Westerville Magazine May/June 2017

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Ron Clowson planted the seeds for three decades of WesterFlora

www.westervillemagazine.com

Hoover Sailing Club What’s New in Westerville Dining Community Band Festival

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Inside

MAY/JUNE 2017 VOL. 16 NO. 5

09

06 community calendar 09 city reporter

CityReporter

News and Information from the City of Westerville

15 faces

News and Information from the City of Westerville

A Three-Decade Tour

Inaugural WesterFlora chairman Ron Clowson helped make the garden tour a powerhouse

18 in focus

Brunch Bounty

Dutch babies, ricotta pancakes and gourmet Twinkies join the menu in Westerville

22 Whatever Floats Your Boat

22

Hoover Sailing Club offers recreational and competitive enjoyment for adults and children alike

24 Here We Logo Again

Marburn Academy’s new gym floor is emblazoned with a design by a Westerville student

26 living

Tear Down This Wall

Renovated kitchen is far more open to the rest of the first floor

28 on the table

28

Westervillian Bandstand

The third annual Community Band Festival is more than just music

30 bookmarks

Recommendations from the Westerville Public Library

This issue’s Around Westerville can be found at www.westervillemagazine.com.

Find Westerville Magazine on Facebook Read more online at WestervilleMagazine.com www.westervillemagazine.com

On the Cover: Marilyn and Ron Clowson Photo by Gwendolyn Z. Photography Story on page 15

Community for Life

Know. Understand. Care.

(614) 888-7492

www.wesleyglen.com 5155 North High Street • Columbus, Ohio 43214 Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

May/June 2017

5

2017

SAT FRI THU 4 3 2 11 10 9 8 18 7 17 6 16 5 15 25 14 24 13 23 12 22 21 31 20 30 19 29 28 27 26

WED TUE MON 1 SUN

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

May 4

WESTERVILLE -DENTAL HEALTH-

Westerville Area Resource Ministry Community Prayer Breakfast 6:30-8:30 p.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www.warmwesterville.org

May 5-21

Curtain Players Theatre presents Trevor by Nick Jones 8 p.m. May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20; 2 p.m. May 14, 21; Curtain Players Theatre, 5691 Harlem Rd., Galena, www.curtainplayers.org

We’re Just a Smile Away!

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May 6-7

Spring Plant Sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 7, Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., www.inniswood.org

May 10-June 28

May

May 21

May 26

May 24-July 14

May 26-29

Westerville Community Bands Spring Concert 3 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillebands.org The Art of Intuition II David Myers Art Studio and Gallery, 7 W. Main St., www.davidmyersart.com

May 25

Party at the Creek 6-8 p.m., Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org

May 26

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Back to Nature 6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.visitwesterville.org

Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays, Uptown Westerville, corner of North State and East Home streets, www.marketwednesday.com

Westerville Historical Society presents Westerville’s Believe it or Not 7:30-9 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillehistory.org Field of Heroes 24 hours a day, Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave., www.fieldofheroes.org

May 27

Westerville High School Graduation North, 10 a.m.; Central, 2 p.m.; South, 6 p.m.; Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 27

Opening Day 11 a.m., Highlands Park Aquatic Center, 245 S. Spring Rd., www.westerville.org

May 18

St. Jude’s Discover the Dream 6 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, www.stjude.org

May 20

Westerville Education Foundation Mini-Golf Fundraiser 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Westerville Mini-Golf & Batting Cages, 450 W. Schrock Rd., www.westerville educationfoundation.com

Field of Heroes

Sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau For more events, visit www.visitwesterville.org

www.westervillemagazine.com

June June 1

CityScene Magazine Party/ COSI After Dark 5:30 p.m., COSI, 333 W. Broad St., www.cosi.org

Paralegal services provided by an experienced professional, on an as needed basis.

June 1-24

Otterbein University presents My Fair Lady 7:30 p.m. June 1; 8 p.m.

June 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24; 2 p.m.

June 4, 9, 11; Fritsche Theatre, Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

June 3

Westerville Lions Club Chicken Dinner 4-7 p.m., American Legion Post 171, 393 E. College Ave., www.westervillelions.org

June 4-25

Sounds of Summer Concert Series 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sundays, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org

June 8

National Kidney Foundation Cooking with the Stars 5:30 p.m., Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Rd., Columbus, www.kidney.org

June 10

Community Band Festival Noon-9 p.m., Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., www.westervillebands.org

Photos courtesy of city of Westerville and KidsLinked

June 15-24

Curtain Players Theatre presents Alice: A Variation on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland 7:30 p.m., Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., www.curtainplayers.org

www.westervillemagazine.com

Kylie L. Gardner, CLA

KLG Paralegal Services, LLC Columbus Children’s Festival

June 16

June 24

Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network Uptown Shuffle 5:30-8 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.westerville chamber.com

Honor Flight Pancake Breakfast 7:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Post 171, 393 E. College Ave., www.honorflightcolumbus.org

June 17

Relay for Life Westerville 3 p.m.-9 a.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.relay. acsevents.org

Columbus Children’s Festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.kidslinked.com

June 21, 28

Family Concert Series 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org

June 24-25

June 25

Generations Performing Arts Center presents The Pride and Spirit of America 5 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mt. Royal Ave., www.gen-pac.com

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Bath Candy Natural Skin Care Products: Hand Made Soaps, Bath Bombs, Bubble Bars, Aromatherapy

June 23

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Safety Fest 6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www. visitwesterville.org

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May/June 2017

7

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NEWS FROM THE CITY OF WESTERVILLE • MAY/JUNE 2017

CityReporter www.westerville.org

Westerville Community Center Expansion Project Come Grow with Us Last March and April, a series of public engagement and planning meetings helped launch the Westerville Community Center Expansion Project. The big ideas and opportunities that came from residents and visitors were turned into conceptual drawings by architects, and put on display in the rotunda.

There are still ways to get involved in the project before any dirt is moved.

advanced to the architectural team for design. The relocation and integration of the Westerville Senior Center within one facility, the expansion of the fitness area and improvements to the indoor pool were popular interior concepts for the project. On the exterior list, residents saw value in better incorporation of the wetlands, expansion of recreation opportunities around the building and improving the parking lot.

Come by for a Look The conceptual renderings took shape through a series of public meetings and focus groups where ideas and options were discussed, reviewed and

Still Time for Feedback Throughout the month of May, residents and passholders are encouraged to continue to offer feedback at the display site, attend meetings or provide

feedback online at www.westerville.org/ centerexpansion. In June, Westerville City Council and City administrators will review and discuss the expansion plans.

