Pickerington August/September 2023

Photo by Joyce Cleary

pickerington community calendar

august/september 2023

Ongoing Events

Through Aug. 27

Art Exhibit – Intrinsic Luminescence

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster

www.decartsohio.org

Intrinsic Luminescence features the work of artists Judith Brandon, Stanka Kordic and Michael Mikula with each using their own craftsmanship and technique to create a sense of inner light.

Through Sept. 28

Pickerington Farmers’ Market

4-7 p.m., downtown Pickerington, 89 N. Center St.

www.pickeringtonvillage.com

This weekly family-friendly event brings together farmers, bakers and artisans to offer fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, flowers and more.

Through Oct. 29

Rock Mill Days

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Sundays

Stebelton Park at Rock Mill, 1429 Rockmill Pl. NW, Lancaster www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

Visitors are invited to tour the restored 1824 gristmill. On the last Sunday of each month, enjoy the opportunity to mill corn the way it was done 200 years ago.

Aug. 10 & Sept. 14

Pickerington Village Shop Hop

4-8 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, West Columbus Street

www.pickeringtonvillage.com

Grab some friends, shop local and see what’s happening in the Village on the second Thursday of every month.

All events are subject to change. Visit websites for additional information.

Rock Mill Days

Aug. 4, Sept. 1

Women’s Leadership Coalition

8-9:30 a.m., Redbud Commons, 602 Redbud Rd.

www.pickeringtonchamber.com

Hear from female speakers and make connections to inspire, mentor and support women in leadership roles in the workplace and the community.

Aug. 4

Summer Concert Series – SWAGG

6:30-8 p.m., Sycamore Creek Park Amphitheater

www.pickerington.k12.oh.us

Grab a blanket and chairs for the final installment of the free summer concert series featuring local Columbus soul-rock-pop band SWAGG.

Aug. 4

Friday Night Flicks – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Dusk, Sycamore Creek Park Amphitheater

www.ci.pickerington.oh.us

The final installment of the Friday Night Flicks series features a free showing of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Bring a blanket and chairs.

Would you like to submit an event for our calendar? Send details and photos to tkirkendall@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Aug. 5

Summer Reading Finale

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Wigwam Event Center, 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. NW

www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Celebrate the end of summer reading with the whole family at the Wigwam Event Center, including a comedy and magic show, a petting zoo, face painting, food trucks and more.

Aug. 5

Glow Stick Hike

8 p.m., Smeck Park, 7395 Basil Rd., Baltimore

www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

Pick up glow sticks at Cruit House then walk the lighted trails after dark.

Aug. 10-12

Wands & Wizards Weekend

All day, downtown Lancaster

www.visitfairfieldcounty.org

Multiple locations throughout Fairfield County will be hosting celebrations of the most magical event of the summer in their own wizardly way.

Aug. 11

Wizard Faire

4-8:30 p.m., Victory Park, accessed from Lockville Rd.

www.pickeringtonvillage.com

Grab a costume and get ready for games, music, food and magic at the Wizard Faire, part of the Wands & Wizards Weekend in Fairfield County.

Courtesy of Fairfield County Park District

Aug. 15-16

First Days of School – Grades

1-12

Pickerington Local School District

www.pickerington.k12.oh.us

Students grades 1-12 begin their school year staggered across two days. The first full day is Aug. 17.

Aug. 17

Brown Bag Book Club – The Zookeeper’s Wife

1-2 p.m., Pickerington Main Library, meeting room A, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

A lunchtime book club that meets the third Thursday of every month for lively discussions of a variety of classic and popular books across multiple genres. No registration is required to attend.

Aug. 18

First Day of School – Kindergarten

Pickerington Local School District www.pickerington.k12.oh.us

First day of school for kindergarteners.

Aug. 19

Youth Adventure Challenge

9 a.m.-noon, Sycamore Creek Park www.ci.pickerington.oh.us

Pickerington Parks and Recreation provides an untimed race filled with a variety of fitness obstacles for kids aged 3-12. Tickets cost $5 and pre-register by Aug. 12.

Aug. 19

American Red Cross – Blood Drive

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Pickerington Main Library, meeting room A, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

For more information and to schedule an appointment: 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code: PickeringtonLibrary.

Aug. 20

Incredible Edible Plants

1 p.m., Mambourg Park, 5531 CincinnatiZanesville Rd. NE (US-22), Lancaster www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

Forage in the woods and collect edible plants before making and tasting their teas.

Aug. 22

Artists Among Us

10-11 a.m., Pickerington Main Library, meeting room C, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Artists Among Us is an opportunity to explore, expand, and express creativity through a variety of visual arts. All skill levels are welcome and supplies are provided.

Aug. 30

Planting for Pollinators in Your Home Landscape – OSU

Extension

6-7 p.m., Pickerington Main Library, meeting room A, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Learn how to create a pollinator-friendly landscape through the basics behind using native flowering plants, taught by OSU Extension Educator Carrie Brown.

Sept. 7

Vet Ohio Expo

2-6 p.m., The Franklin Park Adventure Center, 1755 E. Broad St., Columbus www.vetohioexpo.com

The Vet Ohio Expo showcases veteranowned businesses who provide products and services to the community and encourages people to think of veterans first.

Sept. 8-9

Lithopolis Honeyfest

W. Columbus Street, Lithopolis www.lithopolishoneyfest.com

Fair food, vendors, classes and festivities, all celebrating the golden sweetener. See our story on page 28 for more!

Sept. 10

A Taste of Olde Pickerington

2-4 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum, 15 E. Columbus St. www.pickhistory.org

Help celebrate the Historical Society’s 30th year in the former Carnegie Library. Enjoy music, 1993 exhibits and a free “Taste of Olde Pickerington” featuring samples of well-loved foods dished up by local residents along with their stories and recipes.

Sept. 11

Early Morning Bird Hike

7 a.m., Mambourg Park, 5531 CincinnatiZanesville Rd. NE (US-22), Lancaster

www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

A morning of searching, listening to and identifying birds, then refreshments.

Sept. 16-17

Harvest Celebration! 2023

11 a.m.-4 p.m., Smeck Park, 7395 Basil Rd., Baltimore

www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

Watch as Fairfield County Antique Tractor Club members bring crops using early farm machinery and participate in classic activities such as shucking corn, harvesting potatoes out of the ground and taking home fresh goods. Demonstrations, games, food trucks and more will be present.

Sept. 22-23

Pickerington Oktoberfest

Combustion Brewery & Taproom parking lot, 80 W. Church St.

www.pickeringtonvillage.com

With music, games and a mile-long race, this free outdoor event transforms the parking lot into a biergarten. It’s fun for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sept. 30

Go Wild! A Nature Fair

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Coyote Run, 9212 Pickerington Rd.

www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

Guided nature hikes, presentations, demonstrations, crafts and more to celebrate and explore nature through this brand-new event.

Summer Concert Series Courtesy of City of Pickerington

PICKERINGTON

NEWS & INFORMATION FROM THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON

Decades of City Service Recognized

A job where you put in long hours, give up your nights and never get paid is not a job that would appeal to many people. Thankfully Steve Malone and Doug Blake aren’t like ‘many people.’

