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Excellence embodied
to
The Forbes rating is compiled by SHOOK Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12-month period ending March of the prior year.
They were also named as one of Forbes America’s Top Wealth Management Teams High Net Worth for 2024. The Forbes rating is compiled by SHOOK Research and awarded annually in November based on information from a 12-month period ending in March of the award year. Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice.
We invite you to explore what this level of leadership, dedication, excellence and trust could mean for you and your family with Muirfield Wealth Partners.
Muirfield Wealth Partners
UBS Financial Services Inc. 5007 Horizons Drive Columbus, OH 43220 614-442-6240
advisors.ubs.com/muirfieldwealth
Prestigious recognitions of a dedicated team For more information on third-party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designationdisclosures. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that you understand the ways in which we conduct business, and that you carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to you about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the client relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationshipsummary, or ask your UBS Financial Advisor for a copy. © UBS 2024. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. ACC_04242024-6_v3 IS2400091 Exp.: 04/30/2025
Congratulations
Muirfield Wealth Partners for being Ranked #1 in Ohio, by Forbes, as a Best-In-State Wealth Management Team for 2024.
West Side Story
Dublin’s Historic Land Acquisition
I am pleased to share exciting news regarding the City's strategic land acquisition of approximately 243 acres in the West Innovation District. This investment, valued at $44.6 million, encompasses SportsOhio, Shepherd Excavating, Carter Farms and includes parcels in Franklin and Madison counties.
O’Callaghan
This acquisition represents a signi cant milestone in advancing City Council's strategic framework and visionary goals, as well as the Envision Dublin Community Plan, Economic Development Strategic Plan and Parks and Recreation Plan. The additional land provides us with new opportunities to advance our economic development initiatives, enhance transportation and expand recreational amenities that bene t our community.
A crucial aspect of this acquisition is that the largest parcel to the east will enable the completion of University Boulevard, which will further improve north-south connectivity, extend public utilities, and unlock additional economic development potential in the West Innovation District. These e orts are aligned with our goal of positioning Dublin as a city of choice, attracting businesses, visitors and investors alike.
Moreover, this acquisition holds great promise for further establishing Dublin's future as a premier sports destination. By leveraging both Darree Fields and SportsOhio, we aim to create enhanced indoor and outdoor athletic facilities and programming that will serve our community's needs while hosting regional and national sporting events. This vision reinforces our commitment to o ering top-tier recreational amenities.
In the meantime, SportsOhio has agreed to manage the facilities in a manner that is generally consistent with current operations for up to one year following the closing. This period will allow the City to understand the current operations better, assess any immediate maintenance needs, and identify a timeline and budget to transition to municipal operations. In the longer term, the City plans to utilize a sports management company to oversee the complex's operations, ensuring nancial sustainability. The OhioHealth Chiller, which is owned and operated by the majority owner of the Columbus
Blue Jackets, is not part of this acquisition and continues to operate its ice sports and recreation programming.
The Shepherd Excavating parcels will be leased back to the seller for up to four years to allow time to relocate the existing business. The adjacency of these parcels to Darree Fields and SportsOhio could develop into additional recreational opportunities, businesses that support such operations, or provide for a maintenance facility to service the recreational amenities.
In addition to recreational enhancements, the Carter Farms parcels also present an exciting opportunity to plan for future economic development and multimodal transportation. Combined with land the City already owns to the east, this area is positioned for the long term as a prime location for a future passenger rail station as part of the regional public-private e ort to reconnect Central Ohio to the nation’s passenger rail network, including the Midwest Connect corridor from Chicago to Pittsburgh.
Additionally, the railroad represents a signi cant asset for many types of development, and the City could negotiate with an employer to secure a development on this land. In the meantime, these parcels will continue to be farmed, which allows the City to qualify for lower property taxes.
Our collaborative e orts will ensure this investment is scally responsible. We are nancing the purchase from the City's general fund and parkland acquisition fund, with the debt projected to be retired in three to six years, depending on income tax revenues.
This strategic acquisition marks a signi cant step forward in Dublin's growth and reinforces our long-term vision for a vibrant, connected, thriving community. Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we work together to shape the future of our city.
Sincerely,
Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager
Megan
CommunityCalendar October|November
All events are subject to change. Visit websites for more information.
WEDNESDAYS THROUGH NOV. 20
Food Truck Wednesdays
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 5200 Emerald Pkwy. www.dublinohiousa.gov
TUES., OCT. 1
Taste of Dublin
5:30-8 p.m.
The Wendy’s Company 1 Dave Thomas Blvd. www.dublinchamber.org
THURS.-SAT., OCT. 3-5
A Walking in the Woods by Abbey Theatre of Dublin Thurs. and Fri.: 7 p.m. Sat.: 1 and 7 p.m. Abbey Theatre of Dublin 5600 Post Rod. www.dublinohiousa.gov
SUN., OCT. 6
Sundays at Scioto: Hoodoo Soul Band
5-7 p.m.
Scioto Park
7377 Riverside Dr. www.dublinarts.org
SAT., OCT. 12
Running of the Bullies
9 a.m.
Scioto Park
7377 Riverside Dr. www.buckeyebulldogrescue.org
FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS, OCT. 11-27
Boo at the Zoo 10 a.m-8 p.m.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 9990 Riverside Dr., Powell www.columbuszoo.org
Photo courtesy of Buckeye Bulldog Rescue
Running of the Bullies
FRI.-SUN., OCT. 11-13
Vintage Home Market – “Welcome Home” by the City Mercantile
Fri. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Franklin County Fairgrounds 4100 Columbia St. www.thecitymercantile.com
THURS.-FRI., OCT. 17-18
City of Dublin Halloween Spooktacular
Thurs. 4-8 p.m.
Fri. 1-5 p.m.
Coffman Park 5600 Emerald Pkwy. www.dublinohiousa.com
THURS., OCT. 17
Night Market at North Market
Bridge Park
6-9 p.m.
North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org
THURS.-SUN., FRI.-SUN., OCT. 24-27, NOV. 1-3
See No Evil presented by Abbey Theater of Dublin
Oct. 24-26, Nov. 1: 7 p.m. Oct. 27, Nov. 3: 2 p.m. Nov. 2: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Abbey Theater of Dublin 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov
THURS., OCT. 31
Grand Wine Tasting at Tucci’s 6:45-10 p.m.
Tucci’s 35 N. High St. www.tuccisdublin.com
SAT.-SUN., NOV. 2-3
Club Ohio Fall Classic
SportsOhio
6314 Cosgray Rd. www.clubohiosoccer.com
SUN., NOV. 3
Because You Can 5K 10 a.m.-noon
Dublin Jerome High School 8300 Hyland-Croy Rd. www.runsignup.com
FRI., NOV. 8
Taste of the Market Gala 7-10 p.m.
North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St. www.northmarket.org
SAT., NOV. 9
Harvest Market at Bridge Park 9 a.m.-midnight
Bridge Park 6741 Longshore St. www.thedublinmarket.com
MON., NOV. 11
Dublin Veterans Day Ceremony
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Grounds of Remembrance in Dublin
Veterans Park
77 N. High St. www.dublinveterans.com
FRI.-SUN., NOV. 15-17
Disney’s Descendants: The Musical presented by Abbey Theater of Dublin Fri.: 7 p.m.
Sat. and Sun.: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Abbey Theater of Dublin 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov
FRIDAYS, NOV. 22-JAN. 5
Wildlights 5-10 p.m.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 West Powell Rd., Powell www.columbuszoo.org
FRI..-SUN., NOV. 22-24
City Jail by Abbey Theatre of Dublin Fri. and Sat.: 7 p.m.
Sun.: 2 p.m.
Abbey Theatre of Dublin 5600 Post Rod. www.dublinohiousa.gov
SUN., NOV. 24
Not Your Mama’s Holiday Craft Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Exchange 6520 Riverside Dr. www.notyourmamascraftmarket.com
THURS., NOV. 28
Flying Feather Four Miler 9-11 a.m.
