Westerville May/June 2023

Central Ohio’s MOST TRUSTED

Orthopedic Practice

We’re growing with you, Westerville

OPENING MAY 1, 2023

340 POLARIS PARKWAY, WESTERVILLE

Find us at our new Westerville location featuring a multi-specialty clinic to meet all your orthopedic and sports medicine needs, including on-site imaging and therapy services.

All Westerville appointments will take place at our new location beginning May 1.

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Photo by Ray LaVoie

May 3

Pancake Breakfast

7:30-10 a.m.

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

May 3

Meet the Author: David Grann

7-9 p.m.

Westerville Central High School 7118 Mt. Royal Ave. www.westervillelibrary.com

May 4

Taste of Westerville

6-9 p.m.

Renaissance Westerville 409 Altair Pkwy. www.westervillechamber.com

May 4-7

Westerville North Spring Musical

7 p.m. May 4-6, 2 p.m. May 7

WPAC, 950 County Line www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 4 & 11

Citizens Police Academy

6:30 p.m.

Westerville Justice Center 229 Huber Village Blvd. www.westerville.org

May 6

Kites and Rockets Day 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Heritage Park 60 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org

May 9

Older Adult Health Fair

9 a.m.-noon

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

May 10

Genealogy for Free

2:30-4 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

May 12

Music Booster Bingo

3 p.m.

Westerville North High School Commons 950 County Line

www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 13

Culinary Creations with Herbs

2-3 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

May 15

Westerville North Spring Band Concert

6-7 p.m.

WPAC, 950 County Line

www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 17

Women in Business Workshop: Building Your Best Self

8-11 a.m.

Lakes Country & Golf Club

6740 Worthington Rd.

www.westervillechamber.com

Citizens Police Academy

May 17

Westerville North Spring Choir & Orchestra Concert

7-8 p.m.

WPAC, 950 County Line www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 19

Learn Microsoft Excel: One-on-One

3-4 p.m.

Westerville Public Library

126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

May 20

Spring Household Hazardous Waste Event

Public Service Complex 350 Park Meadow Rd. www.westerville.org

May 24

Last Day of Classes for Westerville City School District www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 24

Westerville North Theatre Gala Awards Night

6-7 p.m. WPAC, 950 County Line www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 27

Westerville North/South/Central High School Commencement

Ohio Expo Center

717 E. 17th Ave. www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 29

Memorial Day

June 4

Big Feeling: Concert with ProMusica

3-4 p.m. Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

June 7

Pancake Breakfast

7:30-10 a.m.

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

June 11

Family Yoga

2-3 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

June 14

Fuzzy Friends: Animal Visit

2-3:30 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

June 17

Visit with BalletMet

10-11 a.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

June 25

BMX State Race Westerville BMX Track 535 Park Meadow Rd. www.visitwesterville.org

June 29

I’ll Be There For You: Author Visit with Brieanna Wilkoff 6-8 p.m. Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.com

July

July

Resourceful

Human

Incoming Rotary president is invested in giving back

faces By Claire Miller

Photos courtesy of Katrina Plourde and Ray LaVoie

Katrina Plourde gives a lot of herself to the people, places and organizations she cares about.

As a humble leader and unofficial community ambassador, helping people is in her DNA as shown through the profession she went into and how she chooses to spend her free time.

Plourde earned a new role as president of the Rotary Club of Westerville and is taking over in July.

Ellen Cathers, the 2020-21 club president, says Plourde has good energy and fresh ideas.

“I would describe Katrina as the up-andcoming next generation of leadership. She’s bright, talented, engaged and she really can see the big picture,” Cathers says. “There’s a lot of pieces and projects within Rotary and she has a tremendous grasp on the whole thing … and she’s always very thoughtful and thought-provoking.”

Living and learning

In her day job, Plourde is the human resources director for the Westerville Public Library. She’s been in the HR department at the library for almost 11 years, and the director for the last five.

“I knew I wanted to be in HR because I love spreadsheets, and I love people,” Plourde says. “And I’m like, ‘Oh, I can do both in HR.’ So I’ve always kind of known that that was what I wanted to do.”

Starting out her career private industries like retail and heavy equipment, she happened upon the job at the library when her position in retail wasn’t working out. It turned out to be “the perfect fit.”

