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JUNE/JULY 2020
Mascots and Masks Support local with spirit-themed masks
INSIDE Insights from local OhioHealth nurse PHSN alumna captures the quarantine Volunteering with local food providers
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com CityScene Media Group also publishes: CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Westerville Magazine www.WestervilleMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com Discover Grove City Magazine www.DiscoverGroveCity.com 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 lfreudenberg@ cityscenemediagroup.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, call 614-572-1240. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Pickerington Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A. © 2020.
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
The Official Magazine of Pickerington and Violet Township
pickerington magazine volume 12, number 5 june/july 2020
6 Calendar 8
News and Information from the City of Pickerington
10 News and Information from Violet Township
14
faces
Tackling the Virus OhioHealth Pickerington Emergency Care Center nurse offers insights during pandemic
in focus
16
The Show Will Go On
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio showcases artists despite the pandemic
20 A Different Kind of Mask
20
A look inside the life of a school mascot
22 Capturing the Quarantine
26
Pickerington High School North alumna photographs community during pandemic
student spotlight Making Big Moves
Madison Keaton overcomes moving across the country, bullying and the quarantine
volunteer spotlight
28
26
Food for Thought
A volunteer experience at local food providers
30
Recommended reads from Pickerington Public Library
on the table
Picking in Pickerington A guide to vegetable and fruit gardening at home
On the cover: Violet the Cow photo courtesy of Pickerington Public Library
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com PickeringtonMagazine
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
to EVERY homeowner and business in Pickerington and Violet Township
bookmarks
on the website
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pickerington community calendar june/july 2020 June 4 Farmers’ Market Opening Day 4-7 p.m. every Thursday 89 N. Center St. www.pickeringtonvillage.com
For the most recent information on events and hours, visit www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Free Yoga with Darlene Suspended until further notice Victory Park www.freeyogacolumbus.com
Even though it’s suspended, this soothing, free event at the basketball courts and shelter house of Victory Park will start again once its deemed safe. Attendees are encouraged to bring food pantry items and used eyeglasses which will benefit the Pickerington Food Pantry and the Pickerington Lions Club.
Celebrate the opening of the summer farmers’ market with fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and more from local farmers, bakers and artisans.
June 5 Pickerington Village Petfest 6-8:30 p.m. Victory Park www.pickeringtonvillage.com
This popular family-friendly event features food- and pet-related vendors. Bring a pet to stroll through the park and enjoy the vendors at this free event.
Pickerington Village Petfest
June 5-July 31 Friday Night Flicks 9-11 p.m. Sycamore Park Amphitheater www.pickeringtonvillage.com
Enjoy free movies such as Aladdin and Frozen II under the stars with this weekly event. Bring friends and family, and don’t forget to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. The movies begin at dusk.
June 14-Aug. 9 Summer Concert Series 7-8:30 p.m. Sycamore Park Amphitheater www.pickeringtonvillage.com
Enjoy a free concert in the park on Sundays with friends and family. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the outdoor live music.
June 27 Family Luau Night 6-8 p.m. Pickerington Community Pool www.ci.pickerington.oh.us
From Patios & Pergolas to Fire Pits and Fencing—We’re Your Outdoor Home Ally. Call or Book Online! 614.408.8096
AceHandymanServices.com ©2020 Ace Handyman Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Locally owned and independently operated Franchise.
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Enjoy fun in paradise with your family at the pool. Bring a potluck dish to share and wear festive Hawaiian apparel. Regular admission applies. .
July 3-4 July 4th Celebration 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.-noon Victory Park www.pickeringtonvillage.com
Celebrate the Fourth of July starting with fireworks at 10 p.m. then the Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. the next morning. Fireworks are launched at Pickerington High School Central. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Are you a Senior in need of a little help?
Lisa Stoklosa, Owner
Pickerington Senior Helper
Picktown Palooza
Due to recent health concerns, events are subject to change. Visit websites for more information. July 4 The Freedom 5K and Kids’ Fun Run
July 9-11 Picktown Palooza
7:15 a.m. Pickerington High School North www.picktownpalooza.org
5-11 p.m., July 9; 5 p.m.-midnight, July 10; noon-midnight, July 11 Olde Pickerington Village www.picktownpalooza.org
This Fourth of July 5K is on Pickerington High School North’s championship course. The kids’ fun run is free and includes pre-race activities such as hula hoop games, jump rope and chalk drawing. Register for the run by June 15 to receive a T-shirt and apple pie.
July 25 Christmas in July
This three-day festival will provide entertainment for everyone, including live music, shows, food vendors and carnival rides.
5-9 p.m. Pickerington Community Pool www.ci.pickerington.oh.us
Submit Your Event
Do you have an event you would like to submit to our calendar? Send details and photos to feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Get in the Christmas spirit with this community pool party. Food will be available along with Christmas crafts and holiday games.