The Club at Corazon 7155 Corazon Dr. www.theflyingfeather.com
On December 30th, 1944, Everett Criss found himself caught in the midst of World War II. Stranded in a minefield with no radio contact and surrounded by Germans, Everett and his comrade, James Houston, were faced with seemingly unbeatable odds. Their task: return to headquarters with a message for the Infantry that the city was under siege.
After completing the mission, Everett faced multiple years of painful surgeries to remove shrapnel that nearly destroyed his legs. Fighting against all odds, Everett not only survived, he in turn helped prevent the destruction of Moircy, Belgium.
Roughly 80 years later and 20 years since his passing, Everett’s son Karl Criss flew to Belgium for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. In honor of Everett and Houston’s heroic trek, a monument was built for their valor. Karl and Everett’s wife, Lois, share the lasting legacy of the man they love.
Born into war
Everett (Bob) Criss was born in 1925 in the city of Akron. Upon his graduation from high school at the age of 17, he joined the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP).
As World War II spread throughout Europe, the U.S. army was in dire need of additional troops. After a brief semester in the ASTP, the program was shut down and Everett, along with many other young men, soon found themselves serving as privates in the 87th Infantry Division overseas in Belgium.
While in the village of Moircy, Everett’s unit was under attack and lost communication with the headquarters
Hometown Hero
Everett Criss’ legacy as a World War II veteran
Photos courtesy of Karl Criss faces by Amber Phipps
Everett Criss
Criss and wife Lois
when someone accidentally drove away with the only radio the group had.
Once they recognized they were being hit with friendly fire, their orders were to inform headquarters that some of “C” company, still remained in the village.
As they focused on avoiding Germancontrolled roads during their journey back to headquarters, Everett and Houston came to a startling realization that they were heading into a snow-covered minefield. They survived by stepping onto tracks that were left by other people who had walked through the snow. Upon returning to headquarters, the message was relayed and a cease fire was ordered.
That would not be the last time Everett had a close call. While taking up position in a farmhouse in Bonnerue, three German tanks attacked.
As he ran to exit the farmhouse for cover, he was met with another surprise.
“Dad was going down the stairs and the [“C” company] bazooka man probably didn’t realize dad was coming and fired and it went right by his face,” says Karl Criss, the youngest of Everett’s three sons. “He’s had so many close calls.”
While the first was taken down, the second German tank fired on the farmhouse. The blast threw shrapnel at Everett, hitting his arms and legs resulting in severe injuries.
Post-war life and career
Everett’s injuries resulted in two years of surgeries and an honorable discharge from the army.
Site of farmhouse in Bonnerue where Criss was wounded.
Karl Criss at the 87th Infantry Museum.
Trisha DeLong, CISR
Andrew DeLong, SCLA, AINS, AIC
Upon his return to the States and release from the hospital, Everett married Lois during the winter of 1948 and two years later he graduated from the University of Akron with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.
Everett had an extensive career, starting at Goodrich in Akron and ending at General Electric after working there for about18-20 years.
“I think my memory of dad was that he was just so smart. He was a problem solver, and anything electrical or mechanical he could analyze and fix, he just wasn’t really patient at explaining his knowledge to others,” says Karl. “And he loved to travel.
“We went through the Panama Canal one summer, we went to Hawaii a couple of times, and we took a couple of tours in Europe, Norway, part of Russia,” says Lois. “And we took a tour of the Greek Islands.”
A lasting legacy
Everett Criss lived in Worthington for about 23 years before moving to Muirfield.
Upon his early retirement, Everett got involved in a plethora of projects around Columbus and stayed an active member of the community.
During this time Everett served as the president of the American Society of Professional Engineers where he spent several years devoting his time to organizing and building relationships with the members of his chapter.
Everett was a man of many accomplishments. After surviving the war, raising a family and establishing a successful engineering career, he underwent a triple bypass surgery, which was relatively new in 1976, and went on to live for another 28 years.
Even after Everett’s passing, his legacy continues to impact and inspire. After surviving multiple extensive surgeries and enduring the painful memories of war, the mayor of Moircy, Belgium awarded Everett with a Belgium War Cross in April 2000.
As Belgium celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge earlier this year, a monument was dedicated to Everett and other soldiers recognized for their heroic efforts.
“I think he’d be very proud, and I think he’d be really shocked after being awarded the Belgian War Cross. He probably thought that was the end of this,” says Karl. “What surprised me when I was there is the gratitude that the people in that area still feel toward the American miliary.”
Amber Phipps is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at aphipps@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Everett Criss’ son, Karl(center), attending the Battle of the Bulge 80th anniversary and monument dedication in his father’s honor.
city of dublin
by Rebecca Myers
Photos courtesy of the City of Dublin
Honoring Our Shared Dublin Past
Historically Black cemetery is dedicated after more than 150 years
A family tree. A found gravestone. A phone call.
All these pieces have played their part in restoring a historically Black cemetery in Dublin that had been lost to memory around the turn of the 20th century. The Brown-Harris Cemetery, which sits at 6540 Shier Rings Rd., envelops an enduring story of family history and a collective purpose to properly honor the interred.
The City of Dublin entered this tale after purchasing a parcel on Shier Rings Rd. in 2016. However, it was unknown that at least 22 graves sat underground until a civil engineering firm hired to study the
property rediscovered a multi-grave cemetery in 2020.
The firm, EMH&T, helped the City connect archaeological records and accounts from previous landowners to determine that the cemetery’s property had once been owned by Mary Harris. A freed family originally enslaved in Virginia, Harris and her relatives traveled to a plot in the Dublin area granted to them through their emancipation in the 1840s. She then married James Brown, connecting the two families for which the cemetery is now named.
Census records suggest a timeline in which the John Rings family acquired Mary Harris Brown’s property and likely
removed grave markers for farming in the early 1900s. EMH&T also unearthed a record of a possible cemetery from local historian Bill Likens, who had discovered a headstone on the site in 2004 when looking for Native American artifacts. An interview with Likens shed light on stories from Rings relatives who also thought a cemetery sat on the land, and relentless research from EMH&T archaeologists kept this history alive.
Connecting the Dots
Standing in a different cemetery more than a thousand miles away in New Mexico, Joe Howard, a man already interested in exploring his family’s genealogy, de-
Joe Howard, dressed in plaid near the center, represents his Harris ancestors at the Brown-Harris Cemetery dedication in June 2024.
cided to answer an unknown call. An interview with Likens shed light on stories from Rings’ relatives who also thought a cemetery sat on the land, and relentless research from EMH&T archaeologists kept this history alive.
“I got this phone call, and it wasn’t on my contact list, so I almost just deleted it or hung up,” Howard recalled. “He wanted to tell me they found this cemetery that had some of my relatives … so I listened.”
“That was five years ago, and away we went,” Howard said. “With [EMH&T’s] help and the City of Dublin, we made it happen.”
So began a journey of strategic restoration and development among the Brown and the Harris descendants, EMH&T and the City of Dublin’s landscape architects.
“We were involved in everything,” Howard said of supporting the design as a representative of the Harris family. That included choosing the plants, stones and elements of the cemetery’s new monument. “I just didn’t realize it would be that wonderful, that they wanted to make sure that the family had everything they wanted … it was all left up to us.”
Honoring Ancestors
During a warm, blue-skied morning, jazz music mixed with the buzz of visitors awaiting the June 28 dedication ceremony for the Brown-Harris Cemetery. More than 100 people gathered to listen to speeches, poems, a ground blessing and the storied history that led to that moment of deference for those buried. The date was chosen to coincide with Juneteenth commemorations centered on African American history.
“I’d like to take another opportunity to share my gratitude to all the family descendants here today – and those who could not join us – for their enthusiasm and yearslong commitment alongside the City to make this cemetery such a revered space,” said Dublin City Manager Megan O’Callaghan during the ceremony.
“Your contributions, not only to your ancestors but to our community as a whole, will not be forgotten. This cemetery is now a dedicated place for our current and future residents, and visitors alike, to learn from and to honor.”
