HORSING AROUND
The History, Culture, and Community of Columbus’ Equestrian Life KING AND QUEEN OF FUR Paul Gelpi & Rose Spangler on Repurposing & Resurgence
ALL SET: Arranging a Beautiful Holiday Tablescape
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NEAL PATEL, DDS, CDT
An expert in dental technology, Dr. Patel teaches dentists and clinicians around the world on the state-of-the-art dentistry practiced at Infinite Smiles.
Leading dentist, researcher, and educator r. Patel began his postdoctoral career by training under some of D the greats in dentistry, honing his skills in aesthetic, restorative, and implant dentistry. It was then that he also began his career in digital dentistry, helping major dental manufacturers develop 3D systems that have taken dentistry into the technological age. Passionate about the benefits these technologies provide patients, Dr. Patel took on the role of educator and instructed thousands of dentists in how to effectively use digital systems.
Published Author
High-Tech, Knowledgeable, and
FRIENDLY DENTIST STR RY nfinite Smiles opened its luxurious office in Powell in 2008 and services Ipatients all across Ohio and the U.S. The
procedures step-by-step, and he loves and cares for his patients. I trust him to fully take care of my dental needs.”
practice delivers advanced dentistry using the latest in dental technology, including an impressive array of digital and laser technology.
Dr. Patel is uniquely educated as both a dentist and certified dental technician. This credential is recognized in his field as demonstrating mastery of specialty areas in dentistry. His state-of-the-art office and the services he and his staff provide inhouse is a testament to his technological skill. And, his pursuit of continuing education demonstrates his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence.
Dr. Neal Patel is known for his precise, thorough and highly competent work, as well as for his friendly and caring attitude. “Dr. Patel is not just a great dentist,” says Kathy, a full-mouth rehabilitation patient, “he is also a great person: concerned, compassionate, and genuine. He explains
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Dr. Patel donates numerous dental services to local organizations to support his community. He donated hundreds of custom-fit athletic mouthguards to athletes of a local school to educate students and parents about the prevention of sports-related injuries. In 2012, he awarded a free full smile makeover to a local woman who had been recognized on the radio for her life of selflessly serving others. 740.836.6330
Dr. Patel published many articles on digital, implant, and general dentistry, and he co-authored “The New Rules of Success,” a best-selling book. His work has been featured in several publications, including Forbes, Newsweek, and New Beauty Magazine.
Award-Winning Dentist Dr. Patel has received several awards for excellence in dentistry: • Winner of the prestigious OSU Early Career Achievement Award • Voted Central Ohio Top Dentist nearly every year since 2011 • Named a Leader in Health & Medicine by Global Health & Pharma magazine • Awarded the Premier Expert on Health, Wealth & Success by both Forbes Magazine and Newsweek • Finalist for Columbus CEO Magazine’s coveted Healthcare Trailblazer award Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry
Creating
BEAUTIFUL, NATURAL SMILES With Expert Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Neal Patel verything about Dr. Patel’s approach E to a smile makeover is unique, from the smile design to the creation of the
patient. This makes the smile look totally natural. It’s called ‘biomimetic dentistry’ — meaning the replication of nature.”
crowns or veneers needed for the new smile.
Even the fabrication process of the restoration is unique. Instead of using a lab that provides stock materials and dimensions, Dr. Patel has a full, in-house ceramic lab to create a natural-looking, aesthetic smile.
“We do a full facial analysis and make the dental restorations completely compatible with the patient’s eyes, hair, and other facial features,” explains Dr. Patel. “We customize the size, shape, color, and contours of the new teeth; we even design them to fit the personality of the
CONDITIONS COSMETIC DENTISTRY CAN FIX
Dr. Patel also takes into consideration the patient’s budget and offers various treatment options. “To me, it’s important that every one of my patients has the opportunity to achieve their dream smile, no matter their circumstances,” says Dr. Patel. “I want to help make that happen.” No matter the cosmetic dentistry need,
• Chips and fractures in teeth • Gaps and bad spacing • Yellow, discolored, stained teeth
TOOLS USED FOR COSMETIC DENTISTRY
• Gummy smiles, uneven gumlines • Crooked or misaligned teeth
• Minimal and no-prep porcelain veneers
• Missing teeth • Old silver fillings • Mismatched or misshapen teeth BEFORE AFTER
Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry
• Orthodontics with clear braces, Invisalign®, and Six Month Smiles® • Clinical-strength, in-office and take-home teeth whitening • Cosmetic dentures • Tooth-colored fillings • One-visit porcelain crowns and onlays • Laser gum re-contouring • Dental implants
Brittany, business owner and Mrs. Ohio International Pageant winner, shows off her brilliant smile by Dr. Patel. there are multiple options available at Infinite Smiles.
Meticulous Planning The patient’s journey to a new smile starts with digital photos in Infinite Smile’s professional photography studio. Dr. Patel uses these images, along with a variety of other tools, to prepare the patient’s smile makeover. This includes intraoral photos, digital X-rays, digital and conventional impressions, wax models, a bite analysis, and video recordings of the patient’s natural conversation and smile. These resources highlight the trouble areas in a smile while helping Dr. Patel determine the best course for a faster transformation.
Transforming Smiles & Lives Dr. Patel has been able to help hundreds of patients not only have a better smile but also lead a better quality of life. “Nothing gives us more joy than seeing a patient’s face light up when they see their smile transformation,” he says. “Dr. Patel gave me my confidence back and a great-looking set of teeth,” says Meg, a patient at Infinite Smiles. “I can smile with confidence and not feel censored,” says Sam, another patient. Patients know they are in good hands with Dr. Patel. He is highly trained in all aspects of cosmetic dentistry and stays on the cutting edge by taking continuing advanced education courses and researching the latest techniques and technologies. This means safer, faster, and more comfortable dentistry.
VIDEO PRODUCER/ EDITOR
PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis
Austin Black
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Lindsay Press
Justynne Pride
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Megan Smith CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Julia Attanasio MARKETING ASSISTANT
Tina Carter Ben Callahan Leonardo Carrizo Annie Deibel - Artist
Zoe King ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shelby Metzger Canaan Lendell Caitlin Patrick Taylor Dorrell Sharon Weiss
Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
CREATIVE DESIGNERS
Paul VanHorn Anna Gerhard
Bryce Patterson Tori Smith Atlas Biro
BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER Lizzy Saunders EVENTS COORDINATOR Lizzy Saunders
Created by The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of 614 Media Group, Inc. Reproduction of any content, in whole or in part, without written consent of publisher is strictly prohibited. (614) Refined is not responsible for return of unsolicited materials, manuscripts, or photographs. “(614) Refined” and all content published herein is ©Copyright 2023, 614 Media Group, Inc.
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When Details Matter
LETTER from the
EDITOR G
rowing up in Reynoldsburg in the 80's was growing up in a mecca of subdivision growth and suburb development. My next-door neighbor, Robby, and I spent our early childhood free time climbing dirt piles at the nearby construction sites and getting a first peek at floorplans by climbing in the holes where windows would eventually go. That is, until one day when we ventured much further. A patch of woods just beyond the new subdivision called our names as we craved adventure and an expansion from our tiny world. So, through the forest, we went. We found a magic pond. Magically green with moss, but we imagined all the powers this pond possessed within its murky mystique. Past the pond, we came to the edge of a property. We stepped over the fence and wandered into the nearby barn. The house was just beyond the barn, so we were sure to keep quiet as we explored (some may call it trespassing). There were dusty trophies, aging and faded ribbons, worn saddles, and brushes. And there was a horse. Maybe two. My mind gets fuzzy on that detail.
We went home at dusk, full of stories and excitement as we passed by the magic pond and dirt piles. And we never told our parents about our adventures beyond where any elementary kid should have been going. And we never told them of the many times we visited after that day.
