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
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
Shutterbugs
Our annual look at Pickerington through the lenses of its residents
INSIDE Local marching bands unite Local history comes to life Student leads by example on and off the field
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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 Discover Grove City Magazine www.DiscoverGroveCity.com HealthScene Ohio www.HealthSceneOhio.com 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 ncollins@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, call 614-572-1240. 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. © 2018.
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pickerington magazine volume 10, number 6 august/september 2018
6 Calendar 9
News and Information from the City of Pickerington
11
News and Information from Violet Township
14
faces
Chalk it Up to the Streets
14
Local artist offers passersby the opportunity to witness art as it’s created
18
in focus
Derek Abner Insurance Agency As a consumer, trust is important. Do you really want a quote in 15 minutes...or do you want an agency you can trust for 15 years?
#coveragematters
A Unifying Celebration Pickerington schools host third annual unity fair
20
20
Shutterbugs
24
Marching in Memoriam
25
An Afternoon at the Museum
26
student spotlight
Photos from Pickerington residents
60 Hill Rd S, Pickerington (614) 656-6761
derekabnerinsurance.com
Pickerington marching bands combine in 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade
As seen in the Night at the Museum films, the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society brings local history to life
A Tough Call
Pickerington Central junior faces hard decision next year
around pickerington
28
Photos from the community
26
30
bookmarks
On the cover: Photo by Sheryl Lazenby
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com PickeringtonMagazine
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5
pickerington community calendar august/september 2018 Through Aug. 19
Through Oct. 5
Through Jan. 10
Creating the Illusion: Costumes & Characters from the Paramount Pictures Archive
Pickerington Farmers’ Market
First Drafts Book Club
Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., 89 N. Center St. www.pickeringtonvillage. com Fresh produce and meats along with baked goods by local vendors can be found here at the sixth year of Pickerington’s farmers’ market.
Second Thursday of the month, 7-8 p.m., Combustion Brewery & Taproom, 80 W Church St. Ste.101 www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Come to this adult book club for great food, drinks, community and books at this local spot.
Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster www.decartsohio.org Hollywood is brought to Lancaster with this current exhibit, featuring work from Forrest Gump, The Addams Family and Mission: Impossible – Rouge Nation.
Through Aug. 25 Free Yoga in The Park Saturdays, 8 a.m., Victory Park, 100 Lockville Rd. www.pickeringtonvillage.com Enjoy yoga every Saturday morning in the park. Bring your own mat.
Through Dec. 15 Open House at Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 15 E. Columbus St. www.pickeringtonvillage.com Learn about local history through artifacts, photographs and one of Pickerington’s original town pumps.
Aug. 4 Pelotonia 8 a.m., Columbus and Center streets www.pickeringtonvillage.com Cheer on the participants of the 2018 Pelotonia bike tour as they ride through the Village.
Aug. 4 Pickerington KidsFest 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Mount Carmel Sports Complex, 630 Hill Rd. N. www.kidslinked.com This family festival includes bounce houses, a marketplace, food trucks and more.
Aug. 9 Back to School Book Tasting! 7-8 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Spend time finding the perfect book before the school year starts. RSVP online.
Through Sept. 8 Lego Palooza Second Saturday of the month, 1-3 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Recommended for children ages 4 and up, come spend the afternoon building with LEGO. You can build whatever your imagination desires, or try the LEGO challenge.
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Through Dec. 20 Brown Bag Book Club Every third Thursday of the month, 1-2 p.m., Pickerington Main, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Come join this book club as it reads Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng in August and Turtles All The Way Down by John Green in September.
Reynoldsburg-Pickerington Rotary Golf Outing 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m., Links at Groveport Golf Course, 1005 Richardson Rd., Groveport www.rprotaryclub.com This annual golf outing benefits Tyler’s Light, scholarships for Reynoldsburg and Pickerington students, and more.
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Photos courtesy of City of Pickerington, Jenny Kuzmic, Lithopolis HoneyFest
Aug. 11
Aug. 14
Sept. 7-8
Summer Dog Tales
Lithopolis Honeyfest
6:30-7:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org For children ages 5-10, schedule today to read with a canine buddy for a 20-minute session.
Friday, 3-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Columbus Street, downtown Lithopolis www.centralohiobeekeeper.com The 12th annual Honeyfest promises to be the best with bee beards, art and live music, hive inspections, and more.
Aug. 15 First Day of School
Mark you calendar r for these commun ity events The 29th annual festival promises fun for the whole family with games, food and live music.
www.pickerington.k12.oh.us
Sept. 9
Aug. 17
Parkinson’s Moving Day
Noon-7 p.m., the Golf Club at Little Turtle, 5400 Little Turtle Way W., Westervillle www.tylerslight.com The seventh annual golf outing benefits the group’s effort to combat drug addiction and abuse.
