Heart of Ohio - July/Aug 2013

JULY/AUG 2013

Summer Reading: HEART of OHI0 pgs. 1–68

INSIDE: OHigher Education A Man for All Ages Westerville Music & Arts Festival

Family, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry • Durable Cosmetic Dental Care

t tis n De list d ia e in pec a Tr & S

• Teeth in a Day Implants • Implant Supported Dentures You don’t need to drive to Columbus for a root canal or implants.

• Clean modern office • Listens and explains options • Caring, professional and honest

• Well-trained staff • I.V. sedation for dental care (taking the stress out of dentistry)

ADVANCED DENTISTRY

& DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER Russell Kiser II,

DDS, MS, EMT-P

1245 S. Trimble Road | Mansfield, OH 44907

(419) 756-2880 www.KiserDental.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

48

6

FEATURES A Learning Experience Living in a Repurposed Schoolhouse

34

6

A Man for All Ages 30 Daughmer Savanna 34 State Nature Preserve Preserving Our Prairie Heritage

30

Lavender Makes Scents! 48 www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Sid is Working 53 A Teacher Donates a Kidney to Her Student

2

JULY/AUG 2013

53

FROM THE EDITOR

Summertime. Is there a more beautiful word in the English language? The kids are out of school, the vegetable stands are open, and all the perennials I scavenged from the end-of-the-year markdowns at the nursery last September are blooming like full-price plants! It just doesn’t get any better than this.

This July issue of Heart of Ohio magazine has some interesting articles about education. Whether you’re concerned about keeping your young child’s learning skills sharp over the summer, or interested in an article about colleges, it’s here. You’ll even find a story about a couple in Crestline who never left school at all when you read “A Learning Experience”.

It’s apparent to me that we have no shortage of dedicated teachers in this country.

Reports of their devotion to their students hits the six o’clock news on a weekly basis.

Wendy Killian will always be Nicole Miller’s favorite teacher. Read “Sid is Working”; it’s my bet that she’ll be at the top of your list of great teachers as well.

In order to catch up a little bit, this issue features two pages of “Give us Your Best Shot” photos! Thanks to all our loyal readers who take us along wherever they’re going.

Please keep those pictures, cards and letters coming.

Interesting people, beautiful places and events worth mentioning… they’re all here in this issue. Why not take a break? Prop up your flip-flops, open a tab top, and enjoy this edition!

Publisher SunGraphics, Inc. Diane K. Brown, President diane@sungraphicsinc.com Editor Diana L. Coon editor@heartofohiomagazine.com Sales & Marketing Candi Bowlin candi@heartofohiomagazine.com Denis Mingallon denis@heartofohiomagazine.com Contributing Writers Diana L. Coon Mike Greene Julie McCready Barb Haller Terri Bergman Warren Uxley Chuck Jakubchak Graphic Designers Tami Shuck Tom Hofacre

Diana L. Coon, Editor Heart of Ohio magazine

Circulation Michelle Fredmonsky-Harvey michelle@sungraphicsinc.com Becky Herrick maildept@sungraphicsinc.com

Heart of Ohio magazine is printed and published bimonthly by SunGraphics, Inc.

41 Longview Ave. E., Mansfield, Ohio 44903

Giving a nod to school days past.

Visit www.heartofohiomagazine.com for more information, or call 419.524.2127.

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

On the cover:

Copyright 2013, Heart of Ohio Magazine, LLC. ISSN 2158-8732. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. SunGraphics, Inc. and Heart of Ohio Magazine, LLC accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for mistakes and/or omissions.

Distributed through local retailers, advertisers and by subscription.

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS Health & Wellness 9 The Bucket List Adventures Warrior Princess Diaries

Fine Dining 42 Leaping Frog Chicken: Catch it if you can!

12 Mercy Tiffin Hospital: A Century of Caring

The Arts

16 Man’s Best Friend and Healer

45 Westerville Music & Arts Festival Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

Family Life 19 Summer: Let Kids Be Kids!

Sports & Recreation 50 Keeping Score with Mike Greene

Jon Sanderson: Wolverine Strong

Community Outreach 22 Rebuilding a Foundation 27 Dr. Nguyen in Win-Win Situation at Ocie Hill Center

Money Matters 65 Keeping Your Business Alive

55 Milliron Everyday Heroes

Levi Licata & Team Focus: Growing Together – Man to Man

Training & Education 38 Circling the Brain Drain 39 OHigher Education

IN EVERY ISSUE 3 57 58 62 68

From the Editor Compliments to the Chef Restaurants & Eateries Give Us Your Best Shot!

The Last Word

a learning experience www.heartofohiomagazine.com

living in a repurposed schoolhouse

6

Living in a repurposed schoolhouse may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for one couple, Mary Ann and Richard Clady, it seems to be the perfect fit.

In November of 2006, the Clady’s moved into the Gosser school on Baker Road, in Crestline. Built in 1886, the brick one room school was the replacement for a wooden structure that burned to the ground. The history of the area and the building is an easy and interesting read in “Rural Schools of Crawford County, Ohio”.

JULY/AUG 2013

Today, the schoolhouse consists of a studio, the living area, two bedrooms, two baths and a utility room. An attached two-story garage provides attic storage.

“I love the tall windows and the light; this house is always full of light,” Mary said.

“We didn’t build the addition; every previous owner had added to the improvements and preservation of the schoolhouse. The house faces east, the sunrise comes right through the front door,” Mary smiled. In the living area the original blackboards are still on the walls.

Mary uses the base around the board to display her oil paintings.

Recently, the Clady’s had to remove the cupola and bell from the top of the building. “Replacing it would be very expensive and work intensive; we’ve opted to leave it down. It’s in the garage, and it will stay there because I just can’t imagine divorcing it from the property.

I think everyone who has ever lived here would agree that we all feel as if we are caretakers of the past. We feel obligated to make sure it is around for a long time.”

Mary Ann’s art studio, School House Art Studio, is based in her home. Her daughter, Megan, has inherited her mother’s artistic talent and works as a fabric design artist for Aviva Stanoff Design in California.

Mary Ann Clady’s original paintings and ceramics may be seen at the School House Art Studio, 4226 Baker Road, in Crestline. Call 419.342.2332 for an appointment, or email her at maryannclady@gmail.com. DC

Photos by Michelle Fredmonsky-Harvey

THE BLUEBERRY PATCH

MANSFIELD, OHIO

chose Jamison Well Drilling to maintain the irrigation system for their blueberry fields.

Jamison Well Drilling, Inc.  Water Well Drilling

 Water Tanks

 Geothermal Drilling

 Water Softeners

419.524.8560 | ASHLAND 419.289.8560 800.606.8560 258 Central Ave. | Mansfield, Ohio 44905 www.jamisonwelldrilling.com

MANSFIELD TOLLFREE

the bucket list adventures

by Michelle Baker

Warrior Princess Diaries

blame anyone for my weight gain since I was the one responsible, so I had to be accountable. I decided feeling sorry for myself would get me nowhere.”

January 2011 marked the beginning of the new Carolyn. She joined the YMCA and Weight Watchers and became more active. She set realistic goals for herself, like losing 5% of her body weight at a time. “I was afraid if I aimed high and didn’t achieve it, I would be so upset with myself.” Becoming healthier and active was a complete lifestyle change for

Carolyn. With exercise, eating healthier and portion control, she found stepping on the scale every week became downright enjoyable. “The weight came off little by little every week. My clothes were fitting better. It was an amazing feeling.”

It wasn’t long before the new Carolyn met her new boyfriend, Bret. He had also gone through a divorce and decided he needed a lifestyle makeover before they met. Today they train together, encourage and help each other over the rough spots. “He introduced me JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Not every little girl dreams of being a princess. Not every princess dreams of being ‘girly’. Some dream about… getting muddy. For self-described ‘girly-girl’ Carolyn Garris, watching her friends run the Warrior Dash in 2011 wasn’t enough, she wanted to join them. “I was in the initial stages of my weight loss. I was lacking the self-confidence to participate with them since I was not at my ‘goal weight’. I enjoyed cheering them on, but I couldn’t help but wish I was doing it with them.”

The Warrior Dash is not your typical 5K race. Billed as ‘The Mud Run’, it is an obstacle course held in various cities throughout the country, and known for its treacherous hills, anxiety-inducing obstacles, and of course, mud.

Participants, also known as ‘Warriors’, run through what feels like an entirely uphill course covered in inches of thick mud. They scale rope walls, maneuver chain bridges, swim under barbed wire in trenches filled with muddy water, and jump over mounds of flaming coals. “It looked like fun!” she laughed.

Carolyn’s journey to the Warrior Dash began long before that muck-filled day with her friends. After a divorce in 2009, she found that most of her days included ‘snacking and napping’. A trip to Italy in 2010 would change her life. “When I got back I was looking through pictures.

There I was, in Italy, in beautiful pictures of landscapes and landmarks. I could not believe how I had let myself go; I was so unhappy with how I looked. I couldn’t

9

to spin classes (group cycling classes in which participants are put through the paces on stationary bikes). Those classes have allowed me to meet new people and try new things. I still do a lot of group exercise classes, and I love it.

It makes the time go faster, and it’s actually fun!”

Before she could think about the Warrior Dash, Carolyn knew she needed tackle her first real challenge—her first 5K. With a tangible goal to work toward, Carolyn’s wondered if she’d actually be able to run 3.2 miles. “I gave myself several months to prepare, but initially I couldn’t even run two minutes without gasping for air!” No longer easily discouraged, she began a Couch-to5-K program, designed to get non-runners ready for their first 5K event in as little as nine weeks. She found that training with her best friend made it much more enjoyable, even though that friend was a long-distance runner. “5Ks are a piece of cake for her, but she was a huge help to me!”

Even as Carolyn fought to overcome her fears, her father was facing a battle of his own. Diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2007, her father hasendured years of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery and has been an inspiration to Carolyn through it all. “I am in awe of his strength. He is my inspiration. There have been times I have wanted to quit, or felt like I just could not run another minute, and then I think of him. I’m fussing over another minute when he’s been fighting for six years.”

Her father’s battle with cancer has taught Carolyn a lesson about life in

general. “I came to realize that there are certain things in your life that you have no control over. My dad’s treatment is in the hands of his doctors and God.” Working in a hospital has also shown her how lifestyle choices can affect health, and how choosing a healthy lifestyle can hopefully prevent certain diseases. With that, Carolyn all but disregards the number on the scale and instead focuses on the bigger picture.

“I’m happier. My self-confidence is better.

I’m also proud that I have such amazing family and friends as a support system through it all.”

By the time she was ready to sign up for the Warrior Dash, Carolyn was still not at her goal weight, but she didn’t let that stop her. She was a seasoned 5K runner with a respectable time and a good attitude. It seemed almost serendipitous when it was announced that the 2013 race in Ohio would take place just 30 minutes away. She and Bret signed up, began to plan for it like no other event they’d been in before, right down to their matching tie-dyed t-shirts.

Close to 17,000 people descended upon Butler, Ohio that weekend, Carolyn & her group among them. “I wasn’t nervous, just excited! I knew I wasn’t in it for the time, so it was just for fun. I just wanted to have fun with it.” The trails were less like a typical 5K course and more like ATV trails. “At first I was like, ‘mud — ew!’ It was like a mud bath by the end; you just had to jump in and go for it!

The only time I was scared was with the heights, and a lot of the obstacles involved heights. I’m glad I had friends

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

available at

10

Jewelry, Accessories, Handbags, Apparel & Unique Gifts HOURS: Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 10-6

ubdazzled.com

Thur 10-7, Sat 10-3

209 SOUTH SANDUSKY AVENUE | BUCYRUS, OHIO 44820 | 419- 617-7667 JULY/AUG 2013

with me.” Carolyn’s favorite part of the Warrior Dash was the camaraderie it fostered, even in complete strangers.

“The people cheering you on at the end of the race was the best. The energy was just incredible.”

Even with the Warrior Dash officially marked off of her bucket list, Carolyn continues to train. “I don’t have very good endurance for running up hills!

I was exhausted afterward. I’m glad I had friends with me; I’d definitely do it again.” The entire experience has been less about mud pits and obstacles, and more about trading in her princess crown for a furry Viking helmet. “I’m no longer the girl to sit back and watch.

Not only can I run three miles now, I am strong enough to get through all of the obstacles. Not only have I transformed my body, but my selfconfidence is better. I no longer doubt I can do it — I know I can.”

Carolyn has some words of advice for other people considering this kind of bucket list adventure, “Stop contemplating and just do it! Find a friend to exercise with. If you stick to a plan, you will see results. I was once told that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. The first 21 days are not easy… but after that it’s amazing how easy it is!”

And the real lesson she’s taken from this? “I have found an inner strength I didn’t know existed in me. Months of training and exercising have certainly helped that strength — but the will to not give up comes from my dad.”

Something tells me that her father is immensely proud of his Warrior Princess.

Michelle Baker grew up in Ontario, Ohio and remains there to raise her own children. She graduated from NCTC and has been a Respiratory Therapist at Ashland Samaritan Hospital since 2002. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Adult Education from Bellevue University, began her second writing career at the age of 39, and is finding inspiration from all of the adventurers she writes about. You can reach her at Chelbaker@Outlook.com and follow her on twitter @shelbelbaker.

Mercy Tiffin Hospital A Century of Caring

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

The heartbeat of a community can often be traced to the hospital(s) that serves its inhabitants. If you subscribe to that theory, then Tiffin, Ohio’s heartbeat began a full 100 years after the town was founded on the site of what was Fort Ball, a military depot during the War of 1812.

In 1912, the Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs, the first Bishop of the newly formed Toledo Diocese, identified the need for a hospital in that northwestern part of the state and he knew exactly who could accomplish such a daunting task: the Sisters of Mercy from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He went to Michigan and made a request for help. It was granted, and chosen to lead the effort were Mother Mary Bernadine McMullen and her sister, Mother Mary Anthony McMullen. Later that year they would be joined by Sister Mary DeChantel Lyons, also from Grand Rapids.

12

JULY/AUG 2013

After their arrival in Tiffin in early May 1912, and under the direction of Bishop Schrembs, the Sisters from Grand Rapids began work to secure the funding necessary to build a hospital that would serve the sick and the suffering, a place where no one would be turned away because he or she lacked the ability to pay.

