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dublinlife 1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 101C Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com Kathleen K. Gill Gianna Barrett Jamie Armistead Dave Prosser Maisie Fitzmaurice Rachel Karas Tyler Kirkendall Garth Bishop Aisling Babbitt Hannah Burkhard Janet Cooper Colleen D’Angelo Cassie Dietrich Keyburn Grady Jane Dimel Laura Pappas Megan Brokamp Rae Moro Aaron Gilliam Circulation
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A COMMUNITY OF LIFELONG LEARNING Dublin is a community that values innovation, progress and the pursuit of knowledge. Approximately 80% of our residents have a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Our schools consistently rank highly, and we have growing post-secondary options offered by Ohio University and Columbus State Community College. As we begin a new year, health In Dublin, learning a way of for life.many resolutions are topisof mind
future and current community leaders and is designed for individuals who want to take the next step in their civic journey. Over nine weeks, generally between October and May, Leadership Dublin immerses participants into the inner workings of the organizations that work cooperatively to ensure the continued growth and prosperity of the Dublin community.
HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS
of us. Our City has always been We know that lives and fosters a sense of committed toeducation fostering enriches a thriving belonging. That is why the City of Dublin and our partners are environment for its residents, and a committed to providing the right environment for continued fundamental aspect of this growth and engagement. commitment is prioritizing health. Your well-being is atoffers the core of ourCitizen U, a nine-week For example, the City McDaniel vision, and wegives recognize the an inside look at the program that participants importance of creating where health is dedicated efforts it takes a tocommunity maintain Dublin’s world-class not just an individual pursuit butoutstanding a collectivequality endeavor. services, entrepreneurial spirit and of life.
Applications are accepted in the spring, and classes are generally held late March through May. In the spirit of from promoting a healthier lifestyle, we have
been working diligently to enhance the recreational and In 2022, we startedacross Citizenthe U Jumpstart, a teen-oriented wellness facilities city. We are working to program that offers students a behind-the-scenes implement the Parks & Recreation Master Plan,experience which with their local government. Students learn about different was completed last year. A survey conducted in support aspects of the City of Dublin’s operations, hear from staff of the plan showed that 99.4% of all Dublin households members about their unique pathways to service and are believe parks, recreation services and open spaces are introduced to potential career choices. important to the quality of life in Dublin. The Dublin Citizens’ Police Academy and Washington
Through Parks & Academy Recreation Master Plan process, Townshipthe Citizen Fire provide insights into the community members identified their top aspirations for critical work of our first responders. The Dublin Police Department hosts its 12-week program theparks fall each the parks and recreation system. The in top andyear. It gives participants about theadult law sports recreation facilitiesnew andperspectives programs included enforcement profession covers topics such as criminal and arts, indoor fitness,and aquatics, botanical/formal investigations, dispatching for 911 services, active threat gardens and canoe/kayak launches.
response, traffic stops and more. Participants in the Citizen Fire Academy have the chance to climb, cut, smash, carry, crawl, With those priorities in place, the City is advancing pull and push their way through several firefighting, EMS and several projects through the Capital Improvements rescue techniques. Those classes are also hosted each fall.
Program (CIP), while continuing to evaluate options and funding forChamber others. Among the improvements funded in The Dublin of Commerce’s executive program known the 2024-2028 CIP are additions to our extensiveofshared locally as Leadership Dublin is a unique experience use path system, including sections along Riverside relationship building, learning, problem-solving, civic engagement and personal growth. The series aims to develop
This year, City Schools U,allocated a platform for Drive andDublin Shier Rings Road. launched Funds areDCS also parents and community to learn more about the for the maintenance of members our existing amenities, district anda its partners. ThisDublin community conference including refresh to the Community includes 10 sessions and a resource fair, which focus onthe Recreation Center (DCRC) that will be phased over topics such as student wellness, athletics, academics and next three years. A Community Engagement Meeting collaboration. for the DCRC refresh is currently scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Council 5555 Perimeter In addition to the these variousChamber, community academies, the Drive. Please check the City’s website for any potential Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC) offers a scheduling Allopportunities are welcomethroughout to share their diverse arrayupdates. of learning the year. ideas for you a better experience. Whether wantrecreation to hone your crafting skills, dive into esports or learn a new language, the DCRC offers countless
optionsyou for for learning Findof out details in the Thank beingand anengaging. integral part our thriving “Beyond the Books: A New Perspective on Learning” community. Know that your City is committed toarticle later in thisinissue of Dublin Life. investing amenities that enhance your access to the healthiest lifestyle. As we keep learning and growing together, Dublin will continue to be the most resilient global city of choice with the brightest of futures ahead.
Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager
Want to Report Want to Report an Issue on the Go? Download the GoDublin an Issue on theappGo? and submit your service request. Download the GoDublin app City Hall 5555 Perimeter Driveyour service request. and submit Dublin, Ohio 43017 City Hall | DublinOhioUSA.gov 614.410.4400 5555 Perimeter Drive Dublin, Ohio 43017 614.410.4400 | DublinOhioUSA.gov
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February/March 2024 • 7
Poems by Dublin author
Clyde Park
CommunityCalendar
February | March All events are subject to change. Visit websites for more information.
Available on Amazon Warm Up Columbus
THROUGH FEB. 19 Dublin Chamber of Commerce presents Community Champion Award Nominations www.dublinchamber.org FEB. 4 Warm Up Columbus 8 a.m. 5K, Half-Marathon and Relays 8:03 a.m. 10K, Marathon and Relays Metro Fitness & Colliers International 655 Metro Place S. www.runningintheusa.com
Fresh Donuts, muffins & baked goods Café Breakfast & Lunch Locally & sustainably sourced coffees & espresso beverages
Wednesday – Saturday 8AM – 2PM 7437 Hyland Croy Rd
614-873-5725 www.jacqueminfarms.net Follow us on 8 • February/March 2024
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FEB. 9, 10 Dublin Coffman Theater Department presents Jelly Bean Conspiracy 7 p.m. Dublin Coffman Performing Arts Center 6780 Coffman Rd. www.dublincoffmantheater.org FEB. 10 Valentine’s Day Market 9 a.m.-noon North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.bridgepark.com
FEB. 12 Dublin Community Recreation Center Refresh Engagement Meeting 6-8 p.m. Council Chambers 5555 Perimeter Dr. www.dublinohiousa.gov FEB. 15 All Abilities Dance Class 5:30-6 p.m. Dublin Community Recreation Center 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov FEB. 15 The Alpha Group Laugh & Luck Reverse Raffle 6-9:30 p.m. Brookshire Event Venue 405 Greif Pkwy., Delaware www.dublinchamber.org FEB. 16 Professional Day – No School Dublin City Schools www.dublinschools.net www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Sponsored by For more events, visit dublinlifemagazine.com FEB. 16-18 Dublin Scioto Theater Department presents Freaky Friday Friday 7:30 p.m. Saturday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m. Scioto High School 4000 Hard Rd. www.dublinschools.net FEB. 19 Presidents’ Day – No School Dublin City Schools www.dublinschools.net FEB. 22, MARCH 28 North Market Night Market 6-9 p.m. North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org FEB. 23-25 Dublin Jerome Theatre Department presents The Sound of Music Friday 7 p.m. Saturday 1 p.m., 7 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m. Jerome High School 8300 Hyland-Croy Rd. www.dublinschools.net FEB. 29-MARCH 3 The Arnold Sports Festival Greater Columbus Convention Center 400 N. High St., Columbus www.arnoldsports.com MARCH 2 Dublin Women’s Philanthropic Club Gala - Glitz, Glam, and Gatsby 6-10 p.m. The Club at Tartan Fields 8070 Tartan Fields Dr. www.dublinwomensclub.org
MARCH 3 Arnolds Sports Festival – Running Events 10:30 a.m. 5K (run only) 10:30 a.m. Pump and 5K Greater Columbus Convention Center 400 N. High St. www.arnoldsports.com MARCH 9-10 Imagine a Dragon 1 p.m., 4 p.m. Abbey Theater 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov MARCH 14 2024 State of the City 6-8 p.m. The Exchange at Bridge Park 6520 Riverside Dr. www.dublinchamber.org MARCH 18-22 Spring Break – No School Dublin City Schools www.dublinschools.net MARCH 28 North Market Indoor Night Market 6-9 p.m. North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org MARCH 29 & 30 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium present Eggs, Paws and Claws Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 W. Powell Rd. www.columbuszoo.org
MARCH 9 City of Dublin presents St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Pancake Breakfast 7-11 a.m. Sells Middle School 150 W. Bridge St.
Pre-Parade Entertainment 10:15 a.m. Historic Dublin 1 W. Bridge St.
Inflation Celebration 9 a.m. Graeter’s Ice Cream 6255 Frantz Rd.
Parade 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Historic Dublin 1 W. Bridge St.
