Pickerington June/July 2021 by CityScene Media Group

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

JUNE/JULY 2021

Growing Community Yolanda Owens

INSIDE Staying Fit This Summer Swimming Safety Local Pizza History

Lender, craftsman, dog dad. - John Erickson, Commercial Lending Newark, OH

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pickerington magazine

volume 13, number 5 june/july 2021

4 Calendar 6 News and Information from

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

Vice President, Sales

Dave Prosser

Chief Creative Officer

Gary Hoffman

Creative Director

Sarah Robinson

Editor

Mallory Arnold Brandon Klein

Associate Editors

Amanda DePerro

Contributing Editor

Sanaya Attari Sylvia Heffley Madeline Malynn Nora McKeown Sarah Grace Smith Helen Widman

Editorial Assistants

Tracy Douds Carrie Thimmes Jamie Armistead Circulation

President/CEO

the City of Pickerington

8 News and Information from

Violet Township

faces

Cultivating Care

Yolanda Owens grows community everywhere she goes

Finding in focus Fitness for You

Stay active this summer by checking out local fitness facilities

18 Pool Rules Advertising Sales

Accounting Manager

22 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com

artist spotlight

Art You Can Eat

Not all works of art come from a pencil or paintbrush

26 sports spotlight PASA the Time 24 Brews and Views

Route 33 Brew Trail highlights Fairfield County

Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Westerville Magazine www.WestervilleMagazine.com

Soccer league offers recreational outlet

Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com

27 on

Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com

the table

Serving a Pizza Pompeii

P-town pizza chef talks the process of pie

Discover Grove City Magazine www.DiscoverGroveCity.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 srobinson@ 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 February, April, June, August, October and December. 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. © 2021.

student spotlight

Little Athlete, Big Dreams

Pickerington kindergartener Stacy McAllister tears up the field

614-572-1240

CityScene Media Group also publishes:

Swim lessons promote safety and swimming skills

28 Top Homes Sold in Pickerington 29 Luxury Living Real Estate Guide

30 bookmarks

Recommended reads from Pickerington Public Library

On the cover: Yolanda Owens, photo by Ray LaVoie

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com PickeringtonMagazine

pickerington community calendar june/july 2021 Picktown Palooza

June 5 Pickerington Shred Day and Electronic Recycling 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 550 Hill Rd. N. www.pickeringtonchamber.com

June 7 Book Chat: Beach Reads

Family Luau Night

6-6:30 p.m., online www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Facebook live featuring new Shred paper documents, recycle TVs and beach reads. donate household items.

June 5 Sensory Stories 10 a.m., online www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

A virtual literacy class specifically designed for children with special needs.

Summer Concert Series

7-8:30 p.m., Sycamore Creek Park Amphitheater www.ci.pickerington.oh.us Free summer concerts in the park. Bring your own blankets and chairs.

June 13: RockHouse July 11: The McCartney Project Aug. 8: John Schwab Party Band 4

June 10 Teen Trivia Event

4-5 p.m., tent at Pickerington Main Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

In-person trivia for teens on TV, music, movies, memes and more.

June 12 Animals We Love to Hate Presented by Ohio Nature Education 10-11 a.m., tent at Pickerington Main Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

June 26 Family Luau Night 6-9 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. www.ci.pickerington.oh.us

An evening of family fun at the community pool.

June 28 Cricut Class: Beach Bag Card 6-7 p.m., online www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Educational event featuring bats, spiders, snakes and possums.

Learn how to cut, score and embellish card stock to create a beach bag card.

June 12 Puzzle Contest

July 3 Sensory Stories

1-4 p.m., tent at Sycamore Plaza Library, 7861 Refugee Rd. www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Teams race to complete mystery puzzles.

June 19 Juneteenth Community Festival 5-9 p.m., Phenix Banquet Center, 2101 Noe Bixby Rd. www.pickeringtonchamber.com

Family-friendly event with music, live performances and food trucks.

10 a.m., online www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

A virtual literacy class specifically designed for children with special needs.

July 8 College Hacks 4-5 p.m., tent at Pickerington Main Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Make a craft of a dorm room and attend an open Q&A. Recommended for high school juniors and seniors.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Fourth of July Festivities July 3 Fireworks 10 p.m., Victory Park, 7777 Victory Ln. www.pickeringtonvillage.com

Fourth of July fireworks hosted by the City of Pickerington.

July 4 The Freedom 5k and Kids’ Fun Run 8 a.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd. www.picktownpalooza.org

July 4 Parade 10 a.m., Victory Park, 7777 Victory Ln. www.pickeringtonvillage.com

Fourth of July parade hosted by the City of Pickerington.

Family-friendly event sponsored by OrthoNeuro to celebrate the Fourth of July.

July 15-17 Picktown Palooza

July 24 Christmas in July

Thursday 5-11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m.midnight, Saturday noon-midnight, 300 Opportunity Way www.picktownpalooza.org

11 a.m.-9 p.m., Pickerington Community Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. www.ci.pickerington.oh.us

A day of fun for the whole family at the community pool.

Three-day festival with live music, carnival rides, food vendors and more. Christmas in July

July 17 Car & Bike Show Sponsored by July 24 AAA Auto Club Youth Fishing Derby Noon-4:30 p.m., Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. www.picktownpalooza.org

Display of classic and antique cars and motorcycles with awards given at the end.

July 22 Teen TechTalk with Robin

9:30-11 a.m., Sycamore Creek Park Pond www.ci.pickerington.oh.us

The 15th Annual City of Pickerington Youth Fishing Derby will present prizes in all age groups for most fish and biggest fish caught. The event is free with registration required by July 22. Youth Fishing Day

4-5 p.m., tent at Pickerington Main Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Learn a new skill from tech trainer Robin.

July 23-24 Professional Photographers of Ohio Annual Convention Friday 9:30 a.m.-Saturday 4:30 p.m., multiple locations www.ppofohio.org

Classes, social hour and an awards ceremony all centered in Pickerington.

Submit Your Event

Do you have an event you would like to submit to our calendar? Send details and photos to srobinson@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

For the most recent information on events and hours, visit www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Due to health concerns, events are subject to change. Visit websites for additional information. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

July 26 Mermaid Tail Dot Painting 6-7 p.m. Pickerington Main Library, 201 Opportunity Way www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Create a mixed media mermaid tail painting at the library.

Good news. Rates just got lower. I’m excited to announce auto insurance rates just went down. I can help you find coverage that works for you. LET’S TALK TODAY. Keely Weaver, Agent 705 Hill Rd N Bus: 614-837-6700 Fax: 614-837-6401 www.keelyweaver.com keely.weaver.ichx@statefarm.com

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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

When you think of celebrating Independence Day in Pickerington, you probably have fond memories of a parade and watching fireworks with your family, friends and neighbors. City leaders say it’s time to get back to that. The City is moving forward with plans for a traditional parade and fireworks display, keeping in mind health and safety concerns. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the City followed the Governor’s recommendations and canceled the parade. Fireworks still took place, but public viewing areas were closed and the show was abbreviated. Now, as more people are vaccinated and health orders are being lifted, City leaders are ready to embrace the traditions of years past. “One of the things my family looks forward to every year is celebrating the Fourth of July and our country’s independence. Not having the parade last year felt like something was missing. We want to have a Pickerington-style celebration again while keeping in mind that health and safety is still a priority,” says Mayor Lee Gray. The fireworks display will take place Friday, July 2 at 10 p.m. There will be no organized activities at Victory Park, but families are still welcome to watch

Photo vy Esther Rosa

Fourth of July Festivities Announced

the show from there while maintaining social distancing from other groups. Law enforcement will be present. The parade will take place Saturday, July 3 at 10 a.m. with a few changes in the interest of public safety. The route will be extended to allow more room for spectators and, as of the date of publication, people will be asked to sit six feet apart. Recognizing that some people may still be uncomfortable attending events, the City will broadcast the parade live on Facebook. The route will be published

several weeks in advance but will be similar to years past. “I think extending the route is important. We want everyone to feel comfortable and we want to give ample space to accommodate that. I think we have a good plan in place to keep everyone safe,” adds Gray. Any groups or individuals interested in participating in the parade should contact the Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department at 614-8332211 or by visiting www.pickerington. net. Registration is free.

