Pickerington October/November 2012

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MD Family Practice 781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202 Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com Chief Executive Officer President/Publisher Chief Creative Officer Creative Director Editor Contributing Editors Contributing Writers Advertising Director Advertising Sales Controller 614-572-1240

Mehra, MD Internal Medicine Charles L. Stein Kathleen K. Gill Dave Prosser Christa Smothers Gail Martineau Duane St. Clair Garth Bishop Brenda Layman Sara Mitchell Thailyr Scrivner Molly Pensyl Gianna Barrett Mary Hottenrott Pam Henricks Emily Steel Lynn Leitch Circulation: www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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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 e-mail gmartineau@pubgroupltd.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, e-mail Molly Pensyl at mpensyl@pubgroupltd.com.

Cover photo by David Beckham

community calendar

OCTOBER

Oct. 8

Learn to Save: The Columbus Coupon Connection

9:30-11 a.m., Pickerington Public Library, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Learn to get organized and save money. Find out where to get coupons, how to organize them and the importance of planning.

Oct. 9-15

Fairfield County Fair Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 159 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, www.fairfieldcountyfair.com

Enjoy family fun, ATV pull entertainment and more!

Oct. 22

Pancake Breakfast at the Pickerington Senior Center

8-11 a.m., Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr., (614) 837-3020

By Thailyr Scrivner

Oct. 25

Franklin County Public Health Immunization Clinic

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, shots@franklincountyohio.gov

Franklin County Public Health holds immunization clinics at the library the fourth Tuesday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and then again from 1-3 p.m. Parents and guardians should bring children’s shot records. No appointments necessary.

Oct. 27

The Haunted Village

6-8 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.com See below.

Oct. 31

Pickerington Trick-or-Treat

6-8 p.m.

Nov. 1-5

Fall Food Drive

NOVEMBER

Olde Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.com.

Olde Pickerington Village businesses are collecting food items to support the Pickerington Food Pantry.

Nov. 2-6

Friends of the Pickerington Public Library Book Sale

Pickerington Public Library, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Join the Friends of the Pickerington Public Library for its biannual book sale to benefit the library.

Nov. 5

Pickerington High School Central Antique and Craft Show

Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us

The 27th annual Pickerington

A Ghoulish Good Time

New frightful features to appear at The Haunted Village

Olde Pickerington Village’s Haunted Village is in its fifth year, but event planners are keeping entertainment fresh and scares maximized.

From 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association and City of Pickerington Recreation Department will co-sponsor this frightful free event on Columbus Street. Olde Village businesses will decorate their spaces and give out candy to trickor-treaters.

David Beckham Photography will offer more than just its usual photo opportunities with a spooky backdrop. Owner David Beckham, along with local high school seniors, is turning the studio into a haunted house.

“It’s fun for the kids that are senior models to give back to the community,” says Beckham.

Strobe lights, fog and student-selected costumes will welcome those poor souls who dare to enter the back half of the studio.

“I just think it will be the (most fun) corner in town. The kids have a blast at this event,” says Beckham.

The haunted house is geared toward the younger crowd, but all ages are welcome. Attendees can purchase a professional photograph in front of the backdrop for $5 or use their own cameras for free.

Beckham’s haunted house is not the only new fright in the haunted village.

Community members may bring in precarved pumpkins for the new pumpkin carving contest in the plaza area next to the historical museum. In addition, 10 caretakers from the Dovel Memorial Cemetery will take participants through five paranormal events in history, such as the tales of a man killed in a train wreck and gambler whose throat was slashed. Ghost tours begin at 6:30 p.m.

Academic Boosters’ Antique and Craft Show features more than 100 dealers, artists and craft persons from around the state. The proceeds from the event fund academic programs and scholarships for graduating seniors at both Pickerington high schools.

Nov. 13

United Way of Fairfield County

5K Run/2 Mile Walk

9 a.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 Fair Ave., Lancaster, www.uwayfairfieldco.org

Join the United Way for this fundraiser to support its annual campaign to fund programs such as the Pickerington Food Pantry, Project WISE at Ridgeview Middle School and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters tutoring programs. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The race costs $15 for individuals and $50 for teams.

