Innovative Impact
The James Cancer Center’s Dr. Roman Skoracki
Black History Month
Peas, please! Cooking up more space
Kourlas,
Jarred Burkart, M.D. Shabana Dewani, M.D.
Kander,
Erin M.Bertino , M.D.
Nse Ntukidem, M.D.
Thomas Sweeney, M.D.
Emily Saul, D.O.
Anish Parikh, M.D.
Joy Tang, M. D.
Kavya Krishna, M.D.
Shylaja Mani, M.D. Erin Macrae, M.D.
Michael Ozga, M.D.
5:15 p.m.
Natalie’s Grandview 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com
Thurs., Jan. 9
Music in the Atrium: Jasmine Spitzer
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. 1st Ave. www.ghpl.org
Sat., January 11
New Year, New Vision: Vision Board Making
3-5 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Facility at McKinley Field 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington Public Library 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org
Wed., Jan. 15
Painting to Music
4-5 p.m.
Upper Arlington Public Library 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org
Thurs., Jan. 16
That Beast Was Not Me: Forensic Psychologist’s Conversations with Killers
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. 1st Ave. www.ghpl.org
Mon., Jan. 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: No School
Grandview Heights Schools and Upper Arlington Schools www.ghschools.org www.uaschools.org
Sun., Jan. 26 & Feb. 23
See page 26
Grandview Heights Indoor Market 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Larson Middle School Commons 1600 W. 1st Ave. www.grandviewheights farmersmarket.com
Tues., Jan. 28
A Night with Liz Moore: NYT Bestselling Author and Rome Prize Winner 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Grandview Heights H.S. Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghpl.org
columbus/osu
Jeffery L. Smalldon
Liz Moore
Jasmine Spitzer
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Wed., Jan. 29
Ohio History Center Trip
10 a.m.-noon
Parks & Recreation Facility at McKinley Field 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Wed., Feb. 5
ACT Prep Class for Juniors
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Grandview Heights High School 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Wed., Jan. 29
Puzzle Party
6-8 p.m.
Wyman Woods Shelter House 1520 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Sat., Feb. 1
Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters
9 p.m.
Natalie’s Grandview 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com
Wed., Feb. 5
GHHS Orchestra Concert
6 p.m.
Grandview Heights H.S. Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Sat., Feb. 8
SOUPer Bowl Party
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Facility at McKinley Field 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Thurs.–Sun., Feb. 13-16
U.A.H.S presents The Sound of Music
Thurs.-Sat.: 7:30 p.m.
Sun.: 2:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org
Mon., Feb. 17
Presidents Day: No School
Grandview Heights Schools and Upper Arlington Schools www.ghschools.org www.uaschools.org
Wed., Feb. 19
Middle School Band Concerts
Grades 5-6: 6 p.m. Grades 7-8: 7 p.m.
Grandview Heights H.S. Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Thurs., Feb. 27
UAHS Orchestra Concert with 8th Grade
7-9 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org
Thurs., Feb. 27
Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center Trip
10 a.m.-noon
Parks & Recreation Facility at McKinley Field 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Amanda Anne Platt
By Maisie Fitzmaurice
If you think plastic surgery only entails aesthetic procedures, think again.
Roman Skoracki, medical director at Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, division chief for oncologic plastic surgery at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC), and Upper Arlington resident, once fell victim to this misconception. But, an impromptu decision led to a change in perspective that would alter the trajectory of his medical career and his life path.
Guten tag, doktor Skoracki!
Skoracki spent the bulk of his childhood in Germany.
A tinkerer for as long as he can remember, he was using high-tech hardware and power tools by the time he was 7 years old, creating and inventing alongside his father.
His family moved to the city of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, when he was a sophomore in high school. After graduation, he attended the University of Calgary, where he studied chemistry, math and German as an undergraduate,
Redefining Cancer Recovery
U.A. resident and surgeon cultivates innovative techniques and interpersonal relationships
and subsequentially, attended medical school at the university’s Cumming School of Medicine.
