Dublin Life August/September 2023

Shutterbugs

Award-Winning Abbey Theater of Dublin

Forever Dublin

Sundays at Scioto

Photographer Roberta Kayne

Thank you to our generous sponsors and guests who over the last 17 years have raised nearly $8 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ®.

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101 Beer Kitchen

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Embracing the American Dream: Celebrating New Citizens from Diverse Generations

Embracing the American Dream: Celebrating New Citizens from Diverse Generations

Dublin is proud to be a welcoming city that provides opportunities for all to thrive. Earlier this year, in a display of unity and inclusivity, the City was honored to host an inspiring federal naturalization ceremony.

Dublin is proud to be a welcoming city that provides opportunities for all to thrive. Earlier this year, in a display of unity and inclusivity, the City was honored to host an inspiring federal naturalization ceremony.

On May 2, nearly 100 individuals from all walks of life took the last step on their journey to becoming American citizens. With participants ranging in age from 19 to 85 years old, the ceremony demonstrated the pursuit of the American dream across generations.

On May 2, nearly 100 individuals from all walks of life took the last step on their journey to becoming American citizens. With participants ranging in age from 19 to 85 years old, the ceremony demonstrated the pursuit of the American dream across generations.

The group of petitioners represented 42 countries, including Venezuela, Mexico, the Philippines, Nigeria and Iraq. With Chief Judge Algenon Marbley, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, presiding over the ceremony at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, participants took the Oath of Allegiance to become new citizens.

The group of petitioners represented 42 countries, including Venezuela, Mexico, the Philippines, Nigeria and Iraq. With Chief Judge Algenon Marbley, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, presiding over the ceremony at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, participants took the Oath of Allegiance to become new citizens.

Dublin City Council and various other community members came together to celebrate this milestone for those completing the immigration process and becoming United States citizens. The event highlighted the rich cultural and generational diversity in our community and in the surrounding Central Ohio region while creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.

Dublin City Council and various other community members came together to celebrate this milestone for those completing the immigration process and becoming United States citizens. The event highlighted the rich cultural and generational diversity in our community and in the surrounding Central Ohio region while creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.

It also showcased the participants’ resilience and determination to call America home. From young adults beginning their professional careers to individuals who have already experienced a lifetime of achievements, the ceremony bridged the generational gap, highlighting the shared

It also showcased the participants’ resilience and determination to call America home. From young adults beginning their professional careers to individuals who have already experienced a lifetime of achievements, the ceremony bridged the generational gap, highlighting the shared

aspirations of new Americans. Their stories inspire us to continue embracing diversity, fostering unity and upholding the values that de ne us as a nation.

aspirations of new Americans. Their stories inspire us to continue embracing diversity, fostering unity and upholding the values that de ne us as a nation.

As we applaud the newest members of our American family, let us remember to embrace individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, recognizing the value they bring to our community. In turn, the City of Dublin strives to provide value to residents of all ages and experiences through our services and amenities. You can learn more about how Dublin is a great place to enjoy every stage of your life by reading the “Forever Dublin” article in this issue of Dublin Life.

As we applaud the newest members of our American family, let us remember to embrace individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, recognizing the value they bring to our community. In turn, the City of Dublin strives to provide value to residents of all ages and experiences through our services and amenities. You can learn more about how Dublin is a great place to enjoy every stage of your life by reading the “Forever Dublin” article in this issue of Dublin Life.

Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager

Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager

Jarred Burkart, M.D. Shabana Dewani, M.D. Andrew Grainger, M.D. Joseph Hofmeister, M.D. Augustine Hong, M.D. Elizabeth Kander, M.D. Peter Kourlas, M.D. Kavya Krishna, M.D. Erin Macrae, M.D. Shylaja Mani, M.D.

Thomas Sweeney, M.D. Emily Saul, D.O.

Nse Ntukidem, M.D. Anish Parikh, M.D.

Erin M.Bertino, M. D. Joining June, 2023

Lauren Sockrider, CNP

Jennifer Seiler, CNP Carmen Sidani, CNP

Ashley Compton, CNP

Brittany Sweigart, CNP

Sundays at Scioto

THROUGH SEPT. 30 The Dublin Market

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon

Bridge Park 6568 Longshore St. www.thedublinmarket.com

THROUGH SEPT. 8

Elsie Sanchez: Behind the Surface 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dublin Arts Council 7125 Riverside Dr. www.dublinarts.org

AUG. 4-6

Dublin Irish Festival Friday 4 p.m.-midnight

Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight

Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Coffman Park 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinirishfestival.org

AUG. 4, 11

JazZoo Concert Series 8 p.m.

Water’s Edge Events Park at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 Powell Rd. www.columbuszoo.org

AUG. 9-13

Grease! presented by Abbey Theater

Aug. 9-11, 7 p.m.

Aug. 12-13, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Abbey Theater of Dublin 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov

Elsie Sanchez: Behind the Surface

AUG. 12

JASCO Obon Festival

4-8 p.m.

Riverside Crossing Park 6635 Riverside Dr. www.jascentralohio.org

AUG. 17, 23

Dublin City Schools First Day

Grades K-12: Aug. 17

Preschool: Aug. 23 www.dublinschools.net

AUG. 18-19

North Market Wine Fest

Friday 5-10 p.m.

Saturday 2-10 p.m.

North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org

AUG. 18, SEPT. 1

Waterpark After Dark presented by Zoombezi Bay

8-11 p.m.

Zoombezi Bay Waterpark 4850 West Powell Rd. www.zoombezibay.com

SUNDAYS AUG. 27-OCT. 8

Sundays at Scioto

5:30-7 p.m.

Scioto Park 7377 Riverside Dr. www.dublinarts.org

SEPT. 3

Dublin Classic Car Show

9 a.m.

Darby Street Lot W. North Street www.dublincarshow.com

SEPT. 10 Walk to Defeat ALS

11 a.m.

Coffman Park 5200 Emerald Pkwy. www.alsohio.org

SEPT. 24-25

Franklin County Community Days

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 Powell Rd. www.columbuszoo.org

SEPT. 24-26

Dublin United Champions Cup Darree Fields 6259 Cosgray Rd. www.dublinunitedchampionscup.com

SEPT. 30

Rwandan Fête

5-9:30 p.m.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 W. Powell Rd. www.columbuszoo.org

Dublin Irish Festival

faces

by Maisie Fitzmaurice

Jolly Rollie Turns 100

Reflecting on a century of family and community involvement

Photos courtesy of Maisie Fitzmaurice and Lynn Lattanner

Since moving to Dublin in 1959, Rolland “Rollie” Lattanner has seen the town grow from a small village of farmers to the sprawling city it is today and on his 100th birthday, he is still telling the tale.

Against The Odds

Lattanner was born premature in 1923, weighing only three pounds at birth. The doctors told his family to prepare for his inevitable death, but his grandmother refused.

She placed him in a shoe box, covered him in oil and placed him on the oven rack while the fire burned to keep him warm. She kept him there for months, only moving him to feed him. Lattanner was only expected to live a couple of days at most, but because of his grandmother’s resourcefulness, he has lived an entire century.

