Former Governor John Kasich
Westerville magazine
CityScene Media Group
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LEARN
TO PLAY With Us
Forget monotonous drills. Our private music lessons are F~U~N!
New Location!
20 Northwoods Blvd, Unit C Columbus, OH 43235
614-525-0254 www.chambermusicstudio.com
Piano Drums Brass Guitar Singing Woodwinds
JanuaryFebruary
MLK Breakfast Celebration
Sat., Jan. 4
Balloon Mystery Magic Show
10-10:45 a.m.
Westerville Public Library
126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com
Sat., Jan. 4
Teen Night
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Westerville Community Center 350 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org
Mon., Jan. 6
Silent Book Club
6-8 p.m.
Family Room Coffee and Bakeshop 545 S. Otterbein Ave. www.familyroomcoffee.com
Sat., Jan. 11
Encaustic Mixed Media Workshop with Erin Wallace
1-3 p.m.
Daylight Artist Collective 9 E. College Ave. www.daylightartistcollective.com
Tues., Jan. 14
Career Exploration Workshop for Seniors 1-2:30 p.m.
Westerville Public Library
126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com
Wed., Jan. 15
Two Librarians and Cozy Reads 3-4 p.m.
Westerville Public Library
126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com
Thurs., Jan. 16
Parents’ Night Out
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Good Vibes Winery 2 S. State St. www.goodvibeswinery.com
Fri., Jan. 17 & Feb. 21
Flights & Bites
5-8 p.m.
Market District (Giant Eagle) 650 N. State St. www.marketdistrict.com
Mon., Jan.20
No School K-12 – MLK Day Westerville City School District www.westerville.k12.oh.us
Mon., Jan. 20
MLK Breakfast Celebration
8:30-10:30 a.m.
The Medallion Club 5000 Club Dr. www.leadershipwesterville.com
Fri., Jan 24
Historical Society: World of William Fouse
7-9 p.m.
Westerville Public Library
126 S. State St. www.uptownwestervilleinc.com.
Sat., Jan. 25
Plant and Seed Swap
2-5 p.m.
Westerville Public Library
126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com
Tues., Jan 28
Women in Business Social: Wines & Vines
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Good Vibes Winery 2 S. State St. www.goodvibeswinery.com
Sat., Feb. 1
Create & Sip Class
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Uptown Art and Clay 13 1/2 E. College Ave. www.uptownartandclay.com
Tues., Feb 4
Creative Night with Elle - Gelli Printing
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Daylight Artist Collective 9 E. College Ave. www.daylightartistcollective.com
Thurs., Feb. 6
Speed Networking
5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Renaissance Columbus Westerville Polaris Hotel 409 Altair Pkwy. www.business.westervillechamber.com
Thurs., Feb. 6
Historic Black Settlements of Ohio: Author David Meyers
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com
www.westervillemagazine.com
Fri., Feb 7
Teen Night
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Westerville Community Center 350 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org
Sun., Feb. 9
Urban Strings Columbus: Youth Orchestra
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com
Wed., Feb. 12
Social Night at Daylight Artist Collective
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Daylight Artist Collective 9 E. College Ave. www.daylightartistcollective.com
Fri., Feb. 14
No School K-12 – Westerville Educator Day
Westerville City School District www.westerville.k12.oh.us
Mon., Feb. 17
No School K-12 – President’s Day
Westerville City School District www.westerville.k12.oh.us
Feb. 20-23, 27-28
Otterbein University Theater presents The Laramie Project
7:30 p.m.
Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall 30 S. Grove St. www.otterbein.edu
Fri., Feb. 21
No School – grades 6-12
Parent Teacher Conferences www.westerville.k12.oh.us
Sat., Feb. 22
WesterBall 2025 - Masterpiece Mayhem
7-11 p.m.
