works has just opened a new brewery and coffee shop, located at 443 W. Third Ave., by the Harrison West neighborhood. According to Saucy Brew Works Marketing Manager Shelby Nicholson, the attached coffee shop will feature not only the traditional slate of prepared drinks, but also a single origin house roast from Columbia (which will be packaged and sold), as well as coffee drinks inspired by some of the brewery’s favorite beers. One of these is a drink based off of What’s His Nuts, a vanilla stout with peanut butter and Honduran coffee. “We basically created a peanut butter vanilla latte, and it’s delicious,” Nicholson said. This expansion into Columbus marks a busy year for the company, which will—in addition to its two existing Cleveland locations—be adding a Detroit taproom and a new Cleveland production facility, although these aren’t scheduled to open until 2021 and late Fall 2020, respectively. And even though the brewery now has a handful of locations either open or in the works, Nicholson says that every Saucy Brew Works hub aims to create its own unique interior aura. “We’re handling each space that we open differently, so none of them will look the same or have the same type of atmosphere,” said Nicholson. “So if you go to Cleveland, it’s a little more of an industrial feel, it really focuses on the brewery and being able to see that. In Pinecrest [their second Cleveland location] it’s a taproom and has kind of a floral, California West Coast feel.” →

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Arranged as seating for roughly half of the taproom’s tables are ceiling-mounted swings that move freely...According to Nicholson, the brewery hopes these will help guests to indulge in the “experiential dining” and drinking the taproom aims to create. And while these both sound like thoroughly enjoyable locales, the brewery has created something both unique and desirable in Columbus. The chic, spacious taproom is decked out in tasteful wood-topped tables, and stadium seating for a fun and immersive Gameday vibe (a pair of screens behind the bar will be playing Buckeye games), but that’s now what you’re likely to notice first. What catches your eye are the swings. Arranged as seating for roughly half of the taproom’s tables are ceiling-mounted swings that move freely from polished metal chain links. According to Nicholson, the brewery hopes these will help guests to indulge in the “experiential dining” and drinking the taproom aims to create. As for dining, a robust menu highlighted by fun, flashy pizza options, sandwiches, salads, and shareables will all be available to pair with a beer. Because, of course, that’s what put Saucy Brew Works on the map in the first place: the beer. The new taproom will feature 20 different draft lines (and will even put on occasional guest beers from nearby BrewDog), in addition to a large selection of canned beer to go. According to Nicholson, the brewery will sell its three perennial offerings— Habituale, a Kölsch-style ale; Juicy ASAP, a juicy American IPA; and Love You, Bye, a hazy imperial IPA—in addition to a list of seasonal and one-off taprooms brews. Some highlights from the current menu include Stealing Signs, an IPA featuring Idaho 7 hops (a favorite, and one of the most underrated, hop varieties); Other Barry, a blackberry tart ale; and Milton, a bourbon barrel aged golden strong ale. And while the space won’t feature the 34

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" Our goal is to really just be kind of like the spot to hang out in Columbus, especially on gameday. "

full-scale commercial brewing of Saucy’s original Cleveland location, the Third Ave. location does contain a pilot brewing system where limited production beers or previously untested recipes will be made. “All of our core beers and our bigger lineup will still come down from Cleveland, but we’re going to use the pilot system here for experiments, and if we find something that we brew here sells really well or is just awesome, then we’ll brew it in Cleveland too,” Nicholson said. “And we’re really excited about that.” And at the end of the day, the brewery hopes to become a friendly, neighborhood hub to catch a Buckeye game, and maybe grab a great pizza or beer while you’re at it. “Our goal is to really just be kind of like the spot to hang out in Columbus, especially on gameday; we’re big fans of Ohio State,” Nicholson said. • 614NOW.COM

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Mini Wedge Salad →

Culinary

Quartet

Chapman’s Eat Market proves four stars are better than one in the kitchen STO RY A N D P HOTOS BY J UL I A N FOG L I ET T I

Chapman’s Eat Market, Chef and Co-Owner BJ Leiberman is not so much the star of a restaurant, but more of a mastermind behind an all-star culinary quartet, gathering minds from Columbus and afar. “My directive is just do your thing; I'm kinda sick of my own food. I've been eating it for a really long time now. There's a few things I’ll be insistent we have on the menu but I’ll give them the idea and then they go and do it their own way,” explains Leiberman of his chefs at Eat Market. Pulling from his past, Leiberman brought in Wes Grubs, previously from Husk, as chef-de-cuisine, and his girlfriend Pam Berry as general

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manager. He then reached out to Justin Singer who he previously tried to bring on as chef for Little Pearl in Washington, D.C., to fill out the role of sous-Cchef, and Seth Laufman, previously of the Blind Lady Tavern as beverage director. This innovative hive mind approach shows up in dishes like the Khao Soi, a traditional Thai dish that BJ first experienced with his wife while on their honeymoon. “I gave Wes the idea for the dish and talked him through each of the components, and what he gave us was this incredible version of the dish that was more authentic to the memory of the dish than what I actually had in my head.” A similar situation led to the creation of the restaurant’s ice cream program headed by Singer. “I taught him the ice cream base that I developed for Roses Luxury, and he just took off from there. “My favorite thing about this place is I can brag about the food in my own restaurant, and not feel like I'm bragging about myself because everyone else is doing all the things.” While the ultimate goal is for Chapman’s Eat Market to become

a spot where people can feel comfortable coming in as regulars, the pandemic has shifted their focus for the time being to a tasting menu that costs $60 a seat, with the option to add on drink pairings for an additional $30 per person. “We really only wanted to be open for carryout just to limit our staff’s exposure to other people; when we realized that wasn't fully sustainable to do, we tried to figure out a way to bring people in that would still limit the exposure—so we settled on a pre-selected menu, and figured out how to price it right so it’s a good value for anyone who comes in.” While initially the tasting menu pulls on many of the carryout menu’s options, it is quickly evolving to offer new courses regularly that aren't featured on the traditional menu. → 614NOW.COM

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Steak Frites →

Khao Soi →

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The Royal Color Cocktail →

My favorite thing about this place is I can brag about the food in my own restaurant, and not feel like I'm bragging about myself because everyone else is doing all the things.

Hidden Bookcase doorway to Private Dining room ↑

“We really want to be able to use it to try things that don't make sense for carryout, and provide a rich experience for people who come in.” As for how long it will be around “when it comes to transitioning to normal service we'll probably just rip the Bandaid off and switch over when we feel comfortable with having that style of service again; we may continue to offer a tasting menu in some capacity, but it's hard to say for sure.” Outside of carryout, the restaurant offers an incredible selection of to-go meals ranging from lamb shank barbacoa to a double-pattied burger with specially-crafted buns, meat, and toppings. “The thing we’ve worked hardest for is our sandwiches, everything we put on them we put love into, and every part of it the fries included is a multi day process. They're all so simple, but if you really put the love and time into it, you can really taste the difference.” Accompanying the meals is a selection of cocktails and wines curated by Seth Laufman While a traditional cocktail menu exists, featuring drinks like “The Royal Color,” a drink made with Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Creme de Cacao, and lime and blueberry syrups. The optional beverage pairing is where the collaboration between Lughman’s drinks and the kitchen really starts to shine. “Each drink is designed to go between dishes so they provide flow to the whole meal,” says Lieberman. This method of pairing along with the smaller sizes of the drinks allows everything to blend together into a wonderful culinary experience. While Chapman’s is sure to change over the coming months and continue to surprise us with new dishes and methods of dining, it is certainly making a case for being a part of the incredible culinary canon forming in Columbus, Ohio. • 614NOW.COM

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Bua Irish Whiskey captures the Emerald Isle and Ohio in one tasty sip BY JACK MCCLAU G HL I N PH OTOS BY SA RA H P F EI F ER

the word whiskey in Gaelic means â&#x20AC;&#x153;water of life"

