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April/May 2012 5 Calendar 7 News and Information from the City of Pickerington 9 News and Information from Violet Township 12
faces Reign of Choir Central’s long-tenured vocal music director still going strong
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in focus Electronic Exhibition PLSD Art Scene showcases students’ work in online gallery
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on the table Feel the Heat Inferno Gourmet Burgers rocks its way into Pickerington
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bookmarks Educational Reads Recommendations from the Pickerington Public Library
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Read more online at www.pickeringtonmagazine.com!
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Welcoming New Patients
pickerington Magazine 781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202 Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241
www.cityscenecolumbus.com Charles L. Stein
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Kathleen K. Gill
President/Publisher
Dave Prosser Christa Smothers Garth Bishop
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Diley Ridge Medical Office Building
7901 Diley Road, Suite 120 Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
Call (614) 829-6138 to schedule an appointment.
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The Publisher welcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings, photographs or story ideas to consider for possible publication. Enclose a SASE with each submission or email gbishop@pubgroupltd.com. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage. The appearance of advertising in Pickerington Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Pickerington. Pickerington Magazine is published in June, August, October, December, February and April. Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Pickerington, Ohio. For advertising information or bulk purchases, email Molly Pensyl at mpensyl@pubgroupltd.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Pickerington Magazine is a registered trademark of The Publishing Group Ltd. Printed in the U.S.A.
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community calendar Mark your calendar for these community events
APRIL 2012 April 2-7 Olde Village Food Drive Olde Pickerington Village, 30 W. Columbus St., 614-834-9720 The Olde Pickerington Village Business Association will collect food and monetary donations to help restock the shelves of the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington.
April 3-26 Storytime with Miss Karen 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1738 Hill Rd. N., www.barnesandnoble.com Children can enjoy stories, crafts and coloring at this event each Tuesday and Thursday.
April 6-7 Star Family Circus 7 p.m. Friday, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., 941-735-1345
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Join the Star family for a night of fantastic feats, including balancing acts, acrobatics and animal shows.
April 7 Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum Reopening 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com The museum will reopen to the public for the 2012 season.
April 7 Breakfast with the Bunny 9-11 a.m., Pickerington Central High School, 300 Opportunity Way, www.ci.pickerington.oh.us Breakfast, games, crafts and photo opportunities are all part of this annual Easter celebration. Tickets must be purchased at the Pickerington
Recreation Department, 100 Lockville Rd., by April 5. Proceeds benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital TWIG #165.
See more than 100 llamas compete for conformation in this unique event, also featuring obstacles and showmanship class.
April 14
April 21
Violet Township Women’s League Style Show 11 a.m., Berwick Manor House, 3250 Refugee Rd., Columbus, www.vtwl.jigsy.com This annual luncheon and style show raises money for scholarships for Pickerington graduates. Fashions are provided by Fashion Bug and will be modeled by Women’s League members.
Walk for Multiple Sclerosis 9 a.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., www.fairfieldcountyfair.com The National MS Society’s annual walk raises awareness and money to fight multiple sclerosis. Registration for the three-mile walk opens at 8 a.m.
April 21 Fairfield County Spring Llama Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., 740-536-9385
April 26-29 Spring Book Sale Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org
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community calendar May 4 Olde Village Chocolate Hop 6-8:30 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, 30 W. Columbus St. Enjoy chocolate treats from participating members of the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association.
May 4-13 Pickerington Community Theatre presents You Can’t Take It with You Pickerington Community Theatre, 575 Diley Rd., www.pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org See the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy about a rich man who falls for a woman from an eccentric family.
May 11 Cliff Cody: Solo Acoustic Show 9 p.m., Chances R, 1160 Hill Rd. N., www.cliffcody.com Enjoy the country tunes of this upand-coming artist at Chances R.
May 17 Discover the Dream
MAY 2012
6 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, www.stjude.org/discoverthedream Support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at this event celebrating the hospital’s 50th anniversary, featuring food, cocktails and a silent auction, and hosted by Jack Hanna. Tickets are $150 each or $2,000 for a table of 10.
for Prader-Willi Syndrome. The sixth annual event will include the third annual talent competition with cash prizes.