We provide in-home help with: • Companionship • Meal preparation • Light housekeeping • Grooming and personal care • Shopping/appointments
Call us today! (614) 971-0893
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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
City Announces Summer Paving Project It’s how we get to our homes, our businesses, our schools. The City of Pickerington recognizes that maintaining roads is critical to the success of the community and leaders have committed to an annual paving program that, to date, has meant nearly $10 million in improvements. The summer of 2020 will add to that total. “This is the sixth consecutive year city council has committed more than $1 million to pave streets,” says City Manager Greg Butcher. “We view the continued maintenance of our streets as critical to the City’s mission.” Butcher expects the work to begin in June and last for approximately a month. Below is a list of Pickerington streets slated for asphalt resurfacing: • Violet Drive West • Meadow Drive • Lorraine Drive • Kaye Drive • Willow Run Drive
• Long Road • Lakeview Drive • Northern Avenue • Windmiller Drive • Hereford Drive
• Valley Lane • Ra-Mar Drive • Morning View Avenue • Pickering Drive • Lakeland Place
• Pickerington Hills Drive • Hilltop Place • Sycamore Drive • Shadybrook Drive • Skyline Drive
Pickerington Police Officers Revive Residents Three Pickerington Police officers recently received commendations from Police Chief Tod Cheney after their quickthinking actions and training saved the lives of two people. When Sergeant Jeremy Vacca, Officer Mercedes Gavins and Officer Joshua Moore responded to a resident call, they arrived and discovered the owner was unresponsive. The officers began CPR and AED treatment for several minutes while awaiting arrival of the medics. The officers were successful in getting the resident’s 8
heart to start again and they were breathing before medics arrived. Just weeks earlier, Vacca and Moore had revived another person who was not breathing and had no pulse. “It was an excellent response by the officers that included them wearing the appropriate protective gear for COVID-19 prevention during CPR,” Cheney says. Job well done, PPD officers.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Easter Bunny Spreads Cheer During Quarantine There was some egg-citement in Pickerington in the days leading up to Easter, after the Easter Bunny went mobile. City leaders decided to have the Easter Bunny ride atop one of the City’s trucks for two days, visiting neighborhoods in the City limits and in Violet Township. “It was an attempt to spread joy in a difficult time,” says Mayor Lee Gray. “We knew families couldn’t leave their homes and visit the Easter Bunny this year, so we decided to take the Bunny to them.” Residents could track the Bunny’s location via the City’s Facebook page and its arrival in neighborhoods was announced with the help of a police escort. The efforts were well-received. One resident emailed, “Thank you for organizing this! My 5- and 3-year-old daughters were so happy to see the bunny and then again as we walked home. It made their day after all the canceled egg hunts and usual bunny photos.” City leaders agree that parents and kids will always remember the year
they had to be socially distant from the Easter Bunny and watch him pass by on a truck. “Thank you so much for doing this,” says another resident. “We don’t live in a subdivision, so we went on an Easter Bunny scavenger hunt. We found the Easter Bunny and my daughter hasn’t
been this excited since ‘the sickness’ shut the world down. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.” “It took two days and 14 hours,” Gray adds. “We traveled a lot of miles, but we created a lot of smiles. That’s what it was all about.”
citydirectory Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.
(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)
Building Services ..................... 833-2221 City Clerk/Council..................... 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Services.............. 833-2204 Engineering Services ............... 833-2221 Finance Services...................... 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116
Lisa Berg
Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974
Tax Updates The City of Pickerington’s new tax filing deadline is July 15, after being extended three months. The extension was in compliance with the federal government’s decision to extend the tax filing deadline due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pickerington’s first and second quarter payments for estimated tax are also extended to July 15. Taxpayers with questions should refer to the City’s website at www.pickerington. net or contact the Tax Department at 614-837-4116. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Services......................... 575-6911 Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470 9
News and Information From
Violet Township A Meal at The Firehouse By Lt. Allison Bookless
Unfortunately, meals are never promised at the firehouse because the job comes first. Emergency calls happen and often the grocery shopping, meal preparation and consumption of the meal is delayed. Firefighters and staff are regularly seen walking through the local grocery store and dashing out before they’ve finished their shopping. Once they complete the call, they return to the grocery store, find their grocery cart, and finish like they’ve never left the store. The meals vary depending on two things: who is cooking and what is on sale at the grocery store. The work schedule is a 24-hour shift, so firefighters and staff must rely on eating lunch and dinner at the fire station. In central Ohio, the average daily meal ranges from $10 to $15 per person. That money comes out of the workers pocket and is collected by the cook. Firefighters prefer making their meals from scratch since it’s an opportunity to build relationships, bond as a family and learn to work together. The Violet Township Fire Department spends 33 percent of their lives together. Many holidays are spent away from families and many times they witness horrible events together. Meals become a time to come together as one family to laugh, joke, discuss the day and give thanks. The concept of a firehouse meal goes far deeper than eating lunch or dinner together. The time-honored profession carries many traditions. Meals are just one of those traditions. Firefighters cherish the history of the fire service
