Pickerington Magazine June/July 2015

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JUNE/JULY 2015

The Official Magazine of the City of Pickerington and Violet Township

Cooking Up a Storm Pickerington firefighter gathers ingredients for a reality show bid

ALSO INSIDE Violet Festival Fun’l Frenzy Lego Contest

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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

3

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President/CEO

Gianna Barrett

Vice President, Sales

Dave Prosser

Chief Creative Officer

Steven Hesson

Director, Sales & Operations

Gary Hoffman

Creative Director

Garth Bishop

Managing Editor

Hannah Bealer Sarah Sole

Assistant Editors

Zach Maiorana Elizabeth Tzagournis Taylor Weis

Contributing Writers

Pam Henricks-Claxton

Advertising Director

Julie Camp Robin Weitzel Jamie Armistead Circulation:

Advertising Sales Accounting Manager 614-572-1240

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com CityScene Media Group also publishes: CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Westerville Magazine www.WestervilleMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com

H U G U E N I N F A M I LY

Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com

D E N TA L Chad Huguenin, D.D.S.

Comfortable, Calming Environment 699 Hill Rd. N. Pickerington, OH 43147

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We now offer Botox® & Dermal fillers!

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The Publisher welcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings, photographs or story ideas to consider for possible publication. Enclose a SASE with each submission or email ssole@cityscenemediagroup. com. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage.

The appearance of advertising in Pickerington Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Pickerington.

Pickerington Magazine is published in June, August, October, December, February and April.

Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Pickerington, Ohio. For advertising information or bulk purchases, email Pam Henricks-Claxton at phenricks@ cityscenecolumbus.com.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Pickerington Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

inside

June/July 2015

6 Calendar 9

News and Information from the City of Pickerington

11

News and Information from Violet Township

p.14

14

faces

Fired Up Firefighter and reality show hopeful tries his hand at United States of Burgers

17

in focus

Staving Off Hunger Community programs support households in need

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Carry on, Wayward Celebration The Violet Festival returns this year with renewed vigor

p.23 21

Campus of Care OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus opens June 3

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Creative Constructs Orthodontics Lego contest helps patients build skill

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student spotlight A Motivated Mind

Pickerington junior is driven by challenges and sprituality

26 on the table Cakewalk Family-owned food truck finds selling desserts to be a piece of cake

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bookmarks

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

YOU THINK YOU KNOW US,

BUT YOU

DON’T 10 days for $20!

jazzercise.com • 614.861.1155 2100 Yarmouth Dr Pickerington JazzerciseEast@gmail.com One per customer. New customers only. Expires 7/31/2015

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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community calendar

Mark your calendar for these community events

Photo courtesy of Margaret Arendt

Photo courtesy of the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum

June 2015

June 4-Sept. 24

Photo courtesy of Margaret Arendt

4-7 p.m., Thursdays, 89 N. Center St., www.pickeringtonvillage.com Thirty-plus vendors will offer an array of baked goods, fresh produce, crafts and more.

Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum Yard Sale 9 a.m.-8 p.m., June 5; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., June 6; Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum; 15 E. Columbus St.; www. pickerington historicalsociety.com Discover value-priced antiques, collectibles, jewelry, toys and household items on the front lawn or lower level of the Historical Museum. All proceeds support the museum.

7-8:30 p.m., Sycamore Park Amphitheater, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net Check the Parks & Recreation website’s Special Events page for the different shows offered each week.

June 13

Meet L.M. Tinsley 1-2 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.com Meet Pickerington resident and new author L.M. Tinsley. Attendants can purchase her novel, Mixed Emotions.

A book signing will follow the meetand-greet.

June 5-July 31

Friday Night Flicks

June 5

Olde Pickerington Village PetFest 6-8:30 p.m., State Rt. 256, www.pickeringtonvillage.com This annual event includes food and pet-related vendors as well as a 7:30 p.m. Pet Parade. Admission is free.

Olde Pickerington Village shops and restaurants will be open along West Columbus Street.

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June 5-6

Sunday Summer Concerts

Photo courtesy of the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum

Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market

June 7-Aug. 2

Sycamore Park Amphitheater, 500 Hereford Dr., www. pickerington.net Eight different films will be shown over the summer. Visit the Parks & Recreation website’s Special Events page for a list of show times.

June 6-7

52nd Annual Spring Festival Car Show & Swap Meet 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, www.lancasteroldcarclub.org One of Ohio’s oldest car clubs celebrates spring. Events include a swap meet, car corral, cruise and 50-50 drawing. Awards will be given out on Sunday.

June 13-Aug. 29 Vintage Kids

10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays, Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickerington historicalsociety.com This special exhibit for children features vintage toys, games and clothing, including an 1800s Bisque doll.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

June 19

June 20-Aug. 23

6-9 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr., www.pickerington.net Enjoy an evening of activities with the family at the local pool. Regular admission applies.

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, www.decartsohio.org This free exhibit features paintings and sculptures by James Mason and paintings by Karen Rumora.

Pool Family Fun Night

Persistence of Nature

June 26-June 27

Relay for Life of Pickerington-Reynoldsburg

Image courtesy of the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio

7 p.m.-9:30 a.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.relay.acsevents.org The annual 18-hour relay includes walking to raise cancer awareness and benefits the American Cancer Society.

June 30

It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane … It’s A Superhero Water Balloon Fight!

1-2 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.com Middle and high school teens can attend this water fight event dressed as their favorite superheroes or villains. No registration is required.

FREE

Yoga in the Park

Saturday Mornings, June - August Victory Park-Tennis courts/ Shelter house 8 – 9am Rain or Shine Bring yoga mat and bottle of water.

Donations will be accepted for Pickerington Food Pantry.

Beginning to level 1 - Fitness Yoga.