While the cemetery’s history is complex, the tranquility that has stemmed from the restoration is not.
“My wife and I will visit this quite often, this place. Just sit here and think about things,” Howard noted after the event. “It’s a wonderful site. I’m really happy to have it. It’s part of our family.”
Anita Howard Dixon, a Brown relative who also attended the dedication, reflected on her own personal story.
“We knew of Mary Brown as our greatgreat-great grandmother but had no idea about our connection to this land. So, being able to acknowledge that and seeing how much work was put into this is very heartwarming for our family.”
Stella Howard, another descendant of the Browns, expressed her sorrow that those buried would remain unnamed. She said, after years of waiting, the almost-forgotten space now can ensure the history of her foremothers and fathers will not be erased.
“If I just want to come by myself and have a conversation with my ancestors, I can,” she said. “I am thankful for this place.”
Theresa Hopkins Dearing, standing next to the newly dedicated cemetery, encouraged
all to visit the sacred ground set aside to recognize her Brown family connection.
“We want to honor our loved ones, our past. We need to keep track of our ancestors because they’re the reason that we’re here today.”
Rebecca Myers is a public information officer for the City of Dublin. Feedback welcome at rrmyers@dublin.oh.us.
Read the Brown and Harris family statements, discover a detailed historical timeline and view photos and video from the dedication event at dublinohiousa.gov/brown-harris-cemetery.
by Maisie Fitzmaurice
Escaping Education
Former Dublin student’s nonprofit provides unique hands-on learning
By the time Laksh “Lucky” Dhir was old enough to drive, he was already piloting his own educational nonprofit known as STEMscapes. He was planning and leading hands-on experiments for Dublin City Schools in elementary and middle school classrooms to ignite a passion for STEM in every child.
While he ran into a few bumps along the way, Dhir learned some valuable lessons that helped him make a truly better experience not only getting students excited about learning, but also finding ways to inspire kids to see all the possibilities STEM can offer.
Escaping the norm
When Dhir first began his program, he realized that reaching his goal of educating students about STEM was less straightforward than he initially expected. After a few visits to classrooms, Dhir recognized two problems with his traditionally conducted experiments.
One realization came during a ‘lava lamp’ experiment when students began shaking their homemade plastic bottle lava lamps, trying to mix the oil and water ingredients together.
“Do oil and water mix?” he asked the students.
“No!” they answered in unison.
“Then why are you shaking your bottles?” he replied.
Dhir realized that even though the students knew that oil and water didn’t mix, they weren’t conceptualizing and applying it to a real-world situation. He also noticed that students seemed to focus more on completing the steps on a paper handout, rather than thinking critically and learning through the experience.
He contacted Charles Hill at COSI for advice. Hill informed him that handson experiments are great for generating excitement around learning STEM topics. But, while the students may feel inspired during the experiment, it likely won’t be enough to continue that interest after the activity is completed.
Dhir thought back to an escape room he had tried a couple of weekends prior.
Photos courtesy of City of Dublin
Laksh Dhir
One of the STEAMscapes team members teaching the STEM program to students.
There were no instruction manuals on how to solve the puzzles to successfully exit the room, but he remembered every challenge he had to complete and how he did it.
He thought to himself, ‘What if I created an activity with a similar structure that could help keep students inspired even after the experiment is completed while effectively teaching STEM?’
Thus, STEMscapes was born.
“(In an escape room) you don’t know anything that’s happening, and you’re not given an instruction manual that you can follow. You’re just working through it, and that’s basically how we try to do STEMscapes,” Dhir says. “We just give kids a bunch of STEM puzzles without any instructions and provide more materials than they need. You’d be surprised, even 5-year-olds are able to create things like oxygen at such a young age and learn all these things with this technique.”
This method proved successful as Dhir sees students initially uninterested in STEM become captivated by the escape room simulation. Some even ask Dhir for advice on how they can get involved with STEM concepts.
“They’re no longer thinking about doing STEM, they’re trying to solve a game or a puzzle. So, while they’re learning, it goes out of their mind that they’re in a school environment learning. So that’s a really unique thing about it,” Dhir says.
Leveling up
Now a pre-med student at The Ohio State University, Dhir didn’t initially intend on
When working with a monochromatic palate, it’s important to layer the different tones and sheens. Doing so will give it visual interest, movement, and comfort in a subtle way. Remember to balance whites with warmth using materials such as wood stains and brass.
DANCE MOVES
IN COLUMBUS!
continuing his nonprofit. However, ignoring his passion left him feeling unfulfilled and he quickly jumped back in.
STEMscapes was recently chosen for a $50,000 grant through Ohio State’s first Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship President’s Buckeye Accelerator competition.
Through the brand-new Keenan Center, Dhir and his team have the opportunity to receive guidance and career advancement mentorship.
“I know previous graduating classes definitely didn’t have all the opportunities that we had,” he says. “I’m very grateful for what we have right now. I think the changes made by the university were definitely for the better to offer these opportunities.”
What started as a high school project between Dhir and a couple of friends has now grown to a team of 18 people, many of whom are fellow Dublin City School alums, with plans to add 10 more.
These team members offer their time and expertise to create curriculums and share ideas for new STEMscapes programming. Together they have created STEMscapes experiments with themes including missions on Mars, Antarctic adventures and even rocket fuel engineering.
Real-world scientists
As of now, each STEMscape is created to fit an educator’s specific needs rather than offering a standard escape room procedure which is how Dhir prefers to keep it.
“I feel like if we target standardization with standardization, then you’re not solving the problem,” he says. “We need the personalization, and we need more people to work on it and more personalized elements, at least in the STEMscape rooms we’re providing, rather than making sure everything is standard and scalable in the same way.”
Nothing could replace dedicated teachers and traditional learning materials, Dhir says. This is why STEMscapes provides educators with modules they can present to students to further review the concepts.
However, textbooks and worksheets alone are often less effective than hands-on learning when it comes to real-world applications.
“I took organic chemistry and a professor taught us this whole curriculum and at the end of it, he’s like, ‘Just to let you know, only about 20 percent of what I taught actually happens in real life, the 80 percent is just in ideal conditions,’” Dhir says.
Another advantage of hands-on learning is preparing students for possible STEM careers down the road.
“What if they’re working in the field, or if they want to pursue a career in STEM, what does the stem process look like of
Top -BalletMet performs at the 2019 Columbus Art Festival. Photo: Greg Bartram. Left -Dance performance at the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival.
Photo: Terry Gilliam. Right -Ballet Folclorico Xochihua performing at the 2024 Columbus Arts Festival. Photo: McKenzi Swinehart
experimenting, ruining things, having trial and error, how to use materials conservatively, so it gives that exposure at a young age,” Dhir says. “…Companies like Intel and Honda are bringing factories here and they’re wanting kids to come out of high school and go and work in the manufacturing plants they’re making.”
Over time there are some aspects of the escape rooms that have been enhanced, including the addition of checkpoints to make sure each child in a group is learning and not just following the steps of another teammate.
STEMscapes hopes to continue improving its methods and expand its educational method outside of STEM topics and traditional classrooms into places such as after-school programs and other science spaces.
“Hopefully, we (can) also partner with science centers and museums to have engineered escape rooms that are established in their location, so when students come in, alongside the exhibits, they could work through problems in real-time to test their knowledge, which I think would be a really cool addition through all the three fields of education that are primarily emphasized.”
When looking back on his own childhood, Dhir remembers the impact others had on him when he moved to Dublin from Atlanta while in middle school. He says if it weren’t for his educational experience, his fellow Dublin alums and the values instilled in him by his community, he wouldn’t have had the courage and inspiration to create this successful nonprofit as a teenager.