The local business community gathered at the Seneca County courthouse to discuss the details, and local physicians showed their enthusiastic support with an open letter in the Tiffin Weekly Tribune. Seven acres of land were

purchased to build a four-story brick building for thirty five beds and other necessary areas for medical care. The estimated cost was a staggering $35,000, most of which would have to come through donations. The citizens of Tiffin and the surrounding area stepped up and met the financial challenge and ground was broken for the new Mercy Tiffin Hospital on October 5, 1912, just five and a half months after the sisters from Grand Rapids had arrived.

A year later, on October 26, 1913, the completed Mercy Tiffin Hospital was dedicated before an enthusiastic crowd of five thousand. At that ceremony Bishop Schrembs lauded the people of Tiffin, saying, “I appealed to the public spirited citizens and my appeal did not fall on deaf ears as this building testifies.”

In the early years of Mercy Tiffin Hospital, the Sisters of Mercy were the primary caregivers at the facility, particularly in the area of nursing. A training program was set up for nurses shortly after the hospital opened. By 1918, the Mercy School of Nursing was opened at a hospital run by the Sisters in Toledo.

Today it is the accredited Mercy College of Nursing, offering baccalaureate degrees in nursing and other health related fields.

Each Sister of Mercy takes a vow of voluntary poverty, chastity and obedience, as well as a fourth vow — that

of service. That vow has manifested itself in what is called by many, The Mercy Spirit. Appreciation for their work spread throughout the Toledo Diocese as their influence was felt in all the communities they served.

In preparing this story, I visited the St. Bernadine Home on the beautiful grounds of Our Lady of the Pines in Fremont, Ohio. It’s a retirement home for long-serving Sisters of Mercy and I was there to visit Sister Marie Catherine Wise.

After lunch she told me that she made her decision to become a nun at around the age of 15. She also attended Tiffin School of Nursing, graduating in 1953 and then began her service at several of the Mercy system hospitals, a commitment that would encompass more than four decades in Tiffin, Springfield, Hamilton and Willard. She served as President and CEO in Tiffin for 8 years.

Sister Marie Catherine took it upon herself to research and record the history of Mercy Tiffin Hospital, which was one of the reasons that I wanted to talk with her.

In particular, she wanted to make sure that I included a fact which she believes is the thread that has been common through all the good things that have come out of Mercy Tiffin Hospital over the past 100 years. That is the community support, both financial and moral, that has always been there.

Through the years there were expansions to the original Mercy Tiffin hospital, and in August 2005 the Board of Trustees authorized construction of a new 190,000 sq. ft. hospital and a 30,000 sq. ft. administrative building at a cost of $60.4 million.

That new facility opened in July 2008; you can see a picture of it on the inside front cover of this Heart of Ohio magazine.

The celebration of the 100 year anniversary has been ongoing since October 5 of last year and will conclude this fall. As I said in the beginning of this

story, Mercy Tiffin Hospital is indeed the heartbeat of the community. In this case, it is a beat that has only become stronger with each passing year. MG

Opposite page: A depiction of Mercy Tiffin Hospital in 1913.

Above: The Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs Left: The scene from the groundbreaking for the hospital in 1912.

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Top: Sister Marie Catherine Wise

13

Stop in and see what’s new at Cooper’s Mill • • • • • •

New Troyer's Meats and Cheese in our Deli Fresh Pies and Baked Goods Just-Picked Produce Jams and Jellies Factory Tours Gifts

1414 N. Sandusky, Bucyrus, OH 419-562-4215 • www.coopers-mill.com

Open 8:30–6 Mon.–Sat.

Explore our

Historic Communities

The Candi Bar

Poland True Value Hardware

Coffee & Candy Shop | 419-468-5268 116 North Liberty Street, Galion | thecandibar.net

Your hometown hardware & a lot more! | 419-468-1042 234 Harding Way East, Galion | truevalue.com/poland

Hillman Jewelers

Firelands Federal Credit Union

Custom Jewelry & Repairs | 419-468-0117 140 Harding Way West, Galion

The Cracked Pot

Unique Gifts, Home Decor & so much more!

419-462-0444 | 114 Harding Way East, Galion

Rus-Men Farms

Naturally Raised - Naturally Farm Fresh | 419-462-5295 710 Iberia Road, Galion | rusmenfarms.com

It’s All About You! | 419-468-5631 419 Harding Way West, Galion | firelandsfcu.org

Phil’s Deli

Customer Service is our Specialty | 419-462-3354 814 Harding Way West, Galion | philsdeliofgalion.com AUTO

HOME

BUSINESS

LIFE

Guy’s Insurance

Full Service Insurance Agent | 419-468-6565 765 Portland Way North Galion | guysins.com

galion-crestlinechamber.org

Hope Cabins & Banquet

Our goal is to help you relax. | 419-462-0334 5310 State Route 288, Galion | hopecabins.com

Child Care Choices

Helping Parents Find Child Care | 419-468-7581 601 South Street, Galion | childcarechoices.org

The Evergreen Company

Full line gift shop | myevergreencompany.com 117 Harding Way East, Galion | 419-468-4472

Cass Woodworking

Custom Woodworking Shop | 419-468-4449 6052 State Route 19, Galion | casswoodinc.com

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Man’s Best Friend and Healer Probably one of the last places you would expect to see a dog is in a hospital room. However, a growing number of hospitals across the country are now utilizing our canine friends to provide their four-legged healing touch to a select number of their patients.

When you think about it, most dogs are made for this unusual type of therapy. Dogs are forgiving, non-judgmental, don’t care what you look like and accept you the way you are. In the case of the patients, they are in the process of, hopefully, healing both physically and emotionally, and

Helen Thomas with canine visitors

choose to receive the comfort of the visiting canines.

MedCentral Mansfield’s Pet Therapy program has been operative since 1997. I had the chance to meet up with a few of these special doggies and their owners as they prepared for their rounds on a recent weekday morning. Elaine Navratil is a 12-year veteran of the program; her pet

therapy partners are a pair of Bishons named Murphy- Marie and Grace. Cindy Falls is relatively new to the program at MedCentral, as is her Maddie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

Pet therapy (also known as animal assisted therapy) involves the use of the animals to help improve the health, functioning and quality of life of the

Elaine Navritil holding Grace; Maddie and Dr. Andy Fahmy

Cindy Falls and Maddie

people/patients in need. As you can imagine, the dogs must go through rigorous training in order to gain entrance into the program. The canine boot camp is a ten-week course which enables the instructors to see how each dog associates with people.

You’ve heard the term, “his bark is worse than his bite”?

Well, for dogs hoping to graduate and qualify for the program, a bark at the wrong time within the confines of the hospital could very easily eliminate him or her from consideration. They are also graded on the stress level they display, their behavior while on a leash (which they always are while working) and their relationship with their owner.

Adelle Morley was one of the first to become involved with MedCentral’s Pet Therapy program. She told me the visits she makes with her canine friends to patients’ rooms, every Monday AM, does as much good for her as it does for those on the receiving end. The dogs are welcome in all areas of the hospital except the maternity and critical care units. Oh yes, most of the doctors and nurses are as happy, or happier, to see the four-legged visitors walking the halls as are the folks they are there to see.

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

JULY/AUG 2013

17

www.heartofohiomagazine.com 18

All three Pet Therapy dog owners I spoke with said these are special animals that seem to sense which patients they come in contact with are more critically ill than others. Elaine Navratil shared with me, using no names or a time frame, a story of taking Murphy-Marie into the room of a friend, then being asked by visitors in an adjoining room if she would be kind enough the bring the dog next door when she was done.

At the request of the family she placed Murphy-Marie on the bed next to the patient. When it was time to leave Murphy didn’t want to go, snuggling as close to the patient as possible. Finally, Elaine had to actually pull Murphy off the bed. She left but came back the next day to see her friend and decided to check with the family next door to see how their loved one was doing. As you might have guessed, the patient in question had passed away. Did Murphy-Marie know the end was near, and was she struggling to stay close because of that knowledge?

It would be difficult to convince Elaine or the family that such was not the case.

On the days they’re at MedCentral the pets and their owners spend about an hour to an hour and a half visiting patients who have either requested a visit in advance or have seen the dogs in the hallways and asked to be introduced.

Along with their extensive training the dogs are always squeaky clean, well groomed and manicured.

It’s usually quite obvious that they like their work, but even dogs have their bad days. When that happens, I imagine they “bark in sick” (not call). That brings me to another inevitable occurrence, the death of man’s best friend. Adelle Morley just recently had to put down her therapy dog, Joker. And, while the hurt still lingers, I’m sure the memories of the smiles Joker put on the faces of perhaps thousands of people in pain, makes it just a bit easier. MG

America’s Most Fascinating Furniture Barn

The Area’s Largest Collection of Quality, North American Made Furniture Since 1963

We always have fresh new ideas.

Dining Rooms • Leather • Mattresses • Pool Tables • Game Room Accessories

S M F B 1055 Spring Mill Road • Mansfield www.springmillfurniturebarn.com

Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

419-747-6066

Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose.

Many lighting fixtures and door knobs to choose from.

Use your imagination and create something unique.

Stop in at our store for some great finds!

It’s open to the public.

in Wayne County

HOURS Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-3pm Closed Sunday

To make a donation or schedule a pickup, call

330.264.4999

Most donations are tax-deductible.

1451 Spruce Street Extension, Wooster, OH 44691 | www.waynehabitat.org JULY/AUG 2013

Thoughts from Barb Haller Summer: Let Kids Be Kids!

The Haller boys and friends just being kids.

camp countless times. Some scheduling was unavoidable. But it seems the best summer days are those left to children’s imaginations.

Our four collected and traded baseball cards for hours in the summer. They read chapter books in the hammock and planted a kid-designed garden around our deck. They squealed and chased fireflies through the deepening dusk.

My big boys first learned to cut grass in wobbly rows and practiced shooting

hoops on the drive. They played whiffle ball for hours out front and camped in the backyard. My little boys needed baths every night to wash away the sweat and grit from long, hot days of play No mistake, there was tension in the summer air. The food, the dirty dishes, unfinished chores, slamming doors, bloodied knees and frequent bickering all marked summers in our house. But I tried to let the kids be kids.

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

On the last day of school, a child tumbled from the bus, a paper grocery sack under one arm. It held the broken pencils, worn erasers, and crumpled spelling tests from a now-clean desk back at school. The other arm held a scuffed-up book bag and a droopy marigold planted in a paper cup.

The last day of school was usually hot, children’s faces flushed and hair wet and wild. But stretched across each face was the biggest grin of the year; a smile that said “summer, here I come!”

My own childhood summers found me building forts and clearing bike trails through the woods behind our Connecticut home. We hunted salamanders and played Monopoly on a quilt in the side yard for hours. At age twelve, I organized a backyard day camp with a friend for the neighbor kids and named it “Jolly Time.” We planned crafts, hikes and snacks and netted maybe eight dollars that summer. The crown jewel of my summer was two weeks at Girl Scout camp in August. Otherwise, Mom expected us to create our own fun.

My own children played plenty of soccer and baseball and packed off to

JULY/AUG 2013

19

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

They learned creativity by lessstructured summer days. The TV wasn’t on often and computer games were on the distant horizon. And what became our treasured vacation in northern Michigan each July taught our kids that wholesome fun can be found without amusement parks, electronics, and structured activities.

Motherhood has taught me the value of unhurried living: children won’t be rushed. It takes time and focus to listen to their small voices. If I was too busy to bend down and enter their world, speak in gentle tones, or hold them close every single day, their spirits suffered. When I wearied of teaching manners and respect, answering endless questions, singing with Wee Worship tapes, and reading the same story books, I’d gather the kids to make sandwiches and head to a pool or park.

Spontaneity is the best cure for summer monotony.

And so it is in the rhythm of a child’s summer. While drawing with chalk on the driveway or running through the sprinkler, my children found autonomy in slow summer days. Resourcefulness is born of freedom and yes, a little boredom at times. They begin to discover who they are and what they can do apart from a calendar.

Odd as it seems, children learn business savvy running a lemonade stand and social skills in a fort-building project.

They grow in generosity sharing watermelon with a neighbor. A girl gains a sense of wonder on an afternoon in the woods. A strong boy suddenly feels very small flying a kite in a stiff breeze.

And given the chance, they learn they won’t always win in life as they play whiffle ball with the big kids in the deepening dusk.

Barb Haller writes from her home in Delaware. Grass has grown over home plate in the front yard, but this summer she and her husband Bill will welcome two new grandsons, who might someday play whiffle ball out front. Follow her blog at www.barbhaller.blogspot.com.

20

JULY/AUG 2013

James Saltzgiver, D.D.S. COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY • • • •

Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns & Bridgework Complete & Partial Dentures • Root Canals Porcelain Veneers • Preventive Dentistry Tooth Whitening OFFICE HOURS 419.756.1379

BY APPOINTMENT 370 CLINE AVE., MANSFIELD

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

Exceptional Care for Exceptional People

Feel secure wherever you go.

Our interactive security services keep you connected on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Locally owned and operated since 1976.

Visit the Security Showroom

241 Mansfield Industrial Parkway | Mansfield, Ohio 44903

419.526.4747 | www.schmidtsecurity.com

rebuilding a foundation

Ritter House Mansfield, Ohio A little history…

In 1891 she came to stand, a beacon of welcome, on the southern side of the city of Mansfield…

She is Beauty.

Alan Wigton Richland County Historical Society

Few knew how to save her… Little hope faded to no hope and then to despair. But some in our community refused to give into despair.

Finally, entering our Beauty’s life is the partnership of MT Business Technologies and the Richland County Foundation.

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

A stately Victorian Lady, built of solid brick, ornately detailed both inside and out. She boasted carved wooden features, stained glass, rounded windows, decorative support brackets and gabled roofs topped with ball finials. Her interior showcased golden oak and cherry woodwork. Her grandeur was defined by a central staircase, flanked by massive carved newel posts and a towering stained glass window at the staircase’s back wall. At three stories high, she towered over all other south side homes.

Breaking with the tradition of building homes of stature on the west side, William Ritter, a prominent businessman and leather tanner, wanted his Victorian Lady’s beauty to stand singularly. And so she came to be.

For one hundred years our proud Beauty housed first the Ritter family and then many subsequent owners who called her their home. With her strong brick walls she sheltered them from Ohio’s summer storms. Her four fireplaces warmed rooms and hearts through more than a decade of decades. Her leaded glass doors opened and closed to the ebb and flow of family life, their beveled edges casting rainbows on sunny days to delight children.

They thought they owned her. But, she possessed them, beguiling residents and guests alike with her scalloped slate roof, her lattice-topped doorways and her intricately carved pineapple porch newel posts.

As years passed, candles gave way to electric lights, outhouses to indoor plumbing and the winter cold would be chased away with central heating. And our Beauty became tired. Paint pealed, roofs leaked and try as they may, later families could not keep up with her growing needs.

