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inside
Oct./Nov. 2013 5 Calendar 7 News and Information from the City of Pickerington 9 News and Information from Violet Township 12
faces The Pumpkin King
Patterson’s patch provides seasonal color – and boosts breast cancer awareness
p.12 13
in focus Tomes in Transit
Seniors and children benefit from library’s Outreach Services program
14 15
bookmarks on the table Canine Cuisine
Healthful dog treats are the specialty of 4 Healthy Paws
p.15
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Re-elect
TERRY DUNLAP Violet Township Trustee
Terry pledges to: Remain a tough fiscal watchdog, and always look for alternative funding Always ask • Do we really need it? • Will it benefit the entire community? • Is it within our budget? Continue working on roads, senior services and park spaces so our families and friends can travel safely
Keep our Fire & EMS services strong and technologically advanced Keep our communities safe through strong relationships with our local law enforcement agencies Follow our managed growth plan to preserve quality of life and what we love about our community—no rubber stamp rezoning.
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community calendar Mark your calendar for these community events OCTOBER 2013 Oct. 5 Taste of Pickerington 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www. pickeringtonchamber.com
Enjoy food samples from a variety of local restaurants, a marketplace featuring local businesses and the Mount Carmel Health Fair, featuring health screenings, demonstrations and vendor products. Oct. 5 Pickerington Marching Band Festival 5 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pick eringtonbandfestival.com Featuring North and Central marching bands, as well as bands from Hamilton Township, Hilliard Darby, Licking Heights, Newark and River Valley high schools. Oct. 6-12 Fairfield County Fair
Fairfield County Fairprocession will go from the grounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., library to Olde Pickerington www.fairfieldcountyfair.com Village and then back for Features tractor pulls, food and games. demolition derbies, horse Oct. 30 races, auctions and more. Haunted Village Oct. 18-27 6-8 p.m., Olde PickPickerington Community erington Village, www. Theatre presents And pickeringtonvillage.com Then There Were None Enjoy ghost tours, hay rides, Pickerington Christian the haunted museum, Church, 575 Diley Rd., trick-or-treating at Olde www.pickeringtoncom- Pickerington Village busimunitytheatre.org nesses and more. Enjoy Agatha Christie’s Oct. 31 famous “whodunit.” Trick or Treat Oct. 26 Tots: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Teen Zombie Walk Pickerington City Hall, 2-4 p.m., Pickerington 100 Lockville Rd.; Public Library, 201 Community: 6-8 p.m., Opportunity Way, www. throughout Pickerington; pickeringtonlibrary.org www.pickerington.net Teenagers can arrive at the Children ages 2-5 can library in full zombie make- trick-or-treat at City Hall up and regalia or – if in the afternoon, with they’re among the first 40 community-wide trick or to get there – have it ap- treat from 6-8 p.m. plied on-site. The zombie
NOVEMBER 2013 Nov. 2 Pickerington Antique & Craft Show 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.k12. oh.us Featuring more than 100 dealers, with proceeds funding academic programs and scholarships for graduating seniors at both Pickerington high schools. Nov. 9 United Way of Fairfield County 5K Run and 2M Walk 7:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. run/walk, Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 Fair Ave., www. uwayfairfieldco.org Participants in this annual 5K and 2-mile walk, sponsored by People’s
Bank and benefiting the United Way of Fairfield County, can enter alone or as part of corporate teams of three. Nov. 19 PPL Book Club 7-8:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www. pickeringtonlibrary.org The library’s book club discusses The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty. Nov. 22-Dec. 22 Violet Township Fire Department Toy Drive Donation boxes throughout Pickerington, www.violet.oh.us New, unwrapped toys, as well as gift cards and monetary donations, are requested for the Violet Township Fire Department’s holiday toy drive.