“It’s a great atmosphere, and by 6 p.m. on the 27th, it’s pretty dark,” says Don Ross, recreation coordinator for the City of Pickerington.

For more information, visit www.pickerington. net or contact the Pickerington Recreation Department at (614) 833-2211.

Thailyr Scrivner is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gbishop@ pubgroupltd.com.

David Beckham Photography

PICKERINGTON

NEWS & INFORMATION FROM THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON

Community Gardens

Community leaders are pleased with the 2011 Pickerington Community Gardens.

“There was quite a variety of crops this year. It made a great view on Rt. 256, entering or leaving Pickerington,” Recreation Administrator Rebecca Medinger said.

All 62 plots were rented. Several unforeseen events caused five gardeners to abandon their parts of the project early, but the excellent spring and summer weather, combined with what one official called

“a group of talented and enthusiastic gardeners,” created a green and successful expanse.

“Their stories are fascinating. One person planted for his grandson; another did it to share a project with his daughters. Many planted to donate produce to the PCMA Food Pantry. We had a good summer and

good tenants. The only real problem was too much rain in the late spring,” Medinger said.

This was the third year of operation for the gardens, located on Rt. 256 at the eastern boundary of the City. In 2010, the rented areas grew by 30 percent. This year, the growth was 33 percent. That growth may be over, since all available land at the site was tilled and utilized this summer.

Officials have discussed opening another garden site in another location, but nothing has been determined.

Current gardeners are asked to clear objects –spikes, fences, stakes, screens, signs, scarecrows, etc.— from their plots by Oct. 31.

cityprofile: Scott Fulton - Pickerington City Planner

Several years ago, Scott Fulton saw an attractive lady approaching.

“I need a line, quickly,” he thought to himself. The normally conversational Fulton ran out of time, however, and had to say something.

When she was in front of him, he blurted out,

Her response was “And…?”

“That’s all I’ve got,” he admitted sheepishly. Today, that lady is his wife, Amy.

The incident is not typical of Fulton. The young man recently was hired by City Council as the new Pickerington City Planner from a field of a dozen applicants, due to his personality, job-related acumen and affinity for customer service.

A graduate of Grove City High School, he earned a degree from Miami University and then a graduate degree from the University of Toledo. Several circumstances conspired to lead him into government work.

“My father was a Grove City councilman, and the plat plans he brought home fascinated me. At Miami, I wasn’t clear about a direction until my sophomore

year, when I took a geography class. I’ve always had a desire to help people, and city planning promised that opportunity,” he said.

He has helping people in his genes. His grandfather was a doctor in Grove City in the 1940s. His office was in his home, well outside the city limits. His philosophy was to charge people only what they could afford, which according to his grandson, was often a meager amount.

Fulton’s daily routine involves processing zoning certificates and working with developers. A longerrange assignment is working with residents, businesses and the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association to revitalize the historical area of the City, and to create a strong village center. His broad involvements include, in his words, “making something out of something less” throughout the city, which often translates to advising on transitions from bare land to appropriate structures.

One of his non job-related pursuits is golf. He played with relatives when he was young and hated it.

“I couldn’t stand having to dress up and having to be quiet. It wasn’t my kind of sport,” he joked. A few years ago, a friend found a partial set of golf clubs in

a dumpster, and gave them to Fulton. Thus supplied, he tried the sport again. Now it is a passion. That and yard work, again “making something out of something less,” consume his time away from city duties.

He and Amy have an interesting family tradition. She is a graduate of Ohio University, he from Miami University. The Bobcats and the RedHawks are intense rivals. In any given year, the graduate from the school that wins the annual football game earns the right to fly his/her college flag for the rest of the season.

“I’m in a run of bad luck. I haven’t gotten to fly mine yet. Miami can have a great season, but still lose to OU,” he said.

When the couple vacations, the trip usually involves a notable city, so that he can assess the city’s composition and history, and gather ideas. He is profoundly interested in how that community went to “something from something less.”

City officials are happy with the results of the 2011 Community Gardens, located on Rt. 256 on the far eastern side of the city.

News and information from the City of Pickerington

Summer Activity Wrap Up

Pickerington area residents took advantage of city-sponsored activities during the months of June, July and August.

