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inside
December 2014/January 2015
6 Calendar 9
p.14
News and Information from the City of Pickerington
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News and Information from Violet Township
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faces Strength in Song
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in focus Picks of Pickerington
Music director shepherds chorus through trying year
Wrap up your holiday shopping with these treats from local businesses
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Overcoming Adversity
School despite hardships
24
student spotlight
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Student flourishes at Pickerington Community
p.25
Authenticity Ambassador
Sophomore spreads truth, confidence
and love
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God and Gauze
Church distributes donated medical equipment to people in need
p.28
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on the table Pie Hard
Pizza options expand in Pickerington
30
bookmarks
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
5
community calendar
Mark your calendar for these community events
Through Dec. 11 Letters to Santa
December 2014
Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd., www.pickerington.net A North Pole Express mailbox is in front of City Hall for children to write Santa Claus and his helpers a letter for Christmas. Santa will write back if the child’s name and return address are included.
Pickerington Christian Church, 575 Diley Rd., www.pickerington communitytheatre.org The theater troupe presents a holiday classic.
Dec. 4-6
Dec. 5-18
6:30 p.m., Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Armchair sleuths can go on a clue hunt, figure out puzzles and solve the mystery before the final scene is played.
Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd., www.pickerington.net Donate new or gently used winter clothes and necessities to those in need. Donations will be accepted during office hours at City Hall.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: My Fatal Valentine
Dorothy Steiger Mitten Tree
Dec. 6
Breakfast with Santa 8 a.m.-noon, Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a morning of fun with breakfast, crafts and a bake sale. Proceeds benefit the Pickerington Senior Center.
Through Dec. 23
Violet Township Fire Department Toy Drive Donation boxes throughout Pickerington, www.violet.oh.us The fire department seeks new, unwrapped toys for the less fortunate as part of its annual drive. Donation boxes can be found around Violet Township.
Through Dec. 31
Campana Brothers: Brazilian Design Now Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, www. decartsohio.org The international exhibit, on loan from the Pizzuti Collection, features the work of Brazilian designers Humberto and Fernando Campana, including functional furnishings and accessories from found objects, including discarded toys and strips of plastic and carpet.
Dec. 4
Historical Society Christmas Potluck 6:30 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Mu-
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seum, 15 E. Columbus St., www. pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com Bring a covered dish or dessert to share and celebrate. Food and beverages will be provided.
Dec. 5
Olde Pickerington Village Holiday Gathering 5-8:30 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickerington.net Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with games, carriage rides, luminaria, carolers, a visit from Santa and the Merry Mile Fun Run. Wonder in amazement at the tree lighting at 7:30 p.m. Winners from the Fairfield Coloring Contest will be announced.
Dec. 5-14
Pickerington Community Theatre presents A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dec. 6
Santa Saturday 2-4 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The annual event includes a visit from Santa, a tune from One More Time String Band, crafts and games. New this year, children grades 6 through 12 can craft a holiday Book Page Ornament using recycled book pages. Earn raffle tickets for attending and donating canned food items, which will benefit the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Dec. 6
Pickerington Community Chorus presents Holidays in Our Town 4 p.m., Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. N., www.pickeringtoncommunity chorus.com The chorus presents its annual holiday concert filled with traditional and modern tunes.
Dec. 6-20
Historical Society Open House
Dec. 9
Holiday Concert 7 p.m., Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington. k12.oh.us The Diley Middle School and Ridgeview Junior High School orchestras perform their winter concert at Pickerington Central.
Dec. 9
Orchestra Concert 7 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12. oh.us Pickerington High School North Orchestra plays its winter favorites.
Dec. 11
Dog Tales 6:30-7:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary. org
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Dec. 15
Musical Celebration Concert 7 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12. oh.us A musical montage will take the stage, celebrating the vocal and musical talents of Pickerington High School North’s music students.
Dec. 16
Winter Band Concert 7 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12. oh.us Get in the holiday spirit with performances from Pickerington High School North’s seasonal band concert.
Dec. 16
Violet Township Women’s League Christmas Party and Gift Exchange 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd., www.vtwl.org This Christmas party and holiday gift exchange ($20-$25 value) includes an opportunity to donate nonperishable food to benefit the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington. Refreshments provided.
Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Winter Break
Pickerington Local Schools www.pickerington.k12.oh.us
Jan. 1- 22
Storytime with Miss Karen on the Kids Stage Thursdays, 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble Pickerington, 1738 N. Hill Rd., www.bn.com Join Miss Karen on the Kids Stage for special themed stories, songs, crafts and fun. All ages are welcome.
Jan. 5
Classes Resume Pickerington Local Schools www.pickerington.k12.oh.us
Jan. 8
Brown Bag Book Club 1 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Pack your lunch and your thoughts on this month’s book, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax.
Jan. 17-18
Honoring Traditions: An Eastern Woodland Native American Celebration Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E Fair Ave., Lancaster, www.fairfieldcounty fair.org The annual indoor Native American celebration honors traditions through drumming, dancing, singing, food and artists. Watch the Grand Entry parade, with full Native American dress, at noon each day.
January 2015
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com The Historical Society has a large collection of photos, documents and artifacts from Pickerington and Violet Township’s past.
The library has partnered with the Connection to sponsor this program in which kids ages 5-10 can read to a canine buddy.