Nov. 26 Not Your Mother’s Library Book Club 7-8 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www. pickeringtonlibrary.org This book club, for teens and anyone who loves to read, discusses A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Nov. 27-Dec. 11 Letters to Santa Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd., www.pickerington.net Letters to the North Pole can be dropped off at the mailbox located outside City Hall. Children who drop off letters will receive an answer from Santa Claus or his helpers.
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INSIDE
PICKERINGTON
N E W S & I N F OR M AT I O N F R O M T H E C I T Y O F P I C K E R I NGT ON
Good Taste Pickerington residents and their guests will get a taste of all the city has to offer when they explore the Taste of Pickerington, the Marketplace and the new Mount Carmel Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 5. The events, which are hosted in Olde Pickerington Village on Columbus Street between Center and Cross streets, run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are expected to attract close to 80 Pickerington and Violet Township restaurants and businesses. For just $1, residents can tantalize their taste buds with temptations from participating restaurants. These restaurants will whip up confections, beverages and entrees to compete for Best Dessert, Best Beverage, Best Entrée and Most Healthy. While a panel of judges will taste-test the delicacies, the people of Pickerington participating in the event will choose which restaurant or caterer will win the coveted Purple Spatula Award that will hang in the restaurant until the next Taste of Pickerington. “We encourage our restaurants to offer several samples, and we encourage our restaurants to offer something they are not known for,” said Helen Mayle, president of the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce.
At the table of competition, the Pickerington Police Department will challenge the Violet Township Fire Department once again in a pizza-eating contest sponsored by Tide Dry Cleaners, with donated pizzas from Uno Chicago Grill. The Pickerington High School Central and North football teams will also exchange their helmets and pads for napkins and wings as they chow down on the sumptuous morsels in the wing-eating contest, also sponsored by Tide Dry Cleaners. After taste-testing, residents can visit the Marketplace, a place for Pickerington and Violet Township companies to share their wares with potential patrons and promote their businesses. It’s an opportunity, said Mayle, for residents to shop at home and discover the services that local businesses have to offer. “They get to market their business to a large crowd right before the holiday season, capture sales and, most likely, reach a new audience,” said Mayle.
New to the festivities is the Mount Carmel Health Fair, which will include blood pressure checks and minimal testing, health care professionals and businesses that promote wellness, and health-related demonstrations. Children can experience Pickerington pleasures in an area just for them. The fun includes activities from the Pickerington Public Library, costumed characters, crafts, facepainting and visits from the Pickerington Police Department and Violet Township Fire Department. Entertainment for the spotlight on Pickerington is provided by local band The Love Benders. All of the events provide residents with a chance to sample all the city has to offer.
A Chilling Time in the Olde Village
Olde Pickerington Village is the place to haunt for a magical evening on Wednesday, Oct. 30. At the strike of 6 p.m., the city will undergo a transformation that will cast a spell on all who attend The Haunted Village. “It is the perfect occasion for the businesses to get involved and show what they do and who
they are,” said Sandy Melillo, president of the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association. “It’s a safe, fun environment for a ‘spook-tacular’ family evening.” There will be free ghost tours that mystify the young and old alike and a haunted museum where Pickerington history comes back to life.
To awaken the spirits, villagers can enter businesses and restaurants to trick-or-treat, shop or eat. “The shopkeepers will greet young and old with treats, and you never know who you might meet – perhaps the mayor leading a ghost tour or a councilperson dressed as a witch,” said Melillo. - Continued
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News and information from the City of Pickerington
For a howling afternoon of fun, young trickor-treaters can haunt Pickerington City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 31. The city’s annual Tot Trick-or-Treat will be held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at 100 Lockville Rd. The enchanting event provides children ages 2-5 with an opportunity to don their costumes and wander with their parents through the kid-friendly, Halloween-decorated city hall. For the older goblins in the home, Pickerington’s community-wide Trick-or-Treat will cast its spell that same evening from 6-8 p.m.
