Westerville March/April 2023

Gianna

Jamie

Dave

Tyler Kirkendall

Claire Miller

Garth Bishop

Amanda

Aaron

Lucy Lawler

Katie Giffin

Mariah Muhammad

Laura

The

The

Dates and events are subject to change. Check with event organizers before attending.

March/April

March 3

Pancake Breakfast

7:30-10 a.m.

Westerville Senior Center 350 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org

March 4

Superhero Day 10 a.m.-noon

Westerville Community Center 350 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org

March 4, 11, 18, 25 (every Saturday)

Lifelong Christian Mission-Meal Pack for Families in Need 10-11 a.m.

921 Eastwind Dr., Ste. 118 www.westervillechamber.com

Westerville Central High School Concerts

Westerville Central High School 7118 Mt. Royal Ave. www.westerville.k12.oh.us/30/home

March 7

Band Concert

7:30 p.m.

March 8

Choir Concert

7:30 p.m.

March 9

Orchestra Concert

7:30 p.m.

March 7

Westerville North High School Orchestra and Choir Concert

7 p.m. WPAC 950 County Line Rd. www.westerville.k12.oh.us/30/home

March 8

The Backstory: Young Leader Event

5-6:30 p.m.

Grizzly Bird Brewing 5901 Chandler Ct. www.westervillechamber.com

March 10

Genoa Middle School Glow Run

6:45 p.m.

Genoa Middle School 5948 S. Old 3C Rd. www.runningintheusa.com

March 14

Westerville Area Chamber Quarterly Membership Luncheon 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

The Medallion Club 500 Club Dr. www.westervillechamber.com

March 27-31

Westerville City Schools Spring Break www.westerville.k12.oh.us

March 30-April 15

Otterbein University Department of Theatre and Dance presents Bright Star Cowan Hall 30 S. Grove St. www.otterbein.edu

April 5

Pancake Breakfast

7:30-10 a.m.

Westerville Senior Center 350 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org

April 23

Westerville Symphony Chorus presents Masterworks 3 Cowan Hall 30 S. Grove St. www.westervillesymphony.org

April 29

Capital City Half Marathon

8 a.m.

Downtown Columbus High and Town Street www.capitalcityhalfmarathon.com

Bez in Class

Columbus Crew president looks at his past and future in central Ohio

faces By Claire Miller

Photos courtesy of the Columbus Crew

Twenty years after graduating from St. Francis DeSales High School in Westerville, in 2020, Tim Bezbatchenko led the Columbus Crew to its first Major League Soccer Cup championship since 2008.

Bezbatchenko spent the majority of those 20 years away from Columbus, finishing his education and starting his career. But no matter how near or far he is from home, threads of the lessons he learned in his hometown, where his parents still reside, run through the fabric of his life and career.

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“In my current role, as a professional soccer club, we are trying to create community at Lower.com Field and with the global game of soccer, which unites people,” Bezbatchenko says. “We’ve come together with a shared passion for soccer. And I think providing a resource for the community to come together is something that is a thread that goes back to my time in Westerville.”

Bezbatchenko returned to Columbus in 2019 to lead the Columbus Crew as president and general manager, on the heels of a few tumultuous years. The team had been rescued from what seemed like a sure relocation, and Bezbatchenko became part of an entirely new leadership team for the club.

And though the Crew’s leadership was new, the territory was familiar for Bazbatchenko, who first played soccer at age 4 at NCAA Fields, now known as Columbus Recreation and Parks Fields, on Westerville Road.

His leadership with the Crew has led to several productive years for the team, starting with the 2020 MLS Cup title, the construction of Lower.com Field and the addition of its new training facility, the OhioHealth Performance Center.

Before joining the Crew, Bezbatchenko was senior vice president of soccer opera-

tions and general manager for Toronto FC for five years and led the team to a championship. He joined the Crew under the new ownership of Dee Haslam, Jimmy Haslam and Pete Edwards, who took possession to ensure the team would remain in Columbus after an extended process and largely fan-led campaign that saw the club in limbo.

“After having won a championship in Toronto, that had a unique aspect because it’s my first one,” he says, “but to come back to your hometown after everything that happened and to help play a small role in winning another title and bringing another title to Columbus, for the owners and the fans and the community, it was just a tremendous accomplishment and I’m very proud of that.”

While Bezbatchenko spent his childhood and adolescence honing his soccer skills, his ultimate sights were set on a college roster.