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ay “whiskey” here in the states and what comes to mind is a legion of iconic, American distilleries: Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Johnny Walker. While these are all classic American favorites, rich with their own patriotic flair— the drink has its roots in the United Kingdom, where it’s been distilled for at least the last 500 years. In fact, the word whiskey in Gaelic means “water of life,” and a legion of Irish distilleries celebrate this iconic spirit and its history. Now, a new brand of certified Irish Whiskey has recently launched right here in the capital city: Bua Irish Whiskey. And take note: this is a feat that’s much more impressive than it might seem at first, since for a product to be labeled as Irish Whiskey, it must be entirely distilled and aged in Ireland. “100% of the maturation needs to be on the island of Ireland, finishing maturation or otherwise. If even a day of its maturation happened elsewhere we couldn’t call it Irish whiskey,” said Pat Byrne, who owns Grandview’s Byrne’s Irish Pub with his siblings. He and business partner Martin Kennedy, an Irish national, launched Bua, which started as a labor of love before blossoming into a full transatlantic operation. According to a Forbes article released earlier this year, the pair is striking while the iron’s hot. Irish whiskey sales are spiking in the U.S., rising 9% in 2019 alone. According to Forbes, experts predict this trend to continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Burner said Bua buys already-distilled whiskey that’s been aged and sends it through their own unique finishing process in Ireland, which he and Kennedy developed overseas over a nine month period. Using staples of bourbon and charred oak barrels, Bua also implements three less common spirit barrels in this process, including sherry, tawny port, and white moscatel. → 614NOW.COM

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← Pat Byrne

Bua is the Irish word for win or victory, and for us that is kind of where we were, a small group here, we didn’t want to give the illusion that we were an old historical whiskey with lots of story behind it. We wanted to come out and say we’re a new, small, batch craft; we're whiskey lovers.

And while Bua follows the historic practice of Irish whiskeymaking, Byrne and Kennedy set themselves apart from their competitors by embracing the spirit’s newness as well. “Bua is the Irish word for win or victory, and for us that is kind of where we were, a small group here, we didn’t want to give the illusion that we were an old historical whiskey with lots of story behind it,” Byrne said. “We wanted to come out and say we’re a new, small, batch craft; we're whiskey lovers.” And true to their word, the brand name itself nods to the traditional roots of Bua without being fettered by them. Where many traditional Irish whiskies have names citing important Irish battles (Tullamore D.E.W., Clontarf ), Bua doesn’t. It does still pay homage to its lineage, albeit in a new, modern way. This is captured as well by the eye-catching bottle art, which feels both deep and timeless yet sleek and minimal. Set on a blue background (the national color of Ireland) its label features large, simple lettering that itself feels Celtic, in addition to a tortoise and a hare depicted in cutouts. This label lets potential customers take a long look at the actual liquid before buying, which is pale in color by design. According to Byrne, where most big-name whiskey makers dye their whiskey so each bottle and the liquid inside looks identical, Bua takes a natural approach, unfiltered and without artificial coloring. And if flavor is what you’re after in a whiskey (and why wouldn’t it be?) Bua meets the mark on this as well. According to Byrne, the brand is a triple-distilled blend of single grain and single malt Irish whiskeys that have been aged between three and six years. Familiar to whiskey drinkers are the warm hints of vanilla flavor imparted by bourbon barrels, and the smokey wood that follows Bua’s time on freshly charred oak. What makes the brand immediately distinctive,though, is its strong notes of orange on the nose and palate, which hit a balance between bright and smoothly subtle. According to Byrne, this unique flavor note is largely imparted by the time Bua spends in tawny port barrels. “That’s a very long-term wine; it ages for a good amount of time,” said Byrne. “Those barrels are a little harder to find, it’s not a terribly popular wine, but it adds some really nice flavor.” And while the flavors sing of exotic barrels and the tradition of Irish spirit making, Byrne also wants drinkers to know that Bua also represents Ohio, and stands true to its Midwestern roots. “We’re really focused on the whole Ohio part of this, too; that’s really big for us. Martin’s connection with the state of Ohio and certainly mine. There really aren’t many states at all with a deep connection to an Irish whiskey, and we work hard for that.” • 614NOW.COM

NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

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GOLDEN

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Oakley and Hurley win the 3rd Annual Cutest K-9 Contest presented by PetSuites By Katie Emmons “Doesn’t everybody love a golden retriever?” asked Jennifer Kaperak, owner of golden retrievers Oakley and Hurley, winners of the 3rd Annual Cutest K-9 Contest presented by PetSuite, and take home a grand prize package including five free days of daycare, a free spa day, and a PetSuites swag bag. Kaperak and her husband Alan adopted Oakley when he was four months old and Hurley when she was eight weeks old. Now, Oakley is three years old and Hurley is two years old. In those few years, they’ve changed Kaperak’s life. Before adopting Oakley and Hurley, Kaperak and her husband didn’t have any pets in their home for a while after the loss of their two golden retrievers, but adopting Oakley and Hurley was “like a breath of fresh air,” Kaperak said. “When we got these two, it was almost like a night-and-day difference where you could come home and snuggle a dog, or play with the dog, or snuggle then play, or play and snuggle, or go for a walk. It’s very different,” Kaperak said. Oakley and Hurley are still young pups, but their personalities shine through. Oakley is well known as “the ornery one,” so much so that when Kaperak started an Instagram account for her goldens, she named it @ornery_oakley_and_hurley_girly.

"If you don't hear him around you, you think he's getting into something. Whether it's the trash, or whether it's stealing somebody's shoe and running around the house with it,” Kaperak said. “He doesn't jump on the table, but he's so long that he will get on his hind legs, pull something off the table, and then you look at him and he's like, ‘I know, I'm not supposed to have this,’ so you go to him, and then of course, he takes off running and makes it a nice little chase game for you.” Hurley, on the other hand, “is definitely a people pleaser,” Kaperak said. “She'll follow you around the house. If you get up off the couch, she's getting up and following you into the kitchen, or she's getting up and following you to the basement.” Though the two goldens have very different personalities, they love to play like brother and sister. “Sometimes they chase each other but they play every day. Every single day. They are playing with another whether it’s tug, whether it's fetch,” Kaperak said. Kaperak loves to be active with Oakley and Hurley, but out of everything, she loves taking them to the beach the most. The two pups have been on multiple trips to North Carolina where they play and lounge on the beach all day. “They love to get in the water. We get in the

water with them; we play fetch with them. Hurley really likes to sit on the shoreline and let the waves come up against her butt and let the toy be pushed up a little bit so then she can get up, go get the toy, come back, lay down and put the toy on the shoreline again,” Kaperak said. “Oakley likes to chase his toy in the water.” One of Kaperak’s funniest memories with Oakley and Hurley also has to do with the water. When she took the pups to a dock for the first time, they didn’t understand how docks work. “They had never jumped off a dock before, so the first time they both wanted to jump off the dock, they were running after a ball and then realized, ‘oh, this comes to an end,’ tried to put on the brakes and both of them went right in the water,” Kaperak said. Most of all, Kaperak enjoys her companionship with Oakley and Hurley. “Every time you turn around, they're there. So if you have a bad day, they're there for you. If you have a good day, they're there for you,” Kaperak said. “They are the best, most fun loving dogs. They get along with other dogs. They love to interact with people. They love to interact with other dogs.” “I love that they are always there,” Kaperak said.

“ The party never stops with them.”