Darlene wants to give back to the community as a Certified Yogafit Instructor.

Sponsored by Darlene Kuzmic

2014 Pursuit of Excellence Award Each year, only two percent of funeral homes earn the Pursuit of Excellence Award from the National Funeral Directors Association. Ours is one of them.

Since 1982, the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award has been a hallmark for those funeral homes that are committed to providing exceptional service to grieving families and the community, while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards.

You and your family can trust our staff to exceed your expectations – and provide award-winning service – before, during and after the funeral.

CANAL WINCHESTER 650 West Waterloo St. Canal Winchester, OH 43110

614-531-2050 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

(614) 837-7126

PICKERINGTON 550 Hill Rd. N Pickerington, OH 43147

www.spencefuneralhome.com 7

July 2015 July 4

July 4th Celebration

Pickerington Community Theatre presents 1776 July 10, 11 and 17, 8 p.m.; July 12 and 19, 2 p.m.; Heritage Elementary School, 100 N. East St., www. pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org Pickerington Community Theatre’s summer show takes a blast to the past with a production featuring our country’s founding fathers.

July 11

TRY-athlon 9 a.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr., www.pickerington.net The second annual TRY-athlon gives kids the chance to attempt their first triathlon in a fun and friendly environment.

July 19

Bicentennial Pool Day Noon-8 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr., www.pickerington.net The community pool is offering $2 admission to commemorate 200 years.

Attendees will also receive a souvenir bicentennial beach ball with admission.

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July 23-Aug. 1

Lancaster Festival

Photo courtesy of Pickerington Violet Festival

July 10-19

Photo courtesy of the city of Pickerington

Image courtesy of Pickerington Community Theatre

4-11 p.m., Victory Park, 100 Lockville Rd., www.pickerington.net The parade will begin at 6 p.m. with fireworks starting at 10 p.m. Enjoy the array of vendors situated in Victory Park as well as a variety of entertainment.

Locations around Lancaster, www. lancasterfestival.org Art competitions, concerts and events for kids will be included in this year’s festival celebrating music and the arts.

July 25

Youth Fishing Derby 9:30-11 a.m., Sycamore Park Pond, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net Bring your own fishing pole and bait for this fun family activity at the local park’s pond. Prizes will be awarded in four different age categories for biggest fish and most fish caught.

July 25

Young Adult Author Fest 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.net The second annual Young Adult Author Fest gives teens a chance to meet their favorite writers. Events include discussion panels, writing workshops and book signings.

July 29-Aug. 1

Pickerington Violet Festival Wednesday and Thursday 5-11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m.-midnight, Saturday 8 a.m.-midnight, Toll Gate Middle School, 12089 Toll Gate Rd., www. violetfestival.org The 17th annual Violet Festival is a four-day celebration of the Pickerington community with various events, activities and entertainment, including carnival rides, a parade, different performance acts and more than 15 food vendors.

Submit Your Event

Do you have an event you would like to submit to our calendar?

Send details and photos to ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

INSIDE

PICKERINGTON

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

A Perfect Partnership The City of Pickerington and the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce have developed a strong business alliance that is founded on open communication and a strong vision for community growth.

“By having open lines of communication, we have developed a strong partnership of support for the business community,” said Chamber President Theresa Byers.

Byers, who has been on the job as president less than a year, added, “We visit businesses together, share business concerns with each other and celebrate wins together.”

As part of this partnership approach to bringing business into Pickerington, City Development Services Director Joe Henderson said that when the City meets with any potential new business or developer, the entity receives a development folder about the multifaceted dynamics of the City and a Chamber letter welcoming it to Pickerington.

The partnership between City and Chamber provides an open conduit designed to help businesses succeed in Pickerington.

One of the most successful programs that has made an economic difference is the City’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program.

“The goal of the program is to meet with at least 50 businesses per calendar year and see how they are doing, what their future plans are and if there is anything we can do to help them,” Henderson said.

When the City Development team members meet with businesses, they are often accompanied by representatives from the Chamber.

This business outreach program provides partners with an opportunity to hear business concerns and good www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Chamber President Theresa Byers with Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray outside City Hall.

news, and show their collaborative support of the business community.

In addition, the Development Services Department opens its doors the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. for the Chamber to host an Economic Development meeting at City Hall.

As part of the updates, businesses hear from representatives from the City, Chamber, Violet Township, Pickerington Public Library and Pickerington Local School District.

The City also sponsors, by appointment, growth management meetings every Tuesday from 1-5 p.m. for businesses interested in meeting with the Development Services Department, which includes Planning and Zoning, Building and Economic Development Divisions and the Engineering Department.

To set up a Growth Management or Business Retention and Expansion meeting, businesses just need to contact the Development Services Department at development@pickerington.net.

“These meetings allow businesses direct access to department heads and staff who can assist with questions on development,” Henderson said.

Photo courtesy of the City of Pickerington

City and Chamber aim to support local businesses City Manager Bill Vance said the strong working relationship between the City and Chamber is good for business and provides businesses with easy access to City leaders who attend Chamber events.

“We have taken time to get to know each other and shared our visions for the future. We have direct access to the right departments to assist members with the growth of their business, or to take care of any of their concerns,” Byers said.

Membership in the Chamber is open to any business interested in reaching the Pickerington market.

“Membership in the Pickerington Area Chamber starts as low as $99 for a home-based business and goes up to $500 with companies having more than 100 employees,” Byers said. “That means for roughly $8 to $40 a month, you are investing in the growth of your business.”

Besides connecting and networking businesses with other area stakeholders, membership benefits include discounted group health insurance, workers’ compensation and phone service; an affordable way to market and promote business and opportunities to become more involved in the community.

“In almost every case, if you put a little effort into your Chamber membership, you will most definitely receive a return on your investment,” Byers said.