Young Adulthood

Lattanner grew up in the village of Montpelier near the northwest tip of Ohio. After graduating high school in 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in World War II and the Korean War.

After World War II ended, Lattanner enrolled at Ohio University where he met his wife, Joy. They were married before he left to serve in Korea.

Rollie and wife Joy graduated from Ohio University in 1949.

All sausage has been made fresh in house since 1969 from a recipe handed down from 3 generations. Our bread and famous whipped butter are made fresh daily. Pasta and casserole dishes are made fresh to order.

“That was a high point of our life, going to Ohio University, and to me, that was very important,” Lattanner says.

Life in Dublin

After Lattanner graduated from Ohio University’s College of Business in 1949,

he and his wife lived in Upper Arlington for 10 years before moving to Dublin, where they raised their three children –Eric, Lori and Lynn.

Lynn says while she was growing up, Dublin was a small village of mostly farmers, much like the town Lattanner grew up in himself.

“I think it was, for my dad, a place where he felt safe,” she says. “He knew it was a good environment to move his family there and to raise his children there.”

Lattanner worked as an accountant at Nationwide Insurance for 39 years while Joy taught at Indian Run Elementary for over 30 years. Even well into his retirement, having a good work ethic is important to him.

“Most people would have a job downtown … they were really the backbone of this small community,” he says.

Lori and Lattanner’s granddaughter, Addie Brown, still reside in the Columbus area, but Lynn and her brother Eric have since moved out of state. Lynn said she was stunned when she returned to Dublin years later and saw the new developments.

“We were just little farm kids, almost like where my daughter lives in Plain City,” Lynn says. “There was nothing in Plain City and now she built a house there and it’s like, boom. Oh my gosh, all these little country places are starting to build up.’”

Getting Involved

Not only did Lattanner and Joy have full-time jobs, they also became wellknown in the community for their volunteer efforts.

Rollie and Joy with their six grandchildren.

“He and my mother were one of those couples that you could call and say, ‘Hey, we need someone to do this or do that,’ and they’d always jump right in and participate,” Lynn says.

Lynn says her father has always been a quiet and kind man who was always willing to step up and become a leader when needed.

Lattanner served in many leadership roles throughout his life including becoming Boy Scout Troop 185’s scoutmaster, becoming Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, and serving as a deacon at the Linworth United Methodist Church, where he is still a member today. In addition, Lattanner was also heavily involved with Dublin Little League and the Dublin Historical Society.

“Various organizations wanted me to take certain offices there … and it was no problem whatsoever,” he says.

Even with everything he was involved in, Lynn says he was a reliable father who never missed her or her siblings’ sporting events.

“I would look up in the stands and he would be there waving and he never missed our cheerleading events, never, and so he was a dad that was 100% supportive of not only our athletics but our involvement in Dublin,” she says.

The Power of Positivity

Lynn says her father has always taken on life with a smile, giving him his nickname “Jolly Rollie.” Having this positive demeanor kept him mentally healthy and has made him a joy for many to be around.

“He just appreciates life and I think that’s attributed to why he’s lived so long,” she says. “Now sometimes people can get angry or just kind of not happy in life. He’s just had a good attitude.”

Lattanner is physically healthy as well as mentally. He routinely works out and has only been hospitalized once in his life.

“He had both his knees replaced at 88 years old, not because of pain, but because my mother was still living and he wanted to take care of her because she had a bad heart,” Lynn says.

100 Years Later

Lattanner and his beloved Joy were married for more than 60 years. She passed away at age 84 in 2012.

Lattanner currently resides in Dublin Retirement Village where, no surprise to Lynn, he is a favorite resident of the staff.

“He was just a happy, nice guy and that’s how he is now at the retirement village,” she says. “That’s probably one of the biggest things is my dad is very appreciative.

He appreciates what people do and he’s done a lot for other people, too.”

Lynn, now 62, says she still often thinks of her father’s words and encouragement he would tell her as a young girl to help her through hard times.

“No matter what age, I always think my dad will say to me, ‘Lynny, this too shall pass,’” she says.

Maisie Fitzmaurice is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.

”He just appreciates life and I think that’s attributed to why he’s lived so long. He’s just had a good attitude.”

by Rebecca Myers

Forever Dublin My Home. My Life. My Community.

Growing older. Reaching a certain age. Being a senior. These phrases might come with a hint of denial or indifference. So, what can serve as a solution to ensuring that older adults in a community receive the dedicated support they need and deserve without feeling isolated during the process?

Forever Dublin is the City of Dublin’s answer. It’s an umbrella program of the

many local resources that residents who are age 55+ can use to help them keep an independent lifestyle, get engaged and stay involved in their own lives. It’s about embracing “aging in place” — showcasing what Dublin has to offer long term while encouraging compassion along the way. While other communities have adopted the AARP network’s “Age-Friendly” initiative title, Dublin residents purposefully chose the inclusive name of “Forever Dublin” to underscore the value that comes from a City-private partnership system, enabling older adults to continue to call Dublin home.

Am I a Senior?

What does “senior” even mean? This seems to be a question for people no matter their age. Younger folks might consider anyone older than them a senior. Adults may secretly wonder, “Does something actually change when I receive my AARP card in the mail?” The question is an entirely personal one, especially when people think to themselves, “Well, I don’t feel old.”

Being a senior isn’t reaching some magical number; it’s a change in focus. And that doesn’t have to be a negative experience, says Teresa Wasserstrom, Forever

Photos courtesy of City of Dublin

Dublin Hub navigator and Syntero’s older adult program coordinator.

“There is so much value and so much to learn and experience that life is not over because you turn 55 or you retire,” she notes. “Just because you’re older, doesn’t automatically mean you’re sick or that you will get sick, or that you have to be vulnerable or can’t be independent.”

Forever Dublin’s resources and services seek to address gaps that would keep a senior from sustaining their independence and ultimately limit their satisfaction and contentment in the community.

“We’re used to feeling very confident, competent and secure because we have been living in a very familiar phase of life for so long,” Wasserstrom says. “Seniorhood is often uncharted, unfamiliar territory when we make this transition from the focus we’ve known for 40 years and we move into a new phase.

“Our needs are different, we face different systems, and sometimes they aren’t easy systems to navigate. That’s where it benefits the City of Dublin to have the resources for seniors to access.”

The Forever Dublin Hub

Enter Syntero. As part of Dublin’s larger plan to prioritize its aging population, the City collaborated with its long-time partner and local service provider Syntero to launch the Forever Dublin Hub in 2019. Wasserstrom oversees a team of trained “Hub navigators” who serve as a one-on-one connection for older adults seeking assistance in any number of areas:

housing, transportation, home care, Medicare, meals, safety, emotional health and wellness, recreation options and caregiving support.

Forever Dublin aims to link residents with what they need to prepare them to stay and live independently in Dublin, while the Hub puts that concept into action. Wasserstrom says the Hub is about navigating a broad network of resources.

“Our world, our rules, regulations, policies and practices are changing more rapidly than usual, so it’s good to stay on top of things. The Hub is a place to go to sort out where you get the answers,” she says.

