Westerville November/December 2011

YOU’RE A STEP CLOSER AT OTTERBEIN.

We partnered with community colleges so you can turn your 2-year into a 4-year degree. Earn your Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies in Leadership –designed specifically for transfer students who have earned an Associate Degree. Or choose from 73 majors and 44 minors.

When your child needs urgent care, everything matters.

And what matters most is pediatric expertise. at’s why our Close To HomeSM Centers are sta ed by medical professionals who have received additional training to care exclusively for children. Physicians, nurses, technicians, everybody at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a pediatric specialist.

is higher level of expertise enables us to see things others may not. We know when a simple fever could be something more serious. We know how to set a broken bone so it grows properly to its adult size. We know the correct dosage of medications for children of all ages.

Our suture techs even practice putting stitches in the soft skin of a peach, because it helps us minimize scarring on the soft skin of a child.

Every piece of equipment is also specialized. Why? Try tting an adult-sized blood pressure cu on the arm of a two-year-old. Or giving an injection to a ve-year-old with an adultsized needle.

Urgent care should be expert care. So always call your child’s doctor rst and remember we’re here when you need us. For directions, hours and location speci c information, visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/UrgentCare.

Urgent Care. Close to Home.

Peace of Mind

Westerville magazine

781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202 Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com

Charles L. Stein

Kathleen K. Gill

Dave Prosser

Christa Smothers

Garth Bishop

Duane St. Clair

Gail Martineau

Tyler Davis

Lauren Novelli

Emily Steel

Gianna Barrett

Molly Pensyl

Mary Hottenrott

Pam Henricks

Lynn Leitch

Circulation: Christa Dickey

Chief Executive Officer President/Publisher Chief Creative Officer Creative Director Editor

Contributing Editors Editorial Assistants

Advertising Director Advertising Sales Controller 614-572-1240

City of Westerville

Community Affairs Administrator

www. westervillemagazine .com

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Healthy New Albany Magazine www.healthynewalbanymagazine.com

Pickerington Magazine www.PickeringtonMagazine.com

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Westerville Magazine is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November. For advertising information or bulk purchases, contact Emily Steel at 614572-1252.

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NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Nov. 5

Mark Twain Craft Bazaar

10 a.m.-3 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.westerville.k12.oh.us

The Mark Twain Elementary School

PTA’s annual bazaar lets patrons get a head start on their holiday shopping.

Nov. 5

Rotary Honors Veterans 5K Walk/Run

9 a.m., Alum Creek State Park, 221 W. Main St., www.rotaryhonorsvets5k.org

Proceeds from the 5K benefit Honor Flight Columbus. Register via the above website or through www.premiereraces.com.

Nov. 6

Otterbein University String Orchestra

7:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 E. Schrock Rd.

As part of its A Joyful Noise community concert series, the church presents Otterbein’s string orchestra.

Nov. 17

Fall Band Concert

7 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.westervillenorthbands.org

North’s bands come together for the annual fall concert.

Nov. 18

People Set Apart: Religious Conviction in the Civil War

6:30 p.m., American Legion YoungBudd Post 171, 393 E. College Ave., 614-891-0821

The Westerville Historical Society hosts Muskingum University Professor Lorle Porter for its annual dinner.

Nov. 18

Fall Band Concert

7:30 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., 614-797-6000

Enjoy Westerville South’s repertoire of fall songs.

Nov. 25-Dec. 11

Over the River and Through the Woods

8 p.m., Curtain Players Theatre, 5691 Harlem Rd., 614-360-1000, www.curtainplayers.com

When a native New Jerseyite tells his grandparents he’ll be taking a new job on the other side of the country, they scheme ways to keep him in town in this comedy.

Nov. 27

Dec. 1-24

Studio Artists Winter Exhibit & Sale

11 a.m.-3 p.m., David Myers Art Studio & Gallery, 7 W. Main St., 614882-2180, www.davidmyersart.com

Purchase original art, note cards and prints.

Dec. 2

Westerville Tree Lighting

7 p.m., Westerville Municipal Building, 21 S. State St., 614-901-6500

Dec. 3, 6, 10, 11

Hanby Christmas Open House

7-9 p.m. Dec. 3 & 6, 1-4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 & 11, Hanby House, 160 W. Main St, 614-891-6289

Enjoy music, refreshments and decorations at this Christmas open house.

Dec. 3

Home for the Holidays

3-8 p.m., Historic Uptown Westerville, 614-794-0401

An old-fashioned holiday event filled with music, entertainment and children’s activities.

Dec. 7-21

WinterFest

10-10:30 a.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., 614-882-7277

Take part in activities, books and crafts that help with the winter’s cold.

Dec. 8

Orchestra/Choir Concert

7:30 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., 614-797-6000

Enjoy Westerville South’s holiday orchestra and choir concert.