Jan. 25
AmeriCheer Pickerington North Classic Spirit Series Time TBA, Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.americheer.com AmeriCheer’s Classic Spirit Series has the energy of a national competition with the convenience of being close to home.
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Office of Admission 614.252.0781 www.columbusschoolforgirls.org
NEW!
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Real Estate Section
Showcase your home listings to every homeowner in the Pickerington school district. Your listings will also appear in the digital edition of the magazine, hosted on the Pickerington Magazine home page: www.pickeringtonmagazine.com Contact Pam Henricks-Claxton today for more information: (614) 582-1111 phenricks@cityscenecolumbus.com Get a great response from your ads in PICKERINGTON MAGAZINE! 8
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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
Breakfast with Santa Santa is coming to town to have breakfast with Pickerington children and their parents. The City’s 11th annual Breakfast with Santa is Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Pickerington Senior Center, located at 150 Hereford Dr. The breakfast is sponsored by the Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department and the Pickerington Senior Center. Tickets are not available at the event, but can be purchased at the Picker-
ington Parks and Recreation Department at 100 Lockville Rd. or by mail until Dec. 3. They are $5 per person. Children 2 years old and younger are free. An online order form is available at www.pickerington.net. All proceeds benefit the Pickerington Senior Center. In addition to dining and visiting with Santa, children can make a craft, enjoy holiday music, buy goodies at the bake sale and visit the Secret Santa shop to purchase gifts for loved ones.
“It’s a great event for the whole family to enjoy the holiday season,” said City Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Medinger. “It’s great to watch the kids’ faces as they see Santa and Mrs. Claus making an appearance and see the kids excited to buy from the Secret Santa shop to surprise loved ones on Christmas with a small gift. It’s an all-around good community event.”
Letters to Santa Express mail service to the North Pole is available at Pickerington City Hall. Children can place their letters to Santa in the new North Pole Express mailbox, designed and constructed by Pickerington High School Central art students, just outside the City Hall building at 100 Lockville Rd. until Thursday, Dec. 11. Parents are asked to include the child’s name and address on the letter so that Santa and his elves are able to write back. After all, this is a very busy time for Santa and his helpers.
Mitten Tree A holiday tree in City Hall will be decorated with some very special ornaments to make the warmth of the season last even longer for Fairfield County families in need of a bit of kindness. In 1991, Dorothy Steiger, a longtime community advocate, approached Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray about decking out City Hall with a mitten tree. The Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree is now an annual event in the City of Pickerington. Residents can place mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, coats and other warm gear on or under the tree from Friday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 18. All of the donations will be presented to Fairfield County Job and Family Services to be distributed to families in need of warm clothing this winter. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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News and information from the City of Pickerington
citydirectory
Merry Mile Runners and reindeer will take their mark at Pickerington City Hall on Friday, Dec. 5, for the third annual Merry Mile. The race begins at 6 p.m. and will set the pace for the Olde Pickerington Village Holiday Gathering. “The purpose of the Merry Mile is to get people outside to exercise, in some form, while having fun with their family, friends and neighbors,” said Tammy Sawyer, executive assistant to Mayor Lee Gray. “Having the event near Christmas just adds to the festive atmosphere.” The course begins at City Hall, heads north on Lockville Road, proceeds right on Park Alley, turns left through the parking lot at 51 E. Columbus St., moves west on Columbus Street, heads south on Hill Road, goes east on Park Alley and then continues south on Lockville Road to the finish line at Victory Park. While the race is primarily for fun and to encourage people to get fit, trophies will be awarded to winners in four different age categories. Prizes will also be presented for the best individual holiday attire and the best group holiday attire.
Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.
(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)
Building Services ..................... 833-2221 City Clerk/Council..................... 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Services.............. 833-2204 Engineering Services ............... 833-2221 “Previous winners have included someone dressed as a human Christmas tree, the characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a father/ daughter Santa team,” said Sawyer. Last year, about 150 participants ran, jogged, walked and biked the 1-mile course. There is no registration or fee required for the Merry Mile. After finishing the course at Victory Park, revelers will walk to the gazebo where Gray will announce the winners. “This is the first time we’ve had the Merry Mile as part of the Olde Pickerington Village Holiday Gathering,” Sawyer said. “It is our hope that having both events together will bring even more people to the Olde Village to celebrate the season. And they’ll be a little healthier when they leave, too.”
Finance Services...................... 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116 Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Services......................... 575-6911 Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470
Olde Pickerington Village Holiday Gathering More than 200 Pickerington residents and visitors are expected to celebrate an old-fashioned holiday with a visit to Olde Pickerington Village. The City’s 18th annual Holiday Gathering begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. Sponsored by the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association and the City of Pickerington’s Park and Recreation Department, the gathering features carriage rides, strolling carolers, free children’s activities and a visit from Santa. “It’s a great way to showcase the City during the holiday season,” said Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department Director Rebecca Medinger. 10
“It encourages people to get out and shop in the Olde Pickerington Village and enjoy the cold weather with a fun event that includes sipping hot chocolate, sampling cookies, making crafts, experiencing a horse-drawn carriage ride, listening to carolers and seeing the City tree-lighting ceremony to kick off the season.” The Merry Mile – a 1-mile fun run – will be part of the Holiday Gathering and will have racers, joggers, walkers and bikers prancing through the City at 6 p.m. The milers are encouraged to complete the race dressed in holiday gear.