Byers and Henderson agree that the key to successful and sustainable business growth in Pickerington is working together as a team – in 2015 and beyond.

“The Chamber is excited to be a part of the growth, the celebrations and the fun that this year is going to bring,” Byers said. “We are excited about our strong relationship with the City, the township and the schools, and we continue to look forward to even more success.”

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News and information from the City of Pickerington

Leading by Example City chooses new wastewater treatment plant superintendent Hacker started his career with Johnstown as a utility laborer in 2006.

Over the years, Hacker completed numerous certifications to work his way into the top position as chief operator of the facility in 2014.

Hacker said he is very pleased to work as an integral part of the City of Pickerington’s professional team and would like to continue to “improve the operation and performance of the wastewater treatment plant.”

Photo courtesy of the City of Pickerington

The City of Pickerington recently hired a new wastewater treatment plant superintendent to manage its wastewater treatment plant, which processes 3.5 million gallons of water per day.

Glen Hacker, the former chief operator for the village of Johnstown’s wastewater treatment plant, replaced David Jackson, who retired.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone with Glen’s vast experience, knowledge, skills and leadership ability to manage our wastewater treatment plant,” said Pickerington City Manager Bill Vance.

A Sizzling Summer Pickerington greets the new season with a variety of events

15th annual Friday Night Flicks Sycamore Park Amphitheater Sponsored by Fairfield Federal Bank Shows begin at dark.

Planes, June 5 Balto, June 12 The Big Green, June 19 Mary Poppins, June 26 Remember the Titans, July 10 Frozen, July 17 Ratatouille, July 24 Rudy, July 31 17th annual free Summer Concert Series Sycamore Park Amphitheater Shows begin at 7 p.m.

The British Invasion, June 7 Ransom Band, June 14 Phillip Fox Band, June 21 Paradise Island Band, June 28 Chris Logsdon, July 12 Wet Bandits, July 19 Red Hot Rhythm Review, July 26 Floorwalkers, Aug. 2 10

Photo courtesy of the City of Pickerington

Pickerington will be alive this summer with some hot, family-friendly events.

Check out the event list to make sure you don’t miss anything.

4th of July Celebration Victory Park Park rides, 4 p.m.

Parade, 6 p.m.

Next Exit concert, 8 p.m.

Fireworks, 10 p.m.

Pickerington Community Pool Swim lessons, June 15-26, July 6-17 Family Fun Night, 6 p.m., June 19 Bicentennial Pool Party, July 19 Family Luau Night, 6-9 p.m., Aug. 7 Other Summer Events TRY-athlon, 9 a.m., July 11 10th Annual Youth Fishing Derby, 9:30 a.m., July 25 To find more information or register for events, visit the City Parks and Recreation website at www.pickerington.net.

citydirectory 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 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 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

News and Information From

Violet Township

By Greg Butcher, PE, MPA, Violet Township Engineer

Construction Junction When will my road be repaved?

T

he United States has an infrastructure problem.

The deteriorating condition of infrastructure, especially our highway system, trickles down to state and local governments as well.

And Violet Township’s roadway network is no exception. While revenues (township funds to provide services) from gasoline taxes, motor vehicle license taxes and a portion of real estate taxes have remained stagnant, the cost of materials to repave our streets has increased nearly 300 percent within the past 10 years.

Unfortunately, local revenue sources have not kept up with these asphalt

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

increases. Ultimately, that affects the number of road miles the township can resurface each year. Resurfacing costs are upwards of $100,000 per mile. The 2015 annual paving budget is $275,000. This fact, coupled with losses of revenue from elimination of the estate tax and reduction of the Local Government Fund by the Ohio Legislature, give us no other funds to use to help maintain roadways.

Currently, Violet Township maintains 105 lane miles of roadway in one direction – the distance from downtown Columbus to downtown Cincinnati. We are often asked, “When will my road get

repaved?” or “Can you put my road on the repaving schedule for this year?” Ten years ago, the Township’s philosophy was to resurface roads approximately every 10 years. Today, the number of years between paving cycles is greater than 20 years.

We will continue to strive to evaluate alternate cost effective technologies to keep our roads safe and maintained. In the meantime, we felt it was important to share the harsh financial realities local governments are now facing related to road maintenance, particularly as it relates to resurfacing our streets.

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From the Violet Township Fire Department

By Fire Chief Mike Little and Assistant Fire Chief Jim Paxton

Evolving Entrées Challenging the traditions of firehouse food

T

here are several myths that surround fire service.

Many are not true or are no longer relevant. Not every fire station has a brass pole. Not every fire department has a Dalmatian dog. We no longer have red suspenders, and we never play checkers (unless it’s an app on a smart phone). One cliché is true: We place a high value on our food, cooking and meal time. Our standing cooking tradition is changing, though, as more of our members focus on eating healthfully.

This is how we’ve historically handled the cooking: At the start of each shift, someone from each station is designated the day’s cook. Some crews may have a member who cooks every shift; others may rotate the position among members. The cook is responsible for collecting each crew member’s financial contribution into the kitty and shopping

12

Violet Township Fire Department crew members gather for a meal.

for lunch and dinner. Crew members are on their own for breakfast. The contribution amount and ingenuity of the cook determines the menu for the day.

Any remaining money rolls over to the next duty day that the cook works.

The more frugal the cook, the more money he or she saves, thus paving the way for better or more expensive meals. Deficit spending is highly frowned upon and will usually get the cook quickly replaced.

This sounds simple, but that is rarely the case. Fire and EMS runs can play havoc with a finely prepared meal.

Sometimes lunch does not occur until dinner time, and dinner, whether intended or not, can be served in multiple courses at various times. Some meals can only be reheated so many times before they are thrown away. Ordering

out on a frequent basis takes a rapid and serious toll on the kitty.