Skoracki first discovered his love for plastic surgery while at Cumming, after signing up for a rotation in the plastic surgery department on a whim.
“Never being satisfied with the status quo defines the field of plastic surgery,” he says. “From the first day I was lucky enough to be introduced to plastic surgery, I felt like I had found my calling.”
This led him to his next career move: taking on a plastic surgery residency position at the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He continued working with his hands using powerful tools –not in his father’s workshop, but in the operating room.
German-Canadian-American
Skoracki’s U.S. debut began with a 2,000-mile move from Calgary to Houston, where he completed a year-long fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, an award-winning institution frequently
named the best cancer center in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
While there, he met his wife, Laura, a physician assistant at the hospital. The two started dating but found it difficult to stay connected when Skoracki returned to the Max Rady College of Medicine in Winnipeg to work as an assistant professor.
However, he only stayed a year before moving back to Houston.
“We were doing kind of a longdistance relationship and decided that that was not obtainable, we wanted to get married,” he says.
Skoracki stayed in Houston, working at MD Anderson for more than 10 years, improving the lives of cancer patients through his expertise in reconstructive plastic surgery and microsurgery.
“Microsurgery allows complete creativity… A keen understanding of anatomy, physiology and mechanics is essential,
and combines many of the things I love,” he says.
Additionally, he helped to develop a new treatment for lymphedema, a condition that frequently plagues cancer patients, causing swelling, typically in the limbs, due to lymphatic fluid buildup. The unique approach was developed after
Skoracki and his mentor, David Chang, noticed treatment advancements in Japan, Taiwan and France.
This, along with his expertise in reconstructive microsurgery, led to his recruitment by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) – The James, in 2014.
“After visiting and learning from our colleagues, we adopted some of their techniques…” he says. “Since then we have also contributed to the field by introducing some of our own advances. The James has been incredibly supportive of this discovery and has encouraged the development of a lymphedema program that was one of the first in the world to be recognized as a Center of Excellence.”
Leading with empathy
These days, Skoracki focuses on microsurgery, reconstructive surgery and lymphedema treatment. He is instrumental in the successes of The James’ Lymphedema Center of Excellence and serves as a leader in his field.
Even more than the medical aspects of his position, Skoracki finds fulfillment in the relationships he builds with his patients and their families.
This emphasis on human connection and holistic care is something Skoracki sees happening throughout the cancer center. It is one of the things he loves the most about working there, another reason being the ability to work alongside other dedicated physicians and surgeons.
Lukas (top), Alexander (bottom), Roman and Laura Skoracki and dog, Mister
Dr. Skoracki practices reconstructive plastic surgery and microsurgery.
“We meet on a weekly basis and we talk about every patient that comes into our program, and it’s not just the hard facts that get discussed, but there’s a lot of emotional needs and observations made through regular exchanges,” he says. “We all learn from each other and are able to accelerate discovery. This high-level think tank can be intimidating at times, but is always exciting and inspiring.”
Many of Skoracki’s patients say they benefit from his genuine care and the time he takes to make them comfortable during their battles with cancer. A simple web search of his name pulls up plenty of fivestar reviews from patients with comments expressing their appreciation for his listening skills and the effort he makes to explain all their options.
“It is not uncommon to follow a patient for many years,” Skoracki says. “That also means we get to know their families, watch children grow up and learn about the ups and downs in our patients’ lives… When patients graduate from our care it is a very bittersweet moment.”
Life in Upper Arlington
He and Laura, along with their two sons, Alexander, 17, and Lukas, 19, moved to Upper Arlington in 2014 so they could begin their new positions in Columbus. Skoracki says he fell in love with U.A. right away, experiencing all four seasons joyfully and admiring the city’s safety and community connections.
Both Lukas and Alexander are Eagle Scouts, and the family loves to partake in outdoor activities together as well as attend services and events at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
With much of Skoracki’s extended family living in Germany, he, his wife and sons are very close to one another, with Laura as his best friend and most trusted advisor.