Malone has served on the Pickerington Parks Board (formerly Tree Commission) for 31 years and Blake has served on the Planning & Zoning Commission for 20 years. They’ve never received a paycheck and until recently, little acknowledgement for their years of public service. At a June City Council meeting, Mayor Gray changed that; he presented both Malone and Blake with Keys to the City and gave them each an honorary day of recognition. It was a lot of fanfare for two men who’ve quietly served their community for decades.

Malone and his wife were looking for a home east of Columbus and found a wooded lot and affordable home price in Pickerington. They moved here in the spring of 1990. They’ve stayed because “despite its rapid growth and traffic challenges, Pickerington still retains a lot of its ‘small town’ appeal.  People here generally seem friendly, family-oriented, and welcoming of others.  Plus, we have a cool logo on our water towers,” said Malone.

In 1992, Malone’s wife spotted a notice in the local paper about the creation of a Pickerington Tree Commission to help plan and care for city trees along streets, in parks, etc.  “With

my forestry background and general interest in trees, it seemed like a good opportunity to serve the community, so I applied and was appointed as one of the original three members.” In 2011 the Tree Commission became the Parks Board and Malone stayed and continued to serve. The Board meets monthly and members also attend various Parks and Recreation events, including Arbor Day.

Malone has been instrumental in helping the City maintain its status as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. In 2023, the City celebrated its 30th year as a Tree City USA.

The same small town charm that drew Malone to Pickerington is one of the reasons Doug Blake decided to call Pickerington home. “Our fourth child was born in 1999 and we were looking to get into a neighborhood, as we were living in a rural area. I drove through the Olde Village one (winter) evening and the holiday lights were lit; it was snowing and I felt like this was home.” A visit to Ridgeview Junior High School where they met Wayne Ferne (school guidance counselor) for a tour was the last piece of the puzzle. Pickerington was home.

“I love this City. I love the parades on the various holidays, the small town feel, we have anything and everything in the way of amenities a person could want, the wonderful schools, the diversity of our community.”

Blake got involved with the Planning and Zoning Commission after a personal experience. “There was a piece of property that adjoined our old house in another city that was up for rezoning from agriculture to industrial use. That was a terrible experience for myself and my neighbors. I vowed I would get involved in city government when we moved.”

Blake is the chairman of the Commission and says the biggest challenge they face is ‘the fears our residents have about the impact residential growth will have on our schools and traffic.’

“I am of the opinion that a property owner has the right to develop a parcel that they own or are in contract with based on our zoning requirements and meeting our codes and standards. I personally try to live by these two things every day: do what is best for the majority of our citizens and treat others

Doug Blake (left) and Steve Malone

as I would like to be treated. Explaining our decisions is a very hard conversation to have but it is our duty to explain our decision to our fellow residents.”

In 20 years of service Blake has seen a lot of changes in the community. “Giant Eagle was my first experience with the fears of adjoining residents of the unknown. The biggest impact to our community, in my opinion, has been OhioHealth coming into our city, and now building a full-blown hospital. I believe this will shape our commercial and supporting professional office base for years to come.”

Neither Blake nor Malone have any plans to retire from their appointments and both agree that public service is vitally important to Pickerington’s success. “Get involved. We are blessed to live in this wonderful city,” said Blake. “Find something you like and stick with it.  Be flexible in your outlook and don’t give up if things don’t seem to work out at first,” added Malone.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Sgt. Bryan Bragg at the Pickerington Police Department for his recent graduation from The Ohio State University Public Safety Leadership Academy. PSLA is an 11-week course offered by the John Glenn College of Public Affairs in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety. It is one of the premier law enforcement leadership courses in the State of Ohio and is tuition-free for Ohio law enforcement agencies. Sgt. Bragg is the eighth supervisor from the PPD to graduate from the program.

Upcoming events

August

19 – Youth Adventure Challenge Kids (ages 3-12) will be challenged in a variety of age appropriate fitness obstacles on a 3/4 mile course. This is not a mud run. Pre-register by August 12th.

September

30 – Enchanted Princess Party

Spend a magical morning with your favorite princesses. Come in your fanciest gowns and complete a craft, take photos, enjoy royal treats, and other activities. Tickets are required.

For more information visit www.pickerington.net

Members of the Pickerington Community Theatre served as the 2023 Grand Marshals of the July 4th Parade. PCT is a volunteer-led organization that produces four stage productions a year and has been part of the community since 2006.

Violet Township

Managing your swimming pool and hot tub water properly:

By Fairfield County Soil & Water Conservation District

Chlorinated water is among the many concerns that we have about our stormwater systems impacting our local streams in the Walnut Creek and Blacklick Creek Watersheds. While we can easily see the stormwater impacts of pollutants like oil, paint, antifreeze, etc., chlorine is invisible. Chlorine can impact the highly sensitive gills of fish and can ultimately suffocate them along with other macroinvertebrates in our streams and creeks.

The preferred ways to address chlorinated water in pools and hot tubs include a couple of approaches:

1. Stop adding chlorine and allow the water to set for around 10 days. Before discharging your water, use your

pool water test kits to identify that they are at “no detectable levels.” It is also encouraged to check the pH and make sure it’s between 6.5 and 9.0 before releasing it slowly to a storm sewer. If a storm sewer is not available, a slow release of the dechlorinated water across a well stabilized (grassed) area that does not impact the area negatively (flooding the neighbor or a public roadway) can be performed.

If you have a saltwater pool, the salt activator that converts the salt to chlorine needs shut off.

If you use a Chlorine Eliminator (sodium thiosulfate), your testing should indicate “no detectable levels” before discharging the water slowly. Remember the “label is the law” when using chemical products.

2. If it is absolutely necessary, the use of a sanitary sewer system to discharge the chlorinated water may be considered. Please contact the local sanitary sewer service provider before doing so for any rules or fees associated with it.

Fairfield County Utilities

614-322-5200

City of Pickerington

614-837-6470

City of Canal Winchester

614-834-5111

A licensed septic hauler may be another option if needed. Speaking of septic, if you are on a lot with a septic system or leach field, don’t discharge into your tank or across your field. Doing so may cause the system to be overwhelmed with water, leading to other unintended environmental concerns.

Evgeniya Sheydt, Adobe Stock

From the Fire Department Fire Prevention Week

As the end of summer approaches, we prepare ourselves for all that autumn offers: a new school year, fall sports, Halloween, and Fire Prevention Week (October 8th–October 14th). The purpose of Fire Protection Week is to educate children about how to prepare and stay safe if there is a fire. This is a life skill we are trying to teach and reinforce throughout all school aged children.

Fire Prevention Week was established after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In 1911, on the 40th anniversary of the devastating and fatal fire, “National Fire Prevention Day” was created by the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA), which is the oldest division of the National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA). This initial day was designed to save lives and keep the population informed about fire prevention. In 1920 President Woodrow Wilson issued a Presidential Proclamation to officially designate the date as National Fire Prevention Day. President Calvin Coolidge established Fire Protection Week in 1925 with a Presidential Proclamation. The National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA) remains as an international sponsor of the week.

Each year the NFPA announces a theme for Fire Prevention Week, and the theme for 2023 focuses on how to prepare if there is a fire at home. This year’s slogan is “Scalds: Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire.” This year’s theme is intended to focus on ways that everyone and anyone can prevent burn-related injuries from occurring at home.