Hey, Young Adults!

One of the consistent themes staff heard in focus groups and planning sessions from the young adult age group was a compliment; some form of “You do a great job. Keep doing what you do.” While staff loves to hear that sentiment, young adult input is very important for this project’s success. Hey, young adults: Help us build on to the Center you will use more as you continue to be involved in your community.

This Day in History June 28, 1917

Westerville Post Office Gets “First Class” Rating One hundred years ago, Westerville’s post office was a small facility with a big job. In June 1917, the Westerville Public Opinion reported that the office, then located at 16 E. College Ave., had been given a first-class designation.

“Westerville is probably the smallest town in (the) United States having a first class office,” read the centuryold article. The publication also noted that “the enormous mails of the Anti-Saloon League” were www.westervillemagazine.com

responsible for the classification boost. In fact, at the time, the post office’s three clerks were thought to have handled more than 40-tons of Temperance literature each month, in addition to the other postal needs of the community. The classification gave the postmaster a salary bump of $100 (about $1,900 in today’s money) and was said to “undoubtedly” allow for more clerks to be hired to process mail.

This and hundreds of other fascinating facts, materials and artifacts are on display at the Westerville Public Library in the Local History Center’s Anti-Saloon League Museum. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sunday. Visit www.westervillelibrary.org/anti saloon to learn more.

May/June 2017

9

CityReporter

Public Safety Profile

Support for Police Shines Bright in Westerville

Some Westerville businesses and residents will be joining the movement to “Light Central Ohio Blue” in May by displaying blue lights and/ or blue ribbons from Monday, May 8 - Tuesday, May 16.

Last year when Bill Swank, a locally-based federal agent, asked for help showing appreciation for police, the City of Columbus obliged.

Many prominent buildings along the Columbus skyline were illuminated with blue lights in a sign of respect for police officers who currently serve and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“The idea for the campaign to show support for the currently serving law enforcement officers and their families while paying respect to the officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice was after the death of Columbus Police Officer Steven Smith who was killed on April 12, 2016 on a SWAT operation,” Swank said.

The tragedy of Officer Smith’s death reverberated throughout the Central Ohio community. Not long after, Hilliard Division of Police Officer Sean Johnson was killed while on duty. For many, it was a sobering reminder of the sacrifice first responders are willing to make for their communities.

Light Central Ohio Blue has since “We’re all a part of the Central Ohio gained momentum, with dozens of community. We have great working municipalities, businesses and orga- relationships with all of the law ennizations making the commitment to forcement agencies in the area. I think Light Central Ohio those partnerships Blue. Westerville Dihave really helped us vision of Police Chief to make this a safer Joseph Morbitzer community,” said Lt. and Lt. Ron McMillin McMillin. have led the charge Even if residents to bring the movedon’t display their ment to the City. blue, Lt. McMillin Lt. McMillin said said that even the the effort is a natusmallest display of ral fit for the Westergratitude goes a very Light Central Ohio Blue ville community.

Monday, May 8-Tuesday, May 16 long way.

“We have a great “One thing officers relationship with our Peace Officers Memorial Day appreciate more than Monday, May 15 community. It’s reanything is when a ally like a two-way member of the comNational Police Week street,” he said. “As Monday, May 15-Sunday, May 21 munity comes up and a police departsays, ‘thank you’,” ment, we reach out to our commu- said Lt. McMillin. “Our community nity. We try to get involved and offer members have rallied around us and education and outreach programs inundated us with baked goods, cards so that residents are involved in the and prayer. We’re extremely fortunate entire process of keeping the Wester- to work where we do.” ville community safe. This is just an Light Central Ohio Blue will end extension of that.” the day after National Peace Officers The growing support for Light Memorial Day, a nationally-recognized Central Ohio Blue reflects the day established by President John F. bond regional law enforcement Kennedy in 1962. The week that folagencies share. lows is National Police Week.

License Plate Allows Residents to Show Westerville Pride Motorists can show their civic pride by purchasing a new “Westerville” community license plate.

The plate is now available through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and can be purchased online at www.bmv.ohio.gov. It was designed to represent the Westerville community as a whole. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the plates will go to the Westerville Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department in funding projects and service programs. Another portion of the proceeds will be set aside to fund anti-bullying initiatives for school-aged students.

10 May/June 2017

www.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter

Economic Development Profile

Mark Your Why New Hotels Calendars in Westerville are Welcome Sights

From the bustling Westar Place district to the expanding Medical Mile and beyond, Westerville is appearing as an epicenter of economic development. With great growth come new visitors to the area. Westerville is proud to welcome the development of the 222-room Marriott Renaissance and 100-room Aloft Hotel. These catalytic developments aren’t just good for visitors; they’re great for residents and resident businesses as well. Here are a few reasons these new hotels are worth welcoming to the community: Hotels Mean Event Space, Events It will no longer be necessary to leave the City for events or large meetings. The Marriott Renaissance brings 15,000 square feet of conference space, perfect for meetings, weddings and exciting events that may not have had a place in Westerville before. With Aloft adding another 1,600 square feet of stylish event space, the City has another impressive offering. Both offerings will enhance the availability of meeting space for local needs.

Hotels Support the Needs of Existing Businesses Westerville’s economic growth isn’t accidental. It is the result of deliberate and strategic planning. These hotels are an important part of that strategy. When businesses are looking for locations, one of the many considerations they keep in mind is if an area can accommodate out-oftown guests. They want a location that can accommodate guests within close range of their businesses. The addition of two high-end hotels to the City answers that need.

Hotels Bring Hope for Future Growth Welcoming businesses means welcoming jobs to Westerville. For the community, this growth represents a vote of confidence in the present and future of Westerville from City and business leaders alike. As the Marriott Renaissance joins the buzz of potential in Westar Place, Aloft too is helping to fuel the revitalization of the South State Street corridor. This means the City is becoming even more attractive to potential employers and economic drivers.

There are plenty of other reasons to get excited about new hotels in the City. Specifically, the Aloft Hotel represents the redevelopment of an abandoned property which had previously hosted a Knights Inn. Its boarded-up status had become a major eyesore along the South State Street corridor, which is why the City took aggressive action to acquire the property, which was in receivership at that time, and worked with the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corp. (COCIC) to demolish the structures, settle back taxes and reposition the site for redevelopment.