“My wife, who makes me look like a slouch with the many hats she wears, definitely makes me want to be a better person every day,” he says. “We usually take our dog, Mister, for a walk in the evenings to debrief and unplug. Most evenings my wife will give me a new perspective on issues I grapple with and it is always a more inclusive and thoughtful view than the one I held.”
During the holidays, the family often visits family in Germany, and Laura incor-
porates aspects of German culture into their at-home celebrations.
“I think Laura knows more about German traditions than I do and I am always amazed when on Dec. 1 our advent calendar seems to appear out of nowhere with little treats for the next 24 days,” Skoracki says.
While Skoracki receives recruitment offers from other top-rated cancer centers all over the world, his love for Upper Arlington, and the Civic Club’s Independence Day celebration, has kept the family here.
“The fact that so many families have three generations represented within one neighborhood gives it a distinctive flavor,” he says. “Our wonderful neighbors have watched and supported the growth of our kids and there is a genuine interest shared by everyone to make the community better. This is not easy to find in most large cities.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
Building the Future
City of Upper Arlington & City of Grandview Heights to open new municipal buildings in 2025
This year, Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights will unveil a total of three new community facilities.
The much-anticipated Bob Crane Community Center (BCCC) is poised for its grand opening in Upper Arlington, and Grandview Heights will unveil a new Fire/ EMS, Police and Administrative Services Facility and a Parks & Recreation center.
With both communities keeping the cities’ goals, values and needs in mind, these projects bring much more than facility upgrades; they provide gathering spaces essential for residents to connect, grow and thrive, each dedicated to the safety, health and wellness of the community they serve.
Bob Crane Community Center in Upper Arlington
In Upper Arlington, a new community center has been long-awaited.
“We’ve never had a gathering space like this and it’s something that the community has wanted for a really long time,” says Jessica Grisez, executive director of UA Community Foundation.
Plans for a new community center began in 2021 when the Foundation formed the Upper Arlington Community Center Capital Campaign Committee, which secured more than $8.1 million in private support, including a lead campaign gift of $2 million through a legacy donation on behalf of the late Loann Crane.
That donation led to the Center being named after the late Bob Crane, Loann’s husband, a long-time UA resident remembered for his giving spirit and love for sports and his community.
As for the rest of the funding and costs of operation, the City uses a combination of debt and cash financing. The City will issue income tax revenue bonds which
will be repaid through various sources, including tax increment financing funds.
The Community Center was also sustainably designed to include rooftop solar panels, which will save an estimated $50,000 per year, lowering operation costs.
The five-floor, 165,446-square-foot facility offers new and exciting features for residents of all ages. It will include an indoor pool and playground, multiple spaces for fitness and exercise, three gymnasiums, a walking and running track and locker rooms. There will also be a rentable event center, program classrooms, several meeting/multi-purpose rooms, a café, a child-watch area, an e-sports room, a senior lounge, an outdoor terrace and patio as well as an art gallery.
A space for all
The Community Center is located within the Kingsdale Mixed-use Project area, on Tremont Road. It will be open
Renderings of Bob Crane Community Center in Upper Arlington.
Bob Crane Community Center
from 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends.
Diligently designed to cater to all, the Community Center will ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
There will be 227 parking spots available – including 37 limited mobility spaces and 12 ADA spaces – 36 bike racks, and three bus route connections located nearby.
Membership prices were chosen with affordability in mind, and the Play UA Financial Assistance Program is available
for residents facing financial barriers who wish to frequent the Community Center. The Community Center will also offer employment opportunities for residents. UA Parks & Recreation is currently looking to fill part-time positions at the BCCC. Forty years in the making, according to Grisez, the opening of the BCCC this spring will be a “dream come true” for UA’s committed community members and is sure to foster a healthier and more connected community for years to come.
City of Grandview Heights Fire/ EMS, Police and Administrative Services Facility and Parks &
more green spaces, new communal meeting spaces and expanded safety services.
In 2022, the City began working
Koelker, director of planning and community development.
The project consists of three phases:
• Phase 1: Construct a new Grandview Center at the McKinley Shelter site.