“The whole vibe here of education and learning and just growing the community really fit with me and I was like, ‘Why didn’t I think of this before?’ Nobody ever told me,” she says. “But that’s also partly why now I have a mission to spread the word about careers in libraries, because it’s awesome and more people should know about it.”

As an adjunct professor at Franklin University, the education vibe really does fit Plourde’s life. There, she’s been teaching human resource courses at the undergraduate and graduate level for 13 years.

Involved in it all

Plourde grew up in Maine and attended Cedarville University for her undergraduate degree in business management. She earned her master’s in human resources at The Ohio State University.

Top left, Plourde walks in the Fourth of July parade in Westerville representing the Westerville Public Library.

Bottom left, Plourde and her sister, Mary Montgomery, along with other Rotarians, help Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT) and MAD Scientist Associates LLC remove invasive species plants from Boyer Nature Preserve in Westerville.

Above, Plourde paints a playhouse with primer for Habitat for Humanity as part of a Rotary group project.

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She moved back home for a short while, but then found that many job opportunities were in Ohio. Since coming back to the Buckeye State, she hasn’t left. Instead, her family has joined her.

Currently, one of her sisters and her two kids live with Plourde. Her niece and nephew – both students at Westerville North – have led her to get involved with the booster club.

Plourde seeks out many opportunities to get involved. She volunteers at the Columbus Dream Center with her church. She rode in Pelotonia for 10 years. She helps with the WARM Thanksgiving Blessing each year. Plus, she says she loves doing any 5K for a cause, like Rotary’s Independence Day 5K.

Many of her involvements surround her work in human resources. For 13 years, Plourde was on the Ohio Human Resource Conference planning committee. She’s been on the HR committee of the United Way of Central Ohio for nine years and, since 2013, she has been on the Ohio Library Council’s HR committee.

She’s been impactful in her role at the library, helping it win the 2021 SustainRT Citation for Wellness in the Workplace, which awarded its commitment to pay equity.

“She’s the HR director, but she’s done a lot of work for making us a more sustainable employer, (such as) pay equity, getting sustainable wages for staff as well as mental health support,” Erin Francoeur, Westerville Library executive director, says. “So everything from extending benefits to part-time staff, and things like offering our employee assistance program to our part-time staff to better (pay) – we went up to a living wage two years ago from close to the minimum.”

For Plourde, the main job of human resources is “really about caring for staff.”

The four-way test

After roughly five years in Rotary, Plourde has been in training to take on the duty of president for the past year. She’s been planning and creating goals for herself and the club based on the Rotary’s seven focus areas.

“That’s been a very interesting, strategic kind of process to think about,” she says. “Where can we have the most impact? And, what’s not getting enough help from us?”

In her time with the Rotary, she says she’s learned about the power of partnerships and making connections to extend the organization’s impact locally.

“We started doing more projects with other local community groups and that

just amplifies the power,” she says. “So we would join Habitat (for Humanity) and Habitat’s doing a project they need extra volunteers and hands.”

Plourde is always willing to help, to lend a hand or to be a volunteer.

“The reasons to do it are immense. There’s people in need, and there’s people who don’t have access to the same things that everyone else does,” she says. “And so from an equity standpoint, it just makes sense to kind of try to share what you have.”

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

It just makes sense to kind of try to share what you have.

By Katie Giffin

Storied Staff

Two library maintenance workers make generational impact

Built in 1930, the Westerville Community Library stands as a bastion of community and connection in the heart of Uptown Westerville.

After undergoing steady renovations for the past 30 years, the building looks drastically different from its one-room beginnings as it continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community. Behind-the-scenes team members, like Todd Harmon and Jim Eddingfield on the maintenance crew, are key in keeping the library a welcoming space for all.

Harmon joined the Westerville Library team in 1992. Harmon worked as a facility cleaner at Tee Jaye’s Country Place restaurants but was laid off during company cuts. Immediately after he hung up with his former Tee Jaye’s boss, he got a call from the director of the Westerville Library asking him to come in for an interview.

“I was sitting there with my head in my hands, and about a minute later – it was that fast – the phone rings,” Harmon says. “I could not believe it. I went from

desperation to elation in like a minute and a half.”

