Tri-Village September/October 2011

“I couldn’t have survived this past year without your help. I was able to sleep at night knowing Griswold Special Care was taking such good care of our mother.”

- Carol C. (local client)

Charles

Chief Executive Officer

K.

Gill

Christa Smothers

Gail

Martineau

Garth Bishop

Thailyr Scrivner

Jessica Salerno

Devan Toncler

Molly Pensyl

Gianna Barrett

Mary Hottenrott

Pam Henricks

Circulation: Non-medical home care since 1982. 614-447-2100 www.GriswoldSpecialCare.com Providing Peace of Mind OUR AFFORDABLE RATES: $14.20/hr (4hrs. or more) $15.75/hr (3 hrs. rate) $17.50/hr (2 hr. rate) Our Live-in service is based on 24 hr. care and is charged at a daily rate of $145.

Community Calendar

Don’t miss these Community Events!

SEPTEMBER 2011

Sept. 5

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

10 a.m-5 p.m., Northam Park, 2070 Northam Rd.

Come celebrate this one-day arts festival, where 200 fine arts and craft exhibitors will be showcasing their work. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience music, dance performances, art activities and more.

Sept. 6

6th Annual Dog Swim

6-8 p.m., Grandview Municipal Pool, 1350 Goodale Blvd. Give man’s best friend a chance to wet his paws and bring your pooch to the pool for only $5.

OCTOBER 2011

Sept. 7- Oct. 12

Upper Arlington Farmers’ Market

3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Upper Arlington Senior Center, 1945 Ridgeview Rd. Only the freshest fruits and veggies are at the UA Farmers’ Market, along with herbs, flowers and dairy products.

Sept. 8

Preparing Your Garden for Winter

7-8 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., www.ghpl.org

Daniel J. Ney of Bella Giardino will go over how to protect your plants from the cold and frost. His talk will include mulching, caring for winter annuals, fall fertilizing, pruning bushes and perennials and more.

Sept. 8-10

Ox Roast Pierce Field, 1080 W. First Ave.

Oct. 9

Upper Arlington Fall Fest

2-6 p.m., Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Ave., 614-583-5303

Enjoy fun seasonal activities like pumpkin carving, apple cider and caramel apple making, and hay rides. There will also be contests, inflatable games and refreshments available.

Oct. 13

Music in the Atrium: Miller-Kelton

Oct. 2

Taste of Grandview

2-7 p.m., McKinley Field Parks, 1661 W. Goodale Blvd., 614-486-0196

Enjoy “taste-sized” portions of delicious food from the best restaurants in central Ohio.

Oct. 3

Bloodtober – Flick or Treat: King Kong (1933)

6:30-8:30 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave.

This film festival, held every Monday, kicks off with the original King Kong.

7 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave. Enjoy original songwriting and alternative country rock from the local band MillerKelton.

Oct. 16

Upper Arlington Historical Society Walking Tour

1 p.m., Miller Park Library, 1901 Arlington Ave., 614-470-2610

The free, 30-minute tour is guided by longtime Upper Arlington resident Linda Cummins.

Held annually by the Bobcat Boosters, the Ox Roast offers entertainment, festival food, amusement rides, games and more for the whole family.

Sept. 10

Dude, This Film Is Epic!: La Dolce Vita Noon-3 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave.

La Dolce Vita, A classic that cannot be missed, will be shown. Snacks and admission are free.

Sept. 20

Clash of the Ironclads

7-8 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave.

Enjoy an evening rich in naval history as author Donald L. Canney discusses the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War, and learn about the ships, combat, sea life and more in an enthralling slide presentation.

Oct. 18-20

UACA Haunted Forest

6:30 p.m., Smith Nature Park, 1270 Fishinger Rd., 470-0655

Kids of all ages will enjoy this spooky forest adventure at Smith Nature Park.

Oct. 21

Friday Frightnight

7-11 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave.

Grades 6-12 enjoy stories from Jim Kleefeld, games, contests and snacks with a $2 suggested donation. Space is limited; registration required beginning Friday, Oct. 7.

Oct. 22

33rd Annual Great Pumpkin Run

9-10 a.m., Edison Intermediate Middle School

Commons, 1240 Oakland Ave., www.grandviewheights.org

On this Halloween-themed run, residents get the chance to race through the streets of Grandview and Marble Cliff. $20 for preregistration and $25 on the day of the race.

Sept. 22-Oct. 21

Concourse Gallery Exhibit Series: Chun Wang and Ed Miller

Upper Arlington Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., www.uaoh.net

Admission is free to this artistic event featuring Chun Wang’s personal painting collection of Chinese rural life and Ed Miller’s bowls, platters and vases made from exotic and domestic wood.

Sept. 25

Flamenco del Corazon Dance Show

2-3 p.m., Grandview Heights High School Auditorium, 1587 W. Third Ave.

Lift your spirits with Flamenco del Corazon and experience the passionate music and rhythms of flamenco song and dance. Featuring El Pimenton on guitar. Tickets cost $10.

Sept. 27

Comic Books: A History

7-8 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., 614-481-3778

Comic book fans unite at this gathering to discover the origins of all your favorite fictional heroes, with an expert weighing in from Laughing Ogre Comics.