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“Chilling” cont.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring the community into our historical treasure, the Olde Pickerington Village.” Food vendors will also offer their own potions and concoctions to conjure up the appetites of visitors to the Olde Village. After filling up on all the treats, visitors can hop a wagon for an old-fashioned hay ride through the city. The haunting is sponsored by the Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department, the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association, the Pickerington Lions Club and Rock Factory Art & Music Studios.
“The Haunted Village is the one event we coordinate with the city, and the Parks and Recreation Department does an awesome job,” Melillo said. “We love having this event in the village.” But be careful not to miss the fun – the bewitchingly enchanted evening ends when the clock strikes 8 p.m.
citydirectory Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.
(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)
cityprofile: Kyle Schrader
Building Department ................ 833-2221 City Council............................. 837-3974
Kyle Schrader may not be known to Pickerington residents as “Mr. Fix-It,” but the city’s new utilities treatment operator definitely has the skills to keep the water treatment plant running efficiently. Before joining Team Pickerington, he owned Team Schrader, a construction company, for two years, and he worked as a carpenter for Corna Kokosing Construction Company for six years. He has earned certifications as a journeyman carpenter from the state of Ohio and a chemical certification from the Ohio EPA. “Kyle’s construction experience will be invaluable with the ongoing maintenance needs at the treatment plant,” said Gary Armentrout, chief operator of the water treatment plant. In his new position with the city, Schrader will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant during the week and the waste water treatment plant on the weekends.
City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Department......... 833-2204 Engineering Department .......... 833-2221 Finance Department................. 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 Department.................... 575-6911 Service Department To enhance the tools of his trade, Schrader is taking a course to earn his class I operator’s license and then plans to pursue his class III certification so that “Mr. Fix-It” is even more prepared when the city needs him.
Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
News and Information From
Violet Township By Chad Lucht, CPESC, Senior Urban Specialist, Fairfield SWCD
Drug and Electronics Collection and Document Shredding Set for Oct. 26 The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District – in cooperation with Violet Township, Fairfield County Sheriff’s office and Lancaster-Fairfield County Recycling and Litter Prevention – will be participating in the event. The collection site will be the Violet Township Service Center located at 490 N. Center St., at the corner of Stemen Road and Center Street. This national event marks an ongoing effort to rid the nation’s medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous drugs, particularly controlled substances. Our April collection netted 162 pounds of prescription drugs. 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. For additional disposal tips, please visit www.smarxtdisposal.net for ideas and suggestions. Prescription pills and capsules will be collected. No aerosols or inhalers will be accepted. Please black out the name or remove the label before bring-
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ing 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 or the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office at 740-652-7248 with any prescription drug questions. This event is also accepting electronics. The following electronic items may be dropped off at no cost: computers, laptops, printers, cables, mouses, keyboards, discs, electronic clocks, VCR and DVD machines, radios, and cell phones. No items containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) will be accepted because a certified facility, such as the Lancaster Transfer Station on Ewing Street in Lancaster, must handle the disposal of this compound, which is commonly utilized as a refrigerant or as a propellant in aerosol cans. 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 $3 disposal fee for computer monitors that are brought in without a processor or tower. Televisions will be
By Joy Davis, CEcD, Economic Development Specialist
Attention DIY Mechanics!
Troubled with finding a way to properly dispose of the old batteries, used motor oil and tires? We have a solution within our community. Please contact Firestone Complete Auto Care, 1007 Refugee Rd., to make an appointment. The phone number is 614-328-5260. The fine folks there will be happy to assist residential clients. The best part? This service is free of charge and available year-round. There are no specific dates or times, but please call for an appointment. Thank you, Violet Township and Pickerington residents, for your continued efforts to recycle and respect our environment! accepted at the event at a cost of $1 per diagonal inch. Call Patty Bratton with LancasterFairfield County Recycling and Litter Prevention at 740-681-4423 with any electronics questions. Only cash and checks will be accepted as payment of disposal fees. Additionally, document shredding will be available at this event at no charge. We ask that each person observe a limit of two banker-style boxes. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, Oct. 26!