His father coached his U8/U9 team called the Power. He played club soccer for the Club Ohio Dynamo, which put him center stage in front of Division I soccer recruiters.

“That club was one of the best in the Midwest,” he says, “and so it was an opportunity to be seen and to become a bet-

ter player and also meet people from all around Columbus.”

He was seen and recruited by many teams, including The Ohio State University, but Bezbatchenko ultimately choose the University of Richmond.

“I do view college as an opportunity to, you know, to see what’s out there and to learn about our country and about myself as a person,” he says.

There, he was named team captain and reached the NCAA Division I tournament with the Spiders in 2002. He graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s in economics and leadership studies.

After graduation, he played professionally for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, a United Soccer League team, for two seasons. He wanted to pursue a career as an athletic director at a university and spent his time away from the game studying for the LSAT in Pittsburgh and here at the Westerville Public Library.

“I thought I wanted to be a lawyer because I thought having a law degree was broad enough that it would enable and allow me to do something in the sport of soccer,” he says.

He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2008 and moved to New York where he worked as

We’ve come together with a shared passion for soccer. “ ”

an attorney on mergers and acquisitions for Shearman & Sterling LLP.

In 2010, he joined MLS as the senior director of player relations and competition. In 2013, he became the youngest general manager in MLS history when he took the job with Toronto FC at 31.

Now back in central Ohio, he may lead a professional sports team, but some things haven’t changed in his hometown. Namely, he’s still not the most well-known Bezbatchenko in Westerville.

That honor, Bezbatchenko says, would belong to his dad, a dentist with a 46-year career whose patients still ask Bezbatchenko if he’s Dr. Bez’s son.

“What I would say is the city has changed so much, both Columbus and Westerville,” he says. “Yet I feel like in the best ways it stayed the same.”

When he was in town with Toronto for the MLS Cup playoffs in 2017, he began to

notice the changes in vibrancy and diversity in Columbus. He realized that Columbus would be the ideal place to live with his wife, Annie, and their two kids, Jack and Sarah.

“Moving back here was an opportunity to raise our children in the area and with similar values and to have a little more space and a little more flexibility around work schedules,” he says.

Bezbatchenko has followed the team since high school when it was playing its first games in Ohio Stadium until 1999, when it moved to what is now known as Historic Crew Stadium. He watched from afar as the Crew claimed its first MLS Cup title, then when it fought to stay in Columbus. After coming home and leading the team to its second Cup win, he is now leading the team into its next phase.

“Now we’re set up to be consistent contenders in MLS and I think that, looking forward, we don’t want to be a team that’s just trying to get to the playoffs each year,” Bezbatchenko says. “We really do want to be contending for championships.”

That plan relies on the ability to buy successful players like the Crew’s Luca Zelarayan, Cucho Hernandez and Darlington Nagbe, but also on growing the game of soccer in the area and developing players locally. An example of that is Aidan Mor-

ris, a homegrown player from the Crew Academy, who was the youngest player ever to start in an MLS Cup in 2020 at just 19 years old.

“I don’t want that to be a one-off,” he says. “We really want to demonstrate to the world that we can develop talent here in this country and particularly in Columbus and in the state of Ohio.”

New head coach Wilfried Nancy aligns with this mission, as his roots are in player development.

Bezbatchenko says MLS, which didn’t exist while he was growing up, and the sport of soccer have changed his life.

“I’m committed to the game of soccer. It’s given me so much, given my family so much, and I do not take it for granted, because soccer has failed in this country many times before,” he says. “We have to be laser-focused every day with our club team, with the league office, because if you take your eye off of it, again, like we learned in Save the Crew, your team could leave or the league could fail. So, we have a tremendous responsibility to our communities to make sure it doesn’t.”

Claire Miller is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at cmiller@cityscenemediagroup.com.

By Katie Giffin

Happy Birthday, Hanby

Westerville’s beloved elementary school celebrates centennial

On April 29, 2023, Hanby Elementary is celebrating its 100-year anniversary of being an educational pillar in the Westerville Community. The school is commemorating the event through a festival celebration from noon-4 p.m., held inside the school where everyone is welcome to join in.

“The building will be open to really anyone who wants to come celebrate Hanby’s centennial,” says Caley Nestor Baker, principal of Hanby Elementary. “We’re going to have lots of different activities going on (like) scavenger hunts (and) food trucks – all of that good stuff that makes a really fun birthday party.”