The City held its annual Arbor Day celebration April 12 at Willow Pond Park. Mayor Lee Gray read a proclamation recognizing Pickerington’s 28th year as a Tree City USA award recipient and members of the Parks Board helped plant a willow tree. 6

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Vacation Checks Traveling this summer? The Pickerington Police Department does vacation checks for City residents who would like additional attention to their properties while they are out of town on business or vacation. Police patrols will do a drive-by more frequently when a resident requests this service. To learn more, visit www.pickerington. net and fill out a vacation check form.

Earth Day Clean-up Effort 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 City leaders, staff, community volunteers and volunteers from Coyote Run and Fairfield Soil Water and Conservation District spent Earth Day picking up litter around the community in an initiative dubbed “Picktown Pickup.” An estimated two tons of litter were collected between seven different locations, including along SR 256 at I-70 and the Hill Road and Refugee Road corridors. City Manager Greg Butcher hopes to make “Picktown Pickup” an annual event.

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 “I believe we can make a difference in our neighborhoods and community with a significant city-wide cleanup event. Earth Day seemed a logical time to execute this effort,” he says. “Furthermore, I believe the pandemic has demonstrated that we are all connected. Working together towards a common goal of a clean community reduces the amount of trash that washes into our storm drains and waterways. Litter

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Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470 can negatively impact and reflect upon a community. By picking it up, I believe you’re demonstrating pride in the place you live and/or work in.” 7

News and Information From

Violet Township Food for Thought By Fire Chief Mike Little

A career that provides satisfaction and happiFive years ago, Asness while working. sistant Chief Jim Paxton • Ability to have and wrote an article titled Food support a family in the for Thought for the same future. edition of this magazine. • Help others and make The theme for this edition a difference in people’s is food, as it was for that lives. edition five years ago. The • To do something good impetus behind his article for someone every day. was recent, tragic events in How refreshing it was to central Ohio, most notameet and speak to these bly the loss of Columbus students and future leaders. I Police Officer Steven Smith truly feel good about our future in a senseless tragedy. The if some of these students drive behind this article is meet or exceed their goals in threefold: life. They will become produc1. The state of affairs of tive members of society and our country. difference makers for others. 2. The hope for the future related to • Working together to benefit all of Lastly, I now have grandchildren our current teens. mankind. ranging in age from 7 months to 11 3. My grandchildren (currently I have • Help others and do what is right. years old. I am not sure how time has four). • Be honest and truthful. flown by so quickly from raising my chilStarting with No. 1, our country is at • Take responsibility for your actions. dren. I can say, without doubt, granda crossroads. This is not the America • Lastly, in the words of Retired children are much easier. That said, I am I remember as a kid growing up in Phoenix (AZ) Fire Chief Al Brunacini, concerned for their future. I hope their Circleville. Maybe I was too naïve to fully “BE NICE.” parents continue to teach them to be understand all the dynamics of what If the first section got you down, nice. I hope my wife and I are able to was happening when I was a child. Who this section should give you hope. impress upon them the importance of knows? My recollection is of times that, I had the opportunity to interview a respect for others and how a kind word while sometimes difficult, our country number of high school seniors-to-be can make someone’s day. I hope they always seemed to find a way to come in April 2021. These students had ap- grow up to be positive and productive together. Strength overcame weakness, plied for a program through the local members of society. Looking at them right prevailed over wrong and commu- career center to attain their Firefighter now, I can see the innocence we all nities worked together for the better1 & 2 certification during their senior once had as children. They are inquisiment of all. year of high school. tive, smart, fun, happy and carefree. Today, something is missing. Our For those who do not know, getting How nice would it be for us as adults to leadership (elected officials at state and this certification is one of the steps to enjoy those qualities again? national levels) seem to have forgotten becoming a professional firefighter in This is my “food for thought” in 2021. why and how they got there. There is Ohio. I, along with my fellow interviewI will close with two items. First, be less patience amongst individuals. Fight- ers, were impressed by many of these nice! Second, your Violet Township Fire ing, arguing and dissent are the order of young men and women. I wish I was as Department continues to be here for the day instead of talking, compromising squared away at the age of 17 as were you every day. Our goal is to serve and and finding solutions to benefit all. How some of these kids. These kids entered protect you. My job as the fire chief is to did we get here? I am not sure, but I the room with confidence, had résumés, make sure the department meets that have a few suggestions as to how we shook our hands and made eye congoal each day. As always, if you have can make it better: tact. They answered questions and par- any questions, please call us at 614• Showing respect for others and ticipated in discussions with the panel. 837-4123, and remember we are your their opinions. Some of their goals in life included: “Friends for Life.” 8

•

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Wigwam Community Gardens Open By Audri Wilde Community gardens are coming to Violet Township’s Wigwam Event Center this summer and adults and children alike are welcome to come and participate. With the support of Township Trustee Melissa Wilde and the Pickerington Area Resource Coalition (PARC), six community members have come together to facilitate and construct a space where Violet Township residents can experience what it means to be a part of an inclusive community while growing their own food. The Wigwam Community Gardens officially opened May 1. The garden organizers, Lizzy Nelson, Ursula Watts, Brandon Lester, Sarah Kruse, Nadine Hunter and Yolanda Owens, who you can read more about on page 12, all share a goal of creating an all-organic gardening space in the township. Together with the help of passionate volunteers and donations from sponsors, this project has been made possible. Pickerington currently has a community garden located off of Reynoldsburg Baltimore Road Northwest, however, the Wigwam Community Garden organizers hope to provide a more community-building feel and educational opportunities with this new space. “This is 100 percent community led,” says Yolanda Owens. “We are a growing community, we need an additional communal space.” Gardeners will have soil and onsite water provided to them, as well as compost and rain barrels, which were sponsored by Violet Township Democrats, but the rest of the work is up to them. There will also be a garden library, which was sponsored by realtor Michelle McTeague, where gardeners can take and leave extra seeds, plants and supplies and borrow tools. The chemical-free growing space will have 18 12x4 raised gardening beds, some of which are subdivided. Wheelchairaccessible beds will also be on-site, as well as a children’s garden, sponsored by Township Trustee Melissa Wilde. The beds will be available to rent during the growing season, from May 1 to Oct. 31, and will be assigned to those interested. Events will also be held at the gardens to make the space an area where people can build relationships with the people they grow food alongside. Yolanda Owens says she hopes to

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possibly host food and growing demonstrations, food trucks and even small concerts. Brandon Lester, who is involved with the project and is also a master gardener, will lead educational workshops for both adults and children who are looking to learn more about gardening and dive deeper into the world of agriculture. “The community garden is a great way for gardeners of all levels to come together and share knowledge. Being a beginner gardener myself, I have learned a great deal in the few months I’ve been involved,” says Ursula Watts. Those involved with the garden also hope that they will be able to give back to the community through growing. A volunteer gardening space, which was sponsored by Lowe’s, will be reserved in the garden. The food grown in this space will be donated to local organizations to be used to reduce food insecurity in the township. Gardeners will also be encouraged, but not required, to donate excess produce from their personal plots. There are also plans to donate flowers and other plants to local senior living facilities for residents to have and care for. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be working with such a knowledgeable group of people, and helping to bring their vision to life. I’ve been learning so much myself, and I’m excited to share that with others in our community. What I’m most inspired by is how our community is coming together to make Violet Township a better place,” says Sarah Kruse. During the garden’s first building stages, volunteers of all backgrounds and ages came out to help. 9

“We definitely need a more inclusive, like-minded community, and we also need a space for people to gather and do positive things for the earth,” says Lizzy Nelson. The volunteers who participated in building the beds have created exactly that type of space, bringing happy attitudes and smiles from both adults and children, and are excited for the gardens to get started.