• Phase 2: Construct a new Fire/EMS, Police and Administrative Services Facility at the southeast corner of Goodale Boulevard and Grandview Avenue
• Phase 3: Expand Wyman Woods Park to adopt the “top of the hill” site, the site of the current Municipal Building. Until the project is complete in mid2025, the existing Grandview Center will remain open. Once the Parks & Recreation Facility is open, the existing center will be demolished to make way for an access drive to the new fire equipment bays and public parking plaza.
Renderings of City of Grandview Heights’ new facility.
Meanwhile, the Fire/EMS, Police and Administrative Services Facility will be removed from a residential area and placed at a major intersection that will allow for quicker access in any direction.
The “icing on top of the cake,” Koelker says, is that the location changes will also return the “top of the hill” site to the community as part of Wyman Woods Park.
Making it happen
According to Megan Miller, director of finance, the Municipal Building was funded by the $25 million 2022 Bond Issue 32, passed by voting residents, alongside the City’s cash reserves. The cash reserves fully funded the Parks & Recreation Facility. In the future, operational costs will be maintained by General Fund dollars.
Both buildings come with new features and programs beneficial for workers and residents alike.
The new Parks & Recreation Facility will allow for better incorporation of the outdoors, programs for a broader age range, rental opportunities and a new Heritage Trail opportunity.
“Grandview is a very neighborhoodcentric community,” says Director of Parks & Recreation Mike Patterson, “and this public space is another opportunity for them to gather, meet and grow together.”
The new Fire/EMS, Police and Administrative Services Facility will not only allow for faster emergency response but will also give first responders a safer and healthier atmosphere with more space to train.
“If we’re happy (and) healthy, if we can get out the door right away, and we’re trained and ready to go… we’re going to be able to do our jobs a lot better,” says Fire Chief Greg Eisenacher.
Overall, Koelker says the highlight of the new buildings will be that the City employees will work together in the same space, promoting better communication, more comradery and efficiency.
Designed to last the next century, according to both Koelker and Eisenacher, the new buildings are set to grow with Grandview Heights and the surrounding region for years to come.
Ella Jay is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@ cityscenemediagroup.com. City of Grandview
Empowering Black Narratives
Community libraries celebrate culture and legacy during Black History Month
By Maisie Fitzmaurice
During Black History Month, many communities, including Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights, unite to recognize and celebrate Black culture and historical figures. Such figures have made advancements in a variety of fields – from cosmetology to agriculture – changing the trajectory of our nation and shaping it into what it is today.
As community spaces dedicated to learning, Upper Arlington Public Library (UAPL) and Grandview Heights Public Library (GHPL) will each host Black History Month events in 2025.
Douglass Day — Frederick Douglass’ birthday celebration at UAPL
On Feb. 14, UAPL–Tremont, will celebrate Frederick Douglass’ chosen birthday by participating in the Library of Congress’ national transcribe-a-thon and birthday cake decorating contest.
Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Maryland in 1818. Teaching himself how to read and write in secret, he later became a famed abolitionist and author.
“He was someone who wrote a lot, and there’s a lot of history that we’ve lost because African-American people were not necessarily educated,” Cas Chermer, a programmer at UAPL, says. “They weren’t
able to necessarily write things down, or they may have spoken, but people didn’t consider it important enough to make any kind of record of that, and so he’s someone that we do have history from.”
This is the first time UAPL will join in on this annual livestreamed event.
“I want people to connect in a very personal way to the history, and I like the idea that this is something that’s happening around the country so that we’re not just connecting to the people in the room with us,” Chermer says.
The purpose of a transcribe-a-thon is to build the Library of Congress’ digital archives from historic, often handwritten, documents.
“There are a lot of other papers from other important figures in Black history that are just sort of sitting in the Library of Congress, waiting for someone to come
and pull down that box from the archives and read it through, and this way, it puts it out there for the public,” Chermer says.
“It gets a nice chunk of Black history now available and accessible to the public, where before it just wouldn’t have been.”