After requesting proposals from developers, a sale agreement and development plan with Lexington, Ky. developer CRM Companies and Madden Development was approved for the $18 million Aloft project. The City fully recovered its investment from the original property purchase and demolition-related activities in this project. www.westervillemagazine.com

Active Shooter Plan of Action Training Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m.; FREE Westerville Division of Police, 29 S. State St. Led by the men and women of the Westerville Division of Police, the Active Shooter Plan of Action training is designed to help attendees understand “active shooter” situations and tactics to reduce risks of becoming a victim. For more information, visit www.westerville.org/training.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Saturday, May 20, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; FREE ($1 fee for disposal of latex/ water-based paints) Westerville Public Service Complex, 350 Park Meadow Rd. Residents are invited to safely dispose of hazardous household waste at the City of Westerville’s spring drive. For a full list of accepted items, please visit www.westerville. org/HHW. Party at the Creek Thursday, May 25, 6-8 p.m.; FREE Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Bring the family to enjoy Party at the Creek, a Westerville tradition. It’s a block party-style celebration inside the park, featuring explorations of nature, tours of scenic green spaces and waterways, food, and fun!

Field of Heroes Memorial Day Weekend: Friday, May 26-Sunday, May 29; FREE Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N Cleveland Ave. Join the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club and community partners for the ninth annual Field of Heroes. More than 3,000 American flags will wave proudly on the grounds of the Westerville Sports Complex to commemorate the Memorial Day holiday. For more information, visit www.fieldofheroes.org.

Youth Police Academy June 1 Final Application Deadline Westerville Division of Police, 29 S. State St. Students age 14-18 who have an interest in law enforcement are invited to attend this hands-on, week-long training to learn basic law enforcement principles. Get details online at www.westerville.org/police.

May/June 2017

11

CityReporter

Staff Profile

Overseeing Field of Heroes an Honor for Mike Herron How long have you been involved with Field of Heroes?

How did you get involved?

I’ve been involved with Field of Heroes since 2013. It’s one of the signature events for the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club. My first year with Rotary, I volunteered wherever help was needed. Then, my second and third year, I was in charge of the Field of Heroes 5K Run/Walk, and we grew that event from 325 to nearly 1,600 attendees. This year, as chair, I oversee the entire event, with the help of other volunteers from our Sunrise Rotary club.

Mike Herron has worked for more than 15 years as the Fitness & Wellness Manager in the Parks & Recreation Department. In this role, he directs the operations of the Westerville Community Center fitness/wellness programs for the community as well as city employees.

When he’s not working for the City, he’s actively engaged in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for both Leadership Westerville and the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club. This May, he’ll spend nearly 72 consecutive hours at the Sports Complex over the Memorial Day weekend volunteering his time as the chair of the 2017 Field of Heroes.

Mike has a big job ahead to carry on one of Westerville’s – and, now, central Ohio’s – beloved Memorial Day traditions. Did we mention he’s been balancing his volunteering and workload all while training for Ironman Ohio 70.3 in July, then Chicago Marathon in October?

12 May/June 2017

That’s a big job!

You know, this is our ninth year holding this event, so there’s already a good history. Being asked to chair the Field of Heroes is a privilege, because the Westerville Sunrise Rotary bestows its trust on someone to lead this amazing community event, which is humbling and an honor because of the impact it has on thousands of individuals, as well as the community. I couldn’t be more proud of the committees that will help bring this event forward in 2017.

The Field of Heroes has become an iconic display that many associate with Westerville. How would you describe the event to others who have not experienced it?

We transform the Westerville Sports Complex from an activity-based field to hallowed ground. Watching that transformation, from when we start setting up the flags to when we pull out of the parking lot on Monday, is very inspiring. The Field really takes on a world of its own. If you visit during the middle of the day or the evening, you get two completely different experiences. It’s great during the day, because there’s typically a bit of a breeze that picks up and makes the flags wave. Then, at night, it’s just still

and there’s a whole new reverence; a lot of emotion.

People visit the Field at all hours. It’s open 24 hours a day for the weekend.

We have people who come and visit in the middle of the night.

For many people who have served in the military or lost loved ones, this is a really cathartic experience to honor their loved ones. Do you keep that in mind while preparing for the event?

Absolutely. The great thing that’s unique about it is, while it’s usually thought of as a military-based event, anyone can have a flag in the Field of Heroes. You can fly a flag for anyone who was a hero in your life, be it a first responder, mom, dad, teacher, etc.

I think that’s something that draws people to the Field.

Tell us about the cards that accompany the flags.

The stories that come through the cards that are placed with the flags are really special. The blue cards allow purchasers a chance to write whatever they want, and that message is typed up on a card that is placed on their flag for the duration of the weekend.

We also have the Forever Field, and that’s really cool because they are designated with a special yellow ribbon. That’s where we display flags that have flown overseas with our current military. We’ll get a flag and send it to units overseas. They will fly it and send it back to us with a picture and the names of those in the picture.

Then that flag will fly in the Forever Field permanently. Last year, we had 16 Forever Flags, and we expect to have even more this year.

Why do you think the Field of Heroes has had such a big impact?

I think it helps bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day. This weekwww.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter

end isn’t about picnics and barbecues; it’s about paying tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and it’s our privilege to honor them.

How long does it take you to set up the flags?

It’s the most amazing thing. A lot of prep work is done a couple days before the event, and the work itself is pretty systematic. The volunteers get a brief instruction, and within two hours, you see a soccer field transformed with 3,000 American flags.

What’s new about the Field of Heroes this year?

One thing we’re doing this year is our Engagement Committee is working to be able to capture some of the stories of attendees via audio or video for use next year, on our 10th anniversary. We want to be able to memorialize individuals beyond the Field. We want to capture people’s experiences and ask what the flags mean to them.

The Tribute Field is new each year. What cause will be honored this year?

This year, the Tribute Field will honor the National League of POW/ MIA Families. We are going to do a 1,500-square-foot American flag made of wave petunias in red, white and blue pots, provided by Thorsen’s Greenhouse. There will also be other features thanks to our West Camp Press collaboration. When the Field of Heroes ends on Monday, the petunias will be available for purchase.

What elements from previous years can people count on being there?

We’ll have the Engagement Tent, featuring displays from multiple organizations. We’ll have various military uniforms on display for people to view.

And we will also be reintroducing the poppy section this year. It was stunning last year, and we want to make sure that story is told about the meaning of the poppy.

Let’s talk about the Field of Heroes 5K. What organization is the beneficiary this year?

This year’s 5K beneficiary is an organization called Summit for Soldiers. It utilizes outdoor adventure programs to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and prevent suicide in veterans. Thanks to the support of OhioHealth, we are able to organize one of the best 5K experiences in central Ohio.