Everyone who came to participate was eager to stick their hands in the dirt and get to work. One of the volunteers, Nadine Hunter’s daughter, Eloise Radabaugh, age 6, says, “I got involved because my mom said there would be other kids there, and I’m excited to help people have more food, and us have more food! I made lots of new friends shoveling dirt and I can’t wait to go see them again!”

The team hopes to see even more people excited to come connect to food and their community come May. Those who are interested in getting connected can find more information by emailing WigwamCommunityGardens@ gmail.com or by following the Wigwam Community Gardens Facebook page.

The Birds and the Bees of Sweet Corn By Carrie Brown, Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District

strand of silk. Once recognized, it tunnels its way down through the thread to finally unite and fertilize the awaitMany would agree that ing female flower. This entire few scenes in Fairfield process can take several County speak “summer” as hours to complete, and upon the seas of green preachievement the silky threads sented by fields of growing almost immediately begin to corn. In fact, nearly 60,000 dry up. The small, underdeacres of land in our county veloped kernels you often are dedicated in any given find towards the end of an year to growing this peculiar ear of corn are the result of grass species. For referflowers that were unsuccessence, Violet Township is a ful in engaging male suitors Pollen-producing tassels arise from the Sweet corn silks emerge from the bit under 27,000 acres. to venture down their tubes top of the sweet corn plant in July. sheathed female flowers below. Known in the botanical of silk, thus are not successworld by its scientific name, fully pollinated. Zea mays, corn comes in a multitude Meanwhile, a few feet below await So, the next time you smell that of varieties. A favorite of many is sweet the female components needed for wondrously bright, musky odor emerging corn, the satisfying, crisp summer treat procreation. Not yet developed into the from a neighboring sweet corn field, you’ll that even managed to get a festival kernel-lined ears we are familiar with, know that love is, indeed, in the air. named after it. Most of us have memo- hundreds of minuscule flowers are ries of shucking corn in preparation for aligned on small, sheathed cobs, jutting dinnertime, painstakingly removing hun- upward toward their male counterparts. dreds of pesky silks. What purpose do Each of these tiny female flowers have these threads serve, anyway? It turns the ability to develop into a kernel of Violet Township out, a pretty important one! Let’s take corn… but only if a grain of pollen can Administrative Offices moment to examine “the birds and the find its way to it! 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. bees” of this valuable plant. The process is further complicated Pickerington, OH 43147 Corn is typically planted in large by the fact that these female flowers and 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us monocultures. Each year in July the their cobs are enveloped by a husk and careful observer will notice the emercompletely sheltered from the world, thus Violet Township Fire Stations gence of yellow plumes reaching for not allowing the pollen to make direct conPhone 614-837-4123 the sky from the very top of the plant. tact. Instead, each female flower sends Fire Chief: Michael Little Known to most as corn tasseling, these out a single, sticky strand of silk with the #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. golden strands mark the commencepurpose of securing a floating grain of #591: 21 Lockville Rd. ment of corn reproduction. Each tassel corn pollen, much the same as casting a #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. houses a plethora of pollen grains, fishing line from the bank of a pond. It is between 14 million and 18 million, no coincidence that these silky strands Violet Township Service Center resembling a fine yellow powder that emerge on the very same day the tassel Phone: 614-382-5979 is easily dispersed by the wind. These is set to release its powdery pollen. 490 Center St. grains contain the male corn genes, half The story only gets stranger when Pickerington, OH 43147 of what is needed for a new corn kernel. a grain of pollen aligns with the tip of a

How to Reach Us

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faces

By Sarah Robinson

Cultivating Yolanda Owens grows community everywhere she goes

Growing up, Owens’ parents and grandparents knew the value of getting out into the garden and knowing how to grow their own food, and instilled those values in Owens and her siblings, too. “When I was growing up, we actually used to belong to a coop, a fruit and vegetable co-op,” she says. “That’s so cool nowadays, but I used to be really embarrassed by it. All my friends, they would go to Kroger or Big Bear back then, but we got our fruits and vegetables in a box.” Owens pursued a degree in agricultural communication, specializing in international, social and economic development at OSU, with the original goal of working for a non-governmental organization like USAID to help developing countries become economically stable. That all changed when she began working for the Godman Guild Association in Columbus after graduating. “When I started working there was when I really realized the issues and inequities that we have here in our own food system and our own agricultural system,” she says, “and I was like, I can’t try to go save the world when my home is messed up.” Owens worked with local kids, teaching them about where their food comes from, showing them how to work in the community garden at Weinland Park and using her OSU connections to take them on field trips to the Waterman Dairy Farm. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Yolanda Owens

self-declared homegrown Buckeye, Yolanda Owens has been contributing to the central Ohio community from a young age. Today, the Pickerington resident and mom of two is juggling a number of roles in her many communities – she’s the president of the alumni board for The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; she’s one of the founding members of the Black Lactation Circle; she’s helping build the Wigwam Community Gardens in Violet Township and, on top of all that, she owns her own small business, Forage + Black, selling agriculture-themed apparel and goods. Among all her involvements, it’s pretty clear Owens’ passions lie with cultivating plants and people. Each of her communities share a central theme of feeding others. “From a young age, I’ve always had a really great relationship with food,” she says.

Photo by Ray LaVoie

Care

When COVID-19 hit, Owens decided to leave her job to help her 5-year-old daughter with school, but her passion for connecting people with agricultural spaces only grew. In early fall 2020, she opened her store, Forage + Black. In October, she gave a TEDx Talk titled Agricultural Education: A Love Story to share her journey. “I talked to my husband and he said, ‘It’s great that you did this TEDx Talk about your passion and connecting these dots for kids and bringing them into that space, but now is the opportunity to do it,’” she says. “So, that was part of me trying to get more into finding the spaces that I needed to be in to be able to bring BIPOC voices into the spaces I have the privilege to be in, mainly because of my role as the (OSU www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Digging In

When Owens started Forage + Black, her idea was to use punny T-shirts to connect the dots between the intersection of Black culture and green thumbs. “As a communications person and as a person who loves food, I love a good pun,” she says. “I remember coming up with the concept, … and I was like, ‘I think these could be great conversation starters.’” And that conversation began with the idea that there is space in the garden for people of color, too – an idea that many unfortunately don’t know or realize. Owens says this disconnect exists for a very clear yet troubling reason. “You know, the average farmer is a 66-year-old white male,” she says. “So, (Forage + Black is about) reconnecting in that space and knowing the trauma that goes into reconnecting into that space because there’s a big disconnect that we can’t ignore, and that’s slavery.” Beyond reconnecting people of color with green spaces, Owens also found and created community with other Black moms in central Ohio. When she had her first daughter, Cooper,

Q&A

Pickerington Magazine: What is one of your favorite things to grow? Yolanda Owens: Since I was really little, my favorite thing to grow has always been tomatoes. Sweet millions are probably my favorite ones, they’re cherry tomatoes, they’re kind of orangey in color and they’re kind of sweet. PM: What is your favorite food? YO: (My oldest sister) makes the most amazing sweet and spicy pickles, and every time we go down there and we come up she sends me with jars of pickles. PM: Where is your favorite place to spend time in Pickerington or Violet Township? YO: Probably in a cozy nook at the arboretum at Sycamore Creek. PM: Who is your biggest inspiration? YO: I think right now, it’s probably my own kids. My two little boss ladies. Not only do I want to leave the world better than I found it, but I want to leave the world better than I found it especially for them. I see how they approach the world and approach things. They have so much confidence and hope and optimism, and I’m like, I want to create a world (where) that is utilized. in 2015, Owens attended a breastfeeding support group at the hospital where she gave birth, and walked in to find she was the only Black woman in the room. Through the graces of social media and her friends in Pickerington, she found she wasn’t alone in that experience, so she started meeting with a few other moms to connect about this. “We created a group called Black Lactation Circle,” she says. “That was back in October of 2015 and now we have nearly 900 women in this group, all women who are Black breastfeeding moms who live here in central Ohio and a number of them actually live here in Pickerington.” The group got national attention in 2019 when Owens and co-founder Khadija Adams spoke about it on NPR’s StoryCorps, and that was when the impact of

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Yolanda Owens

College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences) alumni society president.” That was when Owens began focusing more on Forage + Black and promoting the value in reconnecting with agriculture.