Nestor Baker shares that this centennial is more than just a celebration of Westerville’s history – the anniversary means acknowledging Westerville’s tradition of valuing education.

“Westerville City Schools has been an integral part of Westerville as a community for so long. To be able to recognize how long it has been at the center of who we are as Westerville, it just means a whole lot,” she says.

Sitting across the street from Westerville City Hall, Hanby Elementary is the geographical epicenter of Uptown Westerville.

The school’s location is a true representation of how the city has centered education in its community for decades.

“Hanby Elementary sits at the corner of State and Park – it is the heart of Uptown Westerville. When you drive into Westerville, you see a school,” Nestor Baker says.

“It is the foundation of everything, so you see all of these flourishing businesses around … and you know that it all starts with education.”

Because of the school’s centralized location, Hanby’s students get rare access to the surrounding resources.

“Hanby is not a neighborhood school. Hanby pulls from all parts of our Westerville School District, so you have the students coming from all (over) learning (the history of Westerville).”

Hanby’s continued involvement in and around the community establishes the school as an integral piece of the city. Hanby’s students go on field trips to the Mid Ohio Food Collective to learn about supporting the community, they see performances at Otterbein University, they visit COSI, and go on walking trips to city hall and First Responders Park. Hanby students learn firsthand about the history of Westerville and the role education has played in forming those bonds over the century.

Photos courtesy of Caley Nestor Baker

It’s really wonderful to think that a school has been a part of a community for 100 years.

“One hundred years. It’s really wonderful to think that a school has been a part of a community for 100 years,” she says. “So much has happened … that we can reflect on and celebrate and it’s just a wonderful way to bring the community together. Education is … what weaves the fabric of the community.”

A Century of Community

Hanby Elementary welcomed its first students on April 29, 1923. It is the second oldest school in Westerville and has been home to all grade levels from K-12. When Hanby was first built, it was named Westerville High School until Westerville South opened in 1960 and Hanby shifted to a junior high school. Now, Hanby serves as a magnet school for grades one through five.

Hanby Elementary was named after composer, educator, pastor and conductor of the Underground Railroad, Benjamin Hanby. Hanby moved to Westerville with his family in the mid-1800s and became an extraordinarily active member of the community.

“He was a leader in the community … and it seemed very apt to name the building after him. His family was also really involved in Otterbein, so education … and the arts was there. It made very good sense to honor the Hanbys with the school,” Nestor Baker says.

While the building has undergone renovations and changes since its initial build, the building maintains the entirety of its original structure from the 1920s. In 2003, the school installed air conditioning, and later underwent a more serious set of renovations.

“When we did Hanby’s beautification, we updated it, not to necessarily make it all modern; we updated it in 2013 with windows and doors that reflected what it looked like when it was first opened. So, we honor the character that makes each of our buildings unique.”

Hanby is scheduled to undergo another renovation this summer to prepare the school for its next 100 years.

“We are making sure all of the mechanics are up to date, making sure that, cosmetically speaking, it gets a refresh. So, it isn’t going to be a massive undertaking,” Nestor Baker says.

Not only will Hanby have a physical refresh, but the school is looking to reimagine its course programs. In the past, Hanby alternated between centralizing STEM and the arts. However, in the next couple of years, Hanby is looking to become a school that prioritizes both.

“As we move into the next 100 years, we will have a revitalized magnet program to kick it off,” Nestor Baker says.

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Westerville Together

By Mariah Muhammad

Chamber

In January 2021, Westerville City Council member Coutanya Coombs and several other Westerville citizens gathered to discuss diversity in Westerville’s business community. The result of this conversation established the Westerville Area Chamber Business Inclusion and Opportunities Council (BIOC).

BIOC’s mission is to “advance and foster an environment for diverse business owners and professionals to grow and foster productive business relationships.”

Since 2005, when Coombs, council chair, moved to Westerville, she’s been heavily involved in the community and has continued to share a passion for diversifying and supporting local businesses.

“I fondly remember how embracing the community was to my family when we moved into the community,” Coombs says. “I am encouraged that Westerville is a city that seeks proactive change and pro-

gression, and therefore I look forward to serving Westerville in a leadership capacity. Our accomplishments can be infinite when our mindset is Westerville together.”