The tree-lighting ceremony will officially kick off the holidays in Pickerington at 7:30 p.m. While the Holiday Gathering ends at 8:30 p.m., there will still be plenty of shopping days left to visit and shop in the Olde Pickerington Village. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
News and Information From
Violet Township Changing Seasons, Changing Chiefs By Fire Chief Mike Little As the seasons change, so does your fire department. On Nov. 2, Chief John Eisel officially retired. He has since been hired as the Violet Township Director of Operations. Chief Eisel began his career with the Violet Township Fire Department in 1989 after previously being with the Madison Township and Perry Township fire departments. In his 30-plus years in the fire service, he has experienced many changes in both fire tactics and EMS care. He saw our department change from all-volunteer to the full-time organization it is today. I had the privilege to have him as one of my lieutenants early in my career. I have learned many things from Chief Eisel that will serve me well in the coming years. I want to personally thank him for his years of service and dedication to the department and the community. I would also like to wish him nothing but success in his new position as Director of Operations for Violet Township. Now, I want to take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Mike Little, and I have been appointed as the new Fire Chief for your fire department. I began my career with Violet Township in 1993 as a volunteer, eventually moving into a full-time firefighter position in 1996. I have moved through the ranks, holding every officer position from Lieutenant to Assistant Chief. I have been married to my wife, Jan, for 26 years, and we have two grown children and one grandchild. My wife and I have been in the Pickerington/Violet Township area since 1991. I am looking forward to serving the department and community in this position. The support we received for the recent tax levy is allowing us to go forward with needed truck purchases and designing and building a new Station 591. I am excited to take the lead of this department. I feel our management team is second to none as we move into the future. If you have questions about our service or strategic plan, or just need information, please feel free to contact us at 614837-4123, see what we are posting on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.violet.oh.us.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Fire Chief Mike Little
John Eisel, Violet Township Director of Operations
11 11
From the Violet Township Fire Department
The Toy Drive Returns It is hard to believe it is that time of year again, but the elves at Violet Township Fire Department are already planning the annual Holiday Toy Drive. The Holiday Toy Drive collects toys throughout the season to assist children and families who may be unable to obtain toys on their own. The toy drive has been around for many years, but last year, the fire department decided to partner with the Pickerington Local School District counselors to meet the needs of local families. This partnership proved valuable in 2013, considering 725 families and more than 1,700 children were assisted. The Holiday Toy Drive operates based on an application process. Applications for assistance were distributed in the Pickerington Local School District and were due Nov. 25. If you are looking to donate toys or gift cards for the cause, it is not hard to find a drop-off location. Generous schools,
churches, businesses, restaurants, nursing homes, doctors’ offices and dentists’ offices in the Pickerington, Reynoldsburg and Canal Winchester areas function as drop-off locations for the 2014 season. All three Violet Township fire stations are also collection points. A local Girl Scout troop is hosting a “Toy Drive-Thru” event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at Station 592, located at 8700 Refugee Rd. The community is welcome to bring a toy and drive through the fire station bays to drop off. Children, pre-teens and young teens may not receive gifts this holiday season without the dedication, collaboration and generosity of the community. Please consider dropping off a new, unwrapped toy to a collection point. As a community, we can support children and families while preserving the true meaning of the holiday season.
Carbon Monoxide Safety • If the CO alarm sounds, you must get fresh air. Move outCarbon monoxide (CO) is a gas. It has no odor. doors, by an open window or near an open door. Make sure CO gas is poisonous. It can make a person feel sick and everyone in the home gets to fresh air. Call the fire departcan be deadly. In the home, heating and cooking devices ment from a fresh air location. Stay there until help arrives. that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.
CO Alarms • CO alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. It is best to use interconnected alarms. When one sounds, all CO alarms in the home sound.
• When warming a vehicle, move it out of the garage. Do not run a fueled engine indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked. Clear snow away.
• Follow the instructions on the package to properly install the CO alarm.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow buildup.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month. • Replace CO alarms according to the instructions on the package. • Know the sounds the CO alarm makes. It will sound if CO is detected. It will make a different sound if the battery is low or if it is time to get a new CO alarm. • If the battery is low, replace it. 12
Prevent CO Poisoning
• Clear all debris from dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace vents. • A generator should be used outdoors. Use in a wellventilated location away from windows, doors and vent openings. • Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO. Only use them outside. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Complete Auto Care of Pickerington Receives Conservation Partner Award By Jonathan Ferbrache, PLA, CPESC Resource Specialist for Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District On Sept. 11, the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District recognized Firestone Complete Auto Care of Pickerington as its Conservation Partner for 2013. Firestone has aided local township trustees by disposing of tires they recovered from road ditches and providing a convenient point of collection for do-it-yourselfers to dispose of oil, antifreeze and other products that could otherwise pollute storm water run-off in the Walnut Creek Watershed in the Pickerington and Violet Township community. Firestone’s environmental mission statement is “To help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations. One team. One Planet.” While good environmental stewardship is part of the company’s corporate policy, Firestone continues its own good housekeeping practices in the shop, including the proper disposal of
old batteries and non-empty aerosol cans used in day-to-day operations. Less waste coming out of stores means less going into landfills. This is only the third time the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District has given this award. It is given to non-traditional partners committed to our natural resources. Firestone is the first business to receive this award, so please take time to congratulate the members of the team for their partnership for the Walnut Creek Watershed.