Welcome and Ashe

The Forage + Black website welcomes visitors with a message which ends in, “Welcome and Ashe.” You may not be familiar with the term “ashe,” pronounced “ah-shay,” but you likely know its message. “It’s a term that’s mostly used in the Black diaspora. … I believe it is the Swahili version of saying amen,” says Owens. “Amen means it is done, so it’s like welcome, this is it.” She says it’s a term that, for those who know it, it says, “This is a space for me.” And for those who don’t, Owens has created a space where she invites people to ask, “What does that mean? I want to know more.” the Black Lactation Circle really hit home for Owens. “(Adams) was like, ‘I need you to realize we are impacting an entire generation. A lot of the moms in this group were not breastfed because of the disconnect of breastfeeding,’” says Owens. “Yet another traumatic relationship to something that should be so natural that was broken with slavery and wet nursing. She said, ‘We’re able to help reconnect

these women to this space and we are impacting women who have given birth to multiple children and have been able to breastfeed multiple children, and now breastfeeding for those children is the norm.’ And that blew my mind.” Owens’ daughters, Charlize and Cooper, are her own “little boss ladies,” she says, because their initials are CEO. They were a major reason why Owens and her husband Cedric chose Pickerington as the city to raise their family. “The biggest thing for us was to look for an area that had both good schools and diversity,” Owens says. “We didn’t want our children to feel like they were tokenized or like they had to speak for every Black child.” Living in Pickerington has exceeded the Owens’ expectations. “We have amazing neighbors,” says Owens. “The fact that I exchanged gifts for Christmas with my neighbors – I just never thought that I would be there.” In all her involvements throughout Pickerington and central Ohio, Owens is glad to have a seat at the table and use her passion to amplify not only her own voice, but the voices of those around her. “I can’t speak for every single person,” she says, “but for some of the concerns

that I see my community have or the inequities, I feel like it’s my job to make sure that I take up space and make sure that our voices are heard.” Sarah Robinson is an editor. Feedback welcome at srobinson@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

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in focus

By Madeline Malynn and Helen Widman

Finding Fitness for You Stay active this summer by checking out local fitness facilities

eady to add some intensity to your lazy summer days? In Pickerington, you’ve got plenty of workout classes and facilities to choose from, whether you’re into cardio, HIIT or want to get your downward facing dog on at yoga. And if you’re looking for personal trainers, Pickerington has plenty of coaches ready to share their expertise. The benefits of regular exercise are endless. From weight control and blood sugar level maintenance to helping improve mental health, making fitness a priority benefits all aspects of your wellbeing. After all, healthy minds live in healthy bodies.

Everyone’s an Athlete

Trainer

TIP:

“Don’t be intimidated,” says Dickerson. “Start right where you’re at. When you begin to do something, you will realize your body loves it and your mind loves it. Just starting somewhere is the biggest advice I can give.”

Don’t Stop Me Now

Power Shack Gym, a family-owned business since 1990, prides itself on its clean facility and friendly, knowledgeable staff. As an intentionally lower volume club, members never have to wait for equipment and enjoy access to a wide variety of free weights as well as specialty strength training equipment. General Manager Mitchell Davis says that there are a few unique pieces that members can take advantage of during their workouts. “We have a machine called a belt squat,” Davis says, “and it’s really, really beneficial for correcting a lot of pelvic tilt issues or alignment issues in your pelvis area. And, it strengthens your legs.” Due to COVID-19, Power Shack Gym has reduced its capacity by 50 percent. It has also made sure to sanitize high-touch areas every two hours and provide patrons plenty of spray bottles to wipe down equipment when they’re finished, so you can get in a good workout while staying safe. 16

Photo courtesy of D1 Training Pickerington

D1 Training Pickerington is a training facility for athletes, but that means more than just football players or soccer stars. “We help athletes hit their goals,” says Danielle Dickerson, owner. “An athlete is anybody working towards a goal, which is a wide range of people.” From high school athletes training for college to parents looking to get back into shape, everyone’s an athlete to D1. “We are very goal oriented, very community oriented, and all of this is either done through one-on-one training or through our classes,” says Dickerson. D1 offers customized training programs, including one-onone training and even programs that get the entire family together for workouts. It also offers scholastic training for young athletes and collegiate and professional-level training, running the entire gamut to keep Pickerington residents of all ages, experience levels and fitness preferences engaged.

Danielle Dickerson

“The best piece of fitness advice that I would give would be keep going,” Davis says. Trainer somebody “The hardest part is to start. The second hardest part is to keep going. The key to success in fitness is just finding the consistency of coming to the gym, and then making sure that you’re eating correctly and having the nutrition side of everything.”

TIP:

New in Town

One of the most popular cardio crazes to hit Columbus has just opened in Pickerington. Orangetheory Fitness Pickerington, which opened in May, is ready to serve the community and help everyone to reach their fitness goals. “We call ourselves science backed and technology tracked. What’s great about our workout is it’s based on heart rate-based training,” says owner Dean McBurney. “It’s a workout for everybody.” Classes are led by certified personal trainers and attendees wear heart rate monitors to track their progress. The hour-long www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

pay-what-you-can class and the proceeds support a cause chosen by patrons each month. Kula Yoga offers classes most yogis are familiar with, like hot yoga, kundalini and vinyasa flow, as well as unique classes that focus on certain goals for yoga practitioners. To follow COVID-19 guidelines, Kula Yoga has limited class sizes, increased hand sanitizing and cleaning procedures, and requires masks when students are off the mat. New to Kula Yoga are Zoom yoga classes for yogis more comfortable on their mats at home.

The Warrior II yoga pose strengthens legs and ankles.

classes are meant to help people live more active lives in and out of the gym. “We focus on non-scale goals,” says McBurney. “We want to let people get to live a more vibrant life. It’s about playing with your kids and going on a hike on vacation.” Additionally, Orangetheory focuses on getting each individual the workout they need, so you don’t need to feel too intimidated to dive in.

Trainer

TIP:

“Don’t be afraid to get started,” says McBurney. “Everybody’s fitness journey is a little different.”

Body, Mind and Soul

Looking for a workout that reconnects your body and mind? Founders and coowners Jamie Eversole and Robyn Storer – both mental health counselors and yoga instructors – created Kula Yoga and Wellness to not only offer yoga classes, but massage therapy, counseling services and workshops for all experience levels. “Students say the inviting and warm feeling (is the unique aspect). We’re not intimidating and our instructors are excellent,” Eversole says. “There is also a personal touch here – we get to know our students personally and have fostered relationships with them that extend past the yoga mat.” The yoga classes come in a variety of levels and paces depending on preference and personal experience. Karma yoga is a

“Wellness is all about balance. SomeTrainer finding times to find balance we need to get moving and sometimes we need to slow down,” says Eversole. “Slowing down or taking a rest day is nothing to feel bad about! When you connect to your body, mind and energy in the present moment, you’ll know exactly what you need to find balance each day.”