Sunday, 2 p.m. Columbus Crew SC MAPFRE Stadium One Black and Gold Blvd. movingdaywalk.org/event/movingday-columbus/ This event is the community’s chance to raise further awareness about, and funding for, Parkinson’s disease.
Aug. 21
Sept. 15
Tyler’s Light Golf Outing
The Middle 6:45-7:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Come to this book club to talk about new books and snack on some popcorn. It will be discussing Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova.
Sept. 3 Annual Lions Club Parade and Fish Fry Parade 10 a.m., fish fry 11 a.m., Victory Park, 100 Lockville Rd. www.pickeringtonvillage.com This annual Labor Day tradition is a fundraiser for the Lions Club.
Sept. 3 Dog Splash 4:30-7 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. www.pickerington.net Enjoy the pool one last time this summer with your dog in tow. Provide proof of rabies and current vaccinations. Dogs in heat are not allowed.
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Tyler’s Light Benefit Ride
Sept. 7-9 Seton Parish Festival Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 2 p.m.-midnight; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 600 Hill Rd. N. www.setonparishfestival.com
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd. www.tylerslight.com This seventh annual motorcycle race is a fundraiser for Tyler’s Light and includes food and live music.
Sept. 15-Dec. 30 Imagining a Better World: The Artwork of Nelly Toll Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster www.decartsohio.org The Decorative Arts Center’s next exhibit highlights Holocaust survivor Nelly Toll.
Submit Your Event
Do you have an event you would like to submit to our calendar? Send details and photos to ncollins@cityscenemediagroup.com. 7
INSIDE
PICKERINGTON
N E W S & I N F OR M AT I O N F R O M T H E C I T Y O F P I C K E R I NGT ON
Come Frolf with Us
City offers premier 18-hole disc golf course Simsbury Park and Disc Golf Course is one of the premier locations in central Ohio for a sport that combines elements of golf and Frisbee. The 18-hole course, which backs up to the Simsbury subdivision, serves as the host for Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)-sanctioned tournaments. Parks and Recreation Board Member Brandy Bagar-Fraley says the disc golf course is one of Pickerington’s most unique and entertaining parks. “It boasts a well-designed and well-reviewed disc golf course that garners positive reviews across social media, and draws both experienced and inexperienced disc golfers,” Bagar-Fraley says. Disc golf is a challenging sport that involves throwing a disc (Frisbee) at a target and is played using rules similar to traditional golf. The Simsbury Disc Golf Course sprawls across more than 31 scenic acres of the approximately 37-acre park. It was designed by Columbus Flyers Disc Golf Club President Paul Jay in 2008. “We are told that it is one of the better courses in the Columbus area,” Rebecca Medinger, City of Pickerington Parks and Recreation director, says.
Each May the Columbus Flyers Pickerington Classic is held on the course. This year, the Columbus Flyers Brent Hambrick Memorial Open was held for the first time in June. While the course draws disc golf enthusiasts from all around central Ohio, Bagar-Fraley says the park is a favorite destination for walkers and runners and it has a lot to offer the Pickerington community. “It is also a prime early morning destination for those in search of a quiet morning stroll,” Bagar-Fraley says. “On weekday mornings before 10 a.m., the park is often quiet and welcomes those who want to wander among the trees and gentle slopes.” In addition to disc golf, the park features a picnic shelter, playground with swing set, restrooms and plenty of parking. And when snow covers the course, Medinger says, the park is a favorite destination for avid cross-country skiers. 8
Because Simsbury Park and Disc Golf Course is so large, Medinger says, there is always something her department is doing to ensure the park and other Pickerington parks are in pristine condition all year long. This year Parks and Recreation budgeted about $519,000 for renovations, improvements and equipment for the parks it maintains. At the Pickerington Community Pool, funding was used to replace two existing diving boards and stands and the addition of a 50-gallon water dump bucket, frog spray, dueling water squirters, and other water sprayers. Sycamore Creek Park men’s and women’s restrooms were expanded this summer and the parking lot was expanded and paved. The parking lot at Victory Park was also expanded from 35 spots to a total of 80. Restrooms at Victory Park are also expected to be renovated in the fall. Over the summer, Colony Park gained a 72-by-80-foot surfaced playground with many features including slides and swings for children ages 3-12 years old. Visitors to Willow Pond Park will also notice the new two-bay swing set, which includes two swings, a toddler swing and a bucket seat.