MORE MOMO, PLEASE

Momo Ghar prepares to open new stand-alone restaurant in Dublin BY JAC K MCLAU G H LIN | PH OTOS BY MARK IA FRYE

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NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

Phuntso & Pramod Lama →

mere five years ago, before Phuntso Lama and her husband Pramod Lama opened the now scorchingly popular Momo Ghar, not many people knew about the roughly 200 square-foot restaurant nestled into a corner of Saraga International Grocery. A momo is a spiced, steamed dumpling filled with meat or vegetables and is popular as comfort food in Tibet and Nepal. The handcrafted momo offered by the Lama family is widely regarded as some of, if not the, best in America—less than a year after opening, they were featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and received a 2017 Yelp award recognizing them as the 38th best restaurant in America. “There’s been momo served in New York for 20, 30 years; there’s been momo served in DC, in all big cities for 20, 30 years; but nobody made it mainstream like she did,” Pramod said of his wife. In fact, many of the momo-serving restaurants the Lamas stumble across feature photos of their food, from Momo Ghar. “A friend of ours went to a food cart in Texas recently that sold momo. She sent us a photo; every picture they used was one of ours. Even the names were the same [as our menu items],” said Phuntso Lama. But the husband and wife team takes this blatant plagiarism in stride,

and with good humor: they share a laugh about it as the three of us talk on a warm, fall Friday just outside the iconic Columbus North Market where Momo Ghar opened a stand. We’ve met up to discuss one of the more exciting moves happening on the Columbus food scene recently: Momo Ghar preparing to open its third location, a stand-alone restaurant in Dublin, likely at the end of this year. And while the Lamas admit that COVID has slowed business, it’s apparent they’ve already reached the upper echelon of the city’s restaurant scene, and that their food is in such high demand that very little, not even a pandemic, can stop them from expanding. We here at (614) are excited. Diners across Columbus are excited. But the group most excited for the new restaurant is none other than Pramod and Phuntso Lama themselves. “She’s been wanting a restaurant for a really long time, and that’s exciting for us,” said Pramod. And while the opening poses its own unique set of challenges— namely the fact that the Lamas have yet to run a stand-alone eatery—they still haven’t found a culinary obstacle they couldn’t overcome, and they have big plans for the new location.

“There’s been momo served in New York for 20, 30 years; there’s been momo served in DC, in all big cities for 20, 30 years; but nobody made it mainstream like she did.”

While Jhol Momo is still likely to be their most popular dish, they’re taking steps to expand their normally smaller menu, and will feature the addition of noodle dishes bringing it to a roughly twentyitem menu. The work ahead for the pair is mostly in the form of refurbishing the interior of their new location, which they are handling mostly themselves. To maintain the authentic Tibetan and Nepali aesthetic their locations manage to establish, including a bright, tasteful array of prayer flags and string light, the Lamas are importing more flags, cloth, and other decorations from Nepal. “One of the things we wanted to do was to hire a professional to help us set up the interior, but then again they’re not Nepali, and they’re not Tibetan,” Pramod Lama said. “That’s the fun part, where we get to create what we want to create and present it to Columbus as our truly Tiebtan and Nepali space.” And while aesthetic is important, really, it’s all about the food. “Cooking is a lot like music, either you have it or you don’t. If I could go to school for music and become Eric Clapton or John Lennon, [I] would do it,” Pramod said. “But she has it. She can taste something once and know what’s in it. She can take ingredients and make them great.” • 614NOW.COM

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HOLIDAY Gift Guide Shop small businesses for gifts that make a big impression this season. BY L INDSEY ESCA JA | P HOTOS BY J UL I A N FO G L I E TTI

Shop local and small for everyone on your list this holiday seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; from yourfashion-obsessed friend who takes a cue from the stylish wardrobe choices in Four Christmases to the crazy uncle who is uncanningly similar to Cousin Eddie in National Lampoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Vacation, this list has something from everyone. So find the movie theme best suited for the people in your social sphere and make a commitment to shop local, small businesses this season.

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Four CHRISTMASES For the savvy friend who wants to go on a tropical vacation but is forced to share the holiday season with their crazy family (wait, isn’t this everyone?).

1A Fancy Wrinkle Customizable 614 Bracelet Stack $42

2W ild Sage Collective Modmala Kit $48

3 Stump 4” Snake Plant and Kiln Room Planter with Drip Tray $38

4M ahana Essentials Pause Your Life Subscription Box (oils, smudging, candles, soaps, shirts, and other rotating items) $45.99

5U rban Sundry Baz Quilted Vest $78 with Striped Top $54

6 j ane + willow Muse Winter Coat $120

7T wo Dollar Radio VIRTUOSO by Yelena Moskovich $12.74

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N AT I O N A L L A M P O O N ' S

Christmas

VACATION

For the friend who won’t let wonky lights, an extremely dry turkey, or relatives standing in their front yard in their pajamas get them out of the yuletide spirit.

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1 Urban Sundry Boredom Busting Box $35

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2 SixOneFlora Booty Pot $35

5G ood Energy by Seven Pure & Good Pet Shampoo, Conditioner and Refresher spray $12 each

3 SixOneFlora Not Drinking Alone Soy Candle $21

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 4T he CakeHound Dog Treat Advent Calendar $35 6 North High Beer and Hoodie Holiday Basket $40

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It's a Wonderful Life For the friend or family member who is always inspired to tackle the day with positivity and gusto—and reminds us that life truly is wonderful. 1Y elo Apple Canvas Bag $20 + Ficus Lyrata Fiddle Leaf Fig $55 2T wo Dollar Radio WHITEOUT CONDITIONS by Tariq Shah $11.24

4R ock Candy Healing Stones Handmade Chakra Mala Necklace $55 and Selenite Bowl $22

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5C liff Original Beard Essentials Travel Kit $49.99

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3T he Boutique Truck Plaid Fringe Scarf $20 and Super Soft Button Glove $15 56

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6C uffed by Nano Millie Choker + Birthstone Mini Hoops $152

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7T he Flowers and Bread Society Village Basket (coffee, jam and more!) $55

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Scrooged

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For the last minute shopper with a sophisticated spirit (or three spirits) who wants to do the holidays with a fancy cigar, fancy food, and even fancier drinks— may your ghosts have nothing but nice things to say.

2 Georgia Snodgrass, Independent Wine Consultant at Scout & Cellar Clean-crafted Wine Sets $59+

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3E din Birkin Dragon’s Blood Sage Stick $12

1 Via Vecchia Crafted Wine $23-25 per bottle 5 Endeavor Spirit Adventures Infused Cocktail Making Package $43

 4 Carnardo Wine & Cheese Veuve Clicquot Champagne $59.99 to $159.99 plus 10% off six bottle cases

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7E din Birkin Green Fairy Incense $10

 8E din Birkin Sacred Space Altar Candles $12

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9 Edin Birkin Accent Clay Legged Print Pot $45

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6T he Cbus Charcuterie Girls Plated Soirée (feeds 15-20) $150

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1K amp Fire Coffee Ground or Whole Bean Bags $14

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Elf

For the jet setting “Buddy” in your life who wants to travel through the seven levels of Candy Cane Forest, build gingerbread houses, and eat cookie dough and syrup all day.

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2P ink Moon Essentials 100% Soy Wax Red Vintage Mug Palo Santo Oil Candle with Rose Quartz Crystals for Kindness and Empathy $41

4 Two Dollar Radio TWO DOLLAR RADIO GUIDE TO VEGAN COOKING by Jean-Claude van Randy and Speed Dog (w/ Eric Obenauf) $11.99

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3G ood Energy By Seven Box of Good Energy with masks $59.95

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5C ub Shrub Whimsical Marble Tree $82

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6A lyssa’s Healthy Donuts Gluten-Free, Not Fried Customizable Half Dozen Donut Kit $14 7R ocks with Saas Complete Crystal Set $89.99 8C ub Shrub Princess on the Pea Mouse $50

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THE AUTUMN OF ALTRUISM Nonprofits are stepping up and stepping in where private business and government may be falling behind due to COVID-19. The Columbus Foundation, among others, are on the front lines of the Columbus community, battling the fallout from the worldwide pandemic in five of the hardest hit sectors facing dire consequences—Housing, Hunger, Seniors, Arts, and Learning Centers. They’re making strides—but not nearly enough.