Photos courtesy of Michael Jordon & City of Upper Arlington
Black History Month Celebration at UAPL
For Black History Month, UAPL, in collaboration with Upper Arlington’s Parks & Recreation Cultural Arts Division, will hold a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 15, showcasing performances from
Periodic Table of Black History at UAPL
For the littlest community members, UAPL will once again display the Periodic Table of Black History for the entire month in the library’s youth area.
The display is structured like a periodic table, with each element represented by a Black historical figure. Just as the periodic table is sectioned into groups, the 72 historical figures are grouped by what ‘made them famous’ (i.e. athletes, musicians, artists, etc.) honoring each person’s skills, accomplishments and character.
To engage children, the display has an interactive element in the form of matching and word search activity sheets that help the students learn more about and become familiar with Black historical figures.
“Patrons find the display unique, as this type of display is not found in other area libraries,” Naome Allison, public service associate at UAPL and curator of the table, says. “Adult patrons will take the time to share their knowledge with young ones about individuals on the display, while youth become excited when they recognize a person on the bulletin board.”
dancers, spoken-word poets and others.
“We’re looking forward to creating that space for people to meet new people and have new experiences in a way that they may not during their day-to-day lives, and think about things that they may not think about, and learn new things,” says
Jodi Hatfield, City of Upper Arlington cultural arts manager.
At this year’s event, UAPL will host Lynette Ford, author of Affrilachian Tales: Folktales from the African-American Appalachian Tradition, to discuss her book and her family’s life in rural Appalachia, detail-
ing the culture and moments of discrimination they experienced.
“We’re hoping that families will come to this event and then go home and have conversations with their kids about Black history,” Hatfield says. “Their experiences, maybe what they know about and what they don’t know about, just continuing those conversations in our community and continuing to allow our community to be more welcoming and inclusive.”
Nigerian-born artist, Said OladejoLawal, who was awarded Best in Show at the 2024 Labor Day Arts Festival, will have his art on display all month at the library.
“Art is a wonderful avenue to open the door so that community members can start having those conversations about where we are today and how we can change for the future in our community,” Hatfield says.
For the kiddos, the library’s youth department will offer Black History Time Hop, an activity regarding historic Black liberation and civil rights movements that entails kids connecting dates scattered in the library’s youth section, to events during the different movements.
Author Talk with Mike Smith at GHPL
Grandview Heights Public Library will host their own event during Black History Month on Feb. 18.
Following Grandview Heights Public Library’s speaker event during Black History Month in 2024 that hosted Rita Fuller-Yates, author of Columbus Black History: Images From Our Past, Vol. II., the library will
once again host a Black historical author – this year’s being Mike Smith, author of In with the In Crowd: Popular Jazz in 1960s Black America
Smith works as the assistant director of marching and athletic bands at The Ohio State University and has served the role of multi-instrument musician, conductor and music educator for more than 40 years. During his talk, Smith will discuss the jazz music and culture of the 1960s and how the music connected Black folks together and fostered Black pride.
“We’re thrilled to have Mike Smith visit the library to talk about the power of jazz in the 1960s as we celebrate Black History Month,” Canaan Faulkner, public relations manager at GHPL says. “We’ll also be highlighting materials from our collections for all ages and offering takehome crafts for kids.”
While the library plans to celebrate Black history during the month of February, Faulkner says the library makes an effort to celebrate diversity year-round.
“Black history is awesome to highlight always, but we also think about, ‘Do we have that on our mind throughout the year?’” Faulkner says. “We want to showcase the diversity of our community, in Columbus, always.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
Nominate Columbus’ best arts, entertainment, food and events for CityScene Magazine’s annual Best of the ‘Bus! Nominate your favorites February 15-March 15 cityscenecolumbus.com
By Maggie Lardie
Give Sports a Tri
Annual youth triathlon brings Grandview Heights together
Anyone who’s tried competitive swimming, running, or biking knows each is challenging, and requires stamina and serious mental focus. Combining all three sports into a single event can be intimidating, but for some young athletes in Grandview Heights, it’s a challenge they’re excited to tackle.