BIOC first assessed its own members’ strengths and weaknesses and established a mission and values. Once its members were satisfied with its internal structure, it shifted their focus externally. Its first goal was to assess the state of the Westerville business community. For example, it determined how many businesses were run by people of color. The council realized there were some businesses owned by people of color that members of the council weren’t even aware of.

“When we first got together, we had about 32 businesses in Westerville whose owners were people of color,” she says. “We realized we didn’t know each other was here. So, our first objective is to promote inclusiveness. That’s not based necessarily on race or culture, but it includes all

Photos courtesy of Westerville Area

Coutanya Coombs

Chamber creates council to improve local business’ diversity

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the different backgrounds, ethnicities and abilities of people.”

So, it set to work on its next task: to foster an environment in Westerville where these diverse business leaders could interact with each other, support one another and raise awareness of these businesses, with the end goal of bringing more diverse business leaders to the area.

“One of the things we wanted to do was attract other diverse businesses to the Westerville area,” she says. “Some people mentioned that getting their footing in the community was a bit tedious. We want to compile data that we can put in a chest of resources for the next person to make introductions. If we can collectively assist the chamber as they go out and try to draw businesses into our community, that would be great because people feel more comfortable when they know there are people much like them in thought processes.”

BIOC members set their sights on businesses as well as diverse talent. Their aim is to strengthen the business community both through attracting businesses to the region, but also to encourage diverse talent to live and work in Westerville.

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BIOC continues to advocate and gather data and assess Westerville’s strengths and weaknesses in the world of diverse talent and business in order to fortify the economy and make it a more attractive place for people of all backgrounds.

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“We’re not doing any projects yet, as we decided to start with our self-analysis and what we brought to the table,” she says. “What we brought to the table was the ability to get the attention of other business owners and the ability to network within the chamber. We recognize and articulate some common concerns in business and in the Westerville area.”

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* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 02/02/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 02/02/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

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One such concern, Coombs says, is not a lack of resources in Westerville, but a lack of knowledge about those resources. Individuals might not know who to contact or where to go for questions.

“Westerville is a very inclusive community, and we want to showcase that,” Coombs says. “We want to be there to help anyone that needs assistance.”

With a blend of resources from the Westerville chamber and the City of Westerville, Coombs assures the business community that BIOC is here to grow and uplift the entire region.

“We want them to know that we don’t operate outside the chamber; we are part of the chamber just as we are part of Westerville,” she says.

Alexis Morley Financial Advisor

Brent Blackwell (from left), Carolyn Thurman, Clayton Freeman, Amber Broadus, Bridgette Mix and Corey Mayle attended a kickoff mixer for the Westerville Chamber of Commerce Business Inclusion and Opportunities Council at Can't Believe It's Vegan in Westerville. Blackwell, Thurman, Freeman, Mix and Mayle are Chamber and BIOC members.

Mariah Muhammad is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

By Aaron Gilliam

Girls Take the Mat student spotlight

Groundbreaking OHSAA tournament paves the way for all-girls wrestling programs

ments will encourage more young girls to join programs across the state.

Though the tournament for female wrestlers is new to the state, Westerville North has been a supportive home for these athletes for nearly two decades. Wrestling coach David Grant has been working with female wrestlers for the entirety of his 19-year tenure. Brooke Gipson, a 2006 graduate of Westerville North, was Grant’s first female wrestler and set the tone for all future girls in the program.

Senior Melania Szawranskyj has been wrestling for Westerville North since her freshman year, and has primarily competed against boys. When the OHSAA announced its plan to host an official state tournament this year, meeting Westerville’s requirements to create an official program, Szawranskyj found herself in a leadership position within the girls program.

In June 1972, then President Richard Nixon inked his signature onto a piece of legislation that would shake the foundations of organized educational and athletic programs in publicly funded schools across America.

Fast forward to almost 50 years later, Title IX is as important today as it was then when it comes to women’s equality in education and athletics. It’s been an uphill battle for proponents of progress, but with each passing year success can be measured by historic firsts in girls sports.

With more than 800 girls currently wrestling in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), the Schottenstein Center is preparing to host the state’s first-ever sanctioned girls state wrestling tournament alongside the boys tournament on March 11-13. It’s another historic milestone for girls seeking an equal playing field in athletics.