Now, more than ever before, as we enter the holiday season, they’re saying if you can give—GIVE. From evictions to unprecedented needs for food and safe learning environments, your dollar may be the only thing that makes a difference for Central Ohio families come winter. →

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NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

The need is great, but we must rise to the challenge. BY JA E L A N I TURNER-WI LLI AM S

Dan Sharpe, The Columbus Foundation

an A. Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation, was pleasantly surprised at the viral success of their record-breaking 25hour online event The Big Give in June. Held after three months of COVID-19 lockdown, the unprecedented $32 million raised generated not only local interest, but acclaim across the country. More important to Sharpe was the fact that, at a time when Central Ohioans needed nonprofits and their programs the most, the Foundation was able to provide funding to 1,100 charities that serve individuals in need. He says donors understood the challenges faced by the local community and so gave more generously and readily. “Many more donors are giving unrestricted gifts to organizations, rather than pegging dollars to a specific program which may have experienced pandemic-related disruption,” said Sharpe. “Since summer, [The Columbus Foundation] has shown an increase in collaboration and a willingness to lean-in and accomplish collective goals.” It’s not just money, either, that nonprofits need right now in the midst of the ongoing pandemic— it’s your time. For those with time to give, POINT’s app makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

as does Seeds of Caring, which helps connect children with service opportunities; and Besa, which helps coordinate community-wide service projects. If you have a knack for speaking and mission organization, consider the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. HSC has nearly 100 member organizations and a Board Member application and matching process in order to benefit local human service agencies.

Since summer, [The Columbus Foundation] has shown an increase in collaboration and a willingness to lean-in and accomplish collective goals.

Our near-term focus will take extraordinary steps, going above normal investment allocations and tapping into reserves, to address some of the most pressing challenges our community faces. "

But the most important thing is that you give. As we enter the winter season, Sharpe said it will only get worse, particularly in five major sectors of the community. In housing, homes are being lost due to nonpayment and adding to the homeless population; in hunger, a nearly 30% increase

32m

The record-breaking amount raised for The Big Give in June.

1,106 non-profits

44,645 donations

in need are people who have never stood in line for food before; and as schools continue to remain closed or hybrid, children, particularly in low-income areas, have nowhere to go for schooling and are failing. Senior citizens and the Arts also are in desperate need of support. It’s a dire situation that will be exacerbated by a long, cold, Ohio winter. And as the holiday season kicks in, and those who can, prepare to give, Sharpe says you can start by giving to these five verticals; you can also head to the Foundation’s Giving Store, where organizations can be found by neighborhood, keyword, and mission focus area. “It is a challenge knowing that there are limits to how much The Columbus Foundation can do as an individual organization, especially when we see so much need in the community. But, we look for the helpers, and we look to empower the helpers, who are doing incredibly hard work— heart work—to keep our community strong and connected,” Sharpe said. “Our near-term focus will take extraordinary steps, going above normal investment allocations and tapping into reserves, to address some of the most pressing challenges our community faces.” •

find out how you can make an impact at

COLUMBUSFOU N DAT I ON .OR G 614NOW.COM

NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

Rent or medical supplies? "

The trends we are seeing are the high late charges and people making decisions to not buy medical supplies in order to pay rent.”

Kay Wilson, Director of Community Engagement & Advancement at IMPACT

4,200 the number of evictions filed in Columbus in June three months after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued

BY JA ELANI TURN ER -W I L L I A M S

losely assisting local housing and displaced communities during COVID-19, philanthropies have focused on keeping people safe at home by ensuring that they have a home to return. Due to layoffs and loss of income, there were 4,200 evictions filed in Columbus last June, a staggering amount that IMPACT Community Action has sought to dissipate through their HOPE Fund. As governmental and nonprofit organizations await an unprecedented second coronavirus wave in the winter months, the HOPE Fund was erected just in time to flatten the course of unmet social needs. As the motorium to refrain from eviction for nonpayment of rent was put on hiatus until the end of December, tenants still had to prove that they’re making attempts to pay—which is where IMPACT stepped in. Rather than pushing those evicted to compromise their health by moving into nearly overcrowded shelters, through the HOPE Fund, IMPACT dealt a generous hand through rental assistance and controlled safety measures. Collaborating with a number of organizations like United Way of Central Ohio, Nationwide Insurance and Crane Group, HOPE Fund was well-equipped with investments for renters. “We started out by using our own $1 million to help with rental assistance, and then asked funders to match. We were blown away by the public support and corporate commitments,” said Kay Wilson, Director of Community Engagement & Advancement

Residents facing dire housing choices as the pandemic wears on at IMPACT. “The City of Columbus matched more than $7.5 million, [Franklin] County gave $500,000, The Columbus Foundation and Nationwide Foundation matched with $100,000 and several private corporations donated. We [then] had $12 million.” Accruing a substantial amount of financial support, IMPACT has served a median amount of $2,460 in rental payment to date. While some property managers and landlords have been lenient on beefing up past due notices, others haven’t been as fair. Traditionally, while IMPACT was once unable to pay late fees, through considerable funding from the City of Columbus, this became allowable, allowing people to stay in their homes and get what they need to protect themselves from COVID. “The trends we are seeing are the high late charges and people making decisions to not buy medical supplies in order to pay rent,” Wilson said. “We are also seeing an increase in our workforce development programs because people want to work jobs that are protected from the pandemic, like logistics and healthcare.” Along with strengthening the Housing Stabilization Coalition (HSC) by leveraging resources through funding, the HOPE Fund has also partnered with the Legal Aid Society to provide mediation for residents facing eviction from landlords and lawyers. Though IMPACT’s efforts may be perceived as solely monetary, their ample systemic approach has alleviated a crisis-facing community in a time of need. •

No money to eat. Food banks seeing near 30 percent increase in people who have never been before due to job loss from COVID BY L I N DSEY ESC A JA

avigating the ups and downs of COVID-19 when you are out of work is a marathon at a sprinter’s pace—the pain is made worse for those families who also now have no food to eat.

Our message to those neighbors finding themselves on hard times is ‘we are here with you, and for you...’"

There is no shame or stigma in asking for help, in wanting food for your family and yourself. We want—we urge people to come to the Mid Ohio Food Bank or other local food pantries if they need help,” says Marilyn Tomasi, SVP of Marketing, Communication and Public Affairs for the Mid Ohio Food Bank. → 614NOW.COM

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Since the onset of COVID-19, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective has measured more than 700,000 visits across its 20-county footprint, nearly 450,000 of which have been in Franklin County alone according to Tomasi. “Approximately 26% of those we have served are coming to us for food assistance for the very first time in their lives. In Franklin County, about 27% are new customers. From March 1st to Sept 30th, our team distributed more than 51 million pounds of food to those who are struggling to put food on their tables – ending our fiscal year with 75 million pounds of food distributed to our hungry neighbors – a MOFC record. This is a 23% increase compared to last year,” she explains. Not only is the food pantry setting daily records by serving a large number of families in a single day, but the kitchen is working tirelessly to prep, cook, deliver, and distribute that

150,000 the number of meals the Mid Ohio Food Bank is distributing per day to the homeless men, women, and children in Central Ohio

For every

donated to the Mid Ohio Food Bank, they can provide up to

in groceries to a family in need

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From March 1st to Sept 30th, our team distributed more than 51 million pounds of food to those who are struggling to put food on their tables – ending our fiscal year with 75 million pounds of food distributed to our hungry neighbors – a MOFC record.”

Marilyn Tomasi, Mid Ohio Food Bank

food. “Our staff is distributing nearly 150,000 meals to the homeless men, women, and children in our community,” says Tomasi. Since our local food banks and pantries can do the work they do because of volunteers, that is where they have seen the biggest impact throughout the pandemic. “Our volunteer base of almost 13,000 amazing men and women was nearly decimated with COVID, due to most sheltering and working at home. Fortunately, 100 Ohio National Guard members were deployed on a humanitarian mission to the Foodbank helping us sort, pack and distribute food at our on-site pantry; at partner agency sites; to the homeless; and at produce markets,” says Tomasi. Once the National Guard is re-deployed elsewhere, local food banks will be in a tremendous need for volunteers. “Our team estimates that we will need to fill 2,700 hours a week to meet this increase in demand,” says Tomasi. Numerous measures will be in place to protect not only volunteers but staff–such as a no-touch drive-thru service, increased cleaning efforts and sanitizing stations, and requiring masks. Another way you can help support your neighbors according to Tomasi is by financial donations. “With every $1 donated, we can provide up to $9 in groceries. This allows the food bank to cover the cost of storing and transporting food to our hungry neighbors across our 20 county footprint,” she explains. •

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Older, not obsolete. "

Not being able to hold anyone’s hand or having that social contract is what we are losing out on. This creates a sense of loneliness and deep separation from our friends and family, some of those friends being ones we are losing and not getting the opportunity to say goodbye to. Not only are we losing them, but ourselves during all of this.”