Oct. 25

They’re Nothing To Be Afraid Of!

7 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave.

Learn how seemingly scary animals like bats, spiders and owls are beneficial to nature.

Oct. 31

Upper Arlington Beggars’ Night and Pumpkin Patrol

6-8 p.m., 614-583-5197

UA’s volunteer Pumpkin Patrol is out in full force to pass out candy and keep children safe. Fire Station 72 will serve as the 2011 Pumpkin Patrol Station, so be sure to stop by, meet McGruff and Sparky the Fire Dog, learn important safety and fire prevention tips, and more!

Nov. 4

Bid & Benefit Kids in Our Community, presented by the Tri-Village Mentor League

7-10 p.m., Our Lady of Victory Parish Center, 1559 Roxbury Rd., www.mentorleague.org

Support the community and the John Miller Scholarship Fund by coming out for an evening of live music, food, a silent auction and a cash bar. Tickets are $40, and those planning on attending must RSVP by Oct. 28.

For more events visit www.trivillagemagazine.com

Exciting Schedule Planned for this Year’s Leadership UA Class

If you are looking to strengthen your leadership skills, develop a deeper knowledge of community issues and learn how to take action when it comes to those issues, Leadership UA is looking for you.

This year’s adult class schedule includes a retreat to Camp Akita, Chili Night, a trip to the library and the firehouse, as well as the opportunity to learn about how Upper Arlington was started and has continued to prosper.

For more information, visit www.leadershipua.org.

The Upper Arlington Civic Association’s Haunted Forest

For the second year, the Upper Arlington Civic Association will be turning Smith Nature Park into a forest filled with goblins, ghosts and ghouls.

This event is directed towards kids in grades two through eight. Groups will be led through the forest with a “scare ranger,” who will explain the history of Smith Nature Park and how it has become haunted due to the old pioneer cemetery located in the park.

Fall Fest for the Whole Family

This year’s Fall Fest is packed full of fun, seasonal activities for the whole family.

The Fall Fest will be held at Fancyburg Park from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 9.

Pumpkin carving, kite making, hay rides, the Huffman’s Market Chili Cook-off, contests and caramel apples are just some of the things scheduled for the free festival.

Concourse Gallery Exhibition Features Nature and Local Artists

The Concourse Gallery will be featuring two exhibits for the months of September and October.

Transformation will run through Sept. 16 and will feature works by Gretchen Jacobs and Virginia Kistler.

Both collections will deal with natural elements and environmental cycles.

Then from Sept. 22 to Oct. 21, A Thousand Steps will feature paintings by local artist Chun Arthur Wang, Associate Professor of Fine Arts who teaches at Columbus College of Art and Design, and ceramic art by Ed Miller.

For more information, visit www.uoah.net.

The event is scheduled from Oct. 25 through Oct. 27 from 7-9:30 p.m., and admission is free, but getting out is hard.

Terrace by Chun Arthur Wang

MARBLE CLIFF

THE VILLAGE OF More than 300 Volunteers Supported the Annual OLV Festival

The annual festival at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Roxbury Road in Marble Cliff was held on Aug. 19 and 20 from 5:30 to 11 p.m.

The festival was initiated 10 years ago, when Monsignor Romano Ciotola became pastor of the parish, as a way to provide a summer event where families of parishioners and neighbors throughout the community could come together for a festive summer social.

Father Ciotola charged the volunteers with providing highquality food at an affordable price. The traditional, much-anticipated OLV fish fry was held Friday night and the Italian spaghetti dinner on Saturday evening.

Other “festival” food and drinks were served throughout the two-day event. That included sandwiches of Italian sausages, homemade by Father Ciotola and his friends from Italy.

In addition to food, highlights of the festival included a silent auction, games for kids of all ages and rides for children. Live bands played music each evening, but in the spirit of being good neighbors, outdoor activities went silent at 10:30 each night.

Mark your calendars for the 2012 festival, to be held on Friday and Saturday nights, Aug. 17 and 18.

Paul J. Falco Scholarship Awarded to Emma McGregor

The second 2011 Paul J. Falco Scholarship was awarded to Marble Cliff resident Emma McGregor, daughter of Drs. John and Mary Lou McGregor. McGregor will attend the University of Michigan Engineering School this fall.

She is a 2011 graduate of the Columbus School for Girls, where she achieved a GPA of 3.89. She was the captain of the lacrosse team in 2011, served on student council and as class secretary, and received awards for soccer and for her contributions to the school and the community (the Connecticut College Book Award).

She says that her involvement with the organizations One Laptop Per Child and Waveplace have taught her the technical skills of using the XO computer and the importance of sharing technology with those who cannot get it themselves.

“I hope that I will continue to have the opportunity to bring technology to underprivileged children around the world,” McGregor says.

Memorial Garden Dedicated at First Community Church

The Memorial Garden, dedicated June 12 at First Community Church in Marble Cliff, is an exclusive space for the interment of loved ones’ cremated remains and the remembrance of their lives on a memorial wall at the entrance.

