Dublin Life Magazine - December/January - 2024-2025
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With the holiday season upon us, thoughts turn to family, traditions and community. This time of year, many seek togetherness and belonging. We return to hometowns where our roots run deep and welcome others into spaces we have made our own. It’s a season for connecting and celebrating, and the Dublin community comes together in many ways – from the annual City of Dublin Tree Lighting to festive ice skating in Riverside Crossing Park to plenty of holiday themed events in Downtown Dublin.
Megan O’Callaghan
While this is a season of joy, it also can foster feelings of loneliness and disconnection, which the City is working hard to address. We learned through the recent Dublin Community Health Needs Assessment, that 75% of residents feel only moderately or not at all connected to their neighbors. In response, Dublin has established a work group focused on enhancing connectedness among residents.
The group is exploring ideas and having conversations with engaged citizens, neighborhood leaders and other stakeholders about their best practices for encouraging community connections. Through their work, the group intends to create an event planning toolkit for use throughout the City. Additionally, in January 2025, we will host a gathering with our faith community to discuss belonging and explore how we can better serve our residents. This event is part of our broader strategy to engage with all segments of our community. These e orts aim to enhance and build upon our already established programs, priorities and partnerships. Our relationship with local nonpro t organizations is active and robust, enabling us to e ectively meet the needs of our community. This collaboration ensures that we remain resilient, sustainable and always connected.
Our City’s planning initiatives also emphasize creating thoughtful, well-planned livable neighborhoods that encourage social interaction and physical health. Our
recently adopted Envision Dublin Community Plan update says, “Dublin will continue to be known as welcoming and prosperous to all” and “create thoughtful, well-planned, livable neighborhoods, which encourage social interaction, physical health, recreation and amenities.”
Our commitment to connectedness extends beyond physical spaces. City Council and the dedicated team of public servants who work for Dublin are committed to community engagement in everything that we do. Our dozens of public meetings and community events each year provide many opportunities to be involved. The City’s Outreach & Engagement team oversees various programs that facilitate learning, serving and engaging, ensuring that everyone who seeks to be involved can do so in meaningful ways. Our Recreation Services team continuously programs for healthy interactive activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Social connectedness is a basic human need essential for both individual and community health. Research consistently shows that being connected to social groups, causes, cultures or places enhances health and longevity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that those with stronger social bonds are more likely to live longer, healthier lives, and that is what we want for our residents.
In Dublin, our employees are encouraged to value their impact and make a di erence. This idea extends to our residents. Never underestimate the role you can play in being a good citizen and a great neighbor. Thank you for being an integral part of what makes Dublin exceptional. Let’s continue to connect, build relationships and create an environment where everyone feels they belong.
Sincerely,
Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager
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CommunityCalendar December| January
All events are subject to change. Visit websites for more information.
THROUGH JAN. 5
Wildlights
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell www.columbuszoo.com
DEC. 2-23
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt Historic Dublin Bridge and High Streets www.historicdublin.org
TUES., DEC. 3
Holiday Trivia Night
6-8 p.m.
North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org
THURS., DEC. 5
City of Dublin Tree Lighting
5:30-7:30 p.m. Coffman Park 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.com
SAT., DEC. 7
Merry Market
Noon-3 p.m.
Bridge Park Longshore St. www.bridgepark.com
SUN., DEC. 8
Family Gingerbread House Workshop
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Our CupCakery 54 S. High St. www.ourcupcakery.com
DEC. 13-15, 20-22
The Abbey Theater presents Madeline’s Christmas Dec. 13, 20: 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22: 1 and 4 p.m. Abbey Theater 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov
SAT., DEC. 14
Wreaths Across America
10 a.m.
Dublin Cemetery
83 W. Bridge St. www.wreathsacrossamerica.com
SAT., DEC. 14
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Starts at 6 p.m. Bridge Park www.bridgepark.com
SAT., DEC. 14
Holiday Market at North Market
Bridge Park
9 a.m.-Noon North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org
SAT., DEC. 14
Fill-A-Cruiser Toy Drive
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dublin Justice Center 6565 Commerce Pkwy. www.yourdublinpolice.org
SUN., DEC. 15
Dublin Christmas Market
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Exchange at Bridge Park 6520 Riverside Dr. www.bridgepark.com
DEC. 23-JAN. 3
Dublin City Schools – No School Winter Break www.dublinschools.net
TUES., DEC. 31
Zoo Year’s Eve
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 West Powell Rd., Powell www.columbuszoo.com
MON., JAN. 6
Dublin City Schools – No School Staff Work Day www.dublinschools.net
WED., JAN. 8
Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon
Noon Life Time Fitness
3825 Hard Rd. www.raceentry.com
www.dublinlifemagazine.com
SAT., JAN. 11
Emerging 2025 Opening Reception
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dublin Arts Council 7125 Riverside Dr. www.dublinarts.org
MON., JAN. 20
Dublin City Schools - No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day www.dublinschools.net
Holiday Market at North Market Bridge Park
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt
by Maisie Fitzmaurice
Leading with Empathy
Newly appointed Dublin Food Pantry executive director shares her story
Julie Erwin-Rinaldi came to appreciate differences in others and the beauty of the American melting pot early in life, growing up near the diverse city of Washington, D.C. Her rejection of stigmas has carried her through her personal and career journey, ultimately leading to her taking over as
Executive Director of the Dublin Food Pantry this past August.
Giver by nature
Erwin-Rinaldi was raised to serve others. Her parents and grandparents were avid volunteers, instilling in her the desire to give back and have a purpose outside herself.
Because of this, Erwin-Rinaldi attended Kent State University, earning her
bachelor’s and later graduating with a master’s in counseling education in 1985. While there, she enjoyed working for a professor conducting research regarding adults with disabilities and substance abuse. Her familiarity with family members and a close friend experiencing severe mental health challenges became instrumental in the years following as she focused on behavioral healthcare,
Photo by Ray LaVoie faces
serving on the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
In 1994 she moved to Columbus to work at the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County. There, she was set up on a blind date by her hairdresser who noticed that Erwin-Rinaldi and another client were both looking for a partner. Her date, David, later became her husband. Through him, she gained a stepdaughter, Kelly.
“We were both freaking out about meeting each other because neither one of us had ever done anything like that,” she says. “I was very impressed with how much he talked about his daughter and how much he loved his daughter.”
She moved from Clintonville to Dublin, where David lived, and has stayed there for 27 years. Kelly, as well as the couple’s two sons graduated from Dublin Scioto High School, and her grandson, Briden, is a fifth grader in the district.
The couple adopted their son, Justin, in 2000. Erwin-Rinaldi deliberately chose to adopt older children as they are less likely to be adopted.
“In my career, I knew there were a lot of older kids that needed families,” she says. “It’s hard to get adopted after you’re 8. When you’re 8 you’re still cute. When you get a little older, people don’t want an ‘almost teenager.’”