Nevertheless, these suburb slickers had just met a horse. In a barn. Within walking distance of our neighborhood.
Much of this issue pays homage to what equestrian life looks like in Columbus, Ohio, nowadays. From polo to dressage, equine therapy to equestrian antiques, it's time to get out and meet the mares and stallions of our city. You may find a magic pond along the way.
Since then, I've traveled to Mongolia and rode horses along the paths that Genghis Khan and his armies would have trekked. I have stood at the finish line of the Naadam festival in Ulaanbaatar, where 2-year-old horses race for 10-12km, stallions run for 23km, and 7-year-old horses race for 2526km. I have lived in Lexington, Kentucky, and have been to my fair share of races there too.
The farm owner soon discovered us. An older woman who had once run a polo field right there on her property on McNaughten Road. She was kind and told us that if we let her know we were there, we could return anytime and see her little piece of farm life.
@nostalgicallymegan
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CONTENTS 18
Art with Sharon Weiss
20
Conversations with Chef Sebastian LaRocca
24
Staycations
28
Spotlight
32
Shopping
36
Cover Story
44
Collecting
48
Food & Drink
52
History
56
Home
60
Entertaining
64
Do-Good
24
Hilton Downtown Columbus
Leathermakers
Grandview Mercantile
Ride On, Columbus
The Fur Vault
36
Early Summer Wines
James Thurber
Tablescape
Cool Weather Entertaining
Dreams on Horseback
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INTERIORS
KITCHENS + BATHS
www.jsbrowncompany.com 614-291-6876
EXTERIORS
Scan the QR code to begin your home’s transformation.
CONTRIBUTORS
Annie Deibel is a Columbus-based mixed media artist and graduate from Capital University.
Atlas Biro is a visual storyteller with experience in mediums spanning from print design to augmented reality. Currently working as a Creative Designer at (614) Media Group, their work covers communities ranging from blue collar America to the nation’s elite.
Ben Callahan is a writer, photographer, and entrepreneur, among other things. His motto is, “stay in learning mode,” which helps him remember that every interaction is an opportunity to grow. Find him at bencallahan.com.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Bryce Patterson is a graphic designer with 5+ years of professional experience. Since the summer of 2021, he has been working at (614) Media Group as a Creative Designer.
Dayton native Caitlin Patrick is a freelance writer, avid reader and lover of words. Devoted to self-healing by way of writing practice, Caitlin's mission in her work is to support others in their own journeys. Find her at caitlinpatrick. substack.com or reading historical fiction (matcha in hand, of course).
Based out of Columbus, Ohio, Canaan Lendell works at a design firm by day and develops recipes by night. When not testing experimental kombuchas, you can find him plotting his next trip to Tokyo.
Leonardo Carrizo is a multimedia photojournalist for an array of outlets. He also teaches at The Ohio State University. During the summers, he’s also a National Geographic Student Expeditions photography trip leader.
Sarena Kelley is a landscape designer, creating bespoke landscapes across the region. When not in the garden, she is passionately self-restoring her Swiss influenced hunting lodge here in Ohio. She finds inspiration adventuring in nature and traveling; believing the two are crucial for a well-rounded life.
Sharon Weiss was born and reared in Columbus. She is the proud mother of two and grandmother of three. An art collector for fifty years, she is the owner of Sharon Weiss Gallery, 24 Lincoln Street Studios, and 12 Lincoln in the Short North. She is the creator of “Artful Living In Ohio” home tours.
Shelby Metzger is a freelance journalist by day and bartender by night. A graduate from The Ohio State University and a Columbus native, when she’s not whittling words or crafting cocktails, she can be found caring for her horse, Bella.
Taylor Dorrell is a contributing writer, columnist, reporter, and freelance photographer based in Columbus, Ohio. His work has been published in Business Insider, VICE, Teen Vogue, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Jacobin Magazine.
Tori Smith is an ADDY awardwinning graphic designer. After graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2o22, she moved to Columbus to work as a Creative Designer at (614) Media Group. She specializes in typography & layout, with experience in many mediums.
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ART - FALL 2023
Home is Where the
He(art) Is Words by Sharon Weiss Photography by Jessica Mengano Layout by Atlas Biro
D
uring the cold and dark winter months, I find myself becoming even more attached to the art that surrounds me in my home. It seems as though my collections wrap their arms around me and offer comfort and warmth. The cozy season allows me ample time to reconnect with my art, reflect on the memories that are woven into each piece, and get to know, more deeply, the new treasures that I’ve found throughout the year.
ceramic vase. Rose Bredl Flowers and Garden in the Short North always creates the perfect winter arrangements that add color and cheer to my home. Such fun! I also find myself reading more in the winter. Books are my constant friends. I love stacking my favorite books and magazines next to my reading chair; sometimes, the stack gets so tall I will use it for a side table. Perfect for a cup of coffee or tea. I always enjoy visiting two special bookstores. Prologue in the Short North and Gramercy Bookstore in Bexley; both stores have impressive selections.
Although I am surrounded by much art, I continue to visit and shop at flea markets, galleries, antique shops, art fairs, and estate sales to find just the next right piece that makes my heart flutter. Vision & Vasari Antiques & Event Sales is one of my favorite local venues to find beautiful, one of a kind treasures.
I take great pleasure in enjoying my artful and cozy home during the winter months, and am grateful for the presence of my life partner, Roger, who shares my passion for art and collects treasures with me. The combination of art, fresh flowers, books, and cherished objects brings me immense joy and comfort during the winter season and hopefully will for you as well.
Aside from my art collections, I also find comfort in other small pleasures during the winter months. Fresh flowers are a must, even just a simple nosegay in an antique creamer or a small bouquet in a
A Few of My Favorite Winter Things Clove Candles: Penn & Beach, Multiple Columbus Locations
Fresh Winer Florals: Rose Bredl Flowers & Garden
Art & Antiques: Vision & Vasari Antiques
Bookstores: Prologue, Short North Gramercy Bookstore, Bexley
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CONVERSATIONS - FALL 2023
A Conversation with
Chef
Sebastian LaRocca Interview by Megan Smith Photography by Ben Callahan Layout by Bryce Patterson
T
him in the dining room and seemingly never misses the chance to put the spotlight back on them, making those who have walked through the doors feel acknowledged and appreciated.
he pursuit of the perfect wave necessitates absolute concentration. While spectators on the beach and fellow surfers threaten distraction, the surfer must remain alert or risk missing the opportunity. Once the wave is caught, their focus must be complete. Even the slightest hesitation or diversion can lead to the surfer's inability to make their intended move. When they finally catch it, the rider finds themselves in tunnel vision- the water completely enshrouding them, the finish line ahead motivating them. There is only room to focus on the wave.
Standing in the morning light of FYR's dining room at breakfast, Chef Sebastian La Rocca tells me he sees his work as an instrument of change – using his platform to promote collaboration between chefs, both in the city and out. His most recent conception, the Visiting Chef Series, brought renowned chefs worldwide to curate avante-garde dining experiences alongside him.
Based in Columbus since 2022, Michelin-starred Argentine Chef Sebastian La Rocca has seamlessly translated this laser-like focus and 'go with it' gut instinct from his years on a surfboard into awardwinning kitchens around the globe, from London to Tokyo, Miami to San Jose, Costa Rica.
For a man who continues to ride the wave of success in the restaurant world, La Rocca lives an unusually quiet, family-centered life. His passion and pride are in his work, but hearing him talk, it's apparent that his love and joy are his wife and daughter, a trio that has traveled the globe together, one success after another, to land in Columbus, a city the La Rocca family now happily calls home.