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www.violet.oh.us By Nancy Lee, Director, Pickerington Senior Center
Vibrant Seniors in Our Community
The Pickerington Senior Center draws many vibrant, active seniors ages 50 and up from Pickerington and surrounding communities to participate in worthwhile and enjoyable activities. These activities include craft and homemaking projects, card games and bingo, dancing and strength training, and community services. Our largest endeavor is the making of noodles, which is a year-round activity. The noodles are sold at the center and at local craft shows as a fundraiser. Other arts and crafts include finishing quilt tops, a Paints and Brushes class, and a craft group tasked with the Secret Santa Gift Shop, which is a partnership with the City of Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department. Additionally, to show appreciation for the community support of the Senior Levy, our volunteers sponsor a “Free Kids Fun Day.”
But all work and no play can be dull, so we play games such as bridge, euchre and bingo regularly. We even kick up our heels and square dance seven or eight times a month! The list of activities and events is numerous and offers something for everyone – strength training, greeting card making, a chili cook-off, Ladies Tea and Mystery Night, to name a few. Volunteers organize at the center to offer services to the community at large, including transportation, pancake breakfasts each month from September to May, staffing booths at Olde Pickerington Days, churches, Friends of the Library, the Food Pantry and the Historical Society. For more information about any of the events mentioned or for a complete schedule, please visit our website at www.pickeringtonseniorcenter.org. You can also stop in at 150 Hereford Dr., or
call 614-837-3020 during our regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday. We are folks who have lived a while and are grateful to be able to assist. We are proud of our older population in the community. There are no rocking chairs here!
By Greg Butcher, PE, Violet Township Engineer
Violet Township Continues to Explore Paving Options, Seeks Resident Input “When will my street be repaved?” This question is frequently asked of Township staff and leadership. Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward and involves many variables, including safety, traffic volume and cost. Violet Township has the responsibility of maintaining 105 center-line miles of roadway. Considering the width of some roads as well as turn lanes, the overall lane mileage is on the order of 215. Snow removal and pavement maintenance are considered the highest-priority tasks of the department as they relate to the safety of the traveling public. Snow removal costs are obviously driven by winter weather conditions and are variable from year to year. Pavement maintenance costs are reflected in the direct cost of asphalt, delivered and placed as part of the competitive bidding process. Over the past few years, asphalt costs have significantly increased while the annual 10 budget for pavement maintenance has
remained nearly the same. This has forced the Township to evaluate pavement maintenance processes and materials that are different than the traditional hot mix asphalt. Furthermore, the duration between repaving cycles has increased from about seven years to more than 15 years. The chip seal technology has evolved considerably from the days of “tar and chip” or “tar and gravel.” The asphalt emulsions are better and more stringent specifications are employed to reduce the amount of gravel dust during the installation process. Additionally, the cost to pave a mile
of roadway with chip seal is three and a half times less expensive than traditional hot mix asphalt ($22,000 per mile compared to $77,000 per mile using 2012 dollars). While chip seal has its limitations in subdivisions with curbs, it will continue to be a viable option in future pavement maintenance planning. Other pavement technologies have been employed in recent years, some with more success than others. As we struggle with cuts in funding at the state level; revenue being reduced and expected to continue being reduced into the foreseeable future; and pavement maintenance costs increasing, we will evaluate options to preserve the investment in the Township roadway system. Additionally, we are reviewing alternative sources of funding, including a road levy, which would provide revenue used solely for road maintenance. Input from residents on the direction of the Township’s pavement maintenance is always welcome. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
From the Violet Township Fire Department
The Facts Speak for Themselves Americans over the age of 65 make up one of the groups at greatest risk of dying in a fire. On average, more than 1,000 Americans ages 65 and up die in fires annually. People over the age of 85 die in fires at a rate nearly five times higher than that of the rest of the population. However, there are a number of precautionary steps older adults can take to dramatically reduce their chances of becoming fire casualties. Why Are Seniors at Risk? Older Americans are at risk for fire death and injuries for a number of reasons: • They may be less able to take the quick actions necessary in a fire emergency. • They may be on medication that affects their ability to make quick decisions. • Many older people live alone and, when accidents happen, others may not be around to help. What Fire Hazards Affect Older People? Cooking accidents are the leading cause of fire-related injuries for older Americans. The kitchen is one of the most active and potentially dangerous rooms in the home. The unsafe use of smoking materials is the leading cause of fire deaths among older Americans. Heating equipment is responsible for a big share of fires in seniors’ homes. Extra caution should be used with alternate heaters such as wood stoves and electric space heaters. Faulty wiring is another major cause of fires affecting the elderly. Older homes can have serious wiring problems, ranging from old appliances with bad wiring to overloaded sockets.