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and honor those that came before them. Traditions range from having a Dalmatian as a mascot, the rookie answering the phone, the tolling of the bell, playing bagpipes and pizza Saturday. The Saturday dinner menu seldom varies – it’s pizza, homemade pizza. Each station’s pizza tastes slightly different, but it embodies a time-honored tradition of the firefighting culture. People who eat together come together. Firefighters come together in all aspects of the job. The Violet Township firefighters unite at fire and EMS scenes, daily trainings, house chores and during meals. Mealtime together feeds their bodies, but it also builds their morale and improves camaraderie. In a job such as firefighting, regularity is rare. Therefore, mealtime can provide that regularity and uphold one of the many traditions in the fire service. As a side note, the VTFD hopes everyone has stayed healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We truly appreciate the support received from the community, ranging from donations of personal protective equipment to food provided to the crews. We continue to be here for you during this unprecedented time. If you need to contact us with questions, please call 614-837-4123. As always, we are your “Friends for Life.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Governments Help Businesses During Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic poses a unique challenge to us all, as it’s not only a public health crisis, but an economic crisis as well. Small business owners and employees know this too well, as businesses have had to rapidly adapt to ever-changing circumstances over the past few months. On the road to economic recovery, government will look to play a key part. Townships, cities, counties, and the state and federal governments are equipped with different tools to help employers and employees in this difficult time. Violet Township encourages all members of our community who have been affected by this crisis to reach out to government for questions and assistance, whether it be Violet Township, the City of Pickerington, Fairfield County, the State of Ohio, or various agencies of the federal government. The Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce and other local business organizations can also provide resources and advice for those who may be struggling. We are all here to help, and we’re all in this together. As bleak as the economic outlook may seem at times, there is always a path forward. Within Violet Township and the City of Pickerington, there have been countless examples of businesses stepping up to help those affected, neighbors helping neighbors, and first responders and essential workers continuing to perform their duties in the most challenging of circumstances. These heroic deeds should continue to inspire all of us as we move forward on the road to economic recovery. A compendium of resources can be found at www.investwithviolet.com/ covid-19-resources.
We are all here to help, and we’re all in this together. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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Dog Ownership and The Law
While there are many benefits to owning a dog, there are also many responsibilities, including compliance with the law. All dogs three months and older who reside in Fairfield County are required to have a current dog license. A license can be purchased at the Fairfield County Auditor’s office, Fairfield County Shelter or online at www.doglicenses. us/OH/Fairfield. Under Ohio Revised Code – Chapter 955, dogs are required to be confined at all times when outside of its own dwelling. You can accomplish this by the following ways: • Leash • Tether • Adequate fence (so the dog cannot leave your property) • Pen with a closed top The law is enforced under the jurisdiction of the Fairfield County Dog Warden’s Office. Failure to confine your dog can lead to multiple violations including: • Minor misdemeanor on a first offense up to a fourth-degree 12
misdemeanor based on each subsequent offense • Fines ranging from $25-$100 on a first offense and $75-$250 for each subsequent offense • Mandatory dog obedience training • Possible imprisonment up to 30 days The court can also mandate an owner to register their dog as “dangerous” or “vicious” that carries even heavier violations and penalties if multiple offenses occur. This includes requiring the owner to obtain liability insurance and up to a fourth-degree felony. The court can also order the dog be humanely put down (at the owner’s expense) based on the seriousness of the person’s injuries. Dog owners are protected under the law if a dog seriously injures a person who is trespassing or committing a criminal offense such as a burglary, but not if a person is conducting routine activities such as home deliveries or door-to-door sales.
How to Reach Us Violet Township Administrative Offices 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: Michael Little #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. #591: 21 Lockville Rd. #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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faces
Tackling the Virus
By Lydia Freudenberg
I
t’s probably safe to say that everyone’s life is more stressful because of the pandemic. For Seth Charlton, his daily routine became complicated, and not just because he’s a health care worker. Charlton is the administrative nurse manager at OhioHealth Pickerington Emergency Care Center and his wife, Deanna, is also a nurse for OhioHealth. Apart from their busy work schedules, the couple also had to homeschool their two sons in the spring. He’s also enrolled in Ashford University to gain a master’s in health care administration. 14
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Photo courtesy of OhioHealth Pickerington Emergency Care Center
OhioHealth Pickerington Emergency Care Center nurse offers insights during pandemic
“It’s a lot of different gears right now,” Charlton says, chuckling. “It’s interesting.” As an emergency room nurse, Charlton is used to the unexpected and he’s staying grounded – he even found time to give insights on COVID-19.
On the Front Lines With previous experience in oral health and hygiene, Charlton says he’s always enjoyed working with people. When his father got sick though, it opened his eyes to a new world. In order to understand his dad’s ailments, Charlton learned a lot about medicine, and that solidified his interest in nursing. “I thought, ‘Yeah, I could do this,’” Charlton says. “I find it edifying.” For the past 15 years, Charlton has studied and practiced nursing. In that time, he says he’s never seen anything like COVID-19. He notes how the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak was intense but still not comparable. “I’ve never seen anything to this magnitude,” he says. During a health crisis, many people would think the emergency room would be overwhelmed, but Charlton says, as of mid-April, the overall patient volume has gone down. Other states such as Michigan and Colorado also report fewer patients. “We want to take care of people and get it done,” Charlton says about treating COVID-19 patients. “We’re very prepared and we’re very much ready.”
