Pickerington June/July 2016

T h e O f f i c i a l M a g a z i n e o f t h e C i t y o f P i c k e r i n g t o n a n d V i o l e t To w n s h i p

JUNE/JULY 2016

A Man of the Earth Community-minded farmer Keith Eichhorn always has charity on his mind

ALSO INSIDE

Violet Festival New restaurants downtown Local Pelotonia support

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Columbus, Ohio Permit No. 4697

Š OhioHealth Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. FY16-139-2-7803. 02/16.

OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus

More expert care than you expected, closer than you ever imagined.

+ Your busy schedule just got a whole lot more

256

manageable with expert doctors, lab services,

Rd N

Hill Rd N

i dm Win r

ll e

Dr

+ 24/7 emergency care and the area’s only

256

Hill

Refugee Rd

Dr

neighborhood

r

ll e

+ Expert, board-certified physicians right in your

Refugee Rd i dm Win

physical therapy and imaging all in one place

outpatient surgery center OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus 1010 Refugee Road, Pickerington, OH 43147

Find a physician at OhioHealth.com/Pickerington

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

3

why wait?

Apply now.

Classes start August 23

pickerington magazine TM

1335 Dublin Rd., Ste. 101C Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com Kathleen K. Gill Gianna Barrett

Vice President, Sales

Dave Prosser

Chief Creative Officer

Gary Hoffman

Creative Director

Garth Bishop

Managing Editor

Hannah Bealer Amanda DePerro Leah Kunnath Brenda Layman Jessica Williams Zoe Zeid

cotc.edu/apply

DEFINING & REFINING LIFE...

It’s all about Trust, Value & Details

President/CEO

Editor Assistant Editor Contributing Writers

Gabrielle Benton Hailey Stangebye

Editorial Assistants

Amber Young

Advertising Director

Julie Camp Lauren Prehm

Advertising Sales

Jamie Armistead Circulation

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 Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com HealthScene Ohio www.HealthSceneOhio.com

NJWCONSTRUCTION.COM 4

740.654.8227

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

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

Pickerington Magazine is published in June, August, October, December, February and April. Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Pickerington, Ohio. For advertising information or bulk purchases, email Amber Young at ayoung@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

pickerington magazine

SIGN UP YOUR CHILD FOR A

volume 8, number 5 june/july 2016

6 Calendar 9

News and Information from the City of Pickerington

11

News and Information from Violet Township

p.14

14

faces

Can You Dig It? Keith Eichhorn passes on his love of farming and community service to others

18

in focus

SUMMER

ART CAMP

Grades 1-3 • Drawing Basics • Costumes & Pretend Grades 3+ • Up Cycle Your Clothing Item Into a Work of Art Grades 5+ • Movie Making Camp: Big Screen Magic!

Call today to register!

Decorative arts center of ohio

Victuals in the Village Food options in the downtown area are ramping up

22

student spotlight Highway to Spell

p.24

p.28

145 East Main Street | Lancaster, OH 740-681-1423 | www.decartsohio.org

How do you spell ‘five-time national qualifier?’ R-U-S-H-L-O-W

24

The Cheering Section

25

Violet-palooza

Pickerington makes sure Pelotonia riders remember their stop here

Live music schedule is more robust than ever at the 2016 Violet Festival

around pickerington

27

Photos from the community

on the table

28

A Corny Story

Pickerington resident brings long list of flavored popcorns to the market

30

bookmarks

On the cover: Photo of Keith Eichhorn by Scott Cunningham

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com PickeringtonMagazine www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

5

pickerington community calendar june/july 2016 Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., 89 N. Center St., www.pickeringtonvillage.com Local vendors offer fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and more in the fourth year of Pickerington’s farmers’ market.

June 3

June 3-July 29 Friday Night Flicks

June 16

Dusk, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net Admission is free at Pickerington’s summer movie series. See page 10 for the line-up.

Family Luau

June 5 Food Truck Frenzy

3-9 p.m., Seton Parish, 600 Hill Rd., www.pcmafoodpantry.com Historical Museum Yard Sale PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Pickerington-Violet benefits from this community event Township Historical Society, with food trucks, live entertainment, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com games and a family craft center.

Household items, tools, toys, jewelry, June 5-July 31 books and much more are available at this yard sale, proceeds from which Summer Concert Series help fund acquisition and repair of 7-8 p.m., Sycamore Park museum artifacts.

Amphitheater, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net June 3 See page 10 for the schedule of Pickerington’s concert series on the lawn Olde Pickerington Village of the amphitheater.

PetFest 6-8:30 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.com June 11 Food and pet-related vendors come Teen Book Fest together in downtown Pickerington at 10-5 p.m., Pickerington High School this family-friendly event.

North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12.oh.us This all-day event celebrates teen fiction, including book talks, signings from authors and writing workshops.

6-9 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. S., www.pickerington.net Hawaiian attire is encouraged at this annual Caribbean celebration, featuring a potluck and family-friendly games.

June 25 AutoMotion Cruise-In for Kids 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickerington.net This car show, a new event for Pickerington, benefits Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

June 25 Relay for Life of 256 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.relayforlife.org The Pickerington area’s daylong fundraiser for the American Cancer Society includes opening and closing ceremonies, laps for survivors and caregivers, and a luminaria ceremony.

A food truck festival precedes the relay, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

July 4 July 4th Celebration 4-11 p.m., Victory Park, 100 Lockville Rd., www.pickeringtonvillage.com Pickerington’s Independence Day celebration features a parade at 6 p.m., a Parrots of the Caribbean concert at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Submit Your Event

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

Send details and photos to gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

6

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Garth Bishop, City of Pickerington and Pickerington Violet Festival

June 2-Sept. 29

Mark you r calendar for these commun ity events

July 8-17 Pickerington Community Theatre presents South Pacific Pickerington Christian Church, 575 Diley Rd., www.pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org This classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, set during World War II, features such well-known tunes as “There Is Nothing Like a Dame” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair.”

magazine The Official Magazine of Pickerington and Violet Township Mailed to EVERY homeowner and business in Pickerington and Violet Township

GET NOTICED.

Contact Amber Young today for great rates!

614-572-1243

ayoung@cityscenemediagroup.com

July 9 TRY-athlon 9 a.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. S., www.pickerington.net Kids swim, bike and run at this annual triathlon for which, organizers emphasize, the important thing is that they try.

July 13-16 Pickerington Violet Festival Toll Gate Middle and Elementary School campus, 12089 Toll Gate Rd., www.violetfestival.org Pickerington’s biggest community festival returns for another year, featuring carnival rides, a car and bike show, children’s entertainment, a business showcase, a 5K, a beer garden, a variety of food vendors, and performances by such musicians as Plaid Brixx, the Little River Band and Garth Brooks tribute artist Shawn Gerhard.