It was designed and built through the generosity of Sallie Davis Bethge and the creativity of Bob Wandel, longtime church members.

The Memorial Garden is located in a Cotswald-style courtyard that was originally intended for spiritual use. The materials are those found in the courtyards of English country churches.

The Memorial Garden is an outdoor room delicately enclosed by a boxwood hedge. It is entered through a limestone arch, where the names of those memorialized will be etched. The path from the archway to a granite bench is random, and made of irregularly shaped bluestone. The primary surface of the Garden is lawn sloped and mounded to refer to the hills of the countryside.

If you have interest in the interment of cremated remains in the Garden and memorials, contact the Pastoral Care Office at 614-488-0681.

Emma McGregor with Mayor Kent Studebaker

Memorial Garden at First Community Church

GRANDVIEW

Fun for All

New playground at Pierce Field is accessible to those with disabilities

By Jessica Salerno

You know what they say: location, location, location.

The newest addition to the Grandview Parks and Recreation Department offers location and much more.

The new playground at Pierce Field, near the northeast corner of West First Avenue and Oxley Road, is “completely surrounded by homes and businesses, and is in the midst of the community it serves,” says Sean Robey, director of Grandview Parks and Recreation.

And that’s exactly what Robey had in mind when designing the area.

“We have a lot of folks from our own community and a lot of folks visiting,” he says.

The new playground is part of the 2007 Master Plan for Pierce Field, with a goal to add a new community building as well as update and make the playgrounds more accessible.

“The nice thing about an accessible playground is that it’s not just for people in a wheelchair; it’s for all of the young people whether they have accessibility issues or not,” says Robey.

Made possible by a grant from the Henry E. Coyle Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, the playground received $43,114 of what would end up being an approximately $75,000 project.

“It wouldn’t have happened as quickly without the help of The Columbus Foundation,” Robey says. The remaining money came from the Pierce Field Fund, which receives donations from the community.

The grand opening took place Aug. 11 in conjunction with the Stevens Elementary Ice Cream Social across the street. In attendance were Mayor Ray DeGraw, City Council President Steve Reynolds and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chairperson Dan Headapohl.

Their presence “speaks to the amount that the parks are important to the community leaders. They wanted to be a part of the public ‘thank you,’” says Robey.

The playground’s new equipment is accessible in three key ways: an accessible route to and within the playground; a solid rubber surface allowing wheelchairs to move around easily as well as lessen the severity of falls; and multiple ground components of the playground, which allow a child to play with the activity panels and other games without leaving their wheelchair.

“A lot of kids will be playing on this for years to come,” says Robey.

Photos courtesy of The Columbus Foundation

Q&A with Chief David Wood

By Thailyr Scrivner

Grandview’s Chief of Police, David Wood, has had a few months to get used to the community.

Now that he’s acclimated, here’s a little about the man who’s been serving the people of Grandview Heights since May.

What is your previous experience with the police force?

I was with the Columbus Division of Police for 33 years. Twenty-nine of those years, I spent on the SWAT Team.

What are some challenges you think you will face in Grandview?

Well, Grandview is, of course, a lot different from Columbus. Some of the challenges are to serve and protect. That’s what we want to accomplish with the cooperation of the division of police, the city council, the mayor and the community. Our goal is to take everyone’s input of how he or she wants the police department to operate and then give our perspective from the law enforcement side. Our goal is to be the best police department in the country.

What about Grandview interested you to work for its police department?

I heard about the job opening just as I was finishing my career in Columbus. I grew up in Upper Arlington. My grandmother lived here in Grandview on Ashland Avenue, and I had a best friend growing up who lived on West First Avenue. I was always aware of what a wonderful community this is. I just feel

great that I’m able to be here and work with this community.

How will you involve yourself with the community?

That’s what’s very interesting about this job compared to my old job. I get to feel the same things everyone else feels here, the small town atmosphere. I have gone to several city council meetings in Grandview and in Marble Cliff. I went to the memorial service earlier this year, The Fourth of July parade, Lazy Daze, celebrity bike races and the mayor’s picnic. All of those functions and just getting to know what Grandview Heights is and what’s important to everybody. It’s a luxury to be able to do that.

What is the biggest reward of being Chief of Police?

So far, this division of police is so professional and is so community oriented. It’s refreshing to be with people who are motivated to do the right thing. I’m very fortunate to be with a great group of officers and, of course, working for Mayor Ray DeGraw, the Director of Administration Patrik Bowman and all of the city council is another luxury. It’s a great thing.

What impact do you hope to have?

I hope to make this the best police department in the country. My goal is to make this the safest city in the country, not only in the realist sense but also in the way that the community feels about their safety as they walk down the street or as they

sleep at night. My biggest concern is to make sure that everyone feels that they’re safe.

Are there any new roles you will take on as Chief of Police?

I’ve supervised a fewer number of people at this point, but the activities that I do are a broader range that includes the budget and scheduling process of the division of police.

When you’re not working, what types of things do you like to do in Grandview?

I live in Worthington, but even before I was chief here, my wife, family and I came here to dine quite often. There’s a lot of wonderful dining in this area.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Any hobbies?