The years marched on, but even as decay and ruin fell around and upon the house her beauty remained. Many still saw it as they passed the property, now a dominant elevated spot on the North/ South thoroughfare of St. Rt. 13 winding through the downtown Mansfield proper.

The William Ritter house is shown on the 1882 map of Mansfield. According to the Ohio Historic Inventory for the house, William Ritter was a businessman and active in local politics. The 1891 directory lists him as the superintendent of the water works. He was the son of Joseph Ritter who, with his brother John, made up the firm of Ritter & Sons, tanners and leather merchants. The tannery was located below First Street where Walnut Street ends, on Ritter Run, which was named for the family.

Joseph Ritter’s home was at 126 South Main Street, near the tannery at the S.W. corner of South Main Street and West Augustine. It is one of the oldest houses in the city still standing.

JULY/AUG 2013

23

2012, hope and life is restored to Beauty…

Pages 22 and 23: Historical photos by Eileen Wolford.

Top photos courtesy of Bob Jacobsen. (Left) Bob and his sister Jan Jacobsen Petrik, circa 1958.

(Right) Circa 1962, from left to right: Bob’s grandmother Clara Calvert Woodard, her sister and his great-aunt Leona Calvert, the housekeeper Mrs. Hawkins, his sister Jan Jacobsen Petrik, his father Jerry Jacobsen, and Bob (photo taken by his mother Marjorie Woodard Jacobsen).

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Opposite page: (Top) Julie McCready and Brady Groves review plans for the Ritter House renovation.

(Bottom) A rendering of the remodel plus the addition to the Ritter House by Dan Seckel, Principle of The Seckel Group.

Brady Groves, Foundation President explains, “Donor partnerships can come in various configurations. Unconventional and non-traditional are words not generally associated with the activities of a community foundation. And yet, our partnership with MT Business Technologies is exactly that! Through the gift of property by MT Business Technologies to the Richland County Foundation, both entities are realizing long-awaited goals important to them.”

24

JULY/AUG 2013

Groves continued, “For thirty years, the Foundation has been seeking the perfect building and location for a permanent place to call home. This gift brings that goal to fruition. In addition to gifting the property, MT Business Technologies will share the cost of transforming the well-known William Ritter House to its once lovely luster.”

“For both MT and the Richland County Foundation, this gift is about the restoration of the old and the growth of

the new. It is in keeping with the Foundation to embrace opportunities as a leader in our community in efforts that will promote growth in our community.

It is incorporated into our own mission statement… ‘improve the quality of life in Richland County’, as we continue to preserve the past.”

Groves concluded, “The renovation of this historic landmark will be a beacon of light which will not only benefit the Richland County Foundation, but will also

Places in 1978. My role will be to re-dress our Beauty in the color, pattern and nuances of her time, while providing an updated environment conducive to the daily business inner-workings of a philanthropic foundation. We will rebuild her missing grand staircase, and bejewel her with crystal chandeliers.

We will reconstruct her destroyed woodwork with gleaming oak and cherry, and define the sturdy walls that will now protect her new owners.

That is exactly what she was always meant to do.

And decorating her is exactly what I was meant to do.

I guess that makes for a perfect pairing!

lead the way in the City of Mansfield’s restoration process. Located in a position of prominence on the southern gateway to our city, this restoration effectively dovetails with the recent efforts of the Richland Community Development Group to vastly improve the North Main Street corridor to the city, as well as the City of Mansfield’s own redevelopment initiatives.”

The Beauty and this designer… a perfect pairing.

I know Beauty. I understand her and what she desperately needs to be restored to what she once was, and what she can now be.

I know and understand Beauty because I own a beauty of my own. Our 150+ year old brick Victorian farmhouse is a sixth generation property of my husband Tom’s family. Tom and I have spent the last 30 years restoring and maintaining our Beauty to all that would make his ancestors proud. We share a love and passion for our Beauty. It’s a must when you own an historic home.

So yes, I know what Beauty needs.

And fortunately the Richland County Foundation, and architect Dan Seckel of the Seckel Group, agree. I will be working closely with them as we restore the William Ritter House, which was listed on the National Register of Historic

For more information about the William Ritter House project or the Richland County Foundation, visit www.rcfoundation.org and watch for future articles as this project continues.

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Julie McCready is a residential and commercial designer in Mansfield, Ohio.

She and husband Tom own Norwalk The Furniture Idea/McCready Interiors where Julie and a talented staff of designers offer design services as well as quality affordable furniture for the home. Visit them at www.mccreadyinteriors.com, on Facebook or at their Mansfield store.

25

www.mccreadyinteriors.com

HOURS Mon & Fri 10-8 | Tue, Wed, Thu & Sat 10-6 | Sun 1-5

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Fashionable. Affordable.

Residential/Commercial Design

26

JULY/AUG 2013

N. Lex-Springmill Rd., Mansfield LOCAL

419.747.7055

TOLL FREE

888.262.7632

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Dr. Nguyen in Win-Win Situation at Ocie Hill Center

school with very little debt because I attended on scholarships, and my PhD was paid for by research grants. I want children to know they do not have to be born into rich or well-connected families to have a good education.”

Dr. Nguyen has perfected his classroom delivery for the past 25 years by lecturing at National Youth Science Foundation summer programs in West Virginia for students from all over the country.

At one of these lectures in 1993, a young girl from Wisconsin was so inspired by him she went to Stanford to study symbolic information systems and became an engineer. That young girl was Marissa Mayer, one of the founders of Google and now Chief Executive Officer of Yahoo.

She has been quoted describing Dr. Nguyen as, “It’s not what he knows, but how he thinks.”

Dr. Nguyen feels privileged that he had such an impact on Marissa Mayer’s life and says the children he meets at Ocie Hill have the potential, like Ms. Mayer, to change the world and make it better.

The Ocie Hill Center in Mansfield is named in honor of the late Mansfield City Councilman, Ocie Hill. It houses 13 agencies, and is a distribution center for a variety of programs ranging from literacy to health care.

The staff adheres to the motto, “We are here today and every day because this is the place where families matter.”

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Dr. Dung Ba Nguyen, a MedCentral Health System radiation oncologist, is an Ivy League-educated physician who spends part of his free time teaching mathematics, science, and engineering to boys and girls at the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center in Mansfield’s north end.

In addition to his mathematics, science, and engineering project, he asked his wife, Dr. Gulimina Mahamuti, if she would like to start a similar program focusing on music at Ocie Hill. The Chinese-born concert pianist performed at Carnegie Hall last year, is currently a part-time Assistant Professor in piano at Ohio Wesleyan University, and holds a doctorate in piano performance.

Ocie Hill program director Brenda Phillips took them up on their offer right away and wrote a grant to the Richland County Foundation for a music appreciation and keyboard proficiency program which will begin mid-summer.

Dr. Nguyen’s sessions began in February.

“My wife and I are very excited about starting these programs at Ocie Hill,” said Dr. Nguyen. “Music and mathematics are in our hearts.”

“He is so smart and so witty. He makes the children want to learn,” said Phillips, who was awarded Richland County Foundation for Dr. Nguyen’s Mansfield science, engineering, and mathematics project. Children from Ocie Hill’s afterschool program and boys and girls from the economically-disadvantaged neighborhood are encouraged to participate.

His medical practice is important to him, but he also thinks it’s vital to identify local students with potential and encourage them to apply to institutions of higher learning. He currently interviews students for undergraduate admission to Harvard.

“I came from a poor family,” he said.

“I graduated from college and medical

by Anne Miller

27

AMISH CRAFTED FURNITURE

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Timeless elegance for today and tomorrow

28

Croskey Furniture

Quality Handcrafted Furniture

Living Rooms | Leather | Bedrooms | Dining Rooms | Mattresses | TV Entertainments 1213 US Hwy 42 | Ashland, Ohio | 419.281.3109 | croskeysfurniture.com JULY/AUG 2013

Mon - Fri: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A Thorough & Gentle Dental Hygiene Experience Hygienist and Callie | Dental Dental School Honors Graduate

• Thorough, Gentle & Caring • On-time Appointments • Preventative Care to Prevent Problems • Doctor on staff is also a Dental School Honors Graduate

ADVANCED DENTISTRY & DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

1245 S. Trimble Road | Mansfield, OH 44907

Call (419) 756-2880 www.KiserDental.com

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

Necessary X-rays, Preventative Care with Cleaning & Doctor Exam

ONLY $75 Expires 12/30/2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

A Man for All Ages

Merrill Tawse is a valuable asset to our community; his career is entwined with children, bats, cadavers and a very special tree frog. He grew up in Mansfield and has been an educator for more than 33 years.

Thousands of people in the Richland County area have had the pleasure of attending one of his classes; many have carried his lessons throughout their lives.

What makes Merrill unique is his ability to work with preschoolers one day; college students the next. How many people can successfully adapt to diverse audiences and a wide range of subject matter?

In 1980 Merrill was one of two people on staff at the Gorman Nature Center in Mansfield, and helped Gorman became a leader in outdoor educational programs.

30

JULY/AUG 2013

For many years he taught nature related topics to preschoolers, elementary students, any class that wanted to visit the facility. Merrill’s work was not limited to schools; he also developed programs for garden clubs, scout troops and senior citizen centers. If you wanted to learn about nature, Merrill was happy to meet with you to share his excitement for the subject.

One of his favorite educational experiences occurred during those early years. A group of elderly people visited Gorman on a field trip from a nearby senior center. A lady, probably in her mid-80’s, was very turned off by the small animals and did not want to touch them as they were passed around the group.

by Chuck Jakubchak

Much to her surprise, a tree frog escaped the grasp of the person seated next to her; the renegade frog landed directly on the nose of the squeamish woman. Everyone froze in shock, but it proved to be a real break though moment. Miraculously the elderly woman had a change of heart; that little frog broke her negative feeling about animals that she had harbored for many years. She wanted to hold other animals at Gorman, and suddenly found joy in something so simple. Merrill learned a valuable lesson about teaching that day, “You are never too old to learn”. He only wished the lady could have had the frog experience earlier in her life.

His career as an educator continued beyond Gorman; he spent 17 years at

photos by Jeanne Jakubchak

Discovery School and 10 years at North Central Technical College teaching science classes. Several years ago he joined the staff at MedCentral College of Nursing, which recently became part of Ashland University (AU). His skill and versatility as an educator has allowed him to succeed in levels from preschool through a university setting.

Merrill is currently a full time instructor at AU; his workload includes classes in ecology, biology, entomology (insects) and physiology. His special laboratory class, limited to 16 students, focuses on human anatomy using cadavers as the teaching tool. Not many small universities use cadavers; not many universities have a well versed educator like Merrill Tawse to lead the class.

AU deserves accolades for their policies regarding professors. Dawn Weber, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, challenges her staff with 3 specific goals; teaching, research and service to community. The University has assisted Merrill by providing him with free time on Wednesday mornings. He happily returns to his educational roots at Gorman Nature Center to volunteer,

habitat was perfect for their existence.

Merrill discovered that water-hatched insects, the favorite food of the bats in the area, were also missing. The mystery was solved when a water quality analysis indicated a nearby stream had been contaminated by the runoff of deicing fluid from a local airport; the contamination had killed the insects. The resulting shortage of a food source for the bats caused them to leave the area.

Merrill’s research resulted in improved water quality for the area’s residents.

Merrill truly appreciates the opportunity to educate and he understands what Gorman Nature Center has meant to our area. He is pleased to be a part of a place that has given thousands of people the chance to connect with nature. To experience one of Merrill’s programs stop

by Gorman Nature Center on a Wednesday morning and bring a child with you. Merrill would like to personally introduce them to a few fascinating critters!

Gorman Nature Center http://gormannaturecenter.org/ 2295 Lexington Ave. Mansfield, Ohio 44907 419-884-FROG (3764) Moms and Kids, 2 separate classes are taught most Wednesdays at 9:00AM and 10:00 AM. Grandparents/grandchildren are also welcomed. The program is free.

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

teaching the Moms and Kids program and giving back to the community.

AU and Dean Weber’s approach to community service make the Moms and Kids program possible; Merrill is grateful for their civic-minded approach.

During the Moms and Kids program Merrill introduces small children to a variety of animals in their native habitat. Sometimes the class dip nets for aquatic invertebrates, other days they search for crayfish or watch resident turtles feed on insects. Merrill’s work with preschoolers builds excitement about nature and allows them to get a deeper understanding of our natural world. He hopes that the children in Moms and Kids will grow up with an appreciation for our environment and a desire to preserve and protect it for future generations.

Being an instructor at Gorman Nature Center and AU has similarities and differences. People coming to Gorman may not return for weeks or months.

Each day brings a new stream of people that Merrill believes are “opportunities to energize”; nothing makes him happier than seeing their excitement when they experience nature firsthand. Merrill’s classes at AU are adults in classes that last for semesters; the depth of the learning experience being profound and rewarding to him.

When Merrill is not teaching, he is conducting research with bats, his favorite mammal. More than 25 years ago Merrill became intrigued by bats and the impact civilization has on their population throughout the United States.

Merrill recognized the important role they play in our ecosystem. Because of his passion, knowledge and commitment he is recognized as an expert on bats throughout the United States.

An example of his bat research involved an urban area in Ohio where bats could not be found, even though the

31

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE WITH CAPITAL SENIOR LIVING

Do you or a loved one need help?

Do you or a loved one need information?

Do you want to make a difference

A variety of spacious floor plans provide residents maintenance free living with all utilities included except telephone, weekly housekeeping (with linen and towel service), emergency call system and 24-hour staffing.

Residents also enjoy restaurantstyle all-day dining, weekly lunch outings, shopping and day trips and many other fun activities.

Call us or visit us online to discover everything that The Waterford at Mansfield can offer.

We can help...

419.775.1013

waterfordatmansfield.com 1296 S. Trimble Rd. | Mansfield, OH 44906

A Capital Senior Living Center

CARE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

We have answers...

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Bennington Glen

32

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center The Villas Assisted Living We can make a difference for you...

419-524-4144 800-860-5799 www.aaa5ohio.org OD5AAA@aaa5ohio.org JULY/AUG 2013

825 State Route 61 Marengo, Ohio 43334 419-253-0144 or toll free 1-888-BEN-GLEN www.bennglen.com

“Keeping your loved ones at Home!”

In-Home Assisted Living Services      

Personal Care Medication Reminders Meal Preparation Housekeeping/ Laundry Transportation Shopping/Errands

With the help of Ashland Home Care, people can continue living in the comfort and security of their own home, with all of their memories, cherished possessions and familiar surroundings.