May 19
Bark for Life 2-6 p.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., www.fairfieldcountyfair.com May 18-19 This non-competitive walking event Whiskers Animal Welfare Yard Sale for dogs and their owners raises 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. money for the American Cancer Saturday, Fairfield County Society. Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., May 20 740-215-8324 Shop for hidden treasures while help- Pickerington Kidz Festival Noon-4 p.m., Olde Pickerington ing animals in the community. Village, 30 W. Columbus St., www. May 19 pickeringtonkidz.com Julianna’s Wish Car Show Enjoy free games, activities, give1-5 p.m., ReMax parking lot, aways and music as well as food 10400 Blacklick Eastern Rd., vendors at the sixth annual Pickeringwww.juliannaswish.org ton Kidz Festival. Bring the family for an afternoon of May 26 great food, exciting entertainment Sweet Street and cool cars to raise awareness
ucing WOW! d o r t n I
the
ExpEriEncE futurE tElEvision, today.
Olde Pickerington Village, 30 W. Columbus St, www.pickeringtonchamber.com. Enjoy sample-sized desserts from area restaurants along West Columbus Street. This event is sponsored by the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce.
May 22 Not Your Mother’s Library Book Club 7 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The special book club, open to teens and adults who love to read, will discuss Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff.
May 28 Memorial Day Parade 10 a.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., 740-653-3041 Celebrate Memorial Day and honor America’s veterans at this annual parade.
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com 3/5/12 3:53 PM
INSIDE
PICKERINGTON
N E W S & I N F OR M AT I O N F R O M T H E C I T Y O F P I C K E R I NGT ON
Anchor Business: Olde Village Diner For the past 37 years, the small building at 46 E. Columbus St. has been an anchor business in the Olde Village District. “A vibrant city embraces businesses successful enough to maintain visibility and business success for a long time,” Development Services Director Joe Henderson explained. For the first 29 of those years, the building in question was known as M’Lee’s Diner, owned and operated by Mary Smith. She opened it in 1975 because, she said, “There was no place to eat in the area.” Now it is the Olde Village Diner, and the current owner, working on his eighth year, is Angelo Agganis, 72. He previously owned two doughnut shops in Lancaster for years, before selling the properties and retiring in 1995. “My problem was that I couldn’t just sit around in retirement,” Agganis explained. An incident with his wife, Genny, spurred him to action. “One day I was doing nothing,” he said. “She told me to cut the grass. I said, ‘I cut it yesterday.’ She said, ‘Cut it again.’” Born in Sparta, Greece, Agganis, one of nine children, immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1959,
then to America 10 years later. So, thoroughly bored in retirement, he ate breakfast one morning at M’Lee’s and asked Mary Smith if she’d sell the restaurant to him. The deal basically was transacted that afternoon. Under Agganis, the diner serves a varied menu with some Greek food, with cabbage rolls and eight soups, prepared daily by Genny Agganis, among its daily fare. It features a Special, different every day and visible on a sandwich board in front of the restaurant. Opposite the front door on the kitchen wall is a large picture of Harry Agganis, Boston Red Sox first baseman in the early 1950s. “He was my father’s first cousin, known as the ‘Golden Greek.’ Tragically, he died of a pulmonary embolism during the 1955 season. He was only 25,” Agganis said. The dining area holds 62 people at differentsized tables, booths and a small counter. Breakfast is particularly popular, especially on weekends. “We have a great location and very loyal customers. A high percentage of those are senior citizens,” Agganis said. What are his future plans? “My health is good. I love the business. I cer-
“Like” Pickerington Mayor Lee A. Gray has created a new Facebook page to encourage citizens to post questions, comments and suggestions. “The City of Pickerington page serves as an informational site, in addition to Pickerington.net. But Facebook provides us greater opportunities for interaction, and that is valuable to us,” said the Mayor’s Executive Assistant, Tammy Sawyer. Plans are to also include City Council updates, service and safety information, community calendar events, and photos of city leaders, community events and businesses. “One of our goals is to build an even stronger connection to the citizens we serve. Social media sites like Facebook provide us a unique opportunity to do that,” Gray explained. To generate some excitement for the new page, a prize is being awarded for every 100 “Likes” it receives. A random drawing is held for a prize or gift card donated by a Pickerington business. “If you are a City of Pickerington fan, you are entered to win. The first winner took home a prize package from Rule3,” Sawyer said. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
tainly don’t want to retire again,” he laughed. Two city officials underlined the importance of a continuing business in the historical district. “The Olde Village Diner is an appreciated testament to the fact that a business in the Olde Village can flourish for years and years,” City Manager Bill Vance offered. “A diner is a jewel in the community where people know each other, where they go to feel comfortable. The food, the staff and the hometown atmosphere all contribute to a dining experience you don’t get anywhere else. We’re fortunate to have the Olde Village Diner in our community,” Mayor Lee Gray added. Agganis and his wife, Pickerington residents for 15 years, have three daughters and a son, and 12 grandchildren.