When Harmon started work at the library, he taught himself flooring and carpeting skills so he could help wherever possible.

“When I got here I just thought, ‘No matter what happens, I’m going to make it my job and make this thing work,’” Harmon says.

In 2003, Harmon began a project retiling the front atrium of the library. After a particularly harsh winter, the tiles would no longer hold sealer. For a portion of each shift from 9 p.m. to midnight over the course of six months, Harmon scrubbed,

Photos by Katie Giffin and Tamara Murray

Harmon (left) is celebrating 31 years at the Westerville Public Library this year. Eddingfield (right) is celebrating 23 years.

The media center used to be the adult section.

replaced and sealed 10 to 15 tiles each night. After replacing 855 tiles by himself, the job was done.

“That was a big, big project I took on and I don’t think a lot of people would have done that, but I went ahead and did it,” Harmon says.

Thirty years after he got the job, Harmon has seen the building expand immensely. What is now the tiled atrium used to be a road, the 20,000-square-foot adult section used to be a parking lot and the new media area used to be the adult section, Harmon says.

“It was a much, much smaller building, only about 43,000 square feet when I started. It’s 105,000 now,” Harmon says.

In 2000, Jim Eddingfield joined the maintenance team. Eddingfield started out as a part-time worker at the library while he worked full-time as a baker at Otterbein University. After 21 years at Otterbein, he shifted to full-time at the library. The bulk of his work is custodial and, Eddingfield says, there are a lot of unexpected moments.

Within Eddingfield’s first week at the library, a set of glass doors shattered after a child ran into them. Later that same week, water began sheeting down from the public phone booths through the hall after the fire suppression system burst and flooded the hall.

“That was just my first week – my initiation,” Eddingfield says.

Over his 23 years at the library, Eddingfield witnessed the library as it shifted to accommodate an increasing need for technology and virtual spaces.

“The library always seems to be looking for new and innovative ways to serve the public,” Eddingfield says. “When I started, the media department was mostly VHS tapes, we had a small CD collection. … Now, media is everything from music to movies.”

Outside of physical renovations, the library is always looking for ways to accommodate the consistently progressing community. A recent addition, the Innovation Lab, provides a green screen video space, a 3-D printer and a soundproof recording booth.

“It’s awesome that you can come to the library now and make a podcast. You know, that’s innovative, that’s foreseeing what people are going to be wanting to do in the future, … and bringing it to the

Harmon and Eddingfield’s longtime relationship with the library has allowed them to witness the library’s continued dedication to the community.

“The both of them have such a history of what (the library) used to look like versus what it looks like now,” Tamara Murray, marketing manager at the library, says. “It’s really nice for people to be able to go to them and have a real understanding of how we work.”

Looking to the future, the library is prioritizing sustainability – fiscal, environmental and social – Murray says. The library’s focus on social sustainability hinges on the library being comfortable and safe, which is where Harmon and Eddingfield come in.

“We are often people’s second living rooms. … Todd and Jim work every single day to make this a comfortable and safe space for people to walk into as their own second living room. It is extremely valuable for us as a community,” Murray says. “We really appreciate the work that they do to keep us afloat.”

Katie Giffin is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Harmon replaced the 855 tiles that make up the library’s atrium floor. library for people to use,” Eddingfield says. “Even though it might sound cliche, almost everybody who works here does have a

sense

of … providing the public a service – myself included – even though maintenance might not seem the obvious way.”

EXPANDED

BRINGING MORE TO WESTERVILLE

OhioHealth and Columbus Oncology are collaborating to bring you comprehensive local cancer care, including the only infusion center in the area. Our team of experts includes medical and surgical oncologists, hematologists, and breast and colorectal specialists. Plus, our patient navigators will help you and your loved ones throughout your full journey from diagnosis to survivorship. It’s all so you can get the best cancer care close to home.

See a complete list of services at OhioHealth.com/WestervilleCancer.

Spring to Summer

Top races and fitness events in Westerville for May and June

By Isabelle Fisher

Looking for opportunities to test your fitness limits and push for a new personal record? Here are some of the most exciting fitness events and races offered in and around central Ohio to get your heart rate up and enjoy the changing of the seasons.

May 6

McConnell 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Walk

8:30 a.m.