Dec. 11

Otterbein Concert Choir

7 p.m., Westerville Community United Church of Christ, 770 County Line Rd., 614-823-1508, www.otterbein.edu

The choir, featuring harpist Jude Mollenhauer, performs a collection of Christmas hits.

Dec. 11

Westerville Concert Band Holiday Concert

3 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mt. Royal Ave., www.westervillebands.org

The band puts on its annual holiday concert.

Dec. 18

Nov. 10-19

Carnival!

Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu, 614-823-1109

A traveling carnival turns the world of a young girl upside-down in this comedic musical at Otterbein University.

Nov. 11

Evening of Elegance

6 p.m., Villa Milano, 1630 Schrock Rd., 614-882-8917

The Westerville Chamber of Commerce presents its annual fundraiser for the 25th year. This black tie event is the Chamber’s largest fundraising event and features a dinner, entertainment, live and silent auctions, dancing and a chocolate raffle.

Swim with Santa

6-8:15 p.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., 614-901-6500

Children ages 3-10 can get a picture with Santa Claus before he and his elf lifeguards hop in the pool.

Dec. 4

Sertoma Children’s Christmas Parade

1:30 p.m., north on State Rt. 3 from Heatherdown Drive to County Line Road, 614-794-0401

Greet Santa with your family during this fun event.

Dec. 4

Westerville Symphony Holiday Concert: Sounds of the Season

2 p.m., Riley Auditorium, Battelle Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., 614-899-9000, www.westervillesymphony.org

The symphony puts on its annual holiday concert.

Solstice Sunday Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., 614-895-6241, www.inniswood.org

Come celebrate the Winter Solstice at Inniswood.

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

course, we happen to think is a BIG DEAL .

SWITCH CALL or order ONLINE today. .

Of

City Reporter

www.westerville.org

It has been more than three years since Westerville residents approved a tax restructuring initiative known as Issue 54. The issue addressed income tax levels, matching the rate in Westerville to other communities in central Ohio while also giving 100 percent credit to taxpayers who live here but work elsewhere. At its core, Issue 54 made way for Westerville to begin work addressing its aging infrastructure while maintaining established service levels.

From neighborhood roads to main thoroughfares, major construction and improvement projects have taken place or are underway in Westerville. One of the City’s commitments through the initiative was to eliminate the backlog of streets rated as failed and/or in poor condition*. To reach that goal, the City estimated an additional $3.2 million annual investment in infrastructure was needed for street repairs, with an additional $700,000 each year required to maintain major arterial streets in “good” or better condition.

With funds made available through the initiative, the City has tripled its investment to approximately $6 million annually in streets and infrastructure, including resurfacing of major streets and street reconstruction in neighborhoods throughout the community (See www.westerville. org >> City Departments >> Planning & Development >> Construction Updates >> Street Maintenance Program). The City has also worked to take advantage of partnerships with the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Engineer’s Office and ODOT to maximize the effectiveness of both time and cost on major improvement projects.

The 14-month project to reconstruct the West Main Street bridge was a Franklin County project, but it provided the opportunity for the City to work on the storm sewers, underground utility systems, parking lots and bike path extensions and improvements. When the bridge opened in August this year, work continued to improve the park en-

trance at Alum Creek Park and the Westerville Senior Center parking lot.

Worthington Road is another example of project partnerships benefiting the bottom line. While the City of Columbus funded portions of the road expansion in its jurisdiction, Westerville completed needed improvements on its portion of the road south of County Line Road. A temporary road used for several weeks during the construction was repaved as an extension of the community bikeway path system. The cost of this project totaled $3.7 million, which was split with the City of Columbus. In addition, $2.79 million of that total was secured in a loan/ grant combination from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

“We had critical needs to meet here at home; some streets had not seen maintenance since the 1980s. Other areas of town also needed major infrastructure attention, like South State Street. We also recognized the need to address aging commercial areas as well as an obligation to revitalize a key entryway into the City at South State Street.”

David Collinsworth, City Manager

City Manager David Collinsworth characterizes the Issue 54 initiative as an ongoing reinvestment in our community. “This initiative keeps our dollars local, making our residents and community stakeholders the direct beneficiaries of improvements in our neighborhoods and to our roads,” he said. “We had critical needs to meet here at home; some streets had not seen maintenance since the 1980s. Other areas of town also needed major infrastructure attention, like South State Street. We also recognized the need to address aging commercial areas as well as an obligation to revitalize a key entryway into the City at South State Street.”