Over the span of 12 hours, Chef Sebastian La Rocca invited me to his world of FYR, Stories, and Spark, all three located within the walls of Hilton Downtown Columbus. Working simultaneously with both intention and ease, his hands are often found resting, folded at his lower back, as he moves between a lighthearted conversation with the bartender to a teaching moment with a line cook. He is quick to smile. He senses when eyes are on
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CONVERSATIONS - FALL 2023
Quick 10
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What would others say is your greatest virtue? I have two: my love for family and my passion for cooking. What item of clothing gets the most mileage in your wardrobe? My Birkenstocks and my Pima cotton t-shirts (I love the soft texture!) What feeds you creatively? Travel always feeds the body and soul, as well as visiting different types of markets – it’s something that I love. Walking around new places, trying new ingredients, speaking with producers, etc., is the best way to make different connections with the ingredients. I also love to exercise to disconnect from the workday – it helps to get that work/life balance and pushes my creativity. What zaps you creatively? Being in the office gets my brain toasty! I must be in the kitchen – cooking over the fire, being with fresh ingredients, my team, etc. Favorite pizza topping? I love onions and Calabriandried chili The flan on the FYR menu is your grandmother's recipe. You've said in the past that she has been your biggest inspiration. Tell us more about that. What was your grandmother like, and how has she inspired you?
Taco topping? A really tasty homemade hot sauce Ice cream topping? Argentinean Dulce de Leche Three ingredients we should always have in our pantry? Olive Oil, Soy Sauce, Honey
Yes, that's my Grandmother's recipe; Mamama (what I called her) was a sweet woman with a big heart, but at the same time, she was sharp and disciplined. She was always there for me in both good and bad times – she was always the safe place to go. Since I can remember, I always enjoyed being with her in the kitchen…helping and tasting what she was making. She loved to cook, and the table always was a party when she was in charge! One of my favorite things to do was tea time at her home! She was really "by the book_ - how to sit at the table, how to eat, and wow, the food she made was always fresh. She liked baked scones, clotted cream, homemade jam, finger sandwiches, and cakes. She was the real deal. She inspired me about ingredients, food, and traditions, but the most important thing I learned was that food is a way to give love to the people we care most about.
Fridge? Duke’s Mayonnaise, Prosciutto, San Pellegrino Freezer? Handmade Milanesas (life savers!), Strawberry Ice Cream, Chicken Stock (awesome for soups and sauces)
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Photo courtesy of Fluff Studio & NORBENRONALE Studio
In a clip on Sabores TV (the famous cooking show in Costa Rica you hosted), you talk passionately about the importance of cooking with local ingredients. You say in a segment that one should- “rediscover a little bit of what is ours." With that in mind, what should we discover right here in our backyard in central Ohio?
I am a believer in going back to basics – I don’t believe modern cooking to be sustainable (where they offer foams, gels, or air to diners). This is not food for every day. The guest wants food! The problem is not the fancy modern techniques; it’s okay to use some methods to improve day-to-day cooking to get a texture or preservation of an ingredient. The problem is when you overuse these techniques to take away from the integrity of the food. Working with fire brings me back to my DNA. I’m proud to be Latin, to bring back old techniques and stories of immigrants, to get obsessed with a type of cuisine that we don’t use often enough – fire cooking techniques have a lot to offer. It’s all about the product and the correct technique.
Yes, I believe that we need to work with the products and ingredients around us. When I got the offer to move to Ohio, one of the things that was most exciting to me as a chef was the number of farms and small producers in the area. It’s incredible to see the quality of ingredients and products found in Ohio. At FYR Short North, we partner with many small local suppliers and always search for more. This partnership helps to activate the local economy, and in return, we also benefit from working directly with super passionate suppliers that deliver fantastic products to our kitchen.
What are you most proud of in your work up until now? If I stop and look back on my career (of 26 years working over the fire), there are so many different things I’m proud of, like awards, accolades, my restaurants in Costa Rica, etc. But I also understand the power we have in our hands and how we can create an impact on the lives of others. I’m most proud of how I have made a difference in the lives of many cooks. Many people who work in this industry have a lot of different struggles, goals, etc. (or they are not on the correct path), and I believe that everyone has a purpose in life. Mine has been to bring people together, help others, listen, give advice, build my teams, and help them to believe in themselves. When others are growing, I’m so proud to see how someone previously struggling (after some time) improves with hard work, follow-up, mentoring chats, and direction! It’s difficult and takes commitment on both sides, but seeing others shine is rewarding. My success is the success of my team, and vice versa.
I also enjoy picking apples and berries with my daughter and experimenting with the maple syrup process or the amazing cheeses they produce at Black Radish Creamery. Ohio has a lot to offer, and as a chef, I’m so pleased to be able to live and work here. Food is a connector. How do you see this essential element of our human connection as either cultivated or wasted in current culture? I always say that food is powerful. Food is a language and a way to express ourselves. Food is culture! You can put a group of people at a table together (who don’t know each other) to share food, and they will interact and share. Food puts people together. It can heal. Part of our job as chefs is to connect people using food as our universal language to break the communication barrier. When we cook for others, it’s a way to show appreciation and care.
It's a gorgeous day in Columbus, and you have a rare opportunity to be out of the restaurant exploring, eating, shopping, and making memories. Where would you go? What would you do? And with whom?
You advocate for going back to basics - forgoing fancy techniques and gadgets. Where do you see us, everyday cooks, messing up on the basics? Are there some areas where we could have more success and less frustration in the kitchen?
Hiking with my family! We love the outdoors – walking, exploring the parks in Ohio, etc. On the way back, we enjoy stopping at different farms to purchase locally-made preserves, pickles, and fruits.
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STAYCATION - FALL 2023
Stories on High Interior, photo courtesy of Hilton Downtown Columbus
Dreaming D OW N T OW N
Words by Megan Smith Photography by Ben Callahan and Megan Smith Layout by Atlas Biro
L
uxury stays can be found anywhere (and everywhere) globally, from safari lodges in Zambia to modernist oceanfront homes for rent in Malibu. They also can be found right here in Columbus.
headache of canceled flights and rental cars with funky smells? The statistics show that over 84% of the population has opted for a staycation in 2023, and the trend shows no signs of slowing.
Recently, I left the comforts of home to travel down the road to Hilton Columbus Downtown for a luxurious staycation. The idea of staycations has seen an uptick in recent years. With a rise in the work-from-home culture and in prices of... well, everything, who doesn't want to get out of the confines of home/office while not having the
Hilton Columbus Downtown, part of Hilton's flagship brand, is grandiose. With 1,000 guest rooms, over 75,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, and four food & beverage concepts across both towers, the hotel may be the largest in Ohio, yet it strikes the balance of grandeur and attention-to-detail feel that I was craving.
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STAYCATION - FALL 2023
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Spark Lobby Bar, photo courtesy of Hilton Downtown Columbus
We stayed in the newer of the two towers, with its form paying homage to Columbus' local art (199 pieces of original artwork), literary, and design heritage. A special nod to James Thurber's famous "Thurber Dog with Flower" is featured in each guest room, showcasing how dogs are "sound creatures in a crazy world." Our room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown, gave us that feeling of being in the middle of it all while being able to escape it all. The room was so quiet we could hear a pin drop…or rather, hear Martha, our Morkie, happily munching on one of the handmade dog treats awaiting her upon arrival. Our staycation's goal was relaxation– for me, that generally means slippers and sweats and copious amounts of reading, Rosé, and reruns of Murder She Wrote. The rooms were so cozy that I could have easily done all three. What surprised me most about this stay was that I found just as much relaxation and rejuvenation during my wanderings around the property. The intentional use of calming oak, bronze, marble, and muted tones in the ambientlit nooks, restaurants, hallways, and seating areas didn't go unnoticed by this seasoned staycationer. The attentive staff ensured I had what I needed while curled up with a pre-dinner cocktail at Stories or just returning from a walk around the block with Martha. And the three great dining options (FYR, Spark, and Stories on High) right within the hotel meant I never had to call an Uber or find my valet number. Perfectly effortless.