What’s unique about this 5K? This is Westerville’s largest 5K. We had 1,600 participants from 20 states and 191 vets/active duty serviceman last year, this year we’re capping participation at 1,800 people. Participants start at the Community Center, then head down Cleveland Ave and then through Fire Station 111. It’s really amazing; you’ve got Westerville firefighters high-fiving people as they come through. Chief Brian Miller and his fire department has been so wonderful and accommodating to us. It’s a great experience. Then there’s the final stretch, the last quarter-mile when you’re running among the 3,000 flags before the finish line.

What makes it such an emotional experience?

It’s the atmosphere mixed with the physical exertion. For some, it might be their first 5K and others participant to honor someone special in their life.

It’s like you take on all the emotion that is felt at that field. Then at the very end, they get their medals and reflect on what they just experienced.

Dedicate a Flag: $15 • Purchase a Flag: $30

Friday, May 26 1 p.m.: Field opens to the public Saturday, May 27 9:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony 12 p.m.: Reading of names 7 p.m.: Free concert by Central Ohio Brass Band 8:30 p.m.: Taps played; field illuminated until dawn 12 a.m.: Flag sales close for the night Sunday, May 28 8 a.m.: Field of Heroes 5K Run/ Walk 12 p.m.: Reading of names 6 p.m.: Flag retirement ceremony 7:30 p.m.: Memorial ceremony 8:30 p.m.: Taps played; field illuminated until dawn 12 a.m.: Flag sales close for the night Monday, May 29 12 p.m.: Reading of names 12:30 p.m.: Closing ceremony 1-4 p.m.: Flag pickup All Weekend Special tribute to National League of POW/MIA Families Field illuminated at 8 p.m. FridaySunday nights

Shipping: $5 for up to two flags, if sending to the same location.

Otherwise, $5 to each address.

Flags and dedications can be made online at www.fieldofheroes.org or at the flag purchasing station at the Field of Heroes. Visit flag purchasing station for flower sale information. www.westervillemagazine.com

Schedule subject to change. Please see www.fieldofheroes.org.

May/June 2017

13

CityReporter Mini Shutterbugs Every year, the “Shutterbugs” submitted photo feature that runs in the May/June edition of Westerville Magazine has been overwhelmingly popular. For that reason, we’ve decided to give our readers more opportunities to send in their photos and feature one per issue in this space.

This issue’s photo was submitted by Kelli Porter.

Please send photo submissions to westervillemag@gmail.com by May 31 to be considered for the July/August issue. Photos must be high-resolution and horizontal.

Westerville Community Contacts FIRE/MEDICAL/POLICE EMERGENCY. 9-1-1 Gas/Carbon Monoxide Leaks. . . . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 Mental Health Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1-1 Fire, non-life threatening emergency. 882-2213 Police, non-life threatening emergency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7444 City Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . www.westerville.org Community Affairs .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 901-6411 Animal Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6863 Animal Removal (dead at roadside). . . 901-6740 Cemeteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 City Manager’s Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6400 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6413 Clerk of Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Digging (Ohio Utilities Protection Service). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-362-2764 Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6403 Electric Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Electrical Outages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Street Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Tree Trimming Near Electric Lines. . 901-6700 Finance Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6440 Fire Division Headquarters. . . . . . . . . 901-6600 CPR/First Aid Training. . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Human Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6406 Income Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6420 Leaf Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Mayor’s Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6418 Parks & Recreation Department. . . . 901-6500 Inclement Weather Hotline . . . . . . . 901-6888 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6530 Community Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6500 Everal Barn & Homestead . . . . . . . . 901-6570 Parks Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 Highlands Park Aquatic Center. . . . 901-7665 Recreation Program Center. . . . . . . 901-6531 Senior Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6560 Shelter Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6515 Urban Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6598 Permits Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 Burning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Parade/Block Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Security Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6482 Zoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 14 May/June 2017

Planning & Development Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 Planning, Engineering & Zoning. . . 901-6650 Traffic Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6670 Code Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6816 Police Division Headquarters. . . . . . . 901-6450 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6470 Detectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6475 Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6482 Recorded Information Line. . . . . . . . 901-6879 Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6450 Service Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Sewer Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Sewer Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Stormwater Hotline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Street Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Street Maintenance Repairs. . . . . . . 901-6740 Trash/Recycling Collection. . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Traffic Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 Tree/Storm Damage (in right of way). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 After hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6790 Tree Trimming (in right of way). . . . . . . 901-6598 Utility Billing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6430 askutilitybilling@westerville.org Water Plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6770 Other Community Service Contacts Airport—Port Columbus. . . . . . . . . . . . 239-4083 Concord Counseling Services . . . . . . . 882-9338 COTA Bus Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228-1776 Delaware County General Information. . . . . . . . . 740-548-7313 Franklin County Board of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3160 Property Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3696 Voter Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3100 Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. . . . . 898-4000 Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-8917 Westerville Area Resource Ministry. . . 899-0196 Westerville City Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . 797-5700 Westerville Historical Society. . . . . . . . 891-0821 Westerville Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7277 Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794-0401

All area codes are 614 unless otherwise noted.

Westerville City Council (Front left-right) Chair Craig Treneff, Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi, Vice Chair Larry Jenkins (Back left-right) Mike Heyeck, Vice Mayor John Bokros, Tim Davey, Diane Fosselman

City Manager Dave Collinsworth

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/cityofwesterville Follow us on Twitter: All-City news and information: @tellwesterville Westerville Electric Division: @WvilleElectric Westerville Parks & Recreation: @WestervillePark Westerville Division of Police: @WestervillePD

www.westerville.org www.westervillemagazine.com

faces

By Ann Poirier Photos courtesy of Vaughn Hovey and Linda Laine

A ThreeDecade Tour

Inaugural WesterFlora chairman Ron Clowson helped make the garden tour a powerhouse

www.westervillemagazine.com

Marilyn and Ron Clowson

A

nyone who was around central Ohio in 1992 remembers the massive hype that surrounded the AmeriFlora international horticultural show – and its disappointing financial performance.

Despite the show’s lack of success, its Westerville spin-off has been going strong for more than a quartercentury thanks to an extremely dedicated group of volunteer organizers. And one of the most dedicated of those volunteers was Westerville resident Ron Clowson.

Clowson very much enjoyed AmeriFlora and still appreciates Franklin Park Conservatory, which sits on the grounds where the festival took place. He had hoped to see it return in 1993. But when it became clear that was not going to happen, he took matters into his own hands.