McConnell Heart Health Center, 3773 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus

The 12th annual McConnell 5K Run/ Walk and 1 Mile Walk fundraiser is back and continues to benefit the OhioHealth Foundation at the McConnell Heart Health Center. In this race, you will run on a combination of paved road surfaces and a beautiful, partially wooded looped trail on the health center campus. Awards for the top two male and female overall finishers in the 5K race will be handed out along with the first-place finisher in the one-mile walk.

May 6

Rugged Maniac Columbus

9 a.m.

26740 U.S. 33, Rockbridge

Looking for some fun in the mud? Rugged Maniac Race is back, hosting the greatest obstacle race in Columbus. Grab your friend group and experience the ultimate adult playground as you jump in the massive mud pit and more than 25 obstacles over the 3.1-mile course that includes a

Photos courtesy of Rugged Maniac, Let Me Run Columbus and Rotary Club of Westerville

Rugged Maniac

Let Me Run

three-story water slide. After dipping in the muddy water, refresh yourself with a free beer and a post-race party that includes a DJ, free goodies and all kinds of fun games.

May 7

Let Me Run Columbus SpringFest 5K 9:30 a.m.

Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave.

Let Me Run is hosting its spring 5K race in order to celebrate its seven-week wellness program. Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active and belong. Designed to amplify confidence, selfexpression and respect for others, trained volunteer coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practice

Field of Heroes

A Memorial Day weekend tradition in Westerville continues for its 15th annual Field of Heroes event. Along with scheduled events like tributes to Westerville’s veterans and a Saturday night concert, the Rotary Club of Westerville makes its mission to carry on the event’s history for the community this year May 26-29.

Since the first Field of Heroes event launched in 2007, the Memorial Day tradition was intended to last for only one year. Since then, the Rotary Club has dedicated its time each year and collected over 3,000 flags from traditional flag sales to honor Westerville heroes or personal heroes.

“I think with the community involvement, it’s become a go-to place for people on Memorial Day weekend,” Rotarian Jim Caldwell says. “It’s been a great experience and seeing the dedication from some of our volunteers over the years means a lot.”

The theme of this year’s event is centered on the Civil War era and the rich history behind the Underground Railroad in Westerville.

“We have three cemeteries where there are a number of Civil War veterans buried so we’re going to highlight that this year and show off some of the abolitionists’ homes,” Caldwell says. “We’re really going to expand it outside of the field where normally everything is inside the field.”

Another lasting feature that highlights one of the most memorable backdrops of Westerville includes the Field of Heroes 5K race that will be held on Sunday, May 28 at 8 a.m. The Rotary Club has not finalized the race dedication.

twice a week. The SpringFest 5K race will begin in the morning and conclude with an awards ceremony.

May 21

Private School Pups Inaugural 5K Run/Walk

8:45 a.m.

Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave.

Private School Pups is hosting its inaugural 5K race this spring. Private School Pups is a nonprofit that provides professional dog training grants and educational resources to fosters and adopters of rescue dogs. Its mission is to help end euthanasia at dog shelters by providing funding for professional dog training. This event is presented by Endeavor Brewery. Register for either the one-mile fun run/walk or the 5K run/walk.

May 28

Field of Heroes 5K Race

8 a.m.

Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave.

For a breathtaking way to honor your personal heroes in a unique and scenic setting, the Field of Heroes 5K Run/Walk offers unique opportunities to run through

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Fire Station 111 and finish among 3,000 full-size American flags! This familyfriendly 5K run is on a flat, paved course on recreation paths. The event is organized by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary.

June 3

5K Beer Run x Parsons North Brewing

11 a.m.

Parsons North Brewing Company, 685 Parsons Ave., Columbus

Will you run for beer? Grab a friend and start the fun run from Parsons North Brewing taproom! This 5K course weaves throughout Columbus, and when you cross the finish line, all participants receive a free craft brew from Parsons North Brewing to celebrate with a choice of a collector’s pint glass. With the mission to be active, have fun and give back, the Ohio Brewery Running Series commits 10 percent of registration fees to local organizations like Directions for Youth and Families.

June 4

AEP Ohio Columbus 10K

8 a.m.

