Pickerington Magazine April/May 2014 by CityScene Media Group

Celebrating 25 Years in Reynoldsburg

THEN

NOW Although the Fisher family has had an agricultural presence in central Ohio since 1949, it was 1989 when the family first opened a store in Reynoldsburg. The Fisher family was one of the founding families of Franklin county, starting a vegetable farm in the south end of Columbus in the late 1940â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. As the Fisher family grew, the business grew as well into a garden center and in 1989 the Fisher family opened the only greenhouse in Reynoldsburg. Today, Fisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gardens, is still owned and run by the Fisher family.

Thank you for supporting our family these past 25 years! Best,

Bee Fisher Kocher

1540 Truro Ave., Reynoldsburg, OH (614) 861-5700 fishersgardens.com

inside

April/May 2014 4 Calendar 5 News and Information from the City of Pickerington 7 News and Information from Violet Township 10

faces Alive and Kicking

North senior is a taekwondo world champion

p.10

in focus Photogenic Pickerington

Great locations for senior pictures can be found throughout the city

on the table Eight is Enough

Bakerhouz on 8 adds some variety to Pickerington’s pastry possibilities

bookmarks

On the cover:

A senior photo by David Beckham Photography

p.14

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community calendar Mark your calendar for these community events APRIL 2014 April 5 Museum Opening 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com The museum kicks off its 2014 season with an open house. Further open houses, featuring family scavenger hunts, take place every Saturday during the same hours. April 9-13 Pickerington High School North presents Cats Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12.oh.us North’s theater department presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical about the Jellicle cats. April 12 Breakfast with the Bunny 9-11 a.m., Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.net The city presents a morning of breakfast, games, crafts and more with the Easter Bunny. Proceeds benefit the Pickerington Food Pantry. April 19 Arbor Day Celebration

10:30 a.m., Sycamore Park Arboretum, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net The city of Pickerington celebrates Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony, as well as several short presentations and refreshments. April 22 Earth Day Open House 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Water Reclamation Plant, 525 Hill Rd. S., www.pickerington.net Pickerington celebrates Earth Day with its annual open house at the Water Reclamation Plant, featuring tours and a discussion of microscopic explorations. April 22 Not Your Mother’s Library Book Club 7 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The library’s special book club discusses Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. April 23 World Book Night 5-8 p.m., throughout Pickerington, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Pickerington Public Library employ-

ees head out into the community to distribute copies of the books chosen for 2014 World Book Night.

May 6-22 School Concerts Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd.; Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way; www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Upcoming concerts include the North jazz band May 6; North band May 13; North, Lakeview and Harmon orchestras May 14; Ridgeview orchestra May 14 at Central; North choir May 15; Harmon and Tollgate bands May 19; Lakeview band May 20; Ridgeview band May 20 at Central; and Lakeview choir May 22. All shows are at North unless otherwise indicated. May 9 Olde Pickerington 4 Hop Chocolate

6-8:30 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.com Each participant receives a map of the Olde Pickerington businesses taking part in this event and a free chocolate treat from each. Donations benefit local high school after-prom events and Olde Pickerington Village Business Association community events. May 15 Discover the Dream 6 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, www.stjude.org This ninth annual evening of cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and live entertainment raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. May 16 A Day of ATHENA Leadership & ATHENA Banquet 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ohio University Pickerington Center, 12933 Stonecreek Dr., www.pickeringtonchamber.com

April 23-27 Pickerington High School Central presents All Shook Up Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Central’s theater department puts on the Elvis Presley jukebox musical that loosely follows the plot of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202 Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com

April 26 Drug and Electronic Collection 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Violet Township Service Center, 490 N. Center St., www.violet.oh.us See page 7.

Christa Smothers

April 26 Violet Township Women’s League Style Show 11 a.m., Tall Timbers Banquet and Conference Center, 13831 National Road S.W., Reynoldsburg, www.vtwl.org The annual style show, luncheon and raffle is now in its 15th year, features more than 150 raffle packages. Proceeds go to three $2,000 scholarships for qualifying high school students in Pickerington.