After interacting with him at adoption events, Erwin-Rinaldi decided her background and willingness to provide care to vulnerable children made her a fitting parent for him.
“Justin had been in nine different foster homes by the time he was 10, and so they really wanted to find people who were really committed to him because he had been through some failed adoption experiences,” she says.
Years later the family of four experienced a tragedy: losing Kelly to suicide.
Harboring their grief, the family wasn’t looking to adopt another child, but in 2006, a 10-year-old named Colin was in need and they couldn’t say no.
Serving with Syntero
After losing her stepdaughter, ErwinRinaldi sought counseling at Dublin Counseling Center. The Center has since evolved into Syntero, a nonprofit organization that partners with the City of Dublin, school districts, police departments and other Dublin-area institutions to provide counseling and mental health services.
When a position opened up on the Dublin Counseling Center’s board, Erwin-Rinaldi decided to step in, and when the Center became Syntero, she became the CEO.
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“It was a really good fit for me to go and serve both my community where I live, but also the agency that helped me when I was struggling,” she says.
During her 15 years at Syntero, ErwinRinaldi used her networking skills to partner with community organizations to make welfare services more accessible. Through these partnerships she also increased funding, fostering financial growth within Syntero.
She thanks the City specifically for recognizing the importance of supporting mental health services.
“As the needs have grown in the community, I feel like the City has responded…especially with supporting Syntero all
these years. That’s pretty unprecedented for a municipality to do that,” she says.
Additionally, she expanded suicide prevention programs and programs that focused on serving populations with a higher risk of mental illness and suicide, including older adults as well as those who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community.
As if all the support she gives to others through her career isn’t enough, Erwin-Rinaldi is also passionate about volunteering with several organizations, including The Miracle League of Central Ohio and Special Olympics. She joined the Dublin A.M. Rotary in 2009 and serves as the literacy committee chair.
“My mom was a reading teacher and she taught us that reading was really important, and literacy was really important… So we focus on the schools…with the highest (number of students who qualify for the) free and reduced-price lunch program, so there’s a tie into food insecurity, literacy, learning,” Erwin-Rinaldi says. “It’s one of the things I do to honor my mom, who’s no longer with us.”
A new start
Erwin-Rinaldi’s decision to retire from Syntero in 2024 wasn’t easy, but she felt it was time to let someone else steer the ship.
“We had a lot of female leaders in the organization…I wanted to be able to leave and allow others to be leaders, to be able to give them more opportunities,” she says.
However, she plans to use her knowledge and experience regarding behavioral health at the Pantry, explaining that welfare challenges, including food insecurity, can compound and lead to poor mental well-being.
“So much of this is intertwined,” ErwinRinaldi says. “If you’re struggling in one way, it’s going to be compounded and exacerbated in other ways. I really want to make sure that we’re attending to other needs here as well because people aren’t just coming here because they can’t access food, they’ve obviously got other stressors in their life that are causing that, you know? It’s not that simple.”
There are misconceptions people have about food pantries, Erwin-Rinaldi says, including the notion that people overuse the services. She says most Pantry visitors only come a few times a year, often only in times of need, such as when tackling unexpected bills or being laid off.
“It’s people that are…working two and three jobs to live here, working their butts off to provide for their families,” she says.
Another part of Erwin-Rinaldi’s plan for the Pantry is to use her experience connecting with local organizations and city government for further outreach. She hopes to forge a partnership with a local medical school to offer physical healthcare at the Pantry.
“This has been a nice transition for me because I can still work in the community, and still feel like I’m having an impact,” she says. “I’m hoping Syntero will come here and do some work with some of our customers. We’re going to be bringing in employment specialists and different folks to come in here to serve.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com
Photo by: Terry Atkin
Photo by: Tom Seely f
city of dublin
by Makenzie Weiland
Photos courtesy of the City of Dublin
Teens, Seniors Buddy Up in Dublin
Volunteer program cultivates meaningful intergenerational relationships
Despite the isolation that communities endured during the COVID-19 pandemic, an inspiring program emerged in Dublin. In partnership with a local young adult, the City of Dublin established the Teen Buddy Program to bridge generations and encourage longlasting companionships between teens and seniors.
The program initially sought to combat social seclusion using a pen pal model, but since then, that idea has progressed into something much larger. Now, participants are forming intergenerational bonds that transcend age and provide one another with meaningful, long-term friendships.
COVID connections
The Teen Buddy Program was started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to help teens and seniors cope with quarantine protocols. Residents in the City of Dublin, just like millions around the world, were on lockdown, leaving them isolated from normal social interactions and outings.
Viraj Bajoria, a Dublin Jerome High School senior at the time, came up with the idea for the program and reached out to share it with Shannon Maurer, Outreach & Engagement coordinator for the City.
Bajoria noticed that teens were facing hardships because of the isolation and real-
ized that seniors were likely experiencing the same difficulties, if not more.
Bajoria, already a volunteer with the City, wanted to make a difference.
To combat the loneliness he was seeing, he proposed a pen pal program between the two age groups as a solution. Maurer then took charge of assisting with the concept because many of her day-to-day duties were paused while the rest of the world was on hold.
One of her new responsibilities during the pandemic, however, had become checking in on the 12 senior living facilities in Dublin.
“I really had a pulse on the senior living facilities,” Maurer says.
Now in its fifth year, the Teen Buddy Program encompasses young people in the community who want to unite to make a difference in the lives of seniors by forming an intergenerational friendship.
From fall through spring each year, teens are paired with seniors based on mutual interest. Teens also focus on providing technology support to their older adult counterparts. Once paired, there is an initial meet-and-greet event for the new buddies to get acquainted with one another.
The beginning stages of developing the program included teens and seniors filling out applications about themselves. Outreach & Engagement staff members then used the information to strategically connect pairs of seniors and teens based on their hobbies, interests and shared experiences.
“It surprised me as to how well we were able to match the two generations based on mutual interest,” Maurer says.
She also noted how amazed teens and seniors continue to be when they are matched with someone because they do not initially think that they will have enough in common.
Building bonds
An unlikely match on paper, senior buddy Gene Cahall and teen buddy Carter Keleher have formed a blossoming friendship that has continued beyond the Teen Buddy Program.
Their budding friendship began at the program’s annual kickstart event in fall 2023. Like single pieces of a puzzle, neither of them had a match at first. But by the end of the night, both had found their perfect fit.
Keleher joined the program at the beginning of his senior year at Dublin Jerome High School, completely new to the Teen Buddy concept. Keleher says he was looking for a way to be more involved in the community, and his girlfriend actually gave him the idea to become a Teen Buddy.
“I went in with the mindset that I want to connect with somebody and have an actual friendship,” Keleher says. “Not just a month or so, but a continuing relationship.”
On the other hand, Cahall had heard of the program in years past but was hesitant to commit to it. This past fall, Cahall decided to go all in.