Firefighters Are Friends: Teaching Kids Fire Safety Basics

Did you know? According to data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 74% of all U.S. fire deaths take place in the home. There are also likely to be more fatalities in a home fire in 2023 compared to 1980.

Fire is fascinating, and scary, to kids of all ages. Kids may be curious about fire or want to emulate their parents’ behaviors with matches or lighters. But as adults and firefighters know, a single match can start a devastating home fire.

For parents, it’s essential to teach children fire safety basics at an early age to prevent tragedies and stay safe. Meeting firefighters and learning about their role in society, installing fire alarms, playing educational games and practicing a fire escape plan are all ways to help kids understand fire safety basics.

Educating Kids on Fire Safety

Every year, children playing with fire leads to approximately 300 deaths and $280 million in destroyed property, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Most fires that are started by children are set by preschoolers and kindergarteners, so early education on fire safety is key.

Learning about the dangers of fire is necessary for kids, but it doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming to be memorable. You can teach kids fire safety basics in several fun ways that they’ll remember.

Read Books on Firefighters and Fire Safety with Kids

Reading is a great way for kids to learn about firefighters and fire safety in a fun way. There are plenty of books available for all reading levels that kids can enjoy, including:

• A Day With Firefighters by Jan Kottke

• Fire! Fire! By Gail Gibbons

• Firefighters A to Z by Chris L. Demarest

• Firefighter Frank by Monica Wellington

• Hello, Fire Truck! by Marjorie Blain Parker

Have Kids Meet Firefighters

One of the best ways to show kids that firefighters aren’t scary is to introduce them to one. Many area schools have firefighter classroom visits where firefighters talk to the kids about their jobs and teach fire safety basics like stop, drop and roll.

However, you can also call or visit your local fire station to arrange a tour with your kids. At the fire station, they

can meet firefighting men and women, ask them questions and possibly even sit in a fire truck.

Whether kids meet firefighters in the classroom or at one of our fire station tours, this hands-on experience teaches kids that firefighters:

• Are available 24 hours a day to help in an emergency

• Are friends, not strangers to be afraid of

• Drive fire trucks and ambulances with loud sirens to get to a fire or other emergency, safely and expediently

• Have special equipment and gear that help them do their job

• Have special training to be safe in a fire

• Help people get out of burning buildings safely

• Put out fires inside and outside

• Save people, pets and homes

• Transport injured people to hospitals

Outfitting for Safety: Learning About Firefighter Gear

When kids meet firefighters, they’ll learn about all the special gear that firefighters wear, along with the tools they use every day, including:

• Fire trucks, which have loud sirens and bright lights (these mean help is on the way!)

• Fire truck hoses, which help put out fires

• Fire truck ladders, which help firefighters reach tall buildings

• Protective firefighter gear, like fireproof boots, pants and coats, masks, helmets, and flashlights

Firefighters dressed in their heavy gear, with coats, masks and air tanks,

Please visit the 2023 Violet Township Fire Department Annual Open House on Sunday October 1, 2023. It will be held at Fire Station 591, located at 21 Lockville Rd in Pickerington from 1 PM to 3 PM.

can be frightening to young children. Compared to older kids, children ages 4 and under have the highest risk of dying in a fire, and that’s partly because they hide — from both the fire and firefighters. Many firefighters report having to search for kids in a house fire because they will commonly hide under furniture or in closets.

However, as kids learn about and see firefighter gear firsthand in a safe environment, like at school, they’ll learn that firefighters aren’t people to fear.

Teaching Fire Safety at Home for Kids

At the fire station, kids can learn how firefighters respond to house fires quickly and effectively. At home, you can continue their fire safety education by teaching them how fires could start at home, what to stay away from and how to escape a fire in the house.

Prevent Home Fires Started by Kids

To prevent a fire in your home, kids must first understand that fire is dangerous, and that things that make fire, like matches and lighters, are not toys. They’re only for adults to use, and if they see siblings or other kids using matches or lighters, they should tell a trusted adult right away.

Make sure any lighters you use have child-resistant features, and store them in a cabinet out of kids’ reach or in a locked drawer.

In addition to lighters and matches, explain that the stove, oven, fireplace, space heaters and candles (flameless ones are safest) also create heat and could start a fire. A good rule of thumb is to put three feet between heating items and anything that could catch on fire.

There are plenty of opportunities to teach kids about fire safety outdoors, too. Grilling, having a campfire or bonfire or setting off fireworks are all perfect opportunities to expand kids’ knowledge about fire safety, how to stay safe outside and prevent fires from spreading.

Teach Kids About Smoke Detectors

One of the most important parts of fire safety education for kids is teaching them about smoke alarms. Let kids hold a detector and look at the buttons, and explain what the alarms are, how they

work, what sound they make and why they’re important.

Get kids involved by having them help you test every smoke alarm in your home once a month. There should be multiple detectors on each floor, outside of bedrooms and sleeping areas, specifically. You can have the kids see if they can hear the alarm from their bedroom, or from downstairs, to show why it’s important to have multiple alarms in the house.

If your smoke alarms are chirping, it’s time to change the batteries. Typically, you’ll change the batteries when you change your clocks to fall back or spring forward, and the smoke detectors will need to be replaced approximately every 10 years.

Teach Kids How to Escape a Home Fire

If a home fire happens, your family may have as little as two minutes to get out of the house safely.

Developing a fire escape plan with your family is the most important part of fire safety education. To ensure every family member understands the plan fully, practice a drill at least twice a year. Explain to kids that when they hear the fire alarm (possibly at night), they should follow these steps to get out of the building safely.

Identify Two Exits From Every Room

Typically, you will find a door and a window in each room of your home. These are the best exit points if a fire occurs. Show kids how to press the back of their hand against their bedroom door handle to test whether it’s hot. If it is, they should use the second exit from the room, which may be a window. Make sure windows can be easily opened and crawled through, and that kids know it’s only ap-

propriate to do so in an emergency. You may need to consider whether or not you need an escape ladder(s) for second floor bedrooms.

Know How to Fall and Crawl, and Stop, Drop and Roll

If there’s a fire, the air will be clearer closer to the floor, so kids should practice the fall-and-crawl maneuver to stay low and exit the room safely. Make sure kids know that if their clothes catch on fire, they should stop moving, drop to the floor and roll to extinguish the flames.

Know the Phrase “Don’t Hide, Go Outside”

Small children may run and hide if they hear a fire alarm, so it’s essential to teach them that this behavior isn’t safe. Make sure the phrase “don’t hide, go outside,” is part of your kids’ fire safety education.

Designate a Meeting Point Outside

As part of your fire escape plan, choose a meeting area outside, like a tree or a landmark, where everyone should meet after safely exiting the house.

Know to Get Out — and Stay Out

Be sure to remind kids that getting out of the house as quickly as possible is the most important thing in a fire emergency. Kids should never go back inside the house after getting out. Once outside at the designated meeting spot, they should call for help. Dial 911 if someone hasn’t already and wait for the firefighters to arrive. Only firefighters should go back to help anyone who is still inside.

Make sure kids know that their local firefighters will come help if there’s a fire, and that once they arrive, they’ll do everything they can to keep everyone safe. Teach kids that if a firefighter calls to them or gives an instruction, they should listen and heed their firefighter friends.