Providing Non-Medical Services

419.289.1118 Bonded-lnsured & RN Supervised

www.ashlandhomecare.com

A

Quality Tree Service

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!

419.589.8618 Stump Grinding Pruning After-storm Cleanup John V. Herrick, Owner Licensed & Insured

to Lutheran Village of Ashland Assisted Living. We are here by invitation to serve, to care, to nurture, and protect. Each resident has personal worth. We will not allow this dignity to be diminished.

Warmth and love are infectious.

We will help them spread.

A member of the Lutheran Social Service family

Assisted Living

A caring environment that offers comfort, security and fellowship 330 S. DAVIS ROAD 419.281.8403 lutheranvillageofashland.org JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Tree Removal

Welcome…

Lutheran Village of Ashland

33

Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve Preserving Our Prairie Heritage

by Warren Uxley

The Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve — it’s an imposing name; but to those who know and love it, it’s just “Daughmer”. At 34 acres, Daughmer is a mere fragment of the once vast Sandusky Plains tall-grass prairie ecosystem that covered parts of Crawford, Marion and Wyandot counties. A rich mosaic of upland prairie, wetland, sedge meadow and oak savanna, the Sandusky Plains

comprised 192,000 acres of grassland habitat that has now all but disappeared — fewer than 100 acres remain. Never plowed, oak trees over 200 years old, numerous rare plant species, Daughmer offers the visitor an uncommon glimpse of Ohio as it looked before European settlement.

Tall-grass prairies are among the most degraded ecosystems in North America.

(The short-grass prairies of the Great Plains have fared somewhat better.) With more than 98 percent of tall-grass prairie having been converted to cropland or urban sprawl, what remains has been overgrazed, overrun by invasive nonnative plants and splintered into fragments that sometimes amount to no more than a fraction of an acre.

Daughmer has suffered its share of abuse.

A rich mosaic of upland prairie, wetland, sedge meadow and oak savanna...

For decades Daughmer was used as pasture for cattle and sheep. Many of the wildflowers — often called forbs — common to prairies are absent at Daughmer due to over-grazing.

Unsurprisingly, the forbs that do remain are unpalatable to livestock. Virginia mountain mint and spiderwort, blue flag iris and five different species of milkweeds are some wildflowers that can be found at Daughmer. While grazing is no longer a threat, emerging problems with invasive plants present new challenges.

Controlling invasives will be an ongoing management problem.

Despite its troubled past and the ever-present threat of invasive plants, Daughmer is one of the best examples of a bur oak savanna in North America.

“Savanna” is a word that was originally used to describe the grasslands of east Africa that had scattered trees. It was soon realized that the word could be used to define many environments in North America. Neither woodland nor pure grassland, savannas have attributes of both. Bur oak savanna is considered one of the rarest ecosystems in the world.

Any rare ecosystem would be expected to support rare species and Daughmer doesn’t disappoint. Five of Daughmer’s plants are listed as either threatened of potentially threatened by Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources with several more making DNR’s watch list.

All but one of Daughmer’s rare plants are sedges. A group of plants poorly understood by most people, sedges are dominant over much of Daughmer. Most of Ohio’s wetlands are covered with thick stands of cattails, but at Daughmer a wetland plant community known as sedge meadow prevails. The fact that so many of Daughmer’s sedges are considered rare only emphasizes the exceptional quality of the sedge meadow community.

Acquired in 2010 by Ohio DNR’s Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, fire was the first management tool to be utilized at Daughmer. Native Americans understood that fire improved grazing for game animals; grasslands flush with renewed vigor and woody plants are held in check by fire.

The reintroduction of fire has had one unexpected side benefit: prairie plants thought to have been eliminated by over a century of grazing have now begun to reappear. Prairie icons such as grayheaded coneflower and prairie dock have emerged from the seed bank and are making Daughmer even better.

In addition to the rare plant communities, Daughmer also hosts an exceptional assemblage of birds.

Baltimore and orchard orioles, kingbirds, indigo buntings and in some years the exceedingly rare sedge wren can be seen.

Late summer brings an uncommon gathering of red-headed woodpeckers as the acorns ripen.

Daughmer is located in southwestern Crawford County on Marion-Melmore Road approximately one mile north of SR 294. While owned by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, the Crawford Park District is responsible for the daily operations. The Park District also offers interpretive programs at Daughmer that are free to the public. For more information go to www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or call 419-683-9000.

Photos by Warren Uxley: (1) Red-headed Woodpeckers gather in uncommon numbers in late summer as the acorns ripen on Daughmer’s ancient oaks.

(2) Fire is an essential management tool for maintaining prairie habitats.

(3) The rare wetland plant community know as sedge meadow is bordered by 200-year-old oaks.

(4) Many wildflowers were lost to decades of over-grazing by sheep and cattle. The Blue Flag Iris is one that hung on in Daughmer’s sedge meadows.

Featuring the Area’s Most Unique Gift Store • Complete Landscape Services • Garden Center • Many Rare and Unusual Plants and Perennials • Fountains and Bird Baths

wade gardens

Open Monday thru Saturday, 8am – 5pm

Landscaping, Garden Center & Gift Shop

3360 POSSUM RUN ROAD | MANSFIELD, OHIO 44903 | 419-774-0004 | wadegardens.com

willodellnursery.com

Since 1948, Sandy Hill has been your one-stop source for fresh local produce, the area’s largest selection of bird feeders, seed & supplies and all your lawn & garden needs!

N U R S E R Y Lawn & Garden Centers

Celebrating 89 years in business, Willo’dell Nursery offers a huge selection of unique and beautiful evergreens, trees, shrubs perennials and annuals! We also offer total landscape design and installation service anywhere within 100 miles of our Ashland location.

Find unique gifts for the gardener in our century-old gift barn.

2 LOCATIONS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Ashland Road • Lexington Ave. 419-589-3944 • 419-756-3654 OPEN YEAR ’ROUND Mon. thru Sat. 8 – 8 Sun 8 – 6

ASHLAND 1398 U.S. Highway 42 | Ashland, OH 44805 419-289-0606 | HOURS: M-F: 8-6, SAT: 8-5, SUN: 11-5 WOOSTER 4770 Cleveland Road | Wooster, OH 44691 330-345-8539 | HOURS: M-F: 9-6, SAT: 9-5, SUN: 11-4

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

HOMEG RO PRODU WN CE

Willo’dell

37

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Circling the Brain Drain It’s that time of year when we take a look at the budget and figure out what a vacation might cost. If you have youngsters at home for the summer, the price might be higher than you can even imagine.

An article in The Washington Post states that by the end of summer vacation, the average student will lose about a month’s worth of learning from the previous school year. That means teachers must spend the first four to six weeks of the new school year going back over material students forgot over the summer break. Professionals call it ‘the summer slide’.

This disturbing statistic was a wake-up call for two dads; Michael Apstein and John Able are the founders of Focus Education whose purpose has always been to help kids succeed.

Now, using breakthrough educational science and the popularity of video games, they have created ifocus and

Jungle Rangers, the video game that bridges the summer learning shortfall.

First, imagine the relief of guilt-free gaming; the more your child plays this game the more improvement you will see in his or her focus, attention and memory. Jungle Rangers is a ground breaking, state-ofthe-art, brain-training game system whose levels adapt to your child’s growth as he/she learns. Game activities require children to progressively improve their ability to pay attention for longer periods, increase the amount of information they can hold in their minds, and decrease impulsive responding.

Tested by brain-imaging specialists and neuropsychologists, Jungle Rangers features loveable characters and activities that will intrigue your gamer while creating focus, attention and memory improvements that can last a lifetime. Find out more about this intriguing new instructional game system by visiting the website: www.focuseducation.com. DC

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

“… a place where families gather to imagine and discover together in quiet corners and wide open creative spaces.”

38

44 West Fourth Street, Mansfield

419-522-2332 www.littlebuckeye.org Open Wed thru Sat 10-6, Sun 1-6

JULY/AUG 2013

OHigher Education Much has been said and written about what is called “the brain drain”.

In fact, that phrase is used in another story on the previous page in this very issue of Heart of Ohio. A simple, descriptive definition of brain drain is found on Wikipedia and it reads, “a large scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge”.

To define it in an even shorter and more to the point way, it refers to communities, counties and states losing their bright young people who decide to go elsewhere (instead of back home) to put their knowledge and skills to work. Ohio has been and is falling victim to this insidious issue, but not because of the lack of post-secondary educational opportunities. Indeed, the Buckeye

state has an impressive array of public found in the Buckeye state is truly and private colleges and universities from impressive. We rank sixth among the fifty which graduating seniors can choose. states in that regard. In case you’re Ohio’s public colleges and universities wondering who’s ahead of us, the group are overseen by the Board of Regents, includes the states of New York, which is made up of nine members California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts who are appointed by the Governor, and Illinois. with the consent of the Senate. One The Association of Independent of their main objectives, according to Colleges and Universities of Ohio the Board’s communications director, (AICUO) is not a governing body.

Jeff Robinson, is to make sure that However, it represents its 50 member more degrees are earned at the institutions by doing public relations, institutions over which they have research and government relations for responsibility. The most recent them. C. Todd Jones is the President and statistics show that 26% of Ohio’s adult population have earned a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

That number must grow and the Board of Regents issues annual performance reports to show how to track it.

The list of private, nonprofit 14 state universities colleges and institutions to be

Ohio’s 130-plus Colleges and Universities

24 state university branch or regional campuses 46 liberal arts colleges and universities 2 free-standing state-assisted medical schools 15 community colleges 8 technical colleges Over 24 independent nonprofit colleges

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

General Counsel of the AICUO. One of the things he believes makes Ohio’s private colleges special is that their missions vary so widely. So, too, do their physical environments. Some are residential campuses while others have no dormitories at all.

The financial issues are something that are common to all of Ohio’s places of higher learning, be they private or public.

A recent Wall Street Journal article, with the title “Colleges Retreat in Tuition Showdown”, discussed the record

39

www.heartofohiomagazine.com 40

amounts of tuition discounts that private colleges across the nation are offering through grants and scholarships in their ongoing efforts to keep classrooms full.

Those reductions hit an all-time high last year of 45%.

Some of Ohio’s private colleges or universities’ annual costs exceed $50,000 and are well beyond the reach of many families of incoming freshmen and, you would think, would greatly benefit the efforts of the public school communities to attract students. However, Mr. Jones, of the AICUO, pointed out an interesting fact that should and does work in favor of the private schools. He referred to it as a “cost/value” proposition and it takes into consideration the fact that 53% of the students at Ohio’s private institutions will graduate in four, not five years. That percentage is significantly lower at public colleges and/or universities. So, when you factor in that fifth year of tuition and other educational expenses, the playing field is leveled to a meaningful degree.

Another fairly recent phenomenon has been that of many of Ohio’s colleges changing their official designation to university. Among that group would be schools like Ashland University, The University of Findlay, The University of Mount Union and Muskingum University (my alma mater). Why the change, you wonder? One of the reasons is that it helps to attract more international students who might be a little confused by the term college. That’s because college, in some other cultures, is what they call their high schools.

There are no regulations that mandate a certain post-secondary institution must be referred to as either a college or a university, and several of those, like Kenyon or Wooster, have maintained their identity as colleges. All of Ohio’s colleges and universities serve as pathways to the future for those in search of learning that will lead to a successful career. We could refer to those 130 institutions of higher learning as the “Brain Train” for those students. In the long run, that should help to slow down that dreaded “brain drain”. MG

JULY/AUG 2013

?

Ready for a career change?

Technical Programs Starting Soon: • • • •

Automotive Technology – Starts July 15 Welding Technology – Starts August 26 Precision Machining/CNC – Starts September 3 Industrial Electrical Maintenance – Starts September 26

CALL NOW! 419.589.6363

Stay a step ahead by gaining current workforce skills.

Come learn with us!

• Receive quality, hands-on training from instructors with a wealth of industry experience and expertise.

Career Development Programs Leading to Certification include:

• Learn in state-of-the-art lab facilities.

Take that step and stay ahead! It’s never too late!

Administrative Office Technology Automotive Technology Clinical Care Specialist Cosmetology Dental Assisting Industrial Electrical Maintenance Phlebotomy/EKG Precision Machining/CNC State Tested Nurse Aide Welding

Improving technical skills for our local adult workforce for over 30 years

www.madisonadultcc.org

in the kitchen

with Terri Bergman

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Leaping Frog Chicken… catch it if you can!

Education. It can happen anywhere; in a classroom, on a couch with a stack of books, on your feet by doing. We all learn in different ways, some people are audio learners; sound is how they take it in.

Some people are visual learners; you do, you share and it is in your head.

Okay, let’s get out the pots and mix all of these styles together! There is no right way, there is no wrong way. To be vital in life is to continue to learn new things. As we get older, we really grasp the joy of learning. No one is forcing us to learn… we are asking for it! As for me, I teach with humor. It is not rehearsed; it is just my reality, my style.

When planning one of our July class events, I reach for an updated Menu including “Leaping Frog Chicken”. It just makes me smile as I contemplate sharing this with guests. Several years ago we strung together a “visual” montage set to a symphony playing The William Tell Overture. It still makes me smile when I listen to the “giddy up” background music and think about the simple joy of preparing this fantastic, spicy take on a grilled chicken. I remember the laughter, the fun of preparation, the incredible tastes and aromas from this meal. For pure fun, jump on the website, or for those with a smartphone, use this QR code. A timeless visual cooking lesson waits. For those inspired to make this dish for your own family or friends, pour a glass of wine, get comfy and read this recipe.

Then, just have fun… giddy up!

42

JULY/AUG 2013

Version I

Ingredients

2 whole chickens (about 4 1/2 lb. each) 10 garlic cloves, smashed 2 tbsps. kosher salt/ 2 tablespoons black pepper 6 tbsps. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 tbsps. (hot smoked or Spanish) paprika 1 tbsp. cayenne chili pepper 3 tbsps. your own salt/sugar/pepper blend 2 tbsps. dried oregano 2 tbsps. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. ground allspice 1 lemon and 1 orange, each cut into 6 rounds

Version II (Tri(fecta) me) 2 whole chickens 6 tsps. minced garlic 3 tbsp. of The Amazing Rub 3 tbsp. of The Amazing Heat 2 tbsp. of The Amazing Herbs 1 lemon sliced 1 orange sliced

Directions Cut chickens: Discard any visible fat from chickens; rinse and pat dry. Put 1 chicken, breast up, on a cutting board. Pull one leg away from body and, with a sharp knife, cut through skin between leg and breast until you hit the joint (do not cut through joint). With your fingers behind joint, bend leg back until joint pops; repeat with other leg. With kitchen shears, cut through rib bones (starting from thigh) on both sides of breast up to, but not through, shoulder joints. Open chicken, skin side up. Press on breastbone to crack and flatten with heel of your hand. Repeat with second chicken.