Renaissance Columbus Westerville Polaris Hotel
409 Altair Pkwy. www.artscouncilofwesterville.com
WesterBall
faces
By Maisie Fitzmaurice
Photos by Maisie Fitzmaurice
Governor Next Door
John Kasich has held many titles – U.S. Representative, Governor of Ohio, presidential candidate, political analyst and New York Times-bestselling author –to name a few. He may be one of the most recognizable political figures in Ohio, having made broadcast television appearances for one reason or another for almost 50 years running.
But Westervillians don’t have to turn on their TV to catch a glimpse of Kasich, they may run into him on the street – literally.
“I live here, right? So, you can see me around. Just be careful if I’m crossing against the light, that nobody runs me over. I’m trying to be more careful,” Kasich laughs.
Local roots
Kasich has called Westerville home since moving to the area in 1974, after graduating from The Ohio State University. Despite his longstanding political career, he never moved to New York or D.C., or even into the Governor’s Mansion in Bexley during the eight years he held office.
“I’ve had a lot of things that could have pulled me from Westerville, but I never even thought twice about leaving this town,” he says. “When I look at Westerville, a community that I love and I’ve been around all of my adult life, it’s just a very special place, and the sense of community here really matters to the people who are here.”
It’s not surprising to see Kasich around Uptown, shopping for gifts and flowers, or getting a scoop from Graeter’s. He has an office at Otterbein University which he considers his home base.
“I’m just kind of hanging out and I don’t think as much about it,” he says. “You know, the great thing about Westerville is, people don’t care about it either, it’s all sort of normal the way it is. I’m just a regular guy, just making my way through life, doing what I can do, and trying to use my talents to the best of my ability.”
Keeping America healthy
Those who follow politics may know Kasich for his work in finance and his heavy involvement in passing the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. However, fiscal policy isn’t the only political topic about which he’s passionate.
Kasich has long voiced his stances on healthcare, working to expand Medicaid and advocating for health equity in Ohio and beyond.
He is passionate about behavioral health treatment access for adults and children and serves as co-chair for The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force, a group of healthcare policy figures working in the public and private sectors.
He is affiliated with The Meadow Foundation’s Mental Health Policy Institute through frequent appearances on The Kasich & Keller Conversation Series where he discusses mental health policy and adjacent topics with the institute’s President and CEO, Andy Keller, over video chat.
Additionally, Kasich calls on students and young professionals to enter the behavioral health field and voices his support for expanding access to behavioral healthcare through primary care.
He is currently working on a project focused on allowing behavioral therapists to provide care over state lines.
“We want our folks to be able to have the kind of help that they need to lead a full life,” he says. “If somebody here goes (away) to college, I want them to be able to keep their therapist.”
His wife, Karen, has said publicly she is not much of a politician, but that hasn’t stopped her from using her platform to advocate for public health – particularly substance abuse prevention and the intersectionality of food insecurity and nutrition.
She and the couple’s two twin daughters, Emma and Reese, who will turn 25 in January, have been involved with local nonprofits including Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio’s Faith Mission, and Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM), which both focus on remedying homelessness and hunger.
Respected author
Even with all his experience serving in high-power positions, Kasich says he is most proud to be the author of five published books, all of which are bestsellers.
Kasich published his first book, Courage Is Contagious: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things To Change The Face Of America, in 1999. The book tells the story of twenty American men and women who show moral conviction and a willingness to go above and beyond – one of whom is Cheryl Krueger, founder of Cheryl’s Cookies.
His next book, Stand for Something: The Battle for America’s Soul, published in 2006, details the importance of holding
yourself and others accountable for actions that impact the past, present and future of American politics and culture.
He shared his deep-rooted values and Christian faith in Every Other Monday: Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith, and Friendship, published in 2011; and pivoted back to American politics in 2017, with Two Paths: America Divided or United
His most recent book, It’s Up to Us: Ten Little Ways We Can Bring About Big Change, published in 2019, explores how civilian citizens can positively impact their communities using a bottom-up approach.