MAY 2014 May 1 Shop. Eat. Repeat. Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.com Downtown businesses offer special deals and stay open until 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.

pickerington Magazine

Charles L. Stein

Chief Executive Officer

Kathleen K. Gill

President/Publisher

Dave Prosser Lynn Leitch Garth Bishop Lisa Aurand Duane St. Clair Lauren Andrews Nen Lin Soo

Chief Creative Officer Controller Creative Director Editor Contributing Editors Contributing Writers

Stephan Reed

Editorial Associate

Molly Pensyl

Advertising Director

Gianna Barrett Julie Camp Pam Henricks Darlene Meisler Circulation:

Advertising Sales

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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com CityScene Media Group also publishes:

The Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual ATHENA conference features a keynote speech by 2013 ATHENA recipient Suellen Goldsberry, among other speakers. May 17 Big Comic Show 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The library’s first-ever comic show brings in local comic artists, graphic novelists and illustrators to showcase their work. Workshops are also offered. May 31 High School Graduation 9 a.m. (North) and 1 p.m. (Central), World Harvest Church, 4695 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Students from North and Central high schools prepare to toss their caps in the air.

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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INSIDE

PICKERINGTON

N E W S & I N F OR M AT I O N F R O M T H E C I T Y O F P I C K E R I NGT ON

Quantico Bound The FBI National Academy is known as the preOn April 7, Annis will take part in a national 10mier officer training program, and it has selected week intensive training program at the academy, loPickerington Police Department Commander cated on the Quantico Marine Base in Stafford, Va. Greg Annis as one of the best of the best. About 250 police leaders from all over the United States and several foreign countries will take law enforcement courses, certified through Greg Annis the University of Virginia, taught by FBI instructors. Courses include leadership and fitness for law enforcement, contemporary issues in police and media relations, stress management in law enforcement, planning and managing major special events, and crime analysis. Annis, who has been with the Pickerington Police Department since 1995 and is the commander of the Patrol Division, is looking forward to the opportunity to enhance his skills. “I am honored to have been selected for the FBI National Academy, one of the most prestigious law enforcement command schools in the world,” Annis said. “I am looking forward to the

opportunity to train alongside some of the finest law enforcement officers that our nation and many foreign nations have produced.” Pickerington Police Chief Mike Taylor, who is a past participant in this FBI program, said the department has been fortunate to have three other officers qualify for this specialized training. The City of Pickerington supports this continuing education because it produces the highest quality professional officers, which ultimately benefits the community, Taylor said. He said the department has a “strong tradition” of giving all members of the department advanced training to perform at the highest possible level. “Graduates of the National Academy return to their departments with knowledge, skills and abilities gained from instructors in the world of law enforcement,” Taylor said. “(Annis) will use this knowledge to improve the overall function of the department by sharing what he has learned from other leaders.”

It’s Only Natural Pickerington residents can celebrate nature and all it has to offer by attending two very special free events in April. The Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring its annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 19, and the City of Pickerington Water Reclamation Department is presenting the Fourth Annual Earth Day Open House on Tuesday, April 22. The Arbor Day event will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Sycamore Park Arboretum on Covered Bridge Lane. Pickerington has the distinction of being a “Tree City,” and to add to the foliage, a new tree will be planted as part of the event. In honor of its efforts to maintain the city landscape with trees, Pickerington will be presented with its 21st Tree City USA award.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Medinger said the event will also feature a bit of history about Arbor Day, a color guard presentation by Cub Scouts, third grade essay contest winners and light refreshments. “The event will also allow us to showcase our Arboretum,” Medinger said. “The City of Pickerington tries its best to cut as few trees down each year as possible and show the importance of replanting.” On April 22, Earth Day will be celebrated at the Water Reclamation Plant Open House from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Plant tours will be conducted by the operation staff and John Van Dommelen of the central

office of the Ohio EPA will discuss microscopic explorations. Weather permitting, the Air Evac Lifeteam 101 will fly in and provide an information display. The events give residents a chance to celebrate the beauty of nature and the city they live in.

