Garden to
Plate
youare the reason for everything we do.
at Mount Carmel, you are the most important patient we could possibly have. your health and well-being are at the center of everything we do. you are the reason we assemble the best medical teams. and why we invest in the best equipment. at every moment, in every decision, we work closely with you and your family to deliver the care that’s best for your unique situation. so you can get better. so you can heal. so you can live, work, play, love.
I love to cook. If my mom were alive today to hear me say that she would laugh and laugh. Of all the household chores the six of us kids had to perform every day, cooking was my least favorite. I was the pickiest of eaters as a kid and was often sick of the same dinners over and over again... always with some variation of tomatoes, beans, or potatoes involved since we lived on a farm. Today, that’s considered ‘clean eating’ where you could pronounce everything you were consuming and it didn’t come out of a box or bag and fast food wasn’t readily available. Back then dinner was dinner. Take it or leave it. Boy! I heard that a lot. Lately it seems the conversation has arisen many times about how people are so far removed from their agricultural roots these days. When we were kids in the 60’s there were still lots of working farms around central Ohio. Even if our friends didn’t live on a farm they had relatives (grandparents, or even great-grandparents) that made their living off the land so they knew what it meant to ‘go out and pick tomatoes’ or ‘husk corn’ or ‘hoe weeds.’ Now it seems we think our produce should be picked off a shelf at a grocery store or worse yet, come in a plastic container from a drive thru window. We all do it. I do it. But I feel better if I know where at least part of my meal came from. I think we could all use a little ‘garden to plate’ change in our diet these days. Fresh is best, frozen is good too, but homegrown is where it’s at. Won’t you consider a garden this year? There are many new varieties of vegetables that do well in containers or in small areas. Even if it’s a pot of leaf lettuce grown on your patio or a hanging basket of strawberries...something you know where it comes from before it enters your body... something that goes from your garden to your plate. Best,
Bee Fisher Kocher Bee Fisher Kocher, and her husband, Brian, own and run Fisher’s Gardens on SR 256 in Olde Reynoldsburg. Check out some of Bee and Brian’s recipes on their website at www.fishersgardens.com.
mountcarmelhealth.com
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1540 Truro Ave., Reynoldsburg, OH (614) 861-5700 fishersgardens.com
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building character for your character
pickerington Magazine TM
781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202 Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241
inside
Chief Executive Officer
Kathleen K. Gill
President/Publisher
Dave Prosser Lynn Leitch Christa Smothers Garth Bishop excellence in piano instruction is our only businesssm
piano lessons bring out the best in your child spring sampler: april 8 - may 17
adult spring sampler: april 8 - may 31
209 north hamilton road • columbus • 614.755.2424 60 old west wilson bridge road • worthington • 614.436.6076 www.conservatoryofpiano.com
Lisa Aurand Duane St. Clair
Read more online at www.pickeringtonmagazine.com! 4 Calendar
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7 News and Information from the City of Pickerington
www.cityscenecolumbus.com Charles L. Stein
April/May 2013
9 News and Information from Violet Township 12
Chief Creative Officer Controller
faces Boss of the Baton
North student pioneers drum major position in school’s marching band
Creative Director
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Editor Contributing Editors
in focus Book Bonanza
Consortium’s new members mean many options for library-goers
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on the table Better than Bananas
Holly Butcher Allison Dalrymple Amanda King Morgan Montgomery
Contributing Writers
Molly Pensyl
Advertising Director
Historical Society’s new book chronicles Pickerington’s saga one photo at a time
Advertising Sales
Post Prom Proponents
Gianna Barrett Julie Camp Nick Lannan Pam Henricks Tausha Sundermeier Circulation:
Pickerington grad’s burger business is going gangbusters
20 Picture the Past
Dedicated volunteers draw students to safety-minded after-prom events
p.16
For Bookmarks visit www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Marketing/Promotions Manager 614-572-1240
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com CityScene Media Group also publishes: CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Westerville Magazine www.WestervilleMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com The Publisher welcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings, photographs or story ideas to consider for possible publication. Enclose a SASE with each submission or email gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage. The appearance of advertising in Pickerington Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Pickerington. Pickerington Magazine is published in June, August, October, December, February and April. Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Pickerington, Ohio. For advertising information or bulk purchases, email Molly Pensyl at mpensyl@cityscenemediagroup.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Pickerington Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A.