I have four children and four grandchildren. They keep me pretty busy. Also, my main hobby is woodworking, building furniture and all sorts of woodworking things. I’ve been doing that a long time. What’s fun about that is my sons, 26 and 16, have recently gained interest, too, so I get to be with them while doing it. That’s very rewarding.

I’m just really happy and I feel lucky to be here. I’m certainly going to put my best effort forward and I really look forward to serving the people of Grandview.

“Fairing” Well

Tim and Glenda Huffman join the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame

You could say that Huffman’s Market is something of a good luck charm.

Tim and Glenda Huffman have owned the Tremont Center market for 25 years, and earlier this summer, they were inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame.

It just so happens that the previous owner of the store, Tom Tarpy, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1977 for being an important supporter of lamb sales and the Sale of Champions.

“This store has always been a very strong supporter of state fair and county fairs,” says Tim.

The Huffmans have been going to the fair as long as they have owned the store, and were recognized for their support of the Ohio State Junior Livestock Fair program and involvement with the Sale of Champions, as well as their involvement with the Youth Reserve Program, which rewards youth exhibitors for participating in the fair.

“It’s just a fantastic honor,” Tim says. “We spent a lot of time over there, and I never thought we’d be recognized that way.”

The Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame was created in 1976 as a way to honor those who have helped make the fair one of “America’s premier expositions.” The governor selects the inductees each year.

The Huffmans’ involvement in the fair began when they started setting up at the reserve sale. They’ve purchased a lot at the land auction every year. Eventually, they started going to the cattle show and became heavily involved in the reserve

By Jessica Salerno

sales. And for the past 17 years, they have been part of the Sale of Champions after buying a pen of chickens their first year.

Tim’s favorite thing has been watching the youth involved in 4-H and Future Farmers of America demonstrate their skills and knowledge with the animals, he says. He and Glenda have even gotten to watch the kids they have bought from throughout the years grow up and have children of their own, who go on to participate in the livestock fair as well.

Their passion for fairs doesn’t end at the Ohio State Fair; they also participate in the Franklin, Hocking, Allen and Perry county fairs.

Along with running the market full time, the Huffmans are very active in the Upper Arlington community. They belong to Tri-Village Rotary and Knights of Columbus, volunteer at Tremont School and St. Agatha School, do part-time auctioneering, and work with numerous charities.

“We’re pretty much involved in anything that’s set up with Upper Arlington,” Tim says.

Jessica Salerno is a contributing writer. Feedback and comments welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

It’s just a fantastic honor. We spent a lot of time over there, and I never thought we’d be recognized that way.

-Tim Huffman

Miller’s Memories

One 93-year-old resident’s memories of UA run deep

When Esther Miller thinks about her childhood in Upper Arlington, she’s reminded of riding in horse-drawn sleighs, dancing in the park on warm summer evenings and lifeguarding in Upper Arlington and Grandview

Esther, 93, has roots that run deep in the community. She grew up across from Miller Park – which was named after her family –in one of the first homes in Upper Arlington. Her grandfather, James T. Miller, was Upper Arlington’s first mayor and sold the first 840 acres of Upper Arlington land to developers Ben and King Thompson in 1913 — five years before she was born.

Just as her ancestors are part of the fabric of the Upper Arlington community, Esther has come to embody all that is the city.

Today, she is a vibrant and active senior who attends almost every city event, including council meetings and the Chamber’s recent Taste of UA.

“Esther fully engages in life with her mind, body and spirit,” says Sally Gard, administrator at the Upper Arlington Senior Center. “She’s a great role model and inspires us all.”

Esther visits the senior center twice a week, attending a class on Shakespeare and another on history, a subject she is particularly passionate about because it “keeps repeating itself,” she says.

Her recent activities have included a visit to the Ohio State Fair, complete with a trip on the Sky Ride, horseback riding in Michigan and traveling to historic sites around Ohio.

One of Esther’s favorite pastimes is photographing old barns and bridges. She also is a student of art, opera and languages, having studied Latin, French, Russian, Japanese and German. She doesn’t have patience for cards or television. She drives, cuts her own grass and rakes her own leaves.

Though she is well traveled, Esther has never lived away from Upper Arlington for an extended period of time. She has seen it grow from a village into a bustling city.

In 1920, when she was 3, the population of the village was 620, which she says was small enough to know most families and their dogs. During her 93 years in the community, Esther has been witness to its steady population growth: 3,000 in 1939; 9,000 in the 1950s; and 34,000 today. Upper Arlington gained city status in 1941.

Miller Park was like her back yard during her Norman Rockwell-like childhood.

“Anybody who was around joined in,” she says, noting one of her favorite games was a crazy free-for-all that involved modified polo mallets and a ball. “There used to be a horse club up near Henderson Road called River Ridge Riding Club. … We’d collect the broken polo mallets and then stick croquet mallet heads on them. There were no rules other than to hit the ball.”

During the Depression, the Miller children would make their own toys, and Esther remembers building a bicycle and other things from the items she found in the junk heap at Fifth Avenue and Riverside Drive.

“We would find all kinds of wonderful things to use like toilet lids and faucets,” she says.