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SPOTLIGHT - FALL 2023
Luxury
Leather ROUNDUP
Words by Caitlin Patrick Photography by Ben Callahan Layout by Bryce Patterson
“ The smell is so comforting because of my equestrian Elaine Coifman has been working with leather for over thirty years, and it continues to make her background and working smile. Branch Line Leather, her latest venture, has been her way of sharing her love of the material for with horses. I love the the last decade; she sells bucket bags in an array of bright colors, pocket journals, and catch-all trays, to feel of the material, and name a few. Coifman began her journey with leather when she answered an ad in the newspaper (which in a way, the material was “totally old-school,” Coifman says with a laugh) for a job in the leather shop within a local western is exciting to work with store. There, she learned about leather, commercial sewing, and retail and continued to work with the because no piece is ever shop for ten years, running and managing their the same as the last, so it shop. Coifman says every aspect of leatherworking is a joy for her. “The smell is so comforting because adds a level of adventure of my equestrian background and working with horses. I love the feel of the material, and in a way, to the experience of the material is exciting to work with because no piece is ever the same as the last, so it adds a level making something.” of adventure to the experience of Branch Line Leather:
making something.”
Based out of Worthington, OH, Coifman sells her one-of-a-kind pieces on branchlineleather.com.
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SPOTLIGHT - FALL 2023
Old Salts Leatherworks: Columbus native Brandon Ault wears all the hats that make up the magic at Old Salts Leatherworks. Founded in 2008 and with a brick-and-mortar shop that opened in 2021 out of his home, Ault stays enthused over his craft. The moment Ault realized he wanted to work with leather happened while aboard a boat and found an old piece of chafing leather used on the sails. The rest is history. From there, Ault began creating anything he could think up, selling smaller leather goods on Etsy, like knife rolls and wallets. “I always wanted to be an artist, and leather was an incredibly forgiving medium,” Ault explains. “I was constantly afraid to be judged for making bad art, but making something out of leather was the first thing I was ever truly happy with.” From bags to tool rolls to wallets and more, Ault is proud to create beautifully simplistic and honest designs that offer functionality and timeless beauty. You can purchase Brandon's creations at oldsaltsleatherworks.com or his Franklin Park storefront.
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Seel: Jamie Seel, founder, and owner of Seel, is redefining leatherworking through her cutting-edge industrial leather creations. Growing up in rural Ohio, a town with a population of 400 people, Seel began traveling once she was older and fell in love with city life. Pursuing the city led her to Chicago, where she attended art school, but after years of traveling, she found her feet planted back in Ohio, but this time in Columbus. “I first thought I wanted to go into bridal design, creating avant-garde wedding pieces. I thought the only way to do that was through bridal gowns.” Seel explains. She quickly realized how unsustainable the bridal world can be. “The bridal industry was very “throw-away.” You make a beautiful gown, it’s used once, and that’s it.” she expressed. However, one day, Seel found herself in a leather shop to get materials for leather garters. Instantly, she was drawn to the material, its sturdiness, and durability. This started a new era in her work, inspired by sustainability and making quality, experimental leather goods. With every product Seel has sourced, designed, constructed, shipped, and sold, she truly believes that “it’s important to stand behind what you create.” You can find Jamie Seel’s creations at seelmade.com.
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SHOPPING - FALL 2023
Local Shopping Guide S
ince 1997, Sharon O’Brien has established Grandview Mercantile as a unique and fascinating shopping wonderland for those in search of unique treasures. For us, this meant leaning into our equestrian curiosities for Issue 3. With an influx of $200k worth of distinctive items arriving each month to their 22,000 square feet showroom, it comes as no surprise that its garnered decades of fanfare not only in Columbus, but across the nation.
1489 Grandview Ave. Columbus, OH 43212 grandviewmercantile.com | 614.421.7000
Vintage Pair of Brass Horse Bookends $250
1.25 Carat Total Diamond Horseshoe Ring in 14 Karat White Gold
Diamond Cut Horse Charm in 14 Karat Gold
$2,200
$795
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Custom Made Arabian Style Horse Costume on Folding Metal Stand
ELIZABETH PARKER “Comet” Foundry Bronze Grey Equine Bust on Mahogany
$2,200
$5,200
JURIS KAKIS (1938-) “Baltic Rigel” Original Acrylic on Canvas
Antique Leather Field Boots from World War I
$795
$295
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Lumping it Together From the basketball court to the financial world, Iterhic Wealth Advisors’ founder Matt Terwilliger tackles the topic of “lumpy income,” what it means, why it matters and how to make the most of it By Jack McLaughlin Layout by Tori Smith
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hile in other contexts, the idea of being lumpy may not necessarily be desirable, in the world of finance, it’s simply a reality for many. The term lumpy income—as it’s defined by Columbus-based financial planners Iterhic Wealth —refers most generally to individuals who, for a number of reasons, receive the lion’s share of their annual earnings on one or just a few occasions a year, rather than spread out across a regular paycheck. While lumpy income is common among corporate executives (who may receive large annual bonuses and/or stock grants that vest at one time) and business owners (who often take a smaller base salary to cover expenses and opt for distributions less frequently), according to Iterhic founder and senior wealth advisor Matt Terwilliger, most budgeting, saving, and planning ideas are centered around consistent income and gradual increase. “For a lot of these clients, 100 percent of their saving and planning opportunities happen all at once. You really have to be prepared and know what you’re going to do with it,” Terwilliger said. “A lot of financial planners will help create a plan after large payouts happen, but you really need to make a plan for them beforehand.”
As a large percentage of Iterhic’s clients are business owners or executives, the Columbus advisors know a thing or two about lumpy income. Terwilliger, a former OSU basketball player who played at the professional level for multiple years, witnessed lumpy income first-hand from his playing days, where athletes would make an enormous chunk of their lifetime earnings during a short career early in their adult lives. He noticed the challenges and the opportunities for lumpy earners throughout his career as a basketball player, and now he and Iterhic are uniquelyequipped to handle lumpy earners plan for both the present and the future. “Granted, business owners and corporate executives typically have a consistent salary, but their greatest opportunities for creating generational wealth for their families are usually large and less frequent,” Terwilliger added. “At Itheric, we aim to make sure lumpy income doesn’t lead to periods of feast or famine.” Now that you’re familiar with the idea of lumpy income—and whether or not you happen to be a lumpy earner—Iterhic has put together a helpful end-of-year checklist to support your planning.
Registered Representatives of Sanctuary Services, Inc. and Investment Advisor Representatives of Sanctuary Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Sanctuary Services Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sanctuary Advisors, LLC, and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Iterhic Wealth Advisors is a DBA of Sanctuary Services, Inc. and Sanctuary Advisors, LLC.
END OF YEAR FINANCIAL CHECKLIST Fund Accounts Make sure accounts like your personal 401K and your kids’ 529 are funded, as the deadline for this is the end of the calendar year. If your “lumps” come early in the year, talk to your advisor about a plan to fund these in Q1 or throughout the year so you don’t miss the opportunity at tax savings. This is also a great time to consider ROTH conversion.
Review Insurance and Beneficiaries Life is always changing. Review your beneficiaries to make sure they still reflect your wishes. End of year is also a prudent time to review your insurance; including Life, P&C, and Disability.
Know Your Stocks If you are a corporate executive, it’s important to know what stock grants and stock options are in your compensation package, and what has vested in the year. Vested stock and exercised options may impact what you owe in taxes, and may not be reflected in your default tax withholding.
Make Annual Gifts Annual gifts up to $17,000 per person per year can be made to an unlimited number of recipients and are excluded from gift tax. Donor advised funds accelerate gifting in years where you have large windfalls of income. Funds contributed to a donor advised fund are also tax deductible.