The acknowledgment of girls wrestling as an official OHSAA athletics program has legitimized the hard work of these athletes and created a proper platform for them to be recognized on a state level. Westerville North athletic director Wes Elifritz believes all-girls wrestling tourna-

Photos courtesy of Justin Ferguson and Wes Elifritz

Grant has taken control of both the boys and girls programs to ensure they’re both given proper attention. Both receive separate gym and practice times, and Grant has made sure to give the girls the right resources. But juggling both programs isn’t a simple task. Assistant coaches like Paul Szawranskyj, senior athlete Szawranskyj’s father, are key in keeping the program rolling without missing a beat.

On Dec. 8 last year, North hosted its first home meet. The community had a good turnout, showing excitement for the historic moment. The boys wrestling team was there to show their support as well, creating a tunnel for the girls as they walked into meet for the first time.

“The boys have accepted them from day one, the culture is good between the two programs,” says Grant. “All the girls are really hard-working and that draws the teachers and community to want to support them.”

Westerville South coach Justin Ferguson is making strides of his own to push South’s program in a similar direction as North’s. Like North, the OHSAA’s creation of the girls wrestling tournament was the catalyst for the program.

Ferguson hopes to achieve the success North has had at South. With just four female wrestlers at South, the program takes a slightly different shape than at North. Male and female athletes practice together at South, integrating training and sparring in both programs.

What South lacks in numbers, they make up for in intrigue. Athletic director Jeff Good says other the wrestling program is drawing other female athletes’ attention. Good says after other female athletes’ practices, some are sticking around to catch a glimpse of what the wrestling program is all about. South has five girls-only wrestling events on its schedule this year but hopes to boost that number in the future.

Being in an open-enrollment district means South’s program is competing with North’s to draw as many wrestlers to the school as possible. As numbers rise year over year, it’s clear the program is trending upward. In time, Ferguson hopes the success of the program and the strong foundation built today will draw more wrestlers to the school and strengthen the program.

And North is right there to cheer on its neighboring school. After all, friendly local rivalries are always welcome in central Ohio.

“Here in Westerville, all our sports teams are zoned in to ‘rule the ’ville.’ We only think this is going to be a catalyst for growing the sport not only here at North but at our sister schools,” Elifritz says. “Now that it’s an official school sport with its own schedule and

coaching staff, it’ll only continue to allow the numbers to grow.”

Aaron Gilliam is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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living By Mariah Muhammad

Two Centuries of Charm

Reconstructing Westerville’s oldest home

From the 1800s to the 21st century, a house in Westerville continues to stand the test of time.

When Laurie Greco and her husband Jefferson Barlew purchased their home in 2018, they became part of Westerville history. The Greco-Barlew home was originally constructed in 1820 by Gideon Hart after his father was granted the 380 acres for serving in the Revolutionary War, making it the oldest home in Westerville.

“When we were doing our home search, we initially looked in more urban areas, but we love old historic homes,” Barlew says. “When we saw that it was the oldest home in Westerville, we thought we’d look just for kicks.”

Though Greco and Barlew didn’t necessarily plan to move to Westerville, as soon as they laid eyes on the historic home, they immediately fell in love. And when they moved in with their three Boston terriers, they pledged to preserve as much of its past as possible.

However, any home built in the 1800s will need regular maintenance and renovations to keep it standing as proudly as it should. Greco and Barlew knew they would

have to renovate the home at some point, but after a tree fell on the house during a windstorm in spring 2018, they got a closer look at its bones. The tree severely damaged

the roof and chimney, exposing the roof’s actual condition.

“When the siding came off, it revealed that it was built with barn construction, so

Photos courtesy of Laurie Greco and Jefferson Barlew

it’s not built at all,” Barlew says. “The contractor said, ‘This would never pass code today.’ It was sort of a blessing in disguise.”

After the devastating incident, the couple immediately began repairs with preservation in mind, which we featured in the September/ October 2018 edition of Westerville Magazine

“In terms of the interior, I wanted to preserve the historic home feeling but have modern amenities and a modern industrial farmhouse style,” Greco says.

The remodeling began around May 2018 and finished near the end of November 2018, each room seeing its own makeover, especially the kitchen and dining room.

The couple revamped the kitchen with modern stainless steel appliances, a vast farmhouse sink, hanging lights and new cabinets. Lastly, the room was painted white and grey with an extended bright blue island in the center to fit Greco’s bold personality.

