(614) March 2021

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MARCH 2021 (614) MAGAZINE

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BIG PICTