Artistic Inspiration
Dublin Arts Council Director David Guion INSIDE Holiday Gift Guide Dublin’s Live Music Scene The Fight Against Hazing Dublin’s LGBTQ+ Community w w w. d u b l i n l i f e m a g a z i n e . c o m
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inside
December 2021/January 2022
8 Community Calendar 10 faces Tired Tomato vs. the World
Dublin Arts Council director earns award for work during pandemic
14 city of dublin Finding Relief at the Rec
Dublin Community Recreation Center staff keen on service
16 in focus 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Find the perfect gift right here in Dublin
20 22
Cue the Concerts
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Cold weather won’t cool down the music
End of Haze
Her son’s tragic death pushes Kathleen Wiant to fight hazing in Ohio and beyond
26 Courting the Stage Abbey Theater play peers behind the
curtain of the presidency
28 Rainbow Dublin’s Coming Out New nonprofit hopes to bolster Dublin’s
LGBTQ+ community
30 a look back Christmas in the Church Revisiting holidays past 32 ARTifacts Dublin Arts Council Celebrates Years of Student Creativity 20th annual emerging exhibition 34 student spotlight Teen Spirit of Giving Dublin Jerome student continues annual
Jacquemin Farms
donation drive
36 dublin dishes French Flair Dublin-raised chef shares an easy French
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side dish recipe
38 living Mansion of Memories Looking back on building’s transition from Fresh Donuts, muffins & baked goods Café Breakfast & Lunch Locally & sustainably sourced coffees & espresso beverages
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4 • December 2021/January 2022
arts advocate’s home to Dublin Arts Center
42 43 44 46
luxury living real estate guide top homes sold in dublin write next door The Big 100
Writer celebrates years of covering Dublin
bookmarks
p36 On the Cover David Guion Photo courtesy of Dublin Arts Council
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OHIO’S OHIO’S BEST BEST SMALL SMALL CITY CITY Dublin was recently ranked the best Dublincity was the best small inrecently Ohio by ranked WalletHub, a small city in Ohio by WalletHub, personal finance website that a personal finance website thatkey evaluates cities based on five evaluates cities based on five key dimensions: affordability, economic dimensions: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality health, education andcompany health, quality of life, and safety. The of life, and safety. The company compared more than 1,300 cities with compared more 1,30025,000 cities with population sizes than between and population sizes between 25,000 100,000. In addition to earning theand top 100,000. In state, addition to earning the top spot in the Dublin was ranked in the top 99th percentile spot the state, Dublin was ranked in the top 99th percentile in theinnation, coming in at 10th overall. in the nation, coming in at 10th overall. Many of the indicators used for these rankings align with the ManyofofDublin’s the indicators used forareas, theseso rankings City strategic focus toppingalign this with list the City of Dublin’s strategic focus areas, so topping this validates that we are achieving success in the areas inlist which validates thatinvested. we are achieving success the of areas which we are most This ranking is justinone the in many we are most invested. This ranking is just one of the many accolades Dublin earned in 2021. As the year comes to a accolades Dublin in 2021. As the year to a close, it is time to earned take stock of everything wecomes accomplished close, it is time to take stock of everything we accomplished this year. this year. Our Economic Development Division was named Our EconomicofDevelopment Division was named Organization the Year by the International Economic Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This award recognizes the Development Council (IEDC). This award recognizes the efforts world’s best economic development programs for their world’s best economic development programs for their in creating positive change in urban, suburban and ruralefforts in creating positive changealso in urban, suburban rural communities. The division achieved its firstand accreditation communities. The division also achieved its first accreditation from the IEDC. This highly coveted honor makes the City of from the IEDC. This 69 highly covetedeconomic honor makes the City of Dublin one of only accredited development Dublin one of only 69 accredited economic development organizations in the world, the only accredited organization in organizations in the world, the only organization in Ohio, and the first city to receive theaccredited accreditation in the state. Ohio, and the first city to receive the accreditation in the state. The City’s Parks & Recreation Department once again earned The City’s Parks through & Recreation Departmentfor once again earned reaccreditation the Commission Accreditation of reaccreditation through the Commission for Accreditation Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).and Reaccreditation Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Reaccreditation recognizes commitment to the highest level of service to the recognizes commitment toprocess, the highest levelwas of service to to the community. As part of this the City required community. As part of this process, the City was required to document all of its policies and procedures and met more than document all of standards. its policiesOur andParks procedures and met more than 150 recognized & Recreation staff 150 recognized standards. Our Parks & Recreation staff underwent this rigorous process all while managing new underwent presented this rigorous all while managing new challenges by process the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Dublin’s Finance Department earned several awards and Dublin’s Finance Department earned several awards and acknowledgments this year, including the Distinguished acknowledgments this year, including the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Budget Presentation from the Government Finance Officers Association ofAward the United States and Canada (GFOA). Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
5555 Perimeter Drive Dublin, Ohio 43017 5555 Perimeter Drive 614.410.4400 | DublinOhioUSA.gov Dublin, Ohio 43017 614.410.4400 | DublinOhioUSA.gov
Dublin also earned the highest recognition for Dublin also earned the highest comprehensive, transparent andrecognition accessible for financial comprehensive, transparent and accessible financial reporting from the GFOA. Additionally, the Ohio Auditor of reporting from the GFOA. Additionally, the Ohio Auditorand of State recognized the City with an Award of Distinction, State recognized the City with an Award of Distinction, and Dublin earned the highest bond ratings from the three top Dublin earned the highest bondFitch ratings the three top credit rating agencies: Moody’s, andfrom Standard & Poor credit rating agencies: Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor (S&P). (S&P). The City also won top awards from the American Marketing The City alsothe won top awards from the American Marketing Association, Central Ohio Public Relations Society of Association, the Central Ohio Public Relations Society America (PRSA) and the City-County Communicationsof & America (PRSA) and the(3CMA) City-County Communications & Marketing Association in 2021. Dublin’s Fleet was Marketing Association (3CMA) in 2021. Dublin’s Fleet was recognized as one of the 100 Best Fleets in North America, recognized theThe 100Dublin Best Fleets North America, ranking No. as 39one thisof year. Link in pedestrian and ranking No. 39 this year. The Dublin Link pedestrian and bicycle bridge has earned more than a dozen national and bicycle bridge has earned more than a dozen national and international awards, including the International Eugene C. international awards, including the International Eugene Fig Jr. Medal for Outstanding Achievement. And, Dublin C. Fig Medal Outstanding Achievement. Dublin tookJr.the top for prize in SparkColumbus’ springAnd, and fall Fit City took the top prize in SparkColumbus’ spring and fall Fit City Challenges. Challenges. As you can see, 2021 was a great year for Dublin. But it’s not As youwinning can see, trophies 2021 wasoraplaques; great year Dublin. Butawards it’s not about wefor value these about winning trophies or plaques; we value these awards and recognitions because they serve as third-party and recognitions they serve as third-party validation that webecause are delivering on our commitments to validation that we are delivering on our to the citizens of this great city. I hope you commitments join me in feeling the citizens of this great city. I hope you join me in feeling the immense pride that comes from building a better the immensethrough pride that comesplanning, from building a better community strategic community community through strategic planning, community engagement and accountability. Our city has demonstrated engagementresilience and accountability. Our city has remarkable over the past couple of demonstrated years, and we remarkable resilience over the past couple of years, and we will continue to strive for excellence as the calendar turns will continue to strive for excellence as the calendar turns another page. Our promise to you in the new year is that another page. Our to you in theservices new year is that we will continue topromise deliver best-in-class and we will continue to deliver best-in-class services and amenities for our residents, businesses, workforce and amenities for2022 our residents, businesses, workforce and visitors. May bring many more achievements, visitors. May 2022 bring many more achievements, accolades and experiences we can all be proud of. accolades and experiences we can all be proud of. Sincerely, Sincerely,
Dana McDaniel, City Manager Dana McDaniel, City Manager
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DEC. 2-4 Dublin Jerome Drama Club presents The Lion King Jr. 7 p.m. Thurday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday Dublin Jerome High School, 8300 Hyland-Croy Rd. www.dublinschools.net DEC. 3-5 Dublin Scioto High School Theatre presents Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Dublin Scioto High School, 4000 Hard Rd. www.dublinsciototheatre.org
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THROUGH DEC. 15 Van Kerkhove and Kowalski: Accomplices
Abbey Theater of Dublin 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater DEC. 16-18 The Land of Forgotten Toys: A Christmas Musical 7 p.m. Dec. 16-17; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18; and virtual
THROUGH DEC. 23 12 Little Elves Various locations throughout Dublin www.historicdublin.org
DEC. 4 Fill A Cruiser Holiday Toy Drive 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dublin Justice Center, 6565 Commerce Pkwy. www.dublinohiousa.gov/police DEC. 4 Holly Days – Dublin Disney Holiday Extravaganza 3-5 p.m. Historic Dublin, 1 W. Bridge St. www.historicdublin.org DEC. 7 Dublin Young Professionals Coffee & Connections 9-10 a.m. Healthy Blends, 5877 Karric Square Dr. www.dublinchamber.org DEC. 10 Dublin Chamber’s Recognition Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Muirfield Village Golf Club Pavilion, 5750 Memorial Dr. www.dublinchamber.org www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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DEC. 10 Metallica & Mötley Crüe Tribute Night 6 p.m. Last Call Music Bar & Grill, 5815 Karric Square Dr. www.lastcallmusicbar.com DEC. 11 Holly Days – Who Day 3-5 p.m. Historic Dublin, 1 W. Bridge St. www.historicdublin.org DEC. 15 NextGen Dublin Holiday Party 5-7 p.m. Brookside Golf & Country Club, 2770 W. Dublin-Granville Rd. www.dublinchamber.org DEC. 18 Wreaths Across America 10 a.m. Dublin Cemetery, 83 W. Bridge St. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org DEC. 18 Prescription Drug Take Back Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dublin Justice Center, 6565 Commerce Pkwy. www.dublinohiousa.gov
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 Powell Rd., Powell www.columbuszoo.org THROUGH JAN. 2 Wildlights 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Closed Dec. 24 & 25 JAN. 13-15 Dublin Jerome Drama Club presents Student Directed One Act Plays 7 p.m. Dublin Jerome High School, 8300 Hyland-Croy Rd. www.dublinschools.net
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faces by Cameron Carr Photos courtesy of Dublin Arts Council
Tired Tomato vs. the World
Dublin Arts Council director earns award for work during pandemic 10 • December 2021/January 2022
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David Guion has a particularly moving piece of art outside his office: Tired Tomato vs. the World, a piece by then-fifth-grader Adeline Jacques. The 2020 drawing captures the way Guion, Jacques and many others felt at the time. “This year we are all a bit tired and all in need of a hero,” Jacques’ artist statement summarizes. While Guion, director of the Dublin Arts Council, may relate to the unnamed trials of the tomato, his work through the pandemic has been tireless. He and the arts council quickly adapted and, recognizing the value of creativity and art in a time of isolation and uncertainty, developed new programming to reach the Dublin community when many found themselves home with no idea when “normal” would return. That work, which includes 12 new programs the arts council created since March 2020, earned Guion the Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year Award in 2021. “Naïve optimism can really help to inspire lots of things,” Guion says. “If you think too hard about things, you think about reasons you can’t do it. And we thought of reasons to do it, so we just did it.” As Guion and the rest of the arts council staff prepared to work from home indefinitely at the start of the pandemic, the team recognized that arts access and funding would both be jeopardized. As COVID-19 led people to spend unusually large amounts of time at home, the hotel/motel tax that helps fund the arts council saw fewer dollars, and hosting large gatherings or indoor events became impossible. Government support proved vital to maintaining the arts council’s programming, but Guion worked to optimize the use of that funding and expand the reach of the group through collaboration with other organizations. “We were able to raise the level of funding because we were able to work with other nonprofits,” Guion says. “Working together with all those entities, it really helped solidify the importance of the arts and creativity and wellness and just coping with the isolation of COVID.” Thanks to this approach, the arts council rapidly created programming beyond the walls of the arts center building.
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Tired Tomato vs. the World by Adeline Jacques www.dublinlifemagazine.com
December 2021/January 2022 • 11
Working with Dublin Bridges and Welcome Warehouse, the arts council provided art supplies to families in need. Collaborating with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Guion and his team organized a series of curbside concerts where musicians delivered in-person performances. Other projects – which included collaborations with Dublin City Schools, Washington Township Fire Department, Syntero and others – created public art, virtual exhibitions and provided artistic resources to first responders. “(Guion) found a way to keep things meaningful,” says Bill Andrews, president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce at the time of Guion’s acceptance of the Business Person of the Year Award. “What he does can be put to the backburner in a hurry, but what he does is so important. It brought hope.” Andrews says that he was moved by the nominations for Guion that highlighted the real-world impact of his work. “He’s always putting others before himself,” Andrews says. “He wants the best for a lot of people.” A Life in Art Guion grew up dancing and painting, particularly drawn to modern and contemporary artists of the 20th century.
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In college, he took a greater interest in the business administration side of the arts industry and earned a master’s in art education from The Ohio State University. He used those skills to kickstart a career in New York City where he worked with iconic artists such as Jasper Johns, Merce Cunningham and Robert Rauschenberg. That gave Guion an understanding of how to present artistic ideas to potential art patrons and generate financial support for the arts. He continued pursuing that concept and returned to OSU for a doctorate in art education. “Between the master’s, the Ph.D. and all that experience, it set me on a course to understand arts administration from a pretty intense level,” Guion says. “They’re the basis of what I do today.” Guion took his position with the arts council in 2005, drawn to what he describes as Dublin’s innovative mindset and city staff keen to support the arts. “Dublin remains relevant all the time,” he says. “They’re always looking at innovative ways to see themselves as a city.” Guion’s impact stretches beyond Dublin though. He also teaches graduate courses at OSU, has served as a panelist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council
and Ohio Arts Council, and has conducted workshops on arts fundraising around the globe. “The great part about teaching is you learn just as much as you teach,” Guion says. “I think it’s always great to key into different generations and different organizations and how they approach administration and leadership. It’s really a twoway conversation.” In general, young people and art continue to have an influence on Guion today. Tired Tomato, after showing in the council’s Emerging and Artifacts exhibitions, attracted appreciation from the whole arts council team. The piece has since been added to the council’s collection. From its place outside Guion’s office, it continues to remind him of the impact creativity and art can have on people. A conversation with the artist’s father made that clear to Guion. “I said, ‘This has been inspirational to us, we’ve gotten through so much with Tired Tomato,’” Guion recalls. “The guy sort of teared up and said, ‘You don’t know what this means to me and to my son.’ You don’t realize (the impact) until somebody says something like that.” Cameron Carr is the associate editor. Feedback welcome at ccarr@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Before finding his career in Dublin, Guion lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. During that time, he worked with influential 20th-century artists in dance including Trisha Brown and Mikhail Baryshnikov, and visual arts such as Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg. “You read about all this in graduate school and you don’t realize that those are the people you’re talking to,” Guion says. “It’s kind of strange when you go back to the book and say, ‘Oh my God, I just spoke to so-and-so,’ but I was young and decided I’d talk to anybody.” Those artists tended toward experimental work, often incorporating mixed media, found objects and aspects of daily life into their work. “Robert Rauschenberg would call and talk about lunch,” Guion says. “Now that I think about the conversations, they could’ve been a piece of art.”
city o f du bl i n by Rebecca Myers Photo courtesy of City of Dublin
Finding Relief at the Rec Dublin Community Recreation Center staff keen on service
When 5:30 a.m. rolls around, Kim Ridout isn’t waking up – she’s already at the gym. During the past year and a half of the pandemic, Ridout has found some critical support from what she dubs “the 5:30 a.m. crew,” made up of the dedicated staff of the Dublin Community Recreation Center. The recreation center, known as the DCRC, has become a sanctuary for Ridout – an “escape” from her on-demand life as a mental health therapist. “All day, I listened to people talk about the trauma of COVID, the deaths, the depression, all of the things – homeschooling – everything that’s come along with COVID,” she says. A Dublin resident for the past decade, Ridout has been a member of the recreation center for years, but she says the pandemic, as it did with many facets of life, transformed her experience with the center. A weights and cardio person, Ridout recalls that she didn’t often talk to recreation center staff or other regulars before the pandemic. That changed for her as she witnessed the enthusiasm from the fourperson “5:30 a.m. crew” once operations were back online. Her experience felt personalized, with the crew engaging with patrons, all while focused on keeping the DCRC hospitable and safe throughout the COVID-19 restrictions. “They created the same experience,” she says. “They greeted us, they laughed, they talked to us, they kept it clean. They just made it really personal for everyone. “For me,” Ridout continues, “it was like, ‘Life was going to return to normal again. There is laughter in the world.’ Because that’s not the part of the world I was seeing.” 14 • December 2021/January 2022
New in 2022: Annual memberships come with a 10% discount on classes.
After getting to know the early-morning crew members, Ridout recognized how each person faced their own struggles born from the pandemic but admired how they could make it feel like “life was still good” at the recreation center. “I feel like that commitment, no matter what was happening in their life, to keep it healthy and safe so that we could continue to come to work out was a huge thing. I think that was a great gift that they gave us.” Recreation Resiliency Eighty-six days. DCRC administrators remember the exact count from March 14 to June 7, 2020, when the recreation center closed to comply with state orders set to limit the spread of COVID-19. It was a stark change for many industries, yet the DCRC didn’t stand idly by. Tracey Gee, Director of Recreation Services, says during those weeks her staff members partnered closely with Franklin County Public Health to update their operations and kept the public’s well-being at the forefront of their work.
“We rewrote every operating practice we have with COVID in mind because we knew at some point we’d be reopening,” Gee recalls. “We tried to figure out what’s the best way to open to keep people the safest, and that meant different things for different demographic groups.” Staff reviewed how to better serve older adults who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and kept up communication with recreation center members about the new restrictions. Gee notes the DCRC reopened with enhanced sanitizing measures, reduced capacity rules and other practices aimed at patron and employee health. “I feel optimistic because we’ve been doing this for so long that we’re ready,” Gee says of the last year since the center’s reopening. “We know what’s coming: If we need to make adjustments we can make them, and we know that we can keep people safe. … People should feel confident and comfortable coming back.” As a DCRC goer, Ridout notes she missed her routine, so she went to feel out the center once it reopened. She says her hesitancy cleared because of “this huge www.dublinlifemagazine.com
commitment to being clean” from staff. Having visited another recreation center out of state, she noticed just how spotless the DCRC is in comparison. Gee reflects on the frontline crews and all who work to keep the DCRC running. “The staff have been the linchpin in making our services work and in serving the community,” she says. “It was a really difficult time to balance safety and service, and I think our staff did an unbelievably amazing job at that.” Something for Everyone The DCRC bills its robust fitness offerings as a way “to help you reach your goals.” Membership and daily passes are available for Dublin residents as well as non-residents; memberships can also be customized in an a la carte fashion. Featuring more than 30 fitness classes per week, the center has amenities including an indoor track and gymnasium, two pools, stationary bikes and free weights, a Wee Folk Room where patrons’ kids can receive babysitting, premium facility rentals for community gatherings, and the Abbey Theater of Dublin that hosts performances and is also rentable for local businesses or groups to hold meetings and presentations. From infants to seniors, anyone can experience classes, which are open to all levels, or try specialized sessions, such as senior yoga or functional fitness classes aimed at people recovering from an injury or needing to work on balance. As part of growing the center’s teen programming, younger people will soon be able to explore something more tailored to their own interests: esports. The DCRC will host video game competitions, and staff members point out the research about the social-emotional benefits of young people playing games together rather than being isolated at home. Gee says while this unique effort is for middle-schoolers through young adults, it can be an “ageless opportunity.” Participants in the video game competitions will also have an optional dodgeball component during tournament play. What else is new in 2022? Purchasing an annual membership now comes with a 10 percent discount on classes. Up-todate rates are available online, including priority membership pricing for Dublin residents to engage at the DCRC. Not sure about taking on a full membership? Gee notes trial classes can help someone find their fit while the DCRC’s daily guest passes also allow for a test run. DCRC fitness passes will be remastered to include both land and water activities, incorporating classes on the fitness floor as well as in the pools. This consolidation www.dublinlifemagazine.com
The Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Rd., is home to a robust selection of fitness classes and equipment as well as educational and experiential programming for all ages.
means the ease of having one pass for both types of activities. Members Make the Community Gee points out that the DCRC functions as the “central hub” of the community. “We do so many different things here that it’s unusual if we haven’t had a touch on a family, every family, in the community.” That includes serving as many young people’s first job; the City of Dublin employs hundreds of people seasonally at the recreation center and local pools. DCRC members themselves can help contribute to that sense of togetherness, Gee says. Memberships “help us do a lot of things” by supporting the center’s varied class schedule, helping provide financial assistance for swim lessons and camps, and sponsoring adaptive and senior programs. Ridout expresses that “community feel” is evident when she sees City of Dublin maintenance workers and police officers exercising at the recreation center. “You get to know people and you know more
about … things that are happening in your community, which is just a nice feeling,” she says. Passing that sense of belonging on to her teenage son, Ridout explains “he has gotten the love for fitness” from working out at the DCRC with the “no pressure” environment. Her son has his own membership, and her daughter is ready to join the member club, too. Ridout decided to share her sentiments in a thank-you email to the DCRC in 2021. Gee says she knows Ridout’s story is common with patrons, but it is rare for someone to share it directly with staff. “We’re so thankful that she told us, because it’s what feeds our soul. It’s what makes our job so rewarding,” Gee notes. “Hearing someone boil it down to, ‘This is the impact you made on my life,’ – those are the stories that we live for.” Rebecca Myers is a public information officer for the City of Dublin. Feedback welcome at rrmyers@dublin.oh.us.
DCRC Details Give the Gym! Put a DCRC membership on your wish list or buy one as a gift this holiday season. Be on the lookout for upcoming promotions. Safety is Key. Face coverings are strongly encouraged for patrons at the recreation center regardless of vaccination status. DCRC staff follow a detailed schedule to ensure equipment and spaces are clean for visitors. Join the Team. See which DCRC crew is hiring at DublinOhioUSA.gov/careers. Questions about Memberships or Daily Passes? Visit DublinOhioUSA.gov/ recreation. December 2021/January 2022 • 15
in f o c u s by Claire Miller
2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Find the perfect gift right here in Dublin 1 Dublin Toy Emporium
Give the gift of imagination and ingenuity this holiday season. The Ann Williams Group Craft-tastic Inventor’s Box ($19.99) asks kids to invent a robot, new game, musical instrument and more with the supplies provided in the kit. www.dublintoyemporium.wordpress.com
2 Busy Bees Pottery and Art Studio
Art-To-Go kits ($17.99) from Busy Bees Pottery & Arts Studio come with all the supplies needed to complete a full acrylic painting on canvas. The kit includes a canvas, outline of the design to follow, and the paints and brushes needed for the project. www.dublin.busybeesart.com
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3 Throw Nation
Axe throwing is the new bowling, according to Throw Nation. The business lets you get in on the fun and try your hand at wielding an axe. Time is spent learning, practicing and then participating in a group tournament which ends in the crowning of an Axe Throwing Champion. Gift cards are available. A one-and-a-half-hour booking is $32 per person. www.thrownation.com
4 1487 Brewery
Make winter nights cozier with 1487 Brewery’s logo sweatshirt blanket ($56). The soft, 50-by-60-inch blanket is perfect for evenings by the fire, picnics, sports games and tailgating. Keep it in the car to stay prepared for any event while repping a local establishment. www.1487brewery.com
5 Boho 72 Boutique
Add flair – and fizz – to someone’s bar cart with a pack of cocktail drink bombs. A fun addition to holiday libations, drink bombs dissolve into sparkling water, alcohol or any other liquid for an exciting way to make a variety of festive mixed drinks. www.boho72.com
16 • December 2021/January 2022
2 www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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Make The Morgan House a Holiday Tradition
5300 Glick Road, Dublin Ohio 43017 Store phone: 614-889-0037 Restaurant phone: 614-889-5703
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December 2021/January 2022 • 17
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Cap City Fine Diner and Bar www.capcityfinediner.com
Moretti’s Restaurant on Sawmill Road www.morettisofdublin.com North Market Bridge Park www.northmarket.org 101 Beer Kitchen www.101beerkitchen.com Tucci’s www.tuccisdublin.com The Avenue Steak Tavern www.theavenuesteaktavern.com www.dublinlifemagazine.com
6 Bend
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The holidays are sweeter with a decadent dessert. The Cheesecake Girl serves up 50 different flavors including lemon bar, creme brulee and buckeye – gluten free options are available if preordered. In addition to nine-inch cakes (starting at $50), The Cheesecake Girl offers cheesecake shooters, push pops and even tacos at its store in the Shoppes at River Ridge. www. thecheesecakegirl.com
8 Coast Wine House
Coast Wine House provides a laidback atmosphere for sipping in its wine-forward bar and intimate bottle shop. Bring home that same feeling with the Coast Monthly wine club, focusing on sourcing from the West Coast and small producers. Subscriptions are available for three, six or 12 months for hand-picked sets of either three or six bottles. www.coastwine house.com
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December 2021/January 2022 • 19
Cue the Concerts Cold weather won’t cool down the music By Sarah Grace Smith Photo courtesy of Mezzo
Outdoor concerts and events have become a staple since the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset, and even though the weather is getting harsher and the temperatures are dropping, Dublin’s live music scene isn’t stopping. And the unique variety of venues here are only growing with events ranging from live music and dancing to theater and tailgating. Flannagan’s Dublin “For those looking for an oasis in Ohio, Flannagan’s Dublin is a multifaceted event complex unlike anything in the Midwest,” the venue’s website says. Flannagan’s may be best known for its sand volleyball but there’s much more to this space. A sports bar, concert venue and six indoor sand volleyball courts aim to offer entertainment for everyone all year round. Most of the artists that take the stage at Flannagan’s tend toward country music, but the venue also hosts rock bands and DJs. Last Call Music Bar & Grill This bar is committed to supporting local musicians from central Ohio. Hosting multiple concerts a week, Last Call claims to have “the most delicious music in town.” If the music is enough to whet your appetite, Last Call also offers daily specials and hosts sports game parties. Stop by on Tuesdays for karaoke and look out for open mic nights to share your own skills. Leon’s Garage Located just outside of Dublin in Marysville, Leon’s Garage is the perfect spot for live music. Its newly updated stage features “state-of-the-art sound and 20 • December 2021/January 2022
Pair live music with dinner Wednesday nights at Mezzo.
mounted lighting to create a truly amazing live atmosphere,” according to its website. Leon’s promotes a laid-back atmosphere where customers can relax with their neighbors after work with live music, a great location and over 20 beers on tap. Count on Leon’s for rock, blues, singersongwriters and more. The Abbey Theater of Dublin Conveniently located in the Dublin Community Recreation Center, the Abbey Theater offers all types of arts performances, from theater and music to movies and lectures. The theater aims to promote local artists of all ages and backgrounds. The theater regularly hosts productions by Evolution Theatre Company and Original Productions Theatre. Mezzo You may not think that a fine dining Italian restaurant would be a good venue
for live music, but Mezzo likes to subvert expectations. Translating to “middle” in Italian, Mezzo tries to embody a balance of casual and sophisticated with both contemporary and traditional décor and classic and modern dishes. To support the Dublin community, Mezzo hosts live music from local musicians 6-9 p.m. every Wednesday. School of Rock Dublin The School of Rock’s approach to teaching music focuses on preparing for and participating in live performances. The program includes a curriculum for all age groups, from preschoolers to adults. School of Rock Dublin hosts shows multiple times a year. The free mid-season show will take place at Natalie’s Grandview on Sunday, Dec. 12. Sarah Grace Smith is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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December 2021/January 2022 • 21
Collin Wiant's death helped motivate passage of a law to protect others from hazing. 22 • December 2021/January 2022
www.dublinlifemagazine.com
End of Haze
Her son’s tragic death pushes Kathleen Wiant to fight hazing in Ohio and beyond By Garth Bishop Photos courtesy of Kathleen Wiant
If you were told something was a tradition, would the ante is upped significantly: a third-degree felony, punishable by prison time. The law also adds punishments up to a first-degree you feel compelled to carry it on? Even if you thought misdemeanor for those who are aware of hazing but fail to report it. Collin’s Law doesn’t just stiffen the punishments for those doing it ethically questionable? Now, if you learned that carrying on that tradition might be a felony, would that change your answer? Kathleen Wiant, and the people she worked with to pass Collin’s Law in Ohio, think that factor would give anyone pause. They believe the pause given by that anti-hazing law will save lives in the Buckeye State. Kathleen is a Dublin resident and a mother of five. One of those five, Collin Wiant, was excited to join the Sigma Pi fraternity shortly after he started attending Ohio University in 2018. OU’s fall semester begins in August. By November of his freshman year, Collin was dead as a result of a Sigma Pi hazing ritual in which he was pressured to inhale nitrous oxide – commonly known as a whippit. Kathleen vowed to make sure no other Ohio student suffered her son’s fate. It took almost three years, but today Ohio has far more serious consequences for participating in or tolerating hazing. Kathleen is working to toughen hazing laws in other states so no other person has to suffer the same fate as her son. The Fight Begins The death of Collin was shocking enough for Kathleen, but she was also shocked to learn just how lax the penalties for hazing were here in Ohio. It was a slap on the wrist, a fourth-degree misdemeanor – the equivalent of an unpaid parking ticket, she says. At the time, only eight states considered hazing a felony. This realization led to the formation of the Collin Wiant Foundation, which is dedicated to providing education on the consequences of hazing and how to stand up to it. One of the foundation’s first goals was to get laws punishing hazing on the books. Kathleen and the foundation were thorough. The team worked with prosecutors, police and universities to specify what the law should cover and with Ohio Sens. Stephanie Kunze and Theresa Gavarone to draft the bill. Though officially titled Senate Bill 126, it was better known throughout the process as Collin’s Law. It took a three-pronged approach to curb the human consequences of hazing: education, penalties and transparency. Collin’s Law turned hazing violations from fourth-degree misdemeanors to second-degree misdemeanors. If those hazing rituals should involve the forced consumption of drugs or alcohol, www.dublinlifemagazine.com
the hazing. It also expands the role that learning institutions play. Now, not only are universities required to provide anti-hazing training, they’re also required to post online information about violations over the past five years – with new reports due every six months. That’s a key component, Kathleen says, because if those requirements had existed in 2018, Collin might still be alive. After all, both mother and son would then have known that Sigma Pi had sent a pledge to the emergency room a few months prior. They also would have known the fraternity had been suspended years earlier for abuse of pledges. Pledges were beaten and struck with belts. They were forced to strip to their underwear outdoors in the cold. They were pushed to play contact football without protective equipment. They were even waterboarded, Kathleen says. Kathleen says that she and her husband, Wade, would have voiced serious objections to their son’s rushing Sigma Pi if they had known about the OU chapter’s propensity for hurting its pledges – and that’s if they even had to voice such objections. “If Collin had seen the signs of hazing, he would have gotten up and walked out,” says Kathleen.
Wade and Kathleen Wiant (left) pose with Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Sen. Stephanie Kunze, who co-sponsored Collin’s Law, after the bill’s signing in July. December 2021/January 2022 • 23
The Wiants pose for a family photo in 2016.
In December 2020, though, it seemed the bill wasn’t going to pass. The Ohio Senate balked, some of its members were unhappy with anti-bullying provisions that were part of the bill. It seemed like the bill’s backers were going to have to go back to the drawing board. And then Stone Foltz died.
The Final Push Foltz, a 20-year-old Delaware resident, was pledging to join the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Bowling Green State University. On March 4 of this past year, as part of a hazing ritual, he was given an entire bottle of whiskey and told to finish it, which he did in less than 20 minutes. Shortly after he lost consciousness later that evening, Foltz stopped breathing. He was rushed to the hospital with a bloodalcohol level of 0.394 percent. He would die three days later without ever having regained consciousness. Collin’s Law was buoyed by protests at BGSU and beyond, and Foltz’s parents, Cory and Shari, joined the fight as well. The foundation worked with Ariel Tarosky, director of sorority and fraternity life at OU, and others in similar positions at Ohio universities to carry out a letter-writing campaign urging legislators to pass the bill. Each new school year brings at least one new hazing death that makes the national news, Kathleen says, and letter writers asked legislators the big question: Did they want that death to occur at yet another university in Ohio? “I told them, ‘All eyes will be on you. Everyone will know you failed the students of Ohio,’” she says.
At long last, Collin’s Law passed in July 2021. After Gov. DeWine signed the bill in August, it officially went into effect in October. The Path Forward It’s too early to measure the bill’s longterm impact. But college advisers tell Kathleen it’s opening up conversations, she says, and student organizations are cracking down on so-called “traditions” that serve little purpose beyond tormenting newcomers.
Kathleen Wiant delivered some of her message on hazing in a TedX, which can be viewed on her website, www.kathleenwiant.com.
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“It really is going to be impactful in making change,” Kathleen says. Through the foundation, Kathleen has been traveling throughout the U.S. to give talks about hazing and push for laws that target it. She presents to fraternities and sororities, student-athletes, marching band members, and sometimes general student bodies. A good number of faculty members often attend as well, Kathleen says. Now, she’s looking to expand the impact by working with like-minded groups on national anti-hazing legislation: the Educational Notification and Disclosure of Actions risking Loss of Life by Hazing Act, or the END ALL Hazing Act for short. The Foundation’s Message One of the key messages Kathleen conveys at presentations is that hazing is a cycle. A freshman pledge doesn’t join a fraternity or sorority hotly anticipating the prospect, years later, of tormenting underclassmen. Institutions that practice hazing embed it in tradition. Students who were hazed as pledges thus feel compelled to do the hazing themselves when they’re put in a position of power. “It doesn’t matter that the players are different because it’s the tradition,” Kathleen says. And what about those newcomers who endure the hazing? Why don’t they speak out? That’s another of the insidious parts of the practice. Hazing often starts small and gets progressively worse. By the time a freshman pledge realizes it’s gone too far, they’re afraid to talk about it for fear of embarrassment or punishment. But any amount of hazing is unacceptable, Kathleen says. Garth Bishop is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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In addition to the foundation, Collin’s name lives on via the Miracle League of Central Ohio. As a longtime volunteer there, Collin is part of the baseball league’s hall of fame, and his name is now also on the scoreboard. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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December 2021/January 2022 • 25
Courting the Stage Abbey Theater play peers behind the curtain of the presidency By Brandon Klein Photo courtesy of Abbey Theater
From a family-friendly Christmas musical to the world premiere of a play about the 29th U.S. president’s extramarital affairs, the Abbey Theater of Dublin has performances for everyone. “People will recognize the Abbey is providing substantive programming,” says Joe Bishara, who became the theater’s supervisor in 2019 after more than nine years at CATCO. Families in Dublin and central Ohio can get excited about The Land of Forgotten Toys and its array of characters such as toy store employee Grace and Schmedrick the elf while older audiences will find just as much enjoyment in the historical drama and comedy of The Duchess. Written by retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Herbert Brown, The Duchess is set in the early 1910s and focuses on Ohioan Warren G. Harding’s political career and romantic affairs. Harding, who spent most of his career in Marion, became president in 1921 and died under strange circumstances in 1923. The production features a five-person cast and offstage voices. It stars Josie Merkle as Florence Harding; Bill Goldsmith, who led Columbus Children’s The-
An Abbwy Theater performance of A Christmas Carol in 2012
atre for 30 years, as Warren Harding; Joe Lusher as Harry Daugherty; Britt Kline as Alice Roosevelt Longworth; and Rachel Belenker as Evalyn McLean. With a roughly 100-minute run time, the play has many different settings and will use modern technology to bring the historical period piece to life. A Victrola record player will serve as a mechanism for keeping the play moving forward.
The Land of Forgotten Toys
7 p.m. Dec. 16-17; 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 It’s three days before Christmas and Grace works in a toy store owned by her grumpy aunt, Charlotte. Wanting to get away, Grace and her friend, Nikki, are magically transported to the legendary Land of Forgotten Toys. They meet an elf named Schmedrick, encounter an icicle giant and discover that forgotten toys are not misfits.
The Duchess
7 p.m. Feb. 10-11, 17-19; 2 p.m. Feb. 13 Written by former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Herb Brown, the play is set in the early 1910s and takes a look at the political career and romantic affairs of scandal-plagued Ohioan Warren G. Harding, who became president in 1921 and died under strange circumstances in 1923. For tickets, visit www.dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater or call 614-410-4550. 26 • December 2021/January 2022
“That’s what’s cool, we’re going to be using multiple projectors to create this landscape for the piece, but a record player that was made hundreds of years ago is what connects everything. So I like that juxtaposition,” Bishara says. Brown is no stranger to the playwright world. Following six years on the Ohio Supreme Court, he wrote several plays in the ’90s, including Power of God, which was produced by CATCO; You’re My Boy, which explores the relationship between former presidents Richard Nixon and Dwight Eisenhower; Peace with Honor; and Mano a Mano. “Herb is a pretty big history buff,” Bishara says. “As part of his career, he actually was part of the defense team for the Harding family, which was trying to suppress some of the letters that Warren Harding sent back to his former lovers. That led to the spark for him to write this play.” He and Brown worked together previously during Bishara’s time with CATCO. After Bishara started working in Dublin, the two eventually had a conversation www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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about Brown’s different projects including The Duchess. “I thought of it perfect not only for the stage, but I thought it would really resonate with the Dublin community, especially by featuring an Ohio president,” Bishara says. “I thought it ticked a lot of boxes.” The Duchess digs deeper underneath the facade of the presidency though, Bishara says. “I think we get to see things that most humans struggle with: maintaining proper communication channels with significant others,” he says. Additionally, Harding and his wife, Florence, had a fascinating dynamic in their relationship, Bishara adds. “She was really driven, she wanted him to succeed,” he says. “I think she even glazed over some of his shortcomings as a husband because she wanted so much for him and, subsequently, herself, and the play explores that. The price of power.” Brandon Klein is the senior editor. Feedback welcome at bklein@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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“The Strength of Local” December 2021/January 2022 • 27
Rainbow Dublin’s Coming Out New nonprofit hopes to bolster Dublin’s LGBTQ+ community By Cameron Carr Photos courtesy of Shahed Hasnat, Rainbow Dublin and City of Dublin
Bobby Weston speaks in June 2021 at Dublin Pride.
Bobby Weston saw much to love in Dublin when he and his husband, Cole, moved here in 2020 – excellent schools, a rich community – but there was one thing missing: there was no established LGBTQ+ presence. “There is a beautiful community here, an absolutely beautiful, diverse community,” Weston says, “but there’s nothing gay.” Weston quickly set out to change that. Through Rainbow Dublin, which held its inaugural Coming Out Party in August, Weston is offering support and resources to the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Weston took inspiration from Rainbow UA, an alliance aiming to support the LGBTQ+ community in Upper Arlington, to form a similar group for Dublin. Weston’s work organizing a Dublin Pride march 28 • December 2021/January 2022
also helped to demonstrate a desire within Dublin for an LGBTQ+ advocacy group. Setting Sights on Change The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the U.S., conducts an assessment, the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), of American cities in terms of their support for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, Dublin scored a 44 out of 100. In comparison, Columbus scored a perfect 100. “The Human Rights Campaign, I kind of look at almost like an open book test – literally the answers are right in front of you,” Weston says. “It literally creates a roadmap for you: ‘This is how you get our points.’” Weston went through the MEI items and highlighted major spots for improvement in Dublin. He used those issues – ranging from employment and housing to a nondiscrimination order and human rights commission – to propose potential
goals for Rainbow Dublin in an associated Facebook group. Those responses prompted a list of goals for the nascent organization including garnering a nondiscrimination order for the City of Dublin, getting city leadership’s public position on LGBTQ+ equality and establishing a youth bullying prevention policy for city services. “I knew for certain that, with my group, the nondiscrimination order was going to be No. 1,” Weston says. “Of course, goals will change over time because, eventually, the nondiscrimination order is going to happen.” Dublin has made notable progress in recent years, Weston says. He points to the work of Chief of Police Justin Páez as being instrumental in improving Dublin’s score on the MEI from a 31 in 2019 to a 44 in 2020. Weston says Páez played an influential role in the city instituting a nondiscrimination policy for city employees, reporting hate crime statistics to the FBI and creating LGBTQ+ liaisons to assist in reviewing city policy.
Sho Sho Zahav reads during a drag queen-led story time at Rainbow Dublin’s Coming Out Party. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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Dublin Police Chief Justin Páez speaks in June 2021 during the city’s first Pride celebration, organized by Rainbow Dublin. The event featured Dublin City Schools graduates and community leaders sharing their stories and ideas about making Dublin more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Dublin City Schools staff at Rainbow Dublin’s Coming Out Party.
The liaisons provide a community connection to the city manager’s office and police department. The two appointees are J.M. Rayburn, an urban planner for the City of Dublin, and officer Amber McCloskey. “The city is making a conscious effort to do the right thing,” Rayburn says. “I’m happy to be part of that journey as, I’m sure, is officer McCloskey.” In 2020, Dublin announced a Community Task Force and Chief’s Advisory Committee to advise on how to best approach issues of social justice and discrimination in the city. That task force provided recommendations, which were accepted by Dublin City Council, and now are under consideration for implementation. Stronger Together Making Dublin a supportive, welcoming home for members of the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond just city officials though, Rayburn says. He points to www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Rainbow Dublin as an example of another positive force. “Everyone has a role in advancing LGBTQ+ protections and equality,” Rayburn says. “The government definitely has a role but so does the community, and having an organized advocacy group, I think, really tightens up the whole thing.” Rainbow Dublin’s Coming Out Party helped to solidify the organization’s potential. Weston says the event attracted hundreds of people, including principals and teachers from local schools, and raised money to cover the administrative expenses of establishing and maintaining a nonprofit. Rainbow Dublin has since expanded its leadership to a six-person board. Connecting with educators was especially important as Rainbow Dublin, such as the LGBTQ+ liaisons, often speaks with and offers resources to young people or parents. Rayburn stresses the value of demonstrating that support for the LGBTQ+ community. “If you think about how Pride started with the Stonewall riots, it was really because of police oppression and other things the police were doing that the LGBTQ community thought was unfair and unjust,” he says. “To then fast-forward 50-plus years later and have our chief of police leading off this inaugural pride event and then have the bridge lit up in rainbow, I thought that was a really cool moment and I hope it was impactful for the parents and also the kids to see that this is a welcome mat.” Cameron Carr is the associate editor. Feedback welcome at ccarr@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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a lo o k ba ck by Tom Holton and the Dublin Historical Society
Christmas in the Church Revisiting holidays past What was Christmas like in the Village of Dublin a century ago? We have a way to go back in time with a 1931 article to read a small sample of what the celebrations were like nearly 100 years ago. It will be helpful to think of Dublin then and how different it was from Dublin now. The 2020 Census put Dublin’s population at just over 49,000. In 1930 that number was 224. As you read this segment, try to imagine a village where everyone knew one another. Then, the Dublin Community Church on Bridge Street was a major part of everyone’s life. The Community Calendar, published by the pastor of the Church, was the only village newspaper. It included village council news, school news, births and deaths, vacations, anniversaries, engagements – any goings-on within the community.
The Depression of the 1930s affected Dublin primarily by lowering the amount of money farmers received for crops and livestock. The village was not wealthy or even middle-class and the Depression made people poorer. Farming remained an important segment of the Dublin economy as it allowed people to sustain themselves and help each other. The Community Church’s first obligation was to help its members, then to help the community, then – through its parent church – to help in countries overseas as much as it could through its mission service. This orientation to collect and reallocate donations shows in the passage below. The passage from the Jan. 1, 1932, Community Calendar describes the 1931 Christmas service and Sunday School. The Depression-era cash offering will seem very small to readers
There were 170 at Sunday School the Sunday before Christmas, and more came for the Christmas program given at the Church hour. It seemed that the attendance was even larger for the Cantata, “The Greatest Gift,” given by the Choir under the direction of Mr. Geideman, Sunday night. And there were as many present for the Christmas Pageant, “The Star Came” given Christmas Eve. It seems that more than twice as many participated in the Christmas services, than during any Christmas season in recent years—and the total attendance was more than twice as great. At the risk of failing to mention some equally as deserving of special thanks, the members of the congregation are especially grateful to Mrs. Stella Karrer, Mrs. Arvilla Hall, Mr. Kemp, Mr. Hirth, Mr. Geideman, Miss Helen Jane Smith, Mr. John Geese, Mrs. Todd, Mrs. Moffitt, Mrs. Hirth, Mrs. Neal, and Mrs. Belt. The Choir most loyally and acceptably assisted
in both services besides the Cantata. The children are to be commended on the program given Sunday morning. The Cantata Sunday evening brought many words of warmest praise. The pageant brought the Christmas observance to a fitting close. Many brought offerings of fruit, canned goods and clothing. The cash offering, accompanying the White Gifts totalled $8.78. Some of the White Gifts were distributed Christmas morning. The balance is in the hands of the committee for distribution as colder weather and greater need come.
30 • December 2021/January 2022
today, but in that year, it may have been significant. “White Gifts,” referenced at the article’s end, were gifts wrapped in plain white paper so that no one would know if an item might be of more relative value than another. Some gifts may not have been purchased at all but instead been handmade or come directly from people’s homes. No one would feel ashamed of their gift because each one was wrapped to look alike and everyone would share in the joy of giving to others. It was a very fitting gift exchange for the time.
Tom Holton is president of the Dublin Historical Society, a nonprofit educational organization with a mission to collect and preserve the history of the Dublin area and make it available to the public. For more information, visit www.dublinohiohistory.org. Copyright Dublin Historical Society, Dublin, Ohio www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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1931 Christmas gift envelope
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December 2021/January 2022 • 31
ARTifacts
Dublin Arts Council Celebrates Years of Student Creativity 20th annual emerging exhibition opens Jan.11 By Janet Cooper
Photos courtesy of Dublin Arts Council, Jonathan Joos and Prolific Media
In December 2001, Dublin Arts Council moved from the Bridge Street Firehouse at 37 W. Bridge St., to the “new” Dublin Arts Center, 7125 Riverside Dr., in Dublin. The facility, owned by City of Dublin and renovated to provide a community space for the arts, offered many more exhibition possibilities, with a main gallery, sun porch and north gallery spaces. According to Dublin Arts Council Program Manager Christine Langston, who recently celebrated her
The creative team at Prolific Media, a digital advertising company in Chicago. Former emerging exhibition artist Jonathan Joos (far right) works for the firm as a motion and graphic designer. 32 • December 2021/January 2022
Turtle by James Cody S., digital art, postsecondary Best of Show, emerging 2019.
20th anniversary with the organization, the building opened to the public on March 17, 2002, and the first emerging exhibition of student artwork in the new Dublin Arts Center took place that fall. The annual exhibition, now in its 20th year, features artwork created by students in kindergarten through grade 12 and the Postsecondary Access to Transition after High School program who live within
the Dublin City Schools attendance area, those who have participated in a Dublin Arts Council ARTcamp, Riverbox challenge or the Connect: Public Art & Wellness Challenge. On average, the exhibition includes 120 to 150 artworks in two- and three-dimensional mediums by up to 100 students. Langston recalls many advantages to the larger gallery space, including an early submission of a “gigantic dragon.” “We wouldn’t have been able to fit it into the old space,” explains Langston. “Thankfully, we were able to get the dragon into the north gallery. We put artwork size restrictions in place after that!” www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Australorp by Kelly R., watercolor and mixed media, grades 3-5, Best of Show, emerging 2009.
Joos says that art influenced his career choice because it helped him realize all the paths he could follow in his career. He experimented with multiple artistic styles and the vast options in the field of illustration until realizing what style he really loved. When asked what advice he would give to young artists participating in this year’s exhibition, Joos replied, “I would love to tell them that yes, you can succeed as an artist. Also, ignore the people telling you that you need a 9-to-5 job in business or some financial firm. Do what you love and practice it. There are so many avenues to go down in the art industry. Keep perfecting your craft every day and become the best artist you can possibly be.”
Memorable artworks According to Langston, there have been many memorable artworks over the years. Self-portrait by Jonathan Joos, pencil drawing/ Some of them have photo with the artist, grade 9, emerging 2011. sold – and not necessarily to family memDue to the pandemic, the exhibition will bers. Occasionally, Dublin Arts be presented virtually in 2022, hosted at Council staff members have Artsonia.com with digital artwork images contacted families or teachers viewable at www.rebrand.ly/DACartsonia to encourage an artist to sell an from Jan. 11-Feb. 25, 2022. The online artwork that was initially listed as gallery platform allows visitors to purchase “not for sale.” items such as masks, cards, mugs and “I recall an artwork of an jewelry created using the students’ digital australorp – a type of chicken,” artwork images. Langston says. “The chicken was placed behind chicken wire. It Memorable experiences was so creative.” Former Dublin City Schools’ student Jonathan Joos recalls participating in the emerging exhibition in both elementary and high school. “The one I remember most is the most recent in 2011,” Joos says. “I was 15 years old. I believe I had two pieces in the exhibition, one of them being a self-portrait. And I remember being proud of myself for being there and people seeing my art.” After high school, Joos initially studied industrial design at The Ohio State University. He then changed paths, graduating in 2018 with a degree in illustration from Columbus College of Art & Design, leading him to his animation work in motion design. He is currently employed by Prolific Media, a digital advertising firm in Chicago. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
“I also loved a turtle that was submitted one year,” she adds. “It was a digital artwork by a Dublin City Schools PATHs program student. His work was so detailed and impressive.” Langston concludes, “In general, the annual emerging exhibition is one of my most favorite things that we do. I love to see what young students are doing and I am often amazed. I love that there’s so much creativity out there and that they can express themselves through their artwork.” Janet Cooper is director of engagement, Dublin Arts Council. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Buzzy Bee by Nina S., printmaking, grade 1, emerging 2021.
December 2021/January 2022 • 33
s tu d e nt s pot l i ght by Ell ie Rober to Photo courtesy of Tanya Rosier
Teen Spirit of Giving
Dublin Jerome student continues annual donation drive
Since she was in third grade, now 14-year-old Anna Rosier has been spreading Christmas cheer by helping the underserved in her community with an annual Our Hand to the Homeless winter break donation drive. Anna’s not your typical high school freshman. Yes, she loves spending time with family and friends, and she’s a decorated soccer player, having won the Midwest Regional National Cup this year with her club team, but it’s her continuous and growing commitment to bettering her community that sets Anna apart. In normal years, the Rosiers – Anna; her mom, Tanya; dad, Kip; and brothers, Connor and Peyton – open their home for dozens of strangers and friends to make blankets, pack sandwiches and organize supplies to deliver to local shelters. In 2019, community volunteers made more than 350 bagged lunches, 116 blankets
Anna and friends with a carful of donations.
Volunteers wrapping blankets in the Rosier's home in 2019. 34 • December 2021/January 2022
and 100 hygiene packs for various organizations. Last year, however, Anna and her team of volunteers had to adapt to continue her seven-year-long tradition. “I was really encouraged with Anna last year because I think at the beginning, just being young I thought, ‘Well, maybe she’s not going to be able to do this,’ but she got creative and figured out a way,” says Tanya. With heightened health concerns, Anna couldn’t pass out food or open her door to those willing to help like in years past, but she refused to turn her back on the community that needed her most. Instead, she adapted her methods. In November 2020, Anna posted on her mom’s Facebook page explaining how the annual drive would be different. She placed a bin on her family’s porch for people to drop off donations safely, and www.dublinlifemagazine.com
by December, the family’s living room was packed with blankets, socks, shampoo, soaps, deodorant, menstruation products and more. One generous community member donated a $500 Amazon gift card. Anna collected more than 1,500 items from Dublin community members, Smoky Row Children’s Center, the Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club and Ohio Premier Soccer Club. The donations were distributed to Out of Darkness Columbus, the Bridge Community Center, Columbus Relief and Arts Impact Middle School. In April, Anna received a Dublin Community Champion Award from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce recognizing how she goes above and beyond expectations not just in the classroom, but also in her community. The Community Champion Awards highlight students and staff in the Dublin City School District who uplift the community. “When you’re young, you can still make an impact,” Anna says. Anna says she’s hopeful to once again invite people into her home and pass out food and supplies face to face this year – or, at least, mask to mask. She says she misses witnessing firsthand the impact she’s making on her fellow community members. “The smiles on their faces motivated me to keep doing it because you can see the joy it brings some people,” she says. Tanya adds that the joy flows both ways. Anna and other participants learn a lot from paying the kindness forward and speaking to people who have had different life experiences. “Homeless people have a story to share, and they have a lesson that they want folks to learn, too, on things they’ve done right and things that they’ve done wrong,” Tanya says. “I think we can help each other.” Months before the 2021 drive begins, Tanya says community members are messaging her on Facebook to ask what Anna’s plans are for this year’s drive and how they can get involved. If all goes to plan, the Rosiers will open their doors to the community once again and visit shelters in person. Anna’s high school soccer team has promised to help make blankets for the drive, and the Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club is already on board too. “I think that this has been the coolest experience,” Tanya says, “watching this grow and people embracing Anna’s vision and parents reaching out and saying, ‘I want my kid to do this with your daughter.’ This community is so amazing.”
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Ellie Roberto is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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du b l i n d i s h es by Ell ie Rober to Photos courtesy of Front Five Photo
French Flair
Dublin-raised chef shares an easy French side dish recipe French cuisine is at the root of modern cooking. Its classic cooking techniques are widely taught in culinary schools. “Most of the training I received in culinary school was based on French techniques and preparation,” says Michael Frank, chef and co-owner at Savoir Cooking & Wine. “French cuisine is very regional and uses fresh ingredients like herbs and vegetables and, of course, a good amount of cream and butter.” Frank was raised in Dublin and, like so many chefs before him, found his love for the culinary arts while working as a dishwasher at Wedgewood Golf & Country Club in Powell. “At the time, the chef there was from the famous Greenbrier resort in West Virginia,” Frank says. “He kind of took me under his wing, showed me how to cook.” Frank continued to pursue his interest in the culinary arts, earning an associate’s degree in culinary arts at the Western
Preparing food at Savoir Cooking & Wine
Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, and a bachelor’s degree in food service management at Ohio University. Now, with more than 20 years of food service experience, Frank is well versed in the art of French cooking and passes his knowledge on in cooking classes at Savoir. After all, savoir in French means “to know.” “Cooking for friends, family and customers is what brings me the most joy,” he says. Frank shares his take on the classic French side dish Swiss chard gratin, which, despite its misleading name, has French origins. Au gratin is a French term describing a dish topped with cheese or breadcrumbs and then baked until golden brown. “The gratin makes an excellent side dish for leaner meats like chicken, fish or filet mignon,” Frank says. Frank describes this recipe as easy and approachable, but recommends prepping the ingredients ahead of time, or as the French more eloquently calls it, mise en place. Savoir co-owners Michael Frank (left) and Michael McCauley (center left) 36 • December 2021/January 2022
Ellie Roberto is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Swiss Chard Gratin • 3 pounds Swiss chard, large stems discarded • 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil • 2 white onions, peeled and diced • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter • 2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour • 1 quart of whole milk • ½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese • ½ cup freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese • ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg • Freshly ground pepper In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the chard in batches until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain the chard. Squeeze, dry and chop it. Heat the oil in a pot. Add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring until tender, 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the chard, season with salt and remove from the heat. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 10-by-15-inch baking dish. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour over moderate heat to form a paste. Gradually whisk in one-third of the milk and cook, whisking until the mixture starts to thicken. Repeat two more times with the remaining milk. Bring the sauce to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking often until thickened and no floury taste remains, 15 minutes. Whisk in the cheeses and the nutmeg, season with salt and pepper. Mix the sauce into the onions and chard. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the upper third of the oven for about 25 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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livin g by Cameron Carr Photos courtesy of the Dublin Arts Council
Mansion of Memories
Looking back on building’s transition from arts advocate’s home to Dublin Arts Center While the large stone building at 7125 Riverside Dr. has changed ownership, seen thousands of visitors and experienced many modifications over the 80 years since its construction, in many ways its purpose has stayed the same throughout its life. Though the home was originally built for attorney Charles S.M. Krumm and his wife Sarah, it is more often associated with its next owner. The space was a focal point of lively, arts-related gatherings thanks to its second and longest owner, Eleanor Gelpi, who is remembered on her gravestone as the “first lady of the arts.” “They loved to entertain,” says Gelpi’s nephew and former Dublin City Council member David Amorose of the Gelpi family. Amorose recalls a Fourth of July party that attracted hundreds at a time when the city only had about 500 residents. Fire-
Gelpi’s nephews, David and Tony Amorose, volunteered time to bring the exterior closer to its mid-century appearance.
Eleanor and Andre Gelpi 38 • December 2021/January 2022
works, refreshments and celebrations beyond any he’d previously seen took place at the mansion. “As kids, we never saw a party that big,” Amorose says. “Way back when, if you had a soft drink, that was a special time. You didn’t have a Coca-Cola every day. When she threw that party, it was just amazing, it
had things you’d never had before or only on occasion would have.” More than just a 20th-century socialite, Gelpi was an advocate of the arts. She was the first female president of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, helped found the Greater Columbus Arts Council and was an active supporter of BalletMet. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Gelpi’s living room once hosted grand holiday displays. Now, the space is a full-time art gallery.
“In elementary school, we went to a performance down at the Ohio Theatre,” says Dublin Mayor and Amorose’s daughter, Chris Amorose Groomes. “I remember before we went down my folks were like, ‘Hey, make sure you check out the plaque on the wall in there. Aunt Eleanor was responsible for saving the Ohio Theatre.’” Gelpi and her husband, Andre, founders of Swan Cleaners, purchased the French eclectic style home in 1947 less than a decade after its 1941 construction. It served as Gelpi’s home until her death in 1985. According to the Dublin Arts Council, the house played host to figures including Audrey Hepburn, Perry Como and Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes. After passing through a couple of owners unrelated to the Gelpi family, the city of Dublin bought the home in 1999, and the Dublin Arts Center opened its doors in 2002. “I am immensely proud of the fact that Dublin has undertaken to maintain the arts center there,” says Eleanor’s son, Paul www.dublinlifemagazine.com
The kitchen area holds many memories for Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes when she visited as a child. The tile floor has remained the same since Gelpi’s time there. December 2021/January 2022 • 39
The Gelpi family had a chandelier designed to pay tribute to the Swan Cleaners business.