TIP:

Kick It Up a Notch

Next Level Fitness and Training is a family-owned gym offering a wide array of programs and opportunities to get back to the grind while keeping health and safety a top priority. “We have everything from cardio and strength to group fitness and trainers, as well as saunas,” says Trisha Justice, fitness instructor at Next Level. “We are in a great space that provides plenty of space for social distancing.” Group fitness classes are run in two studios and include cycling and yoga, but perhaps the most unique offering is the challenging group fitness class Les Mills for those seeking high intensity interval training. “These are elite programs that are created by a professional athlete that we have a license to teach,” says Justice. “(It’s) a popular part of our studio.” “If you can get yourself to into that door, you are Trainer walk going to be successful,” she says. “The hardest part is getting there. Once you’re there, you will do something productive to help yourself.”

Photos courtesy of Kula Yoga and Wellness

TIP:

Madeline Malynn and Helen Widman are editorial assistants. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. Opening arms wide and lifting the chin can open the chest for easier and deeper breathing. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Pool Rules

Swim lessons promote safety and swimming skills

ming lessons feels confident in the water and enjoys the pool as much as I do.” Burns has been working at the Pickerington Community Pool for seven summers and learned to swim there as a child herself. Burns hopes to share her love for swimming with others in the community. So, every year since she began working at the pool, Burns has taught both group and private swim lessons. “My favorite part of teaching swim lessons is getting to see kids develop a love for the water,” she says. “(I love) the first

he approach of summer elicits thoughts of warm weather, swimming pools, and the sounds of happy children. But one fact brings a certain chill to warm summer days: Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children, according to the American Red Cross. The good news is that drowning is preventable, and the best way to ensure everyone in your family stays safe around water is to keep them up to date on their swim and water safety lessons. After a year off due to COVID-19, the Pickerington Community Pool’s swim lesson program is back in full swing and ready to make a splash – safely. The pool uses a seven-level progressive swim program so students of all ages and skill levels have a good place to start. Any potty-trained child 3 years or older willing to get in the water without a parent or flotation device is ready to begin their swim lesson journey. “My goal with swim lessons is to teach children how to be safe in the water,” says pool manager Delaney Burns. “My hope is that anyone who takes swim- Different levels practice in different areas of the pool, typically where students are comfortable standing. 18

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of the City of Pickerington

By Sarah Grace Smith

FROM THE PARAMOUNT PICTURES ARCHIVE

The Pickerington Community Pool will hold three sessions for swim lessons this year, June 7-18, June 21-July 2 and July 5-16. Each session will have four time slots.

D I S T I N C T LY PARAMOUNT

Swim students practice kicking on the side of the pool.

time a kid goes under water and comes back up with a big smile on their face, or when I see faces of families that are so excited to be at swim lessons.” While all swim instructors at the Pickerington Community Pool are certified American Red Cross water safety instructors, the pool created and uses its own swim program adapted to meet the unique needs of the community, the pool’s timeline and the available equipment. Instructors, most of whom are also lifeguards, are all passionate about working with swimmers and tend to find their niche within certain swim lesson levels. “My goal with swim lessons is to build a connection with the kids,” says Anthony Ojeda-Pesa, a three-year swim instructor and assistant pool manager. “(Then) they can put their trust in me, … and be comfortable in the water with me.” Each of the seven levels offered at the pool are given a fun and unique aquatic animal name corresponding to the skills taught. The first two levels, for example, are jellyfish and frog, and focus on water acclimation, blowing bubbles, and entering and exiting the water safely. “I try to teach them survival skills in case they get in a situation where they get tired or stuck in the water,” says Emma Brown, a four-year swim instructor and lifeguard. “(This way), they are always prepared and … they feel comfortable in the water.” The next two levels, manatee and penguin, focus on learning front and back crawl as well as basic survival skills such as floats and glides. Level five, alligator, is when swimmers begin to complete half laps of front and back crawls as well as learning to tread water. Greyson Maddox, an assistant pool manager and swim instructor, is a pro at teaching the higher levels, flying fish and dolphin. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

“(Those levels) correct any troubles they may still have in their form and help them condition themselves to be able to swim longer distances,” he says. Through the Pickerington Community Pool’s lesson program, children not only develop a love for water, but they gain an understanding of pool rules and water safety. Many of the swim instructors have seen firsthand the impact swim lessons can have on kids at the pool, and the security they offer for Pickerington’s novice swimmers. “I realize the importance of (swim lessons) every time I witness a save occur at the pool,” says Maddox. Saves happen when a patron at the pool is hurt or needs help and a lifeguard rushes to their aid. Usually, this involves helping a patron struggling in the water. When children have swim lessons, they are much less likely to need a save. “(Swim lessons) help protect kids from getting into trouble in the water,” says Brown. “If the kids are confident in the water, there will be less overall saves.” Enrolling kids in swim lessons can also instill in them a lifelong appreciation for swimming as a form of exercise. “Swim lessons allow individuals to have the background they need to be able to swim on their own,” says Maddox, “which has plenty of merit both in recreation and exercise, as swimming is one of the best full-body exercises out there.” Along with learning pool safety, survival skills and swimming techniques, the children at Pickerington Community Pool are taught by passionate teachers. “Teaching swim lessons is one of my favorite things to do at the Pickerington Community Pool,” says Burns. “The sport of swimming and working at the pool has made such a large impact on my life, and I hope to build that foundation for others.” Sarah Grace Smith is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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student spotlight

By Helen Widman

Little Athlete, Big Dreams Pickerington kindergartener Stacy McAllister tears up the field

Photos courtesy of Tori McAllister

or Pickerington Elementary he competed and gave Stacy his School kindergartner Stacy national rank in track for the McAllister, sports have been a 55-, 100- and 200-meter dashes part of his life since he could walk. at just 5 years old. The 6-year-old, who started runAlthough he had only just ning track at age 2 and playing footturned 5 at the time, McAllister ball at age 4, is not only a speedy says that Stacy’s first time going superstar, but also dreams of going to the primaries is his biggest to the Olympics one day. achievement in sports so far. “As soon as he was maybe “Last year we didn’t do it be2 years old, we put him in his cause of COVID. A year before, very first pee-wee (track) meet he was able to go down there and he took second place,” says and he gold-medaled in all of the Tori McAllister, Stacy’s mom. “He events that he ran in, so that was loved it, and so after that it really cool,” McAllister says. “We were was just something we all were stoked. I would say he’s really looking forward to because he made some noise for the track was really a natural.” world for kids that age.” As a sprinter, Stacy currently In total, Stacy has won runs the 60-meter and 200-meter seven gold medals throughout dash for indoor track, in which he his time running track with is nationally ranked as a 6-yearOhio Heat. old, and the 100-meter and Stacy also plays for the 200-meter dash for outdoor track. Mini Tigers football team Despite the fact that Pickerington through the Pickerington Youth doesn’t have a track team for athAthletic Association (PYAA). letes as young as Stacy, he finds He’s a running back on offense success with the Ohio Heat Track and a safety on defense. As a Club, coached by Tremayne Peppers. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. kindergartener, he gets to play with kids In 2019, Stacy traveled to Orlando This competition is where he received as old as second grade, but McAllister with his family to compete in track at the gold medals in all of the events in which says Stacy holds his own against them. “This past year, he played for the Mini Tigers, and that was kindergarten through second grade, so most of his teammates were second-graders, but Stacy had a super rewarding year,” she says. “People were able to see his skill and his talent up close, so that was cool.” Stacy’s older brother, Edmund, is in fourth grade and, like his brother, competes in both football and track. Edmund, who also runs for Ohio Heat, is nationally ranked in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes. Edmund also played football in the PYAA senior division as a fourth-grader this past year as a quarterback and running back on offense and a defensive back on defense. According to McAllister, Edmund has been a big influence on Stacy and helped to inspire his love of sports. “I like it because my brother runs track, too,” Stacy says. 20

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Olympic Dreams

As the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics are rescheduled for this summer beginning July 23, Olympic hopefuls everywhere will be tuning in to see their sport competing at the highest level. Athletes from Columbus to keep your eye on this summer include Hilliard alumnus and rugby player Nate Ebner, Upper Arlington’s springboard 2012 silver medalist Abigail Johnston and Columbus native gymnastics star Simone Biles.