“I live truly in a senior world because I live at the Friendship Village in Dublin, and I have no family in the area,” Cahall says. “So, I thought, ‘I need to challenge my comfort zone a little bit and reach out to someone a lot younger,’ and it seemed
like a good program for that. But I will tell you, I was hesitant about it.”
It turns out, they both had a big question on their mind. Cahall recalled thinking, “How do I connect with somebody that I have this big of an age gap with?”
Despite this, he and Keleher say they were open to the possibilities the program offered.
The duo didn’t get connected in a typical fashion. Cahall and Keleher completed the questionnaire used to pair the buddies, but, on paper, the two did not share many similar interests. In fact, going into the first meet-and-greet, neither had a match for the program.
At the event, Cahall recalled thinking, “Well, how is this going to work?” After arriving, Cahall decided to walk up to a teen and start a conversation. Little did he know that this would prompt the beginning of a budding friendship.
“At the end of the evening, Shannon (Maurer) came over to us and goes, ‘OK, you two are a match,’” Cahall says.
This instantaneous connection was surprising to both of them.
“Honestly, we are polar opposites,” Keleher says.
That did not stop the relationship from progressing. After their first meeting, they exchanged phone numbers to text one
another. That grew into weekly phone calls and in-person meetings when they were able.
“It wasn’t forced,” Keleher says. “We decided to make the effort to see each other, and from there we just started to grow and know each other better.”
“It has been refreshing and very beneficial for the both of us,” Cahall notes.
The two say they share a unique bond and have a close-knit kinship, and neither can pinpoint the exact moment when they realized how cohesive their relationship had become.
Beyond the program
Even though Keleher graduated, his budding friendship with Cahall has not. The pair still enjoys spending quality time together, whether that is taking a walk or grabbing a quick bite to eat.
The pair spent some time reflecting on their relationship’s progression and their favorite memories together.
“I am very thankful we were able to develop or find ways to get together,” Cahall says. “The structured times we have been together have not been nearly as good as the unstructured times, whether it has been going to a park or when I went to (his) birthday.”
“I think each moment was a little bit different,” Keleher says. “Sometimes the little moments are a lot bigger than the big moments. I would say, just going for walks or maybe getting breakfast – it’s not necessarily the action of doing that, but the little things in between like the talks and the calls.
“I don’t think there is one moment that necessarily stands out more than the other. I think each one by itself is great.”
“The supporting of each other is very strong,” Cahall says.
Looking ahead
As the latest Teen Buddy class started its session in November 2024, Cahall notes he’s excited for his second year in the program. Just because he has a new “official” buddy does not mean that he will forget where this all started.
“One aspect I remember as I thought about becoming involved was that it sets forth the goal of the potential for a longterm friendship,” Cahall says. “We have really established that. I see us being in connection indefinitely.”
Makenzie Weiland is an intern for the City of Dublin. Feedback welcome at cpi@dublin.oh.us.
Gene Cahall and Carter Keleher
y GIFT GUIDEHoliday
14 great ideas for shopping local this holiday season
Little smiles
Calico Critters Red Roof Country Home Gift Set
$120
www.dublintoyemporium.com
Whether you are shopping for your child, a niece, a nephew, or even a younger sibling, this Calico Critters house brings holiday magic and big smiles on Christmas morning. Pick it up at Dublin Toy Emporium.
2 | For the artsy sweet tooth
Gourmet French printed chocolate by RICHART
$9.95
www.paris75cafe.com
Sweeten your gift-giving game with this beautifully printed chocolate, available at Paris 75 Café, imported from France.
3 | Find the Joy of Movement
Two-week, unlimited workout class subscription
$49 for new clients
www.barre3.com
Kickstart your New Year’s goals with a two-week subscription to a handful of workout classes at Barre 3. Whether you are looking to get stronger, more flexible, or just get your body moving, Barre 3 offers a multitude of workout options to achieve your goals and unlock a new you.
4 | Deliciously convenient
Club Coast Monthly Wine Club
subscription
$75/month for 3 bottles, $140/month for 6 bottles
www.coastwinehouse.com
For wine lovers eager to try new flavors and pairings without leaving home, a subscription to Coast Wine House’s monthly wine club is the perfect gift.
5 | Local love Bakery Bite platter
Starting at $98 for four dozen www.ourcupcakery.com
This platter from Our Cupcakery packed with locally-made goodies in cluding Truffle candy, mini cupcakes, as well as bite-sized chocolate chip cookies and brownies.
6 | Step up your bar cart game Woodford Reserve bitters set $29.50 www.shopvernacular.com
Enter your bartender era with this bitters set from Venacular, that includes chocolate, orange, aromatic, sassafras and sorghum, and spiced cherry flavors.
These unique, printed kitchen towels from The French Store jazz up anyone’s kitchen.
8 | Calling coffee connoisseurs
Ceramic mug
$16.95
www.sweetwaterscafe.com
Perfect for your caffeine-obsessed bestie, gift a Sweetwaters mug to think of you while drinking their morning coffee or tea.
9 | Sparkle and Shine
Rings, bracelets, anklets and necklaces by Ellie Vail
$55-85
www.fabtique.clothing
Looking for jewelry that is water, sweat and tarnish resistant? Check out the Ellie Vail collection at Fabtique for a selection of rings, bracelets, anklets and necklaces.
0 | A match made in heaven
Winan’s deluxe gift box
$84.95
www.winanschocolate.com
You can’t go wrong with a chocolate and coffee combo, and this deluxe gift box from Winan’s Coffee and Chocolate is complete with assorted chocolates, sample bags of ground coffee, caramel kisses and more.
a | Naturally adorable
Viverano Organics Baby Overall Set
$48.00
www.citystyle.com
Looking for the perfect gift for a motherto-be or new mom? City Style Children’s Boutique offers this set of four overalls in blue, pink, cream and gray to keep baby warm and mom happy thanks to its organic, eco-friendly material.
b | More Cheese Please!
Cheesecake stuffed full of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
$70 per cake, $9.50 per slice
www.thecheesecakegirl.com
If you are looking for a sweet treat that also feeds your inner child, be sure to pick up this Little Debbie inspired dessert from The Cheesecake Girl, made and locally owned right here in Dublin.
c | Rep a local fav
Branded crewneck sweatshirt
$40
www.foxinthesnow.com
What better way to support a central Ohio business than to rock some Fox in the Snow merch? From sweatshirts to hilariously branded totes featuring the cafe’s iconic egg sandwich, you can’t go wrong.
Trisha DeLong, CISR Andrew DeLong, SCLA, AINS, AIC
Whimsical Holiday Tales
The holiday season can be a joyful and magical time, especially through the eyes of children. With the help of Dublin City Schools, Dublin Life connected with second graders at Glacier Ridge and Chapman Elementary Schools and asked them to share what makes their holiday season special.
Each answer is written in the students’ own words, unedited. These quotes and drawings are sure to make your heart grow three sizes… unless you’re the Grinch!