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The Pride of Pickerington
City is flying high with dedicated KC-135 refueling plane The City of Pickerington is now flying high over many cities, states and even countries. On June 22, the Ohio Air National Guard dedicated one of its refueling planes, a KC-135, to the city. Ohio Air National Guard Maj. Jody Schweickart, wing executive officer of the 121st Air Refueling Wing, says the dedication program is meant to create partnerships with local communities that have supported the Ohio Air National Guard over the years. “A lot of our members live in Pickerington and we think this helps foster unit pride, community pride and foster our relationship with the city,” Schweickart says. Mayor Lee Gray agrees. “It’s an incredible honor to have this plane dedicated to the city, but the real honor goes to the men and women from our community who serve,” he says. There is no cost for the city to participate in the program. Currently, there are five other cities that have planes dedicated to them including Westerville, Groveport, Grove City, Lockbourne and Canal Winchester. “These planes perform missions around the world every day,” Schweickart says. “They are primarily refueling planes — essentially, we are the gas tank in the sky — but they have storage and passenger capability as well. They also do disaster relief.” And the next mission may involve the newest ambassador, officially known as the Pride of Pickerington, soaring through the skies to refuel planes or help communities in need of support.
citydirectory Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.
(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)
Building Services ..................... 833-2221 City Clerk/Council..................... 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Services.............. 833-2204 Engineering Services ............... 833-2221 Finance Services...................... 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116 Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Services......................... 575-6911 Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470
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News and Information From
Violet Township Fire Station 591 Opens in Olde Pickerington
The state-of-the-art facility opened June 29th to better serve and protect Violet Township residents By Evan Wehmeyer Violet Township has built and opened its third fire station in the last 25 years, located in the heart of Olde Pickerington. The now-functional station exhibits the community’s commitment to the well-being and safety of its residents. The station, first commissioned in 2014, was built to replace the old 591 fire station, which was built in 1953. “The old station unfortunately had outlived its usefulness to us,” Fire Chief Michael J. Little says. “We had difficulty finding trucks that could fit the building. There was limited space for our personnel to sleep, eat, shower … everything they normally do in a 24-hour period.” Multiple sites were considered, both inside and outside of Pickerington, but the fire department Ribbon cutting during the dedication ceremony decided to stay inside Olde Pickerington where the station had been for over 60 years, indicating that it tion, an AT&T representative informed the architects that wanted to maintain its presence in the city. The new 591 there was a major fiber line that ran down the plaza, a fact station was built directly across from the old Grange building that went overlooked by the builders, which set the project on Lockville Road, which was torn down and repurposed as back in order to move the line. When it came time to dig the parking lot for the new 591. and lay the foundation, the construction workers found a “There’s a reason there’s a flag in the parking lot,” Little natural spring under the surface of the old Pickerington says. “There’s a monument there that the Grange had in Area Chamber of Commerce building. front of their own building and we have reincorporated that “At the point in history when it was time for Violet Townmonument into the landscape of our parking area. And the ship to build a new fire station, they had difficult decisions flag is lit every night and the monument is lit every night to to make,” Mayor Lee Gray says. “Choosing to replace the honor the Grange.” fire station here was not the easiest decision. And a lot of The city came together to make this project a reality in people don’t know that. They were going to displace their several ways. The city donated the old plaza that stood firefighters. There were all kinds of issues that had to be where the new station is located. While the new building worked through and, quite frankly, it was going to be more was still under construction, and after the old building had expensive. The thing is, when you’re making those decibeen razed, the Violet Township Service Center allowed sions as an elected official, you try to do what’s in your the fire department to work out of a double-wide trailer heart and what’s best for the community.” located on its property at 490 Center St. The fire department moved out of the double-wide trailer “The first six months of it (the temporary relocation), they and into the new building on May 17. The building offers (the firefighters) were just happy and giddy and it was really 16,000 square feet in comparison to the 5,000 square feet at fun,” Little says. “And then, when the realization set in that the old 591 station. The Pickerington Chamber of Commerce it was going to be a little longer than it was anticipated, it will also work out of a few rooms located in the new building. was kind of like being on top of each other.” “Thank you to the community for making this happen. I The temporary relocation to the double-wide trailer don’t make it happen, the trustees don’t make it happen, ended up lasting 18 months. it’s the community and the support we receive from the Every plan has its problems though, and 591 was no community that make it happen,” Little says. different. During the construction meeting with Robertson “I’m hopeful that the firefighters can better serve the Construction, the company tasked with building the stacommunity out of this station,” says Kevin Kellogg, pastor at 10
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Grace Fellowship Church and chaplain for the Violet Township Fire Department. “It’s bigger, has the ability to house more equipment, and better equipment and bigger equipment. They’re thankful for the community’s support so they just want to serve the community better.” Fire Station 591 is located at 21 Lockville Rd. and offers a variety of services to the community including CPR/First
Aid instruction as an American Heart Association Certified Training Center. Evan Wehmeyer is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
New Website Launched Violet Township has launched a new website, logo and tagline to help promote economic development. This stateof-the-art website consolidates all economic development information into one user-friendly site. Innovative tools allow visitors to quickly obtain demographic and workforce data, summaries of business incentive programs, details on the area’s infrastructure, and other information utilized in site selection decisions. Violet Township chose Golden Shovel Agency to create the website. The national economic development communications firm is recognized for its award-winning design and expertise in business and workforce attraction. Golden Shovel also created a tag line — Growing Opportunity Together — along with an economic development logo. The township will utilize the website, logo and tag line to tell the story of Violet Township and to market the community for economic development purposes. “Our team enjoyed working with the Violet Township on this project. It’s an area poised for growth. The economic development portal we developed illustrates the region’s many opportunities and assets,” says Aaron Brossoit, CEO of Golden Shovel.