For McAllister, the most rewarding part about parenting such speedy kids is watching them succeed and have fun. “Being able to see them to see them compete on all levels, (and) love what they’re doing, that’s probably the most rewarding part because you want to see your kids happy,” she says. As for future plans with the boys, McAllister wants to make sure that she can provide them with all the tools necessary for success as well as making sure that they keep up with their academics. “I really feel like Stacy will take on track, and he always tells me that he’s pretty sure he’s going to go to the Olympics,” she says. “We always set our hearts on just making sure that we continue to provide resources so that he can have his dream come true.”

weekendscene

Helen Widman is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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artist spotlight

Art You Can Eat

By Nora McKeown

Not all works of art come from a pencil or paintbrush

Evans and her husband, AJ

Instead of paintbrushes, pencils or paper, Evans’ art tools include piping bags, cookie cutters and sprinkles. And although she’s never received formal training, Evans has developed a wide range of decorating techniques through YouTube videos and a class she took at a small bakery in Powell. Having a creative eye, however, gives Carrie’s Cookies its own unique flair. “I do think it’s an art in terms of it being a way to express yourself and be creative,” Evans says. “Not everybody can do it because it does take a lot of patience and practice.” Evans’ process starts at the beginning of the week. First, she bakes cookies from scratch on Monday or Tuesday. Then, she pipes the background layer of icing onto the cookie and lets it sit for a

day to harden and solidify before adding more decoration on top. After the bottom layer has settled, she begins to decorate. With thinly piped outlines and watercolor-like ombre painted on the frosting or expertly placed sprinkles, each cookie design is carefully thought out and executed. The details vary from order to order, some clients asking for words or letters piped onto their cookies, some wanting specific images drawn on the cookies, while others give Evans the artistic liberty to create a work of art inside a theme. “It depends on the situation,” Evans says. “If somebody has an invitation and they want to mimic colors or certain designs, I’ll replicate those. Sometimes they say, ‘Be creative and come up with whatever.’” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Artwork courtesy of Carrie Evans

hen Carrie Evans isn’t busy teaching math to middle schoolers in Columbus City Schools, she spends her time decorating homemade sugar cookies in her Pickerington home. “I’ve always been kind of artistic and creative,” Evans says. “It balances out my analytical and mathematical side.” At first, Evans decorated cookies for social events as a creative outlet. When a friend told Evans her cookies were good enough to sell, Evans figured she had nothing to lose. So, in 2015, Carrie’s Cookies was born. “I just do this out of my house,” Evans says. “So sometimes it feels weird calling it a business, but it has made me money and the cookies look good. Ultimately, it’s been something fun to do on the side.” She says her interest in creating art you can eat started as a child, when she and her mom, who worked as a cake decorator at Kroger before Evans was born, would decorate cakes together at home.

Evans says Pickerington has been a supportive community for her growing business. She grew up here before moving to Hilliard after graduating from The Ohio State University. Ultimately, Evans and her husband, AJ Evans, wanted to come back to Pickerington to plant their roots, and the couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, in May. Evans’ business has reconnected her with classmates and old friends as well as other cookie decorators in the area. The community is so kind, in fact, that bakers often refer work to one another rather than compete. “Everybody seems to be supportive of each other,” Evans says. “If I get an order and I can’t fulfill it, I can always message (another local decorator) and say, ‘Hey, I have this. Can you pick it up?’” One of the ways Evans says she felt connected to the Pickerington community was during the Adopt a Pickerington Central 2020 Senior program for 2020 graduates who weren’t able to have an in-person commencement. She made 14 dozen cookies with college colors, logos and students’ names to help them celebrate in a year without a normal ceremony or graduation parties. “If somebody can get a batch of cookies and it makes their day a little better, that’s always great for me,” Evans says. “I love when people look at the cookies and I can see they’re excited about them or maybe that they’re celebrating. Being able to bring a personal touch to their celebrations and seeing their joy is definitely the best part for me.”

Part of the artistic process includes preparing the raw materials. Evans paints with royal icing, which is a mixture of egg whites, powdered sugar, vanilla and cream of tartar, and getting the correct consistency can be tricky. She adjusts the ratio of each ingredient to manipulate the fluidity of the icing depending on the type of design she plans to create. A more liquid icing is better for filling in the areas between outlines while a sturdier icing works best for drawing outlines and creating texture. But cookies aren’t just a feast for the eyes. Evans has to think about how they taste, too. “Most of my flavor I keep consistent because the designs are Nora McKeown is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at ultimately what’s changing,” she says. “I keep everything pretty feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. basic. The cookies are a shortbread, which I think gives a little more of a buttery flavor that balances with the sugary frosting.”

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Brews and Views Route 33 Brew Trail highlights Fairfield County By Nora McKeown

“Our goal was to do something new and exciting to raise awareness for Fairfield County,” Jonett Haberfield of Visit Fairfield County says. “When I was trying to figure out what the cool things were to do in Fairfield County, the breweries were

a natural because lots were springing up around (2018).” Since launching the brew trail, Visit Fairfield County estimates that almost 2,000 people from all over the United States have completed the experience. Before the pandemic, the breweries offered guided bus rides to those who wanted to complete the brew trail in one day. Haberfield says they hope to continue that option when it is safe to do so again. Until then, the range of venues provides visitors with plenty of outdoor space to safely enjoy – just don’t forget a designated driver. Each brewery offers a unique experience to visitors. Keith Jackson, co-owner and head brewer at Combustion Brewery & Taproom, says he is happy to be involved with the trail. “I think the great thing about the trail is it gives a framework for moving around and exploring the community,” Jackson says. “All these places are here, but not everyone realizes that they’re actually pretty close together. You could string together a couple of really nice weekends and hit them all.” Jackson says that his relationship with the other brewers is inclusive and supportive because the community is so small and tight knit. He and the owner www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Left photo courtesy of Combustion Brewery & Taproom, above courtesy of Brewery 33

raft beer, beautiful Ohio country views and the open road – whether you’re a longtime hops connoisseur or a first-time beer imbiber, the Route 33 Brew Trail really does have it all. In May 2018, Visit Fairfield County, the local visitors and convention bureau, launched the Route 33 Brew Trail in an effort to not only showcase the region’s delicious brews, but to highlight the gorgeous views Fairfield County offers as well. There are now six participating breweries along Route 33 for those interested in visiting: Combustion Brewery & Taproom in Pickerington, BrewDog DogTap in Canal Winchester, Outerbelt Brewing in Carroll, Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster, Double Edge Brewery in Lancaster and Brewery 33 in Logan. Brew trail participants can pick up a trail guide at Visit Fairfield County or any of the six participating breweries. Brew masters who collect stamps at all six breweries can bring their passport to Visit Fairfield County’s office or Double Edge Brewing Company to redeem a free Anchor Hocking Route 33 Brew Trail pint glass.