• More than 2,500 attended the Sunday night Giant Eagle Concert Series. Two concerts were cancelled due to the weather

• More than 2,000 attended the Fairfield Federal Friday Night Movies

• 2,016 passholders used the Community Pool; swimming lessons were given to 195 youngsters.

• More than 500 players participated in the summer softball leagues

• 106 youngsters signed up for the Fishing Derby

• Approximately 14,000 people attended the July 4 celebration

• Park shelters were rented by 167 groups

• 1,003 citizens of all ages signed up for classes, workshops and camps

• 71 youngsters signed up for the Summer Playground activity

• 29 people took advantage of free disc golf lessons

Illegal signs

The City spends time and energy removing illegal signs from areas within city rights-of-way. The signs in question involve both temporary commercial signs and yard sale signs.

Residents have several options. Advertising local yard and garage sales in either of Pickerington’s two local papers is one possibility.

Another option was initiated in the beginning of August. Residents can place information on Pickerington’s city website by e-mailing yard sale specifics to lmessmore@pickerington.net.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

THE HAUNTED VILLAGE:

Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m., Columbus Street, Olde Pickerington Village

This annual Halloween celebration is expanding this year. Enjoy a haunted house, haunted museum, a haunted garden and a pumpkin contest. As always, the main attractions will be ghost tours, hayrides, a storyteller and trick-or-treating.

Prizes will be given for the most original and most creatively carved pumpkins in three age groups: 8 and under, 9-17, and adult. Those entering pumpkins must register with the Parks and Recreation Department (614-833-2211) before Oct. 26. Details will be given at registration. Winners will be announced at 7:45 p.m.

city directory

Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd. (All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)

TOTS TRICK-OR-TREAT AT CITY HALL:

Monday, Oct. 31, 1:30-2:30 p.m., City Hall, at 100 Lockville Rd.

Children ages 2-5 are invited to this special Halloween activity. Accompanied by an adult, tots can trick-or-treat throughout City Hall for an hour. City Hall is lavishly decorated for the event. Children are encouraged to wear costumes.

COMMUNITY TRICK OR TREAT:

Monday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA TICKET SALES: Nov. 7 for the Dec. 3 event

Tickets for the annual Breakfast with Santa will be on sale at the Parks and Recreation office at City Hall from Nov. 7 through Dec. 1. Tickets cost $5 per person; children 2 and under are free. The breakfast itself will occur from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Senior Center on Hereford Drive. Featured are a Secret Santa Shoppe, a bake sale, holiday music, a kid’s craft station, interaction and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and breakfast.

Tickets will be sold only at the Recreation office, or by mail.

There will be three seatings: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. All proceeds go to the Senior Center.

LETTERS TO SANTA DROP-OFF:

Begin Wednesday, Nov. 23 at City Hall

Letters to Santa can be placed in a North Pole Express mailbox located by the City Hall front door beginning Nov. 23 and running through Dec. 11. All letters will be answered by Santa or his helpers. Letters should include the child’s full name and address.

OLDE VILLAGE HOLIDAY GATHERING: Friday, Dec. 2, 5-8:30 p.m., Columbus Street, Olde Pickerington Village

The annual holiday celebration will include carriage rides, carolers, open shops, free children’s activities, Santa Claus, music and a tree-lighting ceremony. The Holiday Lighting Contest winners will be announced during the evening.

The contest is for residences and businesses within the Olde Village limits. Judging will occur at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. All decorating entries must register with the Recreation Department between Nov. 14-29. FREE.

News and information from Violet Township … a great place to grow your business and family.

Drug and Electronics Collection and Document Shredding

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 29. This national event marks an ongoing effort to rid the nation’s medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous drugs, particularly controlled substances.

Until recently, unused drugs and/ or expired medication(s) were commonly discarded in the trash (landfill) or flushed down the sink or toilet – leading to potential chemical contamination of ground water and/or wastewater treatment plants, and causing harm to aquatic life and the human water supply.

The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District – in cooperation with Violet Township, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Lancaster-Fairfield County Litter Prevention and Recycling Program – will be participating in

the event. The collection site will be the Violet Township Service Center located at 490 N. Center St. in Pickerington at the corner of Stemen Road and Center Street.