There are those among us who are naturally gifted connoisseurs of cuisine.

There are those who are not. Having a staple dish when you are the cook of the day is a good thing. On the other hand, feeding the crew SpaghettiOs casserole may place you in the witness protection program. Balancing taste and budget is an art form. Feeding the guys and girls powdered soup mix and bologna every day builds character and the kitty. It also builds the ire of famished firefighters everywhere.

Luckily, the Violet Township Fire Department has been blessed with some great cooks over the last 20-plus years.

We have also suffered under a few members who couldn’t cook a canned biscuit without turning it into something www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of the Violet Township Fire Department

VTFD members come up with a variety of creative ways to make meals for their coworkers.

discuss and solve many of the problems facing the world or encountered throughout the day while sitting around the dinner table. The food prepared in the firehouse has produced some good meals, some good times and some really good friends.

Moving forward, we hope the food also produces healthier firefighters and a healthier lifestyle.

How to Reach Us that resembled a hockey puck. As the generations change and mix within the fire service, mealtime is changing, too.

More and more of our firefighters are analyzing their fitness and diet routines.

Using smoothie makers and juicers and following paleo, vegetarian and vegan diets can be challenging at home without even considering the firehouse.

Some firefighters prepare their own meals, making it easier for the cook, but tough for the kitty.

As a profession, we are becoming much more aware of our food choices and what effect food is having on our bodies and our ability to perform our jobs. Collectively, we are striving to include a sense of health and nutrition into our daily meals. As an organization, we have made the choice to promote better www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

health through better eating habits. We have realized the benefits far outweigh the costs, and we are committed to maintaining healthy firefighters.

The VTFD recently brought in a nutritionist to aid in our food selections. This has enabled the department members to discover smarter ways to shop and more healthful ways to eat. We will miss the days of beef stroganoff, spicy chicken pockets and chicken parmesan. The old adage of “eat until you are tired” is gone, replaced with discussions of fruit, salads and portion control.

Some food-related traditions still live on. Every Saturday night is typically still pizza night. You still have to buy ice cream when you accomplish or encounter something for the first time.

And, like many families, we can still

Violet Township Administrative Offices 12970 Rustic Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: Michael Little #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 13

faces

By Hannah Bealer

Firefighter and reality show hopeful tries his hand at United States of Burgers 14

S

ince his high school days, Andy Smith says he was interested in the culinary arts.

It all started with an advanced foods class, where Smith learned how to follow recipes and prepare basic meals.

Food was his passion, he says, but he had another calling. As a senior in high

school, he joined his uncle on a ride-along and got to witness the operation of a fire department firsthand.

“I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Smith says. “I got to see everything associated with the job, (from) helping people to the close family aspect.”

Joining the Violet Township Fire Department in 1996 might have seemed a far cry www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photo courtesy of Andy Smith

Fired Up

Photo by Sarah Sole

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Andy Smith stands outside the Violet Township Fire Department.

Photo courtesy of Andy Smith

from a culinary career but, in 2014, cooking for his fellow firefighters nearly landed Smith a gig on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen.

More importantly, it got him noticed.

Smith says he and his coworkers applied for Cutthroat Kitchen after they discovered a casting call for an episode centered on firefighters. Smith says he felt like the Violet Township Fire Department would be a perfect fit.

“Somebody’s got to do (the cooking),” Smith says. “We are here for 24 hours.”

Smith has done the math: He and his coworkers are on the clock for nearly onethird of their life.

On a typical day, Smith says, there are about six people to feed. Each person contributes $10 to the food budget, and someone will head out to the grocery store to shop for ingredients.

“We’re not preparing run-of-the-mill meals,” Smith says, adding that, in the summertime, they like to break out the grill. “(The department’s kitchen) is like a mini-restaurant, if you think about it.”

Roasted garlic asparagus prepared on the grill.

This is one of many photos Smith submitted to Cutthroat Kitchen.

Reuben sandwiches are a favorite among the department, Smith says. He likes to cook anything that can be thrown on the grill and is testing out new ways to cook chicken, such as smoking it.

Luckily for Smith, preparing meals has never felt like a burden.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Smith says. “I never really thought about (participating in a cooking reality show) until (Cutthroat Kitchen) came along. I really

enjoy cooking; it’s not like it’s a chore or a requirement.”

For Cutthroat Kitchen, Smith submitted photos of food prepared at the station. The dishes varied quite drastically, from grilled asparagus and mushrooms to hearty chicken dinners.

Smith calls it a “virtual resume.”

Along with the photos of food, Smith sent along lifestyle photos as well, showing photos that showed the department out and about and having fun.

It was a nationwide hunt, Smith says.

He made it through several stages of the process, including a Skype interview with the producers. Smith says he had never used Skype before, so it was somewhat intimidating.

Cutthroat Kitchen has a twist: The four competing chefs each start with $25,000 and can purchase opportunities to sabotage one another. These sabotages include 15

“It’s a lot of fun. I never really thought about (participating in a cooking reality show) until (Cutthroat Kitchen) came along. I really enjoy cooking; it’s not like it’s a chore or a requirement.”

Photo courtesy of Andy Smith

Andy Smith

16

Smith says contestants compete with their own burger recipes. That, he says, will be a bit more challenging. Hamburgers aren’t his specialty.

“We don’t cook a lot of hamburger (at the fire department),” Smith says. “So, now I’m thinking, ‘What’s it going to take to win?’ The hamburger can’t be traditional.”

But if cooking for the fire department has taught Smith anything, he says, it’s how to be adaptable. On any given day, he has to make sure his coworkers are satisfied with what he’s putting on the table.

“You find out really fast if people don’t like your cooking here. You learn who doesn’t like what,” Smith says. “You really build your database up by doing it for so many years.”