This concierge-style service provides referrals and resources about any question, no matter how small. “With the Hub, it doesn’t have to be a big question or issue.” Wasserstrom reminds that even the simplest question, like where to donate a stair lift chair, can be posed to the navigators.

The personal touch that comes with having a dedicated navigator allows people to feel reassured and comforted in the service, Wasserstrom says. “There’s a lot to be said about the relationship even if it’s short-term.” She calls the Hub a “nonjudgement zone,” sharing that “the only silly question is the one not asked.”

Purposeful Living

As we know, contentment goes deeper than just healthful living and connecting with needed services. Volunteering, continuing education and mentoring others can serve as part of that greater satisfaction for seniors.

Forever Dublin’s connections, including the Hub’s resources, have a specific focus on these critical areas. Just ask Wasserstrom’s team about local volunteerism, business networking opportunities, involvement with the faith community or joining the Dublin Community Recreation Center to meet neighbors.

And purpose does not stop with oneself. For seniors who are also caregivers of older adults, Forever Dublin has a special emphasis on this relationship. If your family member or loved one calls Dublin home but you live out of state, the Hub can make local care suggestions. Conversely, as a long-distance caregiver, a navigator can help with transitioning a parent to move to Dublin with the right resources.

Wasserstrom points out that people flourish with a sense of being valued and heard, while nurturing a purpose that they can work to maintain.

“The vibrance, history, wisdom, knowledge is so vast in older people,” she says. “We have so much to gain from having an active, healthy relationship with our seniors. When they thrive, we thrive.”

Contact a Forever Dublin Hub navigator with questions or to arrange a private appointment to help guide you in living your fullest life here in Dublin. Navigaters are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 614.889.5722, ext. 810, or email foreverdublin@syntero.org. Get engaged at ForeverDublin.com.

Rebecca Myers is a public information officer for the City of Dublin. Feedback welcome at rrmyers@dublin.oh.us.

Robert

Yiwei Fan

David Lightfritz

Summer

Lisa Dufault

Sue Day

Rachel Grant

Yiwei Fan

Rachel Grant

Tracy Gress

Robert Hosken Jr.

Sue Day

Capturing a Story

Local photographer shares story of personal growth and hopes for future

By Rachel Karas

Photos by Ray LaVoie

Kayne worked in various jobs – including hospitality management and real estate – for over 30 years, but once she reconnected with her hobby of capturing photos, there was no going back.

For the past 40 years, Kayne has been taking her camera across the world and sharing her experiences through her photos. She shares her artistry through social media, art shows and exhibitions and she even published a book of her photography with the hopes that that her images will leave a lasting impact.

Growing interest

Growing up in Cleveland, Kayne fell in love with photography at a young age watching her father behind the camera.

“My dad had cameras on him all the time. If it wasn’t a regular (one) it was a video camera,” Kayne says.

Though her dad eventually passed his equipment down to Kayne so she could follow in his footsteps, she didn’t get serious about photography until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s.

“Walking, hiking, being around flowers and parks, and taking pictures just was really therapeutic and it’s been that way ever since,” Kayne says. “I’m really grateful for every day I’m alive because you just don’t know when you get a diagnosis of cancer. So I really love sharing the beauty of what I see in the world.”

After recovering from her cancer treatments, Kayne signed up for her first photography workshop in 1989 and has slowly honed her skills through additional classes and experiences. Over the years, her passion has brought her as far as Israel, but it has also helped her see the beauty of life in her own backyard.

EXPLORE PUBLIC ART IN COLUMBUS

Murals, sculptures, fountains, historic theaters and much more are searchable at ColumbusMakesArt.com/public-art.

Explore new neighborhoods, discover your favorite library’s collection, learn about public art tours (NEW!) or just get to know the wonderful variety of public art in central Ohio—our city’s collection is growing all the time!

Search by location, artist name, type of art or any keyword and help us make the database even better by sending your photos and details.

ColumbusMakesArt.com/public-art

For some, a life-altering event can be a serious wake-up call that helps them find their purpose. This is true for Roberta Kayne, who decided to pursue photography after she found its therapeutic properties during her battle with breast cancer.

Maker’s Monument Mark Reigelman

Jazz Duets, Omar Shaheed

Portals for Nature, Miss Birdy

Change in Ohio

After moving around a few times, Kayne returned to Ohio in 2003 and planted roots in Dublin where both her professional and personal lives have blossomed.

Her work has been featured in countless shows, including the Dublin Area Art League spring and fall shows and the Ohio State Fair, as well as several exhibits and galleries around the state.

In 2020 she received funding from the Greater Columbus Arts Council to help put an exhibit together for the First Unitarian Universalist Church, which compiled more than 60 photos.

Throughout her two decades in Dublin, Kayne has been a part of the Dublin

While her second book is in the works, her first book, Israel ~ Landscapes, Places & People, was published in 2020. It contains roughly 30 to 40 photos, all from her trip to Israel. You can purchase a copy on Blurb.com

Although she once dreamed of having her own gallery to showcase her work – perhaps in a warmer state like South Carolina – Kayne says she could never leave Dublin and has instead turned her attention toward creating a second book.

Through a workshop with photographer Steve Simon, Kayne is working on a book that will share a large collection of roughly 150 to 200 photographs, ranging from 2006 to present day.

As she looks back on her life and her work, Kayne says that without children or grandchildren, she was unsure of what impression she would leave on the world, but now hopes that her art becomes her legacy.

“I always wondered what kind of legacy am I going to leave, other than the stuff in my house, and so my pictures are a way to leave a legacy for me,” Kayne says. “Whether it’s the framed stuff or the exhibits or that I touched somebody’s life by sharing my photos.”

rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.

AM Rotary and volunteered with LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels and Dublin Food Pantry, where she has made lasting relationships.

Rachel Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at

cedar Shake reroofing

Photo by: Terry Atkin

Photo by: Tom Seely

Abbey Theater’s ImpACT

Dublin’s theatrical hub wins major awards

By Grady Libertini

Arnav Nawani is an aspiring professional actor who started his career when he was 9 years old.

He made a major step toward that aspiration last year with his debut at The Abbey Theater of Dublin when he played supporting character Benny in Rent: School Edition. It was not only his first pre-professional show, but also led him to be awarded Best Supporting Performer in a Musical by Broadway World Columbus.

Nawani is excited to be part of a standout team at the Abbey Theater that is showing a major commitment to the Dublin community, and making a name for itself in both experienced and emerging performing arts talent.

“This was much more serious than other shows I have worked on and really gave me a sense of working professionally as a theater performer,” Nawani says. “Acting is reacting, that’s what we say, and you know, having fellow characters who are so into it really helped push me further.”

Behind the scenes

Theater Supervisor Joe Bishara came into the position with a plan to create a theatrical hub for people of all ages. The organization has won seven Broadway World Columbus awards, including Favorite Local Theatre and Best Production; evidence that Bishara’s plan is coming to fruition fast.