Fire Department Open House Oct. 13, 2013 1-3 p.m. 8700 Refugee Rd. Highlights include: Safety Tips for Older Americans Kitchen Fires – Most kitchen fires occur because food being cooked is left unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, take a spoon or potholder with you to remind you to return to the kitchen. Never cook with loose clothing that can ignite easily. Heat cooking oils gradually and use extra caution when deep-frying. Space Heaters – Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fuel for each heater. Keep combustibles away from heat sources. Smoking – Don’t leave smoking materials unattended. Use “safety ashtrays” with wide lips. Empty all ashtrays into the toilet or a metal container every night before going to bed. Never smoke in bed. Never smoke near or while using oxygen. Statistics • People ages 65-75 years are twice as likely as the general population to be killed in a house fire. • People ages 76-85 are three times as likely to be killed in a house fire. • People ages 86 and older are four and a half times as likely to be killed in a house fire.
VTFD Toy Drive That’s right! It’s time to start thinking about the annual Violet Township Fire Department toy drive. Kickoff is Nov. 22, and it runs through Dec. 22. New, unwrapped toys are requested. Remember that it takes a little time for your toy to go from your generous hands into the hands of a child. Please donate early www.pickeringtonmagazine.com to ensure that your toy is received.
Donation boxes will be placed around the area starting Nov. 22. Contact Jimmy Barber at 614-8374123 for more information.
• The Fire Safety House, which puts children into a non-hazardous smoke-filled environment to teach them how to get out of their homes in case of fire; • Demonstrations on how to get down and crawl under smoke; • The opportunity to use a real fire hose; • Coupons for free smoke detector batteries and other goodies; • The chance to purchase or order a fire escape ladder for your second floor area; • Balloons, snacks and an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog; and • Picture opportunities for kids dressed up in fire gear.
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: John Eisel #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. #591: 21 Lockville Rd. #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. (behind hhgregg) Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147 11
faces
Story and photos by Garth Bishop
The Pumpkin King Patterson’s patch provides seasonal color – and boosts breast cancer awareness Sam Patterson
F
For decades, Sam Patterson’s pumpkin patch has been known throughout Pickerington as the source of many residents’ Halloween décor. This year, it will also be known for its contributions to a worthy cause. Patterson sells his pumpkins from his house at 443 Hill Rd. S., across the street from Pickerington High School Central and the Pickerington Public Library. They’re all grown on his farm off Basil Western Road, about three miles from his house. For the first time this year, Patterson has added pink pumpkins to his wide selection of offerings. Seeing as pink has become the go-to color for efforts to fight breast cancer, and seeing as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Patterson will give 25 cents for every pink pumpkin sold to the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Patterson has lived in Pickerington since March 1961 and has sold produce the entire time. When he started, he was selling cabbage for five cents a head, potatoes for five cents a pound and sweet corn for 50 cents a bag. “I’ve seen the whole town change from one little village to what it is today,” he says.