Gym HourS • Monday - Thursday 5AM - 11PM • Friday 5AM - 9PM • Saturday 8AM - 8PM • Sunday 8AM - 6PM We offer personal training and tanning as well.

CHIld waTCH • Monday - Saturday mornings 9AM - 12PM • Monday - Thursday evenings 4:30PM - 8PM • Friday evenings 4:30PM - 6PM

We are a family-owned and operated Fitness Club.

Everything is handled in club and we are not a corporation.

IGNITE FITNESS

859 Windmiller Drive • Pickerington, OH 43147 • 614-856-9715 www.fitignite.com/ www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

7

pickerington community calendar june/july 2016 continued July 14 Brown Bag Book Club 1 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The library’s lunchtime book club discusses Zoo Box by Ariel Cohn.

July 15 Library Mini-Golf 5:30-7:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Attendees at this after-hours event are invited to create their own mini golf course in the library.

The library’s main book club discusses We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas.

July 20-30 Lancaster Festival Around Lancaster, www.lancasterfestival.org Lancaster’s week-and-a-half musical celebration features a huge assortment of performances – including shows by Vince Gill, the Midtown Men and AC/DC tribute Live Wire – as well as an art walk, a 5K and more.

July 16 Youth Fishing Derby

NOW HIRING!

9:30-11 a.m., Sycamore Park Pond, 500 Hereford Dr., www.pickerington.net The 11th annual Youth Fishing Derby offers prizes for the most fish caught and biggest fish caught in four age ranges: 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.

• Forklift operators • Picker/Packers • Shipping Clerks

July 21 Pool Olympics

Paying $10–$14 Temp to Hire & Direct Hire

July 19 PPL Book Club 7 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

6013 Groveport Road Groveport, OH 43125

1-614-836-4775 www.prologistix.com

8

6-9 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. S., www.pickerington.net Olympic-themed games with prizes highlight this celebration of the 2016 Summer Olympics, which start in August.

Submit Your Event

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

Send details and photos to gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of City of Pickerington and Lancaster Festival

Warehouse Openings for:

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

Solace in Service

Website offers the chance to connect with charitable endeavors JustServe.org provides Pickerington residents and people across the country with an opportunity to find ways they can help their community.

The website, established five years ago by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a free service.

Former Pickerington City Councilman Brian Wisniewski introduced the website to council members on March 1.

The mission is to provide opportunities for volunteers to find projects in their community that need a helping hand and that match the volunteer’s skills and interests.

“The purpose was to provide an organizational structure and website which would make it more convenient for members of the church to find places to serve in their communities, and meet their skills, interests and availability,” Wisniewski said. “It was also meant to be a gift to communities and organizations, available to them at no cost.”

The pilot project launched in California in 2012. Today, more than 26,000 service projects have been posted on

the website, and approximately 60 cities have partnered with JustServe.

The program lists a variety of recurring events and one-time-only volunteer opportunities. Nonprofit organizations can even post their events on the website. Guidelines for submitting humanitarian and community service projects for approval are posted on the website.

These projects should not directly involve volunteers in fundraising, politics or for-profit ventures.

Wisniewski said JustServe is a great resource for parents looking for ways to perform community service with their children or for anyone looking to get more involved in their own community.

“We encourage individuals, community groups, faith organizations, etc. to register on JustServe.org and become a volunteer,” Wisniewski said. “Volunteers are encouraged to submit project ideas for the community of Pickerington or anywhere in the central Ohio area. Those projects are then reviewed by a local project administrator before they are posted on the website.”

Already, the website features volunteer activities for the Pickerington Farmers’ Market, Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, American Red Cross of Central Ohio, Touching Little Lives and many more.

“In an age of so many divisions, community service is something anyone can get behind, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation,” Wisniewski said.

“There are so many great organizations doing very important work and providing critical services, much of which often goes unnoticed. JustServe is working to help promote these organizations and their work by helping match them up with volunteers.”

The JustServe website states that “we’re convinced that by serving with each other in our local communities, we’re paving the way for much broader changes.”

“Our individual efforts don’t need to be huge – a little bit of change here, a few hours there – but even small efforts quickly add up to make a real difference,” Wisniewski said.

‘A New Voice’

The newest member of Pickerington City Council: Melissa Wilde Melissa Wilde is a community builder, so it is fitting that she is working to better the City she lives in as a new member of Pickerington City Council.

Wilde – a small business owner, mother of three, Girl Scout leader and school volunteer – enjoys serving.

Running for City Council was a logical choice for a woman who holds a master’s www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Melissa Wilde

degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Serving and wanting an opportunity to be “a new voice” and “add diversity to the decision-making process” were among the reasons that Wilde ran for City Council.

“I saw this as an opportunity to utilize my passions

and training to serve my neighbors while encouraging young women to become interested in serving as elected officials,” Wilde said. “I did not enjoy the campaign process at all and certainly had moments where I wondered if I made the right choice, but my time on City Council so far has been an incredible experience. I really enjoy learning about our City and everything that is going on in our City, county and state. It has exceeded my expectations.”

9

News and information from the City of Pickerington

Wilde has lived in Pickerington with her husband, Eric, for nine years. Her service goals center on her desire to see Pickerington “thrive as a community.”

“I want to see more opportunities for our residents to work and play here in our city,” Wilde said. “I want to see our businesses geared toward our specific population both for job creation purposes and for resident enjoyment.”

Wilde said she intends to support current efforts by residents to grow “community spaces.”

“I would love to see a community center in Pickerington. We have a great deal of kids who are currently being taken outside Pickerington to train for numerous sports, including swimming,” Wilde said. “I would love to see community spaces available to hold conferences, trainings or other events.”

Wilde also would like to see an expansion of the current library to the

north side of the City and to make sure that existing parks and spaces are fully utilized.

“We need to continue to invest in and care for these spaces that bring neighbors together. When we invest in community spaces, we build connections which serve to breed pride in our community, awareness of need with a desire to serve, improve and protect our home,” Wilde said. “Along those lines, I am also interested in promoting services that connect our local nonprofits or even specific members of our community who may need help with those willing to serve their City.”

As a member of Council, Wilde wants to help Pickerington continue to move in a positive direction.