Grandview Heights’ annual TRI the Heights Youth Triathlon is an opportunity for kids to engage with the community, push themselves, and most importantly, have fun.
The triathlon was conceptualized in 2017 after Grandview Heights resident, Jack McNamara, recalled a similar event his children participated in when they were younger. He remembered how much his family enjoyed the event, and knew he wanted to bring it to Grandview Heights.
The Grandview Heights Youth Triathlon became a reality in 2018.
The race consists of three consecutive events: swimming, biking and running, starting at the Grandview Heights Municipal Pool. From there the course goes through Wyman Woods Park and finishes on the streets of Grandview Heights.
Many competitors have prior experience with at least one of the sports, but according to McNamara, combining all three is a different experience.
“It’s really its own event…when you show up, it challenges you in new ways,” McNamara says. “It’s a challenge even for those very familiar with the individual sports.”
The race is for those 17 and younger, but the event brings the entire community together.
“We have so many other key aspects of the event like volunteers and staff that make it a true community event,” says Grandview Heights Recreation Superintendent, Taylor Tobias. “We get a lot of parents, high school students and teachers that volunteer, plus some community members who just want to be a part of it.”
Volunteers are greatly appreciated by 16-year-old Cale McNamara whose favorite part of the race is seeing a familiar face.
“The person who announces at the finish line is one of the teachers at our school,” Cale says. “He’s one of the nicest people, and it’s awesome to talk to him after the race.”
Thirteen-year-old Halle McNamara also loves the community connections at the event.
“I like that I can do it with my friends because I don’t really play a lot of sports with them,” she says. “It’s just fun because
the whole town shows up.”
As a parent, some of Jack’s fondest memories are watching his kids complete the race.
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watching them volunteer to help younger participants after they finish their races,” he says.
Even if you don’t have children participating, attending as a spectator can be just as enjoyable. Jack mentions the six-and-under age group’s race is entertaining to watch.
“You get kids who are on tricycles and scooters that are just ripping it and having a great time,” he says. “It puts a huge smile on your face watching that.”
There are also health benefits the triathlon offers the young competitors.
“We do some training leading up to it and some clinics with tri coaches, so (it’s) getting the kids out there in the parks outside and exercising,” explains Tobias. “Practicing the run, practicing the swim, practicing the bike - just getting kids out and about and not behind a screen.”
Jack agrees that the triathlon is extremely beneficial to the kids’ growth and well-being.
“One of the reasons why I thought it would be great to have an event like this in town is for them to have something in the neighborhood to do that was in line with their interests,” he says. “It’s definitely been fun for me to watch them grow and challenge themselves.”
Maggie Lardie is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
weekendscene
By Kate Shields
Peas, Please! Increasing access to fresh produce for older adults
When Columbus residents think about visiting their local farmers market, they may consider it a fun weekend outing as spring flowers start to bloom. Or, perhaps they consider it a special occasion to gather ingredients for an upcoming dinner party.
But, for many older adults living in Central Ohio, the farmers market means something different: it’s an essential resource for staying healthy.
Millions of older adults face food insecurity each year. This is influenced by a myriad of factors, including living on a fixed income. Even when food is available, some will struggle to obtain fresh, healthy food. This is why local farmers markets can play a crucial role in aiding the overall well-being of older adults.
Income is not the only contributing factor seniors face when it comes to inadequate access to produce. According to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, reliable transportation provides a “critical connection” to healthy food for older adults. With fresh produce out of reach, many turn to shelf-stable options in an attempt to stretch a week’s worth of food into a month-long supply.
the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), ensuring seniors are supplied with nutritious food regardless of financial status, something Upper Arlington Market Manager, Liv Morris, has seen the benefits of first hand.
Ping, a man in his mid-80s, she says,
Lack of accessibility due to these factors and others can quickly snowball, resulting in bigger consequences. In fact, The National Institute of Health defines food insecurity as a key determinant of health for older adults. They are more likely to develop chronic conditions, including diabetes, depression, hypertension, heart disease and gingivitis. Limitations in daily activities are also common for food-insecure older adults.