Hannah Bealer is an assistant editor.

Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscene mediagroup.com.

Pulled pork with pepperoncini. For his photo submissions, Smith was encouraged to submit photos of meals prepared at the fire department. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photo courtesy of Andy Smith

forcing a competitor to collect ingredients using only his or her hands, or eliminating another contestant if the sabotager’s dish was judged the worst.

“It’s just a lot of craziness you would never expect in the kitchen,” Smith says.

Smith advanced until the last step.

“I got up to the point where they would’ve flown me out for taping in Los Angeles,” he says.

If he gained anything from the process, though, Smith says he learned more about what reality cooking shows are looking for in its contestants.

That knowledge will come in handy as Smith starts the audition process for his next endeavor: a spot on the Esquire network’s new series, United States of Burgers.

The six-part competition series is set to premiere this summer, and Smith describes it as a nationwide hunt for America’s best burger. The show will feature anyone from casual cooks to the more seasoned fanatics.

A producer involved in the Cutthroat Kitchen casting process encouraged Smith to move forward for a spot on United States of Burgers. In April, he had his first interview with a Los Angeles casting producer.

Photo by Sarah Sole

Chicken and kabobs prepared on the grill; another Cutthroat Kitchen photo submission.

in focus

By Sarah Sole

Photos courtesy of the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington

Staving Off Hunger Community programs support households in need

T

wenty-seven percent of students in the Pickerington Local School District receive free or reduced price lunches.

For the second year running, the district will provide some support to households during the summer, when students don’t have access to the free and reduced price lunch federal program.

During the month of June, the district will again make food available at Tussing Elementary School for households in need. During the Summer Feeding Program, lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to children ages 1-18. Students do not have to qualify for the free and reduced price lunch program or even reside in the district. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

A church group provides lunch sacks for PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington clients.

More than 50 percent of Tussing’s students are on the free and reduced price lunch program. The USDA, which sponsors both the summer and the inschool lunch programs, mandates that schools must meet at least that percentage to host federally sponsored summer lunch programs.

Judy Riley, food service supervisor for the district, says the goal last year was to serve at least 100 students per day, a goal the district met. Donatos and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium partnered with the district last year as well. This year, Donatos and the zoo will again join the district.

On Mondays, Donatos will provide pizza. On Tuesdays, the Ohio State Extension Office of Fairfield County will

sponsor nutrition education and physical activities. On Fridays, the Pickerington Public Library will sponsor reading along with arts and crafts. The zoo and Donatos will also provide prizes and giveaways.

Chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, corn, fruit cups, green beans and stuffedcrust pizza will be some of the foods The PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington will hold its first Food Truck Frenzy on June 14 at Seton Parish grounds, 600 Hill Rd. Proceeds raised by sponsorship and a percentage of food truck sales go directly to the pantry.

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featured in meals. An alternate lunch including yogurt, a cheese stick, graham crackers, fruit, vegetables and milk will be available. All meals must be eaten on site.

When Pickerington schools were closed for snow days this past winter, the importance of the federal free and reduced lunch program became evident, says PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington Director of Community Relations and Development Barbara Meek. Many parents called the pantry requesting emergency food packets.

Even when school is in session, children represent a significant portion of those served by the PCMA Food Pantry. In March, the pantry served 155 households, or 548 individuals, Meek says. Forty-one percent of that number was children under 17 years of age.

On average the food pantry sees between 160-195 households per month, or between 500-650 individuals, Meek says. That number tends to decrease in the summer, since gardens provide some households with more produce. Still, the pantry’s produce, also more readily available in the warmer months, tends to be popular then as well.

The summer season also means time off from school, when some households

must search for alternatives to the free and reduced lunches students receive when class is in session. Thanks to the donations of a local church, over the summer the pantry gives lunch sacks with items such as crackers and apples to clients to have in addition to their eight-day, 24-meal-perperson monthly food allowance.

“We go through those quickly,” Meek says of the lunch sacks.

The pantry will also again get summer support from local fire departments. During Pack the Pantry, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 20, various fire departments will collect food and household items. The items collected at the three Violet Township Fire Houses (2365 Taylor Square Dr., 8700 Refugee Rd. and 21 Lockville Rd.) will go to the pantry.

Clients come to the pantry for various reasons, including divorce, unemployment and health issues, Meek says.

Some are retirees trying to make ends meet on a fixed income. Many visit sporadically, during the months that bills or other hardships make buying food difficult. While some people assume that clients are homeless, the majority have stable residences. Some, though, are temporarily homeless, perhaps living with someone else.

Donations can be made online to the food pantry at www.pcmafoodpantry.com.

Food donations can be made during client hours (Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon). Those who would like to hold food drives for the pantry can call 614-834-0079. The pantry is closed on major holidays and the fifth Monday, Thursday and Saturday of each month.

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During holidays and the rest of the year, PCMA volunteers make sure the pantry is packed with food.

“Our confidentiality is really important,” Meek says.

The pantry is available for residents of the Pickerington Local School District.

Clients must prove residency with a utility bill from the last three months and must be at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Clients can make appointments via the Fairfield County food pantry line before shopping days (Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Thursdays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon). Because PCMA is a choice pantry, clients can choose their food from among various donations.

A nonprofit, the pantry is an agency of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and receives generous funding from the United Way. Most of its food comes from the food bank, local churches and the school district. The Hill Road Kroger also donates produce, bread and sweets on Thursdays and Saturdays. Monetary donations are also put to good use, as the pantry can purchase $10 of food from the food bank for every dollar it raises.

Sarah Sole is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

By Zach Maiorana

Carry on, Wayward Celebration

Photos courtesy of Pickerington Violet Festival

The Pickerington Violet Festival returns this year with renewed vigor

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

The 2013 Violet Festival included a performance

by Survivor, a 5K race and a performance from the Pickerington Central Marching Tigers.