Fran Ryan, 87, Co-founder and remaining acting chairwoman of the Senior Services Roundtable of Columbus and Franklin County

3,711 necessity bags provided to Central Ohio older adults from March to July

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Local social service agencies address pandemic isolation in Columbus elders BY L I N DS E Y E S C A JA

t’s hard to put into perspective how much this year has forced us all to adapt– in how we live, work, and interact with each other. The challenges with maintaining connections with older adults in our community have been exacerbated by COVID-19. “What is important to understand is that this population is a diverse group, aged 65+, with varying abilities, interests and needs. Most live at home with only a small percentage in long-term care of congregate housing. Due to the stereotypes placed on this population because of the pandemic isolation, loneliness, depression and lack of caregiving have increased due to the fear of contracting COVID, ” says Director of Age-Friendly Communities, Katie White. Co-founder and remaining acting chairwoman of the Senior Services Roundtable of Columbus and Franklin County, 87-year-old Fran Ryan agrees that loneliness has increased and will continue to do so for older adults. “Not being able to hold anyone’s hand or having that social contract is what we are losing out on. This creates a sense of loneliness and deep separation from our friends and family, some of those friends being ones we are losing and not getting the opportunity to say goodbye to. Not only are we losing them, but ourselves during all of this,” she explains. Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County are taking notice of these concerns and are continuing their work with the elderly in our community to find creative ways to support them. “When COVID started, we listened to elders and aging organizations in town to understand where there were gaps in services and where we could be most helpful for short-term, emergency response programming,” said White.

The emergency responses at the beginning of the pandemic were created to increase access to resources and decrease isolation for older adults in our community. Through a partnership with Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center and Village in the Ville, AgeFriendly was able to provide 3,711 necessity bags (food, mobility, healthcare, supplies, and masks) for older adults in our community from March to July. White notes that this effort will most likely continue as the pandemic does. “We also created a Friendly Hotline in response to COVID. The hotline received over 2,488 phone calls between Ohio State College of Social Work students and older adults who just needed someone to talk and that is just the beginning as we begin to plan long-term,” says White. “It wasn’t a happy beginning, it is not a happy middle, but I hope there is a happy ending for our population with all of the work being done with Age-Friendly and other organizations in our community who are focusing on this forgotten demographic,” says Ryan. According to White, change in how we view aging overall as a society and building resiliency is the solution. “In the coming months, Age-Friendly will be partnering with organizations and older adults to implement programs that: increase equity in recovery and resilience through access to technology and training; increase capacity to recover through education; and workforce development through a community-wide campaign,” says White. • 614NOW.COM

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The Case for Art. 80,000 jobs lost amidst pandemic as artists struggle to make ends meet BY LI N DSEY ESC A JA

ue to physical distancing requirements, many performing arts establishments have had to either adapt to digital offerings of past performances or completely shut their venue doors. For venues like CATCO, their doors have been shut since March 13, leaving a void in the community according to Executive Director Christy Farnbauch.

According to the American for the Arts,

“The arts rely on large groups of people coming together to build a sense of community. They not only provide an escape from reality, but they help us be emotionally healthy. Something we could all use a little bit more of right now,” says Farnbauch. Ohio Citizens for the Arts Executive Director Angela Meleca concurred adding that a recent study led by the Ohio Citizens for the Arts shows 60% of respondents said “that if they don’t receive any relief funding, they will permanently close in 12 months,” she laments. “The same study shows that earned revenue will be down 72% from 2019-2021. Almost 20% of respondents reported still being wholly closed to creators, staff, and the public.” This has affected not only local theaters, museums, music venues, and comedy clubs but also restaurants, bars, lodging, parking, and retail because the arts industry is a huge 72

for every admission ticket an art patron purchases, they will spend, on average, $31 each out to eat, at a bar, to park, or stay overnight, making the Arts a huge driver of business in Columbus and the economy throughout Central Ohio—that also makes it a huge loss during the pandemic.

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The arts rely on large groups of people coming together to build a sense of community..." economic driver for all of these businesses. “According to the American for the Arts, for every admission ticket an art patron purchases, they will spend, on average, $31 each out to eat, at a bar, to park, or stay overnight,” says Meleca. Not only are there no live events for artists to perform or earn money to help support venues and local businesses, but the grants to support them are being cut; leaving a lot of local artists and their families in tough situations. “Many of those families who are standing in line at a food bank could very well be our out-ofwork artists, as employees who work in Ohio’s creative industry have lost over 80,000 jobs, making it one of the highest unemployed sectors throughout the pandemic,” says Meleca.

Many of those families who are standing in line at a food bank could very well be our out-of-work artists; as employees who work in Ohio’s creative industry have lost over 80,000 jobs, making it one of the highest unemployed sectors throughout the pandemic.”

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Executive Director Angela Meleca

Art affects business and that’s where the crisis is. “These are small businesses. These are real jobs lost, and families facing financial devastation. There is no carry-out in the arts. Any content and curriculum we provide online to students, schools, or other human service programs, we do at no cost. Digital programming only works in some sector areas, with little to no earned revenue opportunities,” explains Meleca. Farnbauch and Meleca both preach that advocacy is necessary within the Columbus community to help the arts industry stay afloat and be there once the pandemic is over. Some of the ways they suggest to get involved include contacting Governor DeWine's office and telling him the arts are critical to all communities across Ohio, and calling or emailing your local state legislators and letting them know how the arts’ add public value every day to all lives and society.

Other ways the community can support the local arts is simply by buying a ticket to upcoming virtual events or adding an additional donation to any ticket. “We have to be fearless about forging ahead in the arts and plan for the future, but also be safe. We can do that with our donors and communities support,” says Farnbauch. • 614NOW.COM

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To the rescue. Learning Extension Centers become a saving grace for parents and communities during COVID BY JA E L A N I TU R N E R -W I L L I A M S

Traditional classrooms have looked the same in our nation for hundreds of years. This pandemic is challenging the traditional norm and forcing our society to explore new options like widespread online learning and churches, community centers, libraries, and recreation centers becoming hubs for learning.â&#x20AC;?

Cris Gordon, Executive Director of Operations at the Dream Center

10,000 The number of meals served to students by the Columbus Dream Center every two weeks in 2020 during the pandemic compared to the same number for a whole year in 2019

New school partnerships and additional educational support are here to stay. Many new learning systems, like Learning Extension Centers, will transition into afterschool programs, continuing to strengthen the efforts of educators...

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s parents faced exhausted efforts with their children being hurled into virtual learning at the start of the pandemic earlier this year, Learning Extension Centers have been a relief for those who are unable to homeschool, with at-hand class assistance, daily meals and tutoring services. Columbus Dream Center is one organization that has opened its doors (with committed safety precautions) through their LEC.