“Today, I believe that you can have great influence without having to be elected,” he says.
Belief in building bridges
Over the course of his career, Kasich has published five books ranging in topics from politics and its impact to anecdotal stories about American citizens. In April, Kasich’s sixth book – Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future – will be released.
“It’s kind of amazing for me that I will have written six books. I mean, I can hardly believe it,” he says.
Kasich has long been drawn to religion and its impact on society. This book shares everyday people’s nuanced stories of faith and religion.
“It’s a book about churches, synagogues and mosques, and the critical role they play in supporting people who have big dreams and try to accomplish significant things,” he says.
This book is somewhat of a passion project for Kasich, and he can’t wait to see how readers digest it.
“I’m hoping that this is going to have a significant impact on the dialog in our country about where we’re going,” he says. “…Too many people have been attacking other people because they don’t think alike. I mean, that’s not healthy for a society, and the fundamental purpose of all religions is, one: love God, and secondly: love your neighbor as you love yourself. That doesn’t mean we’re all perfect. I’m far from it. I can be short in all kinds of things, but in the end, I know my responsibility.”
Advising, analyzing, thriving
Don’t ask Kasich if he’s retired – but if you do, he will assure you he is far from it.
Apart from his career as an author, Kasich heads up the Kasich Company, an advising agency that specializes in navigating the intersections between business and government.
He also travels across the country as a political figure to make appearances at universities and conferences and is a political analyst for NBC News and its affiliated networks.
While politics can get confrontational, and politicians inevitably receive a lot of criticism, Kasich isn’t fazed. Even when discussing serious topics or conflicts, he says he tries to keep an uplifting side to it.
“People are usually pretty darn nice,” he says. “I mean, sometimes you’ll run into somebody that could be a little bit mean-spirited, but I just don’t pay that much attention to it. I take everything with a grain of salt: the good and the bad. I just don’t let it knock me off my course.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Nominate Columbus’ best arts, entertainment, food and events for CityScene Magazine’s annual Best of the ‘Bus! Nominate your favorites February 15-March 15
By Rachel Karas Phots courtesy of Kristie Koehler Vuocolo
Humorous Healing
Nonprofit brings laughter to older and younger community members
Amusician, an actor and a magician walk into a room; while that may sound like the opening line to a corny joke, it’s not. These entertainers that make up the group, Good Medicine Productions, come together in Westerville to bring entertainment and laughter to those who need it most.
Founded by Kristie Koehler Vuocolo, Good Medicine Productions is a theatrical performance nonprofit bringing smiles to the faces of people of all ages since 2016 through live performances and their special program called The Pediatric and Senior Living Program. Through this program, the performers entertain children at pediatric
care facilities and older adults at senior living communities.
The first laugh
Koehler Vuocolo grew up in Westerville and later moved to Chicago to pursue a career as an actor.
While there, she found her calling –entertaining in healthcare settings and interacting with patients as a member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care unit.
“At the time, I was like, ‘Oh, this is what I was meant to do,’” Koehler Vuocolo says. “It combined my skill as a comedic performer and service, which has always been a big part of my DNA.”
As time passed, Koehler Vuocolo, along with her husband and their children, moved back to Columbus to be closer to other family members.
While trying to balance the challenges of moving and the sudden loss of her mother, Koehler Vuocolo felt lost professionally and didn’t know how to re-ignite her spark. She considered going into teaching as a backup plan.
“When we left Chicago, I felt like, ‘All right, I guess my artistic career is over. Now I will just teach and take care of my kids,’ and I was miserable,” she says. “And, you
know, my husband was the one who was like, ‘You have to create something here that feeds your soul,’ and that’s sort of how Good Medicine was born.”
Now, Koehler Vuocolo and her fellow ensemble members, visit care communities such as Danbury, Legacy and The Gables of Westerville, dressed up with feather boas and rosy cheeks to bring smiles to residents’ faces.