TM

presents

TM

presents

Marinate: Purée garlic with 1/4 cup oil, paprika, chili, oregano, cumin, allspice, 2 Tbsp salt (preferably fine sea salt), and 2 tsp pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Stir together 1 Tbsp marinade and remaining 2 Tbsp oil in a small bowl and reserve, chilled, for basting. Put chickens in a large 4-sided sheet pan. Using a few lemon slices as spreaders, rub some of marinade all over chickens, then stuff lemon slices with remaining marinade under skin of breasts and thighs. Marinate, chilled, at least 8 and up to 12 hours.

Grill: Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas). Oil grill rack, then grill chickens directly over coals. Turn once (more if flare-ups occur), until browned, about 5 minutes total. Move chickens to area of grill with no coals underneath ( for gas, turn off 2 burners if necessary and turn remaining burner on high).

Grill covered, turning occasionally and basting with reserved marinade mixture. Chickens should be cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Do not baste during last 5 minutes; discard any leftover basting sauce. Add more charcoal as necessary. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.

…cozy ozy up to

…cozy ozy up to Instructions for the Perfect Paella:

Instructions for the Perfect Paella: 1. Find the Paella recipe at

Serves: 8 (main course) or 12 (as part of a large meal)

“In the Kitchen with Terri Bergman” in this magazine.

1. found Find the Paella recipe at

“In the Kitchen with Terri Bergman” 2. Visit us at found in this magazine.

2. Visit us at shoppe.thekitchensbounty.com 3. Rattle those Pots and Pans! and order The Amazing Heat Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad is a great complement to the Leaping Frog Chicken. Visit www.thekitchensbounty.com for the recipe.

3.www.thekitchensbounty.com Rattle those Pots and Pans!

419.502.2500 3207 Campbell Street Sandusky, OH 44870

www.thekitchensbounty.com 419.502.2500 JULY/AUG 2013 3207 Campbell Street

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

shoppe.thekitchensbounty.com and order The Amazing Heat

43

Where beautiful gardens, special occasions and everyday living begin!

We have the area’s largest selection of herbs & perennials, flowering trees & shrubs and much more! At our Garden Barn Gift Shop and Q Boutique, you’ll find everything from food to fashion.

Herb Fair

Saturday, September 7

10am to 5pm Over 70 artists and craftsmen among the gardens!

Open tue-sat 9am-5pm 2810 Armstrong Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 | 330-345-6722 | quailcrest.com

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Off St. Rt. 83, 5 miles North of Wooster or 7 miles South of I-71, watch for sign.

44

Charles P. Hahn, CFP® Cleveland Financial Group Affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

Member SIPC 108 North Main Street, Rear Building, Mansfield, Ohio 44902 Tel. 419.522.4333 • Fax 419.522.3303 • chuck.hahn@lfg.com CRN201005-2042432

JULY/AUG 2013

westerville

music & arts festival celebrates its 40th anniversary available. Trolleys will transport festival patrons from designated areas, sponsored

by OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus. The trolleys will pick up festival attendees on College Avenue (next to Graeter’s Ice Cream) in Uptown Westerville and the Westerville Sports Complex (Cleveland Ave.), and drop them off at the Main Street entrance of Heritage Park.

Trolleys are free for all festival attendees and will run from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.

An exciting line-up of bands playing a variety of music including R&B, Country, Big Band Jazz, Solo Guitar, Bluegrass, and Classical on the Heartland Bank stage and the Community Stage. Some of the musical acts include Dwight Lennox, the Westerville Symphony, Donna Mogavero, and the Morgan After.

A silent auction, consisting of items donated by participating exhibitors, will be open for your shopping pleasure on Saturday from 1 – 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. located in the Everal Barn. The silent auction is sponsored

by Mount Carmel St. Ann’s.

For more information about the Music & Arts Festival, contact the Westerville Area Chamber at 614-882-8917, or by email at info@westervillechamber.com; visit the Chamber website at www.westervillechamber.com or the festival website at www.westervillechamber.com/ MusicArtsFestival.

The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce provides community leadership and advocacy on behalf of its members.

Comprised of over 560 individuals and businesses, the Chamber has served the business community for over 44 years.

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

For 39 years the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival has been a summer highlight for area residents. It began in 1974 with only 50 artists exhibiting their work. Today the Festival accommodates more than 130 fine artists and craftspeople from around the country with an estimated attendance of 18,000 over the weekend. A special thanks goes to the presenting sponsor of the 40th Annual Music & Arts Festival, Heartland Bank.

The Chamber monitors the quality of the festival by making it juried. It has expanded to include the: “Heritage” section where craftspeople not only display and sell their works, but dress in period costume.

The “Westerville Walkway,” which consists of civic service organizations and features emerging artists, is sponsored by KEMBA Financial Credit Union.

Another major attraction, the youth exhibit, is sponsored by Nationwide Children’s Hospital Westerville, Close to Home Center. This exhibit allows artists, ages 3-18, to get involved with a major art show and display their talents. In recognition of the ‘Year of the Arts’ in Westerville, the festival will feature an interactive youth tent that will feature Louie! author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand, hands on art activities, “Creative Fun with Recyclables” with Eric Marlow, Interactive Storytelling with Candace Mazur Darman, “Fun with Fiber” with Gail Larned and a magic show with Nate LeGros. The youth tent will be open from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.

The 2013 Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival will be held at Heritage Park and Everal Barn on Saturday, July 13 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 14 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission is $1 for adults, free for children 16 & under. Free parking within walking distance of the festival will be

45

Discover Historic Westerville An original town center since 1858, Uptown Westerville offers a unique shopping experience nested between Polaris and Easton on Route 3.

Visit our eclectic shops and restaurants and discover a piece of history.

n le Uptow Westervil ociation Ass Merchant

www.shopuptownwesterville.com facebook.com/UptownWestervilleMerchants

Chocolaterie Stam Westerville

Italian Gelato & European Chocolates | 614-898-7826 79 S. State Street | westerville@stamchocolate.com

Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau Ohio Health 4th Friday Celebration | 614-794-0401 20 W. Main Street | VisitWesterville.org

Meza Wine Shop

Your One Stop Wine Destination | 614-259-3101 48 N. State Street | mezawineshop.com

Abbey Rose

Vintage painted furniture & home decor | 614-891-6050 21 N. State Street | abbeyroseboutique.com

Java Central

A friendly and comfortable coffee house | 614-839-0698 20 S. State Street | java-central.com

Edwin Loy Home

French inspired painted furniture | 614-284-3527 46 N. State Street | edwinloyhome.com

Morgan’s Treasure

Custom Jewelry | 614-882-4401 12 W. Main Street | morganstreasure.com

A Twist On Olives

Oil and vinegar emporium | 614-823-8800 20 S. State Street, Suite K | atwistonolives.com

Amish Originals Furniture Co.

Handcrafted Amish Furniture | 614-891-6257 38 N. State Street | amishoriginals.com

Events July 12, 13 & 14 – Summer Sizzle Sale Ride the shuttle to or from the festival July 13 & 14 – Westerville Music & Arts Festival Jimmy V’s Grill & Pub

An unforgettable dining experience | 614-865-9090 1 S. State Street | jimmyvspub.com

A Gal named Cinda Lou

Mid-century modern fun! | 614-776-1409 20 N. State Street | cindalou.org

July 28 – Tapestry of a Town A walking tour of Westerville August 10 – Rock the “Ville” Year of the arts uptown activity

www.halmaxfield.com REAL ESTATE CO., INC.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EXPERTS Hal Maxfield, CCIM, SIOR

George R. Sikora, DVM

John P. Bryk, DVM

President / Managing Broker halmaxfield@earthlink.net

Commercial REALTOR® grstpsg@yahoo.com

Commercial REALTOR® jpbtpsg@yahoo.com

380 N. Main St. • Mansfield, OH 44902

Local, out-of-county, out-of-state and out-ofcountry properties

419-524-0010

DAVIS TREE & LANDSCAPING

FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES TREE TRIMMING/REMOVAL • SPRING CLEANUP MULCHING • LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION SHRUB TRIMMING • LAWN CARE & MOWING

2O4 UR

H CE SERVI

Office 419-892-2882 | Cell 419-565-1599

Element of Art Studio / Gallery is a non-profit art gallery that showcases the artistic talents of individuals with developmental disabilities affiliated with Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. Because the space doubles as a studio, the public has the opportunity to interact with the artists as they create unique artwork including but not limited to painting, photography, jewelry, and ceramics.

Element of Art

Creating Beautiful Smiles for Children, Teens and Adults

419.756.7004  conventional braces  premier invisalign provider  clear, ceramic braces

Phone: 419-522-2965 Gallery Hours: Tue-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3

s t u d i o / g a l l e r y

96 North Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44902

Supplies for beading, basket & seat weaving

GIFT CERTIFIC AT

ES AVAILABLE

     

Irish Waxed Linen Thread Mizuhiki & Embellishment Cords Beads, Threads & Wires 517 Woodville Rd. Tools & Kits Mansfield, Ohio 44907 Books & Patterns 800-526-1630 And much, much more… www.RoyalwoodLtd.com

MANSFIELD 265 Sterkel Blvd., Ste. 100 Mansfield, Ohio 44907 WOOSTER 909 Dover Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691

featheringhamortho.com JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Royalwood Ltd.

We strive to make the process of achieving a beautiful smile both pleasant and predictable.

47

In the kitchen… in the bath…

! s t n e r c e makes s Lavend You might not think growing lavender on a sixth floor balcony over the East River in Manhattan would be the beginning of a 14-acre alternative farm… but in Jody Byrne’s case it was.

A job transfer brought the city girl to Northeast Ohio. Jody works as a newsletter editor and trend forecaster for the cosmetic, salon and professional spa industries. In 1994, she found herself shopping for acreage; when a realtor showed her a farm on Frost Road in Streetsboro, she knew she had come home. She was so convinced the land was where she wanted to be that she purchased the property without ever entering the house. “Houses you can fix; land you cannot fix”, says Jody.

Once settled in Ohio, Jody’s love of lavender led her to outline her flower beds with the beautiful plants. Although they were warned that lavender doesn’t grow easily in Ohio’s wet winters, Jody and her husband, Michael Slyker, pressed on.

After doing their homework, including having the soil tested by a certified organic test agency, they set out a test bed of lavender in 2002. Today, DayBreak Lavender Farm is their passion, with more than 13 varieties of lavender and 1,500 lavender plants. The couple’s love for scents and all things organic has also

produced two boutiques that sell their selection of soaps, spa treatments, culinary treats and gift items.

Jody says one big takeaway for visitors to the farm is the knowledge of how to grow this beautiful plant.

At two o’clock each day during the season (June 5 through August 18), Michael shares his expertise on growing lavender with visitors.

“One very popular thing for visitors to do is bring a picnic to enjoy by the lake or

in the woodland; we also have five miles of trails for hikers. Some visitors time their picnics to end as Michael begins his two o’clock talk. Afterward they can walk in the lavender fields to pick bouquets.

Many end their trip with a visit to the DayBreak Boutique to taste the complimentary Lavender Buffet featuring Lavender Tea, Dark Chocolate Lavender Truffles and other treats, and shop in air conditioned comfort; it’s only four minutes away from the farm.” Jody said.

One of the biggest mistakes made by gardeners is buying annual lavender. “It’s actually Mediterranean lavender that grows well in that climate but can’t tolerate our Ohio winters. We carry at least ten varieties that love Ohio weather and they will be around for seven or eight years. We offer varieties that are used in food, oils, and for drying.” Jody said.

According to Michael there are just three hard and fast requirements to grow beautiful lavender: ■ Blazing sunlight from eight to ten hours a day.

■ Sweet alkaline soil.

■ Good drainage is a must; Lavender will die in wet conditions.

There are two basic kinds of lavender: Angustifolia (English) and Lavandin (French). English varieties tend to be shorter and darker in color, the French varieties are taller, grayer, and

have larger flower heads. The plant is easily propagated with stem cuttings; the new plant will be true to the parent plant.

For more helpful information on planting, pruning and propagation, email Jody at

soapplease1@aol.com and she will gladly send you a Lavender Planting Guide.

Whether you come for the ultimate picnic experience or just to walk the fragrant fields, a trip to DayBreak Lavender Farm is something the whole family can enjoy. It is located at 2129 Frost Road in Streetsboro, Ohio.

For more information visit www.daybreaklavenderfarm.com, www.ohiolavenderfestival.com, or send your questions by email to Michael at mlslyker1@aol.com.

As Rosemary is to the Spirit, so Lavender is to the Soul.

— Author Unknown

Keeping Score with

Jon Sanderson: Wolverine Strong What former Big Ten basketball player started for Ohio State in their 1999 Final Four appearance, and then occupied the end of the bench in Michigan’s Final Four run this past spring? You’ve likely figured out by the mere fact that you’re reading this article, it was Jon Sanderson.

That 1997 graduate of Lexington High School played his first two years of collegiate basketball for the Buckeyes and was indeed a starter on the team. They lost their semi-final game in the Final Four in St. Petersburg, Florida, and later had their appearance in the NCAA title weekend scrubbed from the record books, due to some violations committed by Head Coach Jim O’Brien.

Sanderson, who was a first team All-Ohio performer for Lexington as a senior, was a “big time” recruiting target of Div. I programs in the Midwest and chose

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Trey Burke, Jon Sanderson and Tim Hardaway Jr.

50

JULY/AUG 2013

to cast his lot with Ohio State. He came in with a class that included Michael Redd, who would later go on to an injuryshortened, but nonetheless successful, NBA career. He and Jon roomed together during their two years in Columbus.

After his sophomore year, Jon transferred to Ohio University and played another couple of seasons for the Bobcats. Actually, when he left high school he seriously considered choosing another MAC (Mid-American Conference) school, Miami of Ohio, over OSU and one of the major reasons was that he very much liked the coach who was recruiting him, Thad Matta. Yes, the current Buckeye head coach was a Miami assistant back then.

While his collegiate basketball career was not one you would describe as exceptional, Jon did very well

academically; completing his undergrad work in four years and getting a master’s degree in recreation and sports science, as well. That area of study was what led him to the career path he has followed since, teaching strength and conditioning.