“My aspiration coming into this position three years ago was to have the Abbey become an incubation space where artists can feel safe and evolve,” Bishara says. “Being acknowledged for my vision for what the Abbey Theater can become just three and a half years into the plan is very humbling and also gratifying.”

The theater produces six shows a year that focus on preprofessional artists and two more with professional actors putting on world premiere plays. The world premieres also include endless collaboration between the community and local universities as well as many well-accomplished national playwrights.

For the pre-professional

shows, the Abbey collaborates with Otterbein University’s Playwrights Collective and other organizations including Evolution Theatre Company, Original Productions Theatre and Stage Right Theatrics, all of which produce theatrical seasons at the Abbey Theater.

Making an impact

With a focus on serving all ages, many plays are written directly by creative writing majors at Otterbein University and then produced by the Abbey Theater with the goal to create world-class productions.

“Everything that is in our tech booth is the same kind of stuff you will see if you go into a Broadway theater and there is just not a bad seat in the house,” Bishara says.

The growth of prospective actors like

Arnav Nawani

A Yankee Goes Home world premier

The Price of Power world premier

Photos courtesy of The Abbey Theater of Dublin

Nawani show the direct impact the Abbey Theater makes on central Ohio and its theater enthusiasts.

“Soon after (my time at The Abbey), I became a performance intern for the Short North Stage,” Nawani says. “I have been doing theater for a while, but Rent was the first show where I really started taking it seriously.”

There is a clear mentoring component at the Abbey Theater making it special and allowing for such personal growth, Bishara explains.

“It is neat to watch them not only as they grow by the number of years on this earth, but also how they evolve as a storyteller,” Bishara says. “It provides a chance for kids to explore all there is to explore about the art of storytelling from various entry points, while also seeing how it can potentially be a profession. Not just as an actor but as a technician, a stage manager or even a playwright.”

This year, the Abbey Theater received the Central Ohio Theater Critics Circle citation – an honor given to just one theater in central Ohio each year.

“The city of Dublin prides itself on providing world-class services and that is what we want the Abbey to be,” Bishara says.

Grady Libertini is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Broadway World Columbus Awards

• Favorite Local Theatre

• Best Play

• Best Musical

• Best Direction

• Best Choreography

• Best Ensemble Performance

• Best Supporting Performer

Other awards: Central Ohio Theater Critics Circle citation and the Theater Roundtable Innovation Award

pressure, a lot of support, and some hand holding. Neil and his team were absolutely wonderful in helping us make the best choices. He treated us as if we were the only clients he had and immediately we felt at ease. Moving into a state you know nothing about is intimidating enough, but not with the Mathias real estate team. We greatly appreciate such a supportive team, from day one till today.”-Alicia & Alex Helkin

2023 BIA PARADE OF HOMES

Sept. 21 - Oct. 8

Parade Around

BIA Parade of Homes returns with more homes to explore

By Maisie Fitzmaurice

The annual Building Industry Association (BIA) Parade of Homes showcases the best central Ohio builders have to offer – from condos and townhomes to six-bedroom mini-mansions. With all the luxury homes and subdivisions popping up in and around Dublin in recent years, it’s no surprise the BIA Parade of Homes features new Dublin properties almost yearly.

This year, Pulte Homes will be showcasing its new luxury townhomes, Towns on the Parkway, located on John Shields Parkway. The Halston, one of two model options for the townhomes, boasts an open floor plan, three to four bedrooms, two and a half to three and a half bathrooms, an outdoor deck, and a two-car garage. What’s even more special about these new builds is how close they are to the restaurants, shops and other businesses housed in Bridge Park, less than a mile away.

Similar to previous years, many of the new homes in the Parade are located on the northwest side of town in the sought after and ever-growing neighborhood of Jerome Village.

Pulte Homes will showcase its new Jerome Village housing developments: Homestead at Scotts Farm and Pioneer

Crossing. Like many of the houses going up in the area, these custom homes are deluxe single-family homes with amenities like large kitchens, playrooms and theater rooms as well as three-car garages.

Also in the Jerome Village area, on Winterberry Drive, is a home from Bob Webb. This gorgeous six-bedroom home includes a four-car garage, five and a half baths, a covered porch, a large kitchen and multiple rooms for entertaining guests.

Virginia Homes is also showcasing a luxury home in Dublin this year. It is a four-bedroom, three and a half bath, singlefamily home.

Many Dublin area builders will work with buyers to create their custom dream home and touring the Parade of Homes is a great way to get inspired before the building starts.

To see these homes and more, attend this year’s Parade starting on Sept. 21 and be sure to catch it before it ends on Oct. 8.

CityScene Media Group, publisher of Dublin Life Magazine, is partnering with the BIA to create the Official Event Guide for the 2023 Parade. Guides are distributed at Parade homes and a digital edition with all tour home addresses can be accessed free at www.cityscenecolumbus.com.

Maisie Fitzmaurice is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com

by Megan Brokamp

A Bounty with Benefits

Dublin Food Pantry hosts fall fundraiser at Bridge Park

The Dublin Food Pantry has played a pivotal role in combating food insecurity in the Dublin community for more than 46 years.

With the help of donors, volunteers and advocates, the pantry has provided food and resources to Dublin families since 1976, serving an average of 2,500 people every month. However, with a new location for the pantry in the works to fill a greater need for its services throughout the community, the organization is seeking a way to raise money and engage with the community on a larger scale.

This fall, the Dublin Food Pantry will host Bounty at Bridge Park, an inaugural event held at the North Market Bridge Park that aims to raise money for the pantry while providing the community with a special night of entertainment and education. The event features a cocktail hour followed by a dinner and program about the cause.

Inspired by service

Though this fundraiser will be the first of its kind for the food pantry, the idea for an event such as this has been in the making for many years.

Barb Anderson, a Dublin Food Pantry Board Member, says she was inspired by an event in Athens, Ohio that she attended called Bounty on the Bricks. The fundraiser, which has been hosted by OhioHealth for eight years, is a private dinner held on the streets of Uptown Athens that benefits the Southeast Ohio Foodbank.

A ticket to Bounty on the Bricks earns guests a delicious meal with multiple courses, prepared by local chefs using local produce. Anderson was inspired by the combination of community celebration and fundraising that the event procured,

To purchase tickets for the event or learn more about the Dublin Food Pantry, visit www.dublinfoodpantry.org/event/bounty-at-bridge-park.

and she wanted to find a way to replicate the special atmosphere of Bounty on the Bricks in Dublin.

Anderson knew that this event would take time and intensive preparation. The team began planning years in advance in order to ensure the event met expectations and fulfilled the needs of the pantry and its clients.

“Even during COVID we were talking about it,” Anderson says.

The success of this event is especially important given the pantry’s upcoming move from its former home, the Dublin Community Church, to its own building. For over 20 years, the pantry had resided in the church, which graciously eased the burden of operating expenses for the nonprofit as it was providing resources to Dublin residents.

Growing pantry for growing needs

Unfortunately, more Dublin residents need the support of the pantry now than

ever before. Denise “Dinky” YoungsteadtParrish, executive director of Dublin Food Pantry, says Dublin’s needs have skyrocketed in recent years.