The largest street construction site in the area right now is indeed the

Before: S. State Street Feb. 2011

After: S. State Street Sept. 2011

“Issue 54” - continued

South State Street and Huber Village Boulevard intersection. The construction going on now, which will ultimately tie into the ODOT project immediately to the south, will have a dramatic impact on the accessibility and aesthetics of the primary gateway into the community**. Involved in this project are underground utility placement, signal upgrades and roadway improvements, including additional left turn lanes. Overall entryway improvements will be in upgrades to the area’s utility operation, safety and appearance. Of the S. State St. project’s approximate $7 million total cost, nearly $2 million represents a loan/grant combination, also from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

Although the major component of Issue 54 was fixing aging infrastructure, other improvements have appeared all around the City. Benches, trees and sidewalk improvements were made where needed in the Uptown district. Other bikeway path system improvements and extensions have been made, tying into construction projects when possible.

With Westerville’s income tax rate at 2 percent among the predominant rates in central Ohio now for more than two years – including communities like Dublin, New Albany, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Grove City, Whitehall and Hilliard – the City continues to act on improvements and needs outlined three years ago. For more information on capital improvement planning, please visit www.westerville.org >> City Departments >> Finance >> 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Plans (right side).

*Capital assets, like roads, are classified and managed by the City with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules. The City’s policy for roadway infrastructure requires 85 percent of our arterial pavements (such as Cleveland, County Line Road and Polaris) to be maintained with a condition rating of “good” or better condition. Other interior roads must be maintained so that at least 60 percent are rated as “good” or better condition.

**ODOT construction includes the reconstruction of the ramps at State Route 3 and I-270.

Buy Now, Save More for 2012 Highlands Park Aquatic Center Season

Thanks to the community of Westerville, the debut season of the Highlands Park Aquatic Center was record-setting in both attendance and sales of season passes. And now everyone can get in on all the fun for the upcoming season in advance, and save 10 percent. From now until Dec. 31, season passes for 2012 are available at the discounted rate. Ultimate Passholders at the Westerville Community Center receive a discount of 20 percent. Passes may be purchased at the Westerville Community Center (350 N. Cleveland Ave.). For more information, please call (614) 901-6500.

Send Holiday Wishes to a Soldier

In May, the City of Westerville officially adopted the 684th Medical Unit of the Ohio National Guard, a unit that had once operated out of the Armory in Uptown Westerville. On Sept. 11, the Company held its Call-to-Duty Ceremony at Westerville North High School for a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, their mission is to provide area medical support to injured, sick or wounded soldiers. In recognition of their first holiday away from home and their families during deployment, the City will be collecting holiday cards and greetings from the community.

Please address a holiday card to Soldier, 684 Medical Unit, Ohio National Guard and submit at City Hall (Westerville Municipal Building, 21 S. State St.). Collection boxes are available on the first floor of City Hall and at the Westerville Public Library.

Westerville Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi recognized the soldiers and their families of the 684 this summer at the Highlands Park Aquatic Center.

Winter Weather Reminders

Winter weather will soon be upon us, and the season’s wintry mix of rain, snow and ice on our roads requires extra caution when traveling.

Snow Emergency:

If more than three inches fall, a snow emergency automatically goes into effect and cars parked on streets must be moved or they will be towed. Updates to snow emergency declarations will be posted to the City website and to the City’s Facebook page and Twitter account. However, a snow emergency may occur in the middle of the night, and updates may be delayed. In that case, please be mindful of the weather forecast for our region and park your car off the street if more than three inches is expected overnight.

Snow Removal Priorities:

Emergency travel for fire, emergency medical and police personnel is the first snow removal priority, not clearing every city street. This is why arterial and secondary streets are cleared first. The second priority is to clear streets around schools and to facilitate traffic moving in and out of the city, which also impacts first- and second-tier roads. The third priority is to clear subdivisions.

The top two priorities illustrate why main roads are salted and/or plowed before subdivisions are cleared. If subdivisions were cleared first, emergency vehicles would still have no access to homes because the main roads would not be cleared.

It is much easier to ensure that main streets are cleared for emergency use and then designate salt and plow trucks to assist emergency vehicles into particular subdivisions as situations arise.

! Holiday Tree Disposal Information

Holiday trees can be disposed of as part of the normal yard waste collection (Monday). In order for holiday trees to be collected, they need to be placed at the curb with other yard waste. All decorations, lights, etc., must be removed from the tree, and the tree cannot be placed in any bags. For more information call (614) 901-6740.

Slow and Go:

Patience is a virtue when traveling in snowstorms. Allow more time to travel in this type of weather, and avoid following salt and plow trucks too closely. Also, for your safety and that of oncoming drivers, do not attempt to pass these vehicles.

Snow Shoveling Tips:

Residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for clearing their walkways. The Service Department recommends shoveling snow away from the street so that snow is less likely to get pushed back onto the driveway or sidewalk by a passing snow plow. If snow must be shoveled out to the road, it should be piled to the right side of the driveway (on two-way streets). This allows snow plows to reach the snow pile after it passes the driveway.

Spot a pothole?