Plan with a Purpose Establish savings goals and set a budget for the coming year. This is also a great time to conduct an annual family meeting to make sure everyone is aligned in values and understands the plan and purpose for growing familial wealth. Studies have shown that even in cases of generational wealth, if plans aren’t discussed among family members, even the largest fortunes are often gone by the third generation.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
iterhicwealth.com
FALL 2023 - COVER STORY
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Reneé Peters of Reneé Peters Dressage
Words by Taylor Dorrell Photography by Leonardo Carrizo Layout by Bryce Patterson
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Horses were once the most significant technological engine of transportation and agriculture worldwide, pulling plows through fields and carts through town. Today, horses are reserved largely for the hobbies of the wealthy and the showmanship of rural fairs. Spectacle has replaced their utility as highways and industrial manufacturing challenge what little is left of equestrian culture. But there are still those fighting to exist and to go a step further, to make these sports more affordable and welcoming to those with less means. Tallmadge's equestrian story and his now out-of-print book, Horseback Riding in and Around Columbus, 1774 - 1924, might inspire those characters active today in keeping riding culture alive.
he old Wyandotte Athletic Club on the East Side was once called the Columbus Riding Club Hall, a significant yet modest reception to the once common grazing species of the horse. A serviceable structure, the indoor facility opened in the 1930s, providing yearlong shelter for the city's equestrian enthusiasts. The hall was the dream of the insurance businessman Frank Tallmadge, who spent the late 19th century riding casually through Columbus' parks. It was not uncommon at the time to see among park wanderers in Franklin Park or Goodale the brilliant galloping of horses. Fifty years after cars entered the picture, however, equestrian culture had taken a backseat. In 1900, only 4,192 cars were sold in the U.S. In 1912, that number increased to 356,000. Stable owners, trainers, and feed producers were supplanted by car manufacturers and oil drillers; riding halls like Tallmadge's became athletic clubs.
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Retail Classic
porch." Scandal aside, the New Albany Classic was a unique blend of retail capital, pop music, food, and high-end equestrian culture, a mix not replicated since.
In the Fall of 1998, a vast protected property in New Albany was partially open to the public for the day. On this slice of land stood countless food stands, a festival-size stage, and a ring that hosted an equestrian show. Even decades after the decline of equestrian culture, here, in the backyard of none other than Les Wexner, in the shadow of his guesthouse, a massive event was held annually for almost 20 years. More than 10,000 of the city's residents flooded the grass lawn every year to hear artists ranging from the Jonas Brothers to Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande. Audience members could also walk to the ring afterward to watch the equestrian competition, where riders competed for a grand prize of $125,000. Scandal could've played a part in its shutting down after 2017 as Wexner's guest house was long used by the late Jeffrey Epstein—when I attended the event in high school, I sat on the home's porch, a brief moment that I relay to friends as "the time I sat on Epstein's
"The New Albany Classic was an entity in itself," Reneé Peters of Reneé Peters Dressage told me over the phone. "You have people that aren't competing that go to that instead of people that just have some sort of affiliation with the competition." Peters is a trainer for hunters, jumpers, and dressage—hunters are judged subjectively by judges on the rider and horse ability and style through a course, while jumpers are judged by time and faults; dressage is a sport judging precise and intricate movements by a horse in response to barely perceptible signals from the rider. Peters says the enigma of the New Albany Classic hasn't been matched since. She remains optimistic, but realistically so.
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FALL 2023 - COVER STORY
Hired Assassins A permanent fixture of the Columbus Museum of Art's collection is a painting of a polo match by the Columbus-born painter George Bellows. One of his most famous pieces shows a blurry polo game unfolding before a Victorian-dressed audience. The greens and grays paint a picture of a Midwestern setting not dissimilar from an Ohio Fall. Titled "Lakewood," I long thought of the painting as being of Lakewood, Ohio, outside of Cleveland. I imagined Cleveland's industrialists and finance capitalists driving there for a weekend spectacle of equestrian sportsmanship and lavish drinking. I felt pride every time I visited the Bellows section of the museum, knowing that at least one of his famous paintings was of an Ohio scene instead of the New York pieces that made him world famous. It was much later that I found out, only through intense research, that the match wasn't in Ohio at all and was actually in Lakewood, New Jersey. As it happens, neither Lakeland, Ohio nor New Jersey are the polo capitals of the world. Had Bellows been alive today, he likely would've looked for inspiration from the world's contemporary polo hub, Argentina.
The country's vast, low-lying geography drives a horse culture that goes unmatched globally. "The natural conditions of the land make breeding polo horses easy," Bill Buchanan, the Argentine Association of Polo Pony Breeders manager, told BBC. "Our Pampa is ideal territory for polo." The top ten polo players in the world are almost exclusively from Argentina, and those foreigners seeking to become the best go to Argentina to train. It is common for Argentinian polo players to travel to play in other countries in the off-season, often referred to as "hired assassins." Some of these assassins come to Columbus. Horace Henriot is a resident of central Ohio but is originally from Antwerp, Belgium, a modest European port city known for its unusually high number of painters starting in the 16th century, most notably the 17th-century painter Peter Paul Rubens. Henriot was not a painter but a polo enthusiast inspired by the hired assassins who lived in Antwerp in the 1990s. Henriot himself made the pilgrimage to Argentina to train and become a professional but went on a hiatus after moving back to Europe. It wasn't until he got married to Tina, an Ohioan, and moved to Columbus that he decided to teach polo. In 2013, he founded Play Polo Club.
Polo in Argentina is not reserved solely for the country's elite. Polo to Argentinians is what football is to Americans. The game was stolen from India by the British and introduced by British settlers to Argentina in the 1870s. Today, polo matches are broadcast widely on TV in Argentina and can attract arena crowds of more than 30,000 people.
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COVER STORY - FALL 2023
Tina told me. Part of the draw of Play Polo Club is that anyone can join and use the ponies that more experienced and well-off players already own and hold at the property. "Most of our players have never ridden a horse before they start taking lessons, and now they're going up and down that field on Sundays," Tina said. They play games every Sunday during the warm months and travel to Argentina to train. Columbus is the city that birthed one of America's greatest painters, Bellows, and now could also be the city that births America's next great polo player.
Polo in America is different from what it is in Argentina. The sport is reserved for those with refined taste and lush bank accounts. Players must be able to purchase, store, and care for a horse. Attendees for most matches wear attire not dissimilar from those aristocratic garbs in Bellows' Lakewood painting. People like Horace Henriot, however, are trying to change that. Play Polo Club is not just a club for established players to join but a nucleus to bring people into the sport. "All 27 polo ponies here are owned by the polo players within the Play Polo Club, so we help match polo ponies with our players as they learn to play polo,"
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“ Ponies can still be found in the rare yet passionate worlds of polo, hunter-jumpers, and equestrians, all of which have vibrant communities here in central Ohio.”
With Columbus' influx of tech manufacturing and white-collar jobs, it's unclear what the future of equestrian sports will look like in central Ohio. The higher-income jobs could increase interest in bourgeois sports, but the giant industrial complexes also take essential land and water from farms. "We're really hopeful that this will be a good thing," Tina told me. Peters is still determining the implications. "It'll be interesting to see if Intel helps our businesses or hurts it by losing some farmland," she told me. "Shows around here are getting bigger for sure, but we've lost a couple of farms." How this will impact equestrian culture is up in the air. But enthusiasts like Peters and the Henriot family are here to stay.
It is uncommon today to see among park wanderers in Franklin Park or Goodale the brilliant galloping of horses. They are no longer the greatest technological engine of transportation and agriculture worldwide, pulling plows through fields and carts through town. Riding halls are now athletic clubs. But they're still here, albeit with a different purpose. Ponies can still be found in the rare yet passionate worlds of polo, hunter-jumpers, and equestrians, all of which have vibrant communities here in central Ohio. It's not unrealistic to wonder if the old Wyandotte Athletic Club will one day return to its original purpose as the Columbus Riding Club Hall.