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Parks and Recreation events Friday Night Flicks June 3: Inside Out June 10: Minions June 17: Little Giants June 24: The Boxtrolls July 8: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off July 15: Heavyweights July 22: The Good Dinosaur July 29: Norm of the North Summer Concert Series June 5: Yesterday & Today June 12: Jacked Up June 19: Hang Time June 26: British Invasion July 4: Parrots of the Caribbean (part of Independence Day celebration) July 10: Satisfaction July 17: The Tubs July 24: Chris Logsdon July 31: Wet Bandits Session 1 Swim Lessons: June 6-17 Summer Playground Half Day Camp: June 6-July 15 Session 2 Swim Lessons: June 20July 1 Family Luau: June 16 July 4th Celebration: July 4 TRY-athlon: July 9 Session 3 Swim Lessons: July 11-22 Youth Fishing Derby: July 16 Pool Olympics: July 21 10

“We embrace diversity and, because we embrace this, we need to address the needs of each population. This is anything from transportation for our senior population to ESL classes,” Wilde said. “We need to make sure we are caring for every member of our community and making sure each of their voices are heard and needs met.”

In order to meet the needs of each resident, Wilde said, it is important for residents to engage with members of City Council.

“I love hearing about all the great ideas people have and helping them figure out how to accomplish their goals, whether it is through connecting them to the appropriate channels or engaging the City to seek out solutions,” Wilde said.

Residents can connect with Wilde by attending council meetings, scheduling an appointment to talk or through her Facebook page, “Pickerington City Councilwoman Wilde.”

citydirectory “Many communities fail to thrive because they lack vision, leader unity and/or collaboration between various entities within the City and regionally,” Wilde said. “What I have seen in the past few months has been encouraging.”

Wilde said there are still areas in which the City can improve, but she is optimistic about the direction in which Pickerington is moving, despite obstacles in its path.

Finances and planning for future growth are among the challenges facing a City that is becoming more diverse.

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 Welcome Spring We welcome spring as a sign of no more snow and increased outdoor activity.

We again wish to extend our sincere thanks to our residents for the successful passage of Issue 3, our road maintenance levy that was on the ballot in March. Beginning in 2017, revenue generated from the levy will allow us to have a much more robust paving pro-

gram. Revenues from this levy will also assist in replacing aging equipment that will improve safety and efficiency.

Some residents may have received a request for a survey that asked many questions about community recreations and leisure activities. We are looking forward to these results to guide us in future planning efforts. We would also

Food for Thought I realize the theme of this edition of Pickerington Magazine is dedicated to food. However, reflecting upon recent tragic events in central Ohio – the loss of Columbus Police Officer Steven Smith – and the unsettling events of our local community, this article is focused on nutrients of a different type.

I am not a philosopher, nor am I an expert of many things. I can be long-winded, somewhat opinionated and occasionally arrogant.

In short, as I often say, “I am not everyone’s cup of tea.” I humbly accept these and many more flaws about myself.

I am blessed and lucky in many ways. I have a wonderful family. I enjoyed a great upbringing. I have had the opportunity to attend great schools (St. Pius X School, Pickerington High School, Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University). I have had the privilege and honor of serving the community for the last 29 years www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

By John Eisel, Director of Operations like to thank the City of Pickerington, Fairfield County Historic Parks and the Pickerington Public Library, which, along with Violet Township, funded the survey.

We are looking forward to sharing the survey results soon.

Have a safe and happy spring!

By Jim Paxton, Assistant Fire Chief

The following is a list of “Native American Commandments” often printed on posters, one of which hangs on my bulletin board.

• Treat the earth and all that dwell therein with respect • Remain close to the Great Spirit (refer to your Great Spirit of choice) • Show great respect for your fellow beings • Work together for the benefit of all mankind • Give assistance and kindness wheras a member ever needed of the Violet • Do what you know to be right Township Fire • Look after the well-being of mind and Department. body I have lived • Dedicate a share of your efforts to the in this commugreater good nity my entire • Be truthful and honest at all times life. I know • Take full responsibility for your actions how fortunate I As mentioned in the previous edition have been. Life of Pickerington Magazine, the Violet is fragile; it is often too short and can Township Fire Department will soon be change in an instant. I believe we should introducing a program to instruct the all try to live life to its fullest. Chasing this entire community on compressions-only endeavor should not harm nor CPR. This will be an enormous come at the expense of otheffort to increase the survivers. As part of a team or comability rates of cardiac arrest in munity, we should all strive our community. I hope you will for the benefit of the group as consider joining this effort once a whole. This is often harder it is rolled out. than it sounds.

This is just food for thought.

11

Aged to Perfection Our community’s Carnegie Library building will be 100 years old in September

By Maggie Arendt, Publicity Director, Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society

T

he Violet Township Library opened its new home to area residents during the Labor Day Homecoming Celebration on Sept. 4, 1916.

The building was constructed and furnished with a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie that was received after four years of persistence from the Violet Township Library Board, Violet Township Board of Education, Violet Township Trustees and Village of Pickerington.

The building, located at 15 E. Columbus St. in historic Olde Pickerington Village, is one of the few Carnegie Libraries built in central Ohio and the only one in Fairfield County.

12

When the library moved to its current, much larger building on Opportunity Way in 1993, the Carnegie Library became the keeper of our community’s history – overseen by the PickeringtonViolet Township Historical Society.

The two-story historical museum houses hundreds of antiques, photographs and documents donated by Pickerington and Violet Township families, many with recognizable names such as Diley, Stemen, Richter, Taylor and Ricketts. The museum’s handicap-accessible lower level features Pickerington-Violet Township High School graduating class photos from 1909 to 1981.

1879 Taber pump organ www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

By far, the oldest items on display in this museum are collections of prehistoric stone tools and weapons gathered by three families – Dovel, Messenger and Potter – during the past few hundred years on their Pickerington area farms.

These items include knife blades, spear points, arrowheads, scrapers, axes and drills dating as far back as 7000 B.C. The Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum is open Saturdays from

Historic washing machine

Other highlights include an 1879 Taber pump organ donated by the Diley family. An Anchor brand wooden clothes washer and wringer takes many visitors’ memories back to wash days before electricity came to Pickerington.

The laundry ensemble, created by the Lovell Mfg. Co. of Erie, Pa., is inscribed: “patented May 8, 1900.”

Inasmuch as Pickerington-Violet Township began as a farming community, the museum contains a treasure trove of farm implements and tools, including a wooden hand corn planter and corn husker (the latter made by a local farmer in 1880), hog scraper, sausage grinder and sausage stuffer, along with a De Laval stainless steel cream separator.

Cream separator

Single Trash Hauler Concept

By John Eisel, Director of Operations As permitted by the Ohio Revised Code, townships in Ohio may contract by competitive bidding for a single trash hauler.