Dances with live music were held in Miller Park on summer evenings. Telephone poles were set up and electric lights were strung on them and covered with Japanese lanterns; the dance floor was created using platforms from Camp Willis – a temporary training camp –left behind by the National Guard in 1916.

The Mallway on Arlington Avenue was the hub of community activity in Esther’s youth. Bowron’s, Harrington’s and Kunkler’s were drugstores popular for their soda fountains.

In 1930, the first municipal services building opened across from the Mallway (now fire station No. 71), and housed both the police and fire stations.

“The police drove motorcycles with sidecars,“ Esther remembers. “I can remember my mother getting rides around town in the sidecar.”

After World War II, the city steadily developed north of Lane Avenue as more land was annexed. With that growth came schools, libraries and modern shop-

Esther Miller with her father and brothers.

Miller circa 1919

ping centers and restaurants, including longtime favorite Chef-O-Nette, which Esther remembers opening in 1955.

Esther never married and worked in Columbus as a commercial artist. After she graduated from Jones, “the big school” that at the time served as Upper Arlington High School, she received her degree in fine arts from The Ohio State University. She then attended art school in Cincinnati, where she really came into her own, having been painfully shy as a child.

Nowadays, Esther loves interacting with people, and one thing she likes to do is randomly wish strangers a happy birthday.

“People will look at me and say, ‘But it’s not my birthday!’ I’ll just answer, well, happy birthday whenever it is. Just enjoy it,” she says. “I do it because it brings a smile to their faces. … I never will be an old lady.”

Melanie Circle Brown is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

Esther, an avid reader, grew up in one of the first homes in Upper Arlington. Her grandfather, James T. Miller, was Upper Arlington’s first mayor and was the person who sold the first 840 acres of Upper Arlington land to developers Ben and King Thompson in 1913.

By Garth Bishop

Adventure UA will challenge residents to research their community

UA History 101

Agroup of community organizations is inviting residents to brush up on their Upper Arlington history.

Adventure UA is a new endeavor organized by the city, the Upper Arlington Public Library and Upper Arlington City Schools, along with Leadership UA, the Upper Arlington Historical Society, the Upper Arlington Senior Center, the Upper Arlington Education Foundation and the Upper Arlington Alumni Association.

Modeled after the TV show The Amazing Race, Adventure UA is a six-week program that will allow teams to earn points by researching UA’s past and present, and completing community-centered challenges. It begins Sept. 12 and finishes up Oct. 23.

“The goal of the program is to have people learn about their community (and) learn

the history of Upper Arlington, as well as just have fun,” says Danna Armstrong, Miller Park Library branch manager and a member of the program’s organizing committee.

Teams can have two to six members, and there is no cost to register. Each set of challenges – a research-based challenge and an activity-based challenge – will be posted on a Monday, and each team has until the end of the following Sunday to solve them.

Points are awarded for successful completion of challenges, and at the end of the six-week challenge, the team with the most points wins a prize. In addition, each team that completes one of the weekly clues is entered in a weekly prize drawing for gift cards.

Patrons will need to make use of the library and other community resources to look up historical information that will aid them in their searches. Clues will cover a lot of ground, Armstrong says – they may be as simple as looking up information in the UA Archives online at www.uaarchives.org, but others will re quire more active adventuring.

“It might be (to) take your picture in front of a historic monument that was built in 1846,” says Armstrong.

Efforts will be made to keep the challenges as inclusive as possible, Armstrong says.

“The UA archives is something we’re really going to immerse people in for the research elements of this program,” says Jennifer Faure, adult program coordinator for the Tremont branch.

The research process has already given event organizers a primer on local history.

“We’ve learned so much about the different purposes of Miller Park and all the different reasons why the parks were named and who they were named after,” says Armstrong. “All the things that this community has to offer, you do not realize until you delve into its history.”

A brief preview challenge to promote the larger competition took place at the Chamber’s Taste of UA event Aug. 11. Patrons could answer trivia questions about the history of the school district, or follow a series of clues from booth to booth to learn about the history of UA institutions like Huffman’s Market, the Tremont Goodie Shop and the library itself.

The preview challenge grabbed the attention of many attendees, some of whom were inspired to volunteer their own memories of Upper Arlington, says Faure.

More information on the program can be found on the library’s website, www. ualibrary.org.

Garth Bishop is a contributing editor. Feedback and comments welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

Devan Toncler

A festival favorite returns to sell his wares

Sweeping Success

For the past 12 years, Peter Snellman has come to the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival as the popular and much loved “broom guy.”

In fact, the one and only year that Snellman was unable to attend, many regular festivalgoers asked event organizers why he wasn’t there.

He’s been making brooms in the 18th-century traditional style for more than 30 years. He learned the trade in the early 1980s while working at a living history museum in Iowa.

“I made a deal with the broom maker there,” says Snellman. “I bought him some antique equipment, and he taught me how to make brooms.”

Since then, Snellman has been making and selling brooms at fairs all over Ohio, including in Upper Arlington. He and his family attend about six festivals a year.

Snellman lives with his wife, LaVerda, and his daughter, Margaret, 8, in McConnelsville, Ohio, two hours southeast of Columbus. There, he has his own broom shop, where he works to keep up with the high demand for his craft.