Care for all
While entertaining is in their nature, Koehler Vuocolo says the one-on-one visits her team has with children and residents allows these folks to not only feel comfortable but also seen.
“A beautiful thing about our program is we as performers, we don’t come in with baggage of what mom used to be, and expectations of how she should behave,” Koehler Vuocolo says. “We take people in their vulnerable moments and it is what it is. Whether that evolves into a song about them or dancing in the middle of a room, we just take what it is and try to make the energy shimmer a little bit.”
Visiting these places to entertain also involves giving people their space. While many of the people they visit are very happy to see their goofy characters, some people may not feel up to having a visitor. So, Koehler Vuocolo and her team are trained in how to read people and ensure they give the residents and kids the power of choice.
“If we go to their room, we always ask permission (to entertain), and if they say, ‘No,’ we honor that, as opposed to people are just coming in and out without asking, and (the patients) don’t have much power,” she says. “The more they see that we’re honoring them, then maybe the next time they are more receptive to having a deeper interaction.”
To be prepared for the various conditions of the children and older adults they interact with – including everything from childlike curiosity to memory loss – each performer undergoes roughly 40 hours of training. This includes shadowing other performers and attending seminars on topics including child development and dementia.
Practice makes …laughter
The training doesn’t stop there, as once a team member becomes active, they continue to practice their skills during the group’s bi-monthly rehearsals where they review music and practice real-life scenarios so they are prepared for anything.
Thanks to the preparation, Koehler Vuocolo knows her team is ready for a lot of things. However, they can always be
Christopher Brown MD, MPH, FACP
caught off guard and that can weight heavy on their minds and hearts.
“A lot of the memory units we work in, people will be there for several years so we really feel like we get to know them,” Koehler Vuocolo says. “And a lot of times, we are not told when they have passed, and we’ll just show up and they won’t be there, and that’s hard.”
To make sure everyone is supported, part of the bi-monthly meetings is dedicated to what Koehler Vuocolo calls an emotional hygiene section, where performers can share their ups and downs and be there for each other as a listening ear.
Spreading the joy
Over the past nine years, Good Medicine has benefitted hundreds of people, and they plan to grow that number.
Koehler Vuocolo says while they have a large number of older adult homes they visit, they are only able to visit the Ronald
Encore!
McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio roughly two to three times a month, but she hopes to grow the number of children they reach.
One way they hope to do that is through a new program they started last year called Joy Gram. Family and friends of a patient can fill out a form, and the performers at Good Medicine will make a personalized video for those they can’t meet in person.
“It’s a silly little three-minute video ... but it’s just one way that we’re trying to bring some joy to the kids who can’t see us,” Koehler Vuocolo says.
No matter where they take their playful banter and funny costumes, Koehler Vuocolo hopes that the overall purpose remains the same.
“The idea in bringing a program like Good Medicine (in is) it’s about an innovative person-to-person approach. It’s about connection with human beings and
Outside of performing at care facilities, Good Medicine also does several public performances including a rendition of A Christmas Carol, known as Uptown Scrooge. What started as one of the group’s first productions is now a show the group puts on annually every December.
not some sterile, passively watch and clap (show),” she says. “I think we need to think more outside of the box on what is really quality care.”
Rachel Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.
NEW:
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Combatting the Cold
Keeping Westerville streets clear
By Maggie Lardie
Clearing away snow and battling icy road conditions can be a full-time winter job for the Westerville Public Service Department.
Photos courtesy of City of Westerville
The Westerville Public Service Department (WPSD) is split into four subdepartments: street, fleet, utility and environmental maintenance, all of which work year-round to maintain the city’s infrastructure. These groups are tasked with flushing hydrants in the spring, sealing pavement in the summer and blowing leaves in the fall.