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f ac e s by Maisie Fitzmaurice Photos courtesy of OhioHealth
Growing up in Dublin with Afghan refugee parents, Amir Dada has seen the struggles immigrants face when navigating the American health care system. Now a third-year resident physician at Dublin Methodist Family Medicine, Dada uses his personal experiences to show compassion and understanding as he treats a diverse group of patients in the community in which he grew up.
Bridging Cultures and Care Dublin alum cares for families in the community that raised him 10 • February/March 2024
To Dublin and back Dada and his family moved to the Dublin City School District from Columbus City Schools when he was in second grade. He went on to attend Sells Middle School and graduate from Scioto High School. Even as a young child, Dada recognized the quality of the schools and the education he was receiving in Dublin. He has fond memories of holiday parties and, in his later years in high school, his creative writing class taught by Hillary Simpson at Scioto. When taking her class he fell in love with writing and began to enter competitions and submit to literary magazines. “(Simpson’s) guidance in helping me with my poetry skills was invaluable,” Dada says. “I found that entering those contests on my own and succeeding in them gave me a confidence boost. Without a doubt I believe that without the skills and selfbelief I developed in my creative writing class, I might not have had the courage to do the pre-med path and everything that came thereafter.” While Dada still loves to write, as he grew through Dublin Schools, he decided to pursue a future in medicine. He attended The Ohio State University and received his undergraduate degree in premedicine, then attended medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. “I wanted to personally have more of a tangible influence on people and I found that medicine would allow for that,” he says. After medical school, Dada moved back to Dublin for his residency. As he works toward becoming a family medicine attending physician, Dada gains experience in several different medical fields, which is advantageous because of his multitude of interests such as chronic diseases, mental health and dermatology. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
“You get a diverse set of training from different faculty members. We have great educators here and I wouldn’t want to do residency anywhere else, to be honest,” Dada says. Embracing differences and diversity During the ‘70s, Dada’s parents relocated from Afghanistan to the United States as refugees and eventually settled in Columbus where Dada now has 60-70 family members living nearby. Though they have a large support system close to them now, at the start his parents didn’t have much assistance and had to work hard to establish themselves in a new country. “At that time, there weren’t too many Afghan refugees who may have experienced similar things to kind of help guide (my parents) so they were a little bit left to their own devices,” Dada says. “But my parents are amazing human beings, and they were able to figure out how to succeed in America and how to successfully parent kids in America and it’s a huge part of why I do what I do.” Having a large immigrant family in the Columbus area has made Dada appreciative of diversity and culture. This is a major asset when working with the clinic’s patients who come from all over central Ohio to get primary care, including areas with large refugee and immigrant populations. “It’s interesting to take a step back and see the bigger picture and the different needs of the communities we serve at our clinic,” Dada says. “There’s a large number of Middle Eastern and South Asian patients and a lot of them are coming from northwest Columbus. For a lot of them, especially those who are new to the country, their experiences hit close to home for me, given that I have many, many family members who have similar challenges.” As a resident at Dublin Methodist, Dada has the opportunity to serve lower income students in the area with free primary health care including vaccines and wellness checks. The program also frequently gives lectures to students about topics such as mental and sexual health. “This approach helps overcome common barriers that may be present such as transportation barriers and helps overcome financial constraints as needed,” Dada says. This is a particularly special initiative for Dada who gets to visit the schools he once attended and show the diverse populations in these schools that they can sucwww.dublinlifemagazine.com
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ceed in the health care industry – or any other field they choose. “I hope that by seeing a diverse group of health care professionals inspires the students, showing them that no matter your background, you can always reach for the stars,” Dada says. “It’s about breaking down stereotypes and opening eyes to the possibilities out there, especially in medicine.” Going beyond check-ups Not only does Dada want to lift up and inspire Dublin City School students, he also dreams of helping undergraduate students studying pre-med, especially those who are first-generation college students like he was. He hopes that someday there will be more opportunities for first-generation students to get valuable clinical and research experiences that can set them up for success. “It was hard navigating how to apply for medical school and get everything in line so that I (could) put my best foot forward,” Dada says. “I recall so many things that it would have been nice having a mentor for, so I would love to help the future of our medical world. I would love to help be there for undergraduate students and maybe give them some guidance so that they can better put their foot forward towards becoming a doctor.” Dada has a lot of passions, but what he feels most passionate about is patient advocacy. He looks at his patients’ health as a whole and considers their unique backgrounds and the health of the entire community. “It’s not just about diagnosing and treating ailments, it’s about nurturing a holistic sense of wellness and comfort in those you know and care for,” Dada says. “It’s about listening intently and empathizing deeply and creating a treatment plan that aligns with a patient’s medical needs, really individualized care for each and every patient.” While Dada isn’t sure yet where he’ll be once his residency at Dublin Methodist ends, he is grateful for everything he has learned and the relationships he’s built. He hopes to one day return to Dublin again, if he finds himself moving for a job. “It’s about lasting relationships for me and I’ve been able to fulfill a lot of those wants in family medicine at Dublin Methodist Clinic,” Dada says. “Long lasting relationships I get to build with patients, seeing them for a follow-up, meeting them at their lows, picking them up so that they can get to their high and just being there for patients, is something that’s very rewarding to me.” Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
c ity of d u b lin by Aisling Babbitt Photos courtesy of Össur and Quantum Health
Health Care Innovation Happens Here
One of Dublin’s largest employers, Quantum Health is also an active, involved supporter of community events and health-related charitable causes, including Pelotonia.
With all four major health systems, as well as health care services leader Cardinal Health, serving Dublin residents, our community has the finest health care options right in our neighborhood, earning the City an excellent reputation as a renowned health care hub. Along with that, Dublin has also nurtured an entrepreneurial ecosystem that provides small businesses and early growth stage companies with opportunities and amenities to support their success. When these two areas combine, state-of-theart medical technologies intersect with compassionate care to improve lives and change how care is delivered across the world, and it all starts in Dublin. Personalized care by computer DASI Simulations is transforming structural heart care with its initial product, PrecisionTAVI, that provides predictive 14 • February/March 2024
modeling to help plan transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Its novel, artificial intelligence (AI) powered platform transforms routine imaging into automatic measurements and an interactive, predictable environment for medical professionals that helps avoid complications and improve outcomes. “Our technology is reshaping how doctors approach surgery and medical interventions,” says Teri Sirset, co-founder and CEO, DASI Simulations. “We’re dedicated to transforming patient care, one groundbreaking innovation at a time.” PrecisionTAVI uses predictive modeling give physicians improved ability to predict whether a treatment will work or not. Physicians can visualize in 4D how different devices interact with the patient’s unique anatomy and get insights into complication risks, as well as plan future interventions. DASI co-founder and CEO Teri Sirset has a personal motivation for advancing structural heart care. “My father passed away at age 67 after two unsuccessful heart surgeries. There was something inside of me wanting to do this. It was like my dad
was standing over my shoulder giving me executive courage,” she said. Sirset co-founded DASI with Lakshmi Dasi, PhD, in 2020. In May 2023, the company received FDA clearance for PrecisionTAVI, making it the first FDAapproved, predictive modeling tool for heart valve replacement procedures. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) has granted a reimbursement code for PrecisionTAVI. “With our recent FDA clearance for PrecisionTAVI, our innovative technology has opened doors to a $40 billion addressable structural heart market,” said Dr. Dasi, co-founder and CTO. “Our strategic vision includes expansion into other areas of structural heart and beyond, solidifying our position as pioneers in the field. One surgery at a time, our technology helps avoid complications, repeated interventions and has the potential to save billions in unnecessary costs from preventable complications.” Life without limitations With so much to do and see, it’s easy to think of Bridge Park as a destination www.dublinlifemagazine.com
for restaurants, activities and events. You might not know it is also home to an innovative lab that creates upper limb prosthetics that allow people with limb loss to return to work, life and daily activities. With the motto “Life Without Limitations,” Iceland-based Össur is renowned worldwide as a pioneer of advanced technology that combines robotics with orthopedic medicine. The company’s mission is to help people with limb differences improve their independence and mobility through innovative technologies in orthotics and prosthetics. While Össur operates from locations around the world, they selected Dublin for its Össur Academy where it provides training and certification to providers to help ensure the best possible outcomes while also serving as a production and learning lab for living life with prosthetics. Össur Academy Ohio in Dublin’s Bridge Park area offers training and certification to providers to help ensure the best possible user outcomes. The clinical team also provides innovative limb fabrication and a unique training environment to help patients use their prosthetics and regain independence. “Most of those served by Össur Academy are post-trauma with some sort of damage or loss of limb to their hands or arms. They come to us to be fitted with a prosthesis during a one-week stay,” says Nathan Wagner, director of education at Össur Academy Ohio. “They start the week with a prototype and end the week with a finished, working prosthesis that they can wear and integrate into their daily life.” The Bridge Park location includes a training center, a fabrication lab where the prosthetics are created and tailored, a mock studio apartment where users can practice home-related tasks such as cooking or housekeeping, and a game room to practice participation in leisure-type activities. The area also offers hotels and amenities for Össur guests who are staying in the area for a week as they are training or learning to use their prosthetic. Combining innovative techniques with a personalized touch is key to Össur’s brand of care. “Being here at our facility gets you time where you really get to know the individual, their needs and what their goals are. We really know them on a different level than you could ever achieve if you were just seeing them in that office environment,” Wagner says. “It’s just always so rewarding to see the person be able to return to activities that were so important to them,” says Lynsay Emmrich, OTR/L, product manager at Össur. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Health care warriors by your side As beneficial as health care technology is, personal connections between patients and providers also impact improved outcomes and well-being. Quantum Health balances both areas by using technology and data to create predictive and personalized health care experiences to make care simpler and more effective. Quantum Health is celebrating its 25-year anniversary in 2024. As a third-party administrator, Quantum Health works with health plan brokers and self-insured employers to better manage their benefits programs through digital platforms that optimize use and personalize the health care experience. Through its health care navigation platform, the organization helps more than 3 million members and more than 500 employer clients achieve consistent cost savings and helps employees lead healthier, more productive lives. Powered by proprietary technology and software, Quantum Health’s team of care coordinators, called Healthcare Warriors, connect with millions of members and their providers to navigate patients through their care journey to maximize health outcomes. Quantum Health’s care coordination teams include member services, nurses and claims specialists. They share expertise, information, empathy and resources needed to guide health care journeys and solve problems. “At Quantum Health our teams are all about caring for our members and taking on the hard stuff. To do this, we actively leverage a technology stack of data in-
sights and information, combined with the empathy and expertise of our Warriors, to streamline and create efficiencies in the health care experience,” says Kristen Wheeler, senior vice president of Member Engagement at Quantum Health. Quantum Health platform links employees, employers and providers for early intervention to maximize impact. By integrating technology, data feeds, clinical expertise and provider engagement to address members’ needs and course of treatment in real time, Quantum Health guides employees as crucial decisions about their care are made and they receive the most appropriate, cost-effective care and unparalleled support all along the way. Results include a better overall experience, improved behaviors, enhanced clinical outcomes and cost savings. In 2023, Quantum Health was honored with its third consecutive MedTech Breakthrough Award for Best Healthcare Navigation Solution. The company is also widely recognized as an outstanding employer. More than 2,100 employees work at Quantum Health’s office in Dublin. The company has been named to the 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Health Care list, earned the Great Place to Work Certified distinction and was named the 2022 Best Place to Work in Central Ohio by Columbus Business First for the 16th year. Aisling Babbitt is the deputy director of Communications & Marketing for the City of Dublin.