“We installed a big blue island which was funny because before, we had white quartz countertops,” Barlew says. “The contractors were looking at that big blue island and were like, ‘I don’t know,’ but Laurie said, ‘I have a vision for this, don’t worry about it.’ Then it works perfectly once the counters are in.”

Although the windstorm cost the couple financially, there was a silver lining. Griffey Remodeling, Greco and Barlew’s contractor, expressed hesitation in larger renovations, but Greco was persistent. That persistence paid off when Griffey

tore plaster away from one of the walls to reveal a brick wall and an unexpected fireplace underneath.

“We realized it was an old cooking fireplace,” Barlew says. “It still has the original iron handle from 1820 and the bricks. It opened that whole space up to be displayed and showcased the fireplace well.”

The couple and Griffey theorized that the fireplace had been plastered over long ago, and the original indoor chimney had been removed. However, thanks to the fateful windstorm, they were able to restore it to its former glory with the external bricks.

“Because the tree had fallen on the roof and knocked the old chimney down, we were able to replace the fireplace’s old bricks with the chimney’s bricks because there’s no way we could get modern bricks that look like that,” Barlew adds. “So, it maintained its complete character because we had the old bricks to use.”

Thanks to Barlew and Greco’s stewardship of the Gideon Hart house, the 200-year-old home in Westerville will hopefully stand the test of time for another 200 years with a renewed sense of strength.

Mariah Muhammad is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feeback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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In December 2022, Westerville home prices were up 11.8 percent compared to 2021, selling for a median price of $380K. On average, homes in Westerville sell after 37 days on the market compared to 38 days last year. There were 38 homes sold in December this year, down from 74 in 2021. (Data from Redfin)

Top Homes Sold in Westerville

721 Autumn Branch Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $437,000 Sold on 12/23/22

1056 Melinda Dr. 3 beds, 2.5 baths $425,500 Sold on 12/27/22

800 Wackeman Ct. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $409,000 Sold on 1/10/23

866 Puddington Ct. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $397,000 Sold on 12/22/22

620 Cherrington Rd. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $395,000 Sold on 12/2/22

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By Lucy Lawler

Photos courtesy of Kristen Kravitz

Worldwide Flavors Close to Home

Local mother embraces food that fuels a sense of wanderlust

Working mom Kristen Kravitz escapes Columbus for a handful of hours on Wednesday evenings, but not in the way you might expect.

A year and a half ago, Kravitz merged her passions for cooking and travel by creating World Cultures Wednesday – a weekly celebration of foreign flavors and flair – with her eldest daughter. By way of cuisine, Westerville Public Library books and Spotify playlists, the duo transform their one-on-one time into an opportunity for adventure.

Kravitz says the practice was born directly from her then second-grader’s overflowing curiosity.

“She’s got a globe in her room that she loves to look at,” Kravitz says. “So we sat down together with the globe, and she

made a list of the countries that she was interested in learning more about.”

Almost every Wednesday, the mother and daughter immerse themselves in a different international location; from Brazil to China, Japan to Mexico, no place is out of their imaginative bounds.

“It’s definitely been a really good vehicle for being able to talk a little bit about the news, what’s going on in the world, politics around countries, especially those that were colonized in the past,” Kravitz says. “It’s also helped us have more thoughtful conversations about world politics, you know, at an age-appropriate level.”

As a vice president of supply chain at Abercrombie & Fitch, Kravitz’s professional life can be hectic, so picking up takeout makes life a little easier and supports our central Ohio business owners.

“I’ve lived in Columbus for about six years,” Kravitz says. “I did not realize the breadth of how many international restaurants we have available to us.”

Mini Ethiopian Coffee House and Carry Out, Nazareth Restaurant & Deli and Sushiko are just a few of the spots the Kravitz family has visited – expanding their culinary acumen to Ethiopia, Israel and Japan.

Between bites, Kravitz frequently shares anecdotes of her time spent abroad with her older daughter, who attends Westerville City Schools. She hopes her younger daughter, currently 5 years old, will want to participate in similar conversations one day.

“It’s been a great way to really humanize the places that I’ve been to,” Kravitz says. “It’s not just learning about it via books, but also being able to tell stories of the people that I’ve met.”

Sri Lankan dal with coconut and lime kale is a simple and earthy recipe Kravitz whipped up for a recent installment of World Cultures Wednesday.