Violet Township is a vibrant community within a growing region. This website and marketing material will help the township to attract quality development that will increase its tax base to preserve and enhance the existing quality of life in Violet Township. Visitors can view the website at www.investwithviolet.com.
Community Center The work on the feasibility study for a future Violet Township Community Center continues through a public engagement period. A public meeting was held in May and there were 175 people in attendance. We received many positive comments along with a number of questions and ideas that we have been addressing as we proceed with our study. We also identified frequently asked questions and have provided a FAQ document on our website. A number of residents also signed up to be a part of a feasibility group to help us take a deeper dive into the needs for a community center. There were a series of nine focus group meetings held over the month of June. These meetings focused on specific areas of interest such as youth sports, seniors, aquatics and other programming. Each focus group has ranged from five to 20 individuals at each meeting and provided an opportunity for residents to meet directly with our consultant, Moody Nolan, to provide input. These focus group meetings have raised some new ideas that staff did not originally contemplate. Our consultant is now looking into the feasibility of the ideas generated www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Community residents provide their input.
through this process. Moody Nolan, in cooperation with the township steering committee, will be utilizing this feedback to explore various spatial and programming options. While Moody Nolan has been working with the focus groups to study the spatial and programming needs, a Finance Task Force Committee has been meeting with Rockmill Financial to learn more about the way taxes work and 11
the different options for funding a future community center. There have been between 30 and 40 residents in attendance at each of these meetings. This Finance Committee will ultimately create a funding package to recommend to the Township Trustees who will then decide to put the issue on the ballot. We have created a page on our new Economic Development Website that is dedicated to the Community Center. On
this page, you will find the FAQ document, meeting materials, periodic updates and future meeting dates. We encourage you to visit this page on our website, which can be found at www.investwithviolet.com/about/communitycenter/?cat=Community+Center. We plan to hold a public meeting in August to provide an update on the study. Please stay tuned for meeting details through our website.
We Don’t Need Soap to Have Clean Streams By Chad Lucht, Sr. Urban Specialist – Fairfield SWCD As we strive to keep our streams clean so they are fishable and swimmable in the Blacklick Creek and Walnut Creek watersheds, we don’t need to use soap to do it. Over the past several years, the Fairfield Soil & Water Conservation District has conducted random inspections of outfalls as part of Ohio EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Outfalls could be a storm pipe or road ditch that take water directly to our local streams from roads, lawns, or downspouts. If during the inspection process flowing water was observed, a water sample was taken to test for the presence of soap. Unfortunately for our streams, some samples came back positive. Where could the soap be coming from? A large majority of the homes located within the watersheds are connected to a central sanitary sewer
system. Could it be from a washing machine located in a basement not connected to the home’s sewage system? Maybe it is mop bucket water be-
Save the Date October 14, 2018 Annual Fire Department Open House 1-3 PM This is always a huge day for our community! It is an event you and your family will not want to miss. Mark your calendars and set your phones to remind you of this amazing family day! 12
ing dumped after somebody cleaned the floor? Or it’s just somebody who decides to wash their car on a nice day and it runs off to the street. These are called non-point discharges and we may never know where the source of the soap is coming from. To continue to work to keep soap out of our streams so they remain fishable and swimmable, please keep these thoughts in mind. Is my washing machine properly connected to my home’s sewage system? When I finish mopping the floor, I will dump the water into a sink. And if I decide to wash and wax my car instead of taking it to a local car wash, I will remember to park it in the grass and let the water soak into the ground. These small steps will help reduce the potential of soap from entering our local streams.
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. Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Better lives
ONE story at a time. “Loading old fence into my truck, I shattered my shoulder socket and suffered a hill sacs fracture. I knew I had to get back to taking care of the children, taking care of our land and getting back to my career in law enforcement. I had 100 percent faith that Orthopedic ONE would take care of me. It may sound crazy but I’m actually thankful this happened. My life has not only returned, but my quality of life is better. “ - Michael Myers, husband, father and Deputy Sheriff
Visit orthopedicONE.com for all of Michael’s story.