News and information from the City of Pickerington

citydirectory Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.

(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)

Hare Raiser The Easter Bunny is hopping into Pickerington for breakfast on Saturday, April 12. The annual Breakfast with the Bunny will be held in the commons area of Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, from 9-11 a.m. The “egg-citing” event is sponsored by the Pickerington Food Pantry and Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department. Besides dining with the bunny, there will be crafts, games and an opportunity to bring your camera to take pictures with the bunny. The cost is $6 per person, but is free for children 2 and under. Proceeds from the breakfast

Building Services ..................... 833-2221 City Clerk/Council..................... 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Services.............. 833-2204 Engineering Services ............... 833-2221 Finance Services...................... 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116 benefit the Pickerington Food Pantry and the community’s families in need. Tickets can be purchased at the Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department, 100 Lockville Rd.

Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Services......................... 575-6911 Service Department

Going Swimmingly While the Pickerington Community Pool is not offering a polar bear swim this April, it is giving residents an opportunity to participate in several special programs and a discounted pool membership if they get in the swim of things early. City residents and non-residents who purchase pool memberships before May 1 will receive a $15 early bird discount. At the discounted rate, pool memberships for individuals will cost city residents $160 and non-

Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292

Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 residents $210. Family memberships for two are Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 $210 for residents and $260 for non-residents. The price for each additional family member is $20 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470 per person for the season. Family members include one set of parents and their immediate children, ages 26 and under, residPass holders can take a pre-season dip May ing in the same household. 24-26, then take the plunge from noon-8 p.m. for Children under the age of 3 by May 24 are ad- the regular full season, which begins May 31. mitted free. Little dippers can learn to tread the water and paddle the pool with two separate two-week swim lessons, which begin June 16. Online registration opens Wednesday, May 14 and includes the cost of the 30-minute sessions, which are held Monday through Friday, and specific lesson times. The pool, which is run by the city Parks and Recreation Department, will be making a lot of waves this summer with four very special events, beginning with Family Fun Night on Friday, June 20, and continuing with Family Luau Night on Friday, July 18. Both events run from 6-9 p.m. New this year is a Try-athlon for children on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 9 a.m. Participants must preregister and pay a $5 entry fee that allows them to test the waters of their first triathlon. The dog days of summer will be enjoyed once again by Pickerington pooches with their own special party Monday, Sept. 1 from 5-8 p.m. After the dogs take a dip, the pool will close for the season.

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News and Information From

Violet Township By Jonathan Ferbrache, PLA, CPESC, Resource Specialist, Fairfield SWCD

Stream Bank Stabilization Workshop: May 17, 9 a.m. Have you observed severe stream bank erosion on your property or near it? Did you know that stream bank erosion, while often a natural process, degrades water quality in our streams and rivers? In 2012, you may have observed efforts to stabilize the banks of Sycamore Creek at the Community Gardens site, just north of State Rt. 256 on Pickerington’s east side. This section of Sycamore Creek has seen active erosion for a long time. It is estimated that the 400 linear feet of stabilization, through the use of toe of slope rock and gabion baskets on the embankments, will reduce sediment pollution loads by around 900 tons per year. As part of the project, the corridor was treated for undesirable plant species – including bush honeysuckle, tree of heaven,

multiflora rose and grapevine – several months before construction. As construction wrapped up, native Ohio nursery stock was installed in the disturbed areas to help bioengineer the banks and provide improved shading of the stream and bank stability in the future. This project was a collaboration of the City of Pickerington, the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District and the Ohio and United States Environmental Protection Agencies. It was financed through a grant from the Ohio and U.S. EPAs, under the provisions of the Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. If you would like to learn more about stream bank stabilization and dealing with invasive species, the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District will be co-hosting

a workshop at the Pickerington Community Gardens site on Saturday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP your interest in attending to 740-653-8154. Together, we are improving water quality in the Walnut Creek watershed.