“Coming into Dublin made me realize that there’s a lot of emphasis not just on academics with STEM, but anything that you’re interested in,” Dhir says. “Dublin is one of the few places where you’re in an environment where it’s almost encouraged to take all these risks.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Dr. Kristin Thomas Dr. Kristin Thomas
Signatures of Heroic Service
Dublin organizations support veterans with traveling art piece
By Maisie Fitzmaurice
H H H H H
The American flag symbolizes hope and pride for many, especially those who served or are currently serving under it.
Through the Veterans Stand Across America project, U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, Joe Pisano, took this iconic flag and created a 3D art piece representation, hoping to unify, celebrate and raise awareness for veterans and their sacrifices, all across the nation.
Joining in on the project, various states have implemented their own versions of the artwork. In Ohio there are two Dublin organizations, Dublin A.M. Rotary and Resurrecting Lives Foundation, that have led the effort with their copy of Pisano’s flag.
What is Resurrecting Lives?
Resurrecting Lives was founded more than 10 years ago in Dublin to bring awareness and support for the disproportionate number of veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and to prevent veteran deaths by suicide.
Veterans often return home with invisible wounds including damages sustained from blows to the head during combat. These injuries can have devastating consequences on these individuals and many of those affected struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in addition to a TBI.
Symptoms of these conditions look different for each person but the underlying feeling of emotional and physical discomfort is widespread. Those who suffer from TBIs and PTSD are at a greater risk of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
“Oftentimes they just don’t feel like themselves and they don’t know why, and so ‘How do I address that?’ I either strike out or I look for some other form of medication, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, to try to make me feel, or at least ignore the feelings that I have,” says Skylar Burgess, a Dublin resident, U.S. Air Force veteran and vice chair of the board of Resurrecting Lives Foundation.
Seeing fellow veterans and friends take their own lives, Burgess knows that these injuries aren’t always easy to see or discuss, but are crucial to address.
“People that you would meet and think that that’s the furthest thing from their mind, and then when it happens, it’s like, ‘How did that happen? How did we miss it? What signs were there that we didn’t pick up on that might have made a difference?’
Those kinds of experiences, and while it didn’t happen often, it’s happened, and losing one is one too many.”
Project and future impacts
The piece commissioned by the Rotary and Foundation is framed by a white background where Ohio’s veterans are encouraged to sign their names.
“The art project is just a very tangible thing to see and feel the emotion of the art that Joe has put together and shared across the country,” says Dublin A.M. Rotary Secretary Claudia Trusty. “It is part bringing veterans in and part creating awareness, part helping families realize the pressures that veterans are going through and part fundraiser.”
The Ohio piece was unveiled a year ago at the National Veterans Memorial Museum and continues to circulate throughout the state, stopping at various regional Rotary chapters where it is displayed at meetings and local events. It has made local appearances at events including the Dublin Irish Festival, Memorial Tournament weekend and a Columbus Clippers game.
Chief Petty Officer Joe Pisano
Dublin AM Rotary and Resurrecting Lives honors Ohio's veterans at the 2024 Memorial Tournament Pro Am Event.
Did You Know?
Ohio has the 4th largest number of veteran residents in the nation. The state with the largest number of veterans is California, followed by Texas and Florida.
“We’re a third of the size of Texas population-wise so we have a disproportionate number of veterans relative to the population compared to some other states,” says Skylar Burgess, Dublin resident, U.S. Air Force veteran and vice chair of the board of Resurrecting Lives Foundation.
“The purpose of our flag and taking it out to different communities is to be able to reach those veterans and say, ‘Here we are. Let us help you. Let us make you aware of opportunities, or situations, or programs that may be available with the situation you’ve encountered as a result of your service,” says Dave Williamson, U.S. Air Force veteran and chairman of Dublin A.M. Rotary’s Veterans Affairs Committee. “It’s also a plea to the com-munities to help support people within their communities that may have incurred situations that they’re not aware of.” While Resurrecting Lives stresses the impact of TBIs and how we can support those within our communities, it also works with veterans acclimating back into society after military service, connecting them to resources regarding employment, education, healthcare and more.
One factor that Burgess has found to be important to helping veterans retain employment and more importantly, a positive state of mental health, is frequent connection with other veterans, something he was able to advocate for during his time working at Deloitte Veterans recruitment.
“We did a study because we were hiring a bunch of veterans but we were losing them at three times the rate we were losing our nonveteran (employees) and what we found out is that veterans coming off of active duty, moving into the civilian workforce, just don’t have that same connection that they had in the military and so, at Deloitte, we developed a mentorship program, so they had a buddy that they could rely on and count on,” he says. “Our retention rate went up 200 percent, and so we look at those things as veterans coming together.”
Resurrecting Lives has also made an effort to promote awareness and education surrounding the quality of health and life for veterans, working with Congress to pass legislation and creating a film detailing traumatic brain injuries titled Brainstorms All these efforts are made to cultivate a greater sense of pride and support for our nation’s veterans.
“I have a little plaque on my desk that says our flag does not fly because the wind moves it,” Williamson says. “It flies with the last breath of a soldier who died protecting it, and that’s how it all comes to the bottom line. It’s freedom under the flag that we have that we want to preserve and that’s what veterans have represented year after year. It’s because of the actions of a few that many are able to enjoy a lot more.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com
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Up to Serve
National Fire Prevention Month brings attention to Washington Township fire safety
By Juliana Colant
The Washington Township Fire Department is one call away, and its service knows few bounds.
“The fire department is a cornerstone in every community,” says Washington Township Fire Department Fire Marshal Sam Parsons. “It’s developed over the last 25-30 years to become an all-hazards agency.”
Some of the situations the team handles include fires, medical emergencies, handling hazardous materials, water rescues and safety education.
October marks National Fire Prevention Month and is a time for people to refresh their memory on fire safety and the resources the fire department provides.
Commitment to community
Throughout the year, the fire department hosts programs open to the community, such as Stop the Bleed, which teaches how to prevent someone from bleeding to death before medical personnel arrive.
The department also has babysitter training programs to teach youth how to care for children and medical practices to know if a situation arises. In the local high schools, they teach CPR and also offer it at their administrative offices.
At any time, a community member can request a fire inspector to walk through their home to help identify fire risks. The department also hosts an annual open house for residents to see their facilities.
“We’ve been very blessed to have a fantastic community to serve and ask so much of us,” says Washington Township Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief John Donahue.
The department teaches general fire safety in local schools, including lessons such as how to crawl under smoke and feel a door for heat as well as a cooking safety program for students.
“We find that they are home alone after school as mom or dad or their caretakers work,” says Parsons. “Once they get home, they’re hungry and the number one cause of residential fires in the United States is kitchen fires.”
The children learn best practices to prevent kitchen fires, such as not leaving an appliance unattended and cooking free from distractions, such as cell phones.
In addition to schools, the department works closely with the Dublin Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, especially for community events.
Photos courtesy of Lindsay Hummer and Vincent Nobel
“We meet monthly, almost weekly, prior to large events such as the Memorial Golf Tournament, our July 4th celebration and the Dublin Irish Fest, to ensure that the residents and the visitors to the City of Dublin are safe from a fire risk as well as crime risk,” says Parsons.
Sometimes, police can be the first to arrive on a scene before medical personnel, so the department helps them be prepared by teaching officers how to do CPR and use AEDs.
Staying prepared
The most effective fire safety tool is a working smoke alarm, which acts as the nose of the house, says Donahue.
“We’ve seen so many deaths throughout the state of Ohio where there hasn’t been working smoke detectors,” says Donahue.
Parsons says everyone in the house should know what sound the detector makes, and if they hear it, leave the house immediately. And, smoke detectors don’t last forever.
“Many people don’t realize that they do have a lifespan,” says Parsons. “We routinely find that people in their homes have smoke alarms that are 10-plus, 15-plus, even 20 to 25-year-old detectors.”
Some smoke alarms require routine battery changes twice a year while others have a 10-year battery, at which point the detector should be replaced.
Another tool to have in the home is a fire extinguisher. Parsons recommends the best spots to place them are in the basement by the utility area and the kitchen. Similar to smoke alarms, fire extinguishers also need to be replaced every ten years.