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community calendar Mark your calendar for these community events MAY 2013
APRIL 2013 April 4
Central Ohio Interurban Railroads 7:30 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com Richard Barrett gives a presentation on early city-to-city railroad routes at the Historical Society’s monthly meeting.
April 5-15
Restaurant Fundraisers Uno Chicago Grill, 1720 Hill Rd. N., April 5-7; Kingy’s Pizza Pub, 7470 Hill Rd., Canal Winchester, April 9; La Fogata Grill, 1849 Winderly Ln., April 15; www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com These events – book signings for Images of America: Pickerington by Christine A. Bryant, the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society’s new book – raise money for the society’s efforts. Coupons can be obtained via the website above, by calling 614-382-5989 or emailing pickhistsociety@hotmail.com.
April 6
Open House 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com The first open house of the year features signings of Images of America: Pickerington and tours of new exhibits, including an early 20th Century furnished bedroom on the first floor. Museum open houses are held every Saturday.
April 16
PPL Book Club 7-8:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The Pickerington Public Library’s book club meets to discuss Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks.
April 18-21
Pickerington High School North presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Pickerington High School North, 7800
Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12. oh.us, 614-830-2750 North’s theater department puts on the stage musical based on the smash hit.
April 20
Arbor Day Celebration 10:30-11:30 a.m., Sycamore Park Arboretum, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net Celebrate Arbor Day and Pickerington’s designation as a Tree City USA with a tree planting ceremony, a flag presentation, recognition of third-grade essay contest winners, refreshments and music by the Pickerington Community Chorus.
April 22
Earth Day Open House 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Pickerington Water Reclamation Plant, 525 Hill Rd. S., www.pickerington.net The city celebrates Earth Day with tours of its water plant.
April 23
Not Your Mother’s Library
Book Club 7-8 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The book club discusses My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall.
April 23, May 28
May 2
Hide and Seek
7:30 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com Pickerington resident and cemetery authority Nancy Ottman speaks at the Historical Society’s monthly meeting.
May 16
Secrets of the Cemetery
Franklin County Immunization Clinic
May 3
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The clinic is closed from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
6-8:30 p.m., Columbus and Center streets, Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.com A donation gets the donor a map and chocolate treats at participating Olde Pickerington Village Business Association shops. Proceeds benefit the Pickerington high schools’ after-prom events and Olde Pickerington Village community events.
April 27
Drug and Electronics Collection 9 a.m.-noon, Violet Township Service Center, 490 N. Center St., www.violet.oh.us Violet Township, the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office and Lancaster-Fairfield County Recycling & Litter Prevention hosts a drug and electronics collection and document shredding opportunity.
Olde Pickerington Village Chocolate Hop
Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us, 614-548-1800 Central’s Independent Theatre class presents a dinner theater thriller by Lezley Havard.
Discover the Dream 6 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, www.stjude.org/discoverthedream The zoo is the site of the eighth annual St. Jude Discover the Dream gala, hosted by Jack Hanna. Highlights include cocktails, silent and live auctions, and dinner catered by Preston Catering and Catering by Cox. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for a table of 10.
May 18
Julianna’s Wish Car Show
May 4
Pickerington Community Chorus Spring Concert 7 p.m., Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. N., www.pickeringtoncommunitychorus.com The vocal group’s spring concert’s theme is “Best of Broadway” and the show features Broadway favorites.
May 12-14
Pickerington High School Central presents
1-5 p.m., location TBA, www.juliannaswish.org The seventh annual Julianna’s Wish event features food, live entertainment and a car show to raise awareness for Prader-Willi Syndrome.