Charlton understands why people are hesitant to go to the ER right now but reassures it’s still open for medical emergencies. He says people who have symptoms can also work with their primary care doctor to get tested. Pickerington community members are stepping up to show their appreciation to health care workers. Charlton says local restaurants have donated food, residents have provided unopened personal protective equipment and local students have delivered uplifting letters. “To have the community reach out to us in various ways of gratitude to just say thanks is very encouraging,” he says. “We’ve really never experienced this before.” For years, there’s been an ongoing discussion of nurses being underpaid and underappreciated. Charlton notes that whenever there’s a health crisis, people seem to think twice about the importance of those on the front lines. He hopes this attitude sticks around even after COVID-19. “I think it will stick a little bit longer since COVID is staying around longer than we expected,” he says. As for what’s to come, it’s hard to say since news about the virus changes day to day. Regardless, Charlton says his team is ready for anything. “It’s a lot of unknown right now, which is OK and we’re fine with it. ER folks deal with unknown every single day,” Charlton says. “We’re prepared for whatever change happens.” Lydia Freudenberg is an editor. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemedigroup.com.
Drawing Another Talent If you thought Seth Charlton wasn’t busy enough, he’s also finding time to enjoy his hobby: drawing caricatures. His interest in drawing stems from his grandfather, who worked in Pennsylvania coal mines and used his artistic skills to describe his workday in letters since he wasn’t fully literate. Charlton cherished those pictures and realized he also had a talent for drawing. During nursing school, Charlton decided to supplement his income by being a caricature artist at carnivals and festivals. Today, the side job is no longer necessary, but sometimes he cheers up patients with fun drawings. His young children also love his artistic talent, and the goofy drawings helped keep them entertained during the quarantine. “It’s, ‘Papa, draw me this,’ and I say, ‘Why don’t you draw it and then we’ll draw it together,’” Charlton says, chuckling. “It’s all the time.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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in focus
By Lydia Freudenberg
The Show Will Go On The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio showcases artists despite the pandemic
C
entral Ohio understands the importance of keeping art alive, even during a pandemic. Between emergency artists’ grants provided by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and galleries hosting virtual shows, people are rallying together to uphold the arts, including the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster. In May, DACO was set to open 2 + 3 x 18: Diptychs and Triptychs by 18 Contemporary Ohio Artists. As of early May, the exhibit was postponed to June and center staff say it may get pushed back again or become virtual. Regardless, the show will go on. “It is important to support the artists and arts organizations all the time, but especially during times of turmoil,” says Christine Fowler Shearer, curator for 2 + 3 x 18. The exhibit showcases works inspired by ancient diptychs and triptychs, pieces once used to commemorate the victory of a ruler, or for personal or religious reasons. The featured pieces tell personal stories, making for a diverse show. Here’s a glimpse into the creative minds of four featured artists based in central Ohio. Their methods, mediums and styles are different, yet when displayed together, Fowler Shearer promises unity. Julie Abijanac | Textiles and paper sculptures Fourteen years ago, Julie Abijanac was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her first question wasn’t about cancer treatments though. Instead, she asked what art materials she could still use that wouldn’t compromise her health.
Poumon Noir by Julie Abijanac
“I had to reinvent myself as a maker,” she says. “I’ve been making since I was very young and it’s part of who I am as a person.” Thankfully, working with textiles and Pestilence: Stage I, Stage II and Stage III by Julie Abijanac paper was safe. 16
Abijanac is now cancer free, and her textile and paper sculptures are responses to battling and coping with cancer. She explores other mediums and medical conditions – Pestilence: Stage I, Stage II and Stage III features faux pearls, and Pouwww.pickeringtonmagazine.com
mon Noir represents lung cancer, which she created after a family friend was diagnosed with the disease. Both are triptychs displayed in 2 + 3 x 18. The artwork can be controversial – people have thanked Abijanac for finding beauty in diseases and others have accused her of glorifying the topic. Abijanac leaves her art open to interpretation, but she hopes people see her dedication to creating the pieces. Her artist statement reads: “Close up, the three-dimensional decorative and textural qualities are elegantly graceful, but also intricately complex, just as life itself is at once lush and beautiful in the face of an utterly unpredictable future.” Terri Albanese | Glass paintings Terrie Albanese fell in love with mosaics while touring churches and cathedrals in Italy. Once home, she traveled to Miami, Florida, to study under an artist who learned classical mosaics at the Vatican. But when Albanese showed her mentor her illustrations, the feedback was shocking. Beside Quiet Waters 1 by Terri Albanese
“She said, ‘Oh, this isn’t going to work,’” Albanese says. “I was a bit miffed, actually.” Albanese designs on a diagonal and cuts the glass pieces into long, slender shards. The Miami-based teacher encouraged her to explore this method though, instead of conforming to classical mosaics. “If someone is going to push you, and it’s for your good, let them push you and be true to who you are,” she says. “Once I started setting the pieces, I just knew, it was like magic – this is where I belong.” Her glass paintings are mostly inspired by flowers and are sometimes abstract, sometimes realistic. Albanese hopes the pieces bring joy and hope to viewers. She recalls feedback from a hospital patient who viewed her sunflower piece displayed at The James Art Gallery. “(The patient) looked at the painting … and said, ‘I’m sorry, this is the first time I’ve walked on my own in two years,’ she had tears coming down her face and she said, ‘This piece is cheerfully beautiful.’” Albanese says. For 2 + 3 x 18, Albanese is showcasing two abstract triptychs featuring various white flowers and sun-glazed leaves. Beside Quiet Waters 2 by Terri Albanese www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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Descending Fountains by Agnes Ray