Clowson talked to the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department to see how he could create an annual event out of AmeriFlora. After a considerable amount of effort from Clowson and a team of other hard-working Westerville residents, WesterFlora officially premiered in 1993.

Clowson simply couldn’t let the opportunity to celebrate Westerville’s amazing gardens pass by, he says.

“After AmeriFlora in 1992, we wanted it back because so many people loved it. We were thrilled to host it as a Westerville-specific event in 1993,” he says. “We had a committee that judged each garden, and then placards were placed in each yard indicating first, second and third place. We really wanted to recognize those people who gave our city a beautiful landscape.”

WesterFlora was an instant hit, attaining an impressive level of popularity and being recognized with an award from the Garden Club of Ohio. That momentum was crucial for taking WesterFlora to the next level, Clowson says.

“This award was so important because we wanted WesterFlora to become an established, well-known, long-lasting event here in Westerville,” he says. “We really wanted it to be something that people could look forward to every year.”

May/June 2017

15

In the early years of WesterFlora, certified garden critics judged each garden and determined the winners. Today, however, WesterFlora has evolved from a judged gardening competition to a non-competitive garden tour, which allows for greater community participation.

Clowson is proud to have served as WesterFlora chairman through 2003.

Today, he remains on the committee. But if you had told him prior to AmeriFlora that, one day, he’d be heavily involved in a garden tour, he would have been skeptical.

“When I moved into our house 35 years ago, I knew nothing about gardening,” Clowson says with a laugh. “But all of our neighbors seemed to really care about their yards. So I thought, ‘If I’m going to be part of this nice community, I better learn something about gardening.’ Now, our yard has been on the WesterFlora garden tour many times. I really love keeping things pretty because we want this to be a nice community. We’re very committed to keeping Westerville beautiful.”

It was a daunting time commitment for a man who was already busy with his day job as a dentist.

“I was so busy, but it was such a labor of love for me to be part of WesterFlora,” Clowson says. “I wanted to do anything I could to make sure it was successful

and would always be here for the future of Westerville. Before going to work every day, I spent many mornings working on WesterFlora.”

Though Clowson retired from dentistry two years ago, he still teaches at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. And aside from his roles on the WesterFlora committee and at OSU, Clowson spends a lot of time with his family: his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Laura and Melissa; and two grandsons.

Today, WesterFlora attracts 500 to 1,000 visitors every year. And Clowson says he couldn’t have kept WesterFlora going during his years as chairman were it not for all the help he received from committee members, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Westerville Garden Club, and the individual gardeners themselves.

“Everyone who works on WesterFlora is so nice and helpful,” he says. “It’s just a thrill to be part of it.”

As Clowson looks back on what he’s developed with WesterFlora, he has one major takeaway.

“With WesterFlora, my hope is that I’ve done something for the community to keep Westerville beautiful,” he says.

The 26th annual WesterFlora is slated for 1-7 p.m. July 16. This year’s theme is “A City in Bloom.”

Stops on the tour, which is free, will be announced on the event’s website, www. westerflora.com. Maps will be available at all tour sites, as well as at Hoover Gardens, the Westerville Community Center, the Westerville Public Library and the grounds of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival from July 7-9.

Ann Poirier is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

WesterFlora organizers are seeking gardens for this year’s tour.

Those interested in entering their gardens can pick up applications at Hoover Gardens, the Westerville Community Center or the Westerville Public Library, or apply online at www. westerflora.com. Entries will be accepted through June 17.

Members of the Westerville Civic Beautification Committee will then review all entries and select the 10 to 12 gardens that best represent landscape diversity, uniqueness and horticultural expression.

✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿

In 2017, the Westerville Garden Club celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Celebratory activities throughout the rest of the year will include: • The installation of a Blue Star Memorial, with surrounding landscape, at Hanby Park.

• The publication of a Westerville Garden Club cookbook.

• The collection of at least $700 for the Partners in Conservation Project: Seeds of Friendship for Rwanda.

• A National Garden Club flower show with the tagline “Celebrating Westerville Garden Club’s 70 Colorful Years,” set for Oct. 14 at the Westerville Public Library.

Additional events will be posted on the club’s website, www.westerville gardenclub.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • From 2014 tour: the Sjogrens • From 2013 tour: the Garvers • From 2012 tour: the Marchis • From 2011 tour: Hanby House garden • 2015’s 25th anniversary tour 16 May/June 2017

www.westervillemagazine.com

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Visit NationwideChildrens.org/SportsMedicine.

in focus

By Garth Bishop

Brunch Bounty

Dutch babies, ricotta pancakes and gourmet Twinkies join the menu in Westerville

I

f you’re the sort of person who appreciates new, locally-owned places to eat, the last year in Westerville has probably been good to you.

And if you should also happen to be the sort of person who appreciates brunch, well, so much the better.

Here’s a look at some of the new additions to the Westerville dining scene over the last 365 or so.

Asterisk Supper Club It’s been just over a year since Asterisk Supper Club opened in the old Pasquale’s Pizza and Pasta space at 14 N. State St. Uptown.

The restaurant is new, but the vibe is old, designed to remind visitors of a bygone era. That starts with the hand-carved Brunswick bar, built

in 1890, and continues with the custommade bookshelves lining the walls.

“We created an environment of that warm, cozy feeling,” says owner Megan Ada. The planned emphasis on relaxation is a big part of how tea came to be such a big part of the Asterisk experience. Ada did a considerable amount of research on tea, and afternoon tea in particular, to get the feeling just right. Besides the tea itself, the afternoon tea menu is dotted with tea

Asterisk Supper Club

Photo by Garth Bishop

18 May/June 2017

Photos courtesy of Asterisk Supper Club

Photo by Garth Bishop

sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.

Continuing the theme is a menu full of comfort food: meat loaf, country fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, Amish chicken and noodles, and fried chicken with a jalapeno-and-peanut-butter waffle and honey butter syrup.

Despite those familiar offerings, though, the bestseller is a less conventional option.

“Our giant cauliflower is the most popular option on the whole menu,” says Ada. Ada also owns Westerville’s Sunny Street Café, so it made sense for brunch to be a big part of the menu. A PB&J waffle, waffle sticks, a tamale Benedict and a Dutch baby are among the standouts there.