May 20-23
Pickerington City Schools Concerts Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd.; Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity
Way; www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Concerts this week include Central orchestra at 7 p.m. Monday; the North band at 7 p.m. Tuesday; the Ridgeview Junior High School choir (at Central) at 7 p.m. Tuesday; the North, Lakeview Junior High School, Heritage Middle School and Toll Gate Middle School orchestras (at North) at 7 p.m. Wednesday; the Central choir at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; the North choir at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; and the Central band’s Memorial Day concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
May 25
Pickerington Community Pool Opens Noon, Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr., www.pickerington.net The pool opens for the season. Early bird discounts on season passes are available through April 30.
May 28-30
Pickerington City Schools Concerts
Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd.; Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way; www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Concerts this week include the Ridgeview band (at Central) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; the Lakeview choir (at North) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; the Central band at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; and the Heritage, Toll Gate and Lakeview bands at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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INSIDE
PICKERINGTON
NE W S & INF OR M AT ION F R OM T HE C IT Y OF P I CK E RI N G T O N
Pickerington Sees the Forest for the Trees
Urgent care. Pediatric expertise. Childrens Right in Canal Winchester. 7901 Diley Road, Suite 150 (614) 355-9050 40 70 NationwideChildrens.org/UrgentCare Monday – Friday: 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: noon to Refugee 8 p.m.Rd. Canal Winchester Close To HomeSM Center
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You should always call your child’s doctor first. 33
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The city of Pickerington is not only recognized as the Violet Capital of Ohio, it is also known as a Tree City USA. This special designation has been awarded to Pickerington by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for 20 consecutive years. To qualify for the honor, the city must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. Those standards are designed to ensure that, regardless of the size of the city or town, the community has a tree management plan and program in place. As part of the plan, the city of Pickerington is sponsoring an Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 20 to coincide with National Arbor Day observances. The purpose of Arbor Day is to celebrate and educate the community about the importance of trees, said Pickerington Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Medinger. “It is great to showcase that we are a Tree City USA award holder for all these years,” said Medinger. “As a city, we try our best to cut down as few trees as possible and to replant where we can.”
To be designated a Tree City USA, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. This year, the Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the free event, which is open to the public, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arboretum. To celebrate the importance of trees in the city, Mayor Lee Gray will be on hand to welcome guests before the flag presentation and the official tree planting ceremony.
A representative from ODNR will present the city with its award and Pickerington will recognize thirdgrade essay contest winners. The Pickerington Community Chorus will provide music for the event, and light refreshments will be served to celebrate the Violet and Tree City USA Arbor Day.
Pool Season is Almost Here Many Pickerington students are counting down the days to the end of school year and the opening of the Pickerington Community Pool on Saturday, May 25 at noon. Season passes are now on sale with early bird special pricing through April 30 – a $15 savings over the regular rate. Pool patrons are bound to notice some improvements made to the pool during the offseason. The entire pool was sandblasted and repainted and all the awnings are being replaced, said Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Medinger. City residents can purchase an individual pass at the regular price of $175 for an individual or
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a family pass for two at $225. Individuals must be at least 12 years of age or accompanied by a season pass holder to have a pool pass. Non-residents pay $225 for individual passes and $275 for a family of two. The cost for each additional family member is $20 per person for the year, and children ages 3 and under are free. Families with babysitters can add the child care provider, who must be at least 16 years of age, onto the individual or family pass for $50 for the season. Punch passes for five, 10, 15 and 20 visits are available from July 1-Sept. 2 for $40, $80, $120 and $160, respectively.
This year, four special pool parties are planned to get the community and their pets into the swim of things. Family Fun Night will be held on Friday, June 21 from 6-9 p.m.; Adult Only Night for ages 18 and up will be Friday, July 19 from 8-10 p.m.; Family Luau Night will be on Friday, Aug. 16 from 6-9 p.m.; and Dog Splash will end the season on Monday, Sept. 2 from noon-5 p.m. Pooches attending the pool party must provide proof of rabies shots and current vaccinations to be admitted with their owners. Regular hours to splash down are noon-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. each day, with an adult swim running from 5-6 p.m.