Pool Primer Potential passholders for the 2012 swimming season have until the end of business on April 30 to apply for an Early Bird discount at the Pickerington Community Pool. The discounts involve a $15 savings for individual and family passes, in both resident and non-resident status. The pool will open on May 26 and will be open on non-school days until the first full day, June 7. It will then be open from noon until 8 p.m. every day through Sept. 3. Informational fliers and registration forms were included in the city’s water billing for March. They are also available at www.pickerington.net. Registration can occur in person at the Recreation Department, by mail or after hours in the city’s night deposit box. Checks should be made payable to “The City of Pickerington.” The city also accepts MasterCard and Visa. Information on the Tigersharks Swim Team is also posted online. Registration for swimming lessons will begin May 1 for Season Passholders. Call 614-833-2211 for more information.
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News and information from the City of Pickerington
cityprofile: Tammy Sawyer
Tammy Sawyer has jumped from an airplane, been to Times Square on New Year’s Eve and seen the world’s biggest hamburger. The new Executive Assistant to the Pickerington Mayor has a Life List, a compilation of 40 unique experiences she wants to accomplish. She hesitates to call it a “bucket list” due to the tragic implications of that terminology. “I’m always adding to it,” she said. “After achieving something, I replace it with something else.” Other recent items that she’s checked off are seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and learning to speak Italian. Sawyer’s work for the city entails handling all communication for Mayor Lee A. Gray; scheduling, developing and maintaining a mayoral budget; supervising the Facebook site; and doing the City’s event calendar. A media communication background has prepared her for the job. Her most recent employment before her current position was as a news pro-
Plan Your Plot
Several plots remain unclaimed in the Pickerington Community Gardens for the 2012 growing season. Five new plot areas were added this year, bringing the garden total to 67. Those gardeners who rented last summer had until March 2 to renew, either in last year’s area or in a new location. New renters began to register on March 5. Fifty-five of the gardens measure 20’ by 15’. The
Mayor’s Executive Assistant, City of Pickerington ducer for WBNS-10TV here in Columbus. Before that, she held similar positions in Raleigh, N.C. and in Pittsburgh. “In those positions, I learned a lot about local government and the importance of communicating with the public,” she said. She was raised in Moundsville, W.Va., where she was a schoolmate of country music star Brad Paisley. She graduated from John Marshall High School in Moundsville, then from Capital University, where she was recruited to play tennis. She and her husband, Chris, are the parents of two – Mason, 11, and Emma, 6. Chris is a high school teacher and a football coach at Bishop Hartley High School, which adds another dimension to Tammy’s life. “I absolutely love the sport,” she enthused, “I also love the way Chris has influenced the lives of those he’s coached. I love Friday nights in the fall.” With myriad interests and experiences, she doesn’t hesitate when asked about the most memorable. “Becoming a parent completely changed my life. It changed my faith and my perspective on everything. I am first and foremost a family person. I have loved my jobs, but they have never defined who I am.”
rental cost is $20 for a resident and $25 for a nonresident. Twelve 40’ by 15’ lots were available when registration began. The cost is $40 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Those interested in claiming one of the remaining gardens should contact the Recreation Department at 614-833-2211. The gardens are located on Route 256, on the east side of the city.
Stay Informed: Rt. 256 Project State Rt. 256 from I-70 to Refugee Road will undergo a major transformation to help it handle daily traffic, which usually approaches 35,000 vehicles. The construction will be the result of a $5 million grant awarded to Pickerington by the Ohio Department of Transportation. “Relieving congestion will not only create a new level of safety, but it will also help business development throughout the corridor,” City Engineer Greg Bachman said. The upgrade is needed. For years, the stretch of Rt. 256 has been listed by ODOT as one of the 100 most crash-prone non-freeway corridors in Ohio. Most of that has been due to congestion, Bachman said. The extensive project will actually cost $5.5 million. The $500,000 not covered by ODOT will be supplemented by the city’s general fund. Plans call for myriad changes going north. An additional lane of traffic will be installed at the north8
bound Rt. 256 approach to state Rt. 204, providing three through lanes and one left turn lane for that approach. Past Rt. 204, the pattern will see four lanes accepting four lanes at the I-70 eastbound ramp. “At any given time, the area will have the capability to handle up to 50 percent more traffic,” Bachman explained. He added that two sets of overhead signs will alert motorists of upcoming traffic patterns well before the interstate. Southbound lanes will increase in front of the Marcus Cinemas, creating three through lanes all of the way from I-70 to Refugee Road. Plans now call for work to begin in early 2015. The work should be completed in nine months. “During construction, we will keep two through lanes open in the direction of peak travel. That is, northbound in the morning, and southbound in the evening. We ask motorists to use alternate routes as much as possible until work is completed.” Bachman said.
citydirectory Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.