The Dream Center has vowed to help students succeed despite the uncertainty of current global conditions and has shown its commitment by applying for several grants and raising funds through churches, businesses and individual donating sectors. “In 2019, we served around 10,000 meals to students. In the spring and summer of 2020, we served 10,000 meals every two weeks to students,” said Cris Gordon, Executive Director of Operations at the Dream Center about the significant increase in attendance across Learning Extension Centers. “Traditional classrooms have looked the same in our nation for hundreds of years. This pandemic is challenging the traditional norm and forcing our society to explore new options like widespread online learning and churches, community centers, libraries, and recreation centers becoming hubs for learning.” There are currently 20 centers around Columbus serving students K-12, offering both afternoon and evening hours. Though space is limited in Learning Extension Centers to stop the spread of COVID-19, sponsors and donors are encouraged to provide funding to continue supporting students. While Learning Extension Centers have been active prior to COVID-19, they’re drawing more attention now as they provide a safe environment for students, internet access, and learning devices where at-home tools fall short. Outside of the educational system, Gordon says there’s endless possibilities for communities to ensure that students are active in school through leadership accountability. “Even a month into school, several students have not logged in to their online work. Learning Extension Centers are providing accountability for students and helping them stay focused,” Gordon said. “New school partnerships and additional educational support are here to stay. Many new learning systems, like Learning Extension Centers, will transition into after-school programs, continuing to strengthen the efforts of educators. We need everyone playing a part in keeping students on track.” • 614NOW.COM

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Winter

G E TAWAY S BY M E L I N DA G R E E N I L LU STR ATI O N BY JU STI N R E MOTA P

Ohio is the perfect state for mini-getaways this season Winter is coming, as the saying goes, but you don’t have to live in the doldrums until next spring to enjoy a good vacation. Invest in some new insulated layers, grab a good thermos and hand warmers, and head for the outdoors—or find new ways to stay warm inside with an Ohio weekend getaway. And, as always, check facility and COVID-19 policies, restrictions, and closures before you create your itinerary.

Winter’s for the Birds

One unexpected outcome of the stay-home policies was a sudden, widespread interest in backyard birds. Get some binoculars, reserve a nearby hotel room, and start (or add to) your birding “life list” at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot County. A glimpse of Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, or Northern Harriers will make the cold worthwhile.

Sweet Escape

The adults-only Inn at Honey Run, in the heart of Amish country, is not only luxurious, but also a short drive from opportunities like meeting exotic animals at the Farm at Walnut Creek, snowshoeing on the Holmes County Trail, and Nordic skiing at Malabar Farm State Park. Or revisit historic times at the area’s three popular museums, including Roscoe Village.

3 Trail Mix

Kids demanding a sugar fix? Spend a weekend in Butler County and take on the Donut Trail. Okay, you won’t hit all 13 stops in a weekend, but you can get stamps on your passport. In between, go on a shopping safari for healthy treats at Jungle Jim’s International Grocery and marvel at EnterTRAINment Junction’s indoor train displays. →

TRUM

PETER

OXFORD DOUGHNUT SHOPPE Photo by Kathryn Trucco

SWAN

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Glass Half Full

Roughing It

Celebrate light during the darkest days at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion. More than 5,000 items, plus the glass walls, are sure to adjust your outlook. Then, get outside to Oak Openings nature preserve or Maumee Bay State Park to soak in those precious few daytime rays before relaxing at a local taproom or coffee shop.

Enjoy camping? Most of Ohio’s state parks are open for primitive camping year-round, usually with limited amenities but with nearly as much fun and adventure as summer. Hiking, snowmobiling, sledding, and even hunting are attractions at sites like Punderson, Burr Oak, Caesar Creek, and Mohican State Park.

Hill Country

The Hocking Hills region is as beautiful in winter as it is the rest of the year. Reserve a room at The Inn at Cedar Falls or a cabin at Top O’ the Caves or, for extra adventure, rent a tipi at At Boulder’s Edge Cabin and Tipi Retreat. The wood stove and fire ring will keep you warm after a day of hiking—or reserve a lane and head into Logan for axe throwing at Bury the Axe.

Short Trip

Hear us out on this one, suburbanites. When was the last time you had a staycation that didn’t involve catching up on home improvement projects? Spend a couple days at the Graduate Hotel in the Short North. Shop (or window-shop) to your heart’s content, warm up at some of the city’s trendiest dining spots, and enjoy the Gallery Hop without the traffic nightmare.

9 Milling Around

Want to just get away from it all? The quaint Stockport Mill Inn is just up your alley. The last remaining grain mill on the Muskingum River now provides hydroelectric power to the Inn’s restaurant, and historical artifacts are exhibited throughout the property. The location is remote and quiet, perfect for a weekend of decompressing. K STOC

PORT

MILL

INN

kesbury Mike Tew Photo by

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6 Hit the Slopes

Alpine Valley, south of Cleveland, is “re-imagining the mountain experience” for visitor safety this winter. Reservations are now required in advance for all activities, but lessons, dining, and rentals will still be offered in full force. Brush up on your ski and board skills, or learn a new sport, then relax with your family or friends at the resort.

10 Lake Life

For the truly hardcore, head up to Lake Erie and spend a weekend on ice. Literally. Ice fishing for walleye and perch, hiking on the frozen lake, and camping offshore challenge your moxie. Or wax your surfboard, because until the ice sets in, surf’s up, given the proper wetsuit. One person’s “nope” is another’s adventure! •

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Local woodworker turns trees into heirlooms BY MELINDA G R EEN P HOTOS BY J UL I A N FOG L I ET T I

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" I love connecting people to the trees they love. "

WATCH THE ACCOMPANYING VIDEO by scanning the QR code using the camera on your device.

n a rainy, gusty day in the Linden area, the sound of a power sander echoes out of the wood shop at Trees Are My Business. Alex Berggren, a sawyer and woodworker, has six or seven projects in process, among them an Osage orange workbench top, a round table with angled legs, and a hefty walnut bar top. The items are ready to be sanded and finished. Some will get epoxy fillings in natural voids, the color selected to enhance grain and character. Berggren started woodworking early in life—he digs out a large steel clamp and a photo of himself as a threeyear-old with that same clamp and a tiny workbench he still uses occasionally. “I got voted most talented artist in my senior class, and I definitely don’t think I was,” he laughs. He earned a degree in criminology at the Ohio State University, then joined the Coast Guard. After leaving active duty, he worked in security for the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. Eventually, he left law enforcement, connected with his friend Anthony Provenzale, owner of TAMB, and began a partnership. All of the wood Berggren uses is reclaimed from TAMB’s tree removal projects—mostly walnut, cherry, oak, maple, ash, and elm. “You won’t see any exotic woods in our shop, like mahogany. It’s all Ohio wood,” he says, gesturing to bays full of giant slabs. TAMB arborists identify the best logs to return to the shop, where Berggren mills them. The wood typically air-dries for nine months to a year, then kiln-dries for another one or two months. “Drying wood is the biggest challenge, because of the time involved,” Berggren admits. “You can’t just cut wood and work with it the next day.” Berggren sells all types of furniture made from the reclaimed wood. But the most meaningful pieces are what he refers to as “full-circle” projects: TAMB removes a customer’s tree; he mills and prepares the wood, stacks it, and returns it to the customer for airdrying. When the wood is ready, he retrieves it and builds the customer an heirloom-quality, custom piece, completing the circle. →

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Loving Memories

In the front corner of the shop stand three thick slabs of silver maple, ready for their metamorphosis. Years ago, Jennie and Greg Sheldon decided to honor the memory of Greg’s father by building a sunroom onto their Dublin home. As the sunroom grew, the maple tree that provided shade in summer became problematic enough for removal. “I said to my husband, ‘I would really like to make something out of the tree, so the tree doesn’t just die,’” Jennie recalled. The couple decided to commission tables for the sunroom. They stored the wood at Jennie’s brother’s farm and visited it often. Greg’s ideas for the wood blossomed, while his body and cognition began slipping into decline. After countless doctor visits, he was diagnosed with CreutzfeldtJakob Disease and handed crushing news: four to six months life expectancy. His final goal was reaching his 55th birthday. Family and friends re-furnished the sunroom as a gift, but the maple slabs were not ready. Greg passed away at home in May. Now, these silver maple tables will carry extra meaning, a tangible bond between husband and wife as well as between family and home.