Dublin at the Forefront of Innovation The heartbeat of health care is strong in our community! Dublin boasts a dynamic landscape that combines leading health care institutions with businesses dedicated to redefining the health care experience. Whether it is the personal touch of compassionate care or the breaking innovations in computerized medicine, groundbreaking advancements that shape the future of health care delivery happen here in Dublin.
The amenities in and around Dublin’s Bridge Park area offer additional opportunities for prosthetic users at the Össur Academy to test their devices as they are personalized to each person. February/March 2024 • 15
in fo c u s by Rachel Karas Photos courtesy of City of Dublin
A Safe Haven
Police Chief reflects on the first year of the Safe Space Dublin program and plans for growth Dublin is known for having a global community made up of native Dubliners and countless others who have moved to the area from other cities, states and countries alike. With such a richly diverse population, is it possible to ensure everyone feels safe and gets the support they need? The Dublin Police Department and Chief Justin Páez have made it their personal goal to fulfill those needs, and have worked hard to make it a reality. With the help of advisory committees, feedback from the community, and the support of not only the city but several private organizations, the department started the Safe Space Dublin program. A year into the program, Páez says it has already grown and changed so much to better suit the needs of the community, and the department is
Dublin Arts Council Executive Director David Guion (left) and Officer Scott Brown stand in front of the Art Council which was an early adopter of the Safe Space program. 16 • February/March 2024
excited to see the next steps the program will take. Inspired by community voices The program came out of discussions Páez had with the Community Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Chief’s Advisory Committee. Members of those groups shared stories from others or times when they personally did not feel safe. “We heard very honest and sometimes raw and heartbreaking realities of what individual members were experiencing,” Páez says. “In particular through the (COVID-19) pandemic, we had community members who … were confident in their protection and safety in Dublin, but they felt like they couldn’t travel to other areas and feel that same level of safety and security. And there certainly were occasions where they felt like there were things that they saw in Dublin as well, that were less than what we would desire in support and welcomeness.” After taking time to listen, Páez says the department wanted to take action and develop a program to change things. He got to work researching what other communities were doing and found a program in Seattle called Safe Place. This program was created specifically for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who weren’t as comfortable with police but needed a way to report hate crimes and discrimination. After completing his research, Páez went back to the committees where they discussed and developed their own foundation that would be at the forefront of the program. “Safety, security and support were those three pillars we wanted to make sure we delivered on as part of the program and (that we) understood ourselves before we launched into including partners,” Páez www.dublinlifemagazine.com
says. “So then the next step was building the footprint you see on the website now and then identifying the resources that are available as Safe Space connections.” These resources include a variety of immediate response organizations, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the Trevor Project and ASHA Ray of Hope, that are available nearly 24/7 as well as several next-day resources. United support When the program was finally set and ready to be rolled out, the next decision was to figure out where these safe spaces would be. “Fundamentally the police department has to be a safe space for everyone to go. And (I have to) give credit to Washington Township. They leaned in right away and said all fire stations and the administration building were all going to be locations,” Páez says. “I give credit to the city manager and City Council for expanding it beyond even our lens at the time (saying), ‘We’re going to make all city building locations safe spaces.’” Other early adopters included the Dublin Arts Council, Crawford Hoying in
What is a safe space? Because a safe space means something different to every person, it can be tough to define. However, it is generally described as an environment free of criticism, harassment, discrimination or any other form of emotional or physical harm and is welcoming to all no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, etc. Many have worked to create more spaces like these, especially for diverse and historically marginalized communities. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
February/March 2024 • 17
Bridge Park and mental health care provider Syntero. CEO and Executive Director of Syntero Julie Rinaldi says joining the effort was a nobrainer, as they had been partnering with the city and police department for years. “I think (Páez) approached me early on and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah. We want to be one of your first participants, this is really important,’” Rinaldi says. “We have a lot of different targeted programs for the LGBTQ+ community and for different populations that might be targets of attacks, so we want to make sure that we are seen as a place of refuge for people.” Although many of the program’s parts, such as training staff to help people in crisis, were things the Syntero team already
had in place, Rinaldi says they have been able to improve their offerings to better serve the Dublin community. For Rinaldi though, the bigger impact is seeing that they aren’t the only ones helping people in crisis. “Just knowing that there (are) other organizations out there that are willing to step up is nice and I think is going to send a really powerful message,” she says. “I was pleased to hear some of the area businesses have stepped in and joined this effort. That’s, to me, heartwarming, and I think it’ll just grow from here.” Looking to the future An anniversary breakfast was held at the Dublin Community Recreation Cen-
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ter in December to celebrate the program’s accomplishments during the first year and create a space for participants to reflect and connect with the police department to offer feedback. “Some of it is just making sure we’re checking in with those businesses annually to, for all intents and purposes, be an audit of the program,” Páez says. “In that, we have the right contact information as employees change over, we are updating our training, we are delivering any specific information or awareness that businesses should be at least informed of so that they know how to connect people to the right resources.” As the program heads into its second year, Páez is excited to see it expand as more organizations are joining. Several OhioHealth campuses became certified safe spaces before the end of 2023, and Páez says discussions are already underway to include several faith-based safe spaces as well. To see so many individuals and organizations not only support the ideals of the program but to take action, get trained and truly carry the message out to others, is something that really hits home for Páez. “I’m just so grateful to have so much support for the program internally and then externally from the community,” he says. “For so many to come on board and say we want to be partners, because that to me is what gives me confidence that this program will just continue to be a valuable resource for community members.” Rachel Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Looking to join? If you or your organization or business would like to get involved, Páez says there are a few things you can do. • Reach out to the police department to learn more • Check out the website www.safe spacedublin.org to see an informational video and list of resources • Sign yourself and your team up for Chief Justin Páez training to be prepared for any situation • Gather supplies and information from the police department to ensure you can be ready to help someone in need www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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YEARS
Memories Galore Looking back at 25 years of Dublin Life magazine By Rachel Karas
Sometimes the best things start as only a passing thought. Something that, with careful planning and support, can become wonderful. Dublin Life started as an idea from a Dubliner who wanted to share the untold stories unfolding in his community. With the backing and support of the city and City Council, the magazine published its first issue in June 1999 and continues to reach thousands of readers today. Although that very first issue predates my time as editor, I have been overjoyed to see all Dublin has to offer and meet so many of the people that make it the great community it is today. As we have sadly seen other publications come and go, we are forever thankful for the immeasurable support we receive from our partners, readers and other members of the community. Join me as I reflect on 25 years of stories, history and community.