(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)
Building Regulations Department .......................... 833-2221 City Council............................. 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Department......... 833-2204 Engineering Department .......... 833-2221 Finance Department................. 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116 Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Department.................... 575-6911 Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490
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News and Information From
Violet Township Drug and Electronics Collection and Document Shredding Set for April 28
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been scheduled for Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District — in cooperation with Violet Township, Fairfield County Sheriff’s office, and Lancaster-Fairfield County Recycling & Litter Prevention — will be participating in the event. The collection site will be the Violet Township Service Center located at 490 N. Center St. in Pickerington, which is at the corner of Stemen Road and Center Street. This national event marks an ongoing effort to rid the nation’s medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous drugs, particularly controlled substances. Until recently, unused drugs and/or expired medications were commonly discarded in the trash (landfill) or flushed down the www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
sink or toilet – leading to potential chemical contamination of ground water and/or wastewater treatment plants and causing harm to aquatic life and the human water supply. Prescription pills, capsules, liquids, creams, gels, ointments, patches, suppositories, powders, syringes and IVs will be collected. No aerosols or inhalers will be accepted. Please black out the name or remove the label before bringing containers to the disposal site. If disposable items are of unknown origin, they may be dropped off with no questions asked. Call the Fairfield SWCD office at 740-6538154 with any prescription drug questions. Electronics will also be accepted at this event. The following items may be dropped off at no cost: computers, laptops, printers, cables, mouses, keyboards, discs,
electronic clocks, VCR and DVD players, radios, and cell phones. Computer monitors will be accepted at no additional cost if they are included as part of an entire computer system. However, there will be a $3 disposal fee for computer monitors that are brought in without a processor or tower. Televisions will be accepted at the event at a cost of $1 per diagonal inch. Call Patty Bratton with Litter Prevention and Recycling at 740-681-4423 with any questions about electronics. Only cash or checks will be accepted as payment of disposal fees. There will also be document shredding offered at this event. Participants wishing to shred documents are asked to observe a limit of five (5) 10” by 15” by 24” (legalsize) boxes per car. Document shredding provided courtesy of Diley Ridge Medical Center. 9
News and information from Violet Township
Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District to Host Rain Barrel Workshop The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District will be offering a rain barrel workshop on Saturday, May 19 at 9 a.m. The workshop will take place at the Violet Township Service Center, 490 N. Center St. The discussion will include the benefits of capturing rainwater, while preventing flooding and pollution downstream. Participants in the workshop will receive a terracottacolored EarthMinded RainStation 45-gallon capacity rain barrel. The cost of the workshop, including the rain barrel, will be $65. One additional rain barrel per household may be purchased at a cost of $65. The workshop will also cover ba-
sic lawn care and flower bed maintenance. Items covered will be an explanation of the numbers on the bag of fertilizer for appropriate feeding of the lawn and flowers for best results and how to do soil testing to determine the type of fertilizer needed. Space and chairs are limited. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair. To obtain a registration form, please visit our website at www. fairfieldswcd.org, send an email to rainbarrel@fairfieldswcd.org or call the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-653-8154 for more information.
How to Reach Us Violet Township Administrative Offices 12970 Rustic Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: John Eisel #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. #591: 21 Lockville Rd. #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. (behind hhgregg) Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147
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!
Progress Begins with YOU
Have you wondered how decisions affecting zoning and property development are made? Or wanted to be able to play a more active role in the future of Violet Township? This may be your opportunity. The Violet Township Board of Trustees is seeking candidates for appointment for fiveyear terms as alternate members on the Violet Township Board of Zoning Appeals and the Zoning Commission. Candidates must be residents of the unincorporated area of Violet Township and be available to meet once a month. Residents interested in these positions are encouraged to send a letter of interest including any qualifications to the attention of the Violet Township Zoning Inspector, 12970 Rustic Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
www.violet.oh.us
TORNADO SAFETY
From the Violet Township Fire Department
Tornado Facts and Myths Myth: Areas near rivers, lakes, mountains and big cities are safe from tornadoes. Fact: No place is safe from tornadoes. Myth: The low pressure of a tornado causes buildings to “explode” as the tornado passes over. Fact: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings causes the most structural damage.
Myth: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage. Fact: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place. Myth: Tornadoes are always visible from a great distance. Fact: Tornadoes can be hidden in heavy rainfall or nearby low-hanging clouds.