“Since 2020 we’ve seen a 208% increase in the number of people that are coming to access food,” Youngsteadt-Parrish says. “That is increasing even more now.”

An increased cost of food, inflation and cuts in SNAP benefits have all led to increased demand for assistance. Bounty at Bridge Park will help the pantry meet these demands, while allowing the pantry to maintain its purpose.

“First and foremost, we are a food pantry, so our job is to feed people,” YoungsteadtParrish says.

However, the pantry does not want to just provide the bare necessities for its visitors. It is a choice pantry, meaning clients can select their own groceries rather than simply receive a box of preselected goods. This way, shoppers can pick what they really need, rather than

being handed a box of things they may not want, or be able, to use.

“It’s a much more dignified way to get the food you need,” Youngsteadt-Parrish says.

Seeds for the future

The new building will support the desire to be a choice pantry. With its new space, the pantry plans to cultivate a garden that will grow produce exclusively for the pantry. This allows the pantry to consistently provide healthy and fresh products to residents and mitigate the need for third-party products.

The pantry’s capital campaign lays out the plan and estimated operating costs for the new facility with a goal to reach $3 million. Incredibly, the movement has raised over $2 million thus far thanks to overwhelming community-wide support.

Proceeds from Bounty at Bridge Park will contribute directly to this goal, allowing the new facility to operate efficiently. Tickets to the evening will be $150 per person, and it includes an enticing lineup of events.

The scenic North Market will be closed for the entirety of the event, giving visitors an intimate setting to mingle and celebrate the cause. A cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

Along with refreshments and food, the evening will feature a short presentation highlighting the pantry’s purpose and importance. Coordinators hope to share messages from both volunteers and residents who frequent the pantry, giving viewers a well-rounded view of the organization’s impact. The presentation will provide insight into food insecurity within Dublin and how the pantry fights this issue.

Ticket holders will also have the chance to win a basket full of fun excursions and gift cards donated by Dublin businesses. The raffle is an example of how the event ties in fundraising with a celebration of the bond of the Dublin community.

And while Bounty at Bridge Park will be a fun evening of community engagement, it all ties back to serving Dublin families in need.

“The impact that we’re having is far more than just giving someone food,” Youngsteadt-Parrish says.

Megan Brokamp is a contibuting writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Sundays at Scioto Returns

Dublin Arts Council’s “Live & Local” series runs Aug. 27-Oct. 8

By Janet Cooper

Enjoy a respite through the rejuvenating power of nature and music during the return of Dublin Arts Council’s popular free Sundays at Scioto concert series in Dublin’s Scioto Park. Local artists take the stage Sunday evenings, from Aug. 27 through Oct. 8, on Riverside Drive in Dublin.

Relax in the sloping natural amphitheater, featuring a canopy of trees at the top of the hill, and watch the sun set, creating the stage backdrop. The Scioto River flows behind, adding sounds of moving water to the music as it floats throughout the park as

birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze add to the acoustic landscape.

Celebrate with friends and neighbors as they wave to one another across the cut grass, singing along and swaying to the music. The beloved series has been an annual tradition since 1983 when a group formed to bring the Columbus Symphony to the dedication of the park.

Those who arrive early can explore a multitude of on-site public artworks ranging from a large-scale permanent sculpture to hidden geocachinginspired RiverboxesTM. Each providing a perspective on life today and the people who came before.

“Now in this 40th anniversary year of the series, we’re especially focused on community,” says Dublin Arts Council Executive Director David S. Guion. “Each concert is a true celebration of outstanding local artists and the enduring

music connections formed between friends and family.”

Performance lineup

The family-friendly, free series opens with The Reaganomics, one of the best ’80s hits cover bands in central Ohio. Now in their 27th year, catch them live before the group says farewell on Sept. 3. They take the stage on Aug. 27.

The Sept. 10 concert features Popgun, some of Ohio’s finest musicians playing pop and rock from the late ’60s through the ’80s. Some of the group’s numbers include work by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads, Cheap Trick and more.

North to Nashville, fronted by former OSU offensive lineman Evan Blankenship, is featured on Sept. 24. Catch this hometown band and experience its intense passion for country music.

The series closes on Oct. 8 with British Invasion. This Sundays at Scioto

Photos courtesy of the artists

The Reaganomics

Popgun

British Invasion

North to Nashville

tradition features an exciting recreation of ’60s music, including The Beatles, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, The Zombies, Herman’s Hermits and more.

Parking

Parking is free of charge with staff members from the City of Dublin assisting with spacing on the park’s sled hill. Since the park closes when at capacity, be sure to arrive early.

If onsite parking is full, guests are encouraged to find nearby public parking and use rideshare services.

Accessibility

The park has accessible restrooms and marked parking is available for those with disability plates and placards. The grassy area at the top of the hill is fairly flat and an accessible sidewalk is available south of the stage near the restrooms.

Guests who have concerns about accessing the park may call Dublin Arts Council staff any week leading up to each concert to ensure arrangements for assistance are available. Staff will also be onsite at the Dublin Arts Council tent near the stage.

What to bring

Pack snacks, picnic items and beverages. A food truck and dessert provider are scheduled for each concert with any purchases made going towards support of Dublin Arts Council.

Lawn chairs or blankets are suggested as well as plenty of water. The audience faces west, so sunscreen is strongly recommended.

The concerts are free of charge; however donations are gratefully accepted to continue providing these free experiences. Staff and board members will come through the crowd with donation buckets about half-way through the performance. Cash, PayPal and Venmo are accepted.

Mother nature

For weather related questions the day of an event, visit www.dublinarts.org, check Dublin Arts Council’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DublinArtsCouncil) or follow Twitter updates (@DublinArts) for information regarding concert delays or cancellations.

Support

The DAC Sundays at Scioto concert series is a free gift to the community, provided with generous ongoing support from City of Dublin, Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. City of Dublin also supplies an inkind contribution of city services.

Corporate partners that make this beloved tradition possible include Columbus Financial Concepts, Crawford Hoying, Fifth Third Bank, Hidaka USA, Honda Marysville, IGS Energy, The Keenan Agency, Renewal by Andersen and Strip, Hoppers, Leihart, McGrath & Terlecky Co. Media partners are ABC6 Television, CityScene Media Group and WCBE Radio.

“We are extremely honored to work with so many members of the community to bring this experience to Dublin each year,” Guion says.

Janet Cooper works with the Dublin Arts Council. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Info to know before you go!

Sundays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 27 – The Reaganomics

Sept. 10 – Popgun

Sept. 24 – North to Nashville

Oct. 8 – British Invasion

Dublin Scioto Park, 7377 Riverside Dr.

• Admission and parking are free

• Arrive early; the park closes when full

• Family-friendly; all are welcome

• Bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and beverages

• More details at www.dublinarts. org/sundaysatscioto

V O T E V O T E

by Cassie Dietrich

Photos courtesy of Dick and Marilyn Termeer

Four Generations Local family shares story of a century of education in Dublin

Lindsey would also be the fourth consecutive generation of the Termeer family to graduate from a Dublin school, following in the footsteps of not only her great-grandmother, but also her grandfather, Richard (Dick) Termeer, who graduated from Dublin High School in 1951, and Bobbie herself, who graduated from Dublin High School in 1983.