Prescription pills, capsules, liquids, creams, gels, ointments, patches, suppositories, powders, syringes and IVs will be collected. No aerosols or inhalers will be accepted. Please black out the name or remove the label before bringing containers to the disposal site. If disposable items are of unknown origin, they may be dropped off with no questions asked. Call the Fairfield SWCD office at (740) 653-8154 with any prescription drug questions.

This event is also accepting electronics, courtesy of TDR Total Computer Recycling.

The following electronic items may be dropped off at no cost: computers, laptops, printers, cables, mice,

keyboards, discs, electronic clocks, VCR and DVD machines, radios, and cell phones. Computer monitors will be accepted at no additional cost if they are included as part of an entire computer system. However, there will be a $2 disposal fee for computer monitors that are brought in without a processor or tower. Televisions will be accepted at the event at a cost of $1 per diagonal inch. Call Patty Bratton with Litter Prevention and Recycling at (740) 6814423 with any electronic questions. Only cash or checks will be accepted as payment of disposal fees.

Document shredding during this event will be provided at no charge, courtesy of the Lancaster-Fairfield County Litter Prevention and Recycling Program. Participants wishing to shred documents are asked to observe a limit of three 10-inch-by-15-inch-by-24 inch (legal-size) boxes per car.

That’s How They Do That

Ever wonder why one neighborhood lands a large destination retail center or why the merchandise in a large national brand name store differs from one area to another? It’s all market analysis.

Is it science, magic or an educated guess? Some may believe “all of the above” is actually the best answer.

There is a science to market analysis, and the U.S. Census Bureau provides a large amount of the data to be plugged into formulas that will project whether a business will survive if it locates in a certain area. Seven factors determine the likelihood of success: population, income, age, education, occupation, ethnicity and housing. The importance of each of these factors varies between types of retailers.

Obviously, retailers need shoppers, so locating a Macy’s in Smalltown, U.S.A., population 48, will not mean a lot of foot traffic through their doors. But how many Macy’s stores are within the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area, population 1 million-plus? A Google search of “Macy’s Columbus Ohio” returns eight results, not including spas or furniture stores under the Macy’s label.

Income is an indicator of the spending power of a neighborhood. Discount stores tend to avoid extremely high- or extremely low-income areas. Typical department stores target areas with a median income over $35,000, while specialty fashion retailers look for areas with a median income over $75,000.

Age is another factor considered in the equation of retail success. If the area being considered has a large elderly population, drug stores will give strong consideration to the possibility of locating there.

Neighborhoods whose residents have attained advanced degrees will typically have bookstores and computer and software stores. Higher education attainment will likely mean higher median incomes, but the examples listed will focus more on the education level than the income.

Occupations associated with an area will make it more attractive to some stores than to others. High concentrations of white-collar workers spell success for office supply stores and large music and video stores.

Stores must recognize that ethnicity will determine what merchandise they should have on their shelves. The ethnic makeup of a community will determine how and where the store advertises as well.

The final factor in the equation is housing. A thriving housing market will attract home improvement, furniture and garden centers. Home ownership correlates directly to expenditures related to home products.

Researchers find all this data for an area, plug it into a formula and then compare the results to other similar areas. This is the educated guess portion of market analysis. If a store is successful in one area, a new store will likely succeed if the comparison of the factors yields similar incomes, education, etc.

Finally, the magic: Lifestyle data is considered for the area. The neighborhood reveals much about its residents in the similar types of homes, vehicles in the driveways and products inside the homes. Because neighbors become neighbors through like interests, goals and life cycle events, the shopping tendencies will also be similar, spelling success for a retailer hoping to meet their needs.

Science, magic, educated guesses – data and research are the determining factors of all.

From the Violet Township Road Department

Greg Butcher, PE, Violet Township Engineer

The Road Department provides repair and maintenance of 105 miles of Township roadways, including surface and drainage maintenance, roadside mowing, sign maintenance, snow and ice control, and park maintenance. The department consists of the Township Engineer, three full-time employees and three to five part-time employees.

The Road Department office contracts resurfacing and re-striping projects while managing the new purchase, repair and maintenance of equipment and overall highway operations. Additionally, major street, drainage and sidewalk improvement projects are coordinated by the department.