Expert Care When the Unexpected Happens

In case of a fire, be sure your kids know to follow your family’s fire escape plan and to call 911 right away so firefighters can get there quickly.

Upon arrival, firefighters can make sure each member of your family is safely outside and can help you get immediate care at the closest appropriate emergency department.

News

Annual Update and Kindergarten

Registration

Reminders

Pickerington Schools parents — if you haven’t done so already, it is time to update and submit “Back to School Forms” for your student(s) and/or register your child(ren) for Kindergarten.

The required “Back to School Forms” include:

• Emergency Medical Authorization

• Student Handbook Acknowledgement

• Device Agreement

• Technology Protection Plan

• Field Trip Authorization Form

To complete this “Annual Update,” parents will need to login to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at tinyurl.com/ICAnnualUpdate or scan the QR code below. Once inside the portal, most of the information will be pre-populated so you will simply double check for accuracy. The Emergency Medical Form will require you to review and make necessary changes prior to submitting it.

Kindergarten registration is also open for the 2023-24 school year, and we encourage parents to complete the process as soon as possible. Visit tinyurl.com/KRegPLSD2023 or scan the QR code for more information and to register.

Capturing Community

Joyce Cleary has been a Pickerington resident for over 30 years. She retired after 44 years of working in the Ohio Department of Commerce and she hasn’t stopped moving since.

As a volunteer at Amber Park Senior Living, the Pickerington Tree Commission, American Red Cross and Pickerington Food Pantry, as well as a member of the Pickerington Community Chorus and an active member of her church, Cleary is always discovering new ways to get involved with her community.

“(God) has given me a gift to love people and understand how important community and helping each other is,” Cleary says.

During her time volunteering, Cleary has helped install benches and tree placards at Sycamore Creek Park Arboretum. She has helped families recover from house fires and spent countless hours playing games and chatting with Amber Park residents. For Cleary, her service is about her neighbors.

“I focus on people. I focus on loving one another and serving,” Cleary says.

When she’s not out in the community, Cleary is leading a home church and volunteering with her church community.

Longtime resident cultivates rewarding lifestyle of community involvement and photography

Lifelong student

Before moving to Pickerington in 1994, Cleary attended Columbus State Community College and Franklin University for about 15 years, where she discovered she wanted to be a lifetime learner.

“I took business, I took accounting, I took engineering. I took advertising because I wanted to take photography. I can’t remember all the classes I’ve taken. I could care less about the degree. I just wanted to learn,” says Cleary.

Still a student, Cleary currently enrolls in classes at Dwell Community Church where she expands her knowledge on the books of the Bible.

In addition to her dedication to continued learning, Cleary also cultivates a love of the outdoors and photography. In fall 2022, Cleary reached out to Pickerington Magazine to offer her photography work for publication. Since then, Cleary can be seen around Pickerington snapping pictures of the city’s natural parks, exciting events and local businesses. Cleary’s work is

faces By Katie Giffin

featured in each of the last two issues of Pickerington Magazine. As an active member of the community for so long, Cleary can capture the essence of Pickerington in one shot.

“I’ve liked photography all my life. I always loved taking pictures of my family and vacations. I love documenting what we’ve done,” Cleary says. “My favorite

type of photography is nature. I love doing landscapes, animals – just nature.”

In 2020, Cleary and her husband, Tony, visited Grand Teton National Park

Photos by Joyce Cleary

Cleary visited Grand Teton National Park to take photos of the wildlife

in Wyoming, where Cleary had the chance to capture wild animals in their stunning natural habitat.

“We knew where the wolves would be, so we went out and we would sit on the side of the road with my camera and I got (pictures of) wolves, a grizzly bear, a black bear, a coyote,” Cleary says.

Cleary has brought her camera across California, Utah, the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon, and her goal is to visit every national park. For her next trip, Cleary and her husband plan to visit Acadia National Park in Maine.

“I have a quote by Ansel Adams and it’s something like, ‘God puts me somewhere at the right time where he wants me to take a photo,’ and I love that,” Cleary says.

Back in Ohio, Cleary shifted her focus from wildlife imagery to capturing other subjects. For her current project, she is working on compiling a collection of before-and-after images of historical buildings in Pickerington.

“I think (the history) is interesting to a lot of people, but I do think history matters. It’s what we were, what we’ve become, where we’re going,” Cleary says.

And while Cleary has the itch to trav-

el and capture images all around the country, her expeditions always lead her back home to Pickerington.

“There’s a lot of things I’d like to do, but (Pickerington) is my home. This is where I come back to,” Cleary says.

Katie Giffin is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Cleary captures landscape images in Yellowstone National Park

Photos by Joyce Cleary

Diana’s MOST TRUSTED

Orthopedic Practice

“I went to do an overhead press, and my left arm gave out. I walked away with a torn labrum. I didn’t want to let my volleyball teammates down, or stop my training. At Orthopedic ONE it wasn’t just let’s get better today, but let’s get better today and tomorrow. I’m now full go. Orthopedic ONE gave me my life back.”

– Diana Brown, Orthopedic ONE Patient and Division I College Athlete

This is where you go to get better.

Diana Brown, Orthopedic ONE Patient and Division I College Athlete

S hutterbug s

Our annual look at Pickerington through the lenses of its residents

Gail C. Botz

Janice Thomas

Trey Swanson

Gail C. Botz

Trey Swanson

Nancy Painter

Kim Luebke

Trey Swanson

Kim Luebke

Trey Swanson

A Pickerington Parade

2023 BIA Parade of Homes features local properties

The annual event that invites prospective home buyers, builders, and home and garden enthusiasts to tour central Ohio’s best new builds is back, and this year features three homes located in Pickerington.

This year’s offerings in Pickerington cater mostly to two opposing demographics – growing families and empty nesters. A common thread in these new communities is access to trails and parks appealing to the active and adventurist spirits of Pickerington residents of all ages.

This year marks Treplus Communities’ first appearance in the BIA Parade of Homes with its 55 and over complex, Redbud Commons, located just off Diley Road. Treplus builds luxury rental homes tailored to the baby boomer generation. Redbud Commons has already received various accolades, including the 2020 Best of 55+ Housing Awards Gold Award for the Best Market-Rate Rental Community by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Also new this year is a home in the Estates at Lake Forest, a subdivision by AMH Homes. These single-family, three- to fivebedroom models boast granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and lawn service. Schottenstein Homes is showcasing a home in its community Wellington Park. Like the Estates at Lake Forest, these single-family homes are designed for growing families. Residents of both new subdivisions are less than five minutes from Toll Gate Elementary, Lakeview Junior High and Pickerington North High School and close to I-70 and state Routes 256 and 204. They are also both within five minutes from downtown Pickerington, retail stores, restaurants and grocery stores with easy access to Pickerington’s parks and nature trails including Pickerington Ponds Metro Park and Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail.

Maisie Fitzmaurice is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Gail C. Botz

Janice Thomas

Trey Swanson

This Old House

Family farmhouse restored with mix of authentic and modern features

By Claire Miller

An almost 200-year-old farmhouse in Canal Winchester received a major restoration recently.

The seventh-generation owner wanted to update the functionality of the home, which was built in 1831, without compromising the character. The owner enlisted Anne Rogers Interiors (ARI) to take on the extensive project, which took 98 weeks of construction.