Just as intricate as the design of the bar are the cocktails served from it, a blend of classic concoctions (Manhattan, Moscow mule, negroni, etc.) and new creations with names such as You’re Megan Me Crazy and Jalisco Heat. All of the cocktail mixers, from ginger syrup to triple sec, are made in-house, and a couple of the libations even incorporate tea: the Daily Dose contains Earl Grey tea along with bourbon and lemon, while Liquid Luck has blueberry green tea-infused gin with Ohio maple syrup, lemon, egg white and cracked black pepper.

The restaurant’s interior is so distinctive that diners have been coming back to take graduation and engagement photos there.

“We’ve got a lot of people who just want to come in and look all the time,” says Ada. 101 Beer Kitchen The new shopping center on Polaris Parkway anchored by Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market offered the perfect spot for 101 Beer Kitchen’s third location, which opened in August at 817 Polaris Pkwy. www.westervillemagazine.com

101 Beer Kitchen Photos courtesy of 101 Beer Kitchen

“Being able to be on the corner unit, especially with all the new businesses that are coming here … made a whole lot of sense,” says Michael Mejia, general manager.

The menu at 101 emphasizes local sourcing, and it changes seasonally, though some of the most popular items stick around for more than one season. These include the 101 Burger, with Nueske’s bacon, cheddar cheese and horseradish mayonnaise along with lettuce, pickles and tomato; the shrimp and grits, complete with Andouille sausage; the house-made tater tots appetizer with pork croutons, cheddar cheese, green onions and sriracha cream; the smoked and grilled chicken wings; and the green chili.

On the brunch menu are the Salmon BELT Sandwich, a croque madame pizza, fried chicken and biscuits, even 101’s gourmet takes on Pop Tarts (nutella, caramelized bananas and berry sauce) and Twinkies (eggbattered brioche with vanilla pastry cream, mixed berry sauce and a side of sweet and salty bacon). A kids’ menu is taste-tested by the four children of 101 owners Thad and Jess Kittrell, with items served on TV trays. www.westervillemagazine.com

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One of the most beautiful things about theater is that it is by nature collaborative.

The words on the page, the set, the costumers, the actors all work together to create something beyond the individual components. In the 20 years that I’ve been working in Columbus, I’ve seen it grow to a city where artists are inspired and supported by artists outside of their own craft. I’m Philip Hickman, theater is my art and there’s no place I’d rather make it.

Learn more about Philip’s story and other Columbus artists and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

Additional support from: The Crane Group and The Sol Morton and Dorothy Isaac, Rebecca J. Wickersham and Lewis K. Osborne funds at The Columbus Foundation.

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As the restaurant’s name might imply, beer is the highlight of the drink menu.

There are 89 bottles on the regular menu, as well as 19 taps that rotate as often as possible – many of them local, and all of them serving craft beer.

“All of our beer comes from places that are owned by (the breweries’) employees,” Mejia says.

Restaurant staffers make a point of trying different beers themselves every day so they can make the best possible recommendations, and customer suggestions are always welcomed. There’s an emphasis on making sure a variety of different styles are represented. Filling out the rest of the drink menu are wine, sangria, mead and cocktails.

“We have a contest every month with our bartenders,” Mejia says. “They all get a chance to make a cocktail, and they’re voted upon.”

The décor emphasizes comfort and rustic character, with clean lines and real wood.

“We want it to look like the kitchen table in your house,” says Mejia.

Northstar Café One of the more recent newcomers is Northstar Café, which opened its doors at 109 S. State St., just south of Uptown, in March.

It’s the fourth Northstar location in central Ohio and the fifth overall, with the original located in the Short North.

Its proximity to the Northstar at Easton Town Center is closer than the company likes its locations to be, but Westerville was such a priority area – the walkability, the community spirit, the support of local business – that it was willing to overlook that fact, says Josiah Littrell, senior managing partner.

“This was always an area we knew we wanted to be in,” Littrell says.

The most popular item on the menu is the Northstar Burger, a veggie burger made with organic black beans, brown rice and beets and topped with white cheddar, kale, tomato, pickle and onion. Other highlights include the Citrus Crunch Salad, Thai Burrito and – on weekend mornings – the Cloud 9 Pancakes, made with ricotta cheese and served with real Ohio maple syrup and bananas.

Some new items have even been added for the Westerville restaurant, including guacamole and a chocolate chip cookie with sea salt, and a revamped version of the thin-crust pizzas served at other locations is expected soon.

Also on the menu are children’s meals, along with seven or eight high chairs; a bar with all Ohio draft beers and a variety of cocktails, such as the Rogue Ginger Mojito www.westervillemagazine.com

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Northstar Café

Photo courtesy of Northstar Café

and Blackberry Smash; and a handful of fruit juices and smoothies, of which Littrell loves to recommend the Shooting Star: half organic carrot juice, half orange juice with a little bit of ginger.

“The Shooting Star is my miracle tonic for when people are feeling sick,” he says.

Just as important as the selection is what goes into Northstar’s food, Littrell says: hormone-free meats, organic produce, locally-grown ingredients, house-made ginger ale, real Ohio maple syrup, real butter and more to make a positive impact on the local and global communities. In central Ohio, only two organizations – The Ohio State University and Denison University – buy more organic produce.

“Something like 15 people (are) involved in making one veggie burger in the restaurant,” says Littrell.

Real hardwood, Italian leather and black granite tile are among the elements of the restaurant’s sustainable design.

Garth Bishop is managing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • 2016 Westerville dining additions • 2015 Westerville dining additions • Recent Columbus dining additions • 101’s Dublin location www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2017

21

Whatever Floats Your Boat Hoover Sailing Club offers recreational and competitive enjoyment for adults and children alike

By Valerie Mauger

T

he Hoover Sailing Club has been racing across the reservoir and into the hearts of the community for almost 55 years.

“It started in 1962 as just a group of members that wanted a sailing club,” says Sarah Hoctor, the club’s publicity chair.

“But now, it’s clearly the leading program in all of central Ohio.”

Hoctor and her husband, John, learned to sail on Chesapeake Bay while living in Washington, D.C., but when they were transferred to Colorado for three years, they found the area had far fewer sailing opportunities. After the couple moved to Ohio, though, they made a decision, Hoctor says: “We’ve got to get sailing back in our lives.”

Their personal experience with sailing may have been the catalyst for their membership, but they didn’t have to drag the rest of the family into the water to get them to sail. In fact, it was probably their children’s enthusiasm for the sport that

22 May/June 2017

got them so involved, which seems to be a common trend within the community.

“It’s become a family thing,” Hoctor says.

Hoctor sent her two daughters, Zoe and Lilly, to one of the club’s summer sailing classes a few years ago. They were reluctant to go at first, but have enjoyed the summer camp every year since. Zoe, the older of the two, even decided to join the club’s high school racing team.