Agnes Ray | Two-dimensional works While viewing the twodimensional works from Agnes Ray’s Dark Pools for a Gilded Age series, it’s normal to feel a sense of eeriness. The black pond where swans swim, the dark liquid pouring from the fancy fountains, it all explores the “wealth, its legacy in American history, and the boundaries between public and private life.” “My goal always with my practice is to try to present these ideas or distill them down in the most elegant way,” Ray says, explaining that “elegant” doesn’t always mean “beautiful.” For 2 + 3 x 18, Ray is displaying two pieces from Dark Pools: a diptych titled A Pair of Swan Pairs and a triptych called Descending Fountains. The five featured photographs were taken by the late Frances Benjamin Johnston and later colored by the late Grace Adele Smith Anderson. Ray added the black paint. “I almost feel as though I’m collaborating with two other women from 100 years ago,” Ray says. Ray says the properties in the images were owned by wealthy families and are now public properties, a theme she explores which coincides with her research into income inequality. Even though the artwork is complex with many symbolic aspects, Ray hopes people view the pieces and question: At what cost did we obtain and now preserve these intricate architectures?
A Pair of Swan Pairs by Agnes Ray 18
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Melissa Vogley Woods | Threedimensional works Melissa Vogley Woods works with multiple mediums, but for 2 + 3 x 18 she’s displaying five three-dimensional pieces that explore time. “There is a deconstructed composition that you wander around in, so you’re a little bit lost,” Vogley Woods says. “That’s how I see time. When you look back, there is a lot of confusion and manipulation and what you actually see is a circumstance of power dynamics because so much has been erased or not told.” The displayed works feature scagliola – a now rare artistic process that works with fine plaster, it’s best known for mimicking marble – that lay on the ground like ruins. She hopes people feel a sense of unclarity and falling apart. “I do hope (patrons) get a sense of history,” Vogley Woods says, “that’s in relation to a struggle, and I think that comes across in the figuration. And also, that there’s some sense of erasure or overlap, and that’s a condition people navigate.” Vogley Woods recently showcased Always, a multimedia piece in which she used house windows to display a textile fabric designed by artist Raoul Dufy in 1920, the year the Spanish flu pandemic ended. The design was best viewed at night or dusk and was activated by a flashlight or camera flash. “I’m repeating that pattern to show we have been through this before and we can learn from the past,” she says. “We can overcome this.” For the latest updates on 2 + 3 x 18: Diptychs and Triptychs by 18 Contemporary Ohio Artist, visit www.decartsohio.org. Lydia Freudenberg is an editor. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
Folded in Time by Melissa Vogley Woods
Folded in Time 2 by Melissa Vogley Woods
Folded Objects by Melissa Vogley Woods www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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A Different Kind of Mask A look inside the life of a school mascot By Sarah Robinson
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fter graduating from Pickerington High School North in 2016, Jake Elston really found his wings at Bowling Green State University. This past year, he was chosen to be Freddy the Falcon, the BGSU mascot. Every year at BGSU, two students are selected in a competitive process for the role of each mascot, Freddy and Frieda Falcon. The duo attends every sporting event, tons of fundraisers, and even walks around campus on game days to hype everyone up. “Being in suit, you really see how many people care about BGSU,” he says. “It warmed my heart that so many people would get the brightest smiles when they saw us or high-fived us.” Elston says one of the most rewarding experiences as Freddy was participating in the annual Holidays with the Falcons, a winter break event for BGSU athletes to give presents and spend time with kids from a nearby community in need. Freddy and Frieda are big hits with the kids. “It was great going to the event and seeing how the kids were surprised and excited to see us,” he says. “Their days were made because we showed up.” Part of being a school mascot is keeping the identity a secret. “The secrecy allows people to see the mascots as just the mascots,” he says. “It’s just Freddy and Frieda.” Elston managed to hide his identity from friends and even his roommate, though that was the hardest part. It was tough to keep it under wraps, especially when dance moves or mannerisms came close to giving it away. Despite keeping it a secret from his friends, Elston had a whole community of Freddy and Frieda alumni to “It was more than being the mascot,” back him up, as well as the other three he says. “It was like a whole family to me.” students wearing the suits alongside him. Elston also found a sense of family He now considers them some of his clos- when he attended PHSN. While there, est friends. he participated in volleyball which gave
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him skills he used as a mascot. His thenteammates and coach encouraged his goofiness and it became tradition for Elston to perform a pregame dance to hype up his team before games. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Advice from Violet the Cow Wearing a face mask may be scary for some kids. Here’s some advice from Violet the Cow, the Pickerington Public Library ambassador, on how to wear your mask. Violet says that masks are good to keep us all safe. To make wearing a mask more fun, pick out a fun fabric or make your own design, something that you’d love to wear. You can also make masks into a game. When you put them on, make faces and have family guess your expressions just from seeing your eyes. Plus, all superheroes wear masks, including our doctors and nurses who protect and take care of us. You can pretend to be your favorite superhero when you put on a mask, too! Even now, Elston and his teammates keep in touch. He says they were some of his biggest cheerleaders after revealing his identity as Freddy. “It never would have happened if it wasn’t for those people in high school that
provided the support for me to be myself,” Sarah Robinson is a contributing he says. “BG is a second home to me, but editor. Feedback welcome at feedback@ Pickerington will always be my first.” cityscenemediagroup.com. For a Q&A with Elston, visit www. pickeringtonmagazine.com.