A Place of Honor

Two 100-year-old locust trees stood like sentinels before Laura Youngblood Bruce and Bill Bruce's Upper Arlington home, providing the family with shade and privacy. "I always joked, 'If something happens to those trees, we’ll move,'" Laura said. Then, in June 2020, a storm sent one crashing into the house. "It sounded like a freight train," Bill recalled. No one was hurt, but the damage was devastating. The Bruces discussed making turned bowls from the tree, but when cleanup started, their plan changed course. Berggren visited the site and was equally devastated by the loss. Now, slabs of locust wood are air-drying, and next year, Berggren will make the Bruces and their three adult sons each a commissioned piece of furniture to remember and honor their beloved sentinel.

Part of the Team

Provenzale, a certified arborist, is thrilled to have Berggren as part of the team. “I liked the woodworking aspect of [tree service], because I see so much cool material being turned into mulch. It was about strategically finding the right partner. I gave Alex a slab one day, and I watched him bring it to life, and I was like ‘Let’s buy a mill together.’” Berggren considers every day a learning opportunity. “It’s fun finding out about the different woods, why they are the way they are,” he says. “The tree crew guys are extremely knowledgeable, so I’m always asking ‘well, why is it this way?’ So many woods have different characteristics, like density and coloring, and I’m always learning. And I love connecting people to the trees they love.” • Follow Berggren and Trees Are My Business on Instagram @trees_are_my_business

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BY LOR I SC H M I DT

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| P H OTOS BY JU L I A N FO G L I E TTI

mong the candidates to be the next president of Velvet Ice Cream is someone who, due to a now-resolved dairy allergy, had never tasted ice cream before this summer. “It’s cold,” he said, describing his favorite part of the experience of trying the frozen treat for the first time. Gabe Frey may have expanded more on the thought, but he is, after all, only eight years old. Velvet Ice Cream has been family-owned since its founding in 1914, and Frey is part of a fifth generation that is believed will take over the company when the time comes. “We always felt so sad because we were always sitting around eating ice cream, and he couldn’t have any,” said Gabe’s aunt and current Velvet Ice Cream president Luconda Dager. “We felt like we were leaving him out, especially when it’s our own product.” Before his allergist retested him and discovered he had outgrown the condition, it was particularly hard on Frey, because it’s rare for the family to have anything other than ice cream for dessert. “We might pair it with something, you know, like a brownie or a cookie,” said Dager. “Ice cream is always the core dessert. The kids love to make milkshakes.” Luconda Dager took over the day-to-day running of the company in 2009 from her father, now chairman Joe Dager. Prior to that, she made more than her fair share of milkshakes in Utica, Ohio, at the ice cream store located in the Velvet Ice Cream headquarters, also known as Ye Olde Mill. “We learned the business from the bottom up,” Luconda said. Starting at 13, she was washing dishes in the kitchen. Then she graduated to working “the line,” which is how the family refers to scooping ice cream for customers. “There was a whole progression.” Her progress toward becoming president at Velvet included a detour from Ohio. For three years she learned valuable lessons about balancing budgets and negotiating when she worked as a buyer in the fashion industry in New York. She returned to Utica in 1994 “There’s something that always draws you back home,” she said. After that, she still needed to learn more aspects of the ice cream-making business, so she spent time in every department, including more than a year working in the factory where the product is manufactured. .→ 614NOW.COM

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“

There’s something that always draws you

back home. ”

Gabe Frey + Joe Dager

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President Luconda Dager

That’s how she knows a little bit about how to prepare the eight of Joe Dager’s grandkids, ages 8-to-17, who have expressed at least some interest in establishing careers in the family business. Many have not only taken advantage of the chances they have been granted to serve in various positions at the Mill, but have recruited their friends as well “I had a couple work in the kitchen, and then some worked on the line with me,” said 15-year-old Megan Sheehan, Luconda’s niece. Sheehan particularly enjoyed making sundaes, although she admitted there was a learning curve. Fortunately, she pointed out, screwed up looking sundaes still taste good. If it turns out sundaes aren’t in her future, marketing might be. Luconda explained that Velvet’s heirs-apparent have had some excellent thoughts about making their Instagram account more “fun.” It is at this point that her 16-year-old daughter Lauren Ashcraft interrupts. She had told us earlier that being able to support charity work was her favorite part of being a member of this family, and she’s now charitably proving that the younger generation has not been shy about supplying input. “I’ve told you what you need to do,” Lauren said with a smile. Luconda’s reply suggests Lauren has made more than one suggestion over the years, and she should be more specific. “You need to put little jars at the tables, so people can write down their ideas,” she answered. Lauren’s aunt, Joanne, would be the one to put that idea into practice, because she’s the family member who, as vice president, focuses on the visitors’ experience for the approximately 150,000 people who stop by Ye Olde Mill each year—at least before this year. The drop in sales from tourists visiting after the COVID-19 pandemic struck has been offset by sales to grocery markets and convenience stores. With homebound Ohioans craving sweets, the company only needed to do a small restructuring, and they were able to retain all but five employees. For the exceptionally close family, what has made 2020 especially hard has been the long stretches of time during the lockdown when they had to stay apart. Easter, for instance, was celebrated over Zoom. → 614NOW.COM

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Vice President Joanne Dager

And even more than Ye Olde Mill, there’s no place Joe Dager’s grandchildren enjoy spending time more than grandpa’s basement. Besides being a place where they all gather, there’s something homey about it. There’s a really old television set there, and during their childhood, Joe’s daughters drew hearts and initials of their crushes on the wall—illustrations that still remain. That those reminders linger is funny because Luconda and Joanne maintain there’s never been a rivalry between them or their two other sisters (who now have careers outside Velvet) over who would get to put the title of president on their business cards—but boys were another matter. There seems to be very little sense of rivalry among the fifth generation as well. When asked, they almost universally accede that 17-year-old Riley Sheehan seems most likely to inherit the job. They talk over each other and sound as if they’re recounting a board meeting where the unofficial vote has taken place. “I’ve been around it so much, I’ve just grown a more loving-passion for it,” Riley finally said. He’s held a number of different roles with the organization already. He’s savvy enough that, when asked his favorite flavor, he also mentions the new red velvet ice cream he thinks you should try. He’s considering going to Cincinnati, Dayton, or Miami University, or the University of Tampa Florida for college. He asks Luconda the most questions about the direction Velvet is taking. He might even be the grandchild to get the best grades. (Riley demures on this, saying that honor probably goes to his cousin, Michael Sarap. Indeed, Michael is clever enough to joke when asked if he’s an introvert, “No, I just don’t talk much.”) Riley is also the oldest. However, don’t rule out the executive potential of the youngest member of this generation. Gabe Frey went through the Ye Old Mill inventory, sampling a number of Velvet Ice Cream flavors on the day when we spoke to him, and birthday cake was a particular favorite. That seems appropriate for someone tastetesting ice cream for the first time when they belong to a family born to make it.• 88

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“ I’ve been around it so much, I’ve just grown a more

loving-passion for it. "

Riley Sheehan

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Revitalizing Linden The community is reshaping with more housing; stronger neighborhood; good people

DRESDEN STREET

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BY JACK MCL AUG HL I N P HOTOS BY JULIAN FOG L I ET T I

lthough Danielle McKnight Zellner’s children have all grown up and moved away, she continues to live in the Linden community, where she’s been for the last 17 years. She works tirelessly in the community to assist the people of the Linden neighborhood through her position as a community service worker at St. Stephen’s Community House. “A lot of times this community is just like a family, and that’s a big part of what keeps me here,” she says. This sentiment seems to be a theme that runs throughout the Linden community— and is another one of the small but quietly beautiful surprises the neighborhood has to offer, with families staying in the same area, the same house even, for multiple generations. “Our block is very unique. One house across the street, the grandparents lived there, now their grandchildren live there,” said one North Linden resident who wishes to remain anonymous. She and her husband bought their home in 1959, and haven’t moved since. Thinking back on the years in her Linden neighborhood, she recalls block parties and social gatherings, as well as a neighborly friendliness that seems to be another hallmark of the area to so many residents “I remember meeting neighbors out in the middle of the street to talk. In fact, we still have one who comes over to use our lawnmower.” Most Columbus denizens, however, probably consider Linden differently, because if you’re familiar with the community in 2020, it’s likely not in a positive way. The historic neighborhood, which has existed since the turn of the 20th century but wasn’t officially annexed by the city of Columbus until 1921, became a bustling middle-class neighborhood in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, with the • 614NOW.COM