A grand opportunity Fred Zimmerman was a long-time Dublin resident who had worked in the publishing industry for more than 20 years. His company had been creating The Ohio State University football programs for some time, but when the university chose a different publisher, Zimmerman had to find a new venture. That is when he turned his focus to his own community and began to notice the change and growth happening in his backyard. With everything that was happening, there were so many stories that had yet to be shared. Sandra Puskarcik was working with the City of Dublin when Zimmerman approached her and proposed the idea of a new publication: a magazine centered around Dublin.
“We did have two local newspapers at the time as well,” Puskarcik says. “They were really presenting the journalism side of what was happening in the city and in the community, and Fred really wanted to bring the spirit and the soul of Dublin alive through a quality, fourcolor magazine.” Zimmerman wasn’t the only person who saw the potential. The city wanted to make a name for itself and at the same time, the Memorial Tournament was gaining more national attention than ever. Intending to expand Dublin’s brand and reach, the City Council, and then City Manager Tim Hansley, were very receptive to new ideas as they wanted to foster the city’s growth any way they could.
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dublinlife BY THE NUMBERS
19,500 copies mailed to Dublin homes 48 pages of editorial and advertising content 6 issues each year 70+ stories per year From day one the project was a collaborative effort, Hansley says, but a big part of the process was honing in on how the partnership between the city and magazine would function – that was where Puskarcik came in. “We had some concerns about it becoming the official magazine and what that meant. In what ways would it be independent? In what ways would we be partners?” Hansley says. “That is why Sandra was (included), so she could listen in the background so we had that presence, but we did not own the magazine.” Past and present When comparing recent issues to the inaugural one side by side, you can still see the influence of those early years. The city has maintained a presence in the magazine with a letter from the city manager in every issue alongside stories that showcase its programs and accomplishments. But as the city has expanded to include areas such as Emerald
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Parkway and Bridge Park, the magazine has expanded as well. In the early days of the publication, the magazine contained only five stories compared to the average of 10 in each issue today. These stories are written by our editorial team and community groups such as the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council and the Dublin City Schools. Each issue would not be the same without our columnist and Dublin resident, Colleen D’Angelo, who shares her personal stories and perspectives in her bimonthly columns. Capturing stories forever Throughout its history, Dublin Life has shared countless stories of residents, teachers, city workers, students, businesses and more. Some of those stories have featured well-known names in the community like David Guion, Shelley Meyers, Margie Amorose and Armin Rahmanian – while others have highlighted extraordinary community members like Reilly Hickey and Deb Papesh. There are some classic features that make an appearance almost every year – including the Memorial Tournament and Dublin Irish Festival – due to their popularity, but our team always strives to bring novel ideas and perspectives to the magazine as well.
C
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CM
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CY Storyteller Series WITH AMANDA DEP ERRO
CMY
“We “We Always Always Come Come Back” Back” Don DonRose Rosehas hastraveled traveledthe theworld, world,but buthas hasalways always called calledDublin Dublinhome home
Though the Rose family hasn’t lived in Dublin quite so long as others, the four Roses – Clayton, Jr.; Barbara; Carol and Don – have as much right to call Dublin home as anyone. Don, the youngest at 77 years old, was the only one born in Dublin, but each of the Rose children grew up playing on Bridge Street, in the Scioto River and the now-gone public pool in Shawnee
I
think Mom and Dad – Phyllis and Clayton Rose – moved here because they loved being on farms, and wanted to get to the country. Barbara and Clayton both enjoyed their grandparents’ farm in Paulding County, so they put pressure on them to move. They enjoyed the experience of farming and being in the country. There were 200 or 300 people in Dublin itself, and at the time the people who went to school had parents who were farmers. Some worked in Columbus, which was our case. It was mixed in that respect. We had a nice house that Dad could only buy because he was a judge at the time of the Depression; he had a job. He paid $12,000 for 28 acres, and then built onto it. We didn’t have any luxuries, but we all loved that house and the grounds. The house sat in the middle of 32 • October/November 2016
614.431.1040 DGPerry.com 22 • February/March 2024
Hills. Don Rose, the fifth Storyteller of the series, vividly remembers playing in Dublin as a child. The family moved to Dublin in 1937 when it was still a rural farming community, as his siblings wanted to be in the “country.” Although Dublin can’t be described as such any longer, Don has no thoughts of leaving the town he’s watched grow throughout his life.
five acres of trees – big beech trees. We had a nice childhood. Another thing that I think is interesting is that, out of the goodness of their hearts, Mom and Dad took in kids to live with us from the children’s home over the years. One of them, John Shook, came from a very dysfunctional family. My mom invited his mom to his high school graduation, and he didn’t know who it was. My mom had to introduce him to his own mother. Each of the children that lived with us were a part of the family; that’s kind of the way things were. The swimming pool in Shawnee Hills was the place to be. People didn’t have private pools, we didn’t have air conditioning, so going there in the summer was the way to beat the heat. Clayton worked there in high school and he ended up buying it while he was still in
K
college, and he did well with it. He employed all of us; that was the hangout. For a while I lived on a sailboat with my wife, Robin. We sold our house and everything, and lived on the boat for two and a half years, and traveled 11,000 miles. I wrote a book about the trip – my wife actually wrote it, she won’t take credit for it – but she kept a journal, and I turned it into a book called Living Aboard the Sailboat Robin Lee. After we got off the sailboat, we worked for about seven months, then we drove an old junker down to the Mexican border and sold it, then spent three months in
Don Rose and Barb Headlee www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Don Rose
Dublin Life’s Storyteller Series focuses on the people who make Dublin great – people who have made improving the community a part of their life, people who have been able to call Dublin home for a long time and people who have watched Dublin evolve over the years. The Storyteller Series tells the history of Dublin through his or her eyes, and sheds light on what living in Dublin was like decades ago. With the help of these special people, Dublin has undoubtedly become a better place.
From left to right: Carol Scott, Barbara Headlee and Don Rose as children in front of Shriver’s Confectionery, now the location of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, on Bridge Street.
www.dublinlifemagazine.com
October/November 2016 • 33
One such idea was a set of stories called the Storyteller Series that ran from 2016 through 2019. In those issues, the stories of some of the oldest community members were collected and shared to ensure that they were preserved and remembered over time. With every story we write, we are always looking to honor the stories of those who have impacted Dublin and continue to help it thrive. The community – and this magazine – would not be what they are today without the help, feedback and support of the people in it. We have loved being your community magazine for 25 years and we look forward to many more years to come. Rachel Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Greenest Grandest Parade The
,
Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities By Jane Dimel Photos courtesy of City of Dublin
The City of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is 1.5 miles of festive fun and has been delighting families in the region since 1981. The annual “Greenest, Grandest Parade” first began when Dublin’s first female mayor, Catherine Headlee, recruited local community organizations to gather together and plan a small parade. After the construction of the Metro Center a few years later, the parade started to become what it is today. The route changed as Metro Center became a familiar spot for locals and provided an optimal location for staging and kicking off the parade route. The lineup continued to grow.
2023 Grand Leprechaun Deb Papesh 24 • February/March 2024
Traditions galore As one of the only regional St. Patrick’s Day parades, Dublin draws in participants and spectators from around Columbus with its entertainment lineup. “We do have some (other) participants that come in. Franklin County Engineers, they’ll participate, especially if they have some really good projects going on because this is a regional parade, so it is a little more expansive outside of Dublin,” parade manager Trish Lackey says. “Majority is, of course, the City of Dublin, because this is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day.” One lasting tradition is the honoring of the Grand Leprechauns. The first Grand Leprechaun was chosen in 1984 as a way
Meet the 2024 Grand Leprechauns! Kate and Asch Mikhail were chosen as this year's Grand Leprechauns and will lead the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 9.
to appreciate hard-working, giving individuals or couples in the community. Grand Leprechauns serve as the ceremonial leaders of the parade, and they attend the post-parade Grand Leprechaun luncheon with past honorees. They are honored throughout the year, walking in the Irish Festival opening parade in August and organizing the Wreaths Across America celebration in December. Every year, past Grand Leprechauns gather with the mayor and city manager to review nominations and select the next honorees. Three Grand Leprechauns from the ’90s, David Wolfe (’95), Jim Link (’97) and Don Plunno (’98), were in attendance this year, alongside many other past honorees, to choose Asch and Kate Mikhail, owners of the Sunny Street Café in the Perimeter Center shopping plaza, as this year’s Grand Leprechauns. Each element of the parade is purposeful, as the City has curated the perfect length to meet its standard of strong entertainment. The parade includes 110 units of live music, dancing, decorative floats www.dublinlifemagazine.com
2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 9
Starting at Metro Center and continuing through Historic Dublin. Includes marching bands, equestrian teams, floats and novelty/antique vehicles.