“Anybody that has questions on what type or size of a fire extinguisher would be good for their home, apartment or condo, can always feel free to reach out
Remember P.A.S.S when using a fire extinguisher:
Pull the pin
Aim the extinguisher nozzle
Squeeze the trigger handle
Sweep back and forth at the fire base
to the prevention bureau of Washington Township,” says Parsons.
Achieving accreditation
The Washington Township Fire Department is internationally accredited. It’s maintained this honor since 2007 based on its service and performance compared to industry best practices.
In addition, it has an ISO class 1 rating. The ISO sets fire department standards for operational effectiveness, and insurance companies use this class to set their rates in the area.
“We want to be great stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” says Donahue. “We want to be transparent in every expenditure to ensure that they have the confidence in us that we’re utilizing the money and funding that they provide to provide the best protection to them.”
Being accredited by the Center for Fire Accreditation International and having an ISO class 1 rating makes the department one of 117 departments in the United States and one of only four departments in Ohio to have both distinguished achievements, according to the Washington Township Fire Department.
Keeping the community at the forefront drives the Washington Township Fire Department to serve its residents and educate them on fire safety practices during National Fire Prevention Month and year-round.
“Our doors to all of our facilities are open,” says Donahue. “Anytime anybody would like to come and see the fire stations, talk to a firefighter, please, by all means, stop in and we are honored to be able to serve our community.”
Juliana Colant is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Top Fire Safety Tips
• Change your smoke alarm every 10 years and routinely check its battery life
• Have a home escape plan. Know two ways to exit and have a meeting point outside of the house.
• Close your doors before you go to sleep.
• Have a working fire extinguisher in an easily accessible spot.
• Regularly clean home fireplaces.
• Keep proper clearance around candles, leaving space away from decor and children.
Bringing Helpful to Your Home
good ideas
by Maisie Fitzmaurice
Photos courtesy of
Funding the Future
Dublin Education Foundation celebrates 25 years
Over the years, Dublin City Schools (DCS) has earned a reputation for being one of the most innovative districts in the state. When community members and educators work together, the opportunities to grow that reputation are endless.
Dublin Education Foundation (DEF) serves as a bridge between the schools and the community, pulling resources together to make educators’ big ideas a reality.
In the past four years, DEF has funded 69 grants, impacting thousands of Dublin City Schools’ students.
Going above and beyond
When a teacher has an idea for a new learning experience or a need for learning materials, they can pitch it to DEF’s board of community volunteers who decide how to allocate the organization’s funds.
DEF President, Melissa Bogner, and Vice President, Deb Papesh, lead the
organization’s efforts. Its grants have funded extraordinary projects under Papesh and Bogner’s leadership, and with the organization’s further advancement in the works, it plans to continue providing them.
“People think that Dublin City Schools, because of our wealth structure, in a community where we pass levies, that teachers have everything that they want,” Papesh says. “They have much of what they need and want in buildings, but it’s those great projects outside of what is brought into a classroom, like a
coding project or something like that, that extends the learning.”
During the 2023-2024 school year, DEF funded a variety of projects across grade levels throughout the DCS district. These included PocketTalk portable translation devices at Scottish Corners Elementary School, STEAM coding and LEGO robotics at Grizzell Middle School, as well as Scioto High School’s Purple Star Club veteran projects and immersive history experiences that connect high school and elementary students with hands-on social studies field trip opportunities.
Additionally, a couple of elementary schools in the district received communication stations installed at their playgrounds where students can point to visuals to communicate common wants/ needs to their peers or educators. This is especially helpful for students with English as a second language (ESL) and those with auditory or speech impediments.
Behind the scenes
Bogner, a former finance employee at Charles Schwab, works with fundraising and strategically allocating funds. Papesh, a former kindergarten teacher, has an extensive background in early education and assists teachers in writing grant pro-
posals and connecting with other helpful organizations in the community.
Both are residents of Dublin and love the area. Papesh’s two children graduated from Dublin City Schools and she currently has grandchildren in the district. Her daughter, Katie, teaches at Olde Sawmill Elementary.
Boegner’s three children attend Karrer Middle and Glacier Ridge Elementary Schools. Prior to becoming an active volunteer with the City and Schools, Bogner worked for Charles Schwab focusing on retirement planning.
Future impact
While celebrating its 25th anniversary, the organization is looking to the future and planning ways to raise funds. Using her financial expertise, Bogner worked with the Columbus Foundation to set up an endowment fund to help foster longterm financial growth.
“We started doing a little bit more long-term planning and asking how can we grow and how can we help double our funding so we can double that impact within the classrooms,” Bogner says. “How can we be a better steward to our teachers? And so we came up with having a five-year plan to build an endowment that would help essentially fund the next 25 years.”
Last February, the organization held its first celebratory fundraising event, showing parents and other members of the community the unique and cuttingedge learning that DCS is able to provide through DEF.
“I think one of the most impactful things we did is we had teachers sit at a table with community members for them to hear those stories of what goes on in the classroom,” Bogner says. “To have them talk about the projects and the thought that goes on in their classrooms is what captures the community and really gets them excited to invest and support an organization like DEF.”
Papesh has volunteered her time to Dublin City Schools and supporting organizations for 31 years. With more exciting initiatives to come, Papesh and the rest of the DEF team don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“Seeing an idea come to life, there’s nothing like it, and for me,” Papesh says. “Being able to see it on that end, and then seeing it as somebody on the board helping to accrue those funds so that other people can enjoy that, that is everything to me.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Artfulperspectives
Art on the Move
“Accessible Expressions Ohio” travels to Dublin Arts Council
By Katy Marque
In November, Dublin Arts Council will be the final stop for Accessible Expressions Ohio, an annual statewide exhibition featuring Ohio artists with disabilities.
Each year this diverse multimedia exhibit travels to accessible sites throughout Ohio, from April through December, to raise awareness about artists with disabilities
while inspiring their own creativity. For 2024, Dublin Arts Council will be the exhibition’s final destination, on view from Nov. 9-Dec. 19.
Art that inspires
The exhibition is organized by Art Possible Ohio, a statewide nonprofit organization that bridges the arts and disabilities, and advocates for inclusivity and accessibility.
Since the exhibition’s inception in 1996, Accessible Expressions Ohio has showcased the artistic vibrancy of more than 1,500 artists and this year is no exception. This year’s themes of self-care and mental health are skillfully woven into the 2D and 3D artwork in the categories of youth, emerging and professional artists.
The exhibition features braille labels and guides, and special sensory experiences. All artwork proceeds benefit the artist in full, to fuel their creative journey.
“As an artist with a disability myself, while also dealing with intersections of race, gender and education, I understand what it is like to feel underrepresented in certain spaces,” says Simone Robinson, director of programs for Art Possible Ohio. “And that is why we do the work that we do at Art Possible Ohio. We want art to be accessible for everyone, by everyone, no matter the visible or invisible disabilities and barriers that may stand in the way.”
As a community arts center, Dublin Arts Council is honored to be selected as the culminating celebration for this inspiring showcase of talented artists. The Council strives to be a welcoming space where everyone, regardless of ability, can feel comfortable to visit, learn and experience art. The organization hopes
Photos courtesy of Art Possible Ohio
Three Ships Time Traveling by Arlo Wren Esposito
Magic of the Seasons by Dakota R.
this project will help support local artists as they continue their pursuits and flourish through art.
Empowering artists to share their story
To join the exhibition, Dublin Arts Council is collaborating with Art Possible Ohio and local and national artists to offer a full schedule of community events to inspire and empower artists.
In mid-November, Dublin Arts Council will host Texas-based artist John Bramblitt for a special artist-residency. Bramblitt is a professional visual artist whose artwork has been sold in more than 120 countries.
His commissioned portraits include skateboarder Tony Hawk and blues legend Pops Carter. He has received three Presidential Service awards for the art workshops he teaches and has given talks all around the country including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bramblitt is blind, having lost his eyesight later in life.