To read the rest of the submissions check out www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Siena, Chapman
Kayleigh, Glacier Ridge
Photos courtesy of Donna Eltringham and Janet Jacobs
Glacier Ridge Elementary
Chapman Elementary
Kelvin, Chapman
Mya, Chapman
Q:
What is your favorite way to celebrate the holiday season?
Chapman
I celebrate Christmas. My favorite ways to celebrate is watching Christmas movies and decorating our home like winter wounder land. New Year’s Day I go to my cousin’s house and watch the ball drop. – Paige
are celebrate dia de los reyes. we get arroz con gandules and coqito. my dad side dus day uve the Dead. – Jojo
One of the holiday is Ramadan. my favorite way to celebrate is to bake cookies. – Zumra
We celebrate dia de los reyes mayos. we ate arroz con coquito. and we celebrate dia de los muertes. on the dia de los muertes. on the dia de los muertes we ate cookies and tomales. on dia de los muertes we rit litrs for tos reyes magos. – Brithany
I celebrate Ramadan and I celebrate Ramadan Like theis so I fast and we make cookes and it is my favrit Holiday. and we decorate with PURPUL STUF. – Aicel
Eid is a special holiday we mak eid cookies. – Sadan
I celebrate christmas. we listen to christmas muise. we make gingerbread. I lay out cookis and milk also carrot for the reindeer + santa. I help set up lights. My elf come’s his name is elffey. For new year we wach the ball drop. – Siena
Calix, Chapman
Liesl, Glacier Ridge
Aicel, Chapman
Glacier Ridge
I love eating cookies and milk after Santa comes. It is gorges! My mom sometimes makes it GORGES! – Anika
New Years is my favorite holiday. On New Years eve we get to see family and friends and when my friends and my sisters friends come over on my frige we set a five secend timer and we cound down from five and the best port is saying happy New Year!
– Samayra
Chrismas diner with my cosins we eat turkey and my Grand parints make a surprise for the drsert. We do a contest evry chrismas and the contest is who will eat the most food and I wun the contest last year. – Jack
I love christmas I love getting the Christmas tree. I go someware and we get to pick it! I love to helping my mom decorate some time’s I go on a walk with my family to go see the christmas lighs! – Nora
We go to Tennessee in December and my cusins come and we stay all night. We go to the arckdade we take walk and play with legos and fight with them. – Santi
My elf’s hide from me and my sister and there name’s are Elfie and Snowflake and they some time’s make mess!!! – Krish
Snogole with a cozy hot blanghet and read the nihgt befor Chrstmas.
– Connor
We decorate cokies at our Grandparents house. I like it when my frosting is Blue because it is like winter. I also like snow flake sprinkles yummy. – Kayleigh
I like to celebrate Chinse New Year. because we eat dumplings, oranges, grapes and strawbrarys and this year is the snake it was when my borther was born. – Dean
Sunrise fectable. We see lights on the night. And we do it only in Korean. We love to see the lights on the night. We see peple on some lights. And there very cute. – Jason
Q:
What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?
Chapman
I go see the lights! – Izarah
Hanukkah we lite the candles – Calix
I am looking forward to donate and fast. and pray – Aicel
Eating dads lemon grilled chicken on christmas eve. – Steven
on new years eve we watch the ball drop we also drink apple cider
– O’Sean
we decorat inside our house. we try to call family. – Zumra
I am most excied becuse we give present and we have party. – Brithany
Madelyn, Glacier Ridge
Izarah, Chapman
Nora, Glacier Ridge
Glacier Ridge
thanks giveing my favorite thanks giveing trdisons are thanks giveing diners, giveing, grand perents, my favorat dogs Baily and Izy, those are my favorat trdisons. – Harlow
I’m most looking forward to seeing family and friends. If you celebrate new years eve and you only celebrate whith were family maybe you can invite some friends over? – Samayra
we eat yummy turkey evry yaer we put ordmints on are tree. Are mom dad and are grand parints get epic presints for us and are cosins – Jack
I love geting present’s on Christmas. Always the mail man givs us a magazine that has toys and I crcol what I wunt for Christmas – Nora
oping presents yugest to old dis. reeding the book the night before christmas on Christmas eve. finding my elf chippy. eating cookies and laying cookies out and kareits for the raneder and santa. – Dax
In Christmas I’m looking forward to setting up gingerbread house with my grandparents. Once my elf ate half of my gingerbread house –
Jack, Glacier Ridge
WORKING Women
Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club impacting the community for more than forty years
By Amber Phipps
The strong, intelligent and driven women of Dublin came together to establish a place to grow and support their community. Unified through their love for betterment and engagement, these women established a club that allowed women of all ages to gather and share their passion for volunteer work.
With an interest in social events, charitable actions, and outreach through education and civic opportunities, these women chase the goals they set and never back down from the challenges that may lie ahead.
History, connections and devotion
Since its inception in 1978, the Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club (DWPC) has provided women with a space to build connections and support their community. The group’s mission is to volunteer, network and fundraise with the goal of creating a strong community through service and lasting friendship.
Terri Butler joined the group at the recommendation of a friend shortly after moving to the Dublin area. Now serving as a trustee for the group, Butler loves connecting with other members and has enjoyed watching the group change over the years.
“Back in 1988 when I joined, it used to be mothers who were staying home with their kids or mothers who didn’t work,” says Butler.
As times and the schedules of its members changed, the club evolved to accommodate the mothers, working women and young girls who were encouraged to attend the monthly meetings. At first, the meetings alternated between days and evenings every other month but as more members joined, meetings and events moved to the weekends.
“Our mission is to bring similar thinking girls in the community to help out the community and to take on some challenges,” says Butler. “I really enjoy the girls in it, they’re just a lot of fun, and we have all aged too.”
Community contributions
The Club hosts one social event and one fundraiser every month, each one contributing to the scholarships the group awards each year in April.
“Our signature event is our Gala which we have at The Country Club of Muirfield Village every year and that raises usually around $25,000 sometimes closer to $30,000,” says Butler. “Our second biggest money maker is the Dublin Irish Festival, and we have servers that (work) during the festival.”
Other various events include putting on fashion shows and making crafts and flower arrangements.
The money raised at these events goes entirely towards giving back to the community, such as purchasing gifts for families from Ohio’s Fallen Heroes, as well as students.
Each year the DWPC awards several scholarships including three for high school students, three for women pursuing post-secondary education as well as STEM and nursing scholarships. The
Photo courtesy of Terri Butler
recipients are notified and presented their scholarships each spring.
One of the more prominent projects the club has done for the community was its contribution towards the Dublin Public Library benches. During the library’s construction, DWPC put $25,000 towards refurbishing the benches and purchased plaques for each one as well as several other benches throughout Dublin.
Two benches were placed in the sensory garden at M.L. Red Trabue Nature Reserve, one near the arboretum pond, and an additional two were set-up at the Ted Kaltenbach Park and Community Center.