Never put used oil or other chemicals down storm drains or in ditches. One quart of oil can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of water.
How to Reach Us Violet Township Administrative Offices 12970 Rustic Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us
• Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in. • Open the damper when using a fireplace for adequate ventilation. • Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
FACT CO is called the invisible killer because the gas cannot be seen or smelled. Take action to stay safe from CO poisoning.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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
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faces
By Tessa Dufresne Photography by Garth Bishop
Strength in Song
Lisa Robinson-Boyer conducts the Pickerington Community Chorus through an early November rehearsal at Epiphany Lutheran Church.
Music director shepherds chorus through trying year
14
S
Song as old as rhyme. Or at least as old as Lisa Robinson-Boyer’s roots. “Music is part of the fabric of my family,” says Robinson-Boyer, director of the Pickerington Community Chorus. “My dad was a graduate of Capital (University)… he sang in their Chapel Choir when he was a student in the 40s.” When something is in your blood, it’s hard for it to run dry. Robinson-Boyer embraced that truth and began her musical studies as a young child. “My piano teacher said (when I was) 5 or 6, ‘You have perfect pitch,’ and I had no idea what that meant, but it’s come in handy,” she says. “You can sing ‘G’
for me or play a note on the piano, and I could tell without looking.” Music swept her through her tenure at Whetstone High School and into higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education at Otterbein University and her master’s in education at the University of Rio Grande. Robinson-Boyer couldn’t keep her passion inside. She has taught elementary and middle school general music for more than 20 years at Liberty UnionThurston Local Schools and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus, respectively, and led song groups for more than 30 years. She also serves as the director of music at North Community Lutheran Church. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Lisa Robinson-Boyer
She settled in Pickerington in 1986. “It’s a great community to raise kids,” Robinson-Boyer says. “It’s close enough to Columbus, so you can take advantage of cultural opportunities, but there’s still a small town flavor.” The composition of Pickerington has aligned with Robinson-Boyer’s personal tune, the town now boasting established music departments at both high schools. Her music and education genes carried on through her three sons, who attended Pickerington High School Central and took advantage of not only the music program, but also athletics and theater. Nathaniel, www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
24, is now in medical school, Andrew, 26, teaches music in northern Indiana and Matthew, 30, works at Columbus State Community College’s Delaware Campus Learning Center. “There are outstanding music programs in the high schools, but once students graduate, there’s really nothing out there for them,” says Robinson-Boyer. The Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department took note and, in February 2007, began forming a community singing group to build on the schools’ foundation. Fifteen individuals, led by Emily Fisher, launched the inaugural rehearsal
as Pickerington Community Chorus in May 2007 to ready for their premier performance that summer through the Giant Eagle Concert Series. “My husband and I went to hear them, and I got kind of excited and talked to the director after,” RobinsonBoyer says. The Community Chorus was set to return to rehearsals after its summer break, allowing Robinson-Boyer to join that fall. Robinson-Boyer had the chance to delve in further with Pickerington Community Chorus when she took over as director in spring 2009. 15
BREUNING – Excellence in Design & Execution What more to wish for when you buy designer jewelry than finding gorgeous designs in combination with excellent execution? A huge variety ranging from premium jewelry to trend-oriented pieces for everyday wear tops it all off. The brand name of Breuning stands for one of the largest independent manufacturers of wedding rings and jewelry in Europe. Founded in 1927 by Franz Breuning, today the still family-owned business has transformed into a noteworthy brand. German design and German engineering capabilities are very much a tradition of the business. All the US states plus Canada and Mexico are operated from an office based in the metro Atlanta area. Breuning has always led the way when it comes to jewelry trends. And it’s not simply picking them up but actively setting trends themselves. Its three lines — pure elegance, pure fashion and pure love — captivate the attention with their distinctive style; the brand radiates pure fascination with their multi-faceted designs.
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Pure Fashion Very modern and innovative pieces of jewelry, all made of sterling silver, lively and with lots of enthusiasm. Each item is a statement which makes the woman who wears it stand out from the crowd.
Let pure fashion become your passion. All in renowned Breuning quality.
Located in a beautiful surrounding in Pickerington, Edward Warren Jewelers has been the area’s premier source for the best value in quality jewelry. Since 1987 they have introduced many high fashion designs to the community. None have been received better than Breuning. Warren Miller, store owner, says “we have clientele that return to see what new designs have arrived from Breuning this season.” With their successful formula of offering high quality and unique designs EWJ guarantees an amazing shopping experience. Friendly staff provides an atmosphere where you simply feel at home. Their commitment to personalized customer service and exceptional value has their many clients returning and referring others to Edward Warren Jewelers. Whatever you look for in jewelry, you get the best professional advice. The designer line of Breuning jewelry, Breuning Pure Fashion, is the best-selling collection in sterling silver at Edward Warren and literally sells out after being displayed in their showcases. Stop to view the newest collection as the gift-giving season is here or better yet... treat yourself to a little bit of luxury! These items and many more can be found at Edward Warren Jewelers in Pickerington Ohio.