311 W. Long St., Columbus

The oldest road race in Columbus is back to mark the start of the central

Ohio summer racing season! With a 6.2mile tour around the capital of the city, Columbus 10K has remained the same for decades. Race day will kick off with a half-mile kids run followed by the 10K run that takes participants on a tour of the scenic riverfront, High Street and German Village. After crossing the finish line, you will be greeted with live music, beer from Nocterra Brewing Co. and more.

June 24

NAPRF Family Fun 5K

5:30 p.m.

7860 Bevelhymer Rd., New Albany

The New Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation is hosting its third annual Family Fun Day. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a 5K race through Bevelhymer Park including an awards ceremony afterward. To celebrate your accomplishments, there will be food trucks, music and a beer garden at the finish line. The evening will conclude with a family-friendly outdoor movie in the park.

Isabelle Fisher is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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• Part-day and Full-day programs

• Recently renovated children’s area

• 614-794-1123

Jarred Burkart, M.D. Shabana Dewani, M.D. Andrew Grainger, M.D. Joseph Hofmeister, M.D. Augustine Hong, M.D. Elizabeth Kander, M.D. Peter Kourlas, M.D. Kavya Krishna, M.D. Erin Macrae, M.D. Shylaja Mani, M.D.

Thomas Sweeney, M.D. Emily Saul, D.O.

Nse Ntukidem, M.D. Anish Parikh, M.D.

Erin M.Bertino, M. D. Joining June, 2023

Lauren Sockrider, CNP

Jennifer Seiler, CNP Carmen Sidani, CNP

Ashley Compton, CNP

Brittany Sweigart, CNP

By Aaron Gilliam

Foundation from Football student spotlight

South senior uses the lessons learned from football to direct his efforts in the community

For a lot of student athletes, keeping up with schoolwork and the grind of preparing for competition is enough to keep them tied up without much free time. But Trey Rutherford, a Westerville South High School senior, has been able to find a balance between school and sports while using his spare time to give back to his community.

The National Football Foundation has honored student athletes since its inception in 1947 through regional chapters located throughout the country. The Columbus chapter of the NFF recently honored 14 central Ohio high school football players for their achievements in the classroom, on the field and in the community.

Rutherford was among those honored at The Ohio State University’s Ohio Union. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Rutherford, who met a handful of NFL Hall

of Famers along with Buckeye head coach Ryan Day and wide receiver Kamryn Babb.

Westerville South coach Matthew Christ saw Rutherford’s commitment to his team and community and felt he was a prime candidate for the NFF honors. Rutherford wrote an essay on what football means to him for the application process.

Football has been a passion of Rutherford’s since his mother finally let him play in fifth grade. Since then, he has used his passion for the sport to drive his ambition on and off the field.

Rutherford learned not to give up in the face of adversity after coming back from a handful of concussions in his high school football career. He attributes his integrity and hard work to his success on and off the field.

“You want to be a person that everyone in the community can look to and say, ‘That’s someone I know that I can trust.’” Rutherford says. “Football made me want to be a hard worker and represent people well.”

While Rutherford was named first team All-OCC and second team All-Central District in football, it is his accomplishments off the field that set him apart. Rutherford and his teammates have become involved in a mentoring program in the Westerville school district to help mold younger student athletes.

During October, Rutherford also runs a donation organization called Socktober. Throughout the month, the organization sells socks to students, staff

and parents and donates all proceeds to people in need of prosthetic legs in developing countries.

“I’ve always wanted to help others who maybe are less fortunate than me, and running a fundraiser was great experience for me because I’d like to get into politics or fundraising when I get older,” Rutherford

Photos courtesy of Trey Rutherford

Rutherford posing with OSU head football coach Ryan Day after being honored by the NFF at the OSU student union.

Rutherford (71) and teammates before a game.

Rutherford with family during a Catawba Nation event where Rutherford gives history lectures.

says. “Getting this experience now is really valuable for me.”

Rutherford is proud of his Native American heritage, and works closely with the Catawba Nation as a junior historian. By helping to organize events and operating the nation’s historical website, he feeds his passion for history while connecting with his roots.

“I just really like teaching people about history,” Rutherford says. “My mom will tell you I talk a lot about random history facts.”

Rutherford is also a member of the South debate team and a councilor on the Westerville Student Education Foundation. The WSEF promotes equality by encouraging voter registration to newly eligible young people.