As part of the winter weather routine, potholes are expected to occur as a result of weather and snow removal. City crews will promptly fix them once aware of and/or alerted to their locations. Because the City has more than 180 miles of roads to manage, you may become aware of a pothole before our crews spot them. If you notice a pothole as you drive throughout Westerville, please report it by calling (614) 901-6740.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

35,133

Number in pounds of items collected for disposal at the Sept 3 Household Hazardous Waste Collection hosted by the Westerville Department of Public Service.

City of Westerville Staff Profile: Scott

McKenzie, Westerville Electric Division

Born and raised in nearby Sunbury, Scott McKenzie was influenced early on by his coaches. During his time as a high school athlete, coaches taught him the value of hard work and commitment. At home, his dad emphasized the appreciation of a job and career. By age 15, Scott held steady jobs working summers and after school. At 18, he started his first full-time position with the City of Westerville. And now, after years of training and education, Scott is the coach. By day, he is one of the City’s lead safety trainers. In the evening, he works with a new generation of young athletes teaching life lessons on the football field.

How long have you worked for Westerville?

I started my full-time position on July 25, 1988. I remember the exact date because I had been part-time since January, working with the Service Department painting streets and mowing grass. That summer, the position of Groundman opened up in the Electric Division, which is now the Apprentice Lineman position. It was the beginning of my career in the electric industry.

Had you anticipated a career in the electric industry?

I was truly that kid who was all about sports, so I wanted to play college football. But that didn’t happen, and in my family, it was really driven home that I needed to think about my future and plan for it. I thought the electric industry was exciting and challenging. Within a year, I had made apprentice lineman and started my training to be a line worker. By the time I completed my programs, I had my Journeyman card, which is a lifelong certification in the industry. I am also a state-certified Journeyman lineworker, a certification that requires special qualifications.

What is your current role in the Electric Division?

I worked as a lineman for the City from 1994 until 2005. Now, as Electrical Maintenance Worker, my primary duty is to handle all the research and procurement of all the equipment, tools and safety equipment. I’ll work on bids, quotes and research to assure we’re using the right items and tools to get the job done as safely and effectively as possible.

As I started in this industry, I realized the seriousness of the job and the trade, and started really paying attention to safety. You can get seriously injured or even killed in this job. Coming up in the ranks, I was always a strong advocate of safety. So I started going the safety route as a specialization.

I also serve as the department chairperson of the safety team. Our safety program is a daily program; there are always issues and considerations. My job is to bring them to the team and follow up on issues. I’m always looking for safer ways to do things, whether it’s a better process or safer equipment. I consider it my job to put everything together. And I also serve as the chairperson of the Citywide safety team. Safety is a major priority for the City, so I work to promote it across all departments. That ranges from personal office/job safety – like avoiding slips, trips and falls – to renovations or processes that need to be in place for buildings. We work closely with the Police Division to conduct safety inspections, and have made improvements so that employees are as safe as possible while still keeping buildings accessible and user-friendly to visitors.

Tell us about an incident where safety training really affected the outcome.

It has an impact every day in our work. A few years ago, when Hurricane Ike came through town, we had to rely on our safety procedures to get power restored both quickly and safely without creating other issues or damage. After our experience with the hurricane, we created an incident management procedure from lessons learned. One of the strongest points was calling over the radio of all crews to confirm everyone was in the clear or out of danger before management or field staff could either remotely or physically try to re-energize electric lines. This ensures everyone’s safety first, and makes an important procedure a standard protocol.

Based on your expertise in safety, what are some basic things residents should know about household safety?

A lot of people don’t realize just how unforgiving electricity can be, from extension cords to home receptacles being uncovered. Just a tenth of an AMP can kill someone. It doesn’t take much for people to get hurt by things in the home, like frayed extension cords or not being properly grounded when working near electricity. People will hold on to a $5 extension

cord for life, but it can take their life if they’re not careful.

Installing outdoor Christmas lights can create some safety issues. It’s important that you do not overload circuits. Don’t use damaged extension cords, like any of those with bad or worn ends. Do not cut the grounding prong out of extension cords to be able to plug in lights, and never use indoor extension cords for outside use. When hanging lights, use a fiberglass or wood ladder and always maintain three points of contact, which means both feet and one hand on the ladder at all times. Avoid using chairs or buckets, or standing on porch railings to reach. And be aware of overhead power lines attached to your house. Stay clear of them.

What is something most people do not know about the Westerville Electric Division?

Employees have come and gone in the 23 years I’ve been there, but I think residents will appreciate knowing that the ones who stay do so because they really care about the residents and making sure their power is reliable. The Westerville Electric Division is known for having a very high level of customer service. Our teams respond to power outages as if they are taking care of their own families. That is just the attitude we have.

What do your other future professional activities and objectives entail?