The family’s legacy in Dublin schools began with Ruthella, who started high school the same year the 1919 Building opened. There were ten students in her 1923 graduating class, including Mary Emma Bailey, another Dublin icon.

Ruthella and her husband, Henry Albert, had four sons, all of whom attended Dublin schools.

For the Termeer family, Dublin pride runs deep. Four generations and a century deep, to be exact.

Last summer, Bobbie Termeer was fishing through her jewelry box when she came across the class ring of her grandmother, Ruthella Dominy Termeer. She noticed the year – 1923 – and did the easy math. Bobbie’s daughter, Lindsey Blagg, would graduate from Dublin Scioto High School exactly 100 years after Ruthella graduated from Washington Township High School.

Over the course of a century, the Termeers have become a heartwarming testament to the charm and pull of the Dublin community. Less than five minutes into a conversation with Dick, Bobbie and Lindsey, staples like the Dublin Village Tavern, Old Rock swimming hole, the Coffman Homestead and the Fourth of July parade surface. At the heart of the conversation are the schools they attended and the many memories they made participating in athletics and the arts.

“The house we grew up in was located across the street from the barbershop next door to the Dublin Tavern. Of course, we walked to school cause it wasn’t that far up the hill,” Dick says. “My youngest brother was in first grade and my oldest brother was a senior. My oldest brother would carry my youngest brother on his back to school up the hill.”

Dick also remembers the joy of playing sports after the end of World War II.

Bobbie Termeer Richard Termeer

Bobbie and her grandmother Ruthella.

Photo from the early 1920s including Ruthella, Mary Emma (Brown) Bailey and several others.

“When I was a freshman and my brother, Jerry, was a senior, they started the first football team in Dublin. In 1947, Jerry happened to score the first touchdown that Dublin ever scored,” he says.

Dick went on to become Dublin High School’s class valedictorian, and earned ten varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated with 26 other students.

Dick and his wife, Marilyn, who also graduated from Dublin High School in 1955, raised three children in Dublin – Rick, Becki and Bobbie. The thirdgeneration Termeers attended Indian Run Elementary, Dublin Middle School (located at the 1919 Building site), and the “new” Dublin High School (now known as Dublin Coffman High School).

Bobbie, the youngest child, was a Shamrocks cheerleader and played on the first girls tennis team in Dublin. By the time Bobbie graduated, exactly sixty years after her grandmother, Dublin’s senior class had

grown to 192 students. Bobbie moved away after high school, but not for long.

“It’s a great place to grow up. It offers a great education. I loved my teachers in Dublin. I came back because I wanted my child to grow up here in Dublin,” Bobbie says.

Just as Bobbie anticipated, her daughter, Lindsey, found a home in Dublin schools, too.

“She received great grades. She played sports, including volleyball from third to eleventh grade,” Bobbie says. “And she’s really found her people with the Scioto theater group. It’s a wonderful program, she’s met some of the best people, and she’s found what she wants to do with her career.”

Lindsey, who crossed the stage as a valedictorian and received her diploma Summa Cum Laude from Dublin Scioto High School on May 28, is an exceptional artist. She plans to study fine arts or production design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in the fall.

Sitting at the Dublin Arts Council surrounded by some of her work, Lindsey

can’t help but reflect on how Dublin, and her family’s legacy, has shaped her.

“I grew up around here and I took art camps here in the summer. It really grew my love of art and expression. Getting to experience the art community in Dublin has impacted my whole life,” she says. “Me graduating in 2023, after four generations and 100 years is so crazy for me to think about. It’s such a privilege to be so connected to my family lineage and heritage and see directly where I came from. It really made it a home.”

Lindsey also feels a deep connection with, and appreciation for, Dublin schools and teachers. She attended Chapman Elementary and Davis Middle School before joining 352 freshmen at Scioto.

“Just being able to go through the Dublin school system was amazing. It really helped me push myself as an artist and gifted kid,” Lindsey says. “Being able to namedrop my grandpa’s name to some of the teachers and they’ll know him makes me feel sort of famous. It’s just such a community, everyone knows everyone, and the teachers know so much and know how to really help you become the best person that you are.”

A lot about Dublin has changed in the last century. The landscape has transformed tremendously and the class sizes of the schools have multiplied; yet little has changed for the Termeers. Represented by the actions of four generations and in the words of three, “Dublin is the best place to grow up.”

Cassie Dietrich is a Public Information Officer for Dublin City Schools.

Lindsey (left), Bobbie and Dick at the Dublin Arts Council.

Lindsey with her award-winning art at the Dublin Arts Council.

student spotlight

by Grady Libertini

Photos courtesy of Will Smialek

Dublin to Harvard and Capitol Hill

Scioto graduate brings civic engagement to Harvard

Many high school graduates have lofty goals for their next steps, but for those who know Will Smialek, it was no surprise he set his eyes on Capitol Hill.

The recent Dublin Scioto graduate has been active in local civics for years and has fought to create opportunities for others as well.

Over the years his accolades have been acknowledged in many ways, including being named the recipient of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a scholarship program for exceptional high school seniors.

Though Smialek will be leaving Dublin for Cambridge, Massachusetts to attend Harvard University this fall, his work and advocacy will leave a lasting impact on the students who follow.

For years Smialek has striven for civic action and intergenerational dialogue

which can be seen through his involvement in several organizations including the Dublin City Schools Board of Education.

During his time in Dublin City Schools, Smialek felt the need for stronger student representation in the district. He took matters into his own hands.

“I walked up to my superintendent and asked if we could have a student on the board of education and he was like, ‘Yeah, sure why not? You can present in three weeks to the board of education and the cabinet and the public, just get a few friends to help you,’ and so, that’s exactly what I did,” he says.

Just four months after speaking with Superintendent John Marschhausen, he sat in front of the board of education with

three other friends as the first student representatives to the board. The desire to share students’ perspectives came from a feeling of disconnect between discourse at the administrative level and what students really need.

“This is mainly stemming from a lack of student perspective heard at these meetings,” Smialek says. “Sure, there are a lot of concerns about different topics like the critical race theory, and banning certain books, but when you’re on the ground in high school the priorities are mental health and ensuring that student well-being is a priority for the district.”

He looks at this experience as a successful way of injecting more of a student’s voice into conversations and debates happening

Will Smialek giving a tour to the Lieutenant Govenor Jon Husted as a Board of Education student member.

Smialek presenting to the Board of Education

at a higher-level regarding things such as mental health and overall wellbeing.

He also showed his commitment to government by serving as the Student Civic Engagement Council Chairperson (SCECC) for the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus (LWVMC).

“I was really interested in the advocacy work that the league had been doing, specifically regarding its work around redistricting within the state and to continue creating intergenerational dialogue because we don’t have that opportunity a lot,” Smialek says.

Assembling a team of students representing five different high schools around central Ohio, Smialek assisted in introducing a youthful perspective to the league.