He told me that, even in high school, he loved to spend time in the weight room; often with his friend and teammate, Mark Simmons who was bigger than

(Left) Wolverine players with Sanderson and son Jonathan after regional win (Above) Sanderson with wife Jennifer

“Being able to share Michigan’s run to the finals in Atlanta this past season with my wife and kids, as young as they are, will likely stick with me longer.” assistant strength coach for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Clemson University in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). During his stay there the Clemson men won 20 or more games for three straight seasons; something that had never happened before.

That must have caught the eye of someone in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and when they began looking for a replacement in the area of basketball strength and conditioning, Jon’s name was near the top of the list of those they decided to interview. He was hired on June 19, 2009. And, while it took several interviews before he was offered the job, Jon said it only took several seconds for him to open his mouth and accept.

Besides working with the men’s basketball program, Sanderson also oversees the conditioning of Michigan’s men’s and women’s golf teams. That’s a rather odd combination of athletic teams with which to work, but just as the members of the PGA spend time in the weight room, so to do the collegiate golfers.

However, make no mistake, Sanderson was not hired primarily to coach the golfers; he

is an important part of Head Basketball Coach John Beilein’s staff.

When a basketball recruit visits the Michigan campus, part of the tour includes a meeting with Coach Sanderson, who is more interested in the shoe size of the young man than he is in his shooting percentage. It’s things like the size of his feet, arm length and body type that tell a strength and conditioning coach what sort of a job he has in front of him when it comes to the young man’s physical development. There are a couple of other factors that are important to those who spend so much of their time in weight rooms; those are posture and the size of the young recruit’s parents.

Coming off his fourth season as the Wolverine men’s strength and conditioning coach, Sanderson must feel good about the work he and his staff of assistants have done. University of Michigan (UM) has made it to the NCAA post season tourney at the end of each season, and won at least 20 games in each of the last three years.

One of his projects since he came to Ann Arbor has been Trey Burke, the UM

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Sanderson. Jon was a starter for Coach Steve Gray’s club from the time he was a freshman and stood 6’4” and weighed 165 lbs. As a sophomore, through a natural growth spurt and work with the weights, Sanderson added 2” in height and 20 lbs.

As a junior, he stood 6’7” and tipped the scales at 205 lbs., and reported for his senior season at 6’7”, 220 lbs.

Not only did Jon command an imposing presence on the basketball court, he was a well-coordinated big man who could shoot a 3-pointer with the best of them. He took that skill with him to Ohio State and still ranks among the top ten 3 point shooters in the Buckeye record books.

As I mentioned, Sanderson decided to pursue a career as a coach; a strength and conditioning coach at a Div. I program.

He was fortunate to land as an intern with the University of North Carolina. He certainly didn’t take the job for the money, but the prestige of being able to include that job stop in a resume was priceless.

After two years in Chapel Hill, he moved on to Marshall University for three more seasons, and then took a job as the

JULY/AUG 2013

51

guard who was player of the year in the Big Ten and for all of college basketball this past season. Burke, like Sanderson, is an Ohioan who matriculated to the Maize and Blue in that state to the north of Ohio. When he arrived in Ann Arbor as a freshman, Burke was just a 172 pounder with a lot of quickness who had been passed over by his hometown team, OSU. He’ll leave Michigan for the NBA as 190 pounds of muscle with even more quickness. If asked, he would probably credit Jon Sanderson for a good deal of his development.

Jon Sanderson makes his home in Saline, Michigan with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Jonathan and twins, Joshua and Jillian. Since he is one of the few who have taken part in, not just March Madness, but the Final Four as both a player and a coach, I asked Jon which was the more memorable. Neither Ohio State, for whom he played in 1999, nor Michigan where he coaches were able to win it all, but he told me that, “Being able to share Michigan’s run to the finals in Atlanta this past season with my wife and kids, as young as they are, will likely stick with me longer.”

For a young man in his early thirties, Jon Sanderson has experienced a good deal of success as an athlete and a coach. The really good news is, he has decades to go in a field that is primed for growth. Besides a certified strength and conditioning specialist, Sanderson is also a certified USA weightlifting coach and a certified sports nutritionist.

That all adds up to one of the stronger and healthier former Minutemen you’ll find anywhere.

Quality Christian Education since 1961

500 Logan Road Mansfield, OH 44907 419-756-5651 www.mcsflames.org

Amazing people… Amazing school!

Assisting the Christian home and church by teaching solid academics rooted in a Biblical worldview.

Mid-Ohio’s Leader!

HOME AUTO BUSINESS LIFE HEALTH Professionalism you can count on…

Integrity you can trust.

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

www.rfmeins.com

Mike Greene, MiGreps LLC www.migreps.com

52

JULY/AUG 2013

419-524-8411 MANSFIELD 800-755-RFME (7363) TOLL FREE 419-524-3042 FAX 44 Sturges Avenue Mansfield, OH 44902

Sid

is working… no high cholesterol, no meds, no diabetes, no history of being overweight or drug or alcohol abuse. Using that stringent measuring stick, by February of 2012 the number of potential donors had plummeted from eighteen to three.

Letitia remembered, “The list was distilled down to our niece, a teacher in Florida, and a member of our church . When we determined those three were not going to work out for various reasons we found ourselves back at square one.”

Her heart heavy with the disappointing results, Letitia Miller went to Nicole’s parent teacher meeting at Mansfield Nicole and Wendy share the same Christian School. “Wendy pre-op room as they await surgery.

Killian was Nicole’s kindergarten teacher; I didn’t know her at all. was to discuss her idea with her principal, As we discussed Nicole I explained how Linda Hoeflich. “There was no hesitation hard it was to find a donor that could at all. Linda said we will support you in meet the criteria and still be at the place this and that’s exactly what they did. The in their life that this kind of sacrifice was school and the administration has been possible for them to make. Wendy behind us every step of the way. There asked what the criteria were; was a fund raiser, a prayer rally, calls and as I talked she kept saying, cards and emails. Teachers even ‘You’re describing me…. volunteered to donate their precious sick that’s me!’ I told her she days to me to cover my time off. It’s been really needed to humbling and gratifying to see everyone discuss it with her come together like this.” husband and family As she discussed the very serious before she made a decision with family, Wendy’s sister asked, decision like that. I “What happens if one of your boys needs just couldn’t believe a kidney later in life? Have you given that she could be serious, any thought?” Wendy grins as she but I was wrong.” remembers her come back, “Well sis, Wendy Killian that’s what they have YOU for!” remembers, “I felt God had Mansfield Christian School put this on my heart. I am Superintendent, Dr. Cy Smith, said, just a nobody from Anywhere, “When this came about our first thought Ohio; if God can use me he can use was how can we take care of Wendy and anyone. He gave me a peace about it and I her kids. It wasn’t necessary to put it to a knew it was the right thing to do.” vote or run it past a board; it was the right Husband Stu was completely thing to do. We believe in hiring the right supportive as were Wendy’s sons Samuel people and then getting out of their way, (14) and William (9). Wendy’s next step

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

The story of a kindergarten teacher donating a kidney to her student seemed to have its start in 2011. In fact, the journey began eight years ago when a baby girl named Nicole Miller was born with a condition known as brancio-otorenal syndrome. The condition was inherited from her Mom, Letitia, and affects the ear and/or the kidney. While Letitia suffered some hearing loss, Nicole was born with decreasing kidney function that would eventually, the doctors told the Millers, require a kidney transplant.

By February of 2011 the doctors at Rainbow Children’s Hospital told the Millers to start searching for a donor, a process experience showed would take two years to accomplish. With a precision his engineering background provided, Nicole’s father, Brian started the ball rolling.

“I have a huge data base of email addresses,” Brian said. “I sent out an email blast explaining the situation and asking for the prayers and help from everyone. Believe it or not eighteen people stepped up and said they would be willing to donate a kidney.”

Two of those donors were teammates of the Miller’s son, Nathan.

“Nathan (age 18) graduates this year, and as a varsity soccer player he made some very close friends.

Letitia said, “Two of them came forward to offer a kidney for Nicole saying, ‘If it were my little sister Nathan would be there for me’.”

The doctors had given the Millers a list of criteria the donor must meet to even begin the testing to determine if they might be a match. The potential donor must be over the age of 18 with no history of high blood pressure,

JULY/AUG 2013

53

“We named the kidney Sid. We explained to Nicole that Sid lived inside Wendy and he was going to be placed inside her to live by the doctors.

It seemed to satisfy her curiosity.”

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Nicole looks over the cards and letters from well-wishers.

and while that may be a cliché to some people, Wendy is playing that out. Our culture of belief and love provided a support system for Wendy and Nicole that was wonderful to witness.”

And so it was settled that Wendy Killian would willingly donate a kidney to Nicole Miller. Wendy talked with the transplant coordinator; the physical and psychological testing began. It was a year-long process, but by early August of 2012 she had been approved as the donor.

Timing is everything; by March of 2013 Nicole’s kidney function was dropping to dangerous levels. Having been told the surgery would be scheduled a month out, the Miller’s began to anticipate an April transplant date. Eventually April 23rd was set; but as the date approached Nicole’s hemoglobin count continued to plummet.

It was feared she might need a blood transfusion before the surgery; a complicating factor in transplant surgeries.

Wendy Killian remembered, “Nicole’s numbers continued to drop; it was a serious situation, and only two weeks from the surgery. We all asked for prayer to ‘pray those numbers up’. I believed God had held this child in his hands for eight years… two more weeks would be nothing for Him.” The transfusion proved to be unnecessary; the two weeks passed quickly for the Millers and the Killians.

Explaining organ transplantation to anyone is difficult; for an eight year old it requires particular finesse. “We named the kidney Sid,” Letitia chuckled. “We explained to Nicole that Sid lived inside Wendy and he was going to be placed inside her to live by the doctors. It seemed

54

JULY/AUG 2013

Four weeks to the day after the surgery, (left to right) Caleb, Nicole and Katelynn enjoy a warm day in the back yard at home.

to satisfy her curiosity. When she eats something she’ll say, ‘Will this be good for Sid?’ Last night we were barbecuing something and, sniffing the air, she said, ‘What does Sid smell, Daddy?’”.

Meeting Wendy Killian and the Miller family one month to the day after surgery, I was amazed at their recovery. Although she was tired, Wendy had spent the day cleaning a camper for a family outing over the upcoming weekend; Nicole romped and played on a huge enclosed trampoline with her brother Caleb (age 5) and sister Katelynn (age 3). It seems you can’t keep a good eight year old, or a good donor, down.

Watching the children from the dining room window Letitia Miller quietly spoke about looking at some videos she had taken of her family. “I was struck by the fact that Nicole wasn’t in any of the shots playing with her brother and sister. As I panned the camera around the room Nicole could be found lying on the couch in every film. It didn’t seem odd till now; that was our normal then.”

One thing everyone concerned agrees upon is that they went into this with no thought of the media storm they would all experience. “Everyone said I should call the newspaper because it was a touching story. My only thought was that it was going to make a good scrap book page, but I left an ‘I don’t know if you’d be interested, but’ voicemail at the Mansfield News Journal. A reporter called right back; once that story hit the paper the flood gates opened. Fox 8 News, CNN, the Brian Williams Show; I think every news organization in the world called the school and our house!” The Millers turned down

media requests that required the family to travel, and a recent request from CBS was declined because it interfered with their son Nathan’s prom night.

When the story appeared on yahoo. com it got 400,000 hits the first day. Dr. Cy Smith said Mansfield Christian School received 50,000 hits on their Facebook page when they posted a picture of Wendy and Nicole in the same post-surgery suite, and over 10,000 hits on the school website.

Brian Miller’s blog, standintheway. blogspot.com, became a source of information and inspiration for readers and reporters as things progressed.

“We didn’t go into this with the thought of any publicity; I guess we were naive,” says Wendy Killian. “Now I’m just happy to be getting back to normal; I’m ready to just be ‘mommy’ again.”

Brian Miller says, “From start to finish this went along as if it had been planned out. Everything moved along just as it should, even the timing of the surgery to give both Wendy and Nicole the summer to regain their strength and heal. The amazing fact that this wonderful woman, Wendy Killian, came into our lives and was a match, the fact that the kidney started to work while Nicole was still on the table… .all of that is an amazing testament to God’s goodness.”

Wendy Killian brushes off any suggestion that she is a hero. “I did what I thought was right. This whole thing is proof that God is alive and working in our lives every day. Nicole and I have a bond because of this. We didn’t have an appointment for surgery… we had an appointment for a miracle.” DC

everyday Levi Licata & Team Focus Growing Together – Man to Man the picture. His mother was into some “not so healthy” activities so Levi and his siblings, a brother and sister, moved in with their grandparents. Not long after that move, their grandfather died. Levi, the oldest, was 6.

Unable to care for the three children, their grandmother sent them here to Ohio to live with an aunt and uncle in Jeromesville in Ashland County. Not long after the kids arrived the couple divorced and the aunt left the area. While the uncle retained custody, Levi became the real male presence to his siblings while he was pretty much on his own.

Fortunately for Levi, he was introduced to an organization called Team Focus. Founded by former football coach and ESPN analyst, Mike Gottfried Levi with Sue and Rocky Alt

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

One of my favorite TV commercials of the past year has a dad playing catch with his son in the front yard of their home.

The son tosses the ball to dad in a rather awkward fashion. It sails well beyond the father’s reach and he has to chase it near the family car, which happens to be the model which is the featured product of the ad. I don’t want to name the make of the automobile since they haven’t purchased an advertisement in Heart of Ohio. I’ll simply give you the initials; VW. Now back to the commercial. The dad retrieves the ball and as he gets ready to toss the baseball back to junior, he shouts encouragement to the young man saying something like “that’s the way to go, good job. Just throw it from your ear”.

At that point the father unleashes one of the more “girlymon” (to quote Hans and Franz of Saturday Night Live fame) throws that takes three bounces before it even gets to the little guy. Believe me; Betty White at age 90 could do better.

Each time I see that ad, I chuckle and recall some of the best times I spent with my Dad; playing catch in the front yard. It may not sound like a lot but that memory is probably one of the reasons that I pursued a 30 year career covering ball games of all kinds. I also remembered those times as I was interviewing Levi Licata for this Milliron Everyday Heroes’ piece.

Levi is the product of a fatherless childhood whose life has been filled with challenges that would test the resilience of even the strongest adult. Born in Denver, Colorado; his father was never in

in 2001 and headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, their vision will tell you why Levi was an ideal candidate. That vision reads, “Young men without a father figure in their lives will be provided with role models and positive influences that will bridge the father gap and help develop them as leaders to become a positive influence in the world and support them in achieving the ultimate - walking in the destiny God has planned for them”.