Face Mask Instructions
Sara Parish is the owner of Sara’s Sewing Shed. Parish, her son and a friend have been busy making masks for the community. They create several styles: classic cotton pleated trifold for $6, contour face for $8, and Pickerington high school’s spirit masks for $10. Follow her instructions below to make your own pleated face mask at home: Supplies • Sewing machine • Iron • Cotton fabric • Elastic Instructions • Cut two pieces of fabric into rectangles, nine-by-seven inches • Place the pieces on top of another with the patterned side of the fabric facing in • Sew a quarter-inch seam almost all the way around, leaving a hole to turn the fabric inside-out so the patterned fabric faces the outside • Sew around the mask with a one-eighth-inch seam, and press with the iron • Fold three pleats in the mask and iron them to lay flat • Sew the pleats closed at the ends of the mask • Cut elastic to seven inches for an adult mask, or five inches for a child • Attach the elastic to the sides of the mask, securing it with extra stitches To order a mask from Sara’s Sewing Shed, visit www.sarassewingshed.com or call 614-579-1958.
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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Capturing the Quarantine
The featured images are from Morgan McDonald’s project, Until Further Notice.
Pickerington High School North alumna photographs community during pandemic
By Lydia Freudenberg
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pringtime is normally welcomed with patio brunches, baseball games and endless community events. This year, springtime was practically silent. Even in the darkest days of the quarantine, there was a story itching to be told. Morgan McDonald, Pickerington High School North alumna and current art education and art history student at The Ohio State University, felt she had to tell it. It resulted in a project titled Until Further Notice.
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The black-and-white photographic series features community businesses with empty parking lots, residents wearing masks and gloves, and people maintaining six-foot distances from one another. “Artists throughout time have drawn inspiration from major historical events like these, and as a visual artist myself, I just knew I couldn’t let this opportunity to capture the small moments in our community slip away,” McDonald says. Even though McDonald says the series is open to interpretation, she hopes that when locals view the im-
ages, they feel a sense of community and a collective sense of shared experiences and impact. “My hope is that community members realize their individual worth,” she says. “There is power in the individual experience, and that is why there is importance in leaving things up for interpretation. No two stories in this time are the same.” The series isn’t just visually impactful, it’s also a historical documentation of the pandemic. McDonald cites the common journalistic phrase that what isn’t captured is invisible. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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“I didn’t want our community’s experiences to be invisible,” she says. “We are important, and the people of Pickerington and Violet Township are worth being remembered.” About the Artist Morgan McDonald has lived in the Pickerington area for 15 years. While attending Pickerington High School North, she enrolled in an art program that redefined her skills and strengthened her artistic abilities. The program instructor, Angela Kalb, inspired McDonald to pursue visual art and art education. Of course, every journey comes with a challenge. Now a student at The Ohio State University studying art education and art history, McDonald had a moment of doubt regarding her future. After personal contemplation and seeking spiritual guidance, McDonald awoke to a new day, took a walk and discovered a box full of abandoned art supplies. She took it as a sign and happily continued her degree. Now entering her third year at OSU, McDonald recently completed an internship at Studios on High, an art gallery in the Short North, and her month-long documentary photography project, Until Further Notice. To view more of McDonald’s work, visit her Instagram @MorganMcDonaldArt. Lydia Freudenberg is an editor. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Get your camera ready. It’s time for Send us your photos for the annual Shutterbugs issue of Pickerington Magazine! Images should be of:
People/Pets, Places and Events in the Pickerington area
Deadline: June 20
Email hi-res digital files to lfreudenberg@cityscenemediagroup.com
weekendscene
Images can be in color or black and white. The top photos will be featured in the August /September issue of Pickerington Magazine. Up to 10 images may be submitted per person. All images must be submitted as digital, high resolution photos.
Showcase your home listings to every homeowner in Pickerington and Violet Township. Your listings will also appear in the digital edition of the magazine, hosted on the Pickerington Magazine home page: www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Contact Gianna Barrett today for more information:
614-572-1255 gbarrett@cityscenemediagroup.com
Looking for something to do? See what’s on the menu this weekend and beyond!