Balloon Facts In recent years, limited access to helium in the United States has required the City of Dublin to get creative in its balloon department. The leading and final balloons are filled with helium, but others throughout the parade are what the City calls “cold-air balloons.” The designs of these cold-air balloons change every year, and some are even worn by volunteers. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
February/March 2024 • 25
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Helping hands There are more than 90 volunteers who help make the parade what it is with the majority handling the balloons. They are also responsible for pre-parade staging, setting up and running the information booths, serving as parade marshals and assisting with communications and traffic control. These volunteers come from the city’s Outreach and Engagement division and many of them are returning volunteers who have experience retaining the balloons, coordinating the parade and enjoying the fun, which keeps them coming back each year. “I work closely with (the Outreach and Engagement team) because they know their volunteers so well that we can get a really good match of what we need and what the folks that come in (can do). So they have a really great experience while they’re working at the parade,” Lackey says. The lineup of the parade changes every year, featuring a good variety of new participants as well as returning groups. Lackey says the different homeowner’s associations and commercial units involved tend to change as Dublin continues to grow and develop, which is fun to see. She says it is equally rewarding to watch as groups return and build on their entertainment to wow crowds each year. Of course, the parade balloons are of the utmost importance to the St. Patrick’s Day tradition. You will know the parade has begun when you see the parade’s signature leading balloon, the City of Dublin Top Hat, floating down Frantz Road. The festivities unfold until the Irish-themed balloon bookends the parade. Jane Dimel is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback is welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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Did You Know? In 2021, the City of Dublin wanted to find a safe way to hold the parade and celebrate the holiday as a community. They came across the “reverse parade” idea from other cities and decided to host one of their own at Darree Fields. This parade saw around 70 stationary units, including a show mobile honoring 2020 Grand Leprechaun Jill Kranstuber. This allowed Dubliners to drive through and see the different parts of the parade from the safety of their own car. The event was so popular that the City extended the parade for an extra hour to accommodate the traffic. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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good i d e a s by Maisie Fitzmaurice Photo by Maisie Fitzmaurice
Faithful Friendships Women of Religious Diversity Group learn through one another Religious differences have caused conflict throughout history, but for the ladies of Women of Religious Diversity (WORD), their differences bring them closer together and strengthen their faith. WORD began around 2005 when a pair of Muslim women stumbled upon a banner outside Dublin Community Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, that read, “God is still speaking.” They were intrigued and decided to go inside. After speaking with the late Chuck Kuck, who was the church’s senior minister at the time, they asked if they could join a women’s group where they could engage and learn more. The minister then called Barb Anderson, who was the leader of the church’s Women and Fellowship Bible Study, and asked if they could join. Anderson agreed and the women began attending meetings regularly. To be more inclusive, the group evolved from being a Bible study to being a more general spiritual book club. Anderson chooses books for the club to read together that cover different spiritual topics and are written by authors who belong to various religions. They then discuss and learn from each other’s perspectives through respectful dialogue. Group members include women of different Christian and Islamic denominations, and several nonreligious members as well. They hope to continue to diversify and grow the group.
Diverging opinions When the group was first forming, most of the women accepted these new members with open arms and benevolent curiosity. However, not everyone approved of their presence and a handful of ladies voiced their discontent to Anderson. “Their concern was that we were watering down Jesus, that we were lessening our own Christian faith by being with them and by listening to their beliefs and their traditions,” Anderson says. “Because we were accepting what they believed as truth for them, we were lessening our Christian faith.” Anderson disagreed. She feels that discussing her faith with women of different cultural and religious backgrounds makes her faith stronger as she has to think critically about her own beliefs to explain them to someone else. She refused to exclude the new members.
WORD meets on Friday mornings at Dublin Community Church and on Thursday evenings on Zoom. For more information contact Barb Anderson at andersonfamily2214@gmail.com. 28 • February/March 2024
“We said, ‘That is your opinion, they are going to continue to come, we’re going to continue to engage in conversation,’” Anderson says. “These women’s words to us were, ‘We will pray for you.’” Other members agreed with Anderson, and say they benefit from the interfaith connections and unconditional love they have given and received from each other over the years. Interfaith support Mary Yerina, who has been a member for 11 years, says WORD was her safe place during a difficult time in her life. “It was so comforting to have women from all walks of life praying for me. The power of it often moved me to tears,” she says. Sue O’Donnell, another long-time WORD member, says she has appreciated the opportunity to learn about other cultures and religions and even discover new belief systems. “It is so great to have a chance to meet these women I probably would not have www.dublinlifemagazine.com
met and read books that I would not have read,” she says. Nimet Alpay, who is a Muslim, joined WORD after moving to Columbus from Michigan in 2010 as a way to make friends and get connected to the community. She was accepted with open arms and the group has become very special to her. “The beauty of it is nobody is coming here to judge you, to convert you or to indoctrinate you, anything like that, no negative intention,” Alpay says. “Everybody’s coming here to understand, to learn, to expand their horizons, to strengthen their own faith, to understand what’s going on with other faiths, so it’s been really a wonderful experience.” Alpay says she struggled with her faith following the 9/11 attacks, but connecting with other women who believed in different religious ideologies made her realize she had more in common with the women than not. Many of them were moms who wanted the same things she did: healthy, safe communities for their children. “This community of women helped me to be more open-minded, helped me to feel less different, although I’m always different wherever I go because of the way I dress, but you know, if you look past my hijab, I’m just one of the women,” Alpay says. “We share similar values, and it’s all the same. It’s really helped me grow as a person.” The group has not only been beneficial to the ladies who attend meetings, but also to those outside of the group through WORD’s various service projects and donations. Since the club started, it has offered financial support and resources to refugees in the area as well as donated diapers to the Dublin Food Pantry, financed a new water well in Africa, sent aid to Ukraine and Turkey, donated to an orphanage in India, and more. “What is faith without action?” Alpay says. “When you put aside your differences, and when you come together with your common values, you can do a lot of good things.” Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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ARTifacts
Exploring Through Art
Tourism project invites visitors to “Discover Dublin Art” By Janet Cooper Photos courtesy of @dublinarts, Shana Lee and Megan Rivers
S. Guion. “For cultural tourists, getting to know a place, its people and its story is an experiential way to learn about and see the world. Cultural tourism opens one up to the elements of discovery and surprise.” Public art is often the reason for a road or day trip to Dublin, says Marketing Director Sara Blatnik of Visit Dublin Ohio, Dublin’s destination marketing organization.
Instagram influencer Megan Rivers (@EatPlayCbus) highlights Dublin’s RiverboxesTM as a fun outdoor family activity
Dublin Arts Council and Visit Dublin Ohio recently partnered in a yearlong effort to boost Dublin’s cultural tourism. The “Discover Dublin Art” project, supported by a hotel/motel tax grant from the City of Dublin, encouraged visitors to learn more about Dublin’s large-scale permanent artworks while also exploring its smaller collections, exhibitions in the Dublin Arts Council gallery, and other arts and cultural assets. “Cultural tourism is a term for those who travel to experience unique arts offerings specific to that particular location or region. These offerings may include visual and performing arts, historic sites and festivals,” says Dublin Arts Council Executive Director David 30 • February/March 2024
Reaching cultural tourists Visit Dublin Ohio heard from Dublin hoteliers that guests were asking for more information about public art. As part of the “Discover Dublin Art” project, the Dublin Arts Council produced new informative cards that were delivered to Dublin hotels and placed in vibrant areas of the community, such as the North Market in Dublin’s Bridge Park retail and residential development. Bridge Park developers are also working with the Dublin Arts Council to bring more art to the district. Blatnik sees interest in the artwork and the resulting photo opportunities as an enhancement to the Bridge Park visitor experience. Visit Dublin Ohio has recently added an “Arts & Culture” tab to its website, acknowledging the experiential draw for families, friend groups, couples and solo travelers. A dedicated arts information area has also been added to the Dublin Visitor & Information Center off of High St. in Historic Dublin. Economic benefit In their search for authentic, unforgettable experiences, cultural tourists are recognized as staying longer and spending more than the average visitor. Americans for the Arts, a national organization formed to advance the arts in the United States, estimates that the average U.S. arts patron spends $38.40 per person, per day in addition to admission tickets. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Guion notes that the average across various arts programs in Dublin is almost double, with an estimated $68 spent per person, per day. “Public art is attractive because it’s free and can fill a day,” Blatnik says. “It lowers the cost to visit, but still supports hospitality with food, beverage, shopping and overnight stays.” Social media impact Social media is an important tool in each organizations’ ongoing awareness efforts. Dublin Arts Council and Visit Dublin Ohio invited several social media influencers to discover Dublin’s art, resulting in more than double Dublin Arts Council’s usual Instagram growth during the summer months. In searching for social media influencers and bloggers, the organizations had difficulty finding individuals who specialized in creating content about unique public art and arts experiences across the country. As a result, an unexpected new program is emerging. Arts professionals’ exchange To enrich the cultural tourism landscape in Ohio and expand awareness in geographic areas within a day’s travel, the Dublin Arts Council proposed a collaborative effort between the Dublin Arts Council and ArtsNow, an Akron-based organization dedicated to leveraging the arts and culture in Summit County.