The office further communicates with other local agencies, the Fairfield County Engineer and the Ohio Department of Transportation to promote and coordinate new joint traffic and construction projects within Violet Township.

Major Projects

Some recent major Violet Township projects and costs constructed within the past few years include:

• Allen Road Culvert Replacement, $150,000

• Busey Road Realignment, East of Allen Road, $270,000

• Jefferson Drive Culvert Replacement, $125,000

• Busey Road Culvert Replacement, $125,000

• Mingo Estates Section One Infrastructure Improvements, $800,000

• Diley Road Widening, $5,500,000

• Pickerington Local Schools Safe Routes to Schools Sidewalks, $280,000

Each of these projects was contracted to private firms and coordinated by the Road Department. Funding for the improvements was mainly derived from a combination of Township Road Department and General Fund sources as well as grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

News and information from Violet Township

Information from the Violet Township Fire Department

Protect Your Family From Fire!

The Violet Township Fire Department wants everyone to focus on preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally, it urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.

In 2009, 2,565 people died in house fires. Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like “having working smoke alarms and home fire escape plans, keeping things that can burn away from the stove and always turning off space heaters before going to bed,” says Chief John Eisel of the Violet Township Fire Department. “Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating and eliminating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year.”

One of the most powerful weapons we have in the fight against fire danger is education.

Our Open House – 1-3 p.m. Oct. 16 at Station 592, 8700 Refugee Rd. – will feature:

• The Fire Safety House, which will allow the department to actually put children into a non-hazardous smoke-filled environment and teach them how to get out of their home in case of fire

• An open area that teaches kids how to get down and crawl under smoke

• Coupons for free batteries for smoke detectors

• Firefighters to answer questions about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Representatives from Ohio Fire and Safety to inspect and/or service your fire extinguisher

• Order forms for a fire escape ladder for your second floor area

• McDonald’s coupons for free treats

• Balloons and cookies

• Sparky the Fire Dog

• Picture opportunities for kids as they dress up in fire department bunker gear.

Representatives from The Ohio State University Medical Center’s Burn Center, Diley Ridge Medical Center and Children’s Close to Home will be on hand to answer questions about their facilities and services. Please come and join us for this wonderful event.

Mark Your Calendar Holiday Toy Drive kicks off the week of Nov. 22

We will be accepting new unwrapped gifts for children at any of our fire stations. If your business would like to get involved, please contact Jimmy Barber, Dave Belcher, Don Searls or Gregg Goodwin at (614) 837-4123.

Located in the Heart of Old Pickerington

One Woman, One Change, Endless Impact

Allvera owner shares her passion with Pickerington

Change one small thing at a time. That’s Michele McTeague’s philosophy.

McTeague, 43, owner of Allvera in Pickerington, made one big change two years ago that has shaped her life and helped her continue advocating for self-improvement.

In July 2009, after spending almost 20 years in real estate, McTeague chose to dive into a new business to share what had always been a quiet and private passion for her: health care. Hoping to help others follow in her own footsteps of putting personal well-being first, she created a venue where self time comes first.

She bought Allvera and reshaped the business, previously known primarily for body wraps, into a wellness center. It was her way of sharing a personal passion with everyone.

“I’ve been doing this for two years, and even before that, I was working with family members and friends and seeing changes in them,” she says. “It always amazes me when somebody just makes a small change, and they go home and they sleep great that night or they feel better about themselves. It changes something in them, and it always makes me feel so good.”

The transition toward sharing health has done more than just expand McTeague’s life.

McTeague, who is married with two children, hopes to offer help beyond just providing a service. From personal experience, she is aware of how self-perspective can create positivity.

Before purchasing the shop, she felt the highs and lows of poor health – so much so that she sought out an herbal medicine store in the hopes of finding a means to feel better.

Finding such a remedy helped McTeague see that “the whole premise of natural health (is) not hiding symptoms, but figuring out what those symptoms are pointing to and then supporting that system.”

The 15-year Pickerington resident continues to take her own advice. While at

work, she remains a continuous example of a positive lifestyle.