Drug and Electronics Collection Event: April 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District – in cooperation with Violet Township, 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., at the corner of Stemen Road and Center Street. We ask that you enter the event from the North Center Street entrance. This national event marks an ongoing effort to rid the nation’s medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous drugs, particularly controlled substances. Our October collection netted 134 pounds of prescription drugs. - continued

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From the Violet Township Fire Department By Chief John Eisel

Communicating the Need … We hope this edition of the magazine finds you well, and you have “weathered the storm” of one of the coldest and snowiest winters we have experienced in a long time. As I am sure you are aware, the Violet Township Fire Department is on the May 6 ballot for additional property tax millage. We have survived 12 years without additional revenues from tax millage, and we are proud of our continued progress to meet the demands of our growing community. The VTFD has been serving the community for over 80 years, from humble beginnings as a group of dedicated vol-

unteers to the full-service, all-hazards public safetyservice organization of today. Since our last increase of voted millage in 2002, the VTFD has changed to meet the needs of our ever-growing community. Our population has increased 40 percent, the number of homes protected has increased 49 percent and our responses have increased 62 percent. Like everyone else, we have had an increase in our operating expenses. Our budget is no different than our budgets at home – when costs rise for commodities, so do ours. The increased demand drives our costs. This 12-year period without additional tax millage is the longest in our modern history. Our planning

John Eisel

“Collection Event” continued. Until recently, unused drugs and/or expired medication(s) were commonly discarded in the trash (landfill) or flushed down the sink or toilet – leading to the potential chemical contamination of ground water and/or wastewater treatment plants, and causing harm to aquatic life and the human water supply. For additional disposal tips, please visit www. justice.gov/dea. Prescription pills and capsules 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 or the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office at 740-652-7248 with any prescription drug questions. This event is also accepting electronics. The following electronic items may be dropped off at no cost: computers, lap8

tops, printers, cables, mouses, keyboards, discs, electronic clocks, VCR and DVD players, radios, and cell phones. No items containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) will be accepted because a certified facility, such as the Lancaster Transfer Station on Ewing Street in Lancaster, must handle the disposal of this compound, which is commonly utilized as a refrigerant or as a propellant in aerosol cans. 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 electronics questions. Only cash and checks will be accepted as payment for disposal fees. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

… Demonstrating the Value must account for future growth and address a number of key infrastructure improvements to meet the increasing demands of our community. First and foremost, we must be able to maintain the programs and staffing levels in place today. Secondly, we need to replace, upgrade and plan for expansion of fire stations, beginning with the station on Lockville Road in the heart of Olde Pickerington Village. This station was constructed 60 years ago and has served the community well. We have modified the building in several areas, but are unable to expand and modify to meet future demands. Apparatus is difficult to construct to continue to fit in the building, and additional personnel cannot be added due to space constraints. Our intent is to construct a modern facility that will meet the needs of the community for many years to come. The station on Refugee Road, which was constructed 17 years ago, is in need of expansion in several areas, and upgrades are needed to vital building systems. Finally, a location for a southern fire station must be secured for future growth. Several key pieces of apparatus must be planned and replaced. This will ensure delivery of services in the efficient and timely manner that our community expects and deserves. It is important that we continue to be proactive and responsible with our growth, as we project another 35 percent increase in calls for service by the year 2020. Fire levy funds are restricted solely for the operations of the fire department. These additional funds cannot be utilized www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

for any other Township budget or department per the Ohio Revised Code. In closing, we are proud to be woven into the fabric of our community, and make the promise that we will continue to be good stewards of your funds. Our members demonstrate commitment to our community in many ways through their involvement in programs such as the Doug Barr Memorial Foundation, annual Holiday Toy Drive, Big Brothers program, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Pickerington Food Pantry. Our involvement in these programs directly impacts lives through providing college scholarships, basic human needs and the ability to positively impact families during the Christmas season. We will adhere to our decision-making principles that guide us for the best interests of our customers, our community and our organization.