In the coming months, Violet Township will be pursuing this option for many positive reasons. By implementing this type of program, the benefits can include: • There will be one trash collection vehicle traveling our roadways, one time per week – instead of the current six times per week, providing for a cleaner environment and improved aesthetics of our community.

• This will allow the Township some authority and jurisdiction over the contractor as related to performance.

• This will allow for a defined start time – as some currently are collecting as early as 4:30 a.m. in residential subdivisions.

• This will reduce the wear on our roadways.

• This may provide for senior discounts, and provisions for handicapped residents.

• This may provide optional services such as rental of containers, curbside recycling, yard waste and appliance and other bulky waste removal.

• It should save our residents money by providing lower residential service rates.

We will most certainly keep our residents informed as this process continues.

Please watch our website at www.violet.oh.us for details. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 15 E. Columbus St. in Olde Pickerington Village. Admission is always free. To join the Historical Society and/or to become a museum volunteer, go to www.pickhistory.org or phone 614-382-5989. The Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.

100-Year Carnegie Celebration: Sunday, Sept. 18, 2-4 p.m.

Do you have any photos of relatives and friends outside or inside the Carnegie Library in its early days? If so, we’d like to include them in Museum exhibits during our September celebration. We’ll scan the photos and return originals to you promptly. Contact Colleen Cassidy Bauman at the Pickerington Public Library: 614-837-4104, ext. 221 or cbauman@pickeringtonlibrary.org.

We’d also like to include your memories of visits to the Carnegie Library between 1916 and 2016 in our “Memory Book” to be displayed during our celebration. Send your written memories to the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 732, Pickerington, OH 43147 or email them to pickhistsociety@hotmail.com.

How to Reach Us Violet Township Administrative Offices 12970 Rustic Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: 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 Story and photos by Amanda DePerro

Can You Dig It? Keith Eichhorn passes on his love of farming and community service to others

F

or 69-year-old Pickerington local Keith Eichhorn, farming isn’t just a leisurely activity – it’s a way of life and a way of giving back to the community.

Having grown up on a farm in Pennsylvania, Eichhorn learned to plant and grow food from his father, and remembers “helping” around the farm when he was so small that all he could manage was carrying a bucket of water.

Keith Eichhorn helps Devin Youngblood, son of Prince of Peace Presbyterian Rev. Desiree Youngblood, water the vegetables in Prince of Peace’s community garden.

14

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

But when Eichhorn and his wife of 43 years, Marilyn, moved to Michigan from Pennsylvania, he didn’t have enough room for a garden to grow the food that he liked: potatoes, tomatoes, peas, onions, beets, carrots, cauliflower and the list goes on. He remedied the problem by renting a plot in the local community garden.

He continued to maintain the plot in Michigan for eight years until he moved to Ohio 25 years ago, shortly after which he began renting a plot at the Pickerington community gardens. For the retired miller in the steel industry, farming is something he’s always done and will always do.

“I grew up with it … I was just raised with that,” says Eichhorn. “Back then, you lived in the country. You had to raise your own food, (and) you didn’t have access to a lot. … Our parents and grandparents did it because they had to (in order) to survive.”

Eichhorn takes the food he wants – Marilyn cans and saves whatever he brings home – and hauls the rest to the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington. When he realized how fast the food he brought to the pantry disappeared, he decided to grow and bring in food that the pantry suggests might be popular. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Above: Children from Prince of Peace help Eichhorn plant and water the garden plot. Top: Come summer, Eichhorn’s garden will be green and lively with the onions and lettuce planted there.

“They don’t get the chance to get a lot of locally grown food; a lot of what they have is from the grocery store, and they throw a lot away,” says Eichhorn.

“Onions, potatoes, cabbage; they’ll get rid of it as soon as I bring it in.”

The food Eichhorn brings is not only locally grown, but fresh, too. He

harvests the food from the garden, loads it all up in his car and brings it into the food pantry, all in the same day.

When Eichhorn saw that others in the Pickerington community – and particularly within his church, Prince of Peace Presbyterian – were interested in learning how to garden and grow their 15

Above: Members of Prince of Peace helped Eichhorn plant the first vegetables of spring. Left: Eichhorn demonstrates the planting and watering of crops.

own food, he decided to suggest the idea of renting a plot through the church in benefit of the food pantry.

“Keith has been great. He’s brought me so much free food, and he brings it to older people in the community,” says Prince of Peace Reverend Désirée Youngblood. “He’s good-hearted.”

What Eichhorn is doing at the community garden “represents the essence of Christianity, to feed people who are in need,” says Youngblood.

National Kidney Foundation®

An Evening in Tuscany at Villa Milano Thursday, June 16, 2016

VIP-5:30 Gala-6:30

Mingle with celebrities, enjoy samples from the best restaurants in Central Ohio and partake in auctions while providing funding for life-saving programs and services for those with kidney disease.

Seating is limited, please call: 614.882.6184

Restaurants

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Buckeye Vodka, Copious, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Kona Grill, Little Italy Pizza, P.F. Chang’s, Pure Imagination Chocolatier, Richie’s New York Corner Deli, Southern Wine & Spirits, Coppa Gelato, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Tito’s Vodka, RNDC, Vintage Wines, The Refectory, The Wine Bistro, Fado Irish Pub, Whole Foods, Heidleberg, Sketchbook Wines w/C&GC and more.

Celebrities

Antonio Watson, Ben Buchanan, Branden Joe, Brandon Fuss-Cheatham, Mike Kilburn, Dallas Lauderdale, Dee Miller, Dimitrious Stanley, Drew Lavender, George Reese, Granville Waiters, Greg Oden, Jake Ballard, James "Buster" Douglas, James Cotton, Jamie Wood, Jason Singleton, Jermaine Tate, Jessica Davenport, JJ Sullinger, Josh Huston, Kirk Barton, Layne Dreven, Maria Durant, Matt Terwilliger, Martina Ellerbe, Michael "Buster" Tillman, Mike Wiley, NeShaun Coleman, Pete Shier, Rick Smith, Scoonie Penn, Shamar Herron, Suzi Rapp, Terence Dials, Treg Lee, Velimir Radinovic, William White, Will Dudley and Zach Boren.

16

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Amanda DePerro is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.pickeringtonmagazine.com • Pumpkin farmer Sam Patterson • Sustainability-focused restaurateur Ali Alshahal • PCMA’s summer food program www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

As both an arts manager and a performer, ProMusica’s Janet Chen knows the creative process begins long before anyone else sees or hears the result. In Columbus, Janet sees a community that is diverse and open minded, a place that serves as a platform for artists to be inspired and take risks.