COLLECTING - FALL 2023
Paul Gelpi, owner of Swan Cleaners, and Rose Spangler, master furrier at Swan Cleaners
King & Queenof Fur Words by Canaan Lendell Photography by Ben Callahan Layout by Atlas Biro
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longtime Columbus institution, Swan Cleaners has firmly established itself in the community over the past 90+ years. Started as a supplement to the tailoring work of Eleanor Gelpi’s father, she and her mother Maria initially offered just pressing and dry-cleaning. As women in business in the 1930s, current president Paul Gelpi explained that even this was often a fight, “They couldn’t find any wholesale cleaning companies in Columbus that would do their cleaning for them, so they had to drive to Dayton overnight. One would spend all night waiting for the cleaning and drive it back, then the other would spend all day working.”
and Gelpi to this day: “My mother and father both believed in giving back - we made our money from the community, so we believe in giving back to the community.” Inside the Dublin Road location, through a locked side door, is the Fur Vault, a collection of new and vintage fur clothing of all kinds, as well as a massive temperature-controlled warehouse for long-term storage. A somewhat unconventional concept in the Midwest, Gelpi said that the Fur Vault was created to address the lack of proper fur care between NYC and Chicago: “Nobody else in town, or Ohio, was storing furs in temperature and humidity-controlled environments. We store ours at 55 degrees and 55% relative humidity, which is the proper way to do it, and we hire master furriers that can remake garments from start to finish.”
After Eleanor met her husband, Andre, the name was changed from City to Swan Cleaners, and she began to engage heavily with the Columbus community. She was instrumental in starting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and was very involved in the Ballet Met; Gelpi told me that she and another woman from the community were the ones who raised the money to save the Ohio Theatre when it was just two days away from destruction. Community involvement continues to be fundamentally important to both Swan Cleaners
Asked about what he thinks the future holds for fur, Gelpi is optimistic, “We’ve been seeing a renaissance in fur, often in simpler and smaller pieces like jackets, collars, cuffs, and vests, but recently in full-size coats and capes as well. There’s just no one around that has the ability to do the type of fur work that we do here.”
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wanted teddy bears made for her and her sister. And she was so excited that they both had something to remember their mom by.” Rose got her start as one of many seamstresses at Swan Cleaners back in the late ’60s but soon found herself more interested in the work being done upstairs by then-furrier Art Hughes: “I started sneaking up on my lunch hour and watching, just fascinated, and one day he gave me a coat and sewing machine and said, ‘Try it’. He said I did a pretty good job, so I kept going back. I gradually started doing more difficult things - and then one day, about two months in - he hollers down the stairs to my manager, ‘Rose isn’t coming back; she’s mine.’” That was the start of a 7-year intensive apprenticeship where she learned all aspects of fur tailoring and repair, and Rose has been running the show ever since. The diversity of requests she gets keeps her constantly learning, having done everything from jackets for cabbage patch dolls to a coat for a client’s puppy.
Rose, the Master Furrier
“There’s so much pleasure in making something by hand and the customer trying it on and loving it. It makes a real difference; I just love what I’m doing.”
While browsing for a new coat or hat, you might notice a stray teddy bear or panda perched on the shelf. These adorable creations are the handiwork of Rose Spangler, the Fur Vault’s fourth resident furrier. Rose meticulously constructs the animals out of old furs that are often in less than stellar condition, “You must map it out because as you go down the coat, the fur gets longer and thicker, the color changes, and you want to make sure that the animal looks consistent. Sometimes, there might be yellowing on the shoulder or holes under the arm, so you can only use the bottom half.”
“ But the whole advantage of reusing old furs is that even if overall it’s in bad condition, you can still make something out of it.” Depending on the size of the stuffed animal, Rose says that a coat in good condition will usually yield 5-6 animal friends for sharing with loved ones, but she can work with garments of almost any size: “I had a woman come in whose mother had passed, and she put her stole up for sale. When she returned after a year, and it still hadn’t sold, she was so tickled because she had changed her mind - she
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FOOD & DRINK - FALL 2023
THE
FULL MONTE Words by Canaan Lendell Photography by Ben Callahan Layout by Atlas Biro
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The Full Monte
s tree leaves fall to the ground and brisk hikes give way to cozy book readings by the fireplace, I find myself turning towards more decadent, fuller drinks—mulled wine, buttered rum, apple cider - all perfumed with spices and warming to the core. The Full Monte is quickly becoming one of this year's favorites- employing whiskey and amaro to excellent effect. Drawing inspiration from the Manhattan, it swaps vermouth for Amaro Montenegro and inverts the typical 2:1 ratio, pushing the citrusy and spicy notes of the amaro to the front. For the whiskey, I've been using the Michelone Reserve Bourbon from our local distillery Middle West Spirits. It provides a clean, full backdrop for the Montenegro to shine, but if you'd like something with a bit more character, their Dark Pumpernickel Rye gives an assertive, spicy kick that will really warm you up. A dash of bitters, Angostura, or orange would be perfect here, and an expressed orange peel is all you need to complete this unique winter cocktail.
Makes 1 drink. •
2 oz. Amaro Montenegro
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1 oz. Middle West Bourbon Whiskey
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1 dash of Bitters
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Orange Peel
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1 Luxardo Cherry (optional)
Recipe 1.
Add the amaro, whiskey, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled.
2.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
3.
Carefully squeeze the orange peel, releasing the oil over the top of the drink
4. (Optional) Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
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FOOD & DRINK - FALL 2023
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IN PRAISE OF
BEAN SOUP Words by Megan Smith Photography by Ben Callahan Layout by Atlas Biro
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Worthington Bean Soup
ean soup often carries a connotation of sad times and social stigma. “Poor man's food,” some call it. Spartacus igniting the slave rebellion by drowning the Centurion master in a pot of bean soup or Goudiss' bean soup recipe in the 1918 cookbook, "Foods That Will Win the War and How to Cook Them" will likely make for great fodder in a debate about the lack of refinement of the inexpensive meal.
Makes 10-12 servings.
Nevertheless, if the poshest Italian restaurants have Ribollita on their menus (a classic Italian "peasant" white bean soup that translates to "re-boiled"), and bean soup has been served in both the House Restaurant and Senate's restaurant in Washington DC since 1903, then it's only apropos that we here in Columbus have our version as well. And that we do.
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1 container of Worthington Bean Soup mix
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1 large onion, chopped
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1 clove of garlic, minced
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ham or ham bone (optional)
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16 oz. can of diced tomatos (optional)
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salt and pepper, to taste
Recipe
Kate LaLonde, Director of the Worthington Historical Society, shares, "Each year since 1963, the Worthington Historical Society has held a sale on the Village Green, raising funds for the young Historical Society. Among the items sold were baked goods, knitted mittens, decorated straw slippers, maple sugar buckets, samplers, garden produce, herbs, antiques, white elephants…and packets of bean soup! The mix proved a popular item at the annual sale and has become a staple in the Society's Shop at the Old Rectory to this day."
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Rinse and sort bean blend; remove any stones.
2.
Soak Beans a. Quick Soak: Put mixture in 8 cups of hot water, bring to a rapid boild of 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover, let stand for 2 hours, drain and rinse beans. b.
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Overnight Soak: Put mixture in 2 quarts of cold water, let stand overnight or 6-8 hours. Drain and rinse beans.
Put Pre-soaked bean mixture in a large kettle with 2 quarts of water. Add ham or ham bone, if desired, and bring to a boil.
4. Simmer slowly for 2.5-3 hours. During the simmer, add the onion, garlic, contents of provided spice mixture, and can of diced tomatoes. 5.
Salt & pepper to taste.