We are “Your Friends for Life”

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 9

faces

By Nen Lin Soo

Alive & Kicking

A lot of students graduate high school with a list of accomplishments already under their belts, but few can call themselves world champions before they receive their diplomas. But that’s the height Pickerington High School North senior Alexis Olenik has already reached. It has been four years since Olenik started practicing taekwondo, and to date, she has already won 15 state champion titles, two district titles and one world title in American Taekwondo Association (ATA) tournaments. To achieve what Olenik has accomplished in the last few years requires discipline and dedication. She has cultivated both throughout high school, attending daily taekwondo lessons, participating in after-school activities and managing her time to maintain a balance between in-school and out-ofschool commitments. Of all the different sports in which Olenik could have invested herself, taekwondo most captivated her interest because it helped her grow as a person, mentally and physically. “You get to meet so many new people, and they’re so different, but you have

one thing in common, and that’s taekwondo,” Olenik says. “Taekwondo is about the relationship. It’s not something that you can just be good at because there are so many different things that come into it. There’s always something that you have to work on or else you’re never going to be perfect at it.” Olenik believes “there is always room to grow,” she says, and one of her instructors at Pickerington ATA Black Belt Academy, Jasmine Cloe – a world champion herself – attests to Olenik’s mindset and dedication to taekwondo. “If we tell her she has a really good form, and what we would do to make it better is to work on stances and to try to work on the proper technique of a kick and executing it or snapping it, what she does is she takes it into heart and practices it,” Cloe says. “When she comes back and she shows us, you can tell that she’s made an effort to change it.”

In 2013 alone, Olenik competed in the ATA Spring Nationals in Las Vegas and the ATA Taekwondo Fall Nationals in Orlando, Fla., along with 11 other regional tournaments. Points are awarded when a participant wins a tournament, and competitors from all over the world contest to collect points during the season. Participants who have accumulated a certain number of points by the end of the season are eligible to participate in the World Championship Tournament. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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Olenik was four months into her taekwondo training, five days a week, when she took part in her first taekwondo tournament. She recalls it as being a nervewracking experience. “I was really nervous, and I was hyperventilating,” Olenik says. “I broke out in hives, which was really scary, but I persevered through it and I ended up getting two first places that day, so I was pretty happy.” Olenik’s first hands-on exposure to taekwondo came when she was 13 and instructors from the Pickerington ATA Black Belt Academy conducted an introductory course during her gym class. While it wasn’t the first time Olenik had taken an interest in the sport, the gym class session set Olenik on the road to the world championship. A quote by the late Erma Bombeck, humorist and author, continues to inspire Olenik every day to strive to be the best she can be: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” “Along with that, I really look up to the people I work with, especially the female instructors,” Olenik says. “They’re just really good role models.” After school, Olenik is a part-time instructor with a Level 2 certification at the academy. She trains three days a week and is working on becoming a two-time world champion. She is also a part of a show choir at North. Olenik may not have any definite plans for college yet, but she intends to complete Level 3 of the taekwondo instructor certification program after she turns 18 on Aug. 19. She also hopes to establish her own taekwondo school one day. Nen Lin Soo is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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in focus