“Art had a way of coming to me as a child when I needed it,” Bramblitt says. “And when I thought I’d lost it, it came back into my life and put a new vision in my life.”
He now spends his time painting and teaching others the joy that art can bring.
“Everybody has a problem; everybody has something in their life that’s bigger than they are; and we have to face it, and we can’t do it alone,” he says.
During his time at Dublin Arts Council, Bramblitt will host community painting workshops where he will teach participants and exhibition artists techniques that mimic his way of painting through touch. He also plans to offer live painting demonstrations and share his story. He hopes people will connect, leave happy and be ready to take on whatever lies before them.
Ohio artists will also be invited to share their stories.
In late November, Dublin Arts Council and Art Possible Ohio will present a film screening event at the Dublin Arts Council gallery. The event will showcase the premier of an independent film created by an Ohio artist with a disability. In December, exhibition artists will share their artistic methods in community artmaking and movement workshops.
This program is made possible by funding from PNC Arts Alive. A full schedule of community events can be found at dublinarts.org. For special accommodations, please call 614-889-7444 or contact curious@dublinarts.org.
Katy Marque is the Education and Development Manager at Dublin Arts Council.
Dublin Arts Council is located at 7125 Riverside Dr.
Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Fri., and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. every second Sat. of the month.
The Accessible Expressions Ohio exhibition will be on-view Nov. 9-Dec. 19. Gallery visits are free and all are welcome. Stay curious with us at www.dublinarts.org
Kaleidoscope by Wenn Yockey
school connection
by Cassie Dietrich
Photos courtesy of Dublin City Schools
Building a Strong Foundation
Dublin City Schools summer projects wrap up with major upgrades
With the close of summer, Dublin City Schools proudly unveiled a series of completed projects for its students, staff and community. Thanks to revenue from local property taxes, the district was able to embark on these projects, ensuring a safe, enriching environment for all.
A new roof overhead
One of the major undertakings this summer was a complete roof replacement at Deer Run Elementary School and the first phase of a roof replacement at Davis Middle School.
The new roof installation at Deer Run was a critical project for Dublin City Schools. Over the years, Deer Run has grappled with persistent issues stemming from the original installation of the roof.
Despite previous refurbishments in 2017, the challenges resurfaced in 2023 when cold temperatures and precipitation led to ice formation on the roof. The Board of Education declared the Deer Run
Elementary roof replacement project an urgent necessity in February.
Replacement began immediately following the last day of school and was completed by the start of the current school year.
“Maintaining our facilities is an ongoing priority,” says Dublin City Schools Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen. “The new roof at Deer Run Elementary was much-needed and helps preserve the longevity of the building itself.”
The Davis Middle School roof project is being completed in two phases due to the volume of work. By dividing the project into two phases, the Operations team avoids construction happening during the school year. This maintains the quality of the learning environment and prioritizes the safety of students and staff.
Turf transitions
In addition to the Deer Run roof replacement, Dublin City Schools made significant upgrades to the athletic facilities at Scioto and Jerome High Schools. Both schools saw the installation of new turf on their high school stadium fields.
This addition enhances safety and performance for student-athletes and ben-
efits the district fiscally, as turf proves to be a cost-effective alternative. Unlike traditional grass fields, turf requires minimal maintenance, resulting in substantial long-term savings for the district. Turf can also be rented out for use more frequently, and tolerates inclement weather conditions better than grass.
“Upgrading the stadium turf is an investment in our facilities,” says Jerome Athletic Director Jay Schwanke. “It drastically reduces costs of upkeep, and it insulates our athletic programs from the inconsistencies that come with unpredictable weather and ongoing maintenance. In other words, turf provides a playing surface that is predictable and safe. As an added bonus, it increases our athletes’ performance by allowing them to focus on what matters: the game, their team, and their overall growth and success.”
Playgrounds revitalized
Dublin City Schools also took advantage of the summer months to refresh and upgrade playgrounds at six elementary schools across the district. These playground improvements are part of the district’s broader goal of creating engaging, safe and accessible play spaces for all students.
New roof at Deer Run Elementary.
Chapman’s upgraded playground.
The schools benefitting from these playground upgrades include Chapman, Pinney, Riverside, Scottish Corners, Thomas and Wright elementary schools.
Each playground was customized by the school’s principal to fit the building’s specific footprint and needs. This enhances inclusivity, ensuring that children of all abilities can enjoy and benefit from these outdoor spaces.
Safety was also a key consideration, with the district opting for the latest in playground surfacing and equipment that meet stringent safety standards. All playgrounds will come with a mix of playground mulch and poured-in-place rubber pathways to swings and other various structures.
Looking forward
While these completed summer projects mark significant progress, Dublin City Schools is also excited about the ongoing construction of Bishop Elementary on Cacchio Lane and the expansion of the district’s preschool facilities. Both projects are on track, reflecting the district’s careful planning and commitment to addressing the needs of its growing student population.
Bishop Elementary, named in honor of former bus driver and community icon, Deane Brown Bishop, is set to become a cornerstone of the district’s educational facilities.
The school will incorporate modern learning spaces designed to support a variety of instructional methods and foster collaborative learning. The design includes ample natural light, flexible classrooms, and state-of-the-art technology, ensuring that Bishop Elementary will be a place where students thrive.
“Breaking ground on Bishop Elementary is a significant milestone for Dublin City Schools,” says Marschhausen. “We are looking forward to opening a school that will serve the needs of our community for generations to come. Our goal is to create an environment where every student can achieve their full potential.”
New turf at Scioto and Jerome High Schools.
The expansion of the DCS Preschool facility is equally important, addressing the growing demand for early childhood education in the district. The preschool has already outgrown the centralized location it moved to in 2020.
Fortunately, the approval of the bond issue has provided the resources for a much-needed addition. By increasing capacity and modernizing the existing preschool space, Dublin City Schools aims to provide more young learners with a strong foundation, setting them on a path to academic and social success.
The project, which will increase the school’s capacity by 190 students, broke ground this summer and is on schedule to open for the 2025-2026 school year. The addition includes six 900-square foot classrooms and a 1,600-square foot gymnasium.
A community effort
These summer projects, both completed and ongoing, are a direct result of the community’s support and investment in the future of Dublin City Schools. The approval of the 2023 levy and bond issue has empowered the district to address pressing infrastructure needs, enhance learning environments and plan for the future growth of the community.
“These projects are a testament to what we can achieve when we come together as a community,” says Marchhausen. “We are committed to using the resources provided by our taxpayers wisely, ensuring that every student has access to a safe, supportive and high-quality educational experience.”
Cassie Dietrich is a Public Information Officer at Dublin City Schools.
Bishop Elementary under construction.
student spotlight
by Amber Phipps
Photo courtesy of Dublin City Schools
Coaching Fever Dublin Coffman wrestling coach’s impressive career
“I kind of got the coaching bug,” says Chance Van Gundy, the wrestling coach at Dublin Coffman High School.
Chance has been wrestling for as long as he can remember. Raised in a family of athletes, he always felt drawn to the rush of adrenaline that comes with friendly competition.
“I consider myself very lucky to have coached all of the driven and successful wrestlers I’ve coached throughout the years. Their drive and discipline are what makes coaching fun,” says Van Gundy.
Early life
Van Gundy was born and raised in southeast Columbus in the mid ‘70s. His childhood along with his older brothers, Casey and Clancy and their youngest sister, Courtney, was filled with sports and athletic feats of all kinds. All four siblings participated in various sports from football to baseball to wrestling, which Van Gundy took up a particular admiration for.
At 8 years old, Chance started wrestling and continued pursuing the sport into high school and through college. He attended Groveport Schools before transferring to Bloom Carroll halfway through his junior year.
After only a year and a half at Bloom Carroll, Van Gundy earned a spot in its Athletic Hall of Fame for his excellence and sportsmanship. He wrestled all throughout college and graduated from Ashland University with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and a minor in coaching.