Note: The bean soup mix is sold at Worthington Historical Society’s, The Shop at the Old Rectory. Wednesday through Friday, 1 – 4 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am – 2 pm. Bean Mix Originally Developed by Worthington Historical Society member Jessie Kerr
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HISTORICAL - FALL 2023
Words by Taylor Dorrell Illustrations by Annie Deibel Layout by Bryce Patterson
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writer is not a film star of grave visual interest, not a political figure of overarching power, not a worker of direct utility. A writer is their text, a channel that projects carefully crafted words wielded like a brush. With literary figures, the physical being is less relevant, disappointing even, than their works. They are less often the postcard of masculinity, rarely a Hemingway, and more often the scrawny man with glasses drowning, as James Thurber was, helplessly in the South of France – thankfully he was saved by a man with a wooden leg, to which Thurber asked him “to save the women and children… after he got me out.”
early life as an insecure, introverted, and nearly blind fellow. It’s under these circumstances that Thurber first sailed to Paris in his mid-twenties. That First Time He Saw Paris Thurber’s first journey to Paris was a nauseating one. Possessing a chronic seasickness unfamiliar to a landlocked Thurber, he spent much of his time clinging nauseously to his bunk as the ship, the Orizaba, took an elusive route to avoid the remaining submarines of the Great War. On November 11, 1918, before a pale Thurber docked in St.-Nazaire, the Armistice was signed.
Insofar as Thurber’s works are concerned, they have been largely forgotten. His books are generally unknown, his articles unread. Even in his hometown of Columbus, I have found few who know his name and none who know his books. The writer, who EB White “preferred” over “Mark Twain” as a humorist, has dropped off the radar of our literary canon. But it’s his visual interest, his underwhelming power, his European adventures – ranging from the accidental setting off of a grenade to the losing of his virginity and then the finding of it again – that concern us today.
He arrived in Paris to celebrations. The gray Parisian Fall weather was met with the high spirits of Paris’ peace festivities. “Girls snatched overseas caps and tunic buttons from American soldiers, paying for them in hugs and kisses,” Thurber claiming that, “The Americans have never been so loved in France, or anywhere else abroad.” One of the hats that was snatched was his own. Since his trunk was left behind in St.-Nazaire, he had to buy a new suit, which was inflated both by wartime prices and a tailor who refused to deliver him anything but a vastly oversized outfit. He would go for much of the trip with a massive suit and no hat.
Thurber was born and raised in Columbus, attending OSU in the 1910s. Despite his middleclass background, he did not have an easy life in his youth. Were it not for his brother William accidently shooting his eye out with an arrow at seven, James might’ve graduated from OSU, leading a life that would be considered “normal” for the time, that is, going off to war and losing his eye on the battlefield. Instead, Thurber spent much of his
An eager observer and an adventurous loner, Thurber lived a happy life as a master of code – he was working as a code clerk at the American Embassy – in his slice of Paris. He did not, unlike other Americans in his position, take to the great cultural wonders of the city, those tourist destinations sought after by foreigners. Instead, he
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took to laughing and being impressed by the little things. He might ask someone what they’re doing and they’d respond, “going to such and such,” and he’d respond, “Well, if you change your mind, come along with me to so and so.” It was not about the art of a museum, for example, but his reaction to the art. A walk was not a walk, but a flood of senses, a downpour of youthful love and humor. When he did visit the standard landmarks familiar to American tourists, his itinerary was guided by scenes from his two-volume edition of Henry James’ The Ambassadors. Two shocking incidents, both sparked by a clumsy trip, stuck out on his time abroad. The first scene unfolded in an environment that can best be described as bourgeois. He was at the Ritz with fellow Ohioans when he tripped over a cord and pulled down a large lamp. The room got quiet and all eyes were glued on him. When he arose, he straightened up like a baron and yelled, “Oh, what the hell!” and stomped out authoritatively. The location of his second tripping was less serene. Thurber was touring battlefields when he tripped over a strand of wire that set off a grenade 50 feet away. He also ruined a shoe and the leg on his oversize suit pants climbing in and out of trenches and over barbed wire. His affairs were not limited to embarrassing, almost deadly, trips. Two romantic flings blossomed in his first Parisian tenure. While he “never had a natural invisible supply of supreme confidence,” as he put it, he nonetheless maintained a love life throughout his twenties. Despite his romantic interests back home, it was in Paris where he would break his sexual purity. Ninette and Remonde, his Parisian lovers, might’ve gone unmentioned in his biography were it not for a suspicion that he “stepped aside,” or lost his virginity to, Remonde. He left Paris after 15 months, returning to Columbus in February of 1920 as a new man. Columbus’ Lost Generation Thurber made one more foundational trip to Paris in his late twenties. It took a good deal of persuasion on the part of Thurber’s wife Althea to get Thurber out of his comfortable newspaper job at the Columbus Dispatch. His family never expected Thurber to leave Columbus or do anything more than to be a newspaperman at the Dispatch, but
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HISTORICAL - FALL 2023
“ I think I have seen enough of Paris. Because, on final analysis, there are more things to go back for, than to stay for. My heart is in Ohio” Althea recognized that Paris-Thurber was not the same as Columbus-Thurber. “You can write and you must write,” she said. “You are a humorist and Columbus isn’t the place to do humor.” And so they set sail in 1925 on the Leviathan for another nauseating trip.
It was here where Thurber developed a reputation for squeezing and twisting brief telegraphs from New York and London into the paper. The author William L. Shirer recalled that “the night editor would toss [Thurber] eight or ten words of cablese and say, “Give me a column on that, Jim.” He’d pucker up and respond, “Yes, suh.” He became a specialist on President Coolidge specifically. A short cable would come in about Coolidge addressing veterans and he’d stretch it with such imagination that it would become fiction. If chatter about Coolidge died down, he’d make up his own dispatches. He once invented an event where Coolidge addressed a Protestant church convention, proclaiming that “a man who does not pray is not a praying man.”
They sightsaw as Thurber took to tracking down freelance work. This is when he had his drowning incident outside Nice, which wasn’t “as funny as you make it out,” he wrote. They settled in Normandy as the writing location for what was to be Thurber’s first novel. The beautiful region with its gardens, scenery, and proximity to the sea, was stunted by their intimidating landlady. A “large and shapeless” Madame with a prominent mustache and a smile that “was quick and savage and frightening,” scared James, who often imagined her entering his room with a kitchen knife. On occasion, she would succeed in letting out her entire English vocabulary at once: “I love you, kiss me, thousand dollars, no, yes.”
If Thurber lost his virginity on his first trip to Paris, he found it again on his second. His marriage became one of alienation and distance by the time he left in 1926, the year Althea would later point to as the loss of their compatibility. In tears, she told Thurber’s friend Joel Sayre, “I’ve been married four years and I’m still a virgin.” He left Paris broke and estranged from his wife, but also with the understanding that his passion was not in Jamesian fiction, but humor. Although he enjoyed his time in the grand city, he discovered that his interest was in his home country of America, not in being an expatriate in Paris.
His novel would tell the story of his friend Herman Miller with the backdrop being his beloved OSU. He attempted to combine his humor with Jamesian fragmentation and asides. Thurber, however, was sick of the characters at the end of 5,000 words. He showed the draft to Althea who said it was “terrible.” He agreed. Thurber never attempted to write a novel again.
“[Thurber] would have never written about Columbus and his family that successfully if he had stayed there,” Sayre claimed. His time in Paris shaped Thurber and his works. Were it not for the trip, not for the impression of these silly impactful experiences, he might never have created such works as My Life and Hard Times and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” A writer might be confined to their works, but they are also shaped by their experiences. Thurber reflected on his first trip: “I think I have seen enough of Paris. Because, on final analysis, there are more things to go back for, than to stay for. My heart is in Ohio.”