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News and Information From
News and information from the City of Pickerington
Celebrating Mother Earth The city of Pickerington is joining hands with millions of people around the world to celebrate its part in protecting the Earth on Monday, April 22. Earth Day started in the United States in 1970 as a way to create awareness of the environment and to encourage conservation efforts, said Pickerington Chief Operator of Water Reclamation David Jackson. Those efforts went global in 1990, and now, approximately 175 countries observe Earth Day. For its part, the Pickerington Water Reclamation Plant on 525 Hill Rd. S. will sponsor its third open house on Earth Day. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the city plant will be providing tours of the state-of-the art treatment plant to show the public how it works to protect the environment and residents.
Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.
(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)
Building Department ................ 833-2221 City Council............................. 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Department......... 833-2204 Engineering Department .......... 833-2221 Finance Department................. 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116 “It’s important to protect our natural environment – the good Earth,” said Jackson. “We want residents to see how the city of Pickerington and our department go above and beyond the minimum requirements to make sure our children and our grandchildren inherit a clean usable Earth.” Because the tour takes place outside, Jackson encourages residents to dress for the weather. Large groups are also encouraged to call the plant ahead of time at 614-837-6470 so the treatment plant can better accommodate the numbers. Representatives of the Ohio EPA Central office are planning to be on hand to answer questions. The city is encouraging the community to join hands with it to celebrate Earth Day.
Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Department.................... 575-6911 Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470
cityprofile: Matt Delp, Commander Long before CSI hit the television screen, Matt Delp wanted to be a police investigator. Since he was good at figuring out puzzles and mysteries, Delp knew he had the intuition and problem-solving skills needed to be successful in a Criminal Investigations Unit. And it did not take the Pickerington Police Department long to recognize Delp’s skills. After serving with the Sharon Township Police Department for four years, Delp joined the Pickerington Police Department in 1993 as a patrolman. Three years later, he was named a detective and was able to use his abilities to bring criminals to justice and to solve cases. In 1997, just one year later, he was promoted to Senior Detective. He moved up the ranks in 2003 to Detective-Sergeant, and in 2010 he was named Commander. Over the years, Delp has gained valuable practical experience and sought additional knowledge from Ohio University, the Central Ohio Police Academy, the Police Executive Leadership Col-
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Violet Township
citydirectory
lege, the FBI National Academy and the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. Earlier this year, Delp became a Certified Law Enforcement Executive. “By far, the biggest change in law enforcement has been the development of computers. Almost every crime these days is either solved or committed with the use of a computer,” said Delp. “At the time I started, crimes were solved by driving, knocking on doors and talking to people. All records were written, not electronic.” For Delp and many law enforcement officers, the most difficult part of the job involves situations in which children are the victims of physical, sexual or psychological abuse. The images of children hurt by those they expected to protect them are difficult for many officers to forget, said Delp. “We see people at their worst. We encounter evil far too often,” Delp said. “The difficult part is compartmentalizing these events and truly believing that most of the people in the world are good people.”
Drug and Electronics Collection and Document Shredding: April 27 The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day has been scheduled for Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District – in cooperation with Violet Township, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office and Lancaster-Fairfield County Recycling & Litter Prevention – will be participating in the event. The collection site will be the Violet Township Service Center, located at 490 N. Center St. in Pickerington, at the corner of Stemen Road and Center Street. This national event marks an ongoing effort to rid the nation’s medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous drugs, particularly controlled substances. Until recently, unused drugs and expired medication(s) were commonly discarded in the trash (landfill) or flushed down the sink or toilet, leading to potential chemical contamination of ground water and wastewater treatment plants and causing harm to aquatic life and the human water supply. During the collection event conducted in September, our effort contributed more than 100 pounds to the 276-plus tons of unused and expired drugs taken back nationally. Also, we collected 2,818 pounds of electronic equipment for recycling.
This event is also accepting electronics. Computers, laptops, printers, cables, mouses, keyboards, discs, electronic clocks, VCR and DVD machines, radios, and cell phones may be dropped off at no cost. Computer monitors will be accepted at no additional cost if they are included as part of an entire computer system. However, there will be a $3 disposal fee for computer monitors that are brought in without a processor or tower. Televisions will be accepted at the event at a cost of $1 per diagonal inch. Call Patty Bratton with Litter Prevention and Recycling at 740-681-4423 with any electronic questions. Only cash or checks will be accepted as payment of disposal fees.