Sign up for CityScene Magazine’s weekly event newsletter at cityscenecolumbus.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
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student spotlight
By Natalie Caswell
Student Spotlight features a student from an area school in every issue.
Making Big Moves Madison Keaton overcomes moving across the country, bullying and the quarantine adison Keaton might be the queen of overcoming obstacles. In 2017, Madison and her family moved from California to Pickerington. The transition was difficult for the thenyoung student who is on the autism spectrum. However, she was able to find solace in basketball. She started playing at age 5 and has loved the game ever since. Madison doesn’t love it just for the athleticism, she also enjoys the camaraderie. Her favorite part? It’s a tough call. “Just playing in front of people, having teammates, being able to score the ball and the atmosphere when I play,” Keaton says. Even though things on the court are a slam dunk, the new move hasn’t been all fun and games. Madison struggled with bullying at her new school, particularly after one difficult incident. “I didn’t show up to school for three days,” she says. “Everything that (the bullies) said, I know isn’t true. Even if it was true, if they were making fun of how I talk, it’s fine because I’m cool with how I talk.” The support of Madison’s friends and her mother, Ruth, helped, along with her positive attitude. “Just know that you’re a bigger person than them, and you’re gonna get through it,” Madison says. As if she hadn’t already faced enough, the pandemic hit. Students across the nation were told to stay home, not just from school, but from hanging out with friends and, yes, playing the team sports they loved. Madison, never to be discouraged, occupied herself by making TikTok videos, connecting with friends via social media and by trying new hobbies like painting. “It’s funny because when we had school I didn’t want to go, but now that I can’t go, I want to,” she says. Now that businesses have begun to reopen, Madison looks forward to the Amateur Athletic Association basketball season and hopes to eventually catch the attention of college scouts. 26
Photos courtesy of Ruth Keaton
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Madison also loves collecting and solving Rubik’s Cubes. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Helping the Class of 2020
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“I would like to play basketball in college,” she says, “and I’d like to work in physical therapy.” For kids who also have to make big moves in their lives, Madison advises them to stay positive, just like she did. “It’s gonna be hard at first, you’re gonna have to make new friends,” she says. “But everything’s going to be put in place, everything’s going to be fine.” Natalie Caswell is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
uring the quarantine, Pickerington resident Samantha Babcock started a Facebook group encouraging people to “adopt a student” from the 2020 Pickerington high school classes. The initiative took off, and by late April hundreds of students from Pickerington North and Pickerington Central high schools were “adopted.” Parents could post pictures of their graduating children for others to adopt. Parents could also adopt as many students as they wanted. The adopted graduating seniors were showered with care packages and kind words from their sponsor. The wave of generosity continued, and Sherri Davis from Kent Smith Photography offered to provide senior photos to students who didn’t get the opportunity. Within a few days, Davis had already booked a few dozen students. Theresa Byers, president and CEO of the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce, sent a heartwarming email in late April bringing light to these two acts, noting how her son was “adopted.” “I know we are all ready to find our new normal in the world,” she wrote. “I sit here today humbled by the generosity of our community and am proud to be a small part of it.” 27
volunteer spotlight
By Brittany Mosley
For 2020, Pickerington Magazine will highlight various volunteer opportunities in the community.
Food for Thought
A volunteer experience at local food providers
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n times like these, a whole community can understand the necessity of food pantries and meal services. That’s why it’s so fitting the Volunteer Series is highlighting the Pickerington Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels of Franklin County for this issue. Pickerington Food Pantry Normally, the Pickerington Food Pantry serves more than 600 people each month. Due to COVID-19, which led to many layoffs and furloughs, the pantry is supporting a much larger number. “The number of people who need assistance has drastically increased due to those who have lost their positions, and yet they were the very people who typically made donations to the pantry,” says Vanessa Niekamp, executive director of the PFP. “We’re making sure all of those people that need our help now are getting our services so they don’t go hungry.” As was expected of the Pickerington community, there has been an outpouring of support from residents wanting to lend a hand. “We’ve had lots of people stepping up and wanting to volunteer, but we have to limit the number of people we have in the pantry,” Niekamp says. To accommodate social distancing, there can only be eight volunteers and two staff members inside the pantry at one
Volunteers are a vital aspect at the Pickerington Food Pantry. (These images were taken before the pandemic).
time. Instead of clients walking through the pantry with the volunteers, they simply drive by and have prepackaged boxes loaded into their car. Niekamp makes clear that the pantry cannot function at any time without the help of their willing volunteers and donors. The pantry normally sees about 80 volunteers each month, some are regular faces while others are rotating, like National Honor Society students. “We only have one full-time and two part-time employees,” says Niekamp. “We 28
Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County The mission of Meals on Wheels is to provide seniors in need with a hot, fresh meal every day, and give them the engagement and entertainment they need to lead a healthy, happy life. Unfortunately, Meals on Wheels has also had to alter its typical operations in the face of COVID-19. “It’s been a little crazy here,” says Anna Tobin, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County. “We’ve had an outpouring of support from the community. It’s just been so heartwarming that we’ve had volunteers step up to the plate to help with absolutely everything.” www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Pickerington Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels of Franklin County
would not be able to function or provide the services to this community that we do without our volunteers.” Making monetary donations is also beneficial, especially since the pantry receives no government funding. Every dollar donated becomes $11 worth of food through the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. For more information on how to volunteer or help the pantry, visit www. pickeringtonfoodpantry.org.