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he Pickerington Violet Festival is returning after a one-year hiatus.

After 16 years of celebrating Pickerington and Violet Township’s hospitality uninterrupted, the Violet Festival was forced to close up shop for the first time. In 2014, festival organizers found themselves without a venue to hold the festival in, and the popular local attraction closed down for a year.

On July 29, however, it’s back and will run through Aug. 1, powered by rejuvenated excitement in the community.

This year, the festival has moved to the Toll Gate middle and elementary schools’ campus. The new location offers more room than the festival enjoyed previously, creating the opportunity for a thoroughly reimagined layout.

“The event will work out to be bigger and better than it’s ever been,” says Chris Stein, president of the Violet Festival.

In addition to local musical acts participating each day of the festival, including the Bryon Shepherd Band and Radio Tramps, this will be the first year in which the Violet Festival will feature two nationally renowned headliners in the same year.

On July 31, country music duo LoCash will take the main stage, while Aug. 1 will bring classic rock legend Kansas to Pickerington.

The presence of these enormous names in the lineup reflects a significant step forward for the Violet Festival and represents its success as an upcoming venue. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend over the course of the 19

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The concert crowd takes in a performance by Survivor.

four-day celebration, making the festival the largest event in the community.

To organize something of this size, the board assembled a staff of hundreds of volunteers. The event also relies heavily on participation from local businesses, which are offering their sponsorships and giving $20,000 in resources to the organization effort.

But all the work isn’t Festival visitors browse vendor goods. just for a weekend of fun.

“In 2013, the festival inThe show will be open for viewing vested more than $25,000 back into the with $10 admission at noon Aug. 1 and local community,” Stein says, “including a will last through the afternoon until 4:30 $3,500 donation to the Pickerington Food p.m., when the judges will announce the Pantry.” awards. Commendations include plaques Through charitable donations, busi- for the top 35 cars and top 10 bikes, along ness partnerships and general exposure with the Best of Show award. for the area, planners hope the festival will Other popular events include the inspire a helpful boost in consumerism Violet Festival Parade, which will begin and stimulate the local economy. at 6:30 p.m. July 31 at Pickerington High Some of the businesses that will ben- School Central before moving through efit a great deal from the advantages of- town and looping back to the high school. fered by the Violet Festival are the food Runners have a chance to participate vendors who will serve there. Normally, as in the Diley Ridge 5K dash, a run that many as 16 food trucks, carts and booths takes place at 9:15 a.m. Aug. 1. Children would dot the festival grounds. This year, can join the fun in the Kids’ Fun Run, organizers may choose to increase to 18- which is free and begins at 8:45 a.m.

20 vendors.

“Whether it is the carnival rides, the The food served will be a mixture of- food, the national entertainment line-up, the fering considerable variety. There will be parade, or the car and bike show, the PickerJewish, Greek and Asian dishes in addi- ington Violet Festival has something for famition to a wide range of fair food, including lies and individuals of all ages,” Stein says. elephant ears and fried bananas.

One of the most memorable parts of Zach Maiorana is a contributing the festival will take place on Saturday: the writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@ Car & Bike Show. cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

By Sarah Sole

Campus of Care OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus opens June 3

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his summer will mark the beginning of new health opportunities for Pickerington residents.

On June 3, the OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus, a $35 million project, will open for patients.

The 146,000-square-foot facility will have approximately 100 employees when it opens, and about 75 percent of that number will be new jobs.

The campus, located at 1010 Refugee Rd., will feature a 24/7 Emergency Care Center, outpatient surgery, rehabilitation and sports medicine, imaging, laboratory www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photo by Sarah Sole

services, and heart and vascular services.

Physicians will include general surgery, heart and vascular, OB/GYN, oncology, orthopedics, primary care, sports medicine, and women’s health. OhioHealth plans to continue adding additional services within the next year, including neurology and breast surgery.

While some existing OhioHealth-affiliated caregivers will move to the new campus, others will remain where they are. Two doctors from the Pickerington Max Sports Center, located at 1797 Hill Rd. N., will move to OhioHealth Pickerington Medical

Campus. Three OhioHealth Primary Care physicians on Stonecreek Drive will also move to the new campus. OhioHealth Sleep Services on Clint Drive will stay put, as will the Reynoldsburg OhioHealth Urgent Care center and the OhioHealth Primary Care physicians located at 417 Hill Rd. N. In the future, the campus will also be home to private physicians.

OhioHealth will also lease 2,000 square feet of its facility to Pickerington Local Schools for $1 per year for the district’s science, technology, engineering and math program.

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both OhioHealth and the city of Pickerington, Mayor Lee Gray says. To achieve this, the city extended Stonecreek Drive from Rt. 256 to Refugee Road.

With cooperation from the city, the school district and OhioHealth, the city used tax increment financing on the OhioHealth property. With that revenue, Refugee Road will be widened to better accommodate traffic expected from the new campus and the eventual commercial interest.

These changes are a far cry from the Pickerington Gray knew when he first served as mayor in the 1990s. When he was initially elected, the city itself had more than 5,000 residents, Gray says. Now, the city has close to 20,000 people.

The service industry grows according to the population. Pickerington has two big health care providers in the area: Diley Ridge Medical Center in Violet Township, and now OhioHealth on Refugee Road.

While OhioHealth is in the city’s corporate boundaries, Diley Ridge is not.

“They have really stepped up to the plate and have been a great corporate partner,” Gray says of OhioHealth. “It’s just another win for the Pickerington community.”

Sarah Sole is an assistant editor.

Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscene mediagroup.com.

Get your camera ready.