But that is exactly what Delp tries to do. In several instances, Delp has seen people who were in trouble turn their lives around as a result of actions he or other officers have taken. “When you create a positive change in someone’s life, which has a profound effect on them and it puts them on a different successful path, that is the most rewarding part of the job,” Delp said. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Prescription pills, capsules, liquids, creams, gels, ointments, patches, suppositories, powders, syringes and IVs will be collected. No aerosols or inhalers will be accepted. Please black out the name or remove the label before bringing containers to the disposal site. If disposable items are of unknown origin, they may be dropped off with no questions asked. Call the Fairfield SWCD office at 740653-8154 with any prescription drug questions.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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News and information from Violet Township
Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District to Host Rain Barrel Workshop
The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District will be offering a rain barrel workshop on Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m. The workshop will take place at the Violet Township Administrative Office located at 12970 Rustic Dr. The discussion will include the benefits of capturing rainwater while preventing flooding and pollution downstream. Participants in the workshop will receive a terracotta-colored “EarthMinded” RainStation 45-gallon capacity rain barrel. The cost of the workshop, including the rain barrel, is $65. One additional rain barrel per household may be purchased at a cost of $65. Space is limited. To obtain a registration form, please visit our website at www.fairfieldswcd.org, send an email to rainbarrel@fairfieldswcd.org or call the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-653-8154 for more information.
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From the Violet Township Fire Department
Emerald Ash Borer Continues Assault on Ash Trees By Greg Butcher, P.E., Violet Township Engineer The emerald ash borer, an ash treekilling insect from Asia, was identified in Ohio in 2003. Various agencies have been battling the pest through detection, regulation and public outreach in an attempt to protect the state’s more than 3.8 billion ash trees. To date, the invasive ash borer has been responsible for killing millions of trees in the Midwest, and there is no large-scale method to control the borer at this time. The emerald ash borer kills ash trees within three to five years of infestation. Adults are ½ inch in length and 1/8 inch wide, and fly only from mid-May to September. Larvae spend the rest of the year developing beneath the bark. The borer destroys the tree’s ability to absorb nutrients and moisture by feeding on its inner bark. Experts have noticed an increase in the number of dead or dying ash trees in communities across our area, and Violet Township is no exception. Violet Township has been aggressive in removing ash trees from the Townshipmaintained road rights-of-way. Specifically, dead or dying trees identified as potential hazards have been removed. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor these trees adjacent to roadways. Likewise, we encourage Township residents to take inventory and monitor ash trees on their private property and, if necessary, contact a certified arborist to assess the integrity of the tree. It is especially important to recognize the risks of dead or dying trees adjacent to homes or other private structures.
Rules to Live By By Jim Paxton, Battalion Chief “Together, rules we live by …” is the title of a framed set of rules and ethics that adorns the station walls of the Violet Township Fire Department. There are four principles that serve as the foundation for these rules: Positive, Productive, Safe and Trained. These pillars of conduct set the standard by which the Violet Township Fire Department and its members strive to live and operate. Arguably, the most important of these principles is Trained. One becomes more positive, increases productivity and develops safe practices through training and education. Driven by these principles, the department is better prepared to fulfill its role within the community. Education is a key component of the Violet Township Fire Department mission. Education provides a pathway for the organization to evolve with the continual advancements in tools, technology and equipment. New research is reinventing the way structure fires are extinguished and medical emergencies are diagnosed and treated. Each member of the fire and emergency services is expected to master the new information, skills and abilities of his or her profession. Members are expected to be prepared both mentally and physically for the demands of the occupation. Training opportunities are offered through various external conferences, classes and seminars. Internally, the de-
For more information, please visit The Ohio State University Extension website, ashalert.osu.edu. Both the Ohio Department of Agriculture (888-OHIO-EAB, or 888-644-6322) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (877-247-8733) are available to answer specific questions about a potentially infested tree.