This is where you go to get better.
faces
By Nathan Collins
Chalk it Up to the Streets
14
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Local artist offers passersby the opportunity to witness art as it’s created
S
Lazenby recreates the Feb. 1962 Life Magazine cover featuring heryl Lazenby wasn’t always a full-time freelance artist and John Glenn.
owner of her own design company. Up until four years ago, she operated within the corporate space, doing marketing and graphic design. Suddenly, due to the unforeseen downsizing of an entire department, Lazenby was dismissed. “So, it was like, ‘OK, now what do you do?’ I’ve had my freelance business for 20 years, but I never really put that much time into (marketing my freelance work),” says Lazenby. “I’ve been (freelancing) full time for four years now and things are really looking up, so that’s a good thing.” When asked about her journey into chalk art, Lazenby’s eyes light up. “I had never really heard of it before. There was a call for artists to participate on a Facebook page I follow, 614 Artists, at Easton’s Chalk the Block.” Easton Town Center’s annual Chalk the Block event challenges artists to create works of art using chalk as the medium. Each artist is allotted a 100 square foot space in which to transfer a unique and colorful work of art from their mind’s eye to the pavement. Intrigued by the call to participate, and undeterred by her lack of experience using chalk as a medium, Lazenby submitted artwork immediately. “So it’s a call for artists to participate and I’m like, ‘Well, I’ll try it.’ I used to paint, I can draw … I’ve never done (chalk art) and I thought, as with everything else, there has to be tutorials on
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15
the Internet to figure out how to do it,” she says. “They didn’t want just anybody and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll either hear from them or I won’t.’” Shortly after throwing her hat into the ring, Lazenby received an email in-
All chalk art is composed on a 100 square foot grid.
dicating that she had been selected to participate at the Chalk the Block event. Then, the panic struck. As it turned out, online tutorials directed toward the novice chalk artist were nonexistent. “Now I have to figure out, who works 10 feet by 10 feet? That’s our space out there. I didn’t even know where to begin with that,” says Lazenby. “I’m also a photographer so I took one of my photographs and kind of changed it around.” Despite the lack of experience, a new seed of artistic passion had been planted. “The first event was successful for me because it really hooked me. Usually when you’re an artist, it’s you and the canvas, or it’s you and the camera, or it’s you and the drawing paper, and it’s really a pretty solitary experience. But with (chalk art), there’s people walking around, there’s people asking questions,” she says. Having the opportunity to interact with people while creating was a novel experience and interesting opportunity for Lazenby. People stop to take photographs, ask questions and offer commentary on how her work evokes a particular piece of nostalgia or strikes a chord with their own personal philosophies. “There are comments like, ‘Oh my mom loves day lilies, I can’t wait to send her this photograph of your work! or ‘This is like a feminism statement!’ … and it’s just really a different experience for me. It’s really exciting,” says Lazenby.
Lazenby next to her piece inspired by Mattel’s Rock’em Sock’em Robots. 16
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Photo courtesy of Sheryl Lazenby
You can see Sheryl Lazenby’s chalk art at Easton’s next Chalk the Block event on Sept. 30.
life
Rain, Rain Go Away
The question Lazenby fields most often from onlookers: What happens when it rains? Not only do chalk artists have to take into account the daily weather forecast, they’re up against the clock as well. Depending upon the event schedule, Lazenby may at times only have a maximum of 10 hours to fully complete a project. Even if she finishes ahead of schedule, Mother Nature has the final say. Lazenby was recently commissioned by the Zanesville Art Museum to bring a piece from its collection out into the community for all to see. “I’m so thankful to have photographs. It was sad. It was really sad because I was so close to being finished and we had kind of been sprinkled on all day,” she says. Having a freshly completed piece of chalk art washed away by the rain has happened to her on more than one occasion. And because certain chalk colors wash away more quickly than others, fairly normal photographs can, at times, take on a more abstract feel. “I did a photo of John Glenn in my driveway and it was kind of spooky because the first thing that went were his eyes, so I had this shell (with) black eye spaces,” says Lazenby.
Chalk Futures
In January of last year, Lazenby and five other regional chalk artists banded together to form the Ohio Chalk Art Guild. The original group of six noticed that they all kept showing up at the same events, so the next logical step was to organize. At this stage, the guild is not completely formalized – there is no membership nor dues for those involved – but the organization is growing, according to Lazenby. “We’re not to that point yet, but probably getting to that point soon. One of the things about Pickerington that I would really like to see happen is to get some kind of an art movement going … because, as you see from the other communities around, when they start bringing the art in, money starts coming in.”
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Nathan Collins is an editor. Feedback welcome at ncollins@ cityscenemediagroup.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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in focus By Rocco Falleti
A Unifying Celebration
The Pickerin gton Sch ools CommUN ITY Fair Saturday , Sept. 16 , 10 a.m.2 p.m. Pickerin gton School C High entral
Pickerington schools host third annual unity fair
Chef John Gambino knows all about second chances
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Unlike Other Events The CommUNITY Fair is a way to celebrate what makes the Pickerington community a great place to live. The day has plenty of family friendly activities, but what sets this apart from other events held throughout the year is the opportunity for many cultures to have a platform to educate the community and harbor better understanding of one another. “It’s great when all the students and different families come together to showcase their work and showing pride where they came from,” Barbon says. “You see that liveliness in their faces, it’s great.”