Partnering with Kids Voting Ohio has allowed the organization to further its goal of youth voter registration. The organization also works closely with local Black Lives Matter groups fighting for social justice.

“I try to bring more student voices into whatever we’re doing so kids know we can all help fight against social injustice,” Rutherford says.

The expression “you get what you give” has proven true for Rutherford, as the community rallies around him and his efforts. Whether it’s rides to and from practice or lending a hand with a fundraiser, Rutherford has found support in Westerville.

After graduating from Westerville South in the spring, Rutherford plans to attend Kenyon College in Gambier to play football. He is considering a major in history, economics or political science, and dreams of becoming a historian or museum curator.

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

living By Maisie Fitzmaurice

Pool’s Out for Summer

Westerville homeowners transform patio into personal outdoor oasis

Josh and Beth Fenton’s home, located off of Africa Road, is known for its original owners who were influential figures in Columbus history.

The historic property was built in 1841 by abolitionist Samuel Patterson. Under Patterson’s ownership, the home once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. It was later purchased by real estate owner Fred LeVeque and his wife, philanthropist Katherine LeVeque, in the 1950s. Katherine LeVeque lived on the property until she passed away in 2014.

Josh and Beth moved into the home in 2016 with their three children. And while the home boasts important Westerville history, the Fentons needed modern amenities and a functional space. So, after they renovated the inside of the home, they began to draw up plans with Bryan Lipps, president of Stellar Construction, to update the exterior as well. Because the existing structures were deteriorating and unsafe, the construction team had to start from scratch.

“I think the patio was probably originally done maybe in the ’50s, but it’s pretty old, kind of falling apart,” Beth says. “A brick retaining wall that was falling down, bricks were crumbling and just didn’t look very nice.”

The plan for a brand-new space featured an updated patio area, a pavilion equipped with an outdoor kitchen and seating area, a bocce ball court, multiple fire pits, a koi pond and a swim spa.

The amenities and additions are designed to fit the Fentons’ needs. The swim spa was perfect for one of their sons on the swim team. The koi pond has become a relaxing spot for Josh to read

Photos courtesy of Beth Fenton and Arc Photography

and the pavilion is great for entertaining the family’s guests.

“Other families in the neighborhood with kids come over because we can see everyone no matter where you sit, even though it’s such a big space, it’s easy to keep an eye on the kids,” Beth says.

One of the biggest undertakings for Lipps and the construction team was to remove the unsalvageable in-ground pool and instead expand the patio, adding space for the regulation-size bocce court.

“I wanted to keep (the pool) but it was so expensive to fix. It would have been as much or more than what most people get quoted for a new pool. So it just didn’t make sense,” Beth says.

The pool wasn’t the only obstacle the team ran into during construction. Because

of the uneven topography in the area, Lipps says they had to strategize where features would be placed in the space.

“There’s a lot going on between the different elevations out there. We built multiple elevations, the bocce court is about three or four feet lower from where

Patio before

the fitness spa sits and you go up to the upper pavilion area where there’s another outdoor living space up there,” Lipps says.

While digging up the old patio and pool, the construction team found an old heating system, masonry structures and an empty fuel tank, which all had to be removed.

“There’s been so many things that have come and gone over the years, you just find random things buried underground you weren’t expecting,” Lipps says.

And though more was coming and going with the Fentons’ plans, Beth made sure

to preserve some of Katherine LeVeque’s landscaping and gardening work on the property. After buying the property, Beth frequently spoke with Katherine’s daughterin-law, Barbara LeVeque, who has since passed away. Barbara LeVeque often stressed how important the garden and greenery was to her mother-in-law, and Beth says she wanted to honor that history.

“Mrs. LeVeque had some beautiful landscaping and while we kind of had to tear everything out, I saved some of the plants because I like to garden, and so I was able to see some of the plants which meant a

lot to me knowing that the people before us had planted them,” Beth says.

Another reminiscence of the LeVeque family’s history is the gargoyle reliefs that were once part of the old LeVeque Tower in downtown Columbus.

“I wanted to keep some of those original kinds of quirky features. So I was so happy to be able to keep those gargoyle reliefs,” Beth says.

Maisie Fitzmaurice is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Luxury Living

what’s your style?