“We have so few groups in our country that are actually nonpartisan and it is really neat to see the work that is actively being done to maintain the nonpartisanship of the league, and I feel it was really important for my friends and kids in my generation to see that this is still possible in our hyper-partisan world,” Smialek says.

Having a male student involved in the league is not common but adds an important perspective, explains LWVMC and SCEC Advisor Ann Bohman.

“Just the mere fact that we had students involved and even a male student was really important to a lot of people,” Bohman says. “His presence alone encouraged others to show interest in wanting to be involved in democracy.”

Although Smialek’s impact has been felt across the board, he has much simpler plans for himself when it comes to educational goals.

“(I) push myself as hard as I can and take the most challenging class as possible,” Smialek says.

Dublin Scioto teacher John Witt has known Smialek since the sixth grade through various organizations like Interact Club, where Smialek and his twin brother, Grant, were both leaders.

“The first time I had the opportunity to meet him was the result of him leading a community service group in order to try to put together shoes for children in Africa,” says Witt. “Yes, Will is a leader; yes, he is a hard worker; yes, he has earned everything he has been given, but along the way, the number of people he has uplifted and had a positive impact on, I hope that does not get overlooked, because it is quite simply amazing.”

Grady Libertini is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

by Nathan Mader Photos courtesy of Dublin Arts Council

Dinner and a Show Planning the perfect picnic for Sundays at Scioto

Outdoor concerts are a great way to enjoy the beautiful summer and early fall weather, and the Dublin Arts Council once again invites you to bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes to Scioto Park for the Sundays at Scioto concert series.

Every Sunday from Aug. 27 to Oct. 8, live performances from a variety of local and regional bands will take the amphitheater stage, appealing to audiences with music from a wide variety of decades and genres.

Snacks, beverages and picnics are encouraged, but finding the perfect foods to bring on a hot summer day can be tricky, especially when you’re surrounded by others who want to enjoy their time, too. To help decide what to bring, here are a few picnic problems to avoid when watching the performances.

Safety first

Although meat can make a picnic meal more filling and apple slices are a healthy snack for all ages, things get dicey when you have to travel with utensils.

Not only is using forks and knives difficult on a blanket or paper plate, they can be dangerous when used in a crowded setting, so it’s best to either leave them behind or prepare your food before leaving the house.

Don’t mess around Sloppy Joes, tacos, ice cream and chocolate all sound like great outdoor foods, but they also can be quite messy. Whether they melt, crumble,

break or spill, try to avoid dishes that can require a hefty cleanup for yourself and your picnic neighbors, or leave you with stains on your Sunday best.

Dishes that leave crumbs or have a high amount of sugar can attract insects, so think twice before you pack the popsicles or soda as it could attract bees and ants to those around you.

Sandwiches, water, fresh fruits and vegetables and easy-to-package baked goods all make fantastic picnic items that won’t require a package of napkins to clean yourself or your family up.

Summer spoils

The summer heat can ruin perfectly good dishes quickly, even if they’re stored in a cooler. Mayonnaise-based dishes, for example, can quickly go bad in a hot picnic setting and can even become unhealthy to eat if left in the heat too long.

Make sure to bring food that is safe to eat if left outside for a while, and pack a

small cooler for drinks and other dishes that you want to keep out of the sun.

Tricky transportation

Between your home, the road, the park and your seat, picnic food travels quite far, and it has a lot of time to be jostled around in its container. Whether it’s a banana that gets smashed in the basket or a PB&J that gets soggy in the car, make sure to pick foods that can survive the journey.

Pre-sliced fruits like oranges and watermelon or various salads packaged in containers will do nicely when making the trip and can add a summer flair to any outdoor concert.

Nathan Mader is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Summer Strawberry Cookies

• ½ cup (4 oz.) softened, unsalted butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp. almond extract

• ½ tsp. grated orange or lemon zest

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup super-fine almond flour

• ½ cup uncooked old-fashioned regular rolled oats

• ½ tsp. baking soda

• ¼ tsp. baking powder

• ¼ tsp. kosher salt

• ¾ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat butter and sugar in a bowl until combined. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, orange zest and egg. Beat until combined

In a separate bowl, add all-purpose flour, almond flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk together and add to sugar mixture before beating until combined. Slowly stir in strawberries.

Scoop 12 dough balls onto each baking sheet. Leave two inches between cookies. Bake in two batches for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are slightly brown and set.

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Serving Northeast, Central, and Western Ohio

living by Megan Brokamp

Photos courtesy of Senior Star at Dublin Retirement Village

Ageless Recreation Aging in Dublin means anything but

slowing down

Dublin is home to one of central Ohio’s largest concentrations of older adults, and the population is growing by the minute. From long-time residents to newcomers looking for a serene city to retire, Dublin provides the perfect place to relax while remaining engaged in an active community that has abundant resources.

Building bonds

The Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC) has a thriving program for older adults, giving them the opportunity to connect with all ages through leisure. The center provides a variety of programs for members, including cooking lessons, art classes and fitness programs.

Older Adult Recreation Program supervisor Jennifer Vosters says the program aims to target three different areas of enrichment – mind, body and soul – in order to provide members with well-rounded growth.

Knowing the importance of activity as one ages, the facility created pro -

grams to energize members both physically and mentally.

Whether residents are looking for learning opportunities through courses like a native bee lecture or engaging fitness programs like bird migration walks and yoga classes, the Older Adult Recreation Program aims to fulfill a variety of interests.

The Dublin Community Senior Center, housed inside the DCRC, offers an even tighter-knit community with special perks. Membership is available to anyone 55 years or older. The senior center has a senior adult lounge complete with books, puzzles and free scheduled activities.

More resources

Dublin is livable for all ages, and aging gracefully isn’t just possible here, it’s idyllic. Dublin is home to a variety of older adult living communities that cater to all different levels of care and need for residents.

Dublin’s amenities for older adults does not stop at rec centers and living communities with the Dublin Connector; a free way to explore the city.

The Dublin Connector, sponsored by the City of Dublin and operated by SHARE Mobility, provides free transportation for any Dublin resident over age 55, residents with disabilities and Dublin workers giving unlimited access to the wonders of the Dublin area.

While riding on the Dublin Connector, riders can check out Dublin’s immense parklands. With over 1,100 acres of parkland, residents can also access over 64 developed parks and more than 150 miles of bike path. Dublin’s parks offer gorgeous landscape views and walking and bike paths as well as a plethora of public art.

In Dublin, aging is far from a bad word –and it doesn’t have to mean slowing down whether you’re looking for lifelong learning or fitness classes.

Megan Brokamp is a contibuting writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

New In The Neighborhood

The Dublin Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Dublin and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, unveiled the community’s latest public art project. In The Neighborhood is a unique mosaic column made of 3,444-pieces of hand-cut ceramic tile installed at the entrance to Cameron Mitchell’s newest restaurant, Valentina’s located on Bridge Park Avenue.

The husband-wife artists, Eric Rausch and Jen Kiko, were inspired by Valentina’s Italian flair. In The Neighborhood is the newest addition to the Dublin Art in Public Places program which began in 1988 and has grown to more than 60 large and small-scale permanent, temporary and interactive public art projects today.