The event provides a platform to educate the community about culture.
This year, much like years past, will feature a wide array of performances, ethnic dances and a fashion show put on by students from Pickerington Local Schools. With each year, the event continues to grow in popularity. “Last year we really made strides to getting everyone from the schools to the community involved,” Anna Stanley, senior at Pickerington High School North, says. “It was a huge step up, we even had people who weren’t from Pickerington show up and help out.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Pickerington Local Schools
A Time to Celebrate Pickerington has seen quite a lot of growth throughout the years. With that, there need to be moments to stop and celebrate not only what makes this town a thriving place to live, but to also educate those new to the area who now call it home. “You think of people’s conception of Pickerington being rural. … It’s definitely been evolving,” Erik Barbon, English learner coordinator for Pickerington Local Schools, says. “It’s a really great community and so diverse.”
The event isn’t limited to Pickerington residents. All are welcome.
Student Involvement Stanley, who is a member of the Ohio Model United Nations, has been involved with the CommUNITY Fair for the past two years. Her involvement began after a project she completed for a graphics class in which she organized a culture day full of arts and crafts for children. “Learning cultural diversity at a very young age is very important, and doing it in a way that is fun and gets kids excited is important,” Stanley says. Stanley leveraged the knowledge gained via her involvement in the Model United Nations to teach children about cultural diversity, and CommUNITY Fair organizers invited her to collaborate. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
It was a perfect match. Stanley organized arts and crafts, from making maracas with spoons, Easter eggs and rice, African necklaces, and traditional headdresses. “I love seeing the kids’ faces light up throughout the day,” Stanley says.
“People are so accepting and exposed to this in Pickerington,” Stanley Pickerington’s Future says. “So, to have a day where every With such strong ties to the com- single person could be represented and munity, the festival stands as an impor- people can learn about individuals in tant investment in the unity of Picker- the community is a beautiful thing.” ington. The festival not only entertains, but educates, and celebrates all that Rocco Falleti is an assistant editor. makes this community a unique place Feedback welcome at rfalleti@ to call home. cityscenecolumbus.com 19
Shutterbugs
Our annual look at Pickerington through the lenses of its residents
Tami Marlow Jill Ann Ladrick
Corliss Cunningham 20
Pamela Lauderback www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Tami Marlow
Amanda Saltalamachia
Janice Thomas
Lisa Lock www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Patricia Hunter 21
Gina Wright
Bethany Bass
Karen Bublitz
Ravi Ravindran 22
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31 ARTISTS / 22 SITES 6 STAGES/10 COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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Marching in Memoriam Pickerington marching bands combine in 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade By Jenny Wise
“The Rose Parade, that’s the icing on the cake because it’s one ickerington is home to two thing to go through a marching world-class marching band band season, but to travel with programs, but just one the North band of almost 200 band was invited to participate in and the Central band of almost the Tournament of Roses Parade 200 as we head up to California, in Pasadena, California on Jan. those are memories that will last 1, 2019. The Pickerington North forever,” says Benson. and Central band programs will Nathan Stowe, director of combine to represent the commubands at Pickerington Central, nity in a march down Colorado is also playing a major role in Boulevard on New Year’s Day. the planning and preparation The road to Pasadena started for the trip, which he says will last year when, after the passing include over 30 hours of comof retired band director Michael bined rehearsal, not to mention Sewell, the two programs came all of the hours spent rehearsing together with the intent to honor separately. Stowe and Benson are his beloved memory. working together to select music Sewell was no stranger to the and fully synergize the two proTournament of Roses, himself. grams. In fact, in his time as PHS band “We are not ready to unveil director and then as PHS Central the music selections for the paband director, Sewell led a band rade, but we’ve selected music to in the parade four different times honor the state of Ohio, the leg(1993, 1997, 2006 and 2010). acy of Michael D. Sewell and this He and his wife, Karen, were year’s parade theme, The Melody honored by the Tournament of of Life,” says Stowe. “It will be a Roses Association for being the good experience because we are Ohio band with the most parade With nearly 400 student members, the united marching band will have a taking all the steps together to appearances. make sure that we are representlarge presence at the Tournament of Roses parade. “It was our family and the ing Pickerington as one cohesive foundation’s intention to show band.” not only the Pickerington and central of Roses Parade Service Through Music Obviously, getting a band of nearly Ohio area, but everyone across the Unit- Award. This award, sponsored by the Mi- 400 students, plus organizers and equiped States ... the power music has to unite chael Sewell Foundation, is given annu- ment, to California will not be cheap. everyone,” says Karen Sewell. “Mike al- ally to a band participating in the parade There will be fundraising opportunities in ways believed that the music (and) arts that demonstrates musical excellence and which the community can participate, inprograms were the one way to keep the community service. cluding a dinner and silent auction event Pickerington schools together in service to “(Sewell’s) legacy is tremendous in the on Sept. 2 at Combustion Brewery’s Loft. the community. ... His school letterhead community and whenever he would take a Tickets to this event are $75 per person, always had at the bottom Service through trip like this, he was always very sure that but