She also is a client, practicing her own de-stressing techniques and receiving all the services offered. Hypnotherapy is one experience that helped her in her own clarity and career change.

“Being relaxed and addressing your subconscious mind is wonderful,” McTeague says.

McTeague’s shop on Clint Drive also offers a connection to the Pickerington community – it carries a piece of the town around it. The majority of products sold are locally made, and she doesn’t “sell anything that I haven’t tried or used.”

McTeague’s dedication to giving back and connecting helps make Allvera a Pickerington staple. The store has handcrafted jewelry on display and pictures from local artists hanging on the walls.

Allvera promises more than relaxation, McTeague says. Although tranquility is a key element – with services like reflexology, foot detoxes, massages, Reiki, hypnotherapy and various body wraps – those looking for something beyond a couple of hours of quiet can find a solution in McTeague’s original advice: Find one manageable, small change, and apply it.

“Everybody has a preconceived notion of what wellness is, and when you start learning about it, you realize it’s actually something very different,” McTeague says. “Nobody is perfect, and that’s not important. What’s important is that you make the small changes that you can and that you can continue to keep up. And then later on down the road, you will find another small change that you can manage.”

McTeague loves her new life and loves helping others enjoy theirs.

“I love to help people move from one place to another, to meet a goal.”

Sara Mitchell is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

By Brenda Layman

Unexpected Experiences

Jerry Lopper coaches others to find professional, personal fulfillment

Retirement is the time to relax in a rocking chair and revel in sweet memories of days gone by, right?

Not for Pickerington resident Jerry Lopper.

After his retirement following almost 35 years in telecommunications engineering, Jerry, 74, created an entirely new career as a life coach and author, and he encourages other retirees to follow their dreams, too.

Jerry and his wife of 42 years, Sandi, have three sons and three grandchildren, with a fourth grandchild on the way. Pickerington community residents since 1973, the Lopper family grew up as the area changed from a quiet, rural village to a bustling, suburban city.

Jerry is not just comfortable with change; he embraces it. But this, he says, wasn’t always the case.

As an engineer for Western Electric, which later became AT&T, Jerry focused on doing technical jobs well. When he was promoted to management, he found, to his surprise, that his new position required a different skill set.

Faced with the need to motivate and support his staff, Jerry confronted an entirely new set of questions.

In the 1980s, he earned an MBA, focusing much of his study on psychology. He became fascinated with the way people think and the way they view themselves and their lives. Before Jerry retired, a new executive came into his line of supervision and advocated a management style that was more like coaching than management.

“It felt right. I knew it was the right way to do things. That path of observing myself and others – what felt good and right – evolved into this idea of expanding beyond technical accomplishment,” he says.

Following his retirement in 1996, Jerry, who became a certified life coach, began publishing through the online freelance magazine site Suite101, where he became a feature writer for the personal development section. He also has self-published three books and written a series of

personal development courses

that are available through his website, www.purposefulgrowth.com. He makes appearances as a motivational speaker and leads personal development workshops.

Jerry encourages retirees to grasp the opportunity to create fulfilling second careers.

“When you’re fortunate enough to have resources,” he says, “you have the luxury to do … what you love.”

Like Jerry, many people will find their new callings in unexpected places.

“I didn’t really decide on this,” Jerry says. “It found me. Your niche will find you.”

Brenda Layman is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

When your child needs urgent care, everything matters.

And what matters most is pediatric expertise. at’s why our Close To HomeSM Centers are sta ed by medical professionals who have received additional training to care exclusively for children. Physicians, nurses, technicians, everybody at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a pediatric specialist.

is higher level of expertise enables us to see things others may not. We know when a simple fever could be something more serious. We know how to set a broken bone so it grows properly to its adult size. We know the correct dosage of medications for children of all ages.

Our suture techs even practice putting stitches in the soft skin of a peach, because it helps us minimize scarring on the soft skin of a child.

Every piece of equipment is also specialized. Why? Try tting an adult-sized blood pressure cu on the arm of a two-year-old. Or giving an injection to a ve-year-old with an adultsized needle.

Urgent care should be expert care. So always call your child’s doctor rst and remember we’re here when you need us. For directions, hours and location speci c information, visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/UrgentCare.