I am also an OSHA-authorized outreach trainer, so I provide general awareness training in the public and private sector. Safety training has really been something that I have enjoyed. Maybe someday after I retire I will look into safety consulting, but for now, I want to be able to make sure my co-workers work safely.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

It really depends on the time of the year. Right now, football keeps me busy. I am the head coach of eighth grade football at Big Walnut Local Schools. My son is a senior on Big Walnut’s varsity team, so I have more of a “dad” mindset this year than ever before. I do more watching on Friday nights from the sidelines than coaching right now. On top of that, I have been married for 21 years. I also enjoy a few other hobbies, like hunting with my co-workers. A lot of us are friends outside of work.

What is your personal philosophy?

Vince Lombardi: “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up!”

Mark Your Calendar:

Holiday Tree Lighting

Friday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. Westerville Municipal Building Courtyard

The annual tree lighting ceremony features caroling, sweet treats and one of Santa’s first appearances in Westerville. Bring the entire family for a fun way to welcome in the holiday season.

Community Recreation Guide and Calendar

The winter edition of the Westerville Community Recreation Guide will begin arriving at area homes the week of Nov. 21. Look inside to find the City of Westerville 2012 Calendar, special holiday events and details on important registration dates.

Online Early-Bird Registration (residents)

Friday, Dec. 2

Early-Bird Registration (residents)

Saturday, Dec. 3

Online Open Registration

Sunday, Dec. 4

Open Registration

Monday, Dec. 5

All area codes are 614 unless otherwise noted.

Westerville City Council (Back Left-Right) Jenifer French; Eric Busch, Vice Mayor; Larry Jenkins; Diane Fosselman (Front Left-Right) Mike Heyeck, Chair; Kathy Cocuzzi, Mayor; Craig Treneff, Vice Chair

City Manager Dave Collinsworth

Pleinstorm

Outdoor painting is local artist’s passion

Once she finds a piece of nature to focus her energies on, there is scarcely a detail that escapes the trained eye or the skilled paintbrush of Karen LaValley.

Though LaValley can paint in many different styles, her current fascination – and the style for which she is best known – is plein air.

Plein air is French for “open air” and describes this method of outdoor painting to a T. When circumstances permit, LaValley spends a lot of time outside with her painting, sometimes returning to the same location two or three times to finish.

LaValley holds a bachelor of fine arts in drawing and painting from The Ohio State University, where she studied under teachers who specialized in gestural techniques. She has worked in pastels, acrylics, charcoal and watercolor, though she now mostly uses oil.

“But any day, I could get the impulse to do a watercolor or a charcoal drawing,” she says.

After graduating, she focused mainly on figurative work. But about 18 years ago, two friends invited her to an outdoor painting session at a train depot in Canal Winchester, and LaValley discovered she had a taste for the technique. She has utilized it extensively since then.

“From that moment on, I was hooked on plein air,” she says.

Her interest can be piqued by a variety of sights – marshes, overgrown areas, flowers, wild grass, old houses, gnarled trees, anything “with some mystery,” she says. Among her favorite places to visit for inspiration are overgrown car pull-offs on Sunbury Road, the mud flats around Hoover Reservoir and a sunflower farm in Pickerington, and she has found places to paint in other parts of the country – such

as the Rocky Mountains and Door County, Wis. – as well.

“When you’re an artist, it’s allencompassing,” she says. “Everywhere you go and everything you see, it’s all part of a painting.”

LaValley strives to make her paintings as true to life as possible and prefers the representation of nature they provide to that provided by a photograph. A photo, she says, cannot convey depth, intensity or motion like a well-done painting can.

“You really get the feeling of being there” with a painting, she says.

Though plein air is her passion, LaValley remains involved in other artistic pursuits, including portraits and still lifes.

LaValley is deeply involved in the local artistic community. She is a charter member of the Ohio Plein Air Society and a signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society, and is always on the lookout for great art to experience.

In Westerville, she belongs to a group called Escape Artists who get together to paint around town; one member will find or hear about a great spot to paint, and contact the other members to coordinate a group visit. She is also part of a weekly figure painting studio at Gallery 202.

“We have a little group of friends who … paint each other,” says LaValley. “We always have a model.”

She also is involved in a group called Women’s Palette, which meets once a month to compare and critique paintings. Group members do not “spare any comments, good or bad,” LaValley says, which is a big help for her as an artist.

“It’s very difficult to be objective about your own work, especially if you’ve been staring at something forever,” she says.

When not directly involved in the visual arts, LaValley loves to go dancing – an interest she developed in her childhood, when her father owned a dancing school in Springfield.

She and her husband, Mark, have two grown children, both of them pursuing artistic endeavors. Son Grant is an artist in San Francisco, and daughter Brooke is a photographer here in central Ohio.

Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback and comments welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

by gail martineau

He’Art Mind

Concord Counseling celebrates 40 years in Westerville by giving back to the community

Forty years ago, a group of Otterbein College students and their professor saw a need in their community.

Students and Westerville residents were struggling with the stresses of life, and they didn’t have an easily accessible place to turn. So the small group took the initiative to create that easily accessible place, and opened a fledgling counseling service out of a few Otterbein dorm rooms.