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Advertise “We just love that people are seeing things that maybe they would’ve never stumbled upon,” Haberfield says. “And it’s all because they’re doing this brew trail that brought them here.” Nora McKeown is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

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and head brewer at Outerbelt Brewing, Dan Griffin, even worked together at a Columbus brewery before starting their own businesses. “We’ve worked together with other brewers,” Jackson says. “We don’t consider them competitors. We know that the better one of us does, the better we all do. So, that’s kind of a big part of the spirit of the trail.” The trail also offers first-time craft beer drinkers the chance to ease into the world of brewing – another great aspect that the brewers emphasize about the trail. Both Griffin at Outerbelt and Jackson at Combustion say that they hope to create an accessible environment for anyone who doesn’t know their favorite type of beer, or what to order off the menu. “From the beginning, we’ve always tried to be more of an accessible and new-to-craft-beer-friendly brand,” Griffin says. “Our two bestsellers are a testament to that.” Griffin says he recommends Outerbelt’s Glasstown Lager and Gravel Donuts, both flavorful yet approachable beers for new drinkers. That gives visitors a good foundation to try others until they discover which type suits them the best. More than anything, those involved with the brew trail say they are happy to see new faces visiting their breweries.

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sports spotlight

By Brandon Klein

PASA the Time

Soccer league offers recreational outlet

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PASA started in 1973 as the Pickerington Youth Soccer Association. The organization is run mostly by volunteers born and raised in the Pickerington area. It offers recreational leagues for youth all the way up to high school level and adult leagues, too. “With club and rec events, the facility sees an average of 1,400 child players every spring season and then again every fall season,” says Aaron Gausepohl, a PASA board member. Chuck Lockard, who now coaches the under-6 and under-8 girls teams in PASA as a volunteer, has been involved in coaching youth sports in central Ohio since 2009. His daughters, Delanie and Madison, have played in PASA for the past eight seasons. “I grew up with a love of sports and played PASA soccer when I was in elementary school,” he says. “Now that I am raising my two daughters who enjoy sports, I was excited to be able to coach them.” For standout players, their talents don’t begin and end with PASA. Players are often times scouted by Barcelona United Club, a competitive soccer league in Pickerington that involves traveling and more practice, Billie says. She and Scott believe it’s important for children to value fitness and activity as they grow up. The couple heard about PASA when they moved to the area seven years ago. Since then, the family’s roster has grown. Kessen, who started out as a goalkeeper, now plays as midfield, 11-year-

old Wake plays a striker; 9-year-old Koence can play any position; 8-year-old Ria is now the goalkeeper of the family and 6-year-old Hollis is just starting in the sport. The baby of the family, 4-year-old Allyn, has yet to be signed up, but may soon be playing in three-on-three family games, following the ball wherever it goes. “I just love watching my kids play,” Billie says. “Everyone gets to play. No matter what your skill is, your kid gets to play.” With four young athletes and one soon-to-be athlete, it’s not uncommon for Billie and Scott to have to juggle more than one game simultaneously. In those instances, they sometimes take turns at the halves of the games to make sure they’re supporting each of their kids. Luckily, having all of the games within walking distance makes things easy. “I really love how they are able to take all these age groups and have it in the same complex,” Scott says. Billie adds that their older children plan to play as long as they can with their sights set on playing in high school and maybe college. Lockard says PASA is a great avenue to learn the basics of soccer. “The parents are engaged and excited to watch their child perform on the soccer field, which makes for a fun soccer atmosphere,” he says. Brandon Klein is an associate editor. Feedback welcome at bklein@ cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Billie Littrell

n the spring and fall, the Littrell family’s Saturdays are often booked. Billie and Scott Littrell pack the family’s lunch and dinner before heading to the Pickerington Youth Athletic Association Sports Complex on Hill Road North to watch their children play in one of the Pickerington Area Soccer Association (PASA)’s competitive and recreational leagues that play early in the morning and again in the evening. For their oldest daughter, 13-yearold Kessen, they travel to different parts of central Ohio to compete against other teams. Watching their six children play or prepare for soccer could be a full-time job – and it’s one Billie and Scott have a true passion for. “Me and my husband love sports so we love being there and watching it all day with them,” Billie says.

on the table

By Mallory Arnold

Serving a Pizza Pompeii P-town pizza chef talks the process of pie

f there’s one thing John Glavocich enjoys talking about, it’s pizza. Several years ago, before he opened Pickerington’s Pompeii’s Inferno, Glavocich decided he wanted to try an online recipe for homemade pizza. When he succeeded in making a pizza just as good as one you’d order from a restaurant, he realized he wanted to – and could – do better. It was then that he fell into what he calls the deep pizza rabbit hole. “It fed into my personality of, ‘I know I can make it better,’” Glavocich says. “It led to researching the history of pizza which, of course, led to Italy. Pre-existing infatuation with the destruction of Pompeii really tripped my pizza trigger.” Glavocich became obsessed with replicating pizza from 2,000 years ago and adding a modern spin. He experimented with many doughs and recipes during his attempts to create the titular Pompeii’s Inferno. Glavocich’s kitchen became a laboratory of ingredients, notes on dough fermentation times, documents on baking times with precise temperatures and a list of variables. “I think back (and it) was a bit excessive,” he says. “I actually made my young kids sick of pizza from all the testing – a very difficult feat.” While the trial-and-error process was undeniably a challenge, Glavocich often ate the rejects, so he never complained much. “There were definitely as many total failures as there were successes,” he says, “but even most of the biggest failures

Photos courtesy of John Glavocich

Pizza and Pompeii

Pompeii, Italy, was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The city was buried under fragments of ash and volcanic debris, becoming one of the most tragic stories in Italian history. Two thousand years later, researchers conducted thorough excavation of sites in Pompeii to learn more about the city’s history. One of the most notable discoveries was ovens with flatbreads and loaves preserved inside. These flatbreads are known as the precursors to modern pizza. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Quick Slices

were edible, a wonderful bonus of food experimentation.” He perfected the pizza that’s served at Pompeii’s Inferno today, which is cooked in a wood-fired oven with local produce. Glavocich still tests new tastes and experiments with central Ohio products such as local honey for a sweet pizza and locally made pepperoni and pickles for 2021’s reveal of the pickle and bacon pizza. Pompeii’s Inferno also has a pizza cart – a rolling, mobile wood-fired oven which often makes an appearance at the Pickerington Farmers’ Market. Its origins stemmed from Glavocich’s desire to bring the wood-fired artisanal style of cooking to the forefront of Pickerington’s pizza scene. “The reason I like (wood-fired pizza) is because of the effect it has on the whole pizza in general,” he says. “It has a quick, high temp – around 800 degrees Fahrenheit for two minutes and 30 seconds – it crisps the crust, yet the inside is soft and tender. The toppings are flash-baked, preserving the moisture and not drying them out, compromising flavor.” With as much knowledge and experience as Glavocich has, he refutes the title he’s often labeled with – pizza master. Instead, he calls himself a pizza student: forever learning. “Applying my pizza obsession to life, I don’t believe anything is mastered, per se,” he says. “There is always something to be learned, so I will always be looking to improve.” Mallory Arnold is an associate editor. Feedback welcome at marnold@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

We ask Glavocich some tough pizza questions. What did we learn? Well, Glavocich just really likes pizza, no matter how it’s prepared. Pickerington Magazine: Pineapple on pizza? John Glavocich: Yes, caveat is being fresh and not canned. PM: Do you fold pizza slices? JG: Round pies, yes. Squares, no. PM: What do you think about eating pizza with a fork? JG: As long as you’re getting pizza in your belly, heck yes. Actually, true Neapolitan pizza is, in many cases, eaten with a fork and knife. PM: All-time favorite pizza topping? JG: All of them. PM: Thin or thick crust? JG: Yes. PM: Favorite cheese type on pizza? JG: Fresh, hand-shredded mozzarella with slight blend of white cheddar. PM: What’s your take on dessert pizzas? JG: Absolutely yes. When we (Pompeii’s Inferno) would travel to wineries and breweries, we would offer dessert pizzas. We have done peanut butter and banana as a tribute to Elvis Presley, apple strudel, berries and hazelnut, and, of course, there were some failed test dessert pizzas. PM: What was your go-to pizza place growing up? JG: Being born in Hoboken, New Jersey, as a youngster visiting relatives, I’d go to any slice shop on the avenue. Being raised in upstate New York, our go-to spot was called Dante’s, unfortunately long since gone. 27

Top homes sold in Pickerington All information is collected from the Fairfield and Franklin County auditors’ offices.