The iconic Leatherlips sculpture by Ralph Helmick serves as the backdrop for a blog photo by Shana Lee (ShanaWasHere.com) www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Dublin Arts Council’s Paige Dempsey visits the Akron Art Museum during an arts organization exchange. Foreground image: Chuck Close’s Linda, also known as Akron’s Mona Lisa.
Guion and Dublin Arts Council’s Communications Manager Raygan Barrett piloted the exchange program through which each organization designated a representative to visit the other’s city to curate a captivating narrative, showcasing each city’s unique attributes. Dublin Arts Council Community Engagement Coordinator Paige Dempsey visited Akron, documenting her experiences via real time Instagram stories, followed by Dublin Arts Council posts that focused on Akron’s visual and performing arts, as well as the city’s history and environment. ArtsNow selected Akron artist Nick Lee to visit Dublin. Lee, a painter who is “motivated by discovery,” posted on his personal Instagram account during his visit, followed by content developed with ArtsNow.
Appreciating the value realized through collaboration, the Dublin Arts Council staff is encouraged by the exchange. They hope to continue the reciprocal opportunity with additional arts organizations within a few hours’ drive of Dublin, the optimal visitor travel distance identified by Visit Dublin Ohio. Sense of place “Dublin’s public art is fantastic to stumble upon, providing a sense of wonder … of astonishment,” Blatnik says. “When people ask Visit Dublin Ohio for destination photos, we always include art. It’s one-of-akind; something that can only be Dublin!” Janet Cooper is the retired Director of Engagement for Dublin Arts Council and contributes to Dublin Life magazine. February/March 2024 • 31
school co nn e c ti o n by Keybur n Grady and Cassie Dietrich Photos courtesy of Keyburn Grady
District-wide Initiative Gives Back What started as a simple idea to repurpose lost and found items quickly grew into a collaboration between students in all grades at Dublin City Schools and One Dublin’s Community Free Shop.
Throughout the year, schools amass all sorts of clothing items in their lost and found. The goal of each lost and found is to connect students with their missing belongings, but sometimes items go unclaimed. This fall, Dublin City Schools’ Director of Student Wellness, Tyler Wolfe, didn’t just see a pile of clothes, but an
opportunity that could benefit the community. Rather than letting lost and found items languish in forgotten corners, Wolfe arranged for students to pay it forward by donating unclaimed items to One Dublin. “As part of our #DCSGivesBack initiative, we are always looking for ways to help our community. Overflowing lost and founds was an opportunity to do just that,” Wolfe says. “Together with principals, we were able to create a collection and cleaning system that had all of our buildings working together to achieve a common goal. Service projects help students feel like they are contributing to the community, and hopefully, increase their sense of belonging. The added benefit is that the
lost and found items go directly to local families in need.” For the project, students and staff at each elementary and middle school building gathered and packed up anything in the lost and found after a last call. Once ready, the district’s Operations team travels around the district to collect the items and deliver them to a designated high school. Students who receive support through Specialized Learning Center (SLC) then get to work washing, drying and folding the lost goods. Students also sort them by size and type before bagging them back up. Then, just before the district’s winter break, One Dublin representatives visit each high school to pick up the items and
Coffman High School student Brandon Tamasy (left) and Naomi Shaw fold laundry to give to One Dublin. 32 • February/March 2024
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Dublin staff members Jay Stoner (far left) and Stacie Smith (far right) work with Brandon Tamasy, Naomi Shaw, Hannah Kelly and Michael Harrell at Dublin Coffman High School.
take them to its Community Free Shop. The shop provides gently used clothing and personal care items to families in need at no cost. All families living within the boundaries of Dublin City Schools are welcome to make an appointment and visit the Community Free Shop. For many of these students, the benefit of being involved in projects like this are two-fold; they develop life skills that support their sense of belonging and independence, and give back to the community. “Students gravitated toward the lost and found project as it gave them a chance to connect with the Dublin community in a meaningful way,” says Jennifer Clark, Dean of Building Leadership. “The project also gave students an authentic opportunity to not only work on employability skills but also on leadership skills. Coffman was so happy to have been part of this initiative.” In total, the district collected and readied 54 bags of items for One Dublin’s Community Free Shop. Items included sweatshirts, coats, hats and gloves, all of which are in heavy demand this time of year. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
The donation from Dublin City Schools now plays a crucial role in helping those in need not only stay warm, but also navigate life’s challenges with dignity. “This initiative fosters a true sense of community,” says Heather Heins, Executive Director of One Dublin. “It fulfills growing needs and enables students to see the impact of their contributions, nurturing a belief in their ability to make a meaningful difference within the community.” The ripple effect of this all-district project goes beyond the tangible items donated. It is also a testament to the power of the Dublin community and the belief that even the smallest acts of kindness can create a wave of positive change. Dublin City Schools students of all ages have proven that they, too, are capable of making a lasting impact on others by embodying the “better together” value. Keyburn Grady is the Coordinator of Alumni and Media Relations at Dublin City Schools. Cassie Deitrich is a Public Information Officer at Dublin City Schools.
Coffman High School student Ian Stoops washes laundry to give to One Dublin. February/March 2024 • 33
student s p o t li g h t by Jane Dimel Photos courtesy of Mananya Ellendula
The Color Fight Jerome student Mananya Ellendula tackles Holi and diversity with an open mind Celebrating the Dublin way In August 2022, students from Jerome and Olentangy gathered as JeromexTangy to combat violence against the Asian community and plan an event to celebrate the end of exams with Holi. Holi is a cultural celebration dating back to the 4th century. It is traditionally held during March to commemorate the triumph of good over evil and With this celebration holding meaning the coming of spring harvest Students taking a photo covered in colored powder. for so many people, Jerome senior Manan- with dancing, delicacies and the iconic color fight. ya Ellendula wanted to help more people JeromexTangy wanted to honor those Ellendula says she is grateful for how enjoy it. Over the course of several years she has been a part of the driving force traditions while modifying the activities to involved the students and Dublin commuthat brought this celebration to Columbus be more accessible and authentic for stu- nity have been in this event over the past and is working toward a more diverse, cul- dents of all Indian backgrounds, including few years, and how they have welcomed first-generation Americans like Ellendula. the celebration. tural Dublin. Some of these modifica“The city of Dublin was so helpful. I met tions included moving the with the mayor, I met with city council event later in the year to and they were so helpful. They just had so take advantage of warmer much advice and they were so willing for weather, but many tradi- this event to happen,” Ellendula says. “It tional aspects were main- means a lot to us that it was so welcomed tained such as the classic and celebrated by Dublin as well because Indian music, color fight we definitely could not have done it withand other activities. out their support and their guidance.” After last year’s success, the students of Growing Dublin diversity Olentangy and Jerome Throughout her high school career, Elseparated to focus on lendula has been very active in broadenhosting their own school ing diversity in Dublin schools and the events. Jerome students Columbus area. formed ColumbusHoli Ellendula has committed to helping othwith the hopes of reach- ers connect with their culture and create ing students across all their own traditions through many of her Columbus area schools leadership roles in the Asian Youth Union, so they could partici- Multicultural Club and ColumbusHoli. pate or plan their own Those roles have allowed her to conHoli events to celebrate nect with other leaders and community their hard work over the groups, including recent Mayor Jane Fox, Ellendula at Multicultural Club’s Diwali event. school year. Director of Outreach and Engagement
The Hindu festival of Holi celebrates color, love and spring with a traditional color fight, when celebrators throw colorful red, yellow, blue and green powders at one another. Many of the colors have a deeper meaning; red, for example, symbolizes love and fertility, while green symbolizes new beginnings.