In the winter, snow removal usually falls in the hands of the street crew which can handle roughly an inch of snowfall, but when snow reaches three inches, it takes the entire WPSD team to clear it. Typically, employees are assigned a morning shift, but during heavy snowfall conditions, shifts are split into two 12-hour runs to plow the roads until the storm passes and the snow is cleared.
The plowing process
The removal process begins by spreading brine on the roads, which breaks bonds between the street and snow, leaving white stripes on the pavement. While the WPSD is a well-oiled machine when it comes to snow removal, unexpected conditions can occasionally make things tricky.
“When there’s a rain event and it turns to snow, that’s always a challenge because you can’t pre-treat during that,” says Eric Voll, interim director of Public Service. “You have to wait for it to stop raining before you can start treating, so you’re kind of behind.”
In addition to rain, wind can also play a factor in the removal team’s progress.
“Last winter, we got a snowstorm right around the Christmas break. We were working a lot of hours and not making a lot of progress because of the amount of wind,” explains Voll. “It wasn’t a lot of snow, it was just the drifting.”
Luckily, the crew has a great deal of experience with these conditions, so the largest challenge remaining is the planning and management of equipment. Being careful is always the crew’s top priority.
“We get pretty good positive feedback. If something’s not working well, you hear about that,” he says. “The guys are trying to do their job to the best of their ability, so if something’s hindering them from that, they definitely let us know.”
Along with equipment management, Voll’s role at Westerville includes funding operations, organizing training sessions and bringing in new operators. His versatile role allows him to see many behind-the-scenes instances, including what the street crew does to remove the snow in Westerville’s Uptown area.
“We’ll go in and remove snow from our Uptown area when we get a larger snowfall because there’s nowhere to put it,” says Voll. “That’s usually something the guys like to do because it’s different. We go in, clear a bunch of snow out, bring it back to our facility and it goes into a debris bin.”
While the street crew did a great job clearing the Uptown area, the snow remained long after it was removed.
Tips for shoveling snow
“We actually had snow in our lot until late in the spring,” laughs Voll. “It basically turned into a giant ice block. We had to break it up and spread it out so it would finally melt.”
What you can do
To make things easier for the plow drivers, make sure to clear objects that might obstruct their path, including basketball hoops and cars parked on the street. Navigating around these things takes more time, making it more difficult for the plow drivers.
While the WPSD has the roadways covered, the fate of your driveway is left to you.
Pro tip: If you’re shoveling your driveway, it’s best to deposit the snow on the left side of your driveway. This way, the excess snow won’t get plowed back into your clear driveway when the trucks drive by.
“We know that homeowners spend a lot of time and effort shoveling their driveways and it’s always frustrating when it gets plowed back in, but we have to get the streets cleared,” says Voll.
Although central Ohio hasn’t had extreme winter weather in recent years, the WPSD continues to work hard and stay prepared for snow days ahead.
Maggie Lardie is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
• Use a shovel with a metal edge to break icy patches.
• Shovel when the snow is fresh to prevent the buildup of ice.
• To avoid back pain, rotate your entire body when you lift.
• Spray cooking spray on your shovel to prevent it from sticking.
Peter Kourlas, M.D.
Jarred Burkart, M.D. Shabana Dewani, M.D. Andrew Grainger, M.D. Joseph Hofmeister, M.D. Augustine Hong, M.D. Elizabeth Kander, M.D.
Erin M.Bertino , M.D.
Nse Ntukidem, M.D.
Thomas Sweeney, M.D.
Emily Saul, D.O.
Anish Parikh, M.D.
Joy Tang, M. D.
Kavya Krishna, M.D.
Shylaja Mani, M.D.
Erin Macrae, M.D.
Michael Ozga, M.D.
student
By Kate Shields
Photos courtesy of Westerville City School District
Way to go, Whittier!
Whittier Elementary named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Award winner
For Whittier Elementary, receiving a 2024 National Blue Ribbon Award is more than an accomplishment, it’s a recognition of the culmination of the school staff’s decades-long focus on fostering student growth, excellence and community.