Where Should I Take Shelter? In a home: A basement provides the greatest safety. Seek shelter under sturdy furniture if possible. In homes without basements, take cover in the center part of the house, on the lowest floor, in a small room such as a closet or bathroom, or under sturdy furniture. Keep away from windows. In a mobile home: The home should be evacuated and shelter taken in a prearranged shelter. If there is no shelter nearby, leave the trailer and lie flat in a ditch or ravine. Protect your head by placing your arms over it. Do not take shelter under the home.
Driving a vehicle: Get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby ditch or ravine. Do not get under the vehicle. Lie flat and put your arms over your head. At school or at work: Follow advanced plans to move into interior hallways or small rooms on the lowest floor. Avoid areas with glass and wide, free-span roofs. Schools, factories and office buildings should designate someone to look out for severe weather and initiate an alarm. In open country: Lie in a gully, ditch or low spot in the ground and hold onto something on the ground, if possible. Do not seek shelter in damaged buildings.
Get a Weather Alert Radio Our local tornado sirens are designed to alert you to emergency situations when you are outside. But what about when you are inside your snug, airtight house, or if a siren fails to sound? Chief John Eisel urges all citizens to have www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
at least one Weather Alert radio inside their homes and businesses so they can be immediately alerted to weather emergencies. These radios are available for purchase at our Refugee Road location and at most major electronics retailers.
Tornado Watch & Warning – Do You Know the Difference? Watch: A Tornado Watch is issued to alert people to the possibility of tornado development in your area. Warning: A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has actually been sighted or is indicated by radar.
Be Prepared!
Receive an alert over your phone if severe weather is in your area! Sign up for Alert Fairfield County at: www.fairfieldema.com/alerts/index.html 11 11
faces
By Garth Bishop
Reign of Choir Central’s long-tenured vocal music director still going strong
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Singers come and singers go, but at Pickerington High School Central, the man in front of the singers is an institution. John Long, director of vocal music at Central, has been conducting student singers in Pickerington for 38 years and is still very much enjoying his work. In addition to serving as vocal music director, Long is chairman of Central’s music department. He and his wife, Cynthia, live in Pickerington. They have four children, all grown, and two grandchildren. Long grew up in Columbus, graduating from Eastmoor High School under choir director William Griffin, who in12
spired him to go into vocal music. He attended Capital University as an undergraduate, then earned his master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University. When he started out teaching in Pickerington in the early 1970s, Long oversaw vocal music for all students grades six and up. After that, he directed all of the district’s high school students until Pickerington High School North opened in 2003. Now, Long oversees Central’s four choral groups: the symphonic choir, the freshman and sophomore choir, the chorale, and the men’s group. In his time at Central, Long has sent
a multitude of students to state and national competitions, as well as the Ohio Music Education Association All State Choir, the Singing Buckeyes Harmony Camp and the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. He has served on the advisory board of the latter and received a Distinguished Service Award for it in 2011. He has seen multiple generations of students come through his music program, their interests piqued by chorale performances at elementary schools – or their parents’ own experiences in choir. Long credits his lengthy tenure in Pickerington to the city’s growth, starting out very rural and eventually evolving into the community we know today. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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We Do OneThing And Do It Well.
Jong Long, director of vocal music at Pickerington High School Central, conducts a practice with the girls in one of his student choirs.
Enthusiastic students and supportive parents made the decision to stay even easier. “Whenever I even thought, ‘Maybe it’s time to move on,’ Pickerington kind of changed,” he says. But he has never considered giving up his career of choice, even after retirement became an option. “I had somebody ask me a year or two ago (at a choir concert), ‘Why don’t you retire?’ because most teachers can retire at 30 or 35 years,” Long says. “After the show, I went up to the person, pointed right to my chorale and said, ‘That’s the reason I still do what I do.’” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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“It concerns me when I hear about so many schools … eliminating their traditional music programs. With music, you can get right to the heart and the soul of a young person.” Long’s longtime commitment to music and education is being recognized this year, as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra has announced him the winner of its 2012 Music Educator Award for secondary education. Three awards are given each year – elementary, secondary and community education – to music teachers who are dedicated to music and help promote greater understanding of music education. Long will receive the award at a brunch April 1 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Columbus, and will then be recognized in a presentation prior to a performance by the symphony at the Southern Theatre. He will also receive a $2,500 grant to be spent at his discretion on a wide variety of music education endeavors; past recipients have spent the money on things such as guest instructors, computer software and instrument repair. Though grateful for the award, Long insists he cannot take all the credit for it. “I couldn’t do this just by myself,” he says. “I have great kids, supportive parents and a supportive administration.” In addition to his work with student choirs, Long has, for the past 33 years, served as music director for the Colum-
bus Swiss Singers’ Helvetia Maennerchor and Edelweiss Damenchor. The group sings in six different languages, and Long often organizes events that let his high school students bond with the Swiss Singers, for whom the average age is 75. Such collaborations are always very popular for the students. “The kids are always wanting me to yodel for them,” says Long. He also coached cross country and track in Pickerington for 30 years. With almost 40 years of experience teaching music and a lifetime of music appreciation, Long has an expansive list of favorite songs, but his No. 1 choice is The Awakening by Joseph M. Martin. The song tells the story of a man who dreams of a world with no music; in the end, he awakens and realizes it is important to let music live. “It concerns me when I hear about so many schools … eliminating their traditional music programs,” says Long. “With music, you can get right to the heart and the soul of a young person.” Garth Bishop is editor of Pickerington Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
If You Want to Play the “Best Game in Town" You Want to Play for PASA Select Soccer! PASA is a non-profit 501(c)3 community based organization since 1973.