“I work August and July to get ready for the Upper Arlington fair,” says Snellman.

Every broom he makes is completely functional and meant for everyday use.

“I decided early on that I would make utilitarian brooms instead of decorative ones,” he says. “It’s faster and more efficient to make them.”

The prices for his brooms range from $3 for a small, childsized broom to $14 for a heavy-duty outdoor work broom.

“I have gone through 800 brooms at Upper Arlington before,” says Snellman.

But if you want one of Snellman’s masterpieces, he suggests getting to his booth early.

“I sell out every year,” says Snellman. “It’s like a feeding frenzy around my booth.”

He loves coming to Upper Arlington, he says, despite the fact that his brooms don’t quite fit in with the rest of the art that is displayed and sold at the fair.

“The festival tends to have more fine art and high-price pieces, but I am always very well received,” says Snellman. “The fair is always very well run, and they look out for and take care of all the artisans. They also judge all the artists fairly for their competitions.”

Not only does he sell his brooms at the festival, he brings his antique broom making equipment from 1883 and makes some brooms on-site so patrons can see how people used to make their brooms. Devan

Festival Festivities

New entertainment and old traditions mix this year at the Labor Day Arts Festival

This year’s Labor Day Art Festival in Upper Arlington is going to be filled with old favorites, exciting entertainment, new features and art – lots and lots of art.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday, Sept. 5 at Northam Park in Upper Arlington.

More than 180 juried artists practicing all manner of artistic media will come from across the country for the festival. All the art is for sale, and the proceeds go directly to the artists to help them further their crafts.

This year, the festival will be sponsored by Farmers Citizens Bank and will feature an Arts Activities Area as

well as several quality performances that “echo the diversity and the talent shown throughout the festival,” says Lauren Emond, community arts coordinator for Upper Arlington. Entertainment this year includes BalletMet, juggler Matt Jergens, the Writing Wrongs Poetry Slam and Angela Perley & the Howlin’ Moons, among many others.

This year, food carts and trucks will be displaying Columbus’ and Upper Arlington’s favorite local food and residentowned restaurants. The list includes Leslie’s Crêperie, Mojo TaGo, the Short North Bagel Deli and the Lunch Munchbox.

“As (Upper Arlington is) a community very much connected to Columbus and the surrounding suburban neighborhoods, the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the extension of creativity in our local community and welcome artists and patrons locally and out of state to engage with the dynamic artists, businesses and citizens in our community,” says Emond. To find more information or to volunteer, visit www.uaoh.net/ artsfestival.

Spiking Seniors

Grandview Center helps seniors stay active

By Gail Martineau

Seniors at the Grandview Center like to volley, spike and bump.

Some 20 local seniors gather twice a week at the center at the corner of Goodale and Grandview avenues to get in shape and have fun while playing chair volleyball.

The team not only provides a social outlet for the seniors who participate, it also is a way to get fit and stay fit –something extremely important for aging adults, says Marlin Cheyney, who heads the chair volleyball team as a fitness instructor at the center.

“One thing you never think of is eyehand coordination,” she says. “(Volleyball) really helps you improve that and improve your balance.”

Cheyney never turns anyone away from the team. Walk-ins and new members – no matter their physical or mental conditions – are always welcome.

“Everyone has a place; that’s what keeps the momentum going,” she says.

Floyd Nice, 79, says chair volleyball has kept him going.

Five years ago, Nice had an operation on his heart to replace deteriorating valves. Now, he hardly can tell that he had the operation, he says.

“I love this place,” he says. “Soon, I’ll be 80, but I feel 29!”

Others echo his sentiment.

Bunny Brown, also 79, found the chair volleyball team as a way to keep herself active, especially after having a defibrillator installed a few years ago.

“I retired, sat and watched TV and said, ‘This is so stupid,’” she says. “I feel so much better.”

Chair volleyball is a lot harder than it sounds, says Marta Durban, senior recreation supervisor at the Grandview Center.

A group of active seniors gathers twice a week at the Grandview Center to play chair volleyball and stay active.

“You think it’s not challenging, but it is,” she says. “It’s more aerobic than you think.”

It’s important to develop physical strength and endurance, especially as an older adult, Durban says. Every movement and motion has a purpose.

In addition to the chair volleyball team, the center also offers strength training and other physical classes for seniors.

For more information, visit www. grandviewheights.org.

“We just focus on these people who come and want to work out,” Durban says.

Gail Martineau is editor. Feedback and comments welcome at gmartineau@ pubgroupltd.com.

Upper Arlington family remodels

Revamped Residence

In August 2010, after spending a year away from the Upper Arlington home they’d owned for 20 years, the Jennings returned to a home that had nearly doubled in size.

In their absence, architects at Columbusbased Stock and Stone completed a twostory addition that included a new kitchen, mudroom, media and game room, and master bedroom, as well as a remodel of the existing space.

Homeowner Sharon Jennings takes pride in “that feeling of having created something.”

“We took our house the way it looked before and made it into something that was just what we wanted,” she says.

Sharon and her husband, Doug, realized that as their two children – Andrew,

13, and Kate, 12 – were growing, the family was quickly outgrowing the house, which began at about 1,600 feet and now is 3,100 square feet. Because they love their neighborhood – especially the corner lot that has a larger back yard than do many Upper Arlington homes – the Jennings family opted to remodel rather than move.

Beyond their primary goal of adding more living space, they wanted a house that would match their casual family lifestyle. For that reason, Sharon says, “We deliberately decided to get rid of a formal living room.”

For the same reason, they added a mudroom with plenty of storage space and even a built-in home for Snickerdoodle, their Cockapoo. A short walk from the

Sharon Jennings

Residence

mudroom reveals a kitchen that contains two sinks so two can cook at the same time. This, along with the room’s large island, makes for cozy family dinners.

Kate and Andrew are loving their new and improved home.

Kate opted for a yellow room. While Sharon admits it’s the only room that doesn’t follow the earthy color scheme of the rest of the house, she’s happy because Kate is.

Andrew is equally pleased, as the media room serves as the perfect Xbox-equipped hangout for him and his friends.

Kate’s enthusiasm for yellow paint is just as strong as her mother’s disdain for the fluorescent 1970s orange that once caked the bathroom walls.

“It’s one of those things you’ll go to an open house and see and think, ‘We’ve

got to repaint that bathroom,’ and then you don’t,” she says. But much to her relief, the orange has vanished.

A second welcome improvement was the addition of a front door. The previous front door had been on the side of the house, leading neighbors to describe the Jennings’ residence as “the house with no door.”

While the orange has disappeared – to

The family’s new kitchen features a large island, which doubles as a kitchen table.

The Forum at Knightsbridge is honored to be a longstanding and respected member of the Columbus community. We offer an uncompromising, high standard of living with all the warmth and hospitality of home, right here on our beautifully landscaped campus.

Experience the lifestyle you deserve…don’t wait a moment longer! Call for lunch and a tour to see why life at The Forum is better than ever!

The Jennings enjoy their new family room, which was a complete addition to the home.

The new mudroom has a built-in home for the family’s dog, Snickerdoodle.

be replaced with beige, spa blue and brown – and the Jennings home features a front door in the actual front of their home, the family still appreciates several elements of the house as it was prior to the remodel.

“We’ve always loved the large patio space, as well as the exterior of the house – that Cape Cod style,” Sharon says. “The addition also still allows natural light to flow through the house as it did before the remodel.”

Sharon and Doug both admit to being control freaks about their home. But their efforts have paid off, as you can see for yourself on Sept. 11, when their home is featured on the 24th annual Kitchen Kapers tour of Upper Arlington homes.

Katie Carns is a contributing writer. Feedback and comments welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

Kitchen Kapers

Kitchen Kapers’ 24th annual tour of six remodeled gourmet kitchens in Upper Arlington will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.

Kitchen Kapers has raised more than $352,000 for Riverside Methodist Hospital’s Cancer Care program since its start in 1987. Each year, more than 90 percent of the funds raised by the tour benefit the Cancer Care program.

Funds from this year’s Kitchen Kapers will assist the hospital’s Artist in Residence Program, which brings artists to patients and their families receiving treatment at Riverside. Artists provide creative outlets for patients in the form of literary, visual arts and music.

Last year’s event raised $41,000.

Tickets for this year’s tour can be purchased at www.kitchenkapers.org for $20, or $25 the day of the show at any of the homes.

The exterior now features an actual front door. The previous front door had been on the side of the house

Tailgate Triumph

Buckeye Hall of Fame

Grill chef explains how to be a fan favorite

Football is much more than just a game. It’s an experience –and a delicious one at that.

Tailgate parties can be just as popular as the game itself, and bringing a dish with flavor is an important goal for many attendees.

The Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill at Grandview Yard serves some of those traditional tailgating foods like burgers and hot dogs, but takes them to another level.

While bringing large, extravagant plates might not always be possible, there are ways to bring simple, yet bold, dishes with you to your next tailgate party, says Mark Johnston, executive chef at the restaurant.

Tailgate food, he says, should be easy to prepare, but shouldn’t take away from

the freshness. Basically, if you’re going to bring ribs, take the time to make your own.

“Actually marinate them,” he says. “Slow smoke them and finish them on the grill at the tailgate. Paying attention to detail and picking up the things you want and making your own spice mix are the things that make different tailgates unique.”

While most people choose to play it safe with hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages, Johnston says there are two items partygoers shouldn’t shy away from: beef and pork.

These meats can be prepared beforehand, and there are a number of ways to make them stand out with spices or sauces.

One of Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill’s more popular

menu items – which anyone can make – is the pulled pork sandwich, topped with its special slaw.

“It can be easily executed and served a number of ways,” Johnston says.

If there is not a way to warm up the meat at the tailgate, it’s not a problem; the flavors taste just as great cold as they do warm, he says. And if you’re looking for something to accompany the meat, you can’t go wrong with pasta salads, he says.

“There are so many variations and each one is just as good as the other,” says Johnston. “They’re super-duper easy to do and are a way to show yourself with the colors, flavors and complexity of them.”