“As parents do, we got hooked,” says Hoctor. “And now we’re doing everything for the club.”

Her family is coming up on its fifth summer of membership in the club, and both parents are now on the board. Hoctor became the publicity chair just this year, while her husband is co-chair for the junior racing team.

“There are some paid staff, like our camp counselors and things like that, but most of the board is all volunteer,” Hoctor says.

The club’s membership numbers speak to its popularity. Members number nearly 200 now, up from 184 in January 2016.

Like most other sailing clubs in the area, the Hoover club holds adult races for its many different fleets every week of the summer months. Its youth teams, though, are exceptional in central Ohio.

The junior race team accepts those between 7 and 18 years old, while the high school sailing program goes by grade, starting as early as grade seven. The high school program differentiates itself from the junior race team because it allows students to compete for their specific schools. Thus far, 13 different central Ohio schools have started sailing teams, and all are hosted through the club. But even students whose schools don’t have a sailing team are welcome to participate as individuals.

“The other sailing clubs haven’t jumped on board with the high school sailing teams,” says Hoctor. “So we’re the only one.”

The program doesn’t just give students a recreational credit.

“Some of these kids that are in our program are nationally ranked because of the sailing they do,” says Hoctor.

A few of the regattas hosted by the club are qualifiers for national competitions, and the program can even help students get the experience they need to earn college scholarships.

While the club’s adult and youth racing teams help to showcase its many competitive opportunities, the sailors host a few more relaxed events as well. Some of the adults get together for moonlight cruises, www.westervillemagazine.com

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and the whole family is often invited to have a meal at the clubhouse after races.

“They might be fierce competitors on the water, but then they’re handing you a beer at the end of the night,” says Hoctor, “It’s a nice balance of competing and enjoying each other’s company and time.”

Most of these events are just for members, but the club invites anyone who is interested in sailing to take one of its many classes, or attend its annual open house, this year scheduled for 1-4 p.m. May 27.

Highlights include free sailboat rides, information on summer camps, STEM activities and a play area.

Photos courtesy of Hoover Sailing Club

Valerie Mauger is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com

33 South Cleveland Avenue, Westerville 614.948.7102 “TechR2 recently experienced significant growth after being granted a patent for our Data media security/data eradication process. It was an incredible accomplishment but it also triggered immediate capitalization challenges.

Liberty National Bank was in our corner and was willing to think outside the box to bridge us to where we needed to be. We cannot thank them enough!”

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• Occasional Hoover sailboat painter Dennis Rano • Round-the-world sailors the Roses www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2017

23

Here We Logo Again

Marburn Academy’s new gym floor is emblazoned with a design by a Westerville student

T

o go along with the brand-new gym in its brand-new school, Marburn Academy wanted a brand-new spirit logo to put in the center of the hardwood floor.

But the New Albany private school – a research-based institution utilizing educational best practices for students with dyslexia, ADHD and executive function issues – didn’t hire a private design firm to create the logo. Administrators instead decided to hire from within.

Enter Marburn senior Connor McGovern of Westerville.

The school, previously located in north Columbus, opened in New Albany in January, and one of the highlights is the huge

Marburn athletic team logo McGovern designed.

The graphic design-inclined McGovern, son of Mike and Diana McGovern, says his inspiration started with the old Marburn “M” logo on a spirit wear jacket.

McGovern incorporated panther eyes to feature the school’s mascot, recolored it and shared variations with other students to get feedback. Once a favorite emerged, he made small adjustments to ensure the logo was

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fully functional before finally vectoring it for use by the school.

“Seeing my logo on the gym floor is extremely cool,” says McGovern. “I like to look at it and think about how, with just one different stroke of my hand, the lines or curves in the design could be completely different. I also appreciate that Marburn allowed me to make this for them and to be taken seriously as an artist, and not just a kid drawing on a laptop.”

Involving students in the school’s relocation transition is a shining example of how Marburn is cultivating opportunities for students who learn differently, McGovern says.

“Without Marburn, I most likely wouldn’t have discovered my passion for filmmaking,” says McGovern.

McGovern began attending Marburn after sixth grade. The environment of the school allowed him to open up, improve his schoolwork and make new friends, he says.

In fact, McGovern now splits his days between Marburn and the Delaware Area Career Center to study film production, and remains active in many aspects of Marburn outside academics, including Ultimate Frisbee and National Honor Society.

Right now, logo and graphic design is mainly something McGovern does for fun, but he is certainly eager to learn more about filmmaking, more specifically postproduction editing.

Sarah Davis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

Photo courtesy of Marburn Academy

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living

By Garth Bishop

Tear Down This Wall Renovated kitchen is far more open to the rest of the first floor

W

hen Mark and Joyce Kresge decided to remodel their Westervillearea home rather than move, it didn’t take long for them to realize which part of the house didn’t seem to fit.

The first floor had an open floor plan, but the kitchen was largely cut off. That needed to change.

So Mark, president of Kresge Contracting Inc., got to work on better connecting the kitchen to the rest of the house. There were two different entrances to the kitchen, neither of them substantial.

“It sort of closed off the kitchen from the large open space we have,” Joyce says.

To correct that, the Kresges removed two walls, opening up the kitchen substantially and making it much more hospitable for entertaining. Sliding doors were added to connect it to a corridor, mudroom and multi-season room, having been moved from a previously cramped entrance to the kitchen.

“We took the doors that were in the dining room, to the outside, and put them in the kitchen,” says Mark. “Then, we moved the windows from the kitchen into the dining room.”

The renovation extends beyond the kitchen. The Kresges largely gutted the first

floor and master bedroom and made some significant changes, including wideranging hardwood floors and the above-mentioned multiseason room, which is new.

The house appeared on the 2016 NARI Spring Home Improvement Showcase.

Garth Bishop is managing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

The three pendant lights are a big help when it comes to accent lighting, Mark says, and the under-wall LED strips add to the effect as well.

The light stained maple cabinets that extend all the way to the ceiling, the line cuts, the oversized drawer handles, and the new pantry and wine cubby are some of Joyce’s favorite features. Other standouts include the large-format backsplash.

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It’s all part of an ongoing color tone scheme: light for the cabinets, medium for the floor, dark for the countertops and backsplashes. www.westervillemagazine.com

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GET NOTICED! The all-new island, with natural walnut counter, is a big part of the enhanced hospitality. “The minute we had anyone come over (before), we were immediately going out into the dining room, because (the kitchen) was such a cramped space,” Joyce says. “(The dining room) now seats 12, and we can still be connected to the kitchen.”