Learn more about Janet’s story and other Columbus artists and events.

Design: Formation Studio

Eichhorn’s community garden plot is just one part of Prince of Peace’s Nurture Project, which aims to educate on environmental consciousness through initiatives such as teaching children to plant flowers and watch them grow.

Though Eichhorn is open to the idea of educating others on how to garden and farm, he says, his main goal for the plot at the community gardens is to get kids at the church involved in the community and in charitable work.

On April 23, Eichhorn and other members of Prince of Peace met at the community garden to plant the first seeds of summer: potatoes and cabbage.

Youngblood brought her son, Devin, who was eager to help rake the garden plot and water the saplings. A few other children from the church showed up, too, and excitedly got to work on the chilly Sunday morning, planting potatoes that Eichhorn had prepared.

Zoe Wright, a senior at Ohio University and Christian education director at Prince of Peace, snapped pictures and encouraged the children as Eichhorn assisted them in their gardening.

“We’re instilling this in them young. … It’s important to get the kids involved in church at an early age so they come back as adults,” says Wright. “It gets them involved and also gets them outside and away from their screens.”

Despite all the good that comes out of Eichhorn’s plot at the community garden, he still just enjoys gardening for the sake of gardening.

“Just being outside and working with Mother Nature,” says Eichhorn.

“It’s kind of like the challenges of how God works on this whole thing; you plant the food, it grows. The soil and how it works, I just find it amazing.”

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.

17

in focus

By Brenda Layman

Victuals in the Village

fter a long stretch that saw no new dining options opening in Olde Pickerington Village, the area is suddenly getting an edible infusion.

One new restaurant is open, another big addition is coming in the fall and food options are expanding at the Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market.

Chef T’s Pub

Todd Gross opened Chef T’s Pub at 19 N. Center St. on April 13, and business has been brisk since day one.

Gross describes Chef T’s as a neighborhood gathering place where friends and family can enjoy great comfort food with a twist. Burgers, macaroni and cheese, meaty sandwiches, and hearty salads are given Chef T’s special touch with unexpected, yet delicious, flavors.

The full bar offers beer, wine and cocktails, including Chef T’s specialty drinks. A spacious banquet room is upstairs, and Banquet Director Patricia Watters assists with floral arrangements, decorations, hotel reservations and limousine service for receptions and other large functions. Weekends are already booked in the banquet room through De-

Photos by Mark Layman

Food options in the downtown area are ramping up

A

Chef T’s owner Todd Gross (above) and bartender Franko 18

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

cember, but there are still dates available for weekdays.

“It’s a melting pot of flavors,” says Gross.

Gross is a graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts and a certified executive chef with 25 years of restaurant experience.

“I grew up just outside of New York City,” he says. “I enjoyed the gastropub experience there, with delicious, satisfying food, a friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. At Chef T’s, we have a lunch price point around $6 to $10 and a dinner price point of $10 to $13. The check average is $16, and that’s everything included.

I want this to be a place where people will come often.”

The chef considered the North Center Street location, former home of Village Crepe, previously, but the timing wasn’t right. When it became available again, www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

everything came together and he knew it was the right place at the right time.

“We have a great recipe for success,” says Gross. “We have great food, a terrific community, an affordable price point and excellent craft beers and artisanal cocktails. We’re excited about being a part of the Pickerington community, hiring local people and providing a fun place for Pickerington people to meet, mingle and enjoy good food and beverages.”

The custom grind steak burger – made in-house from a combination of sirloin, brisket and bacon – is one unique menu item, Gross says. Another example: the ghost pepper mac and cheese, a delicious variation on a favorite comfort food.

“It’s not too spicy – just spicy enough,” he says. “The Jack Attack Pulled Bacon Sandwich, named for my daughter

weekendscene

Photos courtesy of Chef T’s Pub

Chef T’s pan-seared wild caught salmon (top) and baby savoy spinach blend salad

Looking for something to do?

See what’s on the menu this weekend and beyond!

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

19

Photos courtesy of Leslie Markworth

The Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market

and designed for people who love bacon, is a really good choice, too. Everything on the menu is delicious food that is wellprepared. It all tastes good.”

Many of the cocktails are also twists on the classics – unique versions of a cosmopolitan, Manhattan, margarita and mint julep, among others – and the dessert menu includes deep-fried bananas Foster bites and Oreo-stuffed doughnuts.

Pickerington Farmers’ Market

The nearby Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market opens for its fourth season at 89 N. Center St. on June 2, bringing with it on-site dining options along with its usual array of vendors.

20

ton Apiaries, Down the Road Farm, Urban Spreads and Shriners Farm, as well as Pickerington-based Tasha’s Caramel Corn and Meri’s Bakery.

Among new vendors this season are Harley’s Soaps, Peaceful by Nature Farm, Fisher Farm, DeMassimo’s, B. Sage Studios and Smidgen Small Bites and Cakes.

Organizers also plan special Appreciation Days with promotions and drawings. Senior Citizen Day will be June 30, Public Safety Appreciation Day will be July 28 and School Employees Day will be Aug. 25. The Pickerington Farmers’ Market Sponsorship Program, begun in 2015, will fund additional programming Pompeii’s Inferno wood-fired pizzas and entertainment. and Mauger’s Mini Donuts will return with food to eat on site, and D’s Ultimate Dogs – D’s Macho Tacos will be a new dine-onAutumn will see the farmers’ marsite vendor this year. ket close until the following summer, but The market is open 4-7 p.m. Thurs- Keith Jackson plans to open Combustion days through Sept. 29. Farmers, artists Brewery & Taproom, located in the old and artisans sell fresh produce and other Pickerington Creamery building at 80 W. food products along with natural soaps Church St., this fall. and facial products, jewelry, and original Current plans are for an October opening. artwork. More than 13,000 people attendJackson got his start in the brewing ed the market during the 2015 season, industry at Columbus Brewing Company, and organizers are planning for another where he worked for three years before busy season. becoming head brewer at Gordon Biersch Returning vendors include Berry Brewery Restaurant in the Arena District.

Family Farm, Rhoads Farm, Great Harvest He spent four years there before deciding Bread Company, Principessa Tea Co., Hin- to open his own brewery and taproom.

Combustion Brewery & Taproom

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photo by Mark Layman; images courtesy of Combustion Brewery & Taproom

Jackson’s vision for Combustion is “a nice place for the community to come and enjoy locally made craft beer, socialize and meet friends. It will have the kind of electric energy that comes when you can hear and smell the brewery,” he says. “We are going to give people a high-quality product in a high-quality atmosphere. We’re going to give them a reason to keep coming back.”