“Eateries, entertainment and fitness options right outside my door!”
“The whole community feels like a part of my home. Just outside my door I can take an exercise class at The Harcum Fitness & Aquatic Center, meet friends for lunch, play bridge, and much more!”
Meals on Wheels helps seniors even more during the pandemic. (These images were taken before the pandemic).
To follow the stay-at-home order and social distancing guidelines, Meals on Wheels altered its delivery schedule to Mondays and Thursdays, making sure to provide packaged and frozen meals for the remaining days. They also delivered two weeks’ worth of shelf-stable meals. Meals on Wheels is also working hard to address the social isolation that some seniors face during the pandemic. It opened a telephone line that seniors can call whenever or to set up routine chats with a volunteer. The program also started including puzzles, word searches and other activities in its deliveries. Of course, now and always, Meals on Wheels depends on volunteerism to provide the care that the community’s seniors need. “Volunteering is really important to help us provide the magnitude of services,” Tobin says. “The senior population is going to continue to grow, and we need volunteers to help us serve this ever-increasing number.” Common Misconception The Pickerington Food Pantry provides its clients with more than just non-perishable items. Local grocery stores such as Kroger, Meijer and Discount Drug Mart provide the pantry with meat and fresh produce, which all goes directly to client homes the day it’s received. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
But it’s clear that volunteers are providing more than just a service. A lot of the volunteers befriend the clients. Volunteer driver Mark Tomson started in late 2018 and now makes 35 stops every week on his route. “We, as delivery drivers with Meals on Wheels, may be the only human contact that person or couple has all day,” says Tomson. “There’s a story behind every one of them.” Volunteers can call 740-681-5050 for a mail-in application or apply online at www.mowfc.org. Brittany Mosley is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
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bookmarks
Submitted by Colleen Bauman, Community Engagement Manager Pickerington Public Library
Drive Up for Books
Pickerington Public Library now provides curbside pickup as a new, safe and convenient service for our customers. Make sure to visit www.pickerington library.org and the library’s social media pages, @PickeringtonLib, for updates about the pickup and other library offerings. Sign up for the library newsletter on our homepage for the most up-to-date information. Chicken! 75+ Easy & Delicious Recipes
Goodnight, Veggies
by Diana Murray Every veggie in the community garden needs their shut eye! For fans of the Llama Llama series.
Mindful Day
by Deborah Hopkinson A young girl and her family practice mindfulness during a busy Saturday.
by Good Housekeeping This isn’t your grandma’s chicken cookbook. With colorful pictures accompanying almost every recipe, your eyes and your palate will experience everything from crispy hot-honey chicken sliders to chicken with a walnut herb sauce over a cabbage-kohlrabi slaw.
The Dirty, Lazy, Keto Cookbook
by Stephanie Laska Keep your keto simple with this cookbook packed with easy-to-follow, affordable and totally delicious recipes that can help you “bend the rules to lose the weight” like Laska.
Beekeeping for Beginners: How to Raise Our First Bee Colonies Grandma’s Gardens Food: A Can-YouFind-It Book
by Sarah L. Schuette Feed kids’ hunger for fun, challenging puzzles with this seek-and-find title dedicated to food. Search for pictures and words hidden in colorful photos of soups, doughnuts, eggs, pizza, sushi and more.
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business
by Lyla Lee Mindy Kim wants to fit in at her new school, but her favorite lunch leads to scorn, then a thriving business and finally big trouble.
Reading this Summer
Summer Reading is just around the corner! Things will operate a little differently this year because of the pandemic. For the most recent updates, visit our website and our mobile app, Pickerington Public Library. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play today. OverDrive, a digital distribution service for libraries, and its app Libby have no less than 1,344 books on food, health and fitness. Download one or more today! 30
by Amber Bradshaw For anyone ready to develop their first hive, this guide is easy to follow with illustrations and instructions that include everything you will need to start, operate and maintain a colony of bees. If you have the patience, your reward is liquid gold.
by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton Grandma Dorothy shared her love of gardens with her daughter, Hillary, and her granddaughter, Chelsea. She taught them that gardens are magical places to learn, fun spaces for discovery, quiet Pickerington Public Library spots to spend Main time with family, 201 Opportunity Way and beautiful areas Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. to share stories and Sunday Closed celebrate special occasions. But Sycamore Plaza Library most of all, she 7861 Refugee Rd. taught them that Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in her gardens, Sunday Closed her love grew and www.pickeringtonlibrary.org blossomed. Hours are subject to change due to health concerns
www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
We always knew that this community was special. Now we know that ‘special’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. To everyone doing your part to keep our community united and safe,
thank you. A Member of Trinity Health