That small venture has since turned into one of the largest outpatient counseling centers in central Ohio.

Concord Counseling Services, located on Brooksedge Boulevard in Westerville, serves close to 3,000 patients who are severely or persistently mentally ill, or who just need help dealing with life, says Executive Director Connie Emerson.

In addition to working with residents in need, Concord has a senior program that plays a significant role in its overall operations. It has also had a partnership with the Westerville City School District for the past 15 years.

Concord’s partners in the central Ohio community include the Dublin Counseling Center and its “Renew” program, as well as the Center for Vocational Alternatives.

“We work with young adults to make sure it is their first and only psychiatric hospitalization,” Emerson says. “The goal is that they will not have a second psychiatric hospitalization. Then we make sure we’re looking at their vocational interests and coping skills.”

Janet Davis, head of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, served on Concord’s board for nine years. The organization helps make Westerville what it is, Davis says.

“Concord is one of the

organizations and services in Westerville that sets us apart from other suburban communities,” she says. “We are a diverse community with services available to for many needs. It is organizations like Concord, WARM, Westerville Public Library, Westerville Symphony, Otterbein University, our school district, nationally acclaimed parks system, city manager form of government and vibrant business community –along with our top city services, including our own water and electric – that make us the 15th best place to live in the country.”

The growth in Concord’s offerings has allowed the organization to grow physically, Emerson says. For the first time in 40 years, Concord is a Westerville property owner, having moved into its current building, complete with two courtyards and large windows, in May.

“For 40 years, we’ve always been a community renter,” Emerson says. “With the economy being what it is, we were able to get our current building for a very

good price and arrange financing – all with an eye to the future.”

Concord plans to show off its new location and offerings at a special event Nov. 4, says Ruth Stenberg, director of development and marketing for Concord.

The He’Art of Concord event is an art show and sale to benefit the center and the community’s creativity. It is slated for 5-7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Concord Counseling Services facility.

“Part of our mission is serving with heart,” Stenberg says. “We celebrate the creativity in all of us. This is an opportunity for people who have used Concord services, as well as friends in the community, to display and sell their art.”

The organization hosted a similar event a few years ago and got amazing feedback from both the community and Concord patients, Emerson says.

“We learned, after the fact, that there was a young client who exhibited her work and felt so good about her response that she got about people coming through, that she later shared with her therapist that she was going to go out that weekend and engage in some risky behavior,” she says. “Because she got so much positive feedback, she decided that maybe she could be an artist. … It really gave her some hope that she could indeed engage her passion for art in her life.”

Gail Martineau is a contributing editor. Comments and feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd. com.

From left, James Robinson, Shirley Wilson and Lori Summers at a 1970s-themed open house for Concord’s new facility in August. Bottom: Concord staff show off their new building in Westerville after its opening in May.

Season’s Y

ou don’t need to venture far to hunt down the types of gifts that will light up the eyes of your friends and loved ones. The offerings from Westerville’s stores, studios, restaurants and boutiques will help you put a huge dent in those intimidating Christmas lists.

Fire and Ice

Light up the room in style with these snowman candles from Amish Originals – the small ones are two for $14.99, the larger ones are two for $24.99. The sleigh bell candle holders are $6.99 each. www.amishoriginals.com

Au Naturale

For the person who likes to keep his or her skin looking naturally healthy, the Raisin Rack has a wide assortment of organic skin care oils from Aura Cacia, including argan, rosehip, baobab, macadamia and tamanu oils. www.raisinrack.com

Carry All

The Brooklyn designer bag made by Varu is suitable for any use – purse, weekend bag or even diaper bag. The $134 bag is available on Varu’s website or at Encircle in Uptown Westerville.

www.myvaru.com

Blast from the Past Take a loop through Westerville Antiques & Collectibles and find a oneof-a-kind addition to the coffee table, mantelpiece or living room of a discerning decorator. The store’s offerings range from costume and fine jewelry to antique toys, vintage costumes and “Mantiques.”

www.westervilleantiques.com

Treatings

Find the perfect gift at these Westerville businesses

What’s Old is New Again

Pick up the perfect piece of jewelry at Déjà Vu – be it an Invicta Ladies Diamond 2-Tone Heart Wildflower Watch, a blackand-white sterling silver Diamond Heart Necklace or one of the 30-year-old shop’s many other offerings. www.dejavuclothes.com

Chocolate Kringle

Chocolate figurines aren’t just for Easter anymore, as Chocolaterie Stam proves with these appealing Santa Claus and Christmas tree chocolates. These decadent delectables start at $9.95. www.stamchocolate.com

Go for the Gold

Stunning jewelry is the name of the game at family-owned Gold Star Jewelers, and the Giorgio Visconti ring – 18-karat white gold, with a 4.82-karat tanzanite stone ringed by 0.69-karat diamonds – is no exception. The ring retails for $7,000, but is available at Gold Star for $3,500. The shop buys and sells high-end watches, and also buys gold.