Levi was in junior high when he began his journey with Team Focus.

Recommended for the program by teacher, Sharon Jeffries, Team Focus works with boys between the ages of 10 and 18. Levi told me that he was mainly interested in sports at the time and knew that they played a lot of basketball at Team Focus summer camps, so, “Why not give it a try?” He soon learned that it was much more than sports. Those who attended experienced classes in leadership and teamwork and religion.

They were taught what, to many of us, would seem like the simplest things; for instance how to treat the opposite sex with respect, right down to how to pull a chair out and seat their moms, sisters, girlfriends or wives at a dinner table.

They also learned how to communicate with each other as well as with the media should they suddenly have a microphone thrust in their face after a particularly intense high school

JULY/AUG 2013

55

Levi with Team Focus members

basketball or football game in which they made an important contribution. These are real world experiences that are presented to the boys and young men that might well have been passed on had they had that male presence in their formative years.

For Levi, the most significant male to come out of his Team Focus years has been Rocky Alt who has served as the Director of the Ohio Region since it began about a dozen years ago. Rocky, and his wife Sue, have been at Levi’s side to offer comfort and advice ever since he started with the organization as a junior high student in the

Hillsdale district, near Ashland, Ohio. His story is similar to those of the over 3500 youngsters who have participated in Team Focus programs, free of charge, since it all began in 2001.

In all there are 9 Team Focus regions around the country with Ohio being a charter member. The other regions are spread out from Jacksonville on the Florida coast to Las Vegas. In the early years, the program received substantial financial support from GMAC. They are no longer around and due to that for Team Focus, like so many other groups of a similar nature,

funding is always a challenge. For that reason Mike Gottfried spends a lot of his days criss-crossing the country, telling the Team Focus story in the hopes of maintaining this unique organization.

As for Levi Licata, his is a Team Focus success story. He just finished up his freshman year at Capital University in Columbus where he’s doing well with his studies and is also a 6’4” member of the Crusaders basketball team. Too many Levi is a hero, but if you ask him, the real heroes are those men from Team Focus who have taken the time to teach him about life. MG

Milliron Industries and Heart of Ohio magazine understand that we all know heroes. They are the people who have displayed courage or leadership in an effort to benefit others. We need your help to tell their stories by introducing your hero to the readers of Heart of Ohio magazine. The nominees for “Everyday Heroes” are a person or group of people who have shown their selflessness in one or more of the following ways: (1) Led the way to correcting a hardship or injustice; (2) Overcome adversity and by example has helped others do the same; (3) Served the country and/or community above and beyond normal expectations. Nominees must live in the heart of Ohio and be willing to have their story and picture in the magazine, on the website, and in the offices of Milliron Industries.

www.heartofohiomagazine.com 56

Rocky Alt, Levi and Team Focus mentor

Email your story to: editor@heartofohiomagazine.com or send to: Heart of Ohio magazine P.O. Box 1406 Mansfield, Ohio 44901 JULY/AUG 2013

Compliments to the Chef Todd Wallace

Executive Chef, Rosa & Rocco’s Italian Kitchen & Steakhouse — Marion Chef Todd Wallace has been working in the restaurant business for more than 25 years.

The Lexington High School graduate pursued Culinary and Food Service Management degrees from Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, SC. After studying under a number of top Charleston chefs, Todd moved to Columbus, Ohio where he worked for Cameron Mitchell and several Columbus Dispatch “Top Ten” independent restaurants.

Todd is currently Chef of Rosa & Rocco’s in Marion, Ohio; a restaurant that features top quality steaks and seafood along with traditional Italian dishes. Chef Todd feels the key to anyone’s heart is through food, and Italian food is all about flavor and family. Describing himself as “not one ounce Italian”, Todd’s favorite foods to cook are traditional Italian dishes such as lasagna and Alfred. He says, “Italian cooking is creative and you can do so much with it.”

Currently the Chef, his wife and two children live in Mansfield. He is looking forward to the expansion into the New Albany market, with another traditional Italian, upscale, casual, Manhattan steak house inspired Rosa and Rocco’s. “It will have the same family-inspired Italian dishes and the steaks and seafood we’re famous for,” he said. DC

Tips from th e

Chef

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

1. Always watch your Mom and G family is alw randmother ays the bes in the kitch t way to lea en! Learnin rn. g to cook fro 2. Don’t be m afraid to use fresh herbs with garlic and garlic in the sweeter dishes. The the garlic b more you co ecomes. ok down a d 3. When m ish aking toma to sauce ad sauce delic d a little sug iously diges ar to counte tible. ract the acid ; it makes th e

57

&

RESTAURANTS Heart of Ohio is proud to feature some of Ohio’s great local eateries. Use the key below to find the perfect place to go for your night out or lunch on the go.

EATERIES

B

Breakfast

Outdoor Seating

Br

Brunch

Family-Friendly

L

Lunch

Reservations

D

Dinner

Happy Hour

TO

Takeout

Wheelchair Accessible

Wifi

Find us on Facebook

Average dinner entrée price $ $10 or less $$ $11-$20 $$$ $21-$30 $$$$ $31 or more

The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge 116 S Main St, Mt Vernon 740.392.3076 www.alcoverestaurant.com Dining M-Th 11:30-9, F-Sa 11:30-9:30 Lounge 11:30-10, F-Sa 11:30-11 TO D L

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Lunch & dinner specials, private banquet rooms and catering services. $$

58

Athens Greek Restaurants 41 N Main St, Mansfield 419.524.5620 M-Sa 11-8 41 S Lex-Springmill Rd, Ontario M-Sa 11-9 TO D L Best gyros outside New York. Closed Sundays & major holidays. $ Broken Rocks Cafe & Bakery 123 E Liberty St, Wooster 330.263.2949 www.brokenrockscafe.com M-Th 9-9, F-Sa 9-10 JULY/AUG 2013

TO D B L Casual dining, full bar. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner $$

Bromfield’s at Mohican State Park Lodge 1098 CR 3006, Perrysville 419.938.5411 www.mohicanstateparklodge.com M-Su Breakfast 8-10:30, Lunch 11-2, Dinner 5-8 TO B L D Open Daily. Full-service lounge, banquet spaces and catering available. $$ Brown Derby Roadhouse 3985 Park Ave W, Ontario 419.529.2959 www.brownderbyontario.com M-Th 4-10:30, F 3-11:30, Sa 12-11:30, Su 11:30-9 TO D Wood-fired steaks in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Full bar. $$

R E S TA U R A N T & H I S T O R I C W I N E RY

Mon Ami offers a wonderful dining experience. The menu features exquisite creations from our executive chef. Stop in for our famous Seafood Buffet on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Our banquet facility provides a creative menu and professional service to make your special function spectacular.

3845 East Wine Cellar Rd | Port Clinton, Ohio 419.797.4445 | MonAmiWinery.com Visit us online for restaurant hours & specials

Carmie’s Grill & Bar 2460 S. SR 231, Tiffin 419.448.7699 www.tiffincamdenfalls.com M-Sa 11-10, Su 11-9, Bar F-Sa til 12am TO D L Family atmosphere & we’re grillin’ and chillin’. $ City Grille & Bar 37 E 4th St, Mansfield 419.709.9199 www.citygrilleandbar.com T-W 11-11, Th-F 11-1am, Sa 3-1am TO D L American cuisine. Family-friendly, casual full-service restaurant & bar. $ Coolridge Golf Course Diner 591 Vonhoff Blvd, Mansfield 419.521.5159 M-Sa 6-7, Su 6-2 TO D B L

Home-cooked meals, friendly atmosphere. Prime Rib Friday 4-7.

Daily Specials. $

Der Dutchman 720 St Rt 97 W, Bellville 419.886.7070 www.derdutchman.com M-Sa 7-8, Closed Sunday TO Br D B L

Amish kitchen cooking. Formerly Troyer’s Dutch Heritage. $

The table is set…

Doc’s Deli 424 Glessner Ave, Mansfield 419.521.5159 www.docsdelimansfield.com M-F 10:30-6, Sa 10:30-3 TO D L

“The Cure for the Common Sandwich.” Casual Catering, Business Delivery $ Ed Pickens’ Café on Main 28 N Main St, Mansfield 419.522.7699 www.cafeonmain.net M-F 8-3 TO Br L

…the only thing missing is you.

2 LOCATIONS 160 McMahan Blvd.

Marion, Ohio 43302 740.751.4006

Excellent food and service for groups of 1 to 600. $

www.rosaroccos.com 5525 New Albany Rd. W New Albany, OH 43054 614.741.7151

LOCATED AT

The Brown Derby Road House

Our Professional Staff will create the Perfect Event!

Complete Catering and Banquet Service from 25 to 1,500 guests.  Wedding Receptions  Rehearsal Parties  Bridal Showers  Creative Customized Menus  On & Off Premise Catering  Special Events INNER W 2012

RE

AD

of

o

Mid Ohi

ERS

’ CHOICE

P

OL

Thanks for e Best Voting us th

3 years in a

419-529-2959 3985 Park Ave. West, Ontario | Email: staff@ontarioeventcenter.com For more information visit our website www.ontarioeventcenter.com

row!

Look for us at Bridal Shows!

JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

the Best L

Your Every Event Caterer

59

THE KENYON INN AND RESTAURANT

to Add a delicious twist your special event!

Redefining living and learning in the countryside

s

837 Lexington Ave. Mansfield 419.525.2868

• Wedding Reception • Bridal Showers • Special Occasions

www.eatmorbundt.com

Bring Your Party Downtown

cafeonmain.net 419-522-7699 Empress Express 1041 Park Ave W, Mansfield 419.524.4200 M-Sa 11-9 TO D L

The Mill Street Bistro Bar 21 Mill St, Norwalk 419.663.3663 www.millstreetbistrobar.com D

Our food is fresh, made to order.

Limited delivery. $

Our own farm-raised elk, buffalo and beef. And local produce. $$

Hanover House Diner 153 W Main St, Loudonville 419.994.0330 www.hanoverhousediner.com Tu-W 11-3, Th-Sat 11-7, Su 11-3 TO D L

Mon Ami 3845 E Wine Cellar Rd, Port Clinton 419.797.4445 www.monamiwinery.com Dinner M-W 4-close Lunch Th-Sa 11:30-close, Su 10:30 Brunch Su 10:30-2 TO Br D L

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Casual dining featuring homestyle cooking. Daily specials, homemade soups & desserts. $

60

The Kobacker Room

The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant 100 W Wiggin St, Gambier 740.427.2202 www.kenyoninn.com Breakfast M-F 7-9:30, Sa 8-10 Brunch Su 9-2, Lunch M-Sa 11-2 Dinner Su-Th 5-8:30, F-Sa 5-9 TO Br D B L

The finest lodging & dining with room for special occasions $$ JULY/AUG 2013

Exquisite creations from our executive chef. Banquet facility.

Historic winery. $$ Oak Park Tavern 2919 St Rt 430 E, Mansfield 419.589.2637 www.oakparktavern.com Tu-F 11-10, Sa 3-10, Su 3-9 TO D L Enjoy fine dining in a casual atmosphere. $$

100 W. Wiggin St. | Gambier, OH 740-427-2202 | kenyoninn.com

Ontario Event Center 3985 Park Ave W, Ontario 419.529.2959 www.ontarioeventcenter.com TO Br D B L

Spearman’s Restaurant 26155 Coshocton Rd, Millwood 740.599.7617 M-Sa 7-7:45 Su 8-7:45 TO D B L

Full-service banquet and catering facility for 25-1500 guests. $$

Daily Breakfast, lunch, dinner specials over 60 years!

Homemade pies. $

Rosa & Rocco’s 160 McMahan Blvd, Marion 740.751.4006 5525 New Albany Rd W, New Albany, 614.741.7151 www.rosaroccos.com M-Su 11-close TO D L

Steve’s Dakota Grill 3101 Park Ave W, Ontario 419.529.9064 www.stevesdakotagrill.com M-Th 4-10, F 4-11, Sa 12-11, Su 11-8 TO D L

Italian Kitchen & Steakhouse $$

Steaks cut fresh daily. Fresh seafood, pasta & chicken dishes. $$

Slick’z Drive-In 228 Lexington Ave, Mansfield 419.522.FOOD www.slickz.com M-Su 7-2 TO D L

TJ’s Restaurant 359 W Liberty St, Wooster 330.264.6263 www.tjsrestaurants.com M-F 11-9:30, Sa 4:30-9:30 TO D L

Meals are made to order.

Specialty burgerz to fresh-cut fries. $

Steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta, daily specials in a relaxed atmosphere. $$

Southside Diner 620 S Main St, Mt Vernon 740.392.1282 M-Sa 5:45-8, Su 7-3 TO D B L

V&M Restaurant 104 Main St, Bellville 419.886.3569 www.vandmrestaurant.com TO D B L

Enjoy 50s / 60s atmosphere.

Breakfast served all day!

Homemade pies. $

Great home-cooked food at pleasant prices, served with a smile. $

Be a part of the next

RESTAURANTS sales@heartofohiomagazine.com

419.524.2127

& EATERIES

FOUNDATION ACADEMY OF MANSFIELD 1050 Wyandotte Ave. | Mansfield, Ohio

FOUNDATION ACADEMY was established in 2007 and is one of 12 such institutions in Ohio operated by Mosaica Education, Incorporated. The academic and arts infused curriculum immerses students in the visual and performing arts. Cutting edge technology introduces students to learning in ways that bring subjects and creativity alive!

CENTRAL OHIO FENCING SERVICES Specialists in Fencing for 40+ Years

The Foundation Academy is a public charter school open to anyone in grades KDG through 10, living in Richland County. There is no tuition to attend but space is limited.

You can contact us online at www.foundationacad.org or by calling 419.526.9540. Feel free to stop by for a tour.

Let us keep you active!

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL

“You can trust our people and our products to provide you with the best home health care possible.”

516 Marion Ave. | Mansfield, OH 44903

• • • • • • •

Vinyl Fencing & Railing West Virginia Mountain Rail Kentucky Horse Fence Chain Link Ornamental Iron & Aluminum 3/4" Treated & Cedar (picket & privacy) Automatic Gate Entry Systems

- Ary VanHarlingen President of Shaw Ott Medical Lift Chair

419.526.4638 Scooter

centralohiofencingservices.com

270 Lexington Avenue | Mansfield, Ohio 44907 Phone: 419-524-4388 | Fax: 419-525-2354 Toll Free: 877-742-9688 JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Call today for a quote!