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Facebook: Columbus Futbol Academy (CFA) Pickerington Area Soccer Association (PASA) 15 Twitter: CFASoccer
in focus
By Brenda Layman
Electronic Exhibit
PLSD Art Scene showcases students’ work in online gallery
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Interested in taking a peek at the hard work of Pickerington’s student artists? Look no farther than PLSD Art Scene. The Pickerington Local School District is making groundbreaking use of social media through the “We Are Pickerington” Facebook page, which includes PLSD Art Scene, an online gallery where students can showcase their work. The page is the first of its kind, making high school students’ work accessible to the public as well as to other students and to colleges to which the students apply. Art, visual art and technology programs at both high schools are featured on the site. PLSD Art Scene is not only for those taking a specific course. All Pickerington teachers involved in the arts may submit their students’ work.
By Haseeb Farooqui, Central Senior – Photograph The program was kicked off in October by district Director of Communications Lee Cole. Since then, it has lent important support to the district’s art programs, says Bert Chappelear, an art teacher at Pickerington High School North. “It allows our students to have access to the work of other students they might not ever see. It allows our community to see how our students are performing. It makes it easier for colleges and art schools to see where a student’s work is going at this time and transfer information to the student, like an online portfolio,” Chappelear says. “The program also provides a lot of encouragement for the students, teaching them to meet deadlines and guidelines.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
tion Top Left: By Carley Morrison, North Senior – Photograph Left: By Rachel Karn, Central Senior – Illustration Bottom Right: By Sebastian Inboden, North Senior – Drawing
Participation in art programs is associated with learning gains in many areas. The National Arts Education Public Awareness program is a partnership between Americans for the Arts and the Ad Council. According to the organization’s website, www.americansforthearts.org, “Kids who are involved in the arts are: •
Four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
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Three times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
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Four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
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Three times more likely to win an award for school attendance The district’s art program dispels the myth that art is just a hobby, says Cole. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
It builds on relationships between artistic expression and core subjects such as language arts, math and science. Students transform things they have been learning since kindergarten into design, and they learn about making design work with their pieces. “You need to know chemistry to understand how different paints interact with paper and their relationships with each other,” Cole says. “Oils do not mix the same way as tempera paints or watercolor. In photography, understanding angles and lighting can make or break a photo. Composition is storytelling – it is language arts. The math concepts of ratio, perspective and engineering are critical concepts in the visual and industrial arts; that is STEM.” Artwork on the page is rotated monthly. Between the two high schools, five or six student artists are featured each month. In February alone, there were 43 images on the site, encompassing oil painting, tempera painting, charcoal and graphite drawing, mixed media, and photography. A brief explanation of the assignment accompanies each image. Work from Dan Yeager’s photography and integrated technology students at
Pickerington High School Central was posted on the site, along with pieces from students of Craig Huffman and Matt Young at Central and images created by student artists in North’s advance studio art class. There are plans to make PLSD Art Scene multidisciplinary — adding animation, Web productions and performance art such as theater. “We want to create a kind of ‘Gallery Hop’ experience online,” says Cole.