1610 Crosscreeks Blvd. Pickerington, Ohio 614-755-9229 www.EWJewelers.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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A love of music and voice threads the group, which has grown to as many as 40 members who range in ages 20 to 80. The chorus’ style scales from classical to contemporary. “Most don’t have professional training, and some have never sung before,” Robinson-Boyer says. “The fellowship of the group is really important, but we also strive to do things in a musical integrity because we want to do our best.” Since its first year, the Chorus has performed at the Violet Township Bicentennial Celebration, Lions Club Labor Day Celebration, Olde Pickerington Village Holiday, Arbor Day Celebration, Pickerington Nursing & Rehab Center, Amber Park Assisted Living Community, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Pickerington Alumni Association, a presentation with the Columbus Children’s Choir, a fundraiser in association with Barnes & Noble and in-home party shows. Beyond the joy she gets from singing, Robinson-Boyer is fulfilled further through the chorus’ visits to assisted living facilities. “The comments the residents make … they look forward to us being there. It’s like a ray of sunshine when we come,” 18
she says. “It’s part of our outreach. We want to be a real community chorus.” Aside from an expansion in membership and performance arenas, Robinson-Boyer led the chorus in establishing 501(c)(3) status in 2012, opening up opportunities to receive grants and donations. The group earned a grant from Fairfield County Foundation last year, underwriting the purchase of a portable keyboard for outdoor shows and its 2013 holiday concert that featured selections of Handel’s Messiah. “I’d like to see them grow even stronger, not only in numbers, but on a musical basis. Some of these folks are singing things they would never envision by exposing them to things like Handel’s Messiah – a challenging piece of music,” she says. While last year’s elaborate holiday show saw success, this year’s winter concert will be “lighter,” featuring a mix of sacred and secular carols, as Robinson-Boyer has had to ease her directing load amid a challenging 2014. Despite being diagnosed with cancer last winter, supporting her husband with chronic leukemia and visiting her father in the hospital for heart issues, she re-
mains hopeful – leaning on her faith and the members of the chorus. “Were it not for taking over this group, there are a lot of very nice people I probably would’ve never met,” she says. “When I went through my diagnosis, they rallied around us. I feel really privileged to have helped get this team together. ” Anyone interested in finding a place of belonging can join the chorus, says Robinson-Boyer. The group practices at Epiphany Lutheran Church. “Pickerington’s a great community,” she says. “The chorus is just one more way that we can help our community shine a little bit and bring people together for a common goal. After 28 years, it’s just a good place to call home.” The Pickerington Community Chorus holiday show Holidays In Our Town is Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church. For more information about the Pickerington Community Chorus, go to www. pickeringtoncommunitychorus.com. Tessa Dufresne is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
in focus 2014 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Picks of Pickerington
Wrap up your holiday shopping with these treats from local businesses www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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1. Picktown Prize
Whichever team a friend or family member supports, he or she can show violet pride with Edward Warren Jewelers’ Swarovski crystal-encrusted football pendants. They’re available in a variety of colors, making them perfect for any team player. $75. www.ewjewelers.com
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2. Hop, Skip and a Holiday
Surprise a friend who’s tough to find gifts for. Send him or her over the moon with a gift certificate of any denomination from Turnberry Travel. Prices vary. 614-866-4411
3. Picture Perfect
A diploma represents the accomplishment of a lifetime after years of hard work, and such a significant document deserves to be celebrated. Artframe’s professional frame designers will help select the perfect colors and style for your graduate’s frame, and they will build it to the highest standards using the finest materials available. Starting at $49.99. www.artframe.us
4. Pass the Punch
Don’t wait until the new year to put your and your loved ones’ health as top priority. Give your whole crew the gift of strength with a family membership from Title Boxing Club. Each new member receives boxing gloves and gym bag. Prices vary. pickerington-refugee.titleboxingclub.com
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
The Official Magazine of Pickerington and Violet Township Mailed out to EVERY homeowner and business in Pickerington and Violet Township
4 5. Jingle Barks Cuddle up! There’s no better way to keep warm throughout the winter season than puppy love. Surprise your sweetie with a bundle of joy from Petland. Starting at $500. www.petlandpickerington.com
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Get Noticed!
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Contact Pam Henricks-Claxton today for great rates! 6. Aging With Class
Treat your favorite aging wine with class by displaying it in this wooden wine rack from Tuesday Morning. $49.99. www.tuesdaymorning.com
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
614-572-1243
phenricks@cityscenecolumbus.com
Check out our other publications: CitySceneColumbus.com 21
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8. Scruffy Snacks
You won’t have to leave Buddy out of gift-giving this season. Ohio-bred ice cream shop Graeter’s provides treats for your fluffy friend as well as candy sweets for your human friends, so you’re set for all stocking needs. $6.95. www.graeters.com
7. (Tea) Bombs Away!