Van Gundy finds a lot of his inspiration from his son and daughter who are both invested in sports and work hard to achieve their goals. Similarly to when he
“It’s not all ‘did you win or lose’ but having that growth mindset.”
was growing up, his son Blaze is pursuing athletic goals in wrestling.
“My son is also a huge inspiration. He, much like a lot of my wrestlers, works extremely hard and lives a healthy lifestyle to be as successful as they possibly can,” says Van Gundy.
Career of coaching
Van Gundy has spent 25 years of his life teaching and coaching. His years of dedication and hard work paid off after taking on a few coaching positions at various schools throughout his career.
“I was a head wrestling coach right out of college, I’ve never been an assistant coach,” says Van Gundy.
Once he moved back to Columbus a little more than 20 years ago, he coached for several different schools before landing his current coaching position at Dublin Coffman High School where he has been for the past 12 years.
Throughout his time at Coffman, Van Gundy has established a reputation for himself as a wrestling coach. He recently received the Columbus Dispatch’s Allmetro Coach of the Year award in honor of his dedication to the sport and the kids on the team.
Despite the awards and team titles he has won, Van Gundy chooses to measure success through the outcome of the wrestling teams he coaches.
“I’m trying to get them to look at it from a different angel and not have such a fixed mindset. It’s not all just ‘did you win or lose’ but having that growth mindset,” says Van Gundy. “Did you get better today? Are you one percent better today than you were yesterday? What did you do to make that happen?”
Amber Phipps is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at aphipps@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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dublin dishes
by Juliana Colant
Photos courtesy of Brooke Dionisio
Cooking Across Cultures
Global Gourmet teaches students about food
around the world
Global Gourmet isn’t a traditional home economics class. On a given day, the class could be cooking huevos rancheros, making eclairs or hand-rolling pasta. However, basic cooking skills are not required.
“Sometimes we’ll have kids say, ‘I’ve never cracked an egg. I’ve never used the stovetop,’ so we have all different levels of experience,” says Linda Wharton, a Dublin Jerome High School family and consumer science teacher.
Wharton has taught the class for 25 years, and it is the most popular among all three high schools.
The class began in 1987 and initially covered only three countries. Since then, it has strived to reflect Dublin’s growing student
diversity with each school covering an average of six countries each semester.
“As we get to know our students, we start incorporating things from their cultures, things that students are interested in or want to share,” says Wharton.
Students actively help shape the curriculum, providing a firstperson perspective about their background and experiences.
“It’s always fun when I have stu dents who are from a region that we’re studying,” says Brooke Dionisio, a family and consumer science teacher at Dublin Scioto High School. “I usually like to talk with them and see what they want to add to it or if they make this at home, what their family does when they prepare this.”
Students can take the class starting sophomore year all the way through senior year and experience the class in groups, rotating jobs for each recipe.
“It’s beautiful to see over the course of 18 weeks, how close these kids get, and kids that started out really nervous about trying new things, develop a lot of confidence,” says Wharton.
Cooking skills carry outside of the classroom and become a part of family life.
“The absolute best is when they tell me they made something at home and they send me a picture of it or their parents will see me out and about and they tell me how their kid came home and made the gnocchi with pesto sauce last night for dinner and it was fabulous,” says Dionisio.
For some students, the class can unlock a career passion. Many students have gone on to open restaurants and bakeries and become professional chefs.
“It’s great too for the students who think they might be interested in our culinary program that’s offered in the Career Tech Center,” says Dionisio.
Zeppole made by Dublin Scioto students Toni Abrams, Brody Kurowski, Nathaniel Evans and Christian Price.
Potstickers made in Dublin Scioto’s Global Gourmet class.
Dublin Scioto student Brayden Hueter making creme brulee.
Students leave the class more confident in themselves and knowledgeable about different cultures.
“Everyone goes away, realizing, ‘Oh, we all have a lot more in common than we thought’,” says Wharton.
Juliana Colant is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Fried Rice
This is a popular recipe that the classes make every year and make at home a lot as well.
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3 cup cooked rice
• Meat (optional) ie. chicken breast, pork, shrimp, etc.
• 2-3 Tbsp. oil for cooking
Sauce:
• 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
Prepare all ingredients, including beat the eggs, chop the onion, cook the rice, cube meat as well as combine sauce ingredients.
Heat wok, or skillet with tall sides, and drizzle 1 Tbsp. oil. Scramble the eggs in the hot oil and set aside.
If you are adding meat, drizzle 1 Tbsp. oil into pan and cook meat. Remove and set aside.
Drizzle pan again with 1 Tbsp. oil. Cook onions, peas and carrots, then add rice. Heat thoroughly.
Stir the sauce into the fried rice combining thoroughly. Add in cooked ingredients that were set aside.
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Fall into the Season
How leaves can affect your seasonal maintenance
Dublin Leaf Collection
Leaf collection begins Oct. 7 for Zone 1 and Oct. 14 for Zone 2. To prepare for the season, the City of Dublin advises:
• Rake your leaves curbside or on the curb, but never the street. Help keep the city clean by staying up on your raking.
• Have your leaves ready for pickup by the Monday of each pickup week. Pickups will begin that day at 7 a.m. and proceed until 6:30 p.m. each day until the end of the week.
• Put out biodegradable bags for yard waste pickup on the weeks that City crews are not doing leaf collections in your zone
Autumn is full of pumpkin-flavored drinks, sneaking pieces of chocolate from your kid’s candy bags and the beautiful gradients of fallen leaves. Coming down from spring cleaning, lawn care might not be at the top of your fall to-do list, but those gorgeous leaves can cause a lot of trouble and they aren’t the only things to keep in mind during fall clean-up.
A lawn of leaves
You’ve seen it before. As fall begins, homeowners can’t help but admire their luscious trees as they shed their colorful leaves all across their lawns and driveways. But, the best way to take care of these leaves differs from lawn to lawn.
Lawn care is overlooked in the colder months but is just as important as your mowing and fertilizing in the summer. Avoiding raking can lead to pile-ups with unwanted animals nestling into your lawn.
Keeping your lawn fertilized ensures wellnourished and fortified soil for the winter. This should be done at least one month after your summer fertilizer and two to four weeks before the first frost of the winter. A general rule of thumb is anywhere between mid-October to early November.
Mowing it down
The functions of grass go well beyond growing back green in the spring. A key factor in healthy grass is its ability to retain moisture and fight off unwanted diseases
from festering. In the colder months, it can be trickier to maintain a healthy lawn, but there are a few tips that can help.
Don’t stop mowing in the fall. Keeping your grass trimmed is not only appealing to the eye but will help keep insects and weeds at bay. However, as the months get colder, slowly decreasing your grass length can help fight mold and get your lawn prepped for winter. A two to three-inch length is the sweet spot for trapping moisture ahead of the freeze.
Mowing over small amounts of leaves can help disperse nutrients into your soil, in turn making your own fertilizer. This process is known as mulching and is an all-natural approach to dispersing some of the local nutrients from your trees, such as carbon and nitrogen, into your grass. By doing this, you can save money on fertilizer, keep your grass healthy and get rid of unwanted leaves in your yard.
However, be mindful of how many leaves you mulch. Mulching too frequently or too many leaves can cause matted piles, which block the sun and trap disease. This may cause your lawn to mold or die from unlivable conditions.
Pack it up
small animals from taking shelter in your outdoor couch cushions.
If you’re a fan of holiday decorations, you might have a motorized, blow-up prop in your front yard. While the leaves are falling, check the motors and vents every few days to prevent electrical fires or mishaps. When the holidays are over, opt for a plastic bin to store your decorations as opposed to leaving them loose in a shed or garage.
Don’t Leaf Anything Behind!
As fall wraps up, don’t forget about those gutters. After the trees have shed all of their leaves or when there is a significant buildup, make sure to schedule a cleaning. Not looking to clean them out every few weeks? Ask your gutter guy if gutter guards are for you.