Moving forward
Looking to the future, Butler says the group hopes to build its membership and encourage the new attendants to keep coming and get more involved.
“We like the size of it but the more the merrier, it’s fun to have more members!” says Butler.
With the aid of social media, Butler says the club has been able to increase it fundraising due to reaching additional people.
“I promote everything we do on Facebook and Instagram, and so many people hear it through me or through our Facebook group for the Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club,” says Butler.
When you look at all the group’s contributions throughout the year, at the center you’ll find a closely knit group of women who want to help.
“We have a lot of fun, and we try to make it fun,” Butler says. “It’s a time to get away and just have a good time with girlfriends.”
Amber Phipps is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
Many Hats
The Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club supports events and organizations in the area. Here are some of the organizations supported by the DWPC:
• Dress for Success
• Welcome Warehouse
• The Dublin Food Pantry
• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
• KidSMILES Pediatric Dental Clinic
• I Support the Girls
• Adaptive Sports Connection
• No Kid Fights Cancer Alone
• The Dublin Library
www.stbrigidofkildare.com
good ideas
by Wil Steigerwald
Photos courtesy of Sarah Smith
Pawsitive Impact
Dublin teens host annual fundraiser for shelter dogs
Adopting dogs from a shelter is a fantastic way to gain adorable friends and give animals a loving home. For a group of Dublin students, adopting their dogs was only the first step in making a difference for shelter animals.
Olivia McCoy and Sydney Smith, both freshman, and Olivia’s sister Annabelle, a sixth grader, created the fundraiser, DogA-Thon, in 2020, after adopting their dogs. Since both dogs were adopted from local shelters, they organized an annual fundraiser to give back to the places where they adopted their furry friends.
Dog days
The girls met when the McCoy family moved to the same street as the Smith family. The Smith family delivered a welcome basket to the McCoy’s doorstep and the girls have been friends ever since.
Originally held in the summer, DogA-Thon is an event for dogs and owners alike to meet, donate money, food and toys, and purchase raffle tickets to win a basket of dog toys and homemade dog treats.
Now scheduled in Autumn, the girls’ favorite aspect of the fundraiser is seeing canines showing Halloween spirit in hopes of winning tasty snacks.
“So, last year we had some dogs dressed up in costumes and we had a costume contest: Most Creative, Cutest and Funniest,” Olivia says. “They all won some sort of prize, like a bag of dog treats or a basket of little toys.”
Furry funds
Dog-A-Thon has already raised more than $5,400 in four years. According to the girls, the money is donated equally to Canine Collective and the Greater Dayton Labrador Retriever Rescue.
Giving back to their dogs’ old homes was the first motivator, but through the years they have found more reasons to continue the event.
“We wanted to also bring people together that all had something in common because a lot of people we know either have dogs or shelter dogs,” Syndey says.
The fundraising goal for this year’s DogA-Thon was $1,700, which was surpassed thanks to the more than 40 attendees and online donations. More than $2,500 was raised during the Oct. 20 event.
“I think this is the most we’ve raised out of the now four years that we’ve done it, and probably one of the better attended (events),” Sydney says.
The girls say the shelters tend to use donations for supplies, vet bills and anything else needed to ensure the dogs are treated properly while living there.
Sydney, Olivia and Annabelle plan to increase their fundraising goal each year in hopes of transforming Dog-A-Thon into a larger entity.
“We want to try and make it a non-profit soon to try and really make it our own charity so it can be official,” Sydney says. “Someday we’re going to go off to college while Annabelle is going to be here. She’s not going to do it alone, so we want to continue this for sure,” Olivia added.
Woof wishes
No matter how big Dog-A-Thon gets or how many fundraising events the group hosts, the girls’ priority will always be to connect loving people to loving shelter dogs.
“We want every dog to be adopted. Dogs also have feelings so it’s sad that some get adopted, and then some are just left there for their whole lives,” Annabelle says. “They don’t know what it’s like to feel loved.
“Being able to look back and say, ‘We made a difference in many dogs’ lives,’ and hopefully gave them a better life that maybe the dogs didn’t have in the beginning.”
Wil Steigerwald is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Olivia and Annabelle’s dog, Ruby (left), sits with Sydney’s dog, Lily.
Student exhibition nurtures the next generation of artists
By Raygan Barrett
In January 2025, Dublin Arts Council will host its 23rd Annual Student Exhibition. Artists in grades K-12 are invited to submit artwork in various mediums. Dublin Arts Council Curator Benjamin Knepper gives Best of Show and Technical Merit Awards in four age categories.
The exhibition opens with a reception Jan. 11 followed by workshops and events hosted by local professional artists.
Student art exhibitions are essential
Student exhibitions allow students to explore what makes them unique and find creative synergies with other students. Showcasing their work requires students to think critically, problem-
solve, write a narrative and consider their artwork from different perspectives.
The juried exhibition also helps students gain valuable hands-on experience by learning how to present their artwork professionally, working with a curator, gaining insights into pricing their artwork and participating in presenting their work in a gallery reception.
“We invite all students and their families to the opening reception,” says Paige Dempsey, community engagement coordinator.
The impact beyond the exhibition
When students engage with the community, exciting things happen. Dublin Arts Council invites professional artists, professors, teachers and a variety of community members into the process through talks and workshops primarily available to Emerging 2025 artist participants.
The emerging exhibition can be lifechanging, whether meeting a mentor or having someone purchase a student’s artwork for the first time. These interactions help students express their creativity, as well as build confidence and pride in their artistic skills.
For instance, high schooler Adeline Shivers-Mazzei submitted a comic strip
Photos courtesy of Dublin Arts Council
Adeline Shivers-Mazzei with her work in the Emerging 2024 Student Exhibition.
The Blossom by Grace Dufault, acrylic on canvas, grade 2
artwork for Emerging 2024, and then met professional artist Bryan Moss during his comic art workshop held in February.
“I’m grateful I was able to participate in the Emerging student exhibition and meet Bryan,” Shivers-Mazzei says. “His passion rubs off on you. Working with him has changed my perspective and my artwork has improved for the better.”
Help support the next generation of artists
Society needs the arts! It gives people a way to express themselves and learn about other cultures.
The Dublin Arts Council’s mission is to engage the community, cultivate creativity and foster life-long learning through the arts. Dublin Arts Council is located at 7125 Riverside Drive. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Fri. and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. every second Saturday of the month. Stay curious by visiting dublinarts.org.
Raygan Barrett is the Communications Manager at Dublin Arts Council. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
Ways you can help cultivate young artists:
• Attend the Opening Reception on Jan. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Purchase artwork from the exhibition (all proceeds go to the artist)
• Make a contribution to Dublin Arts Council to provide resources for the student exhibition and programming
• Volunteer your time (dublinarts.org/volunteer)
The deadline for submitting artwork for the Emerging 2025 Sudent Exhibition is Dec. 6. More details can be found at dublinarts.org/emerging2025.