ARI removed a kitchen wall, dining room wall and a back shed attached to the home. It built an addition that made room for a banquette, new mudroom, first-floor bath and second-floor main suite.

The goal was to update and restore, ensuring that the new features felt authentic but had modern functionality. For example, existing hardware, such as doorknobs, was duplicated, as were structural

The home received a new, navy blue coat to create a cohesive color scheme inside and out. The wrap-around porch retained its original charm while composite columns replaced rotting wood columns.

Photos by Kortney Miller Photography

To bring the home into 2023, the client needed a mudroom. It was incorporated into the back hallway also using reclaimed wood from the property. The wood plank wall in the mudroom is repurposed from an old fence.

features such as baseboards and the pillars encircling the front porch.

The original layout lacked a dedicated main bedroom, bathroom and closet space. The only bathroom in the house was located on the second floor. Renovations included removal of the shed to make room for a new bathroom, pantry wall, mudroom, cellar staircase and a back porch.

EXPLORE PUBLIC ART IN COLUMBUS

Before the renovation, the kitchen was small with little counter and storage space, and the dining area was not functional. The renovation created a better flow throughout the first floor by bumping out a wall to make space for a dining banquette, moving the kitchen to the old dining area and adding a mudroom.

You can spot the original farm sign above the entryway to the kitchen.

Download the ARTWALKS

app to explore public art on your mobile device!

Murals, sculptures, fountains, historic theaters and much more are searchable at ColumbusMakesArt.com/public-art.

Explore new neighborhoods, discover your favorite library’s collection, learn about public art tours (NEW!) or just get to know the wonderful variety of public art in central Ohio—our city’s collection is growing all the time!

Search by location, artist name, type of art or any keyword and help us make the database even better by sending your photos and details.

ColumbusMakesArt.com/public-art

Maker’s Monument Mark Reigelman

Jazz Duets, Omar Shaheed

Portals for Nature, Miss Birdy

Claire Miller is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Photos by Kortney Miller Photography

The fireplace needed restoration to expose the beautiful existing brick, and also included repairing cracks in the structure. The custom mantle, crafted from wood on the property, was meant to mimic the original design.

The old staircase wall was discarded to create a more open feel and a better view of the exposed brick; plaster was removed to expose the original exterior brick wall from 1831.

The new design added more than 200 square feet to fashion a dedicated main bathroom on the second floor by using an existing loft area for a main closet and hallway to the bathroom. The bathroom features custom cabinetry, custom metal grid inserts to emulate farmhouse style and a custom walk-in shower.

“Our favorite part is our kitchen. With the bump-out window, large island and ample cabinets, it is not only beautiful, but so functional. Our friends’ and family members’ jaws drop when they walk in!”

A window bench, which uses wood salvaged from the property, was created for additional seating and storage space. The 10-foot table was crafted from 200-year-old oak wood also salvaged from the property.

Family heirlooms and vintage items are displayed in the glass-paneled cabinets; the custom cabinets also have sections for functional storage. The countertops are made from original wood found on the property.

By Maisie Fitzmaurice

Strong’s Stage Presence

North senior wins best actor CAPA Marquee Award, places high at nationals

Pickerington North senior Christian Strong had to do a lot more than just learn his lines for his role as drag performer Lola in Kinky Boots. He also spent countless hours listening to the show tunes on repeat, learning to walk in heels, practicing the choreography and learning how to apply drag-style makeup.

The entire North theater department’s hard work paid off. The team took home the 2022-23 CAPA Marquee Award for Best Musical Production for Kinky Boots, North theater director Allen DeCarlo-Boyd received the award for Best Direction and Strong’s classmate Bennett Ladowitz won Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Thanks to his dedication to the role, Strong received the 2023 CAPA Marquee Award for best leading actor, a surreal experience for the young actor.

“I was so happy that I made my friends proud and I did my school proud. So yeah, it was just very life-changing experience and it’s something I will never forget,” he says.

Strong was also nominated for The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA), otherwise known as the Jimmy Awards, for 2023 best performing actor.

After his nomination, Strong spent a week in New York being mentored by Broadway performers up until the awards ceremony performance at the Minskoff Theatre located in Times Square. There he placed eighth out of nearly 100 other nominees from across the country.

Starting Strong

Strong started his high school theater career when he was in just eighth grade with North’s production of Once on This Island, a production inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid

“It really just made everything pretty much click in my head that that’s what I wanted to do,” Strong says.

When Strong was cast as Lola in Kinky Boots as a junior, he started studying the role religiously. Like any good actor, he wanted to find a way to relate to his character so that jumping into the mindset of Lola would be smoother. Thankfully, Strong found it easy to find similarities with the character.

“I really wanted to focus on not only her essence but her place of vulnerability and it was so great that I got to play a role that I connected so deeply with,” Strong says.

As someone who hasn’t always felt accepted, Strong says he was able to connect to Lola using his own experiences and personality. Like Lola, Strong says he finds confidence through performing. Lola is a loud and eccentric character, which Strong says he sees in himself when he’s comfortable, but when Lola is out of drag as Simon, confidence is harder to come by.

“There are a lot of experiences that I’ve had in my life where I don’t always feel accepted and loved,” Strong says. “Lola, she comes out very confident, but on the inside, she’s not as con-

Photos courtesy of Erin Coleman

Strong earned the 2023 CAPA Marquee Award for Best Actor in a Supporting role.

not understand his identity or unique perspective, but Strong says he won’t let it dictate how he carries himself and the decisions he makes.

“I am my own person, I get to decide who I am and the boundaries that people have put on the queer community and the Black community,” Strong says. “It’s not something that I’m going to live with it, it’s not something that I’m going to do; I’m going to be my own person at the end of the day.”

Funding For the Future

Strong plans to continue his theater career after graduating from North by earning a theater degree. He hopes that one day high school theater programs will be just as popular and financially supported as the athletic programs.

“But at the end of the day, it’s hard because we’re our own organization, we only have each other – which is great, because we are very formidable,” Strong says. “But at the same time, theater, we need support, and the arts need support.”

Maisie Fitzmaurice is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Building coordination and confidence

At Kiddie Academy,® moving and grouping colorful blocks and shapes is more than a fun way to pass the time. It’s a way to nurture and reinforce large and small muscle development, coordination, balance and problem-solving skills. It all fits together perfectly.

By Nathan Mader

What’s All the Buzz About?

How a few changes in habits can protect the world’s favorite pollinators

The Lithopolis Honeyfest is celebrating all things honey this September with so many exciting offerings that you’ll need to see to beelieve. And to sweeten the deal, beekeepers have already started buzzing about ways to protect the beloved honey bee.

Attendees can expect to experience two free and family-friendly days of food, beekeeper vendors, arts and crafts, live performances, and more. Competitors can join the honey bake-off or photography and honey competitions, showing off the best honey-related crafts from around Pickerington.

Beekeepers Roger and Marlene Miller – who together run Roger’s Honey – missed the first Honeyfest in 2007,

but have attended every year since. Marlene says she enjoys networking with the other beekeepers and seeing familiar faces.

“You always find out different things,” Marlene says. “A lot of people come to the shows. Year after year they come back and say, ‘Oh, we come every year just to get your stuff.’”