The U.S. Department of Education considers notable assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates data when choosing National Blue Ribbon Award winners from the nominations submitted by state education departments.
As stated on the Ohio Deptartment of Education webpage, “All National Blue Ribbon Schools share some core elements. They are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff.”
In 2024, the National Blue Ribbon Award was bestowed upon 356 schools nationwide by the U.S. Department of Education, including 14 in Ohio, highlighting schools that excel in academic performance or make strides in closing gaps in achievement among students.
Whittier Elementary, the only central Ohio public school to attain the award in
2024, was nominated by Ohio Department of Education Director, Stephen Dackin.
“I always like to say, in this business, we don’t do things for the recognition but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t feel really good when you get it,” says Andrew “AJ” Hoffman, principal at Whittier Elementary.
“I was just super excited for our staff, our students and our families to be recognized
for the awesome work that they put in for a very, very long time in making sure that students grow, and are given a really great educational experience when they come here.”
The guiding principles of Whittier Elementary include student growth, excellence and community. These are instilled in the heartbeat of the student
body and staff through several initiatives such as SOAR, which stands for; safe, own it, always kind and respectful.
Teachers give SOAR cards out to students when they exemplify one of the four acronyms, and the entire student body receives a collective reward such as a 30-second dance party, or even voting on Hoffman’s hairstyle for the day.
“It explicitly teaches the students what the behaviors are that we are hoping to have them demonstrate for success around here, but then it also is a collective,” Hoffman says. “All of us are working together towards the same goal. We highlight the individuals when they bring the SOAR cards in and we recognize that with them intrinsically.”
Student growth – social, emotional, and academic – is facilitated by Whittier Elementary through high-quality Tier 1 instruction and a multi-tiered system of support, which Hoffman says is achieved through data analysis conducted by teams of teachers, who then make instructional adjustments based on what they see.
“It’s a lot of really hard work by our staff, but also partnerships with our families, and not the least of which, is our students as well,” Hoffman says. “They work really hard to focus on their own growth through the facilitation of their learning, through our staff.”
Westerville Superintendent, Angie Hamberg, takes pride in the culture of acceptance within the district itself. Whittier specifically, has worked to foster diversity and inclusion, another hallmark of the award.
“Making everybody feel welcome, I think, is really important,” says Hamberg. “That needs to happen before the kids are able to be successful in the classroom.”
The award also highlights schools that focus on collaboration among families, communities and educators, something Whittier emphasizes as crucial to the overall success of both their students and teachers.
The school communicates with families as much as possible, letting them know the language that is being used in the classroom, as well as asking the parents to do the same for them. This ensures a seamless learning experience for students, providing them with tools to thrive socially and academically, whether that’s with their peers, or at home with their family.
“We’re really lucky that we have wonderful partnerships with our families and our community as a whole,” says Hoffman.
Kate Shields is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
By Elliot Fryman
Elevating the Bottom Floor
Family gets new top-of-the-line kitchen and bathroom
The Grafts, a Westerville family of four, are reaping the benefits after completing a hefty renovation project on their home. This undertaking entailed a newly designed ground floor with major changes to their kitchen and bathrooms.
The couple bought their house back in 2014, just a couple of years after they both graduated from The Ohio State University. They built the house into a home by adding their two kids and a couple of dogs and soon realized they had outgrown their kitchen.
“Before, we had a teeny, tiny little kitchen,” says Kristine Graft, mother and wife. “And the kids and us all trying to be (there) at the same time, tripping over each other and getting angry at each other.”
They considered their budget-friendly options and found it best to eliminate the dining room and powder room connected to the kitchen to make space for a larger kitchen. The old kitchen space was closed off and converted into a walk-in pantry. The laundry room space was converted to a mud room and powder room, assuring they would still have a bathroom on the first floor.