Mary Nader is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mnader@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Photo by: Terry Atkin
Photo by: Tom Seely
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CUTLER REAL ESTATE www.dublinhomes.com Alli Close (614) 726-9070
kitchen w/quartz counters & SS appliances. The screened porch & two level deck let you enjoy the outdoors all season long!
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Just Sold! This remarkable 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home, located just minutes from Bridge Park, sold above asking price in a single weekend! The great room boasts a stunning wall of windows, while the updated kitchen features granite countertops and a spacious island. The beautifully remodeled owner's en suite is a retreat. Call now to find out what your home is worth.
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Ayrshire Farms in Dublin offers 30 elegant single-family homes amid 2.5 acres of greenery and ponds. Modern farmhouses feature stone foundations, hardy plank exteriors, metal roofs, and classic black-and-white windows. Choices include two-story, single-story, or multi-level designs with first-floor owner’s suites. Each home includes a three-car garage and a full basement, starting in the $700s. RE/MAX Premier Choice www.Ayrshirefarmsdublin.com
Top Homes
Sold in Dublin
In July, Dublin home prices were 4.7 percent up from last year, with a median price of $586,000. Dublin homes sell on average after 36 days on the market, two days more than last year. There were 11 more homes sold this July compared to last year.
43016
8543 Gatto Ln.
5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths
$990,000
Sold 7/17/24
6470 Scarlett Ln. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$957,453
Sold 7/22/24
5709 Ennishannon Pl. 4 beds, 4 baths
$911,000
Sold 8/8/24
6713 Swickard Ct. 4 beds, 4.5 baths
$899,000
Sold 8/26/24
8283 Riverside Dr. 5 beds, 4 baths
$888,000
Sold 7/17/24
4378 Yellow Wood Dr. 5 beds, 5.5 baths
$888,000
Sold 8/28/24
43017
3248 Wolf Ridge Dr. 3 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,126,500
Sold 8/22/24
8240 Davington Dr. 5 beds, 4 baths
$1,100,000
Sold 8/13/2024
8380 Somerset Way 5 beds, 3.5 baths
$990,000
Sold 8/6/24
95 N. Riverview St. 2 beds, 2 baths
$949,000
Sold 8/5/24
8255 Inistork Ct. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$930,000
Sold 7/30/24
8418 Beeswing Ct. 4 beds, 4 baths
$875,000
Sold 8/21/24
Information is collected from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
write next door
with columnist Colleen D’Angelo
Photos by Colleen D’Angelo
Homemade Halloween
Family traditions and memories of Halloween costumes
I have vivid Halloween memories of my brother dressed as the Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz, sprinting from house to house, losing straw from his stuffed arms and legs with every step. Not learning his lesson, the next year he opted for the Tin Man, and as I watched my mom wrap his appendages in Reynolds Wrap, I knew the local streets would soon be lined with aluminum foil.
The tradition of homemade costumes continued with my children, but I stepped it up and learned to sew. My girls were Renaissance princesses, brides, kitty cats and witches, all of which I crafted from scratch. My son always challenged me with his costume requests such as Poliwrath from Pokémon, a loaf of Wonder bread and the ultimate challenge of a severed head on a picnic table.
The fun stages include figuring out the design and construction with your family members and shopping for the necessary parts at craft stores or Goodwill. And, of course, the joy of assembling all the pieces for the debut on Halloween week is amazing.
I connected with some people in the city to see what costumes and stories they had made with their families over the years.
A good and bad witch
Sarah Metzger took her girls to see “Wicked” when they were 8 and 10, and they loved it! Metzger adores Halloween and loves creating homemade costumes so she was thrilled when they agreed to go as the Witches of Oz.
“I’m not a seamstress but I can pull things together with thread and hot glue adequately enough,” says Metzger.
She added cotton fabric to a pink hand-me-down dress they owned and added tulle for the puffy sleeves and skirt. The crown was constructed out of mesh plastic canvas, silver tulle and iridescent gems for sparkle.
“I love the crown so much that I can’t bring myself to get rid of it!” Metzger says.
Elphaba’s outfit consisted of a black shirt with ruffle details and a skirt from Goodwill. Her candy bucket was a witch’s cauldron, while Glinda’s was a plastic fish bowl with silver tulle for a handle.
Metzger recommends using green eyeshadow applied with makeup sponges for a smooth, evenly toned green complexion, and you will be ‘popular.’
Buckeye buddies
The Spillman family members are all big Buckeye fans, so helping their son, Mitchell, transform into Brutus was a fun project. Mom, Anne, remembers making paper mache masks when she was a child so they utilized that concept for the mascot head.
“We used a large, round, punching balloon and applied several layers of paper and the watery-flour mixture,” she says.
The Mannings, another family making a Buckeye costume, used pillows and a kidsized football helmet inside their Brutus head for fifth grader, Dean.
“I used white duct tape to make the 33 and two double zeros on the jersey,” says mom, Monica. “You can’t find a Brutus head anywhere to purchase.”
Barbie girl
Heather Koch’s family has had a tradition of using toys as inspiration for their daughter, Lillian’s, costumes. In 2020, they made it relevant to the times by creating Quarantine Barbie. Lillian wore her canceled dance recital costume and a mask. Inside the box they included a roll of toilet paper and sanitizer. She won first place in Dublin’s costume contest that year!
Feathered friend
Katy Brown’s daughter, Emily, was obsessed with flamingos in fifth grade. After searching the internet for costumes, she decided to make one herself.
“I bought a glue gun and over 300 feathers from Amazon, and watched TV while hot gluing feathers onto a pink shirt.”
The tutu consists of tulle wrapped around a belt and Emily borrowed sunglasses from someone she knew.
“It was worth every feather because Emily loved that outfit,” Brown says.
Dynamic duo
The Bukey family love the movie Dumb and Dumber with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Their son and his friend wanted to be the main characters from the movie for Halloween.
Chad Bukey decided to get creative and make the van using wood, wheels and carpet remnants.
“It wasn’t really school appropriate but all of the neighbors and kids had a great time with it while trick-ortreating,” says Jackie Bukey.
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.
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bookmarks
From the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library
By Hannah Burkhard, Librarian Supervisor at the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library
The Faculty Lounge: A Novel by Jennifer Mathieu
Baldwin High School is in for quite a year. When the teachers throw a memorial service for a recently deceased substitute on school grounds, they set off a chain of events that throw the school into a tailspin. Full of hilarious moments and oh-so-real insights, The Faculty Lounge is a love letter to teachers and an instant bestseller.
It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant
It’s Elementary is a fast-paced and quick-witted mystery that leaves readers guessing until the very end. Channeling her experiences as a teacher, Bryant answers the question of just how far some parents are willing to go to give their children everything. This story has humor, heart and a school psychologist with great forearms!
The Phoenix Ballroom: A Novel by Ruth Hogan
Now a wealthy widow, Venetia Hargreaves is ready to follow her passions, which include restoring the ballroom that used to be her dance studio. But Venetia’s plan to rediscover herself ends up as so
lpappas@cityscenemediagroup.com
much more than she ever hoped for in this inspiring new story from the bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
On Thriving: Harnessing Joy Through Life’s Great Labors by Brandi Sellerz-Jackson
For readers of Glennon Doyle and Lori Gottlieb’s I Think You Should Talk to Someone, comes an inspiring and soul-stirring new book about how to stop simply surviving and start thriving. Brandi Sellerz-Jackson, a renowned doula, teaches readers how to remain present when tackling life’s toughest labors.
A Very Private School: A Memoir by Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer
From Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, comes a new book about an antiquated boarding school system and the lasting impact of its culture of cruelty. Drawing from his own harrowing memories and those of his schoolmates, Spencer walks readers through the pain and hopelessness experienced by so many youths with the hope of helping himself and others reclaim their lost childhoods.
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, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Location TBD.
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Unfold the lives of three women that become intertwined by the discovery of a long-lost letter and 1970's underground abortion network in Toronto known by its code name: Jane. Follow along with Angela Creighton, the letter reader, as she tries to find the original intended recipient so they can hear its life-shattering confession.