community members can make an inMusicianship.” it was … giving back to or honoring the dividual donation of any size by emailing In addition to Pickerington’s partici- memory of important community mem- pickeringtonroseparade@gmail.com. pation in the 2019 parade, Sewell’s mem- bers and service men and women,” says “We will be rolling out a multitude ory will be celebrated with the annual Director of Bands at Pickerington North, of fundraising opportunities for the comMichael Sewell Foundation Tournament Gregory Benson. munity to get involved in supporting us, Benson, in his first year as director of and even the greater community of central bands at North, has experience with the Ohio, not just Pickerington,” says Benson. Tournament of Roses as well. In 2017, “Specifically, the dinner coming up is a There will be a dinner and silent while serving as assistant director of bands great event where the special guest will be auction event on Sept. 2 at at Grove City High School, Benson was a Gerald Freeny, president of the TournaCombustion Brewery’s Loft. Tickets part of leading the GCHS Marching Band ment of Roses.” to this event are $75 per person, but in the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade. community members can make an individual donation of any size by He’s excited to participate in the parade Jenny Wise is an associate editor. emailing pickeringtonroseparade@ with a new program and for the bonding Feedback welcome at jwise@ gmail.com. experience it will allow. cityscenemediagroup.com.
Save the Date
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Karen Sewell and Greg Benson
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An Afternoon at the Museum As seen in the Night at the Museum films, the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society brings local history to life By Evan Wehmeyer
Afternoon at the Museum will be held at the museum located in downtown Pickerington at 15 E. Columbus St. from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Photos courtesy of Pickerington/Violet Township Historical Society Museum
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he Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society’s next event promises to be both fun and educational. On Sunday, Sept. 16, the historical society plans to act out local history from the 19th and 20th centuries, including many important figures such as Abraham Pickering, who founded Pickerington in 1815. He is portrayed by John Cooper, a history advocate from Baltimore, Ohio. Steel industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie will also be at the event, played by Violet Township resident and Groveport Chief of Police Ralph Portier. Visitors will learn more about the magnate’s life and one of his major philanthropic endeavors, Carnegie libraries, which built over 2,500 libraries throughout the country between 1883 and 1929, one of which now currently serves as the community’s historical museum. The event also includes other characters such as Wetherell Dairy founder Ray Wetherell, portrayed by his grandson, Kevin Wetherell, who now lives in Thornville and collects artifacts from former Violet Township dairy businesses. He will showcase part of his collection throughout the afternoon. Area physician, W.B. “Doc” Taylor, is also played by his grandson, Gary Taylor, a local historian who gives guests the opportunity to explore early 20th-century medicine. Postmistress for 27 years, Cleo Mason Ritcher, who was born in 1907 and served as the keeper of all things historic in Pickerington, will be portrayed at the event and accepts guests into a recreation of Cleo’s bedroom located on the museum’s mezzanine level. Longtime school teacher, Anna Milnor Young, who diligently taught Pickerington children from 1918 to 1960, is on the main floor near the pot-bellied stove, which once warmed Violet Township’s one-room Peru School. “Our goal is to get people in to learn about the history of the area,” historical society President Peggy Portier says. “We’re having more characters this year. We’re getting a wide variety.” To make the characters even more entertaining, autograph booklets will be handed out to kids as they enter www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Pickerington’s founder, Abe Pickering, and other inhabitants of the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum come to life Sunday, September 16, from 2-4 p.m. Shown here are Abe and his reenactor look-alike, John Cooper. The event is free at the former Carnegie Library/Museum.
the museum. Anyone who gets all the autographs will win a prize at the end of the afternoon. The event concludes in conjunction with the Ohio History Connection as a part of the Ohio Open Doors initiative and is free to attend, though donations to the non-profit are encouraged. The Afternoon
at the Museum will be held at the museum located in downtown Pickerington at 15 E. Columbus St. from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16. Evan Wehmeyer is a contributing writer. Feedback is welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com. 25
student spotlight By Evan Wehmeyer Student Spotlight features a student from a different area high school in every issue.
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A Tough Call Pickerington Central junior faces hard decision next year
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Photos courtesy of DeWayne Carter
enior year of high school is filled with important decisions, transitions and, ultimately, taking that next step in the journey of life. Pickerington High School Central student DeWayne Carter is one of those people with big choices to make. Carter is one of the top 20 football recruits from Ohio for 2019, according to 24/7 Sports, and has athletic scholarship offers from 24 colleges to play football, including the University of Pittsburgh, Duke University, Indiana University, the University of Kentucky and Northwestern University. He’s not sure where he wants to go yet, but has plans to visit many of them with his family to find out what’s best for him. Sports have always played a major role in Carter’s life – he played baseball and soccer as a young child – but didn’t begin playing football until sixth grade. His parents wanted to let him grow more before participating in football.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Carter has participated in multiple sports his entire life.