Lucy Lawler is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com

Sri Lankan Dal with Coconut and Lime Kale

Sri Lankan Dal with Coconut and Lime Kale

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

• 1 lb. red lentils

• 3 green cardamom pods

• 3 tbsp. coconut oil

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3 whole cloves

• 2 small white onions, thinly sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed

• ¾ inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated (about 1 tbsp.)

• 2 green finger chiles or Serrano chiles, stemmed and finely sliced

• Scant ½ tsp. ground turmeric

• 1 large bunch kale (about 9 oz.)

• ½ tsp. mustard seeds

• 2 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut

• 2 tsp. kosher salt

• 1 lime, juiced

• 7 oz. (¾ cup plus 2 tbsp.) canned coconut milk

• Yogurt, for serving

• Rice, for serving

Using a strainer and cold water, rinse the lentils and place them in a bowl for later.

Heat 2 tbsp. of the coconut oil in a big cooking pot over medium heat. After breaking open the cardamom pods with a knife, add them to the pot along with the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Allow ingredients to fry for a minute before adding the onions. Gently stir at regular intervals for 10 minutes. When the onions are softened and brown in color, add the garlic, ginger and green chiles in and stir-fry for up to two minutes.

Once done, set aside 1⁄3 of the blend, but don’t remove the cinnamon stick.

After draining the lentils, add them to the pot. Concurrently, add the turmeric and 4¼ cups of hot water. Bring the pot to a boil on high heat, then let the mixture simmer for 20-25 minutes on low heat; stir frequently, or until the lentils are softened and slightly smooth.

Chop off the kale stems and cut the leaves into thin ribbons. In a lidded frying pan, warm up 1 tbsp. of the coconut oil before adding the mustard seeds. Wait for them to begin popping, then add the 1⁄3 onion blend and fry for one or two minutes. Add in the kale, the shredded coconut and the ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir-fry for one minute, adding in ¼ cup of hot water when finished. Steam the kale until it’s wilted by leaving the pan’s lid on for around two minutes. Stir in the lime juice at your own pace.

Simmer the lentils with the coconut milk and the leftover salt for five additional minutes. Extract the pot from the burner, disposing of the cinnamon stick and any remaining cardamom pods. Using a ladle, serve up the dal and distribute the kale evenly atop all bowls. Yogurt and rice can be served as sides to round out the meal.

Homework Help

bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

For online library resources such as ebooks, digital magazines, kids activities and more, visit www.westervillelibrary.org

Recommended Youth Reads from Katie Ross, Youth Services Librarian

Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim (Picture Book)

Danbi, a new student, wants to participate in the fun and games with her classmates. She decides to create a new game that will involve all the students in the school.

I’m New Here by Anne

Sibley O’Brien

(Picture Book)

Discover what it might be like to be a new student from a different country. New students need the help of their fellow classmates to learn new ways of doing things and to feel included.

Lunch Every Day by Kathryn

Otoshi (Picture Book)

Bullies have feelings and needs like everyone else. One mother decides to help her son’s bully in a way that will transform both of their lives.

This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World

by Matt Lamothe (Juvenile Non-fiction)

This book is based on the lives of seven children from different countries around the world. Discover the similarities and differences between the ways various cultures live their daily lives.

Recommended Adult Reads from Mindy Bilyeu, Adult Services Librarian

Ambitious Like a Mother: Why Prioritizing your Career Is Good for your Kids

by Lara Bazelon (Non-fiction)

Lara Bazelon, a law professional, argues that women prioritizing their career benefits other mothers, kids and society at large by showing how they can use their talents to help others and raise awareness about issues that are important to them.

The Art of Talking with Children: The Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids

by Rebecca Givens Rolland (Non-fiction)

Rebecca Givens Rolland, a Harvard faculty member and oral language specialist, provides adults with evidence-based tools and techniques to help them have productive and meaningful conversations with children of all ages.

A Girlhood: A Letter to My Transgender Daughter by Carolyn

Hays (Non-fiction)

A parent’s love letter to a daughter who has always known exactly who she is. One ordinary day, a caseworker from the Department of Children and Families knocked on the Hays family’s door to investigate an anonymous complaint about the upbringing of their transgender child.

Imperfect Parenting: How to Build a Relationship with Your Child to Weather Any Storm

by Dona J. Matthews (Non-fiction)

Written for parents of children from birth to young adulthood (ages 0-24), this book helps you examine your role as a guide, cheerleader, advocate and, most importantly, as a human being who doesn’t always have the right answers.