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www.violet.oh.us
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partment is engaged in several training programs designed to keep its members’ skills sharpened through hands-on evolutions, monthly training agendas and computerized simulations. These internal learning experiences are enhanced by staff officers and certified instructors, and by hosting topic experts and lecturers from across the country. Developing a culture that encourages education and learning, the Violet Township Fire Department has been able to cultivate ideas, methods and programs that enhance its services to the community. By teaming up with the Pickerington Local School District and area preschools, the department has been able to teach and promote fire safety to the children of the community. The Fire Prevention officers routinely work with community planners and area businesses to instill safety practices and procedures into the designs and features of their buildings and events. The fire department offers car seat installations, first aid, CPR and fire extinguisher training to area businesses and residents. As the Violet Township Fire Department prepares for the future, it cannot afford to forget the lessons learned from the past. Department members are called upon to teach and share their knowledge and experiences with newer and less experienced members of the organization. Education preserves the trail derived from history and traditions. It provides the opportunity to strengthen the weaknesses found in failure, while enhancing previous success. During times of transition or change, education can be the compass that guides both the individual and the organization in the direction of solution and stability. Our test is when the customer calls us. We take great pride in doing our jobs – like lives depend on it!
How to Reach Us Violet Township Administrative Offices 12970 Rustic Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: John Eisel #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. #591: 21 Lockville Rd. #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. (behind hhgregg) Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147 11
faces
Story and photos by Garth Bishop
BOSS of the Baton North student pioneers drum major position in school’s marching band
S
Should your attention be captured by the energetic, baton-twirling figure leading the marching band at your next Pickerington High School North football game, you’ve got Mitchell Elston to thank for it. Elston, a senior at North, became the school’s first-ever drum major at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year. In 2010, after attending his first Buckeye football game, Elston was so impressed by the Best Damn Band in the Land’s drum major that he immediately aspired to fill that role at his high school.
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Pickerington High School North drum major Mitchell Elston helped design the uniform that will be associated with the drum major position.
“It adds a sense of pride,” he says. He approached Marc Parulekar, the school’s director of bands, and told him he wanted North to have a drum major. After convincing him of the position’s merits, Elston took two years of lessons through The Ohio State University’s free drum major training program, tried out for the position at the start of this school year and got it. He even helped design the uniform. Though marching bands are often known for their showmanship as well as their instrumentation, no band member on the field is as much of a showman as the drum major. Elston describes a good drum major as having a “Hey, look at me!” attitude – strutting wherever he or she goes on the field, twirling a baton, throwing it high in the air and performing under-the-leg and behind-the-back catches, even posing in the formidable “back bend” position. The latter trick in particular requires a great deal of practice to learn, Elston says. “I did not get that in a day,” he says. Thanks to North’s success on the gridiron this year – the team went 12-2 and tied Pickerington High School Central for the OCC-Ohio Division title – Elston got plenty of opportunities to perform for a variety of crowds. He performed routines to such songs as “Hang on Sloopy,” “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 and www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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“We Got the Beat” by the Go-Go’s, and he helped choreograph a halftime show set to PSY’s “Gangnam Style.” Being a drum major is helpful for learning leadership, as the drum major leads the band, and for getting comfortable with being in front of people, Elston says. He was nervous the first few times he performed, he says, but now he’s acclimated to public appearances, even hosting North’s comedy showcase event. “It helps you conquer stage fright, definitely,” he says. Though Elston graduates this year and will not return to the field in the fall, the drum major position is now part of North’s line-up, and another student is training to take over the role for 2013-14. When not leading the band on the field, Elston plays