Jacksons lauds the creamery building as the perfect space for a brewery. He plans an open, inviting interior with a large taproom area. Customers will enjoy an expansive view of the heart of Olde Pickerington Village, including the historic railroad depot and, on summer Thursdays, the farmers’ market.

“The city of Pickerington has been very supportive. There’s a great demographic for craft beers here,” says Jackson. “I’m excited about being right next door to the farmers’ market. Next summer, people can shop there for locally grown and produced products, then stop in here for some great, locally brewed beer to go with it. And maybe have a pint while they’re here.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Combustion will not include a commercial kitchen, but food that complements the beers will be available. Possible beers include an American IPA, coffee stout, blonde ale, coffee blonde ale, red ale, Belgian-style tripel, Belgian-style dubbel, hefeweizen, pilsner, Oktoberfest lager and pumpkin ale.

“We will be looking for opportunities to feature local products,” says Jackson.

Along with beers crafted on-site, customers will be able to enjoy wines, cider and non-alcoholic beverages. They will also be able to purchase the craft beer in growlers to take home.

“I think this is going to be an amazing spot for me,” says Jackson. “I’m looking forward to building a relationship with the community and making Combustion Brewery & Taproom a great place for people to gather.”

Pickerington resident Brenda Layman is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Top and left: Renderings of the interior of Combustion Brewery & Taproom. Above: Combustion owner Keith Jackson.

RELATED READS www.pickeringtonmagazine.com • Local restaurants supporting Meals on Wheels • Omezzo Italian Restaurant • Lomonico’s • Pompeii’s Inferno and Meri’s Bakery 21

student spotlight

By Jessica Williams

Photos courtesy of Jeffrey S. Hall Photography

Student Spotlight features a student from a different area high school in every issue.

N

Highway to Spell How do you spell ‘five-time national qualifier?’ R-U-S-H-L-O-W 22

icholas Rushlow’s favorite word is “bhutatathata.” And yes, you can ask him to spell it.

Rushlow, 18, just graduated from Pickerington High School North, and he’s already had a career as a five-time National Spelling Bee contestant.

“One day in fourth grade, the teacher told us to get out a piece of paper and gave us a 50-word spelling quiz,” Rushlow says. “As it turned out, that was my first school bee, and I had won.”

That was in 2008. Since then, Rushlow has tied national spelling bee qualifying records, served as vice president of Student Council, been a four-year varsity swimmer at North and practiced his violin all the while as a member of North’s orchestra.

That first written spelling bee in fourth grade qualified Rushlow for the Lancaster regional competition, and after winning that, he qualified for the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee. He went on to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held annually in Washington, D.C., for five years straight from 2008 to 2012. That feat has been accomplished by only 10 other spellers in the last 87 years.

The first year, Rushlow completed 22 rounds as one of only two fourthgraders at the competition. He didn’t place, but his curiosity about words and spelling had been sparked. The following year, after months of pouring over the Merriam-Webster International Dictionary, he placed 17th out of 300. Two years later, he placed 14th, his personal best.

Summers for Rushlow look a bit different than those of an average high school student. He uses the time to study the dictionary and the many binders full of words in his house. To become familiar with the roots and patterns of words, he has to study many languages, including German, Yiddish, Hawaiian, Sanskrit, Italian, French and Portuguese.

“My final year, I spelled all 500,000 words in the Merriam-Webster International dictionary,” says Rushlow. “This took me 600 hours to complete over the summer.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Left photo courtesy of Nicholas Rushlow

Rushlow has studied spelling an estimated 9,000 hours over the years. When he comes across a word he doesn’t know in a competition, those hours of studying become indispensable.

“Most words given at the Scripps Bee are unfamiliar,” he says. “By studying language patterns and word roots, most words can be pieced together.”

Rushlow’s father, Keith, a biochemist, helps him study medical words and science words, which often have Latin roots. His mother, Michelle, also a biochemist and a stay-at-home mother, tends to help with the Romance languages.

His last year as a contestant at the National Bee was 2012, but Rushlow still returns every year. The new kids know who he is, and he’s taken to offering an encouraging presence. Rushlow also volunteers for ESPN at the bee, gaining press clearance to help with some of the filming. After he starts college, he’ll be an official volunteer at the bee.

Locally, Rushlow helps run the school spelling bees at Ridgeview and Lakeview junior high schools, and he also serves as a pronouncer at Harmon Middle School and a judge for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette Regional Spelling Bee. Rushlow hasn’t yet decided where he will go to college, but he has gained entry to the University of Notre Dame, Washington University St. Louis, Miami University and an honors program at The Ohio State University.

Wherever he chooses to go, Rushlow plans to study biochemistry and to one day become an eye surgeon.

As for spelling, does he miss it?

“Definitely,” he says. “That’s the reason I return to the National Bee every year to volunteer.”

Jessica Williams is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Nicholas Rushlow with the family dog (above), his violin (top right) and at his very first spelling bee (top left). www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

• Fellow orchestra member and aspiring biochemist Alison Ross • Cellist and student council member Alan Waterhouse 23

The Cheering Section Pickerington makes sure Pelotonia riders remember their stop here

By Leah Kunnath

24

Photos courtesy of Jason Diehl

E

veryone knows that the biggest cycling event in central Ohio starts in Columbus each year and wends its way to Gambier – and, for the most daring, cyclists, back the next day.

But participants and Pickerington residents alike know that the Violet City is a key stop along the route for Pelotonia, the massive three-day cycling event that raises millions of dollars each year for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

Pelotonia 2016 is slated for Aug. 5-7.

For the last few years, the bike route has included a stop at Pickerington High School North, where riders can recuperate and re-energize before continuing on their way. Pickerington also marks the end of the 25-mile route, the shortest distance for which participants can sign up.

Because this stop is so crucial, the city of Pickerington has made it a bit of a tradition to greet the riders in Olde Pickerington Village.

Since the Pickerington stop was added, members of the community and local businesses have gathered downtown to cheer the riders on. Last year, David Beckham of David Beckham Photography set up a free pancake breakfast during the celebration, and the Ritzy Rose made flags for

members of the community to wave while the riders passed.

“That last leg of the race is a pivotal point for these riders,” says Jason Diehl, co-owner of the Ritzy Rose and president of the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association. “Most of them are pretty exhausted, since it’s nearing the end of the race, so it’s nice for them to have the whole community come out and cheer them on.”

Pickerington residents aren’t just observers when it comes to Pelotonia. The community also sends its share of participants to the race. The city even has its own team.