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May/June 2017

27

on the table By Lydia Freudenberg

Westervillian Bandstand The third annual Community Band Festival is more than just music

T

hough community bands in Westerville have almost 150 years of history, and the current iteration has been in existence since 1989, one of its most popular traditions is relatively new.

The Westerville Community Concert Band’s Community Band Festival, known informally as “Westival,” is slated for noon9 p.m. June 10 at Alum Creek Park. This is only the third year of the festival, but it has swiftly become a community favorite.

The event features a long line-up of band performances, as well as local art vendors and a wide variety of food.

Prior to 2015, band festivals had been held in Westerville sporadically. The no-

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Images should be of: People/Pets in Westerville Places in Westerville Events in Westerville Images can be in color or black and white. The top photos will be featured in the July/August issue of Westerville Magazine. Up to 10 images may be submitted per person. All images must be submitted as digital, high resolution photos.

Deadline: May 31 Email hi-res digital files to westervillemag@gmail.com 28 May/June 2017

tion of turning into a regular occurrence didn’t come up until 2014, when Music Director Larry Klabunde – who had just taken up the baton after the retirement of Richard Suddendorf – collaborated with band board member Larry Loeffert to organize an event with staying power.

Ensembles that serve as their cities’ bands, the way Westerville’s does, fill out the bill for this third annual happening.

“Music enriches relationships in general, and to be able to appreciate what is going on in other communities and support one another, that’s really important,” says Klabunde.

“We encourage folks to make to a day of it all.”

Nine bands are on the bill June 10, with some of the most faraway hailing from Lancaster and Circleville. The Westerville Concert Band is the final performer, planning songs from classic Disney movies, intricate solos and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

“Music bridges what may be perceived as barriers between the generations,” says Klabunde.

“Music actually unites us.”

Smaller ensembles will play throughout the park between sets to ensure the music never stops.

“I think the atmosphere is spectacular,” says Klabunde. “And I do think this is really important to the quality of life we enjoy here in central Ohio.”

Hungry?

For food, four food trucks will be on site, including Schmidt’s Sausage Truck and Sock Hop Soda Shop. Food and visual arts vendors are being coordinated by the Arts Council of Westerville.

“People enjoy the variety,” says Arts Council board member Stephanie Henderson. “We chose food trucks because they’re

self-contained, and the quality of food and the food experience is so great.”

The 1950s-themed Sock Hop has a few hot entrees on its standard menu – chili dogs, fried bologna and the like – but it’s bringing its dessert menu to the festival.

That means a huge menu of ice cream flavors from Velvet Ice Cream, as well as novelties such as ice cream sandwiches, ice cream bars and popsicles.

To contribute to the atmosphere, the truck’s soda jerks set up shop in front of the truck, rather than serving from inside.

When not directly serving customers, they’ll dance to jukebox music, use hula hoops and find other ways of entertaining visitors. www.westervillemagazine.com

Luxury Living Locally Minded Root Beer Float

N!

Inspired by Sock Hop Soda Shop and AllRecipes.com • ½ pint Velvet Original Vanilla ice cream • 12 oz. Frostop root beer • ½ cup whipped cream • 4 maraschino cherries Divide half of ice cream between two tall glasses, and slowly pour 3 oz. root beer over each scoop. Divide remaining ice cream between glasses again and repeat.

Top each glass with whipped cream, then cherries. Serve.

“We’re ’50s enthusiasts; the clothes, the music, the lifestyle, the food, the whole era,” says founder Terri Levine. “I can take my ’50s mobile diner and I can put it wherever it needs to be. … I like to find the fun and go.”

Among Sock Hop’s most popular items are its root beer floats, made with Frostop root beer.

“In the 1950s, if you asked someone for the best root beer they served, you got a Frostop,” says Sock Hop chef and soda jerk Andy Marks. “We are very, very careful about every single ingredient. If you’re going to make the very best ’50s-style root beer float, then you’re going to have to use the very best ’50s-style root beer. And that’s Frostop.”

Lydia Freudenberg is a contributing writer.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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Photos courtesy of Sock Hop Soda Shop

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RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Booze-infused shakes and floats

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• Velvet Ice Cream’s facility upgrade www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2017

29

bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Recommended Reads from Susan Carr, Youth Services Librarian

Woodpecker Wants a Waffle

By Steve Breen (picture book) What would you do for a plate of freshly made waffles? When clever disguises don’t work, Benny the woodpecker comes up with the ultimate diversion to taste this breakfast treat. Who said woodpeckers don’t eat waffles?

I Really Like Slop

By Mo Willems (reader) Sometimes, even the best friendships are tested by small things.

When Piggie asks Gerald the elephant to taste slop – an important part of pig culture – Gerald must make an important decision.

Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Sad Perfect

By Jennifer Torres (juvenile fiction) Stef is embarrassingly known as “Taco Queen” at school because of her family’s taco truck, Tia Perla.

Stef longs for the day Tia Perla, the bane of her life, is retired – until that possibility comes uncomfortably close to reality.

By Stephanie Elliot (teen fiction) Sixteen-year-old Pea struggles with a littleknown disorder that makes food hard to consume. As she learns to take control of her disorder, Pea’s quest to be “normal” is complicated by her first crush.

Recommended Reads from Megan Chrusciel, Adult Services Librarian

The Columbus Food Truck Cookbook

By Renee Casteel Cook and Tiffany Harelik Discover the thriving food truck scene in Columbus with cuisine hailing from New York, Macedonia and beyond. Includes interviews and recipes.

Real Food/Fake Food: Why You Don’t Know What You’re Eating and What You Can Do About It

By Larry Olmsted Investigate the pervasive world of food fraud that affects everything we eat, from Parmesan cheese and olive oil to honey and coffee. Once you know what to avoid, learn how to recognize the real deal.

Ten Restaurants That Changed America

By Paul Freedman Combining the expertise of a historian and a foodie, the author chronicles the history of American restaurants and illustrates the parallels with American history overall.

Why Diets Make Us Fat: The Unintended Consequences of Our Obsession with Weight Loss

By Sandra Aamodt Common sense regarding weight loss and dieting may actually be counterproductive.

Learn the author’s methods for a sustainable healthy weight without the dangers of losing and then gaining the weight back.

The Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. • Phone: 614-882-7277 • www.westervillelibrary.org Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun.: 1-6 p.m.

30 May/June 2017

www.westervillemagazine.com

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