the trombone. He was section leader for two years and is band president. He also plays Ultimate Frisbee and is a member of National Honor Society, through which he serves at logistics chairman for Pickerington’s pet food pantry. After he graduates, Elston is headed to the Honors College at Kent State University, where he will major in biology. He plans to take a pre-med sequence and already has his career plans mapped out. “After that, I will move on to be a sports medicine physician,” he says. Kent State does not have a drum major, though Elston has not ruled out the possibility of petitioning for one. And if he should happen to attend med school at OSU, he would be eligible to be part of OSU’s band. Garth Bishop is editor of Pickerington Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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in focus
By Morgan Montgomery
Book
Consortium’s new members mean many options for library-goers
Bonanza
P
Pickerington Public Library Director Suellen Goldsberry will soon cross a major achievement off her career to-do list. In May, the library’s catalog will undergo a major expansion, offering members 500,000 new and unique book titles courtesy of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. “Providing Pickerington library members access to the Columbus Metropolitan Library is something I’ve always wanted to accomplish before retirement,” says Goldsberry. This joint catalog is made possible through the Central Library Consortium, of which Pickerington is a member. The consortium was formed in 1987. It currently has eight member libraries that share a catalog system and collaborate on projects: Pickerington, Marysville, Plain City, Grandview Heights, Alexandria, Fairfield County, Pickaway County and Wagnalls Memorial (Lithopolis). On May 19, not only does the 21-branch Columbus library system join the consortium, so, too, do the threebranch Worthington Libraries and two-
branch Southwest Public Libraries. When that happens, the total number of book titles available to members of any of these libraries will be 1.2 million. This collaboration, Goldsberry says, provides opportunities that align with the Pickerington library’s mission: to foster an inquisitive mind and the desire to know, understand and enjoy the world. There won’t be any visible changes to library routine. Pickerington remains an independent library under local control. It will not become a branch of the Volunteer Eliza Lange lends a hand in the Pickerington Public Library’s homework Columbus library system or help center. any other. the Pickerington library and held there for But a visit to its website, www.pickerthree days or until it’s picked up by the ingtonlibrary.org, after May 19 will show person who requested it. a major expansion of options. Hunting The new items in the consortium’s ofdown a book is as simple as it was beferings, in addition to being a boon for lifore, and if that book is anywhere within brary visitors, are a cost-effective solution the consortium’s reach, it will be sent to for the Pickerington library.
“I think it’s a win-win,” Goldsberry says. “We’re using taxpayers’ dollars ever more efficiently than in the past.” The only adjustment for library members and personnel is getting accustomed to the mass expanse of available information. This accounts for Goldsberry’s only anxiety.
“It’s a big project. It’s taken a lot of planning and training,” she says. “There might be bumps in the road, but the end result is going to be fantastic.” Morgan Montgomery is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscene mediagroup.com.
Assignment Assistance The new libraries joining the consortium mark a major change for the Pickerington Public Library, but that’s not the only update. On March 3, the library officially launched its new homework help center. It’s dedicated to Mary Ann Kirkby, a longtime teacher at Ridgeview Junior High School and a former member of the library’s Board of Trustees, who died in 2009. The center’s full name is the Reynoldsburg-Pickerington Rotary Club Homework 16
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Help Center in Memory of Mary Ann Kirkby. School supplies for the center were donated by members of the Pickerington high schools’ National Honor Society and Key Clubs. The center, available for students in grades K-4, is open 4:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The volunteers who staff it offer general assistance on homework topics. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Parents can arrange tutoring sessions in half-hour blocks by calling the library at 614-837-4104 and asking for Kenton Daniels (ext. 226) or Colleen Bauman (ext. 221). Staffing limitations dictate that a student can receive no more than one hour of one-on-one tutoring per week. Daniels and Bauman are also the contacts for anyone interested in volunteering at the center.
Above: The number of inter-library loan transfer boxes is expected to explode when the Columbus Metropolitan Library joins the Central Library Consortium. Top: The Pickerington high schools’ Key Clubs and National Honor Society groups donated school supplies for the homework help center.