Nothing says love quite like health. HealthyPick Nutrition Studio has a range of healthful options to gift, such as tea bombs to ramp up your holiday energy. To keep weight off post-food coma, the studio offers nutritious shakes, classes, fit clubs, personalized meal plans and oneon-one coaching. Prices vary. www.facebook.com/healthypicknutrition
9. The Season of Six Strings
Rock steady, rock stylish with these JB Player Slimline full-size guitars from Mid Ohio Music Academy. For recipients who cannot play yet, the shop offers lessons, too. $124.99. www.midohiomusicacademy. com
Mention this ad and receive $20 OFF of an exam. New clients only
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 AM to 6 PM Wed: 8 AM to 8 PM
New, full-service veterinary hospital providing care to dogs and cats in Pickerington Separate waiting areas and exam rooms for dogs and cats Convenient on-line scheduling available on our website Started by Dr. Julie Little Miles, a 1991 graduate of Pickerington High School
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809 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, OH 43147 (In the Discount Drug Mart Shopping Center)
CompassionateCarePickerington.com 22
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10. The Best of the Bistro
The Wine Guy Wine Shop & Bistro carries the perfect wine for any vino lover on your list. The person who receives the right bottle is sure to appreciate a brief respite from the stress of the holidays. Prices vary. www.thewine guywineshop.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
By Kyle Banfill
Photo by Stephan Reed
Student flourishes at Pickerington Community School despite hardships
Overcoming Adversity What most describe as the glory days – football games, dances and parties, locker romances and spirit wear – doesn’t always ring true for some high school students. Pickerington Community School senior Christaye Pack’s academic career has been nothing short of turbulent. At only 19 years old, Pack has seen more than her fair share of hardships. Her brother was killed, her cousin fell victim to a rare brain tumor known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and, most recently, her grandmother passed away due to ALS. Pack battles hypoglycemia and bleeding stomach ulcers. Originally from Georgia, she has moved many times during her high school career, attending three different schools before finally calling Ohio home to be nearer to her family. When Pack began attending Pickerington Community School, a dropout prevention/credit recovery school part of Pickerington Local Schools located next to Pickerington High School North, in April she only had nine credit hours and a 0.96 GPA. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Less than a year later, Pack has been accepted to Rochester College in Michigan with other applications pending. She strives to pursue a career in law. While no small part of her newfound success can be credited to her seemingly endless drive, Pack attributes her progress to the school. The faculty worked around the clock as a support network for Pack. During school hours, she received the education necessary to complete a high school education and prepare for college. After school, they were Pack’s friends. They texted her constantly to see if she needed help with her medical issues or just to check up on her. “I never thought I would have flourished the way I did,” says Pack. She gives a special credit to her guidance counselor, Michelle Hurd, who has helped her immensely throughout her education. Pack works around the clock as well. Not only is she nearing her high school diploma, but she also holds part-time jobs at Planet Fitness and TGI Friday’s to support herself and her mother.
Pack owes her tireless efforts to the desire to make her grandmother proud. “Although quitting was always an option in my mind, it never was in my life,” says Pack. After her involvement in one of her school’s debate teams, taking part in a mock trial, she hasn’t looked back. Pack dreams of owning her own law firm. Another of her aspirations is to run a youth and teen center; she wants to work with teenagers who are struggling in their home lives, she says. Though initially shy about sharing her experiences, Pack hopes her story will inspire others who are in a tough spot in their lives to never give up. “If there’s anything I want people to take away,” says Pack, “it’s that if I can do it, anyone can do it.” Kyle Banfill is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com.
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student spotlight
By Tessa Dufresne
Student Spotlight is a new feature in Pickerington Magazine, featuring a student from a different area high school in every issue.
Authenticity AMBASSADOR Sophomore spreads truth, confidence and love
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A champion roars through the halls of Pickerington High School Central, firm in her positive beliefs about her life mission and in her encouraging words to others. That champion, who once shared her optimistic affirmations with the nation in the Good Morning America “Roar with Katy Perry” contest, is 15-year-old sophomore Holly Hollopeter. “I’m not afraid to show people who I am and hopefully inspire them to find out who they want to be,” Hollopeter says. Hollopeter, who has been a Pickerington resident and student since kindergarten, attributes much of who she’s grown to be to Pickerington and her high school. “Pickerington Central as a whole has motivated me to be who I probably couldn’t be if I didn’t live in this town. I would never have realized it on my own,” she says. “I know I have such a supportive community here within the walls of Central, and that’s something I’m really blessed to have.” Though she looks to God, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi for insight, Hollopeter herself stands as a beacon of inspiration. Drama Club, Symphonic Women’s Choir, Sunny Side Up (a leadership program), Student Council, the Butterfly Project and the theater department are just a few of the school-affiliated activities Hollopeter engages in outside of her studies. That’s not to mention her dedication to C3 Church, volunteerism 24
and professional internships. And she does it all while maintaining good academic standing. “I have a few more goals to accomplish before leaving (Central),” she says. “The cool thing is that they let me exercise the things that I’m passionate about in different ways, so I’m improving upon this base that I have with leadership, people skills and communications.” Hollopeter is most involved in the Butterfly Project, an organization developed by three Central students that reminds high, junior high and middle school girls who they are, what they’re worth and how that correlates to larger social inequalities, such as human trafficking and abusive relationships. She serves as head of Butterfly Project coordination – a task large enough to keep one high schooler busy as it
expands to Pickerington High School North and Lakeview and Ridgeview junior high schools. “We’ve all personally been through a lot of struggles in life, and we’ve all experienced things that we wish no one else would have to experience,” Hollopeter says. “I want to show these girls that there are people who believe in them and that they can accomplish things no matter their age, no matter who society tells them that they are – they’re valuable, lovable, capable and beautiful, and they can change the world.” Hollopeter learned the value of hard work from her parents. Her mother, Linda, is a brewing technician at AnheuserBusch, analyzing the science behind the beverage, and her father, Scott, is a field investigator for Walmart. She says her father’s position has afforded her the opwww.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Holly Hollopeter, second from right, with other Butterfly Project members at the group’s Jewelry in a Jar event
portunity to learn how to professionally communicate with decision-makers. Her recent internships with C3 Church and the Ritzy Rose, an antique refashioned jewelry and clothing store in Pickerington, have taught Hollopeter the skills necessary for marrying business, communications and ministry, a field she hopes to further explore. “You don’t see a lot of high schoolers who have a close personal connection with God, but that is something that somehow I’ve been able to find, and I am thankful for that every day because it motivates me to be who I am,” she says. “I want other teenagers, children and adults to have a close relationship with God.” As with any motivated individual, particularly those with college decisions looming ahead, Hollopeter has ideas for her future. She is leaning toward a higher education program offered online so she has the freedom to adventure to cities she feels called to while still receiving a valuable education. “I want to make an impact for the better on the world,” she says. Hollopeter is eager for real-world experience – a mission that particularly bursts forth through opportunities with her volunteer work through Risen Son, an outreach project led by Grace Fellowship Church. She helps bring meals and resources to those without homes on the second Saturday of every month. “I’m just overall inspired by anybody who has a situation that they don’t desire to be in and the people that handle that with such grace and such eloquence,” Hollopeter says. “I think that’s beautiful and something I aspire to do.” She has confidence her goals won’t simply end as dreams thanks to the support of her community. “I know that every staff member here at Central believes in me, and they want me to achieve the best that I can possibly achieve,” Hollopeter says. “School spirit runs through my veins. My blood is probably purple.”