61

! t o h s t s e b r Give us you

ncy and eir friends, Cla th d an t el B a vi hen Larry and Syl io with them w h O of rt ea H took vern.

Carol Lauthers, cky’s Boones Ta tu en K , ea er B they visited

Karin Turkowski took Heart of Ohio with her to Green Valley, Arizona.

Mansfield friends took us along to Negril, Jama ica: Jim and Dawn Thorto n, Cassie and Larry M on ia, Jeff and Teresa Burk hart, Jeff and Laura M onica, Steve and Jennifer Tetr ick.

Wymer took ers Dawn and Jeff ld ie sf an M er rm untry.

Fo California wine co a, om on S e th to Pairings

Former Brae Burn Rd. neighbors reunited in Vero Beach, Florida at the winter home of Mansfielders Don and Sharon Granter.

Pictured are Don Granter, Diane Detrich, Paula Brunn, Carrie Lenehan and Sharon Granter.

Joe Nagy took Norwalk resident . e beach in Cancun Heart of Ohio to th

Whether you’re vacationing, exploring or just relaxing with a cup of coffee, we would love to see you enjoying your copy of Heart of Ohio magazine. Submit your photo, and you just might see yourself in a future issue!

Send your photo to: editor@heartofohiomagazine.com

Eileen Schraedly, Ka rol Cummings and Molly Cummings to ok us laong to San dia Mountain in Albuq uerque, New Mexic o.

Mansfielders Jessie and Dave Petska brought their favorite magazine to the beach at Siesta Key.

Experiencing obstacles in your life?

Imagine an opportunity to change…

New Way Counseling LLC

Individual, Family, Group Counseling with a Spiritual Influence

OVER 200

CYNTHIA M. ROBY MEd., LPCC-S, NCC

National board certified | Licensed professional clinical counselor 785 LEXINGTON AVE., SUITE 200 | 419.566.4505

USED VEHICLES 1493 Park Ave. West | Mansfield 419.529.4000 | 800.762.8824

newwaycounseling.com

By appointment. Cash, insurance, credit/debit cards accepted.

mmgauto.com

The Last Roof You’ll Ever Buy! Steel Shakes & Slate

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

• • • • • • •

64

All Metal Roofing is NOT Alike • Ask to see the metal AND paint finish warranties (some metal roofing is only warranted for 10 years on edge rust & 20 years for the metal).

LIFETIME metal warranty 40 year paint warranty – 25 rich colors Reduces energy costs Adds resale value Resists hail damage 100% recyclable 28-gauge, double-galvanized steel

• Ask to see roofs installed at least 5 years ago.

Hundreds of metal roofs installed since 2001

• Ask about exposed fasteners (they may rust in a few years).

Over 35 years’ experience in exterior metal installation

Owned & operated by the Miller Family since 1964

800-589-4905 • 330-695-4905 www.MillerCustomExteriors.com SEAMLESS STEEL SIDING & GUTTERS JULY/AUG 2013

|

SUNROOMS

|

LEAF PROTECTION

|

WINDOWS & DOORS

MONEY MATTERS

Keeping Your Business Alive

by Charles P. Hahn, CFP® in conjunction with Lincoln Financial Advisors, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor

Do You Have the Right Agreement?

A buy-sell agreement outlines how business ownership will change

hands and how the transfer will be paid for in case of a co-owner’s death, disability, or retirement. Generally, the agreement provides for the purchase of the departing business owner’s interest by the surviving co-owners or the company itself.

A buy-sell agreement may be a cross-purchase arrangement or a stock-redemption arrangement. With a cross-purchase agreement, the owners agree among themselves to buy a deceased owner’s interest. A stockredemption agreement is an agreement between a corporation and its shareholders under which the corporation redeems stock in the event of a shareholder’s death. Life insurance can be used to fund both.

Cross-purchase agreements have several advantages. For example, the surviving owners receive a “stepped up” income-tax basis in the stock bought from the deceased’s estate, which can reduce capital gains taxes if they later sell the stock. Additionally, the insurance proceeds from a policy used to fund a cross-purchase agreement aren’t subject

to the corporate alternative minimum tax. Nor are they subject to the claims of corporate creditors.

On the minus side, cross-purchase agreements can be hard to administer, particularly when the business has numerous owners. For instance, since the owners carry insurance policies on each of their fellow owners, absent other planning, 30 separate insurance policies would be needed for a business with six owners.

Stock redemption agreements can be a better choice when a corporation has multiple owners, some of the owners are considerably older or younger than the others, the size of the ownership interests vary significantly, or the corporation is in a lower tax bracket than the owners. Despite the clear advantages, stock redemption plans have a couple of drawbacks. First, the life insurance proceeds received by the corporation may be subject to the corporate AMT. (Certain small corporations aren’t subject to AMT.) Second, the surviving shareholders do not get the benefit of an increase in the

where caring is key

TEAMRick & Karen RIEGEL Rick Riegel

“SELL”: (419) 565-7541 RickRiegel@haringrealty.com

Karen Riegel, SRES®

“SELL”: (419) 565-8999 KarenRiegel@haringrealty.com

1180 L e xington Ave nue • M ans fie ld • Ohio • 4490 7 JULY/AUG 2013

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

You may have heard the grim statistics. Although family businesses comprise more than 90% of all U.S. companies and employ more than 60% of American workers, only 3% of these businesses survive to the fourth generation.** You also know the dangers of not planning ahead for the transfer of your business at your death or when you retire.

■ The IRS may value your business at much more than you think it’s worth, making your estate potentially liable for a hefty estate tax.

■ Your estate may have little or no cash to pay the estate tax, forcing your family to sell the business.

■ If you own a partnership interest, your partners will have to hire someone to replace you, possibly at a higher salary since you were building equity.

■ The partnership may experience a financial lag while the new person is learning the ropes.

■ The family member you want to take over your business may not be ready to do so.

■ Your fellow shareholders may be uncomfortable with the idea of a family member replacing you.

■ Your family may wish to sell your share of the business to your co-owners, but the co-owners may not have enough money to buy it outright.

You’re not worried, though. You’ve prepared for these possibilities with a business buy-sell agreement. But are you really prepared?

65

income-tax basis of their shares when the corporation redeems the stock.

www.heartofohiomagazine.com

Have You Avoided These Common Mistakes?

66

When you create a buy-sell agreement, you have to give careful consideration to how the contract fits your and other owners’ particular needs now and in the future.

One common mistake business owners make is not adequately funding their buy-sell agreements. For example, if two partners each own half of a business and agree to buy the other out in the event of death or incapacity, how will the remaining owner finance the purchase of the other half of the business? Most agreements use insurance as the funding vehicle. But business owners can get tripped up if the business increases in value and their insurance arrangements don’t keep pace with the increase.

Another mistake is not considering the possibility of an owner becoming disabled or divorcing. In the event of divorce, for example, an ex-spouse could end up as an unwanted partner. Other easy-to-overlook events that could adversely affect your business include the departure of a minority owner and the personal bankruptcy of one owner. When you structure your agreement, you should consider all the events that could cause an ownership change.

Perhaps the biggest mistake business owners make with their buy-sell agreements, though, is not keeping their business valuation up to date. Unless you have your business revalued regularly, the buyout amount in your agreement may quickly become outdated, leaving the business vulnerable to serious disputes should a buyout become necessary.

These are just some of the factors to consider when developing a business succession plan to keep your business alive for future generations. A professional financial advisor can help you identify the various issues and considerations that specifically affect your business and determine what type of buy-sell agreement and other planning strategies make the most sense for you. **Source: Facts on Family Business in the U.S., from the Family Firm Institute, ffi.org JULY/AUG 2013

We do closings anytime and anywhere.

Real Estate Closings with Friendly Professional Service | 419 525-4600 TOLL FREE | 800 525-2021 MANSFIELD OFFICE

Corner of Mulberry and Third St. in Mansfield

| 800 219-4183 GALION OFFICE | 800 468-4811 SANDUSKY OFFICE | 888 309-4811 WOOSTER OFFICE

www.southerntitleofmansfieldohio.com



Print, Copy, Scan



Mobile Printing Solutions



Remote Network Monitoring



Data Backup and Security



Unmatched Local Service

Office Technology that meets the needs of 1150 National Parkway Mansfield, Ohio www.mtbt.com 419-529-6100 • 800-233-2938

Today and the demands of Tomorrow

E M P O R I U M Crowe’s Shoes

Area leader in fitting feet properly for 75 years 56 N. Main St., Mansfield 419-522-2431 or 419-522-1005 Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm, Fri ’til 6pm

JOHN'S HOBBY SHOP

Podiatrist Recommended/Specializing in sizes & widths Hush Puppies, Sebago, Drew, Birkenstock, New Balance, San Antonio Shoes, Rockport, Ros Hommerson, Naturalizer, Florsheim, Trottero, Bella-Vita, Dunham

Free Gift Wrapping • Vera Bradley • Jewelry • Boutique • Kids & Baby • Home Décor • A. I. Root Candles • Crossroads Candles • Heritage Lace • Willow Tree • OSU Items • Gift Cards Available

On the Square – Established 1977 15 N. Main St., Mansfield 419-526-4426 www.johnshobbyshopohio.com Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Fri ’til 6:30pm Lionel Factory Trained Authorized Service Station Come for your complete hobby supplies. We’re known for our service and product knowledge.

Carlisle Gifts

For Friends & Home 720 State Route 97W, Bellville 419-886-7080 www.carlislegifts.com Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 8:30am-8pm

John’s Hobby Shop, Inc.

Tara,s Floral Expressions

TARA’S

FLORAL EXPRESSIONS

On the Creative Edge 1235 Park Ave. W., Mansfield 419-529-0600 www.tarasfloral.com Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm, Sat 8:30am-1pm Complete Floral Services • Fresh Flowers • Fruit & Gourmet Baskets • Plants & Planters • Gift Certificates Available

Planktown Country Market, LLC

Bridal & Formal Wear by B. LLC

Large Selection of Bulk Foods, Groceries, Party Trays Available • Over 100 Kinds of Deli Meats & Over 100 Kinds of Cheeses with Everyday Low Prices

Bridal Gowns • Complete Tux Packages • Bridesmaids & Flower Girls • Special Occasion Dresses • Gift Cards Available

1921 Free Rd., Shiloh 419-896-3525 Mon-Thu 8am-5pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Closed Sunday

564 N. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Mansfield 419-529-2009 www.bridalandformalwearbyb.net Mon, Wed, Thu 11am-8pm, Tue, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm

Alright Pest Solutions

My Grandmother’s House

Termites • Ants • Spiders • Stinging Insects • Cockroaches • Fleas • Bed Bugs • Mice/Rats • and many others

Your one stop shop for all your antiquing needs. We have hundreds of high quality antiques and jewelry and much more.

Miracle-Ear

MiGreps LLC

Roger Perri • Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Science

• Media • Business Networking • Project Consulting

Sleep tight after calling Alright 419.566.5897 deadbugs73@aol.com www.alrightpestsolutions.com

What will your miracle sound like?

2147 Stumbo Rd., Mansfield 419-529-4474 www.miracle-ear-mansfield.com Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Antiques and More 827 Lexington Ave., Mansfield 419-524-4700 www.mygrandmothershouseantiques.com Tue-Sat 10am-5pm

Mike Greene Reps P.O. Box 3822, Mansfield 567.247.4736 cell 419.565.1249 www.migreps.com

THE LAST WORD Congratulations to Tom Hofacre & Tami Shuck.

Our creative team of Tom Hofacre and Tami Shuck has done it again. Last month we received our second national award for magazine design. Our first issue of Pairings was recently awarded the American Printing Award from Graphic Design USA. In 2012 we were granted that same award for our spring 2011 issue of Heart of Ohio magazine.

The success of a community magazine is predicated on talented writers, great photography, and people like you who share their stories, photos and ideas. As we reach across Ohio for these stories, I am reminded of a time when Coke taught us to “sing in prefect harmony” and when we held “hands across America”. In those moments, we felt a sense of community connectedness. Living in Ohio, with its abundance of beauty, history and inspirational stories, our connections seem limitless. Do you have a story to share? Contact me at diane@heartofohiomagazine.com.

Heart of Ohio magazine is sold throughout Ohio in Barnes & Noble, Akron/Canton Airport, Kroger, Meijer, Giant Eagle, Fisher, ACME, Hawkins, Buehler’s and many other retail locations. You can also read us online www.heartofohiomagazine.com.

Diane Brown, Publisher

Put your logo on anything.

ONE YEAR (6 +2 issues)

18

$

Well, ALMOST anything.

Now 8 issues!

6 issues of Heart of Ohio plus 2 bonus issues of Pairings, our new wine publication! scan this QR code with your smartphone

To have Heart of Ohio magazine and Pairings mailed directly to your home or office, subscribe online at www.heartofohiomagazine.com or call the circulation office during business hours: 419.524.2127

Promotional items are a great way to tell the world about your business. We can supply virtually any item from can coolers to coffee cups with your logo imprinted. Let our friendly Customer Service Representatives help you pick the right items to enhance your image and promote your business. Having your business or company name imprinted on promotional items is an outstanding way to promote your message.

www.sungraphicsinc.com 41 Longview Ave. E Mansfield, Ohio 419.524.6277

Family owned and operated since 1953.

SERVICE CENTER Our experience and training make the difference!

FREE

 ASE Certified Master Technicians  Over 98% customer satisfaction rating

You’re Driving Home Our Reputation!     

Safety Inspect ion with any servic e

Shuttle Ride Home or to Work Pick-Up and Delivery of Vehicle to be Serviced Professional Diagnostic Equipment Preventative Maintenance High Quality Services and Repairs Including: Air Conditioning & Heating, Batteries & Electrical Systems, Braking Systems, Diagnostics, Engine Repair & Replacement, Oil Changes, Suspension & Alignments, Tire Sales & Services, Transmission Service & Replacement and much more!

595 Fifth Avenue • Mansfield, Ohio 44905 419-524-1350 • Fax: 419-524-8855

HOURS: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 5:30pm

Request estimates and appointments online at www.bakerscollision.com

Life is complicated…

Choosing a cleaning company shouldn’t be.

Commerical Janitorial Service | Fire & Water Restoration | Storm Damage | Construction Clean Up Window Cleaning | Pressure Washing | Carpet Cleaning | Tenant Move Out | Special Events

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY!

Quest Cleaning & Disaster Services 419.775.4760 | www.TheQuestClean.com | info@TheQuestClean.com

AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

FREE ESTIMATES