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population of North Linden just over half of what it was 60 years ago, the area has seen its share of struggle, and is no stranger to crime and poverty. Many residents—those who have lived, worked, and served there for decades—will paint you a much different picture than those shown in the media, and often it’s one of a community on the rise. “What we try to make sure of is we want to encourage the media and people from the outside to get underneath the mascara,” said Adam Troy of the New Salem Baptist Church, a Linden community cornerstone. “Typically the mascara is really hiding the truth. And the truth is, this is a really wonderful community.” Troy will also be the first one to admit the area has its issues it needs to overcome—there is crime; there is violence. The oncethriving Cleveland Avenue corridor, which slices north to south through the neighborhood and serves as its primary commercial area, is now littered with empty storefronts. Over the last few years, though, a new energy has overtaken Linden. This isn’t just a community with good people waiting for a break anymore; this community is on the precipice of real change. In 2018, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther launched the One Linden Community Plan, a comprehensive, multi-year initiative to reinvigorate the area and its residents, with a surge of funding, new development, and community support projects. It’s bringing a new, $20M community center to Linden, and investing an additional $18M in infrastructure and community programs. Even more important than these contributions is how the plan has galvanized a litany of nonprofits and community groups, each aimed at making Linden thrive. And if you talk to anyone in the community about the One Linden Plan, you’ll pretty soon find out that it boasts nearly monolithic support throughout the community. This is because the Plan relied 94

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CLEVELAND AVE. AND 11TH ST.

“ A lot of times this community is just like a family, and that’s a big part of what keeps me here. ” extensively on community participation to formulate its goals, spending 13 months between March 2017 and April 2018 engaging with Linden residents to understand what the area truly needs. For those who personally participated in the plan's formulation, like Zellner did, knowing her voice would help shape things to come was a major incentive. “To know that my idea is going to somehow affect what’s going to happen in Linden, that’s huge. I think programs like that give people a sense of being a part of something. They’re also realistic; they’re giving people what they want.” Residents identified the creation of affordable housing as one of the area’s biggest needs, and one of the most important groups in the community right now addressing that front is Columbus Next Generation Corporation. The nonprofit group, which is legislated and funded by the city government, seeks out underutilized properties in Columbus neighborhoods and puts them to good use. According to Director Boyce Safford, the group has identified and purchased two pieces of real estate in Linden where a pair of largescale housing developments are underway. One will eventually become a 41 to 45-unit affordable housing development, but Next Generation hasn’t yet selected a developer for the space. The second, Mulby Place, will stand at the southeast corner• 614NOW.COM

NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE

CARLA GWINN

NATALIE ATKINS

of Cleveland Ave. and Myrtle Ave. Construction is already underway on the 100-unit development of affordable living for seniors, in addition to 11 single family homes and over 3,000 square feet of commercial space. It will likely be completed in 2021. Another Columbus nonprofit, Homeport, was selected by the Next Generation board of directors to oversee the development of Mulby Place. Homeport is also in the process of constructing another critical affordable housing developments in Linden area, including 90 different single family homes, and Kenlawn Place, which will hold 45 apartments for low to moderate income families (in addition to five single family homes) on the West side of the 2900 block of Cleveland Ave. “The key with Mulby Place Key in Mulby is that it’s right in the area which the Linden plan designated as downtown Linden,” said Homeport CEO Bruce Luecke. According to Carla Gwinn, President of the Greater Linden Business Network and a business owner in Linden for 19 years (as the franchisee of Liberty Tax Service at 1406 Cleveland Ave.), these developments in new downtown Linden will likely pay lasting dividends to other areas in the economy. Said another tenant of the One Linden Plan, “Development is important for there to be a framework of viable retail space and other development opportunities in the area,” she said. “Once you see development starting, you may encourage more.” And it isn’t just housing coming to Linden. Likely the most unique project to come out of the efforts stoked by the One Linden Plan is the combination of two Columbus nonprofits, The Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio and Community Development for All People, in taking over what was formerly Eagle Market at 1464 Cleveland Ave. This development, which was also facilitated by Next Generation, will offer free prescriptions for non-narcotic medication to low-income residents as well as free fresh produce. Many other groups are involved across a number of platforms, such 96

(614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

THE MILLERS

as Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is addressing health-related tenants of the Plan by providing pediatric clinics and school-based behavioral health services at several Linden schools. What’s more, the 614 for Linden collaborative, formed in late 2019, saw the city pair with a host of additional nonprofit groups and community partners, with the goal of advancing the One Linden Plan. It even saw an investment of $5M from JP Morgan Chase’s Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods program, and a $500,000 donation from Huntington Bank for small-business development. And while initiatives from the One Linden Plan rightfully garnered a large amount of attention, the area is built on a strong foundation of community programs that are still making a difference today. One of these is St. Stephen’s Community House. The nonprofit, based on Linden’s South side since 1960, first opened over 100 years ago as an educational and social hub for many of the city’s immigrants, and it continues that mission of service to this day. They offer programs for teens, seniors, families, and even run a food bank that has fed nearly 700 families a week during the pandemic, according to director of marketing and development Natalie Atkins. Anchoring community service programs on the North side of Linden is the New Salem Baptist Church. The church, founded in 1909, is anchored by the Troy family, pillars of the community for decades, as they continue to extend after school programs, urban gardening, a largescale food pantry, housing initiates, and even programs helping local businesses secure critical funding. And it appears people are truly taking notice following the waves of support and development in Linden. A lot of people. Danielle Zellner has seen a significant spike in home owning and real-estate interest within the last few years. “We definitely have noticed the growth. People are looking into home ownership now. That’s huge. Five years ago, people were not looking to buy,” she said.

What’s more, Linden neighborhoods are seeing a new influx of younger families moving in from other areas of the city, a definite sign that the arrow is pointing up. Amy Miller, 37, grew up in Upper Arlington, and most recently lived in Clintonville, two of the city’s more desirable neighborhoods. Now, though, her and her husband Ryan are homeowners in the North Linden neighborhood of Kenmore Park. The couple was turned on to the area after visiting friends who were located in Kenmore Park. When the time came to purchase their own home in early 2019, they found a good deal on a home they liked. Miller admits she had some misgivings about Linden before learning more about the neighborhood, but now the young family couldn’t be happier with their choice. “I will say yes, I had a perception that there was more crime, definitely compared to UA there is more crime, and that made me nervous at first. But since coming here we’ve met so many people and really truly become friends with them in a short period of time,” Miller said. “The Houses are closer together, people are out more, and they’re more interested in chatting. There’s a desire to connect here more than any other neighborhood.” “There are food trucks in our neighborhood every Friday and Saturday , and Tuesday evenings there’s a playgroup that meets at a grassy area in the neighborhood. And there are traditions, a movie night on certain Friday nights with a projector. It’s just a great community to be a part of.” Ultimately Linden, like any community, is truly made or broken by its citizens. And if there’s one thing residents—of 60 years or 18 months—have sung the praises of, it’s the people. “The Linden community is woven with a fabric of incredibly caring, hard-working people trying to provide for their family,” said Carla Gwinn. “I think the headlines undermine that, but the headlines don’t represent the everyday people I come in contact with; that doesn’t represent who we are.” Natalie Atkins of St. Stepehens agreed. “This community is strong, it has the most involved community members that are proud of the history of this neighborhood, proud of where it’s going, where it’s been, and how far they’ve come,” she said. “It’s always going to be cautiously optimistic, but I think there’s this vibrancy now, it’s radiating through a lot of different facets of this community. You see the growth, and you see what’s coming.” • 614NOW.COM

NOVEMBER 2020 (614) MAGAZINE