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Tessa Dufresne is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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By Kyle Banfill
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God
Gauze
Church distributes donated medical equipment to people in need
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Volunteers work to move the items collected by the Peace United Methodist Medical Equipment Ministry.
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Offering aid for those in need is a key mission for most churches, but Pickerington’s Peace United Methodist Church goes beyond monetary and food assistance. The church, 235 Diley Rd., offers a slightly different service from what you would expect – it collects and distributes medical equipment. Peace United Methodist Church was previously involved in a community outreach collaborative program with the John D. Burlie Club Telecom Pioneers in 1989. In partnership, the Pioneers funded maintenance of trucks and warehouses used for delivery and storage of medical equipment, while the church provided the manpower. Jim Henson, a member of both Pioneers and Peace UMC, handled the outreach program for nearly 20 years. In 2009, the ministry officially formed with the name Peace United Methodist Medical Equipment Ministry. From humble beginnings with just one truck, the ministry has wildly grown. At any one time, about 50 volunteers are involved with the ministry’s work. The group raises some funds through the church’s annual Trash to Treasure sale, where members of the church sell old trinkets in the fashion of a large garage sale. But practically all the equipment the ministry distributes has been donated by individuals, hospitals,
nursing homes and other agencies or groups. The ministry isn’t only active in the Pickerington area; it operates throughout central Ohio. Equipment it accepts and offers includes electric hospital beds, wheelchairs, wheeled walkers, canes (straight and quad), bed canes, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches and lift chairs. All individuals in need of assistance have to do is ask. The ministry’s equipment is available to anyone who needs it. Many of the people the ministry provides equipment to are unable to afford the equipment. “We don’t ask for a thing,” says Linda Hottle, the ministry’s coordinator. “It’s theirs as long as they need it.” Providing medical supplies is a full-time job. An estimated 150 hours of manpower go into the ministry’s efforts. Hottle alone devotes about 25 hours a week. The team goes out on runs three times a week and also works to ensure the equipment is in good condition at the various storage facilities. The ministry offers other services, too. Social workers, therapists and physicians aid in any way they can. The ministry has a Scrub Club dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Among the equipment accepted by the ministry are electric hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, canes and lift chairs.
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when it is needed. Brett Kim, former administrative director and consultant to the ministry, inspects hospital beds for quality. The ministry also prays for the people it serves. Hottle describes the ministry as a mutual service. The people who receive equipment help the servants in a different, meaningful way. “A lot of the folks that we help help us as well,” Hottle says. “We’ve surely grown our hearts from this ministry.” Peace United Methodist Church is looking for people to help with the Medical Equipment Ministry. If you are interested, contact the church by phone at 614-837-3732, ext. 150, or email Linda Hottle at lindahottle@sbc global.net.
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Kyle Banfill is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com.
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on the table
By Olivia Tharp
Pie Hard Pizza options expand in Pickerington
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There’s a hint of freshly baked dough in the air, and it’s wafting directly from the wood-fired stove at Pickerington’s newest pizzeria, Gratzi á Tutti. The up-and-coming hometown eatery sits tucked on the corner of state routes 256 and 204. The upscale-casual restaurant opened in June. All of Executive Chef Todd Wallace’s authentic Italian recipes, he says, come from the heart – and from 20 years of culinary experience, including stints at Due Amici and Cameron Mitchell restaurants. “At 15 years old, I worked for a small mom-and-pop restaurant in Mansfield, Ohio,” says Wallace. “It was hard work, but it was also there where I learned the true meaning of family dinner. The owners taught me how to cook real Italian food, and that every Sunday meal was 28
served with tomato, pasta and gravy.” This childhood job provided him with inspired creativity for the Italian menu items at Gratzi á Tutti. Another source of inspiration is his family’s history of cooking; some of the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. “The upcoming lasagna special was a family friend’s great-grandmother’s recipe; (she) guarded it with her life,” Wallace says. “The salad dressings, such as the mustard vinaigrette, were handed down to me from my past family members, and I’m glad I was able to preserve their authenticity for others to appreciate.”