The Powell Buehler Group (614) 915-4588

5060 Grasshopper Ln., Westerville – This remodeled home is a must-see w/ a gorgeous updated gourmet kitchen w/ newer cabinets, granite counters, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances & new fixtures. $285,000.

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY ThePowellBuehlerGroup.com

The Powell Buehler Group (614) 915-4588

5757 Fredricks Rd., Sunbury – Here's your chance to own a park-like oasis over 5 acres! This lovely home has so much to offer including an amazing wooded yard w/ a picturesque creek with bridge, 30'x30' outbuilding, and oversized 2.5 car garage. $639,900.

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY ThePowellBuehlerGroup.com

Todd Stone (614) 397-1231

5626 Medallion Dr., Westerville – 4 bed 4.5 bath 3 car garage. Beautiful home on the 1st hole of the Medallion Golf Course. First floor master suite! Soaring ceilings, custom cabinets, high end appliances, large patio and more! Located adjacent to the Medallion Clubhouse with panoramic views of the golf course and water. $679,000.

RE/MAX TOWN CENTER toddstone.remax.com

Connie Sadowski (614) 943-0025

Meticulously maintained ranch condo gives you the lifestyle you desire in a great location. Screened in porch is fantastic for private outdoor living & around back is a beautiful community pond!

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY connieSELLShouses.com

The Powell Buehler Group (614) 915-4588

311 Mill Wind Ct. S., Westerville – Lovely home situated on a wonderful lot located in the heart of Westerville. Walk to 3 parks, schools (walk to all the sporting events!), bike/walking trails, uptown Westerville and much more! $445,000.

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY ThePowellBuehlerGroup.com

SOLD

The Powell Buehler Group (614) 915-4588

6555 Montchanin Ct., Westerville – Do not miss out on this rare opportunity to own prime real estate of 34.16 acres with road frontage on Rt. 62 in Johnstown just east of Rt. 37! 34.16 acres of possible development land just to the east of the current INTEL development. $2,500,000.

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY ThePowellBuehlerGroup.com

Todd Stone (614) 397-1231

683 Regency Bend, Delaware – 5 Bed 4.5 bath. This stunning home sits on .55 acres and offers everything you could want and more: den, sunroom, formal dining, huge modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gas Kitchenaid cook top, vaulted and tray ceilings, huge master bedroom closet, electric vehicle charger, hard wired for audio/visual, security, internet, and USB charging throughout, 2 HVAC systems, energy efficient, gas fireplace, huge basement, luxury vinyl flooring, 3 car garage and many other updates. $815,000. RE/MAX TOWN CENTER toddstone.remax.com

The price of Westerville homes was down 2.6 percent in February 2023 in comparison to last year, with the median price being $380K. On average, homes in Westerville sold after 34 days on the market compared to 33 last year. A total of 39 homes were sold in February this year, down from 44 last year.

By Allison Shifflett

Summer Break Breakfast Simple treats that are

fun for all ages

Agreat way to make the most of a summer day is to make a fun treat in the kitchen with your kids. Westerville residents Emily Colgan and Marcia Blanchard are here to help with some fun, easy recipes that kids will love to help make and eat.

Colgan enjoys whipping up a batch of donuts as a special treat to make with her family. She says you can customize these tasty desserts with any topping of your choice. All you need are a few simple ingredients and any sort of fryer, and you’re on your way. The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity, and it’s something kids will be able to take with them when they shift into adulthood, Colgan says.

“I started when my own kids were old enough to enjoy helping. We have a full house with kids ages 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, so we always have plenty of helpers (and

plenty of taste-testers) for yummy recipes,” Colgan says.

Blanchard’s go-to morning meal is homemade sausage balls. They only take a few simple steps, and kids will love rolling the mix into little balls. In just 20 minutes of baking, one batch will give you breakfast bites for days. This recipe is perfect to take on the go.

“I used to make these with my kids. They are now 15 and 13 and don’t have much interest in helping me in the kitchen anymore, but they still love eating them.” Blanchard says.

With the extra time at home this summer, try one or both of these recipes with the young ones in your family.