180 Thrush Cir. 4 beds 2.5 baths $468,817 Sold on 4/8

972 Washington St. 4 beds 2.5 baths $365,000 Sold on 4/8

124 Thrush Cir. 4 beds 2.5 baths $465,000 Sold on 4/23

1167 Cross Creeks Ridge 2 beds 2.5 baths $355,000 Sold on 4/2

619 Theron Dr. 4 beds 3.5 baths $405,000 Sold on 4/8

222 Blue Jacket Cir. 4 beds 2.5 baths $345,000 Sold on 4/9

736 Salisbury St. 3 beds 2 baths $398,990 Sold on 4/16

273 Evergreen Ct. 3 beds 2.5 baths $330,000 Sold on 4/7

11629 Caldwell Ct. 4 beds 2.5 baths $395,000 Sold on 4/12

182 Patterson St. 3 beds 2.5 baths $300,000 Sold on 4/26

681 Brighton St. 4 beds 2.5 baths $390,000 Sold on 4/9

442 Grinnell St. 3 beds 3.5 baths $300,000 Sold on 4/13

1013 Gray Dr. 4 beds 2.5 baths $386,000 Sold on 4/27

145 Timber Ridge Dr. 4 beds 2.5 baths $275,000 Sold on 4/1

“The only reason we would give Sam 5 stars would be because we can’t give him more.”

#1 (614) 56 1-3201

Selling Real Estate Team & Realtor® in Central Ohio 2017–2020 439 Transactions Closed in 2020

SamCooper.herrealtors.com

Source: Columbus MLS & Trendgraphix

All reports presented are based on data supplied by Columbus REALTORS. Report published January 21, 2021 based on sales data available from January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. All properties, all counties combined. Neither the Association nor their MLS guarantee or are in any way responsible for the data accuracy. Data maintained by the Associations or their MLSs may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Top Producer - Market Share Report. Copyright Trendgraphix, Inc. Samuel Cooper DBA Sam Cooper Team

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what’s your style?

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com

Just Sold $365,000 | 11702 Eddington Avenue. Gorgeous Home, nice backyard patio with outdoor fireplace, Rosati Windows, 1st floor home office, great room with fireplace & skylite, formal dining and living room, remodeled kitchen with newer cabinetry, granite counters & big eating space, separate 1st floor laundry, owners bedroom w/ walk in closet & updated full bath, big basement with finished rec room and separate storage room

Just Sold $425,000 | 570 E Columbus Street. Former Builders own custom home. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters, double oven & cooktop, newer cabinetry, beautiful flooring, travertine backsplash, separate laundry room, big family room with wood burning fireplace, big dining room, lots of updates, additional garages, garden areas, covered front and back porch, city water, beautiful setting surrounded by mature trees

SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com

Just Sold $355,000 | 754 Stewart Court. Remarkable two-story home on cul de sac. Hardwood flooring throughout first floor, formal living & dining room, great room with fireplace, separate 1st floor home office, granite kitchen with dark cabinetry, s/s appl., huge owners’ bedroom, bath with custom travertine shower, soaking tub, granite double vanity, walk in closet, Junior Suite upstairs, finished lower level rec room, backyard deck

Just Sold $340,100 | 10107 Granden Street. Gorgeous two-story home on large lot. Granite counters, white cabinetry, stainless appliances, formal living room, formal dining room, modern, hardwood flooring, vaulted great room with fireplace, updated baths, big bedrooms, master bedroom with walk in closet, renovated master bath, finished lower level, very nice backyard with split rail, backyard deck and firepit ring at far end of property

SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS

Luxury Living

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Real Estate Section Showcase your home listings to every homeowner in the Pickerington school district. Your listings will also appear in the digital edition of the magazine, hosted on the Pickerington Magazine home page: www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Contact Tracy Douds today for more information: 614-572-1250 tdouds@cityscenemediagroup.com Get a great response from your ads in PICKERINGTON MAGAZINE!

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bookmarks

Submitted by Colleen Bauman, Community Engagement Manager at the Pickerington Public Library

These Pickerington Public Library staff picks will appeal to every book lover focusing on their health. Adult Cookbooks: Healthy Eats with Six Sisters’ Stuff

Mark your calendars! Summer Reading Programs

Fit Gurl

May 24: Summer Reading Program registration begins. Registration open all summer

by Six Sisters Stuff Do you feel constantly stuck between healthy meal prep and convenience? The Six Sisters, popular bloggers and authors, feel your pain. As a result, they’ve collected more than 100 fast, easy and healthy recipes for you and the whole family. For an added bonus, the sisters made sure each dish is under 500 calories. by Melissa Alcantara “If you’re ready to put in the time, commitment and dedication, Fit Gurl will change your body for life,” says publisher HarperAudio. Start a diet for the last time with Alcantara’s day-by-day planning and story of transformation with exercise and recipe tips.

Teen Recipes: The Green Teen Cookbook

edited by Laurane Marchive and Pam McElroy No one ever said going green was easy. There’s lots to learn. Slice through “the chaos” and get to the meat of it with this cookbook which was written by teens, for teens, teaching them how to “shop smart, cook consciously and eat a healthier diet.”

Picture Book: Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum

by Natasha Yim, illustrated by Violet Kim It’s Luna’s birthday! To celebrate, her family goes to a restaurant for Chinese dim sum. Luna and her two brothers get to share six delicious pork buns until one tragically falls victim to yucky floor germs. Now, the trio must do the math if they still want to share the delicious treat.

Anime: Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic

by Wauter Mannaert There aren’t many kids like Yasmina that can stir up a gourmet meal in a flash. Never mind the lunchbox full of spring rolls rather than the typical PB&J. Nevertheless, when a new corporation comes to town destroying her garden of ingredients, it’s a recipe for trouble unless Yasmina can find a cure.

Young Reader Chapter Book: Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever!

by Stephen Shaskan What’s better than a party to cure a case of the boredom blues? Pizza and Taco can’t think of anything! Join the duo on their latest adventure and join in on the fun. Will it be a fiesta or a total roast? 30

June 8: Among Us, Live Action Game at 10 a.m. at Sycamore Plaza June 12: Animals we love to hate, presented by Ohio Nature Education at 10 a.m. at Pickerington Main June 19: Summer Morning Yoga & Stretch at 9 a.m. at Pickerington Main July 17: Croc Talk, presented by Newport Aquarium at 10 a.m. at Pickerington Main July 20: Balloon Splatter Painting at 4 p.m. at Pickerington Main

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Central Ohio’s

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In Canal Winchester at Diley Ridge Medical Center Brian Davison, M.D. Hip & Knee Reconstruction + Fracture Care Canal Winchester | Gahanna/Reynoldsburg John Johansen, M.D. Shoulder Reconstruction & Sports Medicine Canal Winchester | Gahanna/Reynoldsburg

TO SCHEDULE, CALL (614) 545-7900 OR VISIT

New Full-Service, 24-Hour Emergency Room. Now Open in Reynoldsburg. You can’t predict when you’ll need the services of an Emergency Room. But when you do, know that Mount Carmel now offers a convenient full-service, 24-hour ER at Mount Carmel Reynoldsburg. And with board-certified emergency physicians, exceptional nursing staff, on-call specialists and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to treat almost any emergency, you’ll have access to the same high-quality care you would expect from one of our full-service hospitals. To learn more, visit mountcarmelhealth.com.

MOUNT CARMEL REYNOLDSBURG A Member of Trinity Health

Pickerington June/July 2021

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