Since joining the beekeeping business, Marlene has used her skills to create other honey-infused crafts such as jams, skin creams and soaps, which encompass only a few of the products that are featured at the Honeyfest.

“There’s like 10 or 12 beekeepers that attend, and every beekeeper has something different,” Marlene says. “All of us do different things.”

Marlene says buying local honey has several advantages over large brands you can find at the grocery store. She says ingesting local honey may help combat seasonal allergies – the pollen helps consumers build a tolerance – and it has a litany of other health benefits that are stripped away when mass-produced honey is heated to prevent granulation.

“If you heat it to a high temperature, that takes away all the good stuff in the honey like the enzymes and the vitamins and minerals. It kind of makes them null and void,” Marlene says. “So that’s why some of the stuff in the stores is nothing more than a sweetener.”

Roger and his booth at the Backwoods Fest in Thornville

Courtesy of Marlene Miller

Courtesy of Marlene Miller

Roger’s Honey stand at a Dayton Holiday Show

Bees are extremely important to the ecosystem because they are one of the most efficient pollinators in the world, meaning they are crucial for many plants and crops to grow. Marlene says it’s critical that we do our best to help bees, and the good news is that there are plenty of easy ways to create a more bee-friendly world – and lawn.

For example, wait to mow your lawn for as long as you can, or don’t mow in areas that don’t need it. This gives bees time to enjoy dandelions and clover.

“Our whole yard is just yellow because we don’t do anything,” Marlene says. “We don’t mow our lawn until the dandelions go to seed because that’s the first food normally in the spring that the bees will work.”

Planting native flowers, which local bees thrive on, is also a great way to support pollinators. Marlene says catmint, honeysuckle, milkweed, goldenrod and alfalfa are all excellent choices.

Marlene also warns against using pesticides unnecessarily or excessively, as they can combine with the pollen and nectar bees bring back inside the hive and kill them.

RECIPE

Zucchini Honey Bread

Two loaves

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup nuts, ground

2 large zucchinis (enough for two cups, shredded)

2 eggs

1 ½ cups honey

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir in the nuts.

• Peel the zucchini and shred enough for two cups before combining with the remaining ingredients in another bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir until everything is moistened.

• Spoon the batter into two greased and floured 9-by-5by-3-inch loaf pans and bake for one hour.

While Roger and Marlene are both retired, the two of them continue to run Roger’s Honey to stay active and to keep doing what they enjoy.

“It gives us a sense of purpose. To meet people and, you know, they want us to share what we know about beekeeping – it’s a good thing for everybody. That’s why we do it,” Roger says.

Pick up honey products from Roger’s Honey – and other local beekeepers – at the Lithopolis Honeyfest on Sept. 8-9 along Columbus Street in the Lithopolis Village Center.

Nathan Mader is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feeback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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Flowers set out at the Lithopolis Honeyfest

Courtesy of Lithopolis Honeyfest

Top homes sold in Pickerington

In May 2023, Pickerington home prices sold for a median price of $433K, up 0.8% compared to last year. On average, Pickerington homes are sold after 33 days on the market, five days longer than last year but two days shorter than March 2023. 68 homes were sold in May this year, four more than last year. (Data from Redfin)

All information is collected from the Fairfield and Franklin County auditors’ offices.

“The only reason we would give Sam 5 stars would be because we can’t give him more.”

what’s your style?

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 samcooper@howardhanna.com

7323 Gearied St. Pickerington Ohio | $665,000

Gorgeous one-story home on nearly 1.5 acres, inground pool, 1st floor owner’s bedroom with full remodeled bath, custom tiled shower, walk in closet w/ custom built ins, 1st floor office, great room w/ fireplace, formal dining room, covered front porch, finished walkout basement w/ wet bar, rec room, big storage room and bomb shelter/ safe room, remodeled bathrooms throughout.

SAM COOPER – HOWARD HANNA

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 samcooper@howardhanna.com

782 Wharncliff Loop Pickerington Ohio | $508,000

Gorgeous New Listing in Wellington Park, backyard patio addition, formal dining, home office, large great room w/ fireplace & wall of windows, kitchen w/ quartz counters, custom tiled backsplash, island & pantry & also includes a butler’s pantry, owners’ bedroom with full bath and oversized walk-in closet, big basement that can be finished, mud room, 1st floor laundry.

SAM COOPER – HOWARD HANNA

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 samcooper@howardhanna.com

138 Shawnee Dr. Pickerington Ohio | $525,000

Remarkable two-story home. Five Bedrooms, Home Office, formal living & dining room, multiple fireplaces, great room, large kitchen, island and breakfast bar, pantry, beautiful wide plank flooring, finished lower level with custom wet bar, partial finished full bath, private sound studio, large owner’s bedroom w/ full bath and walk in closet, new carpeting & crown molding, two tier deck

SAM COOPER – HOWARD HANNA

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 samcooper@howardhanna.com

153 Urich Dr. Pickerington Ohio | $528,000

Remarkable two-story home w/ 5 bdrms, 4 full bathrooms, covered front porch, hardwood flooring, front flex room, dining room, updated kitchen with island and stainless steel appl, great room with fireplace, 1st flr bedroom, fin lower-level w/ theatre room/ rec room, additional bedroom and full bath, storage room, very nice backyard w/ patio

Don Shaffer (614) 402-0338 donshaffer@howardhanna.com

853 Poppy Hills Dr. - Jefferson Meadows | Located in Jefferson Meadows, this stunningly updated home offers gorgeous views of the country club’s 15th green. With nearly 4400 sq ft, 5 bedrooms, & 4 full baths, this beauty boasts a finished walk-out basement with bar, heated in-ground pool, 2 level deck, & 3-car garage. The kitchen is loaded w/soft-close cabinets, Quartz countertops, & stainless appliances. $899,900 DON SHAFFER – HOWARD HANNA

Real Estate Section

SAM COOPER – HOWARD HANNA

Submitted by Colleen Bauman, Executive Manager-Community Engagement at the Pickerington Public Library

The Little Village of Book Lovers

by Nina George

In a little town in the south of France in the 1960s, a dazzling encounter with Love itself changes the life of infant orphan Marie-Jeanne forever. As a girl, Marie-Jeanne realizes that she can see the marks Love has left on the people around her – tiny glowing lights on the faces and hands that shimmer more brightly when the one meant for them is near. However, the only person that Marie-Jeanne can’t seem to find a soulmate for is herself. She has no glow of her own. Everyone must have a soulmate, surely – but will Marie-Jeanne be able to recognize hers when Love finally comes her way? – publisher

Forever Hold Your Peace

by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

When two newly engaged kids ask all four divorced parents to meet each other over brunch, everyone says yes – all hoping that they will address that this engagement is happening much too soon. It turns out the mothers of the bride and groom are ex-best-friends who haven’t spoken since their explosive falling out more than 25 years ago. Their history and their present-day shenanigans threaten to crack the foundations of the happy couple’s future. Forever Hold Your Peace is perfect for readers who love messy, complicated family novels. – publisher

Crook Manifesto by

Colson Whitehead

The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of Harlem Shuffle continues his Harlem saga in a powerful and hugely entertaining novel that summons 1970s New York in all its seedy glory. Crook Manifesto is a darkly funny tale of a city under siege, but also a sneakily searching portrait of the meaning of family. Colson Whitehead’s kaleidoscopic portrait of Harlem is sure to stand as one of the all-time great evocations of a place and a time. – publisher

Library hours: Pickerington Public Library | pickeringtonlibrary.org

Sunday 1-5 p.m. | Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Invisible Hour

by Alice Hoffman

One brilliant June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost 200 years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community – an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden, and books are considered evil. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her? – publisher

The Celebrants

by Steven Rowley

A Big Chill for our times, celebrating decades-long friendships and selfpromises by the bestselling and beloved author of The Guncle. An honest tribute to the growing pains of selfhood and the people who keep us going, coupled with Steven Rowley’s signature humor and heart, The Celebrants is a moving tale about the false invincibility of youth and the beautiful ways in which friendship helps us celebrate our lives, even amid the deepest challenges of living.