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By Ashley Hull, North Senior – Painting
Central Ohio, and especially Columbus, has a thriving arts community, with Columbus College of Art and Design, OSU Urban Arts Space, the Columbus Cultural Arts Center and active arts centers in many surrounding suburbs. PLSD Art Scene provides a way for students to begin engaging with that artistic community. It introduces students to the rigors of creative careers, where attention to detail in execution, meeting deadlines and following guidelines are important. The program also provides the pride of accomplishment that comes with seeing
artwork showcased in a public forum. This is only the beginning of PLSD Art Scene, Chappelear says. “A couple of our students have communicated with CCAD,” he says. “We expect that it will grow as we reach out to other colleges and let them know.” Pickerington art teachers and students invite the community to visit PLSD Art Scene on Facebook at http://on.fb. me/zG8qvg. Visitors will enjoy viewing the images, but they will also be struck by the thoughtful compositions and the impressive quality of execution the students have achieved. Art is sometimes
overlooked when it comes to high school curriculum, but this sampling leaves no doubt that in Pickerington schools, art serves as a means of integrating and expressing learning. With this new program, PLSD illustrates that it is at the leading edge of secondary education in the arts. That’s something the entire community can appreciate. Pickerington resident Brenda Layman is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.
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on the table
By Carly Kohake
Inferno Gourmet Burgers rocks its way into Pickerington
Inferno Gourmet Burgers New Orleans Burger
Feel the
A
A newcomer to Pickerington’s dining options is serving up a burger that rocks a little harder than most. Medina-based Inferno Gourmet Burgers opened its Pickerington location, 10503 Blacklick Eastern Rd., in February. The new eatery, which took over the location previously occupied by Graffiti Burger, is the company’s first shot at branching out beyond Medina. Founder Sean Brauser’s reputation precedes him in central Ohio – he’s also the man behind Romeo’s Pizza, which has nine Columbus-area locations in operation, including one at 80 W. Church St. in Pickerington. Inferno’s menu sports 12 signature burgers, most named after U.S. cities. They include the Austin Burger, which has chili, sour cream and Tillamook cheddar cheese; the New York Burger, which is topped with pepperoni, pizza sauce and provolone and mozzarella cheeses; and the titular Inferno Burger, which offers chopped Applewood bacon, sautéed onions, American cheese and a fried egg. Each offers options that customers will find unique, 20
Heat
says Patty Steen, Inferno’s marketing director. “Our burgers are fire-grilled with fresh ground meat that is never frozen,” says Steen. “In addition to our burgers, we have beer-battered fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and salads. There are also gourmet hot dogs that are deep-fried and awesome milkshakes.” If none of the specialty burgers covers all your bases, Inferno has a “build your own” option. “Customers can choose their meat (Angus beef, chicken, barbecue pork or veggie), a fresh baked bun or an Inferno pretzel roll. And then they choose the type of cheese they want for the ‘build your own’ option,” Steen says. “The veggie bar allows customers to top burgers with fresh toppings and sauces, or they can choose premium toppings for additional charge.” The specially blended and assembled burgers are not the only things that can draw a crowd to Inferno, she says. “It’s a high-energy environment you can go to after work with your friends or with your family,” says Steen. “We have TVs that play rock videos all day long.” Specialty milkshakes on the Inferno menu range
Ingredients • 6-8 oz. Angus beef, seasoned to taste • Cajun rub • 3 pieces grilled shrimp • 1 oz. pepperjack cheese, sliced • chipotle ranch dressing Directions Hand pat beef and form into a circular shape. Rub both sides with your favorite Cajun rub. Grill 3-5 minutes on each side. Place beef patty on your favorite bakery bun. Top beef patty with pepperjack cheese and grilled shrimp. Top with chipotle ranch dressing. from the Campfire Milkshake – featuring chocolate ice cream, marshmallow fluff and graham cracker crust – to the PB&B Milkshake, which comes with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and fresh bananas. Beer, wine and cocktails such as the Inferno Margarita and Key Lime Pie Martini round out the Inferno menu, but the burgers are the rock stars here. “It’s going to be simply the best burger (customers) have tasted,” says Steen. Carly Kohake is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pub groupltd.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
When your child needs urgent care, everything matters. And what matters most is pediatric expertise. That’s why our Close To HomeSM Centers are staffed by medical professionals who have received additional training to care exclusively for children. Here at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, everybody is a pediatric specialist. We know when a simple fever could be more serious. We know how to set a broken bone so it grows properly. We know the correct dosage of medications for children of all ages.
Every piece of equipment is also specialized. Why? Try fitting an adult-sized blood pressure cuff on the arm of a two-year-old. Or giving an injection to a five-year-old with an adultsized needle. Urgent care should be expert care. So always call your child’s doctor first and remember we’re here when you need us. For directions, hours and location-specific information, visit NationwideChildrens.org/UrgentCare.
Urgent Care. Close to Home. Canal Winchester • Downtown Columbus • Dublin • East Columbus • Westerville
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bookmarks
By Colleen Pospishil, Pickerington Public Library Community Services Coordinator
In this issue, Pickerington Magazine salutes education – and no discussion about education in the Pickerington community is complete without the Pickerington Public Library!