Considering this, The Ohio Department of Aging developed a partnership with several of these local markets through
came to the market every day for eight weeks, forming connections with Morris and others at the market. Not only did he express gratitude for the delicious and nu-
tritious foods the SFMNP provided him, but he actively engaged with the community. With Ping’s family living in Canada, he was forming connections he so desperately needed.
“And not only that, he had a Department of Aging card and a SNAP card. And man, he used both every single week and he would come back with bags of apples, and peppers, and lettuce, wanting to share them with us,” says Morris. “He’s a prime example of someone who these programs really helped (connect with) the community, but then also to have access to healthy, homegrown options.”
Through the program, Ohio residents age 60 or older who earn less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level, can apply for a physical card or mobile app account that comes loaded with $50 to spend at participating markets each year.
While the Upper Arlington Farmers Market only participated for part of this past season, Morris says it is planning to fundraise in order to allow seniors to shop the whole market rather than just a handful of vendor booths next season.
“I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they get their bunch of kale or their bag of apples and are talking to their neighbors, because, since the pandemic, it’s been slow to come back to a community-based neighborhood,” says Morris. “People are inherently less likely to go out and about, so my favorite part of the farmers market is just being outside, enjoying it, and being excited about food, because food is wonderful. Everybody should have access to it.”
Kate Shields is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
Photo courtesy of Liv Morris
Stella M. Baklava Artisan Greek Pastries
Salads are a fun, customizable way to get more fruits and veggies in your diet. Get creative and try your own mix, or have a taste of this kalebased salad adorned with delicious roasted winterharvested vegetables.
RECIPE
Kale and roasted squash salad:
Ingredients:
• 4 cups of half-inch-cubed seeded and peeled butternut squash
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• 1 1/2 cup thinly-sliced shallots
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup flaxseed oil
• 1-2 bunches of kale
• 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and put the squash on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 1/2 Tbsp. of olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss and start roasting. Take out after 45 minutes and toss again. Roast until golden brown.
2. Put sliced shallots on a baking sheet and drizzle with remaining olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss and start roasting. Take out after 30 minutes and toss again. Roast until brown.
3. In a large salad bowl, combine lemon juice, flaxseed oil and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cut a couple of inches off the bottom of the kale and slice leaves crosswise into 3/4-inch ribbons. Toss kale in a salad bowl with roasted vegetables, goat cheese and nuts.
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Cooking Up More Space
A Grandview Heights home gets a complete kitchen makeover
For the Merkle family, hosting groups of friends and family at their Grandview Heights home has always been a joy. On such occasions, their guests gather in the dining room, sunroom, or most of the time, in their kitchen.
However, the kitchen they had didn’t comfortably accommodate a large group. So, they decided to reconstruct it into, what they call, a light-filled, hand-crafted, Scandinavian-meetsCalifornia-designed space.
Eat, play, love
Grandview Heights homeowner, Peter Merkle, says one of his biggest motivators for renovating the family’s home was a lack of seating – for eating or just hanging out.
“(Guests) would gather in the kitchen, which made it hard if I’m cooking, or my wife, Katie, is cooking,” Merkle says. “There would just be a bunch of people jammed in our kitchen, but that’s where people like to hang out, obviously.”
To combat this overcrowding, the family hired the Cleary Company, to construct a plan.
Some of the design choices came from a collaboration between Katie Merkle, Peter’s wife, and Katie Florjancic, one of the designers from the Cleary Company, and together they came up with an aesthetic for the renovation that fit the family.
First, they installed a large countertop with five stools. The new counter adds a fresh vibe to the home thanks to choosing a white marble top with small black streaks slicing through the
Photos courtesy of The Cleary Company
solid material. New black tile floors complement the countertop perfectly.
The new wooden cabinets mixed with hanging ambient lights transform the energy of this renovated kitchen into more than just a room for cooking meals or doing the dishes, while a revitalized pantry and a new wine fridge and cocktail bar complete the area.