Zero Days

by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware returns with this adrenaline-fueled thriller about a woman in a race against time to clear her name and find her husband’s murderer. Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband, Gabe, are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. To add to her horror, the police are closing in on their suspect – her. Suddenly on the run and quickly running out of options, Jack must decide whom she can trust as she circles closer to the real killer in this heart-pounding mystery. – publisher

For more information, visit pickeringtonlibrary.org or contact Communications@pickeringtonlibrary.org

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Mini Soccer Stars

Bally Sports Group leads an age appropriate program that utilizes fun games and activities to teach the fundamentals to beginning soccer players. Coaches focus on teaching the basics of dribbling, passing, scoring and the concept of game play. Proper sportsmanship is emphasized in a positive and encouraging atmosphere enabling children to enjoy learning soccer while also having fun being physically active. Each week will include both developmentally appropriate instruction as well as recreational, non-competitive game play. Each player receives a team shirt. Shin guards required. Optional: cleats and soccer ball (size 3)

MS-01

3-4 Years

Sep 14-Oct 19 Th 6 Weeks 5-6pm

Fee: $107 City Resident Discount Fee: $85

MS-02

5-6 Years

Sep 14-Oct 19 Th 6 Weeks 6-7pm

Fee: $107 City Resident Discount Fee: $85

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Soccer Field 1

300 Covered Bridge Ln.

Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. We positively impact children’s lives on and off the field through our best-inclass coaching, communication and curriculum. Each session focuses on basic soccer skills and incorporates those skills in a fun, non-competitive environment. All equipment is provided.

SHOT-01

2-3 Years

Sep 9-Oct 28 Sa 8 Weeks 3-3:30pm

Fee: $130 City Resident Discount Fee: $104

SHOT-02

2-3 Years

Sep 9-Oct 28 Sa 8 Weeks 3:45-4:15pm

Fee: $130 City Resident Discount Fee: $104

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Soccer Field 3 300 Covered Bridge Ln.

Little Sluggers T-Ball

Bally Sports Group’s Little Sluggers is a great introduction to the game of baseball for young children. Using age appropriate activities, players will be introduced to fundamentals of baseball in an atmosphere that is supportive, fun and prevents children from feeling pressured. Each week, the program will include an instructional portion that will introduce players to batting, base running, fielding, throwing and catching. A modified game will also be played each week. Parent participation is strongly encouraged to allow the program to run smoothly. The Little Sluggers T-Ball program will provide your child with a fun and positive t-ball experience, encouraging future participation. Each player receives a team shirt and hat. Glove is required. Optional: cleats and bat

LS-01

3-4 Years

Sep 10-Oct 8 Su 5 Weeks 12-1pm

Fee: $107 City Resident Discount Fee: $85

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Softball Field 1 & 2

500 Hereford Dr.

Lil Kik

Directed by Grandmaster Stephens of Free Spirit Karate Clubs. Tae Kwon Do skills help build strength, agility and coordination. Students will learn at their own pace, and most importantly, will have fun, fun, fun! Social skills and coordination drills are wrapped together with our unique self-defense techniques.

LK-01

3-7 Years

Aug 3-Sep 7 Th 6 Weeks 5:30-6pm

Fee: $104 City Resident Discount Fee: $83

LK-02

3-7 Years

Sep 14-Oct 19 Th 6 Weeks 5:30-6pm

Fee: $104 City Resident Discount Fee: $83

LK-03 3-7 Years

Oct 26-Dec 7* Th 6 Weeks 5:30-6pm

*No class Nov 23

Fee: $104 City Resident Discount Fee: $83

LK-04

3-7 Years

Dec 14-Jan 18 Th 6 Weeks 5:30-6pm

Fee: $104 City Resident Discount Fee: $83

LK-05

3-7 Years

Jan 25-Feb 29 Th 6 Weeks 5:30-6pm

Fee: $104 City Resident Discount Fee: $83

Location: American Free Spirit Karate 5953 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43232

JumpBunch Sports, Fitness, and Fun

Your little one needs to get out moving and you need a program just right for their size. Search no more! Weekly JumpBunch classes begin with kidfriendly warm ups and exercises. The class “Coach” will then  introduce participants to individual skills, equipment and simple rules of a different sports/ fitness activity each week. Coaches praise and encourage children while helping them develop coordination, teamwork and confidence. Each session concludes with games, obstacle courses and cool downs to keep kids engaged and moving throughout the session. Participants should dress to be very active. Adult/parent participation is required for all children under 3. For more information, go to JumpBunch.com.

SFF-01 18-36 Months with Parent

Sep 7-Oct 12 Th 6 Weeks 6-6:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

SFF-02

3-5 Years

Sep 7-Oct 12 Th 6 Weeks 6:30-7pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Pickering Shelter

300 Covered Bridge Ln.

Pickerington Young Author’s Anthology

Join us on a three week writing journey that will teach young authors to connect their writing with nature, their imagination and emotions! Each writer will leave with three complete pieces of work and can choose one (opt in/out) to be published in our first Pickerington Young Authors Anthology.

PAA-01 10 years and older

Sep 11-Sep 25 Mo 3 Weeks 7-8pm

Fee: $44 City Resident Discount Fee: $35

Location: Pickerington Main Library 201 Opportunity Way

Kids in Karate- Adults too!

Directed by Grandmaster Stephens of Free Spirit Karate Clubs. Tae Kwon Do skills help build strength, agility and coordination. The mental aspects builds self-confidence, self-control and mental-discipline. From kids to adults, it is great for the whole family. Everyone can benefit from this class.

KIK-01 6 Years and Up

Aug 17-Oct 5 Th 8 Weeks 6-7:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

KIK-02 6 Years and Up

Oct 12-Dec 7* Th 8 Weeks 6-7:30pm

*No class Nov 23

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

KIK-03 6 Years and Up

Dec 14-Feb 1 Th 8 Weeks 6-7:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

Location: American Free Spirit Karate 5953 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43232

Minor League Baseball

Bally Sports Minor League Baseball is a great introduction to coachpitch baseball for beginning baseball players. The program utilizes instruction including batting, fielding, throwing and catching. The program will also include a modified, non-competitive game each week. Bally Sports staff will lead each team’s instruction, although parent participation is strongly encouraged. Bally Sports strives to emphasize the importance of great sportsmanship by creating an encouraging atmosphere that helps players build self-esteem and encourage future participation. Each player receives a team shirt and hat. Glove is required. Optional: cleats and bat

MLB-01 5-7 Years

Sep 10-Oct 8 Su 5 Weeks 1-2:15pm

Fee: $107 City Resident Discount Fee: $85

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Softball Field 1 & 2 500 Hereford Dr.