The planning process went smoothly, but some complications arose, which is common with renovation projects. They Before
Photos courtesy of Dave Fox
found it hard to stay within the budget, not to mention the challenge of living there while the changes were being made to the home.
“It’s not like a TV show where, you know, 30 minutes and it’s done,” says Deric Graft, father and husband. “The renovation started in August (2023) and ended on the
first of the year, so August through December… Four full months of pure renovation going on in the house. Yes, we could live here, but it was difficult to live here.”
However, despite the inconveniences brought on by construction, the Grafts look back on the project and are satisfied with the results. They felt Dave Fox, the remodeling firm they worked with, did not hold back when building the best place for the family to live and thrive.
“It allows for family to congregate here,” says Deric. “We got a big, ten-foot
island that allows cooking, kids to do schoolwork, and me to do my work in the evenings.”
Kristine agrees with her husband.
“Now we can all kind of be together in one space, and it is so seamless,” she says. “I would say we wanted a kitchen that we could all be in at the same time and still be functional and we definitely got that,”
Elliot Fryman is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Top Homes Sold in Westerville
Westerville home prices increased by 10.5 percent this year, with an average selling price of $433,000. Homes spent a bit more time on the market, selling after about 44 days in 2024, compared to 34 days in 2023. In total, fewer homes sold this year compared to last year, with 37 selling in October 2024, as compared to 44 in October 2023.
584 River Trace
3 beds, 2.5 baths
$632,000
Sold 10/31/24
1208 N. Three Forks Dr. 4 beds, 4.5 baths
$585,000
Sold 11/1/24
1312 Wallasey Dr. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$575,000
Sold 11/7/24
328 Knox St.
4 beds, 3 baths
$575,000
Sold 11/12/24
406 Beech Ln.
2 beds, 2.5 baths
$520,000
Sold 11/19/24
1029 Autumn Crest Ct.
4 beds, 2.5 baths
$499,500
Sold 10/29/24
634 S. Berkeley Pl. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$476,000
Sold 10/30/24
182 Bellefield Ave. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$464,900
Sold 11/15/24
743 Collingwood Dr. 3 beds, 2.5 baths
$445,000
Sold 10/21/24
1082 Autumn Woods Dr. 3 beds, 3 baths
$442,500
Sold 11/4/24
51 Central Ave. 3 beds, 1.5 baths
$442,000
Sold 10/22/24
511 Burwood Ct. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$440,000
Sold 11/7/24
All information is collected from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
By Wil Steigerwald
Photo by Brooke Cagle/Unsplash
Workday Wellbeing
Benefits of corporate wellness plans and initiatives
No matter the job, maintaining an employee’s well-being should be a top priority, not just for the individual, but for the company employing them.
Enter the world of corporate wellness programs – a way for companies to incorporate health and well-being into their workplace environment, and provide workers with tools for adopting a healthier lifestyle on their own.
Fit the force
While many employees develop wellness plans independently, it can often be difficult for them to find time and credible advice to consider.
Wellness Collective, a Westerville-based corporate wellness provider, is one company putting workers’ health first – both mental and physical. A wellness program, like those offered through Wellness Collective is typically paid for by the employer and caters to specific careers and employee positions.
For office jobs, having a program designed to get workers moving and prevent sitting for longer periods of time, may be one of the goals. On the other hand, for careers that entail heavy lifting and constant physical labor, a company may incorporate yoga and other physical recovery activities into its plan.
While physical activity is important, and can be a main focus of many wellness programs, it is equally as important for workplace wellness initiatives to provide workers with knowledge of a healthy diet.
When it comes to dieting and nutrition, being able to learn which foods are right for you is an important step, and can allow an employee to continue following a healthy lifestyle, even outside of program guidance.
Jobs that are more physical-labor focused may require employees to consume more calories, while a sedimentary job may call for less. Regardless of the recommend-
ed intake, consuming whole foods such as produce and lean meats and avoiding processed products is always a great first step.