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Patterson grew up on a farm, so gardening has always been in his blood. When co-workers at the Pickerington Creamery found out he was growing produce and they expressed interest, Patterson began growing items to sell. “I used to have every vegetable you could think of,” he says. His children used to sell the extra pumpkins and, when he saw how popular they were getting, Patterson began to make them a staple of his crop. Today, he’s known primarily for his pumpkins, and he plays up the image. For the past few years, he’s been entering a float in the Labor Day Parade that, more often than not, takes home first-place honors. Nowadays, Patterson limits his produce sales to pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and straw. He can’t do all the work himself anymore, but assistance from family members and local residents, including a number of students, keeps him in business. “It’s an awful lot of work, but I enjoy every minute of it,” he says. And he still provides plenty of options for his customers – this year, he has thousands of pumpkins in 40 different varieties for sale, from Jack Be Littles to One Too Manys, all ordered from five or six different seed Patterson’s float in the Labor Day parade catalogs. He expects the crowds to gather as they always do. “My front yard is like Grand Central Station around here (in the fall),” Patterson says. Though this is his first year growing pink pumpkins, Patterson usually has a few different colors on hand: white, yellow, red, even striped. He’s also growing some blue pumpkins this year – they’re not a vivid blue, but the color is still visible – and if the pink pumpkin crop doesn’t
produce a sufficient number of salable items, he’ll donate some of the blue pumpkin proceeds to the Spielman fund as well. The 79-year-old has nine surviving children, 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He’s lived in the Hill Road South house since 1988. He spent 43 years as a public servant, 15 of them in Pickerington. He was superintendent of streets and maintenance when he retired in 1993. Garth Bishop is editor of Pickerington Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
By Brandon Klein
in focus
Tomes in Transit Seniors and children benefit from library’s Outreach Services program
L
Limitations due to age, health, living situation or other factors need not restrict residents’ access to the Pickerington Public Library. The library’s Outreach Services program makes it possible for most city residents to use library materials for recreational and educational purposes. “Numerous patrons have called to tell how happy they are to have the outreach program,” says Trudi Coakley, reference assistant and outreach librarian. The library started the program shortly after the passage of its 2009 operating levy. Its two points of focus are children and senior citizens. For the benefit of seniors, the Outreach Services team makes twicemonthly visits to Amber Park, Pickfair Square, Grand Haven Commons, Wesley Ridge Retirement Community and Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living, all within the borders of the Pickerington Local School District. It provides access to regular and large-print books, audio books, magazines, and films. Coakley selects materials from the library’s collection for residents to browse at their respective locations. She also holds their library cards, which she brings along during her visits to expedite checkouts. Outreach recipients frequently make requests – sometimes for specific books, sometimes for broad genres – and the team works hard to accommodate them.
The library is working to bring in volunteers so it can add more locations to its visit list. Those interested in volunteering should contact the library at 614-837-4104. Though the program has its limitations, those it does reach very much
Covenant Enforcement Reserves
Board Member Education
appreciate the service, especially at Amber Park. “It is absolutely phenomenal,” says Kathy Dulin, Amber Park activities coordinator. “Our residents really love the service.”
Developer Transition
We Put It All Together For You. Assessment Collections
Amendments
Document Interpretation
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Condominium/Homeowner Association Law
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It’s far more convenient than trying to organize periodic trips to the library, Dulin says, and Amber Park’s residents really get into it. One even keeps a comprehensive record of all the books she’s read. “(The library) brings a great variety of materials,” Dulin says. Coakley has heard a good deal of positive response from the spots the team visits, she says. “I really enjoy it,” she says. “I’m really happy to be able to provide this service to them.” For its part, the Juvenile Services team visits six day care centers and one preschool twice a month, says Cathy Burden, the juvenile services manager. Though the team does not provide library materials for children to check out, it does conduct story times and offer educational materials. “We’re taking the library to them,” says Burden. Brandon Klein is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemedia group.com.
bookmarks
By Colleen Cassidy Bauman, Pickerington Public Library Community Services Coordinator
Matthew Mead’s Halloween Spooktacular By Matthew Mead Lifestyle and entertaining guru Mathew Mead shares some frightfully simple ideas for creepy decorations and unique costumes that will thrill trick-or-treaters of all ages. He also offers endless ways to reinvent store-bought cookies and candy to enjoy in the weeks before and throughout All Hallow’s Eve.