Bringing Helpful to Your Home
school connection
by Cassie Dietrich
Forecasting Financial Growth and Challenges
Dublin City Schools, a district wellknown for its academic excellence and commitment to student success, is also carefully managing its financial future. The district’s latest five-year forecast, presented to the Board of Education Oct. 28, offers a comprehensive look at the district’s financial health while outlining both current strengths and future challenges.
What is a five-year forecast?
The five-year forecast is an essential financial tool that allows Dublin City Schools to assess its current financial
situation while planning for the future. It includes both historical data and projected financial scenarios, offering a transparent view of how revenue and expenditures are expected to evolve.
Required by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, every Ohio school district submits this forecast twice annually.
In Dublin, the forecast is a collaborative effort involving the Board Finance Committee, district departments and staff associations. This process ensures that financial decisions are made with input from key stakeholders, allowing the district to plan strategically for the years ahead.
Operating expenses only
The forecast focuses exclusively on operating expenses and does not include
Pie charts from the Five-Year Forecast show the breakdown of district revenue sources and operating expenses, emphasizing the balance between local funding and essential costs like staff salaries, benefits and classroom resources.
bond or permanent improvement funds. The district’s general fund, which covers the day-to-day costs of running the district, is not used to pay for the large-scale infrastructure upgrades that residents may have recently noticed at various schools.
Projects such as the planned addition to Scioto High School, the construction of Bishop Elementary, the addition to the Preschool, athletic turf installations, roof replacements, playground improvements and more are funded through permanent improvement funds and bonds. Consequently, the expenses associated with these projects are not included in the fiveyear forecast, as the forecast focuses solely on operating costs.
Primary sources of revenue
As with many public school districts in Ohio, Dublin City Schools relies heavily on local property taxes to fund its operations. In fact, 85 percent of the district’s revenue comes from real estate taxes paid by local residents and businesses. This high percentage highlights the importance of local contributions in sustaining the district’s educational services.
In Ohio, public school funding is a partnership between the state and local school districts. However, because Dublin
Photos courtesy of Dublin City Schools
City Schools serves a community with higher-than-average property values and income levels, the district receives a smaller portion of state funding compared to other districts. Only 15 percent of Dublin’s revenue comes from the state, a stark contrast to districts that rely more heavily on state contributions.
The state’s funding formula is designed to equalize resources by providing additional support to districts with less capacity to raise funds locally. In Dublin, the opposite is true. Both the district’s assessed property values and community income levels are above average, resulting in a lower share of state support.
Passage of Issue 12
In November 2023, the passage of Issue 12 provided the district with a critical revenue boost. This 7.9 mill operating levy will help Dublin City Schools maintain a positive cash balance through fiscal year 2028. However, despite this temporary relief, the district will return to deficit spending in fiscal year 2026 due to increasing costs related to staffing, benefits, equipment and services.
Enrollment growth continues to be a significant factor driving up costs. As more students join the district, additional staff, resources and facilities are needed. Salaries and benefits alone account for 85 percent of the district’s expenditures, a number that is expected to rise with both student and staff growth.
In response to these financial pressures, the district has implemented a Responsible Staffing Plan (RSP) designed to “right-size” staffing levels and manage costs more efficiently.
Nevertheless, as expenditures are projected to outpace revenues starting in fiscal year 2026, the district will likely need to propose another levy in fiscal year 2027 or fiscal year 2028 to ensure financial stability.
Updates and future considerations
A key update in the forecast is the inclusion of state revenue for all-day kindergarten, set to begin in fiscal year 2026. This new funding provides a positive boost to the district’s overall revenue. Notably, the forecast does not anticipate significant expense increases tied to the program.
In line with the Responsible Staffing Plan, the district is committed to maintaining its certified staff at 1,430 through the 2027-28 academic year, allowing the all-day kindergarten expansion to proceed without additional staffing costs.
Additionally, the district is mindful of property value growth and reappraisals, which have provided a revenue boost and also carry uncertainty.
Franklin and Delaware counties saw property values increase by more than $1 billion in 2023, a 26.87 percent rise. Continued growth in property values is anticipated, so the district is closely monitoring tax collections and potential legislative changes that could impact future revenue.
Looking forward
The five-year forecast is not just a financial document – it’s a road map for the district’s future.
As Dublin City Schools moves forward, the district remains committed to managing
its financial resources responsibly. While the passage of Issue 12 has provided shortterm relief, the forecast indicates that future challenges are on the horizon.
The district’s leadership will continue to explore cost-saving measures and advocate for equitable funding. With careful planning and community support, Dublin City Schools is prepared to navigate the challenges ahead and continue delivering excellence in education.
Cassie Dietrich is a Public Information Officer at Dublin City Schools. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
As a human-driven enterprise, the majority of our expenses are dedicated to salaries and benefits. From classroom teachers and paraprofessionals to bus drivers, nearly every aspect of a school district’s work depends on dedicated people making a difference every day.
student spotlight
by Elliot Fryman
Photos courtesy of Brian Kent
Treats for Everyone
Davis Middle Schooler gives to others through haunted house
When the end of the year draws near, there are plenty of things on a kid’s mind. School will be out, there will be plenty of sweet treats and presents to enjoy and fun things to do with family and friends.
For 12-year-old Oliver Kent, he spends his time volunteering.
“We like helping the community,” he says. “And we like donating.”
The biggest event he helps happens every fall and is called the Sawmill Forest Spooky Trails, a haunted house attraction that collects donations for the local food pantries from its customers.
Oliver and his dad, Brian Kent, work to put the trail together each year, inviting visitors to stop by on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of October.
“We started with just a big display in the front yard,” says Brian. “Then it kind of grew into what we have now.”
Since they started, the duo has collected between 600-800 pounds each each year. This year they surpassed that by collecting 1,378 pounds of food.
All of their collections go to the Dublin Food Pantry and Scioto High School Pantry.
The Kents take pride in collaborating with these organizations, putting all their hard work into a cause they support. Oliver, in particular, has lived in Dublin all of his life, and plenty of guidance and
diligence has shown him how he wants to give back.
“It is just really fun when people come to like it,” says Oliver.
“Yeah, it seems like it puts a smile on everyone’s face to be here, and everyone loves the fact that we help the community out by doing this,” Brian says.
Elliot Fryman is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
Helping Hand
If you are looking to donate items to people in need, the DFPantry and Scioto High School Pantry are open year-round and are always looking for donations. Here are a few items the Kents recommend:
• Canned foods like tuna, soups and veggies
• Macaroni and cheese
• Ramen noodles
• Peanut butter
Last spring, Oliver was given the 2024 Community Champion Award by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce for his work.
dublin dishes
by Wil Steigerwald
Photos courtesy of Wil Steigerwald
Seasonal Sips
Some of the best cold season beverages for any time of day
Once you feel that brisk breeze and smell the earthy scent of fallen leaves, you know it’s time for holiday-themed drinks. Dublin has a wide selection of coffee shops and cocktail bars to quench your warm or cold winter drink needs.