34 • February/March 2024
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Christina Nardecchia and Chief of Police Justin Páez, which helped her bring their involvement into the Holi event. Ellendula not only was a part of establishing ColumbusHoli, she also helped create the Multicultural Club’s upcoming Garba event on March 2, which celebrates classical dance from the Gujarati region of India. With all the work she has done over the years, Ellendula doesn’t just want to see these groups flourish now but ensure their success for years in the future. That is why she is helping younger students learn to run these clubs so these events continue to happen each year. “Once you come to senior year, it’s (about) guidance for the younger officers so that they’re ready to blossom into their role as a leader,” Ellendula says. “It’s about keeping that up and longevity and making sure that we’re choosing the right people and we’re giving them the right support system for them to succeed.” During her time at Jerome, Ellendula has impacted many other students, including Pakistani student Sabrina Kayani, who immigrated with her family from Pakistan. Kayani chose to attend Jerome because of the events and involvement of the multicultural club. Knowing the impact on individuals and the community motivates Ellendula to continue her work to make sure that everyone can be proud of their culture, no matter what. “Everyone should be proud of where they’re from. They should be proud of however connected or not connected they are to their ethnicity,” she says. “It’s really to appreciate each other and to show that we can still celebrate together no matter how connected or disconnected we are, because, at the end of the day, we are all here to celebrate who we are.” Jane Dimel is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback is welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Dublin 2024 Holi event On April 20, ColumbusHoli hosts its four-hour event with food, games and more at the South and Central Scioto Pavilion to celebrate the festive celebration of Holi. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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d ub li n d i s he s by Tyler Kirkendal Photos courtesy of David Sabgir
Combating Cabin Fever Local cardiologist encourages getting active and eating healthy in winter David Sabgir, an OhioHealth cardiologist at Dublin Methodist Hospital, has been in his field for more than 20 years. He has seen countless patients throughout his career and is always offering the same foundational advice related to healthful eating. “Everything can be improved with eating a healthy diet,” Sabgir says. “I don’t think, myself included, we realize how much better we feel when we eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Even though certain foods may look great, we don’t always feel great after we eat them.” Sabgir says there is plenty of noise in discussions surrounding healthy eating. He recommends cutting through that noise by paying close attention to how you feel after eating certain ingredients and working on a diet that helps you feel your best. “If you want to pursue a whole-food plant-based diet, that, in my opinion, is the best, then a Mediterranean diet is probably 1A to that, and whatever people feel they can stick with the most,” Sabgir says. While he says eating healthy helps reduce the risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure as well as cancer, there is another major component to preventing chronic health problems. “I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘food as medicine,’ just like ‘exercise is medicine,’” Sabgir says. “It couldn’t be more true.” Recognizing the need for exercise and wanting to encourage movement and socializing, Sagbir started Walk with a Doc 36 • February/March 2024
in 2005, which has since spread across the globe. “I was feeling really like a loser in the office because I kept having these conversations about the importance of physical activity and I realized that they weren’t working,” Sabgir says. “It’s so important for us to be active. They estimate 10-15 years of life, but more importantly to me, 15, 20, 25 years of quality.” Interested doctors can apply to host a walk in their city, and Sabgir estimated that 8,100 walks took place around the world in just the last year. Sabgir hosts walks in central Ohio, and Dublin has its own chapter hosted by Eileen Bolton on Wednesdays at Coffman Park. He says more walks starting in Dublin are coming. “Dublin as a whole is a very active community, and it’s a great place,” Sabgir says. The walks are not just for the community as they can also be beneficial for
the doctors and medical workers who host it. “Being a physician, there’s a lot of frustration that can go with that, and this is a very immediate palpable (experience) where you get to make friendships and that’s a wonderful feeling,” Sabgir says. Eileen Pewitt, an instructor with Healthy New Albany, brought Sabgir to New Albany to help central Ohioans learn about healthy eating and share recipes in a series of cooking classes they called Cooking with Confidence. The following recipe was an entree prepared for the series. For a homemade ricotta cheese recipe and a vegan, cashewbased alternative, check out the full version of this story online at www.cityscene columbus.com. Tyler Kirkendall is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at tkirkendall@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Zucchini & Ricotta Roll-ups • 8 oz. ricotta cheese • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese • 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh, flat-leaf parsley • 2 Tbsp. finely chopped chives • 4 basil leaves, chopped • 1 tsp. grated lemon zest • ½ lb. medium zucchini • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella Roasted Tomato Sauce • 3 lbs. of tomatoes For best results, roast tomatoes to bring out sweetness and concentrate flavor. Vineripened or cherry tomatoes work best. • 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed • ½ cup olive oil • Kosher salt • Freshly ground pepper • 4 sprigs rosemary • ½ lb. roasted cherry tomatoes • 1 Tbsp. butter
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Preheat oven to 400 F. Halve tomatoes and place on a baking sheet cut side down, drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until the skins begin to peel away, normally 20-25 minutes for heirloom tomatoes.
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Allow halves to cool slightly, then peel and discard the skins. Set aside 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Transfer the remaining cherry tomatoes, the tomato halves (including the juice), and garlic into a blender. Add whole basil leaves and pulse. Sauce should remain chunky. Transfer sauce to a pan that is safe in the oven, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook – stirring occasionally – until thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, parmesan, parsley, chives, chopped basil, lemon zest, 1 tsp. of salt and some pepper in a bowl. Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise with a mandoline and dry with paper towels. Spread a layer of ricotta mixture about ¼ inch thick onto each slice along with some mozzarella. Roll up the slices and place, spiral side up, in the pan on top of a layer of tomato sauce. Arrange remaining cherry tomatoes in the pan and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the cheese starts to brown and the sauce is bubbling, typically about 2025 minutes. Let cool for at least five minutes before serving. This recipe serves 4. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
February/March 2024 • 37
l iving by Tyler Kirkendall Photos courtesy of Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
A Conservationist’s Cask Installing a rain barrel to keep your water bill low and your thumb green
If you feel guilty every time you use the spigot to water your garden in the spring and summer, you may want to install a rain barrel in anticipation of this year’s growing cycle. A rain barrel is as simple as it sounds; it collects water, typically below the downspout of a gutter, that you can tap into at any time. The City of Dublin encourages the use of rain barrels, and its connection to Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) makes getting a proper rain barrel for your home simple. 38 • February/March 2024
How it works If you install a rain barrel for the first time this year, you may wonder why it took you so long given how simple it is. Unfortunately, it is not quite as easy as setting out a bucket and waiting for magic to happen. Your barrel will need a water supply, which most often comes from putting a diverter on your gutter’s downspout. Simply place the diverter, included with your rain barrel purchase, onto the spout and let it guide the water into your vessel. Any time you want to water your plants, place your watering can under the spigot and fill it up. Mikaela Mohr is the outreach program specialist at FSWCD and says the average
rain barrel holds 40-50 gallons. She also encourages emptying it once a week to get rid of pine needles, leaves or seeds from your roof and to prevent mosquitoes from taking up residence in your water stash. “And if you do actually have mosquitoes seeming to hang out in there, you can buy these things called Mosquito Dunks from Home Depot or Ace Hardware that are $10 or $15 a packet. … It will break down and release a toxin that’s only toxic to mosquitoes. It doesn’t bother people or pets or other animals,” Mohr says. A budding partnership FSWCD’s Community Backyards program offers an hour-long class that informs residents about backyard conservation. The www.dublinlifemagazine.com
Your Home Improvement and Repair Ally
program covers rain barrels, native plants, rain gardens, composting and more. At the end of a session, attendees receive a voucher for deep discounts on an approved conservation tool of their choice. “It’s super easy,” Mohr says. “They just hand over the voucher, they get the discount, they take the rain barrel home and they’re done. Or, they also have the option to buy from whatever store they want and submit it to us and get the check for reimbursement.” Courses typically take place in the spring and early summer, and Dublin is always on FSWCD’s list of communities to reach with its efforts. The City of Dublin partners with FSWCD to fund the vouchers and rebates that go towards Dublin residents’ chosen products. “Most of the rebates that we have every year in Dublin get handed out because it’s a limited number,” Mohr says. “This past year, we handed out most of them and met our goal, so I’m happy with that.” Debunking barrel myths Mohr says there are some errant beliefs about rain barrels that shouldn’t be holding homeowners back. “The major misconception I get a lot is that rain barrels are illegal in Ohio,” Mohr says. “They actually aren’t illegal in Ohio. They’re actually encouraged here in Columbus, obviously. But they are illegal in some western states that have severe drought conditions.” She says another major misconception is that people in an HOA or historic homes district – which includes many Dublin residents, of course – are not allowed to use rain barrels. She recognizes that these may cause tight aesthetic restrictions, and
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says that if you live in one such home you can simply put your rain barrel in the backyard or out of sight. “Another thing with installing them is there are a couple different kinds of rain barrels on the market,” Mohr says. “The ones we encourage are ones with a diverter hose.” The diverter hose allows water to flow back to the downspout once the vessel is full, rather than overflowing and releasing water where the barrel sits or pushing water back up the downspout. “(The program’s vouchers are) free money, right?” Mohr says. “You save money on your water bill, which can be really helpful. Especially if you have a big, robust garden that you’re constantly watering or you want to water your lawn. It can end up saving you money in the long run.” Tyler Kirkendall is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at tkirkendall@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Keep an eye on www.franklinswcd.org for updates if you are interested in the Community Backyards program.