By Garth Bishop

Photogenic

Great locations for senior pictures can be found throughout the city

Pickerington

Photo by Rose DeVore

As Pickerington’s soon-to-be high school graduates start to see their classmates’ senior pictures in yearbooks, graduation announcements and more, they may notice some common themes. Similarly, juniors might look at some of this year’s senior photos and get some ideas for their own. Though the seniors themselves are the most important part of any picture, the pictures have to be shot somewhere, and some locations in Pickerington have proven particularly popular among students. At both Pickerington high schools, senior pictures must be submitted by the Photo by Kent Smith

end of the first semester in order to appear in the yearbook. Near the top of any location list is Olde Pickerington Village. “Pickerington’s got a lot of character in the downtown area,” says Kent Smith, owner of Kent Smith Photography on Stonecreek Drive. Many of the businesses there are especially photogenic, says David Beckham, who mentions the Ritzy Rose, Resale Furniture and the fire station as some of the spots that have made for quality backdrops. “All of the shops downtown are super supportive of me using their porches and steps,” says Beckham, owner of downtown-based David Beckham Photography. “Some of them even let me shoot inside.” Beyond the businesses, the alleys downtown are also treasure troves for photo hotspots, Beckham says. The old barns that front on alleys are oneof-a-kind settings, and access to them could not be easier, he says.

“I couldn’t put a backdrop like that in my studio,” says Beckham. The old depot is another Olde Pickerington Village spot with good potential for impressive pictures, says Rose DeVore, an on-location photographer based in Pickerington. “I go around the depot, I go into the alleys, I go to the storefronts – I just go all over,” DeVore says. Another popular spot for pictures is Sycamore Park, which offers several locations with appeal for students and photographers alike. Smith is a fan of the park’s covered bridge, and both Smith and DeVore have good things to say about the creek. “A lot of people like nature shots, and the water running across that little waterfall there … (is) beautiful any time of day,” DeVore says. Wildflowers can make for great complements to senior photos, and Beckham has found some areas that supply them in abundance. He mentions the area near the railroad tracks on the right www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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Garth Bishop is editor of Pickerington Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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side of Hill Road – it fills with daisies in the spring and Queen Anne’s lace in the summer. “I can take any little space … and make it look like a secret garden somewhere,” he says. DeVore has found the Retreat at Turnberry to be particularly inviting, especially given the lighting. The field across the street has also caught her eye. “They’ve got a really nice low-hanging tree that looks stunning,” she says. And, of course, with many students wishing to highlight their athletic achievements, an ideal location might not be right around the corner at the end of the school day. “A lot of times, we’ll go up to the high schools, and we’ll photograph on the fields … if they have activities or sports (there),” says Smith.

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on the table

By Lauren Andrews

Bakerhouz on 8 adds some variety to Pickerington’s pastry possibilities

Eight is Enough

Chiat Mei Yow hopes an ever-changing menu of treats will keep the average customer’s sweet tooth satisfied. Yow is owner of Bakerhouz on 8, which opened in October at 8 E. Columbus St. in Olde Pickerington Village. Though she’s been in the baking industry for almost 10 years, having attended culinary school at California State University, she also credits extensive personal experience and self-training for her success. The Malaysia immigrant has been sharing her knack for creating culinary masterpieces as long as she can remember. “Baking is something I’ve loved to do all my life,” Yow says. Everything at Bakerhouz on 8 is homemade, and Yow places an emphasis on keeping the offerings varied.

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“We change our menu almost every day – at least every other day – especially with our specialty muffins and biscuits,” she says. “We’re a neighborhood bakery that caters to the neighborhood.” On any given day, customers can enter the bakery to find cinnamon rolls – to which they can add whipped cream, frosting, caramel, sprinkles and many other toppings to from the topping bar – as well as scones, biscuits, cupcakes, cookies, various breakfast items and such additional options as pocket pies. “We also make specialty cakes for any occasion,” says Yow. Bakerhouz on 8 is Yow’s first shot at owning her own bakery. “I just think it was time for me to venture into my own thing,” she says. “I love the small town atmosphere here in Pickerington. Everyone here is so nice and welcoming and helpful.” Yow incorporated the number 8 into the bakery’s name because it is considered a lucky number in numerous Asian cultures, its pronunciation in several Chinese dia-

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Ingredients • 24 oz. almond flour • 22 oz. granulated sugar

lects being similar to the pronunciation of words associated with prosperity. In addition to changing aspects of the menu every day, Yow also sees to it the menu evolves throughout the year. Seasonal items come and go, among them a very popular buckeye torte. “It’s a chocolate cake with peanut butter cream cheese filling, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache,” she says. Other popular items have included a breakfast biscuit with goat cheese and chives and French macarons, Yow says. Lauren Andrews is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com.