The latter two are Merkle’s favorites.
“Like I said, we host a lot, so having that wine storage and not having to have bottles out all the time is really nice, and something we never had before,” he says.
“We have two kids, ages seven and five, so we can sit up at the counter and do their homework (with them) after school,” Merkle says. “Just the four of us, my wife and two kids can all just sit casually and have breakfast or dinner or whatever, and all be together.”
Patience through the process
What was originally a 15-week project was extended by 12 weeks because of some unexpected challenges and additional design elements that were added along the way. Merkle says the process was smooth overall with no major setbacks or surprises.
Although the timeline for the project dragged at times, Merkle says that it was important for him and those who wish to have similar renovations done, to keep a level mind.
“Try and have realistic expectations on timing, because it’s not going to move as fast as you hope. You can’t really control that,” he says.
After a 27-week process, their new cooking and entertaining space is everything the family dreamed of, and more.
Wil Steigerwald is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
Top homes sold in the Tri-Village area
Tri-Village home prices increased by a mere one percent compared to October 2023, reaching an average of $555,000 as their selling price. Homes spend an average of 45 days on the market, which is an increase from last year’s 31 days. This October, 47 homes were sold, five less than the 52 homes sold last year.
All information is collected from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
2442 Kensington Dr. 4 beds, 6 baths
$1,575,000
Sold 10/23/24
2172 Fairfax Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,550,000
Sold 11/12/24
2441 Wenbury Rd. 5 beds, 4 baths
$1,510,000
Sold 10/21/24
3757 Surrey Hill Pl. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,500,000
Sold 11/4/24
2990 Asbury Dr. 5 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,305,555
Sold 10/31/24
2650 Sandover Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,300,000
Sold 10/4/24
2283 Oxford Dr. 3 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,160,000
Sold 10/30/24
2035 Andover Rd. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$1,130,000
Sold 10/30/24
1858 Chatfield Dr. 5 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,040,000
Sold 10/1/24
3846 Ritamarie Dr. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,030,000
Sold 10/8/24
4556 Langport Rd. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$993,000 Sold 11/1/24
2601 Middlesex Rd. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$870,000 Sold 10/24/24
Submitted
Husbands & Lovers
by Beatriz Williams
Arlington Public Library
During WWII, a Hungarian refugee marries for security rather than passion. In 21stcentury America, a single mother anxiously awaits a kidney donor for her 13-year-old son. Exploring her family genealogy in search of a match leads to some expected surprises that tie these two storylines together. Told in a dual timeline that spans continents, this story about love and family explores what it means to find identity and belonging.
Never Leave the Dogs Behind: A Memoir
by Brianna Madia
Brianna Madia lived a “comfortable” life until she found out her husband was an
alcoholic. As she dealt with her mental health, her dogs were her sustaining force. If your life has ever been touched in a positive way by an animal, you’ll enjoy this memoir.
Call Your Mother by Tracy C. Gold
This emotional picture book depicts the beauty, struggles and strength of daughters and mothers as they navigate the world as females, highlighting the importance of motherdaughter relationships.
James
by Percival Everett
The author reimagines Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the character, Jim.
Readers get a peek into Jim’s mind, the depth of his thoughts and his desire for choice. One choice, reflected in the title, is when he rechristens himself as James rather than keeping the name given to him by his enslaver.
I Miss You Most by Charlotte Cheng
This is an emotional journey of a child experiencing the loss of a loved one.
A girl recaps the impact her grandfather had on her as she struggles to carry on because everything reminds her of him. The child realizes her grandfather’s life lessons are always with her, and she can help others because of what he has taught her.
Somewhere
Beyond
the Sea
by T. J. Klune
The inhabitants of Marsyas Island continue their fight to bring recognition for all beings into the greater world.
In the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea, Arthur Parnassus accepts an invitation to speak to the government about his traumatic past while trying to secure the future of his chosen family. It won’t be easy, but with the love and the support of his extraordinary children, acceptance might triumph over fear.