The couple moved to the Left Bank where Thurber got a job with the Paris edition of the Chicago Tribune for $12 a week. The Paris Tribune was the troubled child, the bad boy, the livelier, yet smaller competitor to the prominent Paris edition of the New York Herald Tribune. Here in the Left Bank and on the pages of the Paris Tribune flourished a bohemian culture of writers and artists who’ve since been forgotten in the shadow of the Lost Generation. The newspaper was by and for the Left Bank, especially the Latin Quarter. This was the crowd that couldn’t afford the lifestyle of the Fitzgerald’s. “We lived the typical poor man’s version of the literary life—nothing like the Hemingway set in any way,” Althea said.
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IDEAS - FALL 2023
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ALL
Set Two Tablescapes to Create the Perfect Gathering Spot for the Holidays
Words by Megan Smith Photography by Ben Callahan Styling and Creative Direction by Sarena Kelley Location Shadowbrook House Layout by Tori Smith
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holidays, it often feels that only the finest porcelain and crystal will do.
he idea of hosting over the holidays, especially if one has (like we do) a penchant for luxury and refinement, can feel daunting. While entertaining friends and family can be as straightforward as putting out a pot of coffee and a plate of cookies for a mid-afternoon girlfriend chat or calling over the neighbors and ordering pizza for Saturday afternoon football watching, when it comes to the
We recently spent time at the chalet-style sprawling property of Sarena Kelley, where she showed us the two tablescapes she will be setting for this year’s autumn holiday meals; both refined yet effortless. It is a mix of old and new, with just enough sophistication, yet not too overly proper that a fuss is made if the red wine spills.
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Where to Shop to Get the Look: Fourth Home - 1065 Dublin Rd
Grandview Mercantile - 1489 Grandview Ave
Elm & Iron - (Clintonville & Easton)
J Avenue - 1160 Kenny Centre Mall
Trove Warehouse - 2325 Wood Ave
Lagom Floral Gallery - 1198 North High St
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FALL 2023 - ENTERTAINING
WINTER HOLIDAYS
with Ease & Elegance
Words by Megan Smith Photography by Tina Carter Layout by Tori Smith
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he winter season brings an abundance of holidays and celebrations, all packed within a few short weeks. From Hanukkah to Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, St. Nicolas Day, Lunar New Year, and other commercialized holidays, there is always something to celebrate. Whatever holiday you’re commemorating, putting some attention into the details and planning can make this year’s festivities even more special and memorable. Here are 10 tips to make your holiday gathering easy, elegant, and stress-free.
01 Customized Invitations:
04 Entertaining Activities:
Impress your guests with personalized invitations that express sincerity and a warm welcome. Although handwritten invites are time-consuming, you can customize an email or text message to your guests. This thoughtful gesture sets the tone for a welcoming and enjoyable event.
Keep your guests engaged and entertained with planned activities or games. You can include a white elephant gift exchange, several board game tables, cookie decorating, holiday trivia, or a caroling session.
05 Thoughtful Seating:
02 Atmosphere:
Plan a seating arrangement that ensures everyone feels comfortable, heard, and can converse with others with similar interests.
Create an inviting atmosphere with lighting that sets the mood. During the day, take advantage of natural light. For evenings, create a warm and cozy ambiance with candles and dim lighting that evokes relaxation and comfort for your guests.
06 Children’s Corner:
03 Food and Drinks:
If children are attending the gathering, make sure they have a designated area with a sitter and activities to keep them engaged, making memories, and having fun.
Plan your menu with a balance of traditional and new dishes, treats, and snacks that will keep your guests happy and satisfied. Don't forget to offer a variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit everyone's tastes.
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07 Festive Attire: Encourage guests to dress in festive attire that will put them in the holiday spirit and add to the celebratory atmosphere.
08 Homemade Party Favors: Add a personal touch by creating your own party favors for guests to take home. This could include homemade ornaments, your favorite local honey or jam, small plants, or any other thoughtful trinkets.
09 Small Comforts: Remember the little things that can make your guests feel at home, such as providing cozy blankets, a coat rack for their belongings, and enough bathroom supplies. Offering festive slippers for guests who like to take off their shoes can also be a nice touch.
10 Thank You Notes: Show appreciation to your guests by writing thank you notes after the event. Let them know how much their presence meant to you and how much you enjoyed celebrating the holiday with them. Ultimately, the key to making your winter holiday gathering easy and elegant is to put your heart into it. Celebrate the joy of the season with those around you, making them feel welcome and comfortable in your home. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and the memories created will last a lifetime.
THE MEDSPA YOU CAN TRUST NOVEMBER ONLY
DO-GOOD - FALL 2023
DREAMS on
HORSEBACK Words by Shelby Metzger Photos provided by Dreams on Horseback Layout by Tori Smith
P
icture going to therapy. You may imagine a small, chilly room within an underwhelming brick-clad building casting an ominous undertone. But therapy smells of horse hair, leather, and dust for some. It looks like a white barn set in the picturesque fields of rural Blacklick. Dreams on Horseback, a center offering equine therapy to those with physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges, including veterans, students, and adults, is on a mission to enrich lives with horses.
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Twenty-one years ago, Jennifer Hansen and Daisy – a paint horse, her chocolate coat splashed with white, warm eyes parted by a crescent-shaped blaze – started volunteering at outreach programs in Columbus offering equine therapy. But, after convincing her husband to purchase an old farm in Blacklick to expand her services, she received an influx of inquiries from the community. "People came through the barn doors just asking for help, looking for therapeutic programming, and step by step, along with the appeals for help from the community, came professionals who had exceptional talents in providing therapeutic programming," Hansen told me. "And so, truly, this was an organization built from the grassroots." Ellen Lee came across the phenomenon of healing through horses by accident. Or, perhaps, by fate. "I was looking for a Mustang car for my daughter, and there had been an ad for Dreams on Horseback that had been misplaced somehow in the car ads, probably with the horse tie-in with Mustangs," Lee chuckled. Armed with her Master's in education coupled with a newfound fondness for equines, Lee worked with Dreams on Horseback as Gahanna's vocational program instructor in 2010 before stepping into the role of developmental director for the organization in 2016. "Once I entered the door, I couldn't leave," Lee said. "There were just too many good things happening there."
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in other areas of their lives," Hansen explained. "They're very dynamic, almost like a mirror reflecting behavior change."
The organization largely relies on volunteers, emphasizing that no previous experience is needed to undergo training, as any involvement may help to shorten the two-year waitlist the program currently faces. Volunteers and staff allow students to experience the magic of horses - a different type of therapy that no session on a couch can offer you.
When I inquired about the most impactful part of the job, both described what anyone working with horses eventually learns – the gentle giants' innate ability to teach and heal in ways no one thought possible.
After telling Hansen and Lee I grew up with horses, their faces lit up. "Well, the great part about that is that you understand what I call the secret sauce or the magic," Hansen mused. "And that is the horse's innate ability to read non-verbal cues to survive in the wild. And so, that's the heart of all of our programs, is that silent connection and interaction with the people coming through our doors, whether they're aware of challenges they're struggling with or maybe not even aware of them."
Hansen described a student who could not walk on her own, carried around by her father. "She rode with us for three years, and at the end of those three years, she could walk across the arena to greet her horse and handler." Another student hid under his desk at school, refusing to participate. He frequently asked to call home to leave. But horses slowly pulled him out of his shell. He showcased his growth at an open house celebration after just two years. "When we asked for someone to volunteer to teach a crowd of people how to be safe around horses, his hand went up, and he volunteered," Hansen said. "The great part is watching what seems impossible become possible."
Horses can indeed tell when you are nervous. They can feel your heart pumping, your blood rushing, up to four feet away. "The horses read those nonverbal cues and then provide valuable feedback to our staff members. And then we can encourage participants to try perhaps to change how they're dealing with disruptive behaviors that might cause challenges
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