Originally, Carter wanted to be the kicker so that he could still play soccer, however when high school began, he wanted to focus more on football. For one more year, he will play for Pickerington High School Central as a defensive tackle and also as the back-up kicker. While he’s not sure where he’ll be headed come fall, he does know that he wants to study occupational or physical therapy. He always had an interest in these fields, but after watching his grandfather go through therapy following a stroke, he knew it was right for him. “I wanted to help people and just make an impact on the world,” he says. Choosing to study physical therapy allows Carter to continue working in sports when his football career ends. “I always want to be in sports some way,” he says. “That’s a way I can give back; helping athletes with rehab.” While athletics have been a major part of Carter’s life, he has balanced sports with other interests, such as the National Honor Society, student council for three years in high school and junior high, and is a part of the Sunny Side Up Peer Leadership Group at his school, an organization that helps lead by example and puts on events such as Calls from Santa and his Helpers.
During his sophomore year, he was given the opportunity to go to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference at Marion College, an event that only one sophomore from each high school is selected to attend by teachers and counselors. Carter says the event helped him to develop leadership and communication skills and that it exposed him to people from various walks of life. Carter has been supported by many people in his life – none more so than his family. “Both of my parents have always been supportive and want to see my sister and I succeed,” he says. His grandparents have also played an important role by babysitting and driving him to various sporting events when he was younger. “My grandparents have always been there for me,” he says. “Many, many people have been in my life who help me reach my goals and chase my dreams.” Carter spent this summer visiting campuses, practicing for his last season of high school football and looks forward to playing at a higher level next year in college, wherever that may be. Evan Wehmeyer is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com. 27
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 PetFest
Photos courtesy of Pickerington PetFest
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Food Truck Frenzy 2018
Photos courtesy of City of Pickerington
SAM’S PUMPKIN PATCH CONTINUES OPEN SEPTEMBER 19 South of Central H.S. at 455 Hill Rd South
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Right now there is a serious shift happening in the Columbus creative community. I see groups and collectives tearing down the walls of ego and opening themselves up to more collaborative art experiences. I have access to an array of perspectives on life and experiences here in Columbus that I did not get when I was on the east coast. Painting is my art and there’s no place I’d rather make it.
Additional support from: The Sol Morton and Dorothy Isaac, Rebecca J. Wickersham and Lewis K. Osborne funds at The Columbus Foundation.
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Design: Formation Studio
Learn more about David’s story and other Columbus artists and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.
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bookmarks
Submitted by Colleen Bauman, Pickerington Public Library
September is National Library card sign-up month It’s back to school time – what’s the most important school supply? A library card! Your first step toward academic achievement and life-long learning with free educational resources and activities such as Homework Help Centers, children’s classes and activities, book clubs, and so much more! A library card also provides access to a variety of digital media: Overdrive for e-books, Hoopla for streaming movies, and music, and Flipster for e-magazines.
Lola at the Library By Anna McQuinn
Discover a love of reading from a kid’s-eye view. Join Lola and Mommy at the library for story readings by the nice library lady, as they visit with friends and watch the machine that buzzes their books in and out. Then Lola and Mommy choose books to take home.
Unbreakable Code (The Book Scavenger series) By Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
This engaging mystery set in San Francisco has 12-year-olds Emily and James deciphering encrypted notes, codes and puzzles while participating in a book scavenger hunt. Each hidden book starts an arson fire – the clock is ticking, fires are burning as Emily and James race to solve the mystery.
The Invisible Library (series) By Genevieve Cogman
Librarian spies hop through alternate worlds to collect rare library books. We always knew librarians had special powers! This steampunk fantasy moves at a breakneck speed with enough character and plot development to entice and enjoy without bogging the storyline.
The Little Paris Bookshop By Nina George
Monsieur Perdu, our heartsick bookseller, prescribes books that soothe the afflictions of the soul from his barge, his “literary apothecary” on the Seine. Perdu, haunted by a lost love, still carries an unopened letter in his pocket. After 21 years, the letter is opened and an adventure begins through the rural French countryside on his literary barge, hopefully to find acceptance and, perhaps, love. Pickerington Public Library Main 201 Opportunity Way Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Pickerington Teen Book Fest is back! Save the date for Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Join us at Pickerington Main Library to meet keynote authors Margaret Peterson Haddix and Sarah Dessen. Attend panels with young adult authors, and get your books signed! 30
Sycamore Plaza Library 7861 Refugee Rd. Monday-Thursday noon-7 p.m. Saturday/Sunday noon-6 p.m. Sunday closed www.pickeringtonlibrary.org www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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