Morning Brews
Sweetwaters
Cinnamon spice tea
With a location on either side of the Scioto River, Sweetwaters provides virtually everything you could need from a café, with a vast variety of hot and cold drinks, pastries, desserts and more. The Cinnamon spice tea is a black tea made with cinnamon, orange peels and cloves, tasting mildly of apple and pumpkin. This caffeinated drink gives you the kick you need to start your day while reminding you of the changing seasons.
Dell’s Ice Cream and Coffee
Chai latte
While you may not think of going to an ice cream store for breakfast, Dell’s has its fair share of hot and cold drinks to enjoy. The chai latte is a textbook example of a chai with a smooth and milky base with plenty of spices such as cardamom and cinnamon that linger after each sip.
Afternoon Pick Up
Winans Coffee and Chocolate
Hot chocolate
If you stop in to get some holiday treats, be sure to warm yourself up with a Winans hot chocolate. Made from its signature chocolate, the drink has the perfect
balance of sweetness while maintaining a silky and rich taste. Should you choose to top it with whipped cream, not only are you adding to the flavors, you’ll also leave with a stylish white mustache.
Evening Wind Downs
Getaway Brewing Co.
Ash Cave Schwarzbier
Now is the perfect time to swap out your summer shandy for a rich, dark lager. Getaway Brewing Co. opened its Dublin location three years ago, bringing a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails, including the Ash Cave Schwarzbier. This lager is similar to a Guiness with its
smooth yet bitter taste, leaving your palate with a bit of a smokey after taste.
The Pearl Spiced Pear Punch
Try a great holiday cocktail at The Pearl. Made with Plantation Original Spiced Rum, the Spiced Pear Punch has a multitude of flavors that come together, tasting like spiked apple juice. Garnished with candied ginger, the drink delivers a perfect balance of spice and sweetness with every sip.
Wil Steigerwald is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
Sweetwaters
Dell’s Ice Cream and Coffee
Winans Coffee and Chocolate
living by Maggie Lardie
Photos courtesy of the City of Dublin and Jake Trubiano
Soak Up the Sun
The benefits of residential solar panels
Solar power is one of the most wellknown sources of renewable energy, and thanks in part to efforts by the City of Dublin, it’s also becoming one of the most accessible.
Here comes the sun
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the first solar device to create electricity from sunlight was installed on a New York rooftop in 1883. The use of solar power has steadily increased in the decades following, but
it still took many areas a long time to commit to using it. Ohio didn’t see the creation of its first-generation scale solar plant until 2010, according to The Ohio State University.
Despite a slow start, solar power has become a notable and effective form of energy in the past decade, yet many homeowners still avoid it due to fear of its expense.
Solar panels cost roughly $8.70 per watt in 2010, however the price has decreased substantially since then. The average cost of solar panels in Ohio as of October 2024 is $2.50 per watt, which is lower than the national average of $3 per watt.
Decreasing material prices and advancements in installation processes are making solar power more accessible and cost-effective.
Collecting those rays
City of Dublin Director of Community Planning and Development Jenny Rauch recalls the first solar panel permit issued in Dublin was in 2011, and it wasn’t until 2020 that solar requests started to become more commonplace.
Rauch and the City work to revise zoning codes and accommodate the preferences of Dublin residents.
“As a city, we’re driven by a focus on sustainability and being a model for a sustainable community design that is zerowaste, carbon neutral and supportive of the natural environment,” says Rauch.
Jake Trubiano and his wife, Jorie, and their two daughters, Nina and Lottie.
“By adopting new zoning code regulations, we’ve worked to reduce barriers to solar energy growth and allow for more flexibility, while ensuring the character of the community.”
Thanks to the code updates adopted by City Council earlier that year, Dublin resident Jake Trubiano was able to get solar panels installed at his home in December 2023 and has been enjoying them ever since.
Trubiano is a co-founder of Gold Path Solar, a local company that works to bring homeowners accurate solar information. The main reason Trubiano made the switch to solar was to save money.
“Our electric bill has gone from $250 per month to around $5 per month. There’s also a 30 percent federal tax credit available, and we have peace of mind knowing we don’t have to worry about AEP’s continuous rate hikes any more,” Trubiano says. “Beyond the fi nancial benefits, we have two daughters under 4 years old and we value the posi tive impact solar has on our environ ment and community.”
Trubiano was originally hesitant about potentially damaging his roof with the installation of solar panels, however he felt more comfortable after speaking with his insurance agent.
“We didn’t want to chew up the cost of a roof replacement if there was nothing wrong structurally,” Trubiano says. “If there is a storm strong enough to cause damage to our roof, we’ll submit an insurance claim. If a full roof replacement is warranted, our insurance provider will also cover the cost of removing and reinstalling the panels.”
After clearing up his initial concerns, Trubiano’s decision was made easy. Now a proud owner of solar panels, there are some things he has learned from his experiences that he feels affected his decision.
“Talk to locally owned and operated companies and ask for referrals that you can speak with, ideally in person,” Trubiano says. “If you have a decent home for solar and it’s done right, it’s almost always a financial nobrainer, so it really comes down to picking the right company to partner with.”
When some people think of solar, they tend to think of savings and sustainability instead of aesthetics, however Trubiano insists people can consider all three.
“I love looking at them!” he says. “Whenever I look at our solar panels, it reminds me of how awesome it is that we’re able to install our own renewable micro-grids on our roof and save money in the process.”
Maggie Lardie is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com There’s
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miss your opportunity to showcase your home listings to
Top Homes
Sold in Dublin
In Dublin, house prices rose roughly 15.5 percent compared to last year with the median landing around $580,000. A total of 52 houses sold in September, down from 54 last year, with a median of 36 days on market.
43016
8195 Avery Rd.
5 beds, 6.5 baths
$1,525,000
Sold 10/21/24
4262 MacDuff Pl. 6 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,450,000
Sold 10/22/24
6958 Vintage Ln. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,199,900
Sold 10/28/24
4556 Satterton Cir. 4 beds, 4 baths
$995,000
Sold 10/8/24
5779 Baronscourt Way 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$915,000
Sold 9/30/24
7771 Boylston Ct. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$905,000
Sold 10/7/24
43017
6535 Quarry Ln. 3 beds, 2.5 baths
$1,195,000
Sold 10/23/24
6202 Memorial Dr. 4 beds, 4 baths
$975,000
Sold 10/1/24
9032 N. Moors Pl. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$875,000
Sold 9/25/24
7316 Penneyroyal Pl. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$828,000
Sold 10/15/24
5545 Fawnbrook Ln. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$800,000
Sold 9/16/24
6469 W. Moors Pl. 3 beds, 3.5 baths
$785,000
Sold 9/25/24
Information is collected from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
write next door
with columnist Colleen D’Angelo
Photo by Heather Heinz, courtesy of One Dublin
Bringing Joy to the World
Ways to find happiness and share it with others
The holiday season is filled with wonder, twinkling lights and songs about families gathering together in celebration. Yet some people struggle more at this time of year if they don’t have family nearby or are down on their luck. What can we do to help others find joy and connection during this holiday season?