www.goldstarjewelers.com

Festive and Feathered

Who says only humans can appreciate holiday decorations? The Cranberry Fare Wreath makes a great addition to any outdoor spot, and it’s available for $16.99 at Wild Birds Unlimited, which emphasizes U.S.-made products for its feeders, bird houses, nature gifts, bird seed and more. www.westerville.wbu.com

Just Add Milk

Save the Next Dance

From ballet and tap to jazz and contemporary, Generations Performing Arts Center offers all manner of classes for kids, starting at $40 per month. If Dad wants to be part of the fun, the center even offers father-daughter dance classes. www.gen-pac.com

There’s much more than traditional Christmas cookies on the menu at Cheryl & Co. Grab a sparkling snowfall gift tin – containing 16 individually wrapped, hand frosted buttercream cookies – for $36.99, or $31.99 in stores only. www.cheryls.com

To Treasure Forever

Morgan’s Treasure is helping men pick out one of the most important gifts of all this holiday season with its selection of engagement rings. The store has several rings available from Gabriel & Co., and can also help you design a custom ring. www.morganstreasure.com

Fish and Gifts

Everyone craves some fish and chips now and again, and a gift card from the Old Bag of Nails makes it easier to pick some up at a moment’s notice. Right now, the restaurant is giving away a $20 gift card with the purchase of $100 in gift cards, and a free $10 gift card with the purchase of $50 in gift cards.

www.oldbagofnails.com

Rest Your Head

If you know someone overflowing with Westerville pride, they’re sure to appreciate these Uptown Westerville printed pillows –organic cotton sateen with a duck cotton backing, $21 – by Susan Mentrak, available at Ohio Art Market by Encircle www.encircleart.com

Just Like

Photos by Wes Kroninger

New Views

The brand new St. Paul the Apostle Church is nearing completion, advancing in age and taking on a new look in its worship area – by design.

Work is in progress to install stained glass windows from three Cleveland churches, and as the installation moves forward, the beautifully designed worship area – with muted color Jerusalem stone used in the floors, lower walls and the altar throughout – will have an even more historic and colorful appearance.

The color change will proceed as gradual installation of 164 stained glass windows continues. All but 20 of these will be refurbished and custom-designed windows that have been removed from three closed churches in the Cleveland area. The others will be constructed of more modern materials, though they are designed to look older.

The Cleveland diocese has combined 50 of its 300 parishes in recent years, and has stored away windows and other artifacts from the churches. The diocese had designated Henninger’s, a Cleveland religious goods supplier, as its agent to dis-

pose of remnants from the churches, and St. Paul’s moved to secure some.

The diocese and Henninger’s “wanted to be sure they got a good home, and we’re one of those good homes,” says the Rev. Charles Klinger (“Father Charlie”), St. Paul’s pastor. “We got lucky.”

When the newest St. Paul’s church was designed to serve the largest parish in the 26-county Columbus Diocese, architects didn’t know of the Cleveland cache of windows that wouldn’t fit openings they had planned. When they learned of them, “we couldn’t redesign the church,” says church Development Director Helmut Naunheimer.

Using the windows presented some issues beyond the fact they wouldn’t fit openings in the new church. And the stained glass designs were somewhat different from those envisioned by St. Paul’s, though, of course, all have appropriate religious depictions.

As part of process, St. Paul’s selected 144 windows that could be used after being refurbished, resized and rebuilt.

Henninger’s takes them apart, re-leads

them and, as part of the process, adds a stained glass border that’s matched in all windows going into St. Paul’s, though the original picture or art is different. In various designs, some depict saints, some icons, and all remain unchanged. But the common borders create a design continuity unique to St. Paul’s, Naunheimer says.

The installation schedule is the creature of an ongoing fundraising effort. Most of the smaller two-foot round or rose windows are done. They cost $1,800 each.

As sizes increase, both for circular and rectangular windows, the price goes up. The largest are 18 feet tall and cost $40,000 each. One of those, depicting the nativity, has been installed on the side of the worship area where New Testament windows are being added. Old Testament windows are going on the opposite side of the area that’s shaped like the cross.

A total of 46 were to have been installed by late October. Tentatively, 10 to 15 will be added each quarter as donations are received, Naunheimer says. As the brightly colored windows are added, the church ambience will gradually change from the

A total of 164 stained glass windows will transform St. Paul’s

open look that comes with the current clear, double-paned glass. The stained glass frames are placed on the inside so the clear windows remain as insulation and protection.

The gradual transition “allows our parishioners to appreciate and enjoy it,” Klinger says.

As the pair stand in the worship area, which will seat 4,400, explaining the windows and other architectural and design features, a handful of visitors wander through. “We’re always open and welcome visitors,” Klinger says, noting that a tour bus recently stopped.