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on the table
By Amanda King Photography by Garth Bishop
The King Kong
The Wyatt Earp
Better than Bananas
Pickerington grad’s burger business is going gangbusters
I
Intrigued by the idea of a burger that uses grilled cheese sandwiches for buns or macaroni and cheese as a topping? Just follow the man in the yellow hat. A cartoon character looking an awful lot like Curious George’s human companion – along with a crowd of unruly monkeys – is painted on the Hungry Monkey food truck, which plies its trade throughout central Ohio. Hungry Monkey is the brainchild of Neil Hertenstein and Adam Frontuto, who started the operation in April 2011. Hertenstein is a 1999 graduate of Pickerington High School. Its specialty: burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches – and the weirder, the better. “(We’re) looking for the extreme items that are not necessarily designed to go together,” Hertenstein says. “We go for
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items that aren’t necessarily healthy – that are messy, but work together.” The names of the truck’s oddball offerings include classics such as the King Kong, a burger with Yuenglingsoaked onions, Swiss cheese, a fried egg and “Brennan’s Fancy sauce” (a reference to 2008 Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly buddy comedy Step Brothers) served with two grilled cheese sandwiches for buns; sentimental favorites such as the Mr. Miyagi, a burger with muenster cheese, grilled bean sprouts, caramelized red onions, lettuce, egg yolk sauce and yum yum sauce on a grilled onion bun, named for a character from The Karate Kid; and cinematic shames such as the Joe Dirt, a burger named for 2001 David Spade vehicle Meet Joe Dirt and boasting bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, jalapeno peppers, hot ketchup and peanut butter. “Customers are usually hesitant to try (the Joe Dirt), but once they try it, they like it,” Hertenstein says. Hungry Monkey even has its own eating challenge: the Voodoo Burger, an uber-spicy creation Hertenstein refers to as “the hottest burger in the United States.” Photos of the brave souls who finish the whole thing are often posted to Hungry Monkey’s Facebook page. “Our goal is to be on Man vs. Food by summer,” Hertenstein says.
Tracking down the truck is as simple as checking its website, www.hungry monkeyfoodtruck.com, or visiting its Facebook or Twitter page. Those looking to sit down to enjoy a Hungry Monkey burger have two additional options. In February, Hungry Monkey took over the kitchen at the Alumni Club in Gahanna, and in late March, it began serving at Flannagan’s in Dublin along with Junior’s Tacos. Amanda King is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com.
Monkey Sauce Ingredients • 16 oz. sour cream • 3 Tbsp. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce • Fresh cilantro • Diced red onions Directions Combine sour cream, hot sauce and a handful of fresh cilantro. Add diced red onions to taste and serve on sandwich, wings, fries or any other item of your choice.
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By Allison Dalrymple
REMNANT JEWELS
Picture the Past
GYMNASTICS
Historical Society’s new book chronicles Pickerington’s saga one photo at a time It’s Community History Month in Pickerington, and a new book by the city’s historical society aims to keep the community educated. Images of America: Pickerington, by Christine A. Bryant in collaboration with the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, is being released this month. Its contents: 175 photographs from around 1880 to 1980, along with captions full of historical information explaining each. Society volunteers worked with Bryant collecting images and information from the society archives.
Swing into Spring
One of the book’s highlights is a section on interesting people from the community, says Peggy Portier, the society’s historian. “Most people don’t know that we had a world-class violinist and a champion heavyweight boxer,” Portier says. The book will be on sale at special events and book signings held throughout the month of April, starting with the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum open house 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April Allison Dalrymple is a contributing 6. For more information, visit www. pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com or call writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com. 614-382-5989.
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Post-Prom Proponents Dedicated volunteers draw students to safety-minded afterprom events Everyone knows after-prom events are designed to offer students safe evening activities on a night when the alternatives might put them at risk. Convincing the kids to attend can be a challenge for some schools, but in Pickerington, the dedication
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and hard work of the events’ organizers keep students interested. The proms at Pickerington High School Central and Pickerington High School North will be held April 20 and May 11, respectively. Both after-proms are at the schools. North’s after-prom activities include a giant slide and a mechanical bull. Prize giveaways enhance the appeal to students, and students can get discounts on afterprom tickets by bringing in donations to the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington. North draws its volunteer base from parents and from the school’s freshmen and sophomores. “Pickerington is fabulous for parent volunteers,” says North after-
prom committee chairwoman Anne Griffin. “(We’re) very fortunate to live in a supportive community.” Central’s Students Against Drunk Driving chapter is a big supporter of the school’s after-prom and begins planning for it in January, says Julie Brunner, a guidance counselor and the school’s SADD adviser. Central offers karaoke, food and inflatable games, and its raffle prizes range from gift cards for Vera Bradley products. “(We) go to area businesses and ask for either cash donations or gift products and services,” Brunner says. Holly Butcher is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop @cityscenemediagroup.com.
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