For starters, we can focus on gratitude and thankfulness for what we have instead of what we want. Showing appreciation for others is much more satisfying and creates an amazing trickle-down effect.
You can leave a larger tip than usual for great service, drop off cookies and a note to your local fire/police departments or help out a neighbor with chores. Dublin resident Stephanie O’Donnell says, “When my family and I notice some particularly good or fun outdoor holiday decorations, my kids and I will write and mail a card telling the homeowners how much we love them.”
Food is an incredible way to share joy in most cultures. We always bake and decorate homemade sugar cookies and enjoy expressing our creativity. Dublin resident Beth Starrett suggests making dinner and cookies for your children’s teachers so they can have a break. She carried out this tradition while her children were in elementary, middle and high school. This is also a great way to support seniors, families with a newborn or military personnel.
In addition to helping those in your immediate circle, we can cast a wider net by supporting local non-profits. Tia Gannon organizes the Holiday Shop for Beatty Park Elementary.
Volunteers collect donations of items (new or like new condition) that are smaller than a shoe box including items such as coffee mugs, candles, hats, gloves, scarves and books. Students can then make a list of who they want to shop for and volunteers help them pick out the perfect gifts for family members. The student also gets to select an item for themselves. Donation ideas for the kids include action figures, coloring books, basketballs, footballs, crafts and hoodies.
Interested in donating or volunteering your time? Contact Tia Gannon at donationsforbeatty@yahoo.com
Ashley Kanney runs a non-profit program called Feed The Kids Columbus. They strive to ensure that all food insecure children in central Ohio have nutritional meals so the kids can thrive and focus on school.
Kanney started in 2019 at Daniel Wright Elementary by feeding 97 children, and today she partners with 30 other schools and community centers, feeding 9,000 students.
“The schools determine which children need assistance and we fill the gaps, especially during extended school breaks,” says Kanney.
You can help by donating food, money or your time in packing up bags of snacks. www.feedthekidscolumbus.com
Heather Heins is the Executive Director for One Dublin, an organization that helps neighbors in their time of need. During the holiday season, they connect community sponsors to families facing temporary hardships in their Adopt a Family and Adopt a Senior programs.
Sponsors can start signing up at the beginning of November and gifts are delivered early December. Donors can spend up to $100 per child, buying items such as dolls, trucks, games, footballs and basketballs. Families will also receive a $50 grocery gift card from One Dublin. Last year, 243 local families were served which included 606 children.
Several schools adopt families including Glacier Ridge and Eli Pinney Elementary Schools. The schools conclude with a wrapping party and assembly featuring holiday music and a guest speaker from One Dublin thanking the students for their generosity. Adopt a Senior was implemented two years ago at Stoneridge Court to support a fixed income community. Last year, One
Dublin helped 48 residents with a cap of $50 per senior. Requests from the residents included items such as toaster ovens, new sheets, stretch pants and fruit baskets.
If you are making a gift basket yourself, it is always nice to write a holiday card to include along with your delivery. Some of the residents like to write thank you cards as well.
Get more information about One Dublin at www.one-dublin.org
Beth Wanless volunteers with Franklin County Children’s Services because she was inspired by her mother who was in Columbus foster care and remembers how special it made her feel to receive a gift 65 years ago.
The Holiday Wish Program fulfills more than 6,000 child wishes every year. Each child makes a wish list under $50 and the sponsor uses that list to shop from.
Wanless takes responsibility for 100 children. She buys for 10 kids herself, her mom’s group of friends do at least 40 and Wanless finds other sponsors to assist.
Her own three children, ages 5, 9, and 10, help pick the gifts, wrap them, and attach a tag with the recipient’s first name and age. Wanless then rents a van to pick up and deliver the gifts to the office.
The program always gets late requests so readers can reach out even if it’s already December. FCCS also needs help/volunteers in the warehouse as well with sorting gifts, etc. www.fccs.us/holiday-wish
Robin McAllister-Zaas is the founder of The Mirth Project which looks to support low income 13-19-year-olds and former foster youth who are between 18-24. They must be enrolled in school to create a wish list to receive gifts and a Christmas dinner. Supporters can sign up to sponsor a participate’s dinner and/or presents. Gifts should be wrapped and tagged with the first name and dropped off the first week of December.
Learn more about the organization at www.themirthproject.org
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
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife: A Novel by Anna
Johnston
For readers of Remarkably Bright Creatures comes a heartfelt story of forgiveness, redemption and mistaken identity. Frederick has lived his life borrowing from others while always returning things in better shape than he got them. But at 82 and with no one left to borrow from, Frederick is destitute and lonely. When he’s mistaken for a man living in a nursing home, Frederick borrows one more thing... someone else’s life.
Village Weavers by Myriam
J. A. Chancy
This is the story of a bond between two women joined by their country and their secrets. Despite being from opposite ends of the social ladder, Gertie and Sisi become friends living in 1940s Port-au-Prince. But when conflict arises between their families and in their country, revelations and continents drive a wedge between them. Reunited decades later, their differences more apparent than ever, each must decide if they can ever trust the other again.
A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber
A Certain Kind of Starlight transports readers to a whimsical town in Alabama. When
their beloved aunt gets sick, Abby and Tessa Jane have no choice but to return to run the family bakery. Although wary of what their homecoming will bring, the women find that coming back to Starlight might be the best way to move forward.
Into the Cut Grass by Trevor Noah
From the New York Times bestselling author of Born a Crime comes a magical story about a boy discovering the secrets of sharing, connection and finding peace with loved ones. Told through gorgeous illustrations from artist Sabina Hahn, Noah weaves his signature humor into a fable to be read and enjoyed by all ages.
Beyond the Surface: a Gold Medalist’s Guide to Finding and Loving Yourself by Jessica Long
Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long is one of the most decorated athletes in history, but her journey to greatest was paved with countless struggles. Through life’s hardest challenges, Long learned the strength that lies in persevering and that nothing is as important as loving yourself. Long shares the resources and practices that got her through her darkest days and guides readers on how to use them in their own lives.
Dublin Life Book Club Selection
Editor’s note: To be added to the Dublin Life Book Club mailing list or for more information, email kgill@cityscenemediagroup.com. The club will meet Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. Location TBD.
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
Morgan Christopher’s art career is put on hold when she is charged for a crime she did not commit. She is given a chance to make it all go away if she takes a job restoring an old post office art mural created by a woman named Anna Dale in a small town in North Carolina. Can Morgan uncover the story behind the mural and what happened to Anna?