It’s time for Send us your photos for the annual Shutterbugs issue of Pickerington Magazine!

Images should be of:

People/Pets, Places and Events in the Pickerington area

Deadline: June 30 Email hi-res digital files to pickeringtonmag@gmail.com Images can be in color or black and white. The top photos will be featured in the August /September issue of Pickerington Magazine. Up to 10 images may be submitted per person.

All images must be submitted as digital, high resolution photos.

22

weekendscene

The campus has room for growth, says Rob Davies, director of the Pickerington Medical Campus. The site and parking lot occupy approximately 18-20 acres of the 61 total acres OhioHealth owns near the southwest corner of State Rt. 256 and Refugee Road.

“As Pickerington grows, OhioHealth is growing with it,” Davies says.

OhioHealth did extensive research to determine what services would be best for Pickerington residents.

“We were very deliberate,” says Jason Theadore, interim president of OhioHealth Neighborhood Care.

OhioHealth, assisted by outside firms, met with many Pickerington community members and researched what their expectations were for a new OhioHealth campus.

The existing OhioHealth physician partners in Pickerington also had valuable insight about for what services their patients were required to look elsewhere. Community leaders, including the Pickerington Local School District and the Mayor’s Office, were involved in the discussions.

Ultimately, the feedback from the various sources was similar, Theadore says. The desire was for Pickerington residents to have access to a wide range of specialties at one community location.

Providing easy and safe access to the OhioHealth campus was paramount for

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Sign up for CityScene Magazine’s weekly event newsletter at cityscenecolumbus.com

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

By Taylor Weis

Orthodontics Lego contest helps patients build skill

I

t started off as a hobby.

Dr. Robert Forche had always enjoyed playing with Legos, and when his son, Dylan, took an interest in the activity, they began collaborating on some complicated projects. Some of their creations, such as the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower, sit on display in the operating room at Kristal & Forche Orthodontics in Olde Pickerington Village.

But what began as a simple pastime between father and son has turned into a popular competition for patients.

This summer marks Kristal & Forche’s fourth annual Lego contest, running from June 1 to Aug. 15. During this time, patients can construct any orthodonticthemed sculpture out of Legos for the chance to win a $200 gift card to the Lego Store. Kids can submit photos of their creations online via Facebook or email, or bring the creation into the office for the staff to judge.

“Every year, (the contest) has gotten bigger and bigger,” says Dr. Forche’s wife and practice manager, Alison. “We probably had a good 25 entries last summer. And they build these creations from scratch. To Dr. Robert Forche and son Dylan display some of their Lego creations. sit down with Legos and come up with a “You would think you would have 25 people show up with a creation … it’s unbelievable.” tooth with braces on it, but that’s not what you get,” Alison says.

In past years, Kristal & Forche has received all kinds of Lego “You get a window of what resonates with them when they come structures, such as teeth, the doctors and assistants, the opera- to the office, whether it’s the doctor, the assistants, the way the tory area, and even the hot chocolate machine that sits in the office is laid out. It could be anything.” practice’s waiting room.

The Lego contest provides children the opportunity to exer-

cise their brains and creativity during the summer, Alison says. Rather than going to the Lego Store and purchasing a kit that contains instructions and a set number of bricks, kids can be flexible in creating whatever structure they want.

The staff at Kristal & Forche enjoys this opportunity to celebrate children’s creativity and connect with their patients on a more personal level.

“We’re so fortunate in what we get to do with our patients, to be seeing them over a one- or twoyear period and watching them grow and develop,” Alison says. “You get to know them well, you get to know their personalities, and this is a whole new way that their personalities are displayed for us.”

For more information about Kristal & Forche’s 2015 Lego contest, visit www.kfortho.com.

Taylor Weis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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student spotlight

By Zach Maiorana Photos by Melanie DeFazio

Student Spotlight is a new feature in Pickerington Magazine, featuring a student from a different area high school in every issue.

A Motivated Mind Pickerington junior is driven by challenges and spirituality

P

Photo courtesy of Donner Davis

ickerington High School North Senior Lavonca Davis’ academic record is anything but typical – ranked ninth in her class, she is in two honors and three AP classes – but her true dedication becomes even more apparent in her extracurricular commitments.

As a member of Sunny Side Up, North’s leadership and service organization, Davis is committed to developing her communication skills and positively affecting her community.

Her resume doesn’t stop there, however.

Davis is on the varsity golf team, and she’s become one of central Ohio’s top female golfers. She was also an ensemble member of her school’s spring musical, The Wedding Singer. She runs a Bible study, On Pointe with Christ, where she works with the Water Project, a nonprofit organization that helps to provide safe drinking water to international communities. Going into her 12th-grade year, the highly productive student was also a member of the high school yearbook staff.

Yearbook is her favorite activity.

Pickerington High School North Senior Lavonca Davis vastly improved her golf game from seventh to eighth grade.

24

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

“We hang out a lot, and we drive to random places to go get food and hang out – or we just sit around and watch Netflix,” she says.

Davis describes her dance teacher, Angie Smith, as her biggest hero.

“I’ve been dancing with her since I was 3, and my parents say she’s like my second mom,” Lavonca says. “She started my Bible study group, and she helped me with my faith. She helped me become closer to God and pushed me to go to church.”

Zach Maiorana is a contributing writer.

Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscene mediagroup.com.

Davis, left, spends time with younger sister Zhanner.

“I have a lot of freedom to put my own style into it and pick my own topics,” Davis says. “Everyone is responsible for taking care of their own business, and that freedom makes it all chill.”

Often, challenges she experiences along the way push Davis to work even harder. Such was the case with her AP chemistry class.

“When I first started, it was challenging because it was so new,” Davis says. “I like the challenge, and I like going into something without knowing anything, so I can learn more about it.”