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The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays By Ree Drummond This is an all-out celebration of the scrumptious, mouth-watering recipes that define Drummond’s favorite occasions throughout the year. From luck-inducing Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day, to a perfectly savory/sweet Glazed Easter Ham, to luscious Caramel Apples on Halloween, to a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings, these pages are positively brimming with recipes guaranteed to make your holidays deliciously memorable.
You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party on! By Cheryl Najafi Learn how to be the happiest host ever and take the stress out of entertaining. Take a quiz to find out your personal host profile on CherylStyle.com and toast your inner host. Throw a Tween Spa Birthday, a Meet & Potatoes Dinner Party or maybe a Guys-Only Scotch & Cigars Gathering.
Upcycling Celebrations: A Use-What-You-Have Guide to Decorating, GiftGiving & Entertaining By Danny Seo Eco-lifestyle expert Seo shows how to take ordinary things such as bottles, egg cartons, cardboard boxes, plastic bags, even used coffee grounds and magically transform them into festive decorations and one-of-a-kind gifts. Don’t just recycle – upcycle!
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on the table
By Eric Lagatta
Canine Cuisine Healthful dog treats are the specialty of 4 Healthy Paws
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When Steffanie Schaffer was preparing to transition her two boxers from puppy food to adult dog food, she quickly realized store-bought food just wasn’t going to cut it. So, to provide Sidney and Daisy with a healthful option, Pickerington resident Schaffer began making her own treats. “I started making them for my girls and it started catching on with my neighbors,” Schaffer says. “I thought, ‘Maybe I can really go somewhere with this.’” Schaffer opened her home-based business, 4 Healthy Paws, in 2007, selling healthful and homemade dog treats. She worked with two nutritionists from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and The Ohio State University to form the recipe, and has been licensed and regulated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. 4 Healthy Paws’ main offering is Daisy Doos, which come in a jar or 6-oz. bag. There are five simple ingredients: whole wheat flower, extra virgin olive oil, peanut butter, honey and water. The olive oil provides a heart-healthy alternative to vegetable oil; the peanut butter benefits a dog’s skin and coat, even reducing shedding; and the honey serves as an antiseptic, aiding the immune system, Schaffer says. “My girls have been really healthy,” she says. “I really believe in what I make.” What makes the treats so appealing, says Schaffer, is their soft, thin “pie crust consistency,” which is good for any breed at any age. “I just hear stories after stories about how much (customers’) dogs love it,” she says. In the wake of her business’s success, Schaffer has also given back to her community. Most recently, her donations of Daisy Doo bags have assisted in the September opening of Licking County’s Paws2Play Community Dog Park.
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Treats can be ordered at www.4healthypawsohio.com. They can also be found at Schmidt’s Fudge Haus in German Village, Celebrate Local at Easton Town Center, the Grooming Spot in the Grandview Heights area, the Animal Care Hospital of Reynoldsburg, Village Pet Market in Granville and Simply Vague at the Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Like many pet owners, Schaffer thinks of her dogs, cats and turtles as her children. This is what lies at the heart of her desire to provide nothing but the best for not only her pets, but for everyone’s. “Everyone loves their dogs and wants the best for them,” she says. “Knowing that it’s a healthful treat is what’s always been important to me.” Eric Lagatta is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome a gbishop@city scenemediagroup.com.
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