Local rider Randy Holloway says Pickerington’s small-town spirit is a good complement to an organization as welcoming as the one that organizes Pelotonia. This year will be Holloway’s second Pelotonia ride.

“I don’t imagine there is a person left in the world who hasn’t had their life

touched by cancer, either as a patient or vicariously through friends and family,” says Holloway. “That creates a powerful and widespread desire to do all we can to combat the disease. Pelotonia is a fantastic organization and Pickerington is fortunate to have the ride come through our town.”

Leah Kunnath is a contributing writer.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.pickeringtonmagazine.com • Huntington CEO, a big Pelotonia supporter • Central Ohio’s cycling scene • Tandem biking www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Violet-palooza

By Zoe Zeid Photos courtesy of Missie Tong

Live music schedule is more robust than ever at the 2016 Violet Festival

T

he music is always a huge part of the Pickerington Violet Festival, and organizers are looking for this year’s line-up to be stronger than ever.

Each night of the four-day festival has a big headliner lined up and, this year, for RELATED READS the first time ever, there are two national www.pickeringtonmagazine.com acts playing the final evening.

The Violet Festival is slated for July • Central Ohio bands to know 13-16 on the grounds of Toll Gate elemen• Local summer concert series tary and middle schools.

• Columbus Arts Festival The first official night of the festival is Youth Night. Community churches • Dublin Irish Festival www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

will come together to feature faith-driven bands, and the headliner is local Christian blues rock outfit Roadhouse Redeemed.

The final act in Thursday night’s line-up is Plaid Brixx, a Columbusbased indie-rock trio familiar to followers of the festival circuit. The group played the Violet Festival last year and is excited to return.

“Last year, we had some awesome snow cones there, and we hope to eat a bunch more of those,” says singer and guitarist Chris Duggan.

25

On a more serious note, Duggan says, “Hometown shows give us a chance to stay connected with the fans who have been with us from the beginning and who have become friends.”

After the major to-do that was the Schottenstein Center’s set of Garth Brooks performances in April, it’s only fitting that Friday’s headliner be Shawn Gerhard, billed as the world’s No. 1 Brooks tribute artist.

“For those that were not lucky enough to get tickets to see Garth Brooks this year in Columbus, this literally is the next best thing,” says Chris Stein, president of the Violet Festival’s board of directors.

Saturday’s national artist doubleheader begins with Head East, a classic rock ensemble known for its 1975 hit “Never Been Any Reason.” The song has appeared in a variety of movies and TV shows, including Dazed and Confused, Sahara, That 70s Show and Friday Night Lights.

High-energy shows with amazing vocals, flashy guitar work and catchy keyboard melodies are a staple of Head East.

After Head East comes Australian soft rock group the Little River Band. Like Head East, the band initially hit it big in the 1970s, and eventually set a record by scoring at least one top 10 hit each year for 10 consecutive years.

Among its best-known tunes are “Help is on its Way,” “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Take it Easy on Me,” “Lonesome Loser” and “The Other Guy.”

Plaid Brixx

Photo courtesy of the band

More in Store As big a deal as they are, the musical acts are only one part of the Violet Festival’s appeal.

This year’s festivities kick off with a 5K Dash and Kids’ Fun Run on July 4, a week before the festival. The route takes runners through the Pickerington High School North cross-country course, and every participant in the fun run receives a ribbon.

Kids can also get their share of amusement in the Kids’ Corner, sponsored by Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The area features a huge assortment of inflatable attractions, as well as giant versions of such games as Jenga, Operation, checkers, Connect Four and tic-tac-toe.

That’s on top of face-painting, balloon artists, stiltwalking jugglers, roving magicians and popular children’s entertainment characters.

The number of free shuttles between the festival and parking areas has been doubled this year.

Other highlights include: • A poker run ending at the festival on Thursday night; • Carnival rides; • A classic car and motorcycle show on Saturday; • A tent showcasing local businesses; • A beer garden; and • Food from a variety of vendors.

For more information, visit www.violetfestival.org.

Zoe Zeid is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Parking is available at Pickerington High School North, Lakeview Junior High School and the Trinity Family Life Center.

26

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Around Pickerington Want your snapshots to appear in print? Send your high-resolution photos to pickeringtonmag@gmail.com along with your name and a caption!

Pickerington U.S. Navy Seaman Collin Helms (right), with Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Casey Rogers of Michigan, heaves line on the deck of the U.S.S. John C. Stennis April 19 in Singapore.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard

Breakfast with the Bunny: March 19 Photos by Janice Thomas

Tyler’s Light 5K: May 7 Photos by Karen Elson

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

27

on the table

A Corny Story Pickerington resident brings long list of flavored popcorns to the market

Photos courtesy of Leah Spivak

By Garth Bishop

Left: Leah and Tasha Spivak at the Tasha’s Caramel Corn booth. Top: Tasha’s Chocolate Smothered Caramel flavor. Above: Tasha’s Birthday Surprise flavor.

T

he name of Tasha’s Caramel Corn, one of the vendors at this year’s Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market, is a bit of a misnomer.

It’s not run by the titular Tasha, but by her mother, Pickerington resident Leah Spivak. And though caramel is definitely on the menu, it’s only a small part of it.

Spivak started the business from her home about three years ago. The story of how she made that decision, she admits, has something of a sad start.

Her husband, Alex had lost his job and, shortly thereafter, was diagnosed with colon cancer. As he underwent treatment, Spivak, who had been a stay-at-

RECIPE Key Lime Pie Popcorn Ingredients 1 ½ cups un-popped popcorn 1 ½ cups sugar 1 cup key lime cake mix 2 sticks butter ½ cup corn syrup 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. key lime extract Green food color, if desired White melting chocolate

28

home mother, realized she needed to do something to help support the family.

“I had been making this popcorn for neighbors and friends on Christmas and birthdays … and someone said, ‘Why don’t you find a way to package that stuff up? It’s so good,’” Spivak says.

After she figured out a way to package her popcorn and bought the necessary equipment, she used inspiration from family and friends to cobble together a menu.

Now, Alex has recovered both physically and professionally, but the success of Tasha’s continues.

Now, the plain caramel that started it all is joined by caramel variations that incorporate walnuts, pecans, chocolate, sea salt and pretzels. Other options include such fruit flavors as Lemon Drop, ChocInstructions

Pop corn and place in a large mixing container. Combine butter, corn syrup and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil, but make sure to do it slowly to avoid burning the sugar.

Remove from heat and add cake mix, extract, baking soda and food coloring.

Stir.