Photos courtesy of Emily Colgan and Marcia Blanchard

Allison Shifflett is an editorial assistant with CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Donuts/Mini Elephant Ears

• Tube of biscuit dough (regular-sized is best for even cooking time, but if jumbo is all you can find, you can always cut the biscuits)

• Frying oil (Canola or vegetable is best. Olive oil and avocado oil are not recommended.)

• Your choice of topping – Colgan’s family favorite is just cinnamon sugar, but you could also do jelly, Nutella, etc.

Equipment

• Deep fryer (if you have one) or a deep frying pan

• Tongs

• Drying rack & cookie sheet

Pre-heat the oil in a fryer or frying pan. Make sure you have enough so the biscuit dough floats and doesn’t touch the bottom.

Check that the oil is hot enough by throwing a small ball of dough the size of a pea into the oil. If it instantly sizzles, it’s ready.

Choose your shape! You can do the traditional Berliner and leave them whole, cut holes in the middle for a more American take, cut them in half or thirds for kipferl, or roll them into rods for a quasi-churro. Or flatten them out for a mini elephant ear.

Deep fry on both/all sides until golden brown and cooked through.

Place on a drying rack over a cookie sheet for several seconds to let grease drip off.

Roll in cinnamon sugar or allow to cool slightly and top with spread. Enjoy!

Sausage Balls

• 1 lb. of pork sausage (any kind)

• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 ½ cup baking mix like Bisquick or Jiffy

• ½ cup to ¾ cup milk

Mix sausage, cheese and baking mix together.

Slowly add milk until the mixture binds.

Using a cookie scoop or spoons start dropping approximately a tablespoon of the dough out onto a cookie sheet about two inches apart. This recipe yields approximately 30 to 40 balls depending on the size.

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20 minutes until golden brown.

Swap the milk with almond milk or the pork sausage with turkey sausage for a healthier alternative.

After-Hours Pickup

bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Recommended

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

Youth Reads from Katie Ross, Youth Services Librarian

Logan’s Greenhouse

by JaNay Brown-Wood (Picture Book)

Logan is getting ready for a pet playdate. He knows he wants to serve carrots and tries to find them in the greenhouse. Can you help Logan identify the different vegetables he pulls from the soil in the greenhouse?

A Morning with Grandpa

by Sylvia Liu (Picture Book)

In this sweet intergenerational story, Mei Mei wants to learn about the tai chi poses her gong gong (grandpa) is doing, and Mei Mei shows him the yoga poses she learns at school. Together, they find joy in trying new things.

Bugs for Breakfast: How Eating Insects Could Help Save the Planet by Mary Boone (Juvenile Non-fiction)

Mary Boone makes the case for entomophagy (the practice of eating bugs) and describes how insects provide high levels of nutrition with minimal impact on the environment.

Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill (Picture Book)

Molly and her mom find themselves to be two of the 35 to 50 million people per year who face food insecurity. With empathy, O’Neill weaves a story that shows how the food pantry and its community can support people who “need a little help sometimes.”

Recommended Adult Reads from Mindy Bilyeu, Adult Services Librarian

The Creative Vegetable Gardener: 60 Ways to Cultivate Joy, Playfulness, and Beauty Along with a Bounty of Food by Kelly Smith Trimble (Non-fiction)

Lifestyle editor and master gardener Kelly Smith Trimble encourages readers to widen their focus, be playful and imagine a vegetable garden that reflects their own unique aesthetic and offers a meditative sanctuary as well as a source of fresh, homegrown food.

The Complete Small Plates Cookbook: 300+ Shareable Tapas, Meze, Bar Snacks, Dumplings, Salads, and More by America’s Test Kitchen (Non-fiction)

This complete guide to the wonderfully diverse world of small plates offers practical ways to make spreads that can be sumptuous or streamlined.

The Spark Factor: The Secret to Supercharging Energy, Becoming Resilient, and Feeling Better Than Ever by Molly Maloof (Non-fiction)

Molly Maloof, MD, shares a program uniquely tailored to the biology of women – a plan that targets the mitochondria, the power source of the cells.

The Body Liberation Project: How Understanding Racism and Diet Culture Helps Cultivate Joy and Build Collective Freedom by Chrissy King (Non-fiction)

This book is about finding actual freedom in our bodies by discovering strength and aspects of fitness, movement and eating that work for YOU.