Fire Bubbles and Exploding Toothpaste: More Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun By Steve Spangler Push the limits of your inner mad scientist! These science experiments fizz, bubble, pop, smoke, erupt, move, change temperature and sometimes produce unexpected results. Out of the clear blue, you’ll make a new discovery, and that’s an amazing feeling!
The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of ShapeShifting Beings (Second Edition) By Brad Steiger When darkness reigns and the full moon glows … Take a tour through the ages of monsters with the most amazing camouflage capabilities – they hide among us! This encyclopedia covers 140,000 years of legend, mythology and fact.
The Urban Biking Handbook By Charles Haine The DIY guide to building, rebuilding, tinkering with and repairing your bicycle for city living. Learn the basics of how to pick out a good new or used bicycle. Learn the tools you need to fix it up and maintain it. Great pictures and tutorials.
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Math for Grownups By Laura Laing Ever wish you had paid more attention in math class? Here you get an adult refresher with real-life examples that you will understand and be able to use. From figuring out sales tax and converting calories into cardio time to resizing recipes and helping your kids with their fraction homework, math will stop being scary and start being useful.
Get the Most From Your Digital Camera (Third Edition) By Simon Joinson The digital camera opens up new creative worlds that can turn anyone from a snapper into a photographer. With no film to waste and a screen to check your results, you have no excuse not to start taking better pictures! Understand how to use all those modes and menus to get the best possible picture every time, too.
Decoding Gardening Advice: The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations By Jeff Gillman and Meleah Maynard How many of your prized plants have fallen victim to bad advice? This goodhumored, evidence-based book offers the definitive gardening dos and don’ts and the reasons why in clear, straightforward answers that you have been looking for.
Pickerington Public Library 201 Opportunity Way 614-837-4104
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday/Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Gardening + Women = Exercise No matter what your age, as women we think about our bodies and how to constantly improve them. Men too, I’m sure, but women’s bodies change more with pregnancy and childbirth and therefore need more attention. Women are multi-taskers. We are the queens of multitasking. We eat a sandwich at our desks so we can check our email at the same time. We catch up on voice mail while we drive our kids to practice. We cook dinner while we help our kids with homework and have a load of laundry going as well. Women often forget to take care of themselves while caring for others and our homes. Women need to reevaluate our necessity to stay in shape, physically and emotionally, so we can manage all of our jobs, inside and outside of the home. It may seem like an indulgence to spend an hour or two at the gym when there are so many things on our plates. But there is a perfect solution. Gardening. With gardening you can increase your strength, your flexibility, and your endurance. Gardening helps cleanse your mind of the days tasks while helping you get more fit physically. With every new exercise routine some caution should be taken so as to not get hurt. Here are some tips to help you through your new program. 1. Start slow. If it’s an effort to get off the couch then you shouldn’t go all out on your first day in the yard. Even 10 minutes in the yard is better than nothing. 2. Stretch first. Touch your toes a couple of times (okay, I can’t do that one without bending my knees a lot), reach for the sky, twist your body side to side, do a couple of squats. Basically think of this as your ‘warm up.’ 3. Lift carefully. Always use your legs to help lift heavy bags of mulch or soil. Wheelbarrows and dollies are our friends. So are teenage boys that need to get away from the X-Box. It doesn’t hurt to enlist the help of family members. You can always strike up a conversation about school. Again....multi-tasking.
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Calories Burned Per Hour Cultivating/Digging/Planting Trees = 300 calories
4. Breathe deeply. All that fresh air is yours for the taking. Breathe it in to help calm your mind while you are getting your body in shape. The sweet smell of lavender or rosemary can change your mood from grumpy to great with just a few sniffs.
Planting flowers = 250 calories Weeding = 250 calories Raking leaves = 300 calories Trimming shrubs = 300 calories Putting away tools (walking) = 200 calories Stacking wood = 340 calories
5. Rest every 30 minutes. That doesn’t mean you can eat a candy bar or down a full strength pop. Sit on that pretty garden bench and admire your handiwork or contemplate your next task while you have a cool glass of water. When you’re preparing dinner with the vegetables you planted, weeded, watered, and fertilized, you will be multi-tasking again by nourishing the inside of your body with something that helped you nourish the outside of your body. Best,
Bee Fisher Kocher Bee Fisher Kocher and her very handy husband, Brian, own Fisher’s Gardens in Olde Reynoldsburg. Bee gets plenty of exercise taking care of two kids, a husband, two dogs, a home, a business, while tending a 12’x20’ vegetable garden at home.
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