No matter the career, a healthy mental state should always be prioritized. Depending on the wellness program a job incorporates, a diet based on greens, fish, nuts and other organic and natural foods may be a good option.
Katy Tombaugh, the founder of Wellness Collective, is happy to see a change in attitude towards the mental health side of workplace health, not just the individual’s physical well-being.
“There has been a really positive shift in the sense that it’s not just physical health, you’re more than just our numbers,” Tombaugh says. “It’s more like, ‘How do we help the whole person? Are we giving them access to better mental health resources? Are we talking about mental health?’”
Weighing the options
While an individual-based approach to personal wellness could be best for bettering yourself as an individual, corporate wellness plans offer different benefits.
One positive aspect is collectively improved wellness of the workplace. Undertaking one’s own health journey may
be beneficial, but if other co-workers in their workplace aren’t well, that can affect work performance and the well-being of the entire office.
Time management is another benefit of corporate wellness programs to consider. While some employees may have time in their day to cook healthy meals and stay active, many can find it hard to fit healthy habits into their day.
Many corporate wellness programs offer workout classes and other events that take place during the workday, making it easier to accomplish those wellness goals.
Tombaugh recalls a conversation she overheard between employees; one of them said they did not want to come into work on a particular day, but they didn’t want to miss their Pilates workout.
“If we talk about presenteeism and absenteeism, how do you get people coming to work? How do you retain great people? These are things that employers care about,” Tombaugh says. “If you have fun and healthy things for people to do, you’re attracting them to come into the office.”
Wil Steigerwald is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
WinterChallengeReading
From the Westerville Public Library
For online library resources such as ebooks, digital magazines, kids activities and more, visit www.westervillelibrary.org
Recommended Youth Reads from Katie Ross, Youth Services Librarian
Sesame Street’s Let’s Cook Together by DK Publishing (Juvenile Non-fiction)
Young children will enjoy cooking along with their favorite Sesame Street characters, and you! 40 healthy and simple recipes with step-by-step instructions ideal for budding chefs.
A World of Pausabilities by Frank Sileo (Picture Book)
“Do you know what a pausability is?” the author asks. It’s a moment or activity that helps us relax. Engaging text and illustrations provide practical relaxation tips for elementary students such as taking a
walk, feeling the sun or really noticing the taste of food. Further information for adults is included.
Eyes, Nose, Belly, Toes: My First Human Body Book by Krupa Bhojani Playforth, M.D. (Juvenile Non-fiction)
Engaging text and illustrations are justright for toddlers who want to learn more about the body. Children learn the basics about the body and will be encouraged to develop gross and fine motor skills. An excellent first look at the human body!
Recommended Adult Reads from Mindy Bilyeu, Adult Services Librarian
Break the Cycle by Mariel Buque (Non-fiction)
Leading trauma psychologist, Dr. Mariel Buqué, delivers a groundbreaking guide to transforming intergenerational pain into intergenerational abundance. Weaving together scientific research with practical exercises and stories from the therapy room, Buqué teaches readers how trauma is transmitted from generation to generation and how the cycle can be broken through tangible therapeutic practices.
All in Her Head by Misty Pratt (Non-fiction)
Mood disorders have skyrocketed among women, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed as men. Yet, in a healthcare
system steeped in gender bias, women’s complaints are often dismissed. Their normal emotions are pathologized and treatments routinely fail to address the root causes of their distress. Pratt explores how to pinpoint what’s wrong with women’s mental health, and what needs to change.
Generation M by Jessica Sheperd (Non-fiction)
Evidence based. Lifestyle oriented. The practical guide you need for the life you want. A fresh plan for a new generation entering perimenopause and menopause. With clinical insights, actionable tips, and holistic guidance, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OB/GYN and women’s health advocate, redefines how to make the most of your health and vitality.