The church plans an open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 for visitors to tour the church, which is the third to stand on the South State Street site in Westerville.

Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor. Feedback and comments welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

The Rev.

says parishioners are enjoying the brightly colored windows that are gradually replacing the church’s clear windows.

Charles Klinger

Crowd Pleaser

Susan Vermeire’s cooking can feed a hockey team

Intimidated by the thought of cooking for your entire family on Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Imagine cooking for an entire hockey team – or more.

This experience, while potentially frightening for some, is one Susan Vermeire has gone through on many occasions. From team dinners to church banquets, the Westerville mother of two has shown a knack for putting together massive meals for colossal crowds.

Susan and her husband, Dan, have two children, both graduates of Westerville North High School: daughter Jillian and son Eric. Both children were part of sports teams in Westerville, and one way or another, Susan ended up preparing team dinners.

Eric played hockey all four years at North and was also on the lacrosse team.

“I think the hockey team ate here probably 10 to 12 times per season,” Susan says.

Hockey players love carbohydrates, Susan says, making her macaroni and cheese one of her most popular dishes.

“My mac and cheese is legendary in some ways,” she says. “I have all the hockey boys’ moms asking me for my recipe.”

Susan’s fresh-baked bread, fruit salad and green salad are also popular.

The hockey team isn’t the biggest group she’s had to feed, though –far from it. Cooking for the varsity hockey team means only cooking for about 20 people, but cooking for the lacrosse team – which combines the freshman, junior varsity and varsity lev-

Mac and Cheese:

els – means 50 to 60 mouths to feed.

Jillian and Eric were both part of the Westerville Crew rowing club, and Susan spent several years as point person when it came to crew meals – which meant preparing breakfast for 100 to 200 people, including parents and siblings of team members, in a tent with no electricity or running water. And then there are the church banquets, where guests can number in the 200 to 300 range.

Susan has been feeding sizable volumes of people since long before her children started playing sports, though. When she was growing up, her father was in charge of all the outings of his golf league, so Susan and her mother were accustomed to preparing barbecued ribs, chicken and other meals for the league members. When attending college at Penn State University, Susan worked in the university’s food service department, interacting with the eight chefs on staff and managing a sandwich shop.

Susan wears a lot of hats besides the chef’s toque – she works as a personal assistant for a New York-based venture capitalist and does merchandising for Costco, and she is in the process of obtaining a teaching degree. But she still makes sure to keep her cooking skills honed with regular doses of the Food Network.

“My kids will tell you the Food Network is on my TV all the time,” she says.

Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback and comments welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd. com.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni or cavatappi

• 1 qt. milk

• 6 tbsp. butter

• ½ cup flour

• 6 cups shredded cheese (choose mixture at your discretion, but at least 2 cups of mozzarella is recommended for creaminess)

• ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• ½ to 1 tsp. salt

• ⅛ tsp. nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Cook macaroni according to package directions, but leave slightly undercooked.

Meanwhile, heat milk in a saucepan, but don’t boil it. Melt the butter in a large pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth.

Off the heat, add the shredded cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg (amount of salt may vary depending on the salt content of the cheeses used). Add the cooked macaroni. Pour into a 3-qt. baking dish. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until bubbly throughout.

Wonderstruck (Juvenile Fiction)

By Brian Selznick

This most talkedabout book of the season follows up The Invention of Hugo Cabret with a new story told in words and pictures on two separate timelines.

Olivia and the Snow Day (Reader)

By Farrah McDoogle

In this Ready-toRead book, Olivia is excited about all of the activities possible on a snow day, from building a fort to interviewing the Abominable Snowman.

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares (Teen Fiction)

By Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Bubbly-but-shy teen

Lily has a hard time meeting guys, so she writes a clue and a dare in a notebook, where it’s discovered by Dash. Is he the guy for her, or do notebook personas lie?

Snowmen at Night (Picture Book)

By Caralyn Buehner

Have you ever wondered what snowmen do all night? Find out about the secret lives of snowmen in this rhyming, read-aloud favorite.

‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas

By Fiona Goble

Knitting enthusiasts will enjoy this combination of holiday-themed knitting projects with an illustrated presentation of Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

A Lancaster County Christmas

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

A Christmas Eve storm throws together two couples from different worlds. Together, they discover if miracles still happen at Christmastime.

Just Married & Cooking: 200 Recipes for Living, Eating, and Entertaining Together

By Brooke Parkhurst and James Briscione

Discover the ins and outs of cooking as newlyweds or seasoned married couples. A section on cooking for the holidays is included.

Jewish

Holiday

Cooking: A Food Lover’s Treasury of Classics and Improvisations

By Jayne Cohen

Celebrate the variety and spirit of Jewish holidays and cooking.Enjoy a variety of menu suggestions that accompany each holiday.

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