Thailyr Scrivner is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill

Pulled Pork Sandwich:

Carnitas Marinade:

• 1 ½ cup diced onions

• ½ cup minced garlic

• 1 tsp. granulated garlic

• 1 ½ tsp. cumin

• 2 tsp. paprika

Carnitas Braising:

• 1 marinated pork butt

• 2 cups marinade

• ¼ cup liquid smoke

Coleslaw:

• 6 cups green cabbage

• 4 cups savoy cabbage

• 2 cups green onions

• 2 cups rough chopped cilantro

Pulled Pork Sandwich:

• 6 oz. pulled pork

• 2 oz. barbecue sauce

• ½ cup coleslaw

DIRECTIONS:

• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 2 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. pepper

• 1 ½ cup orange juice

• 1 ½ cup lemon juice

• 3 cups mayonnaise

• ½ cup sour cream

• ½ cup sugar

• ½ cup cider vinegar

• ¼ cup spicy mustard

• ½ cup onion straws

• 1 hoagie bun

• 1 pickle spear

To prepare the marinade, place all ingredients in a stainless steel bowl and stir. Pour the mixture over the pork and rub the marinade all over.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Combine marinade, liquid smoke and marinated pork in roasting pan. Cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in oven for five to six hours.

To prepare the coleslaw mix, remove outer leaves from both cabbages. Cut the cabbages in half and remove the cores. Cut and slice the cabbage to quarter-inch thickness, then place into stainless steel bowl. Chop onions, making sure there is no white, and place in bowl. Toss all ingredients together and mix well. To make the coleslaw dressing, combine all ingredients and pour over the coleslaw mixture.

Finally, to prepare a pulled pork sandwich, toast hoagie bun on the flat top. Toss warm pulled pork with barbecue sauce. In order, place pork, coleslaw and onion straws on bottom bun. Then serve with a pickle spear. Yields 15 sandwiches.

Adult Books

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

By Melanie Benjamin

Lavinia “Vinnie” Warren Bump never grew more than 32 inches tall. She wanted fame and found the person to help her realize her ambitions when she met P. T. Barnum. Her popularity increased when she married the petite General Tom Thumb. Though all her dreams were realized, so was her worst nightmare.

Found: A Daughter’s Journey Home

By Tatum O’Neal & Hilary Liftin

This is a sad tale of the movie-star lifestyle at its worst. Tatum, daughter of Ryan O’Neal, was abandoned by her father as a child. After a disastrous marriage to John McEnroe, Tatum became addicted to drugs. The story details her fight for sobriety and the restarting of her career.

The Wreckage

By Michael Robotham

Based on an actual robbery in Iraq, this story has two tracks: investigative reporters hot on the trail in Baghdad and retired Inspector Ruiz aiding a young girl in a London pub. The stories converge in fast and furious action involving terrorists, the CIA, international bankers and a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband.

The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus

By Sonya Sones

Holly has her hands full with an ailing mother, a daughter getting ready to leave for college and an editor breathing down her neck. Added to that, her husband of many years is starting to act rather suspicious. Fortunately, Holly has a wicked sense of humor, which makes this quick read most enjoyable.

Bringing Adam Home By

Les Standiford

Though the beginning of this book gives a lengthy detail of this famous case, soon, the reader is caught up in the events surrounding the disappearance and murder of Adam Walsh, son of John Walsh of America’s Most Wanted. The case drags on until the reader is as wrung out and exasperated as relatives of Adam must have been. Keep reading – justice does prevail.

Children’s Books

Cam Jansen and the First Day of School Mystery

By David Adler

On her first day of fifth grade, Cam Jansen uses her photographic memory to help the police find a car thief. Includes a memory game.

Tucker’s Four-Carrot School Day

By Susan Winget

The start of Tucker the rabbit’s first day of kindergarten is rocky, but making new friends helps change his attitude toward school.

The Kissing Hand

By Audrey Penn

A young raccoon is uncertain about going to school, until his mother shares a secret with him that makes him feel better.

Please Write in this Book

By Mary Amato

A third-grade teacher hides a blank journal in the classroom with a note attached that invites the finder to write an entry, and to re-hide the book. A hilarious exchange of ideas unfolds.

Brand-New Pencils, Brand-New Books

By Diane DeGroat

It’s the first day of first grade, and Gilbert is excited and nervous. He learns that first grade is not what he had expected. But Mrs. Byrd helps Gilbert discover that everyone has his or her own special talent.

Dexter the Tough

By Margaret Peterson Haddix

It’s the first day of school for Dexter, but he’s already mad at the principal, the secretary and the kids who laugh at him. But as he deals with family problems, he discovers many surprises hidden in his own tale.

Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden

By Edith Pattou

A sweet book written by a local author. Mrs. Spitzer is a kindergarten teacher that gently nurtures the children in her class, just like a gardener nurtures his garden each year. This book is dedicated to a kindergarten teacher at Tremont Elementary in Upper Arlington.

My Weird School Series

By Dan Gutman

A goofy series about strange happenings at an elementary school. Each book focuses on a different main character. Kids love to try to solve the mystery before it unfolds. A great series for reluctant beginning readers.