Skyhawks Basketball

This fun, skill-intensive program is designed for beginning to intermediate players. Using our progressional curriculum, we focus on the whole player - teaching sportsmanship and teamwork. Boys and girls will learn the fundamentals of passing, shooting, ball handling, rebounding and defense through skill-based instruction and smallsided scrimmages.

SBC-01

6-12 Years

Aug 31-Sep 21 Th 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

SBC-02

6-12 Years

Oct 5-Oct 26 Th 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Basketball Court 500 Hereford Dr.

Skyhawks Multi Sport Camp

Multi-Sport programs are designed to introduce young athletes to a variety of different sports in one setting. Athletes will learn the rules and essential skills of each sport, along with vital life lessons such as sportsmanship and teamwork.

SMC-01

6-10 Years

Aug 29-Sep 19 Tu 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

SMC-02

6-10 Years

Oct 3-Oct 24 Tu 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $87 City Resident Discount Fee: $69

Location: Victory Park Terry O’Brien Shelter

75 Lockville Rd.

Skyhawks Beginning Golf

Skyhawks Beginning Golf is powered by Payne Stewart Golf Experiences, the recommended entry-level golf program for PGA Junior Golf Camps. The unique, games-based play program and modified learning equipment make it easier for kids to hit the ball and experience early success. Putting, chipping, pitching and full swing, are all taught through games, simple repetitive motions and learning rhymes that make it easy for young kids to remember and repeat. Specially designed, age appropriate golf equipment is provided.

SBG-01

6-10 years

Aug 30-Sep 20 Wed 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $94 City Resident Discount Fee: $75

SBG-02

6-10 years

Oct 4-Oct 25 Wed 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $94 City Resident Discount Fee: $75

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Pickering Shelter

300 Covered Bridge Ln.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Beginner Pickleball Classes

What is the hype about pickleball and why are so many people playing it? If you are completely brand new to the sport, this four week introduction is the class for you. You will learn all the basics of how to play. Grab a friend, spouse or child (at least 14 years old) and come learn a fun new sport. You will learn the basic rules, have fun, meet new people and learn a new sport.

BPC-01

14 years and older

Jul 31-Aug 21 Mo 4 Weeks 5:30-6:30pm

Fee: $100 City Resident Discount Fee: $80

BPC-02

14 years and older

Jul 31-Aug 21 Mo 4 Weeks 6:45-7:45pm

Fee: $100 City Resident Discount Fee: $80

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Taylor Tennis Courts

281 Hilltop Dr.

Zumba Fitness

Zumba® is a Latin based dance fitness program. We “visit” cultures all around the world through the magic of dance. This is a judgment free zone, and no dance experience is needed. Bring water along with you, and be prepared to work, laugh and have fun; all while making those calories cry (sweat). Tammy is a licensed Zumba® instructor and current ZIN™ member. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/ZumbaWithTammyTyler.

ZF-01

18 Years and Older

Sep 25-Dec 11* Mo 11 Weeks 6-7pm

*No class Dec 4

Fee: $80 City Resident Discount Fee: $64

ZF-02

18 Years and Older

Jan 8-Mar 18 Mo 11 Weeks 6-7pm

Fee: $80 City Resident Discount Fee: $64

Location: Pickerington Senior Center 150 Hereford Dr.

Pickleball League: Doubles

The league will be self-officiated and self-scored with 8 teams max. Each team is guaranteed 7 games with the top 4 teams advancing to a season finale tournament. Sign up one person per team; price is per team, not per person. Participants will need to bring their own equipment except a net.

The 3.0 and Below League is not a league intended for players to learn the sport for the first time. Players in this league must understand the rules and game settings.

The 3.5 & Above League is designed for intermediate and advanced pickleball players.

Please register to the correct league according to your skill level.

Registration forms available online at www.pickerington.net. Register by Tuesday, August 3.

3.0 & Below Division-Doubles

Aug 9-Sep 27 We 8 Weeks 6-8pm

Fee: $60 per team

3.5 & Above Division-Doubles

Aug 8-Sep 26 Tu 8 Weeks 6-8pm

Fee: $60 per team

Location: Sycamore Creek Park Taylor Tennis Courts 281 Hilltop Dr.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS

ONLINE

Register for select Parks and Recreation activities 24/7 with online registration at www.pickerington.net or on your smart phone by scanning the code.

EMAIL

Email a copy of the Registration form found at www.pickerington.net to recreation@pickerington.net.

DROP BOX

Drop off your registration form and full payment after normal operating hours in the secure drop box located at City Hall and your registration will be processed the next business day.

IN PERSON

Register in person from 8:00am-5:00pm MondayFriday at the Parks and Recreation Department located at City Hall, 100 Lockville Road across from Victory Park.

BY MAIL

Send completed registration form and full payment to: City of Pickerington, 100 Lockville Road, Pickerington, OH 43147

Registration is complete with full payment. Accepted methods of payment include: Cash, Checks made payable to City of Pickerington, and VISA and MasterCard. City of Pickerington charges a $35 returned check fee.

PARK MAP

Trails and Open Space Pickerington, Ohio

Pictures Wanted

Send scenic or pictures out enjoying one of the parks or programs to pics@pickerington.net. Pictures may be posted on the City’s Facebook page or be used in future Program Guides.

Park Watch

Please be alert to safety hazards, vandalism and other crimes in our parks. Report crimes to Pickerington Police Department at 614-575-6911.

Park Rules

1. Park open from dawn to dusk.

2. Damaging or removing park property, natural features and wildlife is prohibited.

3. No littering or dumping.

4. Loud and disruptive behavior is prohibited.

5. Advertising or commercial enterprise requires permission from the City Manager.

6. No camping without a written permit from the City Manager.

7. No fires except in designated areas.

8. Hunting and trapping is prohibited.

9. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and owners must pick up after their pets.

10. No swimming, wading, or boating.

11. Catch and release fishing only.

12. No motorized vehicles except in designated areas.

13. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Violation of any park rule may lead to ejection from the park or prosecution under the laws of the City of Pickerington.

RESERVATIONS

Reservations accepted beginning March 1!

Reserve space for your family reunion, birthday party, or graduation party beginning March 1 for April 1-October 31, 2023.

Facility Reservations

1. Facilities may be reserved throughout the year from April 1 - October 31. Reservations will be accepted after March 1 of each year. Restroom facilities are not available from November 1 - March. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance. Additional information available at www. pickerington.net.

2. Full payment is required when submitting reservation applications.

3. Any person or organization holding an approved application shall receive a refund only if the Parks and Recreation Department is given proper notice to cancel prior to two (2) weeks from the scheduled date of use. A Refund Request Form must be submitted, and there is a $15 processing fee to cancel a reservation.

4. In the event of rain or extreme weather conditions, as determined by the Parks and Recreation Department, reservations will be rescheduled if possible.

5. The group or organization using the facilities shall assure that:

a. All park rules are followed.

b. Damages made to the facilities or equipment during their time of use shall be their financial responsibility.

c. Facilities shall be left clean and neat.

Facility amenities for all park spaces available for reservation can be accessed online at www. pickerington.net

2023 Facility Reservation Fees