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In November 2023, the average price of Dublin homes were up 10.6% compared to last year and sold at a median price of $537,000. On average, Dublin homes sold within 36 days of being on the market, seven days less compared to last year. A total of 60 homes sold in November this year, which is up from last year. (Data from Redfin)
Top Homes Sold in Dublin
43016
43017
6626 Traquair Pl. 5 beds, 3.5 baths $910,000 Sold 11/29/23
6089 Deer Bluff Pl. 2 beds, 2 baths $1,089,644 Sold 12/4/23
5701 Stockon Way 5 Beds, 5 baths $895,000 Sold 11/30/23
8121 Crossgate Ct. N. 4 Beds, 4.5 baths $1,024,650 Sold 11/7/23
6500 Ballentrae Pl. 4 Beds, 3.5 baths $865,000 Sold 12/5/23
3352 Courtyard Landing 3 Beds, 3 baths $900,000 Sold 11/9/23
4043 Domnall Dr. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $811,908 Sold 12/22/23
4875 Lytfield Dr. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $815,000 Sold 11/14/23
6500 Scarlett Ln. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $825,000 Sold 12/8/23
3289 Cleeve Hill 3 Beds, 4 baths $760,000 Sold 12/11/23
4157 Macduff Way 4 beds, 2.5 baths $800,000 Sold 11/28/23
6668 Mooney St. 3 beds, 3.5 baths $725,000 Sold 12/4/23
Information gathered from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office
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February/March 2024 • 43
write n e x t d oo r with columnist Colleen D’Angelo Photo courtesy of Colleen D’Angelo
Spicing Up Valentine’s Day 24 Valentine ideas for 2024 Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday this year, so the kids will be off to school to eat heart-shaped cookies while the parents head to work. A midweek Valentine’s Day, however, can make it trickier to carve out time to celebrate our love for one another. Of course, every day is a good time to share and spread love, so here are 24 ideas to get you started. While some suggestions are good for families and others are more appropriate for couples, most can be enjoyed throughout the year. And don’t forget Galentine’s Day on Feb. 13, when women are encouraged to celebrate their female friendships. Just for Two ❤ Create a playlist: Use any streaming service and create a good, old-fashioned mixtape. It’s a great way to share your feelings with your sweetie via song lyrics and he or she will think of you every time it plays. ❤ Learn to dance at home: Need a few moves for the dance floor at an upcoming wedding or night out on the town? This program will teach you 11 basic couples dance moves in the privacy of your home where you and your sweetie can watch the instructions as many times as you need and laugh the night away. datenight.showheroff.com ❤ Movie night: Make popcorn, root beer floats, milkshakes, and buy boxed candy like M&M’s or Good & Plenty. Romantic movie ideas include Serendipity, Sleepless in Seattle, Cutting Edge, About Time, When Harry met Sally and 27 Dresses. Mamma Mia! is a great movie for singing and dancing along during a girls’ night. 44 • February/March 2024
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❤ Take a quiz: Learn about the five love languages and find out whether you and your partner appreciate gifts, acts of service, physical touch, quality time or words of affirmation. www.5lovelanguages.com ❤ Wine and chocolate pairing: Have a few friends over and choose three wines and three different kinds of chocolates. I’ve done this with a dry malbec, fullbodied cab and sweet dessert wine. Write a description of which combination you enjoy and why. ❤ Virtual mixology class: Delve into creating unique specialty drinks like winter wonderland and warming cocktails at www.classbento.com. Or learn about making mocktails and spiced bubble tea at www.cozymeal.com. ❤ A Night Out: Head to Bridge Park for a romantic stroll over the Dublin Link Bridge and try a super, specialty, sweetheart cocktail at Z Cucina called Love Drunk Punch. ❤ Fine dining at …White Castle: This casual fast food restaurant transforms its dining room into a fine dining establishment for Valentine’s Day with hostess seating, tableside service and festive holiday decor. Make a reservation as they do fill up!
Family Activities ❤ Start a tradition: We have a birthday tradition that would also be fun to wake up to on Valentine’s Day. We hang streamers in the bedroom doorways so the kids have a fun surprise when they open their door in the morning. You can also cover their bed or floor with balloons or create a maze with string that they follow through the house to a sweet gift. ❤ Bake or cook together: As a mom of grown children, I miss baking with the kids and watching them develop important skills like measuring, pouring and stirring. I bought a heart-shaped baking pan years ago and we have produced many love-filled cakes. ❤ Simple acts of kindness: Challenge everyone in the family to perform several good deeds. Ideas for kids include holding the door open for strangers, telling your principal how great your teacher is, making someone else’s bed (imagine how surprised they would be), creating a get-well card, giving a candy bar to the bus driver or bringing your neighbor’s trash cans www.dublinlifemagazine.com
back to their house. Adults could pay for someone else’s coffee, send dessert over to another table at a restaurant, or wash and vacuum someone’s car. ❤ Craft together: Make valentine’s wreaths or signs that say Be Mine or Love. Trace kids’ little hands on pink paper and add some hearts. Now you can hang those up or laminate them on larger paper to use as place mats. ❤ Winter tubing/sledding/skiing fun: Mad River Mountain and Snow Trails both provide tubing and skiing adventures for the whole family. Scioto Park on Riverside Drive is a great place to enjoy sledding before heading home for hot chocolate. Fun for All
❤ Valentine breakfast: Heart-shaped
pancakes are always a winner, decorated with bright, red strawberries and whipped cream. I grew up on the East Coast where waffles and ice-cream are a treat, so we always made those for special occasions. Write the word LOVE out of chocolate chips and throw in some mini marshmallows for fun. ❤ Family or couple photos: Dress in red and use props like red or pink balloons and big plastic kiss lips. Plant a lipstick kiss mark on your child’s cheek, and make the heart sign with both hands. ❤ Take a scenic hike: Check out Indian Run Falls and Glacier Ridge Metro Park or check out www.traillink.com for a new nearby walk. ❤ Try a new sport: Learn to play pickleball at Pickle Shack or the Olympic sport of curling, at Columbus Curling Club. Both of these activities and locations offer beginner lessons and would be great for couples or families. ❤ Volunteering: Show your love for others by volunteering. Check www.volunteer match.org for opportunities in your area like helping at the Dublin Food Pantry, providing animal care at Colony Cats (& dogs), or driving patients to their appointments for the American Cancer Society. ❤ Play a game: Take the opportunity to deepen your relationship by asking and answering personal questions. Try board games like We’re Not Really Strangers, 36 Questions in Love and Uncommon Questions. A great game for families is Who Knows Me Better?
Fun with Friends You can make sure you don’t forget about your friends during this love filled holiday by hosting a Galentine Gallop. It’s like a bar hop with your girlfriends, where you order an appetizer and drink at every establishment and then call for an Uber ride home. I have another version of this called Dessert and Bubbles, where we visit three restaurants and order their most popular desserts along with champagne. It’s a great night out with the girls and always fun to create wonderful memories!
❤ Table talk: Go around the table and
say something that you love or admire about each person. If it is just you and your partner, recollect fun stories like the first time you saw each other or your first date. Remember a loved one who is no longer with you. Talk about why you enjoyed their company or share a humorous story with your family. It can be healing to remember our dear ones when talking about who and why we love. ❤ Heart shaped pizza: Share a pizza your heart with this fun, romantic treat, available at several Columbus restaurants. Try Massey’s, Donatos, Flyers, Mr. T’s Pizza, Carlucci’s and Joseppi’s. 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. February/March 2024 • 45
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Anthony Chin-Quee seemed like the model of success, working to become an ear, nose and throat surgeon after graduating from Emory University’s medical school. But no matter what he achieved, he couldn’t shake the feelings of depression and inadequacy that had long plagued those in his family. With honesty and humor, ChinQuee shares how mental illness rerouted his path in life until he found a way to forge forward on his own terms. How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks In his latest book, David Brooks explores the profound importance of seeing and being seen by others. Brooks explains in thought-provoking detail that not only is it a skill to be able to truly know someone and to make them feel valued, it’s also absolutely necessary for any healthy person, family or community. Readers will learn how we can do more for those around us to spread the joy that comes with being understood. The Wildest Sun by Asha Lemmie The Wildest Sun follows one woman on her worldwide journey to find the man she believes is her father, Ernest Hemingway.
On the cusp of adulthood, Delphine is desperate to find the person she thinks might hold the key to who she’s meant to be. And as an aspiring writer, she can’t resist knowing if she’s really Hemingway’s daughter. This dazzling and transportive novel will take readers from Paris to Harlem to Key West. The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng It’s 1921 and Lesley and Robert are living in Penang. When an old friend, writer Willie Somerset Maugham, stops by for a visit, no one expects the life-altering changes in store. Unhappy with his marriage and career and searching for material for a new book, Maugham turns his eye on Lesley – what is she hiding? An affair? Ties to the Chinese revolution? The House of Doors is a captivating novel based on real events. The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri In The Book of Fire, Christy Lefteri tells the stunning story of a town in Greece that’s forever altered one fateful day by a sweeping wildfire. Irini, a musician, stumbles upon a body in the aftermath of the fire – the body of the man who started it. Out of anger, she makes a snap decision, one that haunts her as she and her family attempt to search for meaning in what was once their home.
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, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Location TBD. Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain by Andrew McCarthy As his son was entering adulthood, Andrew McCarthy wanted to spend more time with him and proposed the two make the 500 mile trek across Spain's Camino de Santiago. This travel memoir shares the honest conversations, ranging from divorce to Flaming Hot Cheetos, of this father and son duo as they come closer together. www.dublinlifemagazine.com
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