Gelpi. “Her life in the arts is legendary and she would be very proud to have the Dublin Arts Center as it is today in her former home.” While the living room has become an art gallery and bedrooms have transitioned to offices, much of the home remains faithful to when the Gelpi family roamed its halls. The main stairwell features the chandelier the Gelpi family installed upon purchasing the home – a close look reveals swans, a tribute to the family’s cleaning business. An original, custom mural has been preserved in the dining room, which now features a glass chandelier created in 2013 by Gelpi’s grandson Anthony. Even much of the floors, both hardwood and a black and white tile in part of the kitchen, remain original. “The most memorable part of the building when I walk into it now is the
A chandelier designed in 2013 by Gelpi’s grandson, Anthony Gelpi, has been added to the dining room.
checkerboard floor in the kitchen,” Amorose Groomes says. “I’ve eaten many good cookies in that kitchen looking at that floor.” In order to comply with ADA guidelines, the city of Dublin built additions on the north side of the building, but even
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those features blend seamlessly into the original architecture. The exterior retains much of its previous grand appeal thanks to the labor and input of Amorose. “Eleanor Gelpi just loved her yard,” he says. “As property owners changed it fell – I wouldn’t say to disrepair – but I would say that we needed it renovated.” Amorose worked closely with the city’s landscape architect to advise on plants that could be removed, added or substituted to more closely mirror the building’s mid-century appearance. He and his brother Tony volunteered time to personally remove what had died or become overgrown and plant hundreds of new plants. The yard of the 4.32-acre property now conjures up a bygone era while playing host to the events of its new occupants. The Dublin Arts Council has used the outdoor space for site-specific dance pieces, public art and more. In those current uses, the building continues to recall the rich history of Dublin. “I think for a community it’s important to remember where you’ve been in conjunction with where you are today, and certainly in Dublin,
The former dining room now serves as a conference room but has kept the custompainted canvas mural on the walls.
it’s always been a lot about planning and where we’re going,” Amorose Groomes says. “All three of those touchpoints are equally important and I think that house provides a
touchpoint of where we’ve been, our history, our recent past.” Cameron Carr is the associate editor. Feedback welcome at ccarr@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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December 2021/January 2022 • 41
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wr it e n e x t d oor with columnist Colleen D’Angelo Photo courtesy of Colleen D’Angelo
The Big 100 Writer celebrates years of covering Dublin Happy Anniversary to me! No, I am not 100 years old, but I have written over 100 columns and articles for Dublin Life Magazine. That means I have had dozens of opportunities to learn new facts, experience different activities and meet oodles of Dublin residents. Some interviews and stories make me laugh in disbelief while others hit a jarring, emotional chord. The best part is the continuation of growth, learning and sharing with the reader that I hope endures for many years. People always ask where I come up with my ideas and the answer is varied. Sometimes the editor will make suggestions, or I will have a lightbulb moment about a topic. Most of the time, ideas come from Dubliners who I meet while shopping at Kroger or enjoying a glass of merlot at Tucci’s. The Facebook group Dublin Moms in the Know is a tremendous source of information and regularly connects me to fascinating stories. While the last eight years of columns are archived online, I only have physical copies of the earlier years and don’t revisit them often. Browsing through them recently gave me an amazing trip down memory lane. The Dublin Irish Festival I covered the 20th and the 30th anniversaries of the festival, including 30 things I love about the festival. The rock night on Friday, darts and whiskey tastings, and petting the Irish canines are some of my favorite events. I gave a behind-the-scenes look at Irish dance including the wigs, costumes, shoes and history. Through the years my daughter, Courtney, went from an 8-year-old beginner dancer to a professional touring the world with the show Riverdance. 44 • December 2021/January 2022
Sports and More Sports In two years of health and fitness articles, I tried almost every sport and fitness craze around. I went from hiphop and water aerobics classes to sand volleyball and kickboxing. I also learned the tricks to shopping for nutritious food in the supermarket and got CPR certified. The number of folks who, after reading my column, decided to get their own CPR certification is a point of pride for me. Food, Glorious Food I am always ready to volunteer for a foodie article, so send your ideas any time! At one point, I had the joy of trying five food trucks in five days to report my favorites. The Korean Barbecue from Cupzilla was only topped by the pork belly sandwich with corn and jalapeno jam from En Place. Progressive dinner parties, where guests travel to a different house for each course of the meal, were a lot of fun to cover as was the exploration of red wine and chocolate pairings that my family did during the pandemic. Many years ago I wrote a similarly delicious piece called “Sweet
Street” and tasted desserts at all of the downtown Dublin restaurants. That’s hard to imagine today as all of the new options on both sides of the river would make it a week-long challenge. Travel If you know me, you know I love to travel all over the world. And if I can’t be the traveler, then I’m reading about the adventures of other lucky people. Over the years, I’ve written about Dubliners fulfilling fascinating adventures. Rebecca Hinze visited 40 countries before she turned 40. She and her husband, Todd, listed hiking the Inca Trail to 8,000 feet in Peru as one of their favorite parts. The Mangan family traveled to all seven continents before the kids graduated high school. Their high points were hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and riding elephants in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park. Humorous and Quirky Dubliners provided me with hilarious recollections of wedding woes, from dresses catching on fire to wind storms blowing all of their centerpieces away. continued on page 46 www.dublinlifemagazine.com
At an outdoor wedding, a guest set off her car alarm, which then caused a chain reaction of multiple car alarms erupting in a symphony. A groom mispronounced his own name, leading the bride to giggle uncontrollably for the rest of the ceremony. A grandmother with dementia was left behind at a hotel and found sitting in the lobby 45 minutes later, just waiting for her ride. “Promising Promposals,” took look at the creative and over-the-top ways that teens ask their dates to prom. It included scavenger hunts, costumes and lots of planning and surprises. One of my favorite funny columns focused on wedding proposal stories as told by local jewelers who had an inside scoop. The highlight was a hot air balloon ride that nearly ran out of fuel and had to land inside the walls of a women’s correctional facility! Thought-provoking As a writer, it’s gratifying to take quiet time to reflect and share thoughts on simple actions. I also enjoy in-depth research on parenting ideas and asking advice from Dubliners of all ages who can share their wisdom as we traverse each chapter of life. My column on helicopter parents who hover closely while their children try to spread their wings was eyeopening for me. The sandwich generation column described those of us who are still parenting our children but also taking care of aging parents. My mother had a stroke and moved into our home in August. We are living this firsthand and I recently reread that article to study my own advice. I am blessed to have watched and written about Dublin’s expansion as well as the growth of my own family. In 2005 when my first article for Dublin Life was published, my children were 5, 8 and 11 years old. I shared our exploits with picking high schools, managing sports and travel, and choosing colleges and careers. Now our youngest, Catie, is graduating from Ohio University and starting medical school in August. Courtney lives in Los Angeles when she isn’t on tour performing, and Christopher is married with a house in North Carolina. Time passes quickly, my friends. Hug your family, look out for your fellow neighbor and I’ll see you in 2022! Colleen D’Angelo is a freelance writer who lives in Dublin with her husband and several small animals. She enjoys playing tennis, walking the Dublin bike paths and traveling. 46 • December 2021/January 2022
b ook mar ks From the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Librar y By Guiseppe Fricano, Youth Learning Specialist
Manywhere: Stories by Morgan Thomas A collection of flourishing stories spanning centuries, Manywhere explores genderqueer experiences and relationships from colonial-era Jamestown to the modern world. Thomas writes with exceptional depth, warmth and richness, diving into gender identity and queerness throughout history. Smart, empathetic, and lush, this fiction collection presents stories of vibrant characters pushing through the beauty and pain of identity and self-discovery. Carry on: Reflections for a New Generation by John Lewis Even in his final living months,
Congressman John Lewis worked tirelessly to compile his memories and advice for generations to come. Organized by a selection of topics covering mentorship, justice, faith, protests and more, the steadfast leader and paragon of social justice leaves us with his reflections and wisdom for working toward a better future together. The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals About Our Future with Robots by Kate Darling For generations, speculative fiction has largely shaped society’s perception of human and robot relationships. MIT Media Lab
researcher and technology policy expert Kate Darling presents a new perspective, one that suggests robots will not take our jobs or replace us, but like animals, they will supplement our skill and support us. Developing relationships with animals is a skill humanity has long honed, and Darling suggests humanity must approach our relationship with robots and technology the same way moving into a more advanced future. Fascinating and illuminating, The New Breed envisions a future where humans continue to connect with non-humans, and by doing so, develop a stronger understanding of ourselves.
Being You: A New Science of Consciousness by Seth Anil Understanding human consciousness is an ongoing mystery for scientists and philosophers alike. Anil Seth, a leading British neuroscientist, flips human perception on its head by posing a new theory guiding us to see ourselves as beings that are a part of nature as opposed to beings apart from nature. Incredibly accessible and eye-opening, Being You will challenge what you know about yourself and transform the way you think about the “self.”
Dublin Life Book Club Selection Editor’s note: To be added to the Dublin Life Book Club mailing list and for more information, email Brandon Klein at bklein@cityscenemediagroup.com. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at North High Brewing, 56 N. High St., Dublin. The Cape Doctor by E.J. Levy The fascinating novel based on Cape Town's renowned Dr. James Barry, born in 1795 as Margaret Anne Bulkley, an Irish girl who changed her name, lived as a man and revolutionized medicine in the Western world. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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