Bakerhouz on 8’s French Macarons

• 24 oz. powdered sugar • 15 oz. egg whites

Instructions Preheat oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together. Set aside. Lightly whisk together granulated sugar and 7 ½ oz. egg whites in a mixing bowl, then set mixture over a double boiler. After it’s heated to 240 degrees Fahrenheit, transfer to the mixer and whisk until completely cool to form meringue. Mix the sifted almond flour and sugar with 7 ½ oz. egg whites to form almond paste. If using any flavoring or color, add to the paste now. Gently fold the meringue into the almond paste. Place on parchment paper in 1 ½ inch-diameter and bake for eight to 10 minutes. Yields 24-36 cookies, depending on size.

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bookmarks

By Colleen C. Bauman, Pickerington Public Library Community Services Coordinator

Science will be everywhere at the library this summer – starting with a Rube Goldberg contest June 7, and continuing through August with our children’s summer reading program, aptly titled Fizz Boom Read, and Spark a Reaction for our teens. The Manga Guide to Biochemistry By Masaharu Takemura, ZERO Kikuyaro and Office Sawa The world of biochemistry is finally found in an approachable comic format. This book can be used as a reference book or supplementary reader for a biochemistry course. A high school student would certainly be able to comprehend the material, which follows Kumi, a high school girl who is very concerned with dieting but knows little about nutrition and health. Theo Gray’s Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home – But Probably Shouldn’t By Theodore Gray The fire, smoke, smells and bangs of chemistry are what inspired many scientists to become scientists in the first place. This stuff is fun! But it’s also dangerous enough that it’s been mostly banned from schools. This book captures the fun and sense of adventure that

comes with science. Using items found at home in your kitchen or chemicals easily purchased in hardware or garden stores, you, too, can become an amateur scientist, tinkering in your basement. Real warnings versus “the lawyer made us do it” warnings are included with the experiments. Gadgets and Games By Chris Oxlade This book is part of the Design and Engineering STEM information series for children and is most appropriate for middle school age students. Gadgets and games are part of just about every family, given the popularity of cell phones and game systems. Each technological development that has come on the market has been carefully planned and orchestrated. This book explains the stages from their design, manufacture and sale to their use, maintenance and disposal process.

Kitchen Chemistry By Jon Eben Field A kitchen is full of materials that can be combined for simple or complex experiments. Anytime you cook or bake, you use chemical properties to create food. The clean-up process uses chemicals and science, too. This book is full of fun facts about how real products were discovered and experiments such as how to make eggs fluffy or biscuits flaky. Machines at the Airport By Sian Smith Using simple text and labeled photographs, this book examines a wide range of machines used at the airport. Find out each machine’s job and how it solves a particular problem. Headings formatted as questions help children focus and ask their own questions as they explore the different machines covered in this book. This title is part of the Machines at Work series.

Pursuing Excellence...Building Character

Fairfield Christian Academy 1965 North Columbus Street Lancaster, Ohio 43130

www.FairfieldChristianAcademy.com Serving Fairfield County Since 1998! Bus transportation provided from Pickerington Fairfield Christian Academy was founded in 1998 as a ministry of Fairfield Christian Church in Lancaster, Ohio, a historical community 25 miles southeast of Columbus in Fairfield County. The school opened its doors to approximately 200 students and 20 faculty. Today we are blessed to serve over 500 students in Preschool through 12th grade with over 80 faculty and staff. We seek to glorify the Lord by encouraging our students to academic excellence in an atmosphere of faith.

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