And the fruits of her motivations show in what she does and where she’s going.

Davis started golfing the week before seventh grade tryouts but, in her words, she was “horrible.” Still, she learned from her experience and came back in eighth grade to become the No. 1 golfer on the team, continuing to improve over the year.

Davis hopes to continue on a college team and use her athletic scholarship to further fund her success.

After she graduates from high school, Davis plans to attend Vanderbilt University for chemical engineering. Afterward, she hopes to attend Harvard Law School and practice corporate law and contract law, or perhaps become a sports agent.

But Davis approaches her future with characteristic modesty.

“I would just love to be successful and to live in a comfortable place where I don’t have to worry about the necessities,” she says. “I want to be able to provide.”

Davis lives with her parents and her little sister, Zhanner. She golfs with her sister, who is in eighth grade. Lavonca says that she values her close relationship with Zhanner. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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25

on the table

By Elizabeth Tzagournis Photos courtesy of Fun’l Frenzy

Cakewalk Family-owned food truck finds selling desserts to be a piece of cake

26

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

F

rom its employees to its recipe, Fun’l Frenzy is a family affair.

Established by Pickerington residents Stacee and Ronnie Roy about eight years ago, the food truck offers funnel cakes that are unique in that they are never prepared in advance but, rather, made from scratch using a longtime family recipe.

The duo made the decision to take their treats to the public one day while the family was eating them together, Stacee says. She and her husband looked at each other and realized the opportunity they had.

Stacee and Ronnie’s five children also help out with the family business.

“It’s absolutely a family affair. We could not do this without our family being involved,” Stacee says. “They get so excited about getting to participate in the family business, (and) they enjoy helping the customers.”

Customers can find Fun’l Frenzy in locations such as sporting games, schools, festivals, corporate events or anywhere else the Roys can pull up their food truck. Fun’l Frenzy is a product of a family recipe. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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Stacee Roy with daughters Rhani (middle) and Ramiya (right)

The demand for, and excitement surrounding, Fun’l Frenzy has delighted Stacee and her family.

The Roys are serious about their quest to be the best funnel cake food truck.

They even offer people who buy funnel cakes from competitors the opportunity to “flop” a competitor’s cake with a Fun’l Frenzy cake at no cost and experience the difference.

Through “flops” and samplings, they have gained a strong following.

“Our recipe is so distinct, and we aren’t just using a generic mix. You can taste the difference, they’re so fresh,” Stacee says. “We call it a frenzy because it’s a funnel frenzy. We definitely change people’s minds about funnel cakes.”

The cakes are topped with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate

and honey. Rather than offer a wide array of menu items, they focus on quality over quantity. In addition to funnel cakes, their menu includes deep-fried Oreos cooked in the funnel cake mix. Stacee says prices

Fun’l Frenzy employs two food trucks and is looking to expand to a third truck. Its busiest season is the summer months from mid-June to August, and it is typically booked every weekend. Event times and locations can be found on its website, www.funlfrenzy.com.

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are kept low so that everyone can enjoy their delicious cakes.

“All funnel cakes are not the same.

You have to try it to see the difference,” Stacee says. “It’s that wowing the customer, and we think that’s how you keep people coming back and looking for you.”

Elizabeth Tzagournis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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29

bookmarks

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

The Everything Organic Baby Meals Cookbook

By Adams Media Deciding what to feed our children is one of the most important choices we make for them. This book introduces how to create an organic table and shop for the correct kitchen equipment, tools and gadgets.

Includes weekly organic menus that cover 4- to 6-month-olds and the whole family.

Love Me, Feed Me: Sharing With Your Dog the Everyday Good Food You Cook and Enjoy

By Judith Jones In this delightful new cookbook for dogs, food editor and author Judith Jones shares more than 50 home-cooked recipes. Salmon cakes, wild mushroom risotto and shepherd’s pie are all suitable for two- or four-legged family members. Jones even shares how her four-legged friend helps her clean up the sticky pans – with his tongue.

been simplified from Caroline’s kitchen. Wherever you get your ingredients, you will taste a healthier future while still connecting with history through taste and flavors.

Meet Your Baker

By Ellie Alexander This fictional account tells the story of Juliet Montague Capshaw, who grew up in Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

After graduating from culinary school, she sailed off on the high seas as an assistant pastry chef.

Now back home in the family bakery, Torte, Juliet is hoping to heal her broken heart and figure out her life. Instead, the festival’s newest board member is murdered. Juliet’s high school sweetheart, Thomas, just happens to be the investigator on the case.

Can Juliet have her cake and eat it too?

Quench: Handcrafted Beverages to Satisfy Every Taste and Occasion

Soul Food Love: Healthy Recipes Inspired by One Hundred Years of Cooking in a Black Family

By Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams This cookbook tells the tale of five kitchens and the three generations of women who cooked and created in them. Recipes from kitchens in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Detroit, Chicago and Harlem are featured. The recipes in this book have

By Ashley English and Jen Altman This beverage book includes recipes and pictures for everything from blueberry lemonade to a perfect chocolate milkshake and real chai “tea.” You will learn how to infuse liquor, make a lovely Irish cream for the holidays and step up your Hot Toddy game. Who doesn’t love a caramel apple in the fall? Try the Caramelized Apple Cider Punch for a grown-up treat.

Library Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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After all, this is our home too. Many of our staff live right here. Our children attend the same schools. That’s why the services you receive at Diley Ridge come with the extra care and personal attention you expect from people in your community. From an emergency staff that is efficient and focused on you to our high-quality imaging, lab and women’s services, Diley Ridge is a place where you’re always respected and welcomed. Putting people and community first, with quality healthcare and a personal touch. Diley Ridge Medical Center. Caring for the community. Caring for you.

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Michelle Local Event Volunteer