Wallace emphasizes the quality of the products that go into Gratzi á Tutti’s dishes, including 100 percent certified Angus beef for burgers and hand-spun, made-to-order dough for pizzas. “At Gratzi, we don’t just serve bar food, we provide our customers with upscale cuisine in a casual dining atmosphere,” he says. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
The barbecue chicken pizza, Gratzi Italian hero sandwich, spinach salad and meatball sub are already customer favorites. The pizza arugula is a signature pie that the staff takes pride in claiming as a Gratzi creation. The dish is expertly layered with fresh mozzarella, Romano cheese, thinly sliced prosciutto and basil, topped with garden-grown arugula. But perhaps the most sought-after item on the menu is the Gratzi Italian sausage stromboli. This mouth-watering selection is made from scratch daily and brought to the customer still steaming from the oven. The hearty turnover is stuffed with crumbled Italian sausage, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers and mozzarella cheese. Though they can be baked at warp speed – the restaurant’s 600-degree, wood-fired oven turns dough into crisp crust in less than three minutes – pizzas can be customized significantly. Of course, guests have their choice of toppings, ranging from pepperoni and mushrooms to pecans and baby shrimp. But they also can choose between thin and bubbly crust; between red and bianca white sauce; and
among standard, whole wheat and gluten-free dough. Appetizers, salads, soups, hero sandwiches, burgers, stromboli, wings and desserts are also available if pizza isn’t on your mind. One of the ways Gratzi á Tutti works to differentiate itself from its competitors is through its weeknight meal promotion, which offers a personal pie with a side of potato, chili or corn chowder for $5.95. Though its pizzas are a big selling point for the restaurant, there’s more to Gratzi á Tutti, a fact perhaps best spelled out by the slogan on its website: “Where there is nothing better than beer, pizza and sports.” The bar offers 16 draft beer selections and a variety of wine, and it seats as many as 50 guests. Its 25 highdefinition TVs, plus a 10-footwide screen, are intended to appeal to the gametime crowd. The dining room at Gratzi á Tutti seats
more than 150 guests, so parties and big families are welcome, and the walls are lined with photos of sports legends. A heated outdoor patio, outfitted with a stone fire pit, provides a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. “You won’t see any neon bar signs here,” says Wallace. Gratzi á Tutti is already seeing much commercial and franchise success, with additional locations opening in Reynoldsburg and the Polaris area. Gratzi á Tutti is open for lunch and dinner daily at 10705 Blacklick Eastern Rd. Olivia Tharp is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com.
Gratzi’s loaded fries, right, and bar area, below. Photos (2) by Garth Bishop
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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bookmarks
By Colleen C. Bauman, Pickerington Public Library Community Services Coordinator
The Book with No Pictures
By B.J. Novak This book needs to be under every tree this year, no exceptions. There are no pictures, not one. It is a read-aloud book that is clever and witty with nonsense words and goofy songs. Take a look on YouTube for the author reading to a group of children. This is not to be missed!
The Animals’ Santa
By Jan Brett The wintry weather of northern Canada is the backdrop of Jan Brett’s latest tale. In her signature style, the main story takes place across the center page with the secondary story illustrated around the edges. It is the story of the Christmas in the forest with the animals speculating which animal is Santa. Moose? Or perhaps Polar Bear? After all, there are no tracks, and no other animals have seen him. The Native American quillworks used in the illustrations are lovely in the borders framing each scene.
Hansel & Gretel
By Neil Gaiman A retelling of a familiar fairy tale – dark, twisted and unsettling. In a once-happy family, now poor with a war going on, parents choose to “lose” their children in the forest, knowing what will happen. Elegant black-and-white ink illustrations swirl and spread into text. Lovers of fantasy and graphic reads alike will devour this eerie version. It will give you chills the way only Neil Gaiman can.
Winter Street
By Elin Hilderbrand What could be better than curling up with a book about Christmas at the holidays? As owner of the Winter Street Inn, Kelly looks forward to the holiday season and gathering his family together. What he didn’t plan on was the mayhem and disarray of this year. Catching his wife, Mitzi, kissing Santa is only the beginning. Each of the grown Quinn offspring has his or her own secrets that will surely throw a wrench in Kelly’s plan. This is a delightful holiday read that puts the “fun” back in “dysfunctional” with the Quinn family.
Make it Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
By Ina Garten The Barefoot Contessa has invited us into her kitchen to answer our one basic question: “Can this be made ahead?” Whether we are hosting a dinner party or a weeknight family dinner, she shows us which recipes can be prepped, assembled or made ahead of time. With clear instructions and invaluable tips, you can cook stress-free and with confidence for friends and family. Lots of beautiful photographs are included.
Library Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 1-5 p.m.
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Pickerington 641 Hill Road North Pickerington, OH 43147 614-833-0880 JAMES BARNES, MD AARON KIBLER, MD STEPHEN KOCH, MD HELEN KWONG, DO SHARISTHA PEERZADE, MD SARAH SBITA, MD JOSEPH WINCHELL, MD mountcarmelmedicalgroup.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com