Pour mixture over the popcorn and mix well. Spread onto cookie sheets and bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Let cool, drizzle with chocolate and enjoy.

olate Smothered Strawberry and Fruity Orange Blast; savory options including Cheddar, White Cheddar and Buffalo; and a handful of miscellaneous flavors, ranging from Cookies and Cream and Vanilla to Pumpkin Spice and Dark Chocolate Coconut Macaroon.

“People just go cuckoo crazy over it,” Spivak says. “I feel so fortunate.”

Chocolate Sea Salt Pretzel is the No. 1 seller, Spivak says, followed by Peanut Butter Cup and Birthday Surprise, the latter featuring cake mix, white chocolate and sprinkles. The most off-the-wall flavor might be the Key Lime Pie. “Everybody’s scared to taste it, but once they do, they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s just incredible,’” says Spivak.

Everything is popped in a small popper, then hand-dipped. Spivak uses a double oven that allows her to make three trays’ worth of popcorn at a time, which produces about eight bags. It’s a tedious

RELATED READS www.pickeringtonmagazine.com • Brownie Points, which also makes popcorn • Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn of Westerville • Standout doughnuts in Columbus • Pancakes, waffles and crepes around Columbus www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Doughnut Devotion Couple looks to their first meeting for baking inspiration Tasha’s Caramel Corn isn’t the only vendor that doesn’t have to travel far to the Olde Pickerington Farmers’ Market.

Meri’s Bakery and Pompeii’s Inferno, both local, have been with the market since it started in 2013. Tasha’s joined in 2014 and, last year, Mauger’s Mini Donuts made its debut.

Mauger’s, one of the dine-on-site vendors, keeps its offerings simple: fresh-cooked on the spot doughnuts with cinnamon and sugar. In the fall, it adds pumpkin doughnuts to the menu.

“They’re fresh as you watch,” says co-owner Robert Mauger. “You can watch them be made and roll down the chute.”

Robert and his wife, Jean, are Pickerington residents through and through; the Mauger family has been in the city for over 100 years, Robert says. They started the doughnut business about five years ago.

Why doughnuts? It so happens that the couple met 41 years ago, when both were working at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Among their first memories together are watching the doughnut vendors’ machines pop out their products, Robert says, so it was a natural progression that doughnuts would come up when they were discussed options to keep busy after retirement.

“I was just fascinated with the doughnut machine back when we first met,” he says. process – though it’s slightly different for the Hot Buffalo and cheddar-based flavors – but it’s worth it in the end, Spivak says.

“For eight bags of popcorn, it takes an hour and a half to two hours to make,” she says.

Because of the time-consuming process, the full line-up of flavors is never available all at one time.

This is Tasha’s third year at the farmers’ market. It should also be familiar to patrons of 5 Bean Coffee in Reynoldsburg, which always has an assortment of its products on hand.

Garth Bishop is managing editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Right fit.

Right now.

Be a Buckeye!

Schedule a visit today, and start your college career at Ohio State Newark this autumn.

newark.osu.edu/visit

You are invited

to get the world’s best precision haircut

Michael Puccetti is a member of the John Sahag Dry Haircutting Team Madison Ave NYC

Appointments 614 679 2016 Salon Lofts 2200 Henderson RD Columbus Ohio

michaelfpuccetti@gmail.com 29

bookmarks

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

T

he Pickerington Public Library’s 2016 Teen Book Fest will be held June 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Pickerington High School North. Barnes & Noble Pickerington will be handling book sales.

Lunch during the Book Fest is scheduled for noon-1 p.m. Stop by one of the food trucks after your panel sessions and workshops before our keynote presentation at 1:15 p.m. – you won’t want to miss it! The Teen Book Fest 2016 event is sponsored by the Pickerington Public Library Fund and local businesses.

Meet some of the authors that will be attending the 2016 Teen Book Fest:

Keynote Presenter Gene Luen Yang is a graphic novelist and the author of American Born Chinese (2007 Michael L. Printz Award winner, 2007 Eisner Award winner and 2006 National Book Award nominee) and Boxers & Saints (2013 National Book Award nominee). He is the author of the graphic novel series Secret Coders, and writes for both Avatar: The Last Airbender and Superman.

Adam Silvera’s debut novel, More Happy Than Not, received multiple starred reviews and is a New York Times bestseller.

Carey Corp is a New York Times and USA Today bestelling author. Forever Doon, the fourth book of his Doon series, is slated to come out August. The young adult series is loosely based on the concept of the musical Brigadoon!, co-written with Lorie Langdon.

Cinda Williams Chima is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her Shattered Realms high fantasy series is forthcoming from HarperCollins. The first novel, Flamecaster, was released in the spring.

Emery Lord’s Open Road Summer and The Start of Me and You are out now with Bloomsbury. Her third novel, When We Collided, was released April 5.

Emily Henry wrote The Love that Split the World, a romancecentered young adult novel. It follows an adopted teenager who, through a cosmic phenomenon, is able to see different versions and eras of the Kentucky town she lives in.

Jasmine Warga is author of My Heart and Other Black Holes, currently in development at Paramount to be a major motion picture.

Jody Casella wrote Thin Space, a paranormal young adult mystery published by Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster, which received a starred review from Kirkus.

Follow #pplteenbookfest news on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated.

For the complete schedule, maps, parking information and full list of authors, visit www. pickeringtonlibrary.org/teenbook-fest-2016.

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

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

Sunday 1-5 p.m.

30

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Have you ever had exceptional nursing care?

Let that special care-provider know by “Nominating a Nurse” today!

By nominating an exceptional nurse, you join the March of Dimes in honoring the nursing profession and the tireless efforts of those dedicated to their patients and profession.

We have 18 nursing categories ranging from Advanced Practice to Surgical Services.

On Friday, December 9th at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, a spectacular awards gala will highlight the nursing profession, recognize all the nurse nominees, and announce the recipients of the 2016 Ohio Nurse of the Year Awards.

Nominate that “special” nurse TODAY at www.nurseoftheyear.org/Ohio Media sponsors:

W I T H LU N G CA N C E R, KNOWING IS EVERYTHING. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IS TO

G ET A LUN G CA N C E R SC RE E N IN G. More people in the U.S. die of lung cancer than any other cancer. If you’re between the ages of 55 and 77 and have smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years, you should be screened. Mount Carmel offers lung cancer screenings – covered by most insurance – that detect even the smallest spots on the lungs, when cancer is most treatable.

Mount Carmel is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for the diagnosis and targeted treatment of lung cancer, including genetic testing, the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures, advanced radiation therapy and access to clinical trials.

For more information about lung cancer screening, call 614-234-LIFE or visit mountcarmelhealth.com. Let’s take care of today, so tomorrow can be even better.