Look for a full feature about these local artists and details about the mosaic in the October issue of Dublin Life Magazine.

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Carolyn Redinger (614) 679-1274

& Feng Shui CRB, CRS, GRI, ABR, PSA, CSD, SRES, SRS, AHWD, MRP, FSIM • www.InfinityLiving.org

In May 2023, Dublin home prices sold for a median price of $520K, up 4% compared to last year. On average, homes in Dublin are sold after 35 days on the market, five days longer than last year and six days longer than March of this year. A total of 68 homes were sold this May, 19 fewer than last year.

Top Homes Sold in Dublin

with columnist Colleen D’Angelo Photos courtesy of Colleen D’Angelo

Flower Power

Local charity project helps repurpose flowers for older adults, health care groups

Stopping to smell the flowers reminds us to appreciate the world around us and the goodness in our lives. It prompts us to recognize the daily moments that bring us joy, which is multiplied when shared.

In 2017, Todd and Nancy Davis began a charitable project, now known as Stems for Seniors, that combined the idea of repurposing wedding flowers with the desire to brighten others’ lives. It became a family project with their children, Meggie and Luke, pitching in to help pick up, arrange, decorate and deliver various bouquets, and the project has continued to bloom more each year.

The concept is fairly simple yet ingenious when you consider that thousands of flowers are thrown away after

weddings even though they are in prime condition. Stems for Seniors swoops in and gathers up the floral arrangements after events, dismantles them and creates new, smaller bouquets.

Decorated Mason jars and burlapcovered cans serve as vases and the beautiful gifts are distributed to central Ohio older adults and patients. Common recipients are Friendship Village of Dublin, Dublin Retirement Village, Kobacker House, The Grand of Dublin and LifeCare Alliance.

Barb Holliday is the activities director at Friendship Village of Dublin and loves seeing the joy the fresh flowers can provide.

“Recently, Stems for Seniors dropped off 50 mini arrangements that we passed out to our residents,” Holliday says. “Another time, they delivered three buckets of exotic, colorful, floral stems like bird of paradise. It coincided with the opening of our memory care unit which was perfect as the residents focused on creating their own bouquets, instead of the somewhat stressful move to memory care.”

Stems for Seniors is blossoming so quickly the Davises can barely keep up with the growth. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is looking for volunteers to pick up flowers from events – all within 45 minutes of Columbus – and decorate the cans, arrange bouquets and deliver the finished product to older adult communities.

Some of the handiwork can be done at your home, Todd and Nancy’s garage, or an arranged gathering space. They also need donations of soup cans, jars, small vases, fabric and ribbon.

Visit www.StemsForSeniors.org for contact information or to learn about contributing time, items, money or flowers. Follow the group on Instagram @StemsForSeniors and see the power of flowers.

Stacy Nordahl and Lauren Laymen create bouquets for Stems for Seniors.

Luke Davis and his baseball team bringing flowers to The Forum at Knightsbridge.

LifeCare Alliance runs Meals-onWheels for all of central Ohio, and delivers countless bouquets with meals for their clients. They serve 5,000 meals per day and have never allowed a waitlist to form so if there is a need for food, they fill it, and the flowers are the cherry on top.

Sometimes the deliveries are combined with service projects or patient interactions. Luke Davis plays U-12 baseball for the Dublin Black Sox and the team collected 150 soup cans to be used as floral vases.

Another time the team donned their uniforms and set up an assembly line in the parking lot of The Forum at Knightsbridge. They added water and flowers to the cans, boxed up the bouquets and hand delivered them to residents. After sharing a s’mores party and chatting about baseball with the seniors, they all sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

“It is a win-win situation,” Todd says.

The ripple effect is huge. The wedding parties feel great about donating their flowers, the volunteers feel wonderful making a difference and, of course, the recipients are overwhelmed.

“I receive grateful emails regularly about making someone’s day special, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” Todd says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of large-scale weddings came to a halt, but picked up again in 2021. The following year in 2022, Stems for Seniors collected from about 80 events resulting in over 3,000 bouquets. This year they are on track for over 100 events and 5,000 bouquets.

Besides floral donations, some of the volunteers have started a flower garden in five raised beds at the LifeCare Alliance headquarters in Columbus. Dublin resident and master gardener Peggy Davis helps tend the garden and loves doing her part to bring joy to others.

“From the garden I don’t see the actual smiles on the seniors’ faces, but I’m happy knowing how we are brightening their day,” she says.

Colleen D’Angelo is a Dublin Life columnist and freelance writer. She and her husband, Tony, raised three children in Dublin over the last 25 years.

Colleen enjoys playing and teaching pickleball; walking her pup, Mason; and traveling internationally. You can reach her at colleendangelo1@gmail.com.

bookmarks

From the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library

By Hannah Burkhard, Librarian Supervisor at the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library

Pickleball Is Life: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Obsession

by Erin McHugh

With millions of Americans out on the court each day, you’ve likely heard of pickleball. Whether you’re curious to know what it’s all about, where its silly name came from or you’re perfecting your cross-court dink, Pickleball is Life is a must-read. This bright and witty book shares the history of the sport and the ins and outs of game play all while helping to answer the question: Why is pickleball so popular? This hilarious book about the country’s latest sports craze is as fun to read as it is to play pickleball itself.

Tomb of Sand

by Geetanjali Shree

After the death of her husband, 80-year-old matriarch Ma spends her days depressed in bed. None of her family members can rouse her from her state, not even her favorite grandson, the ever-cheerful Sid. But when Sid’s younger brother, Ma’s very serious grandson who never laughs, brings her a golden cane, Ma’s entire life changes. Finally able to get out of bed, Ma begins a journey full of fantastical adventures that shock her family and turn everyone’s understanding of who they are upside down.

My Father’s Brain: Life in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s

by Sandeep Jauhar

My Father’s Brain tells the deeply affecting story of a man’s descent with Alzheimer’s through the eyes of his physician son. With honesty and heart, Sandeep Jauhar shares his experiences from noticing the early signs and trying to explain away the behaviors to dealing with his father’s death in the midst of family discord. In this blend of science writing and personal memoir, Jauhar shares what happens in the brain as we age and how that degradation affects those we love.

Blue Skies by T.C. Boyle

After Cat is denied a dog, a baby and a faithful fiance, she decides what she needs now is a snake. And not just any snake, but one the budding social media star can wear around her neck like glistening jewelry. When she finally buys one and then immediately loses it, she accidentally sets a chain of outrageous and increasingly dangerous events in motion, but those may not even be her biggest concern as she tries to deal with the constant barrage of wild and extreme weather hitting the Florida coast. This eco thriller is like no other, but is the perfect next read for fans of satires a la Christopher Moore and suspenseful and deep novels such as Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam.

by Robert Dugoni

Sam Hill grew up believing his mother who said his red pupils, due to ocular albinism, made him unique like his friends. Forty years later now working as an eye doctor in another town, Hill has abandoned his positive outlook and the life he once knew. Not wanting to give up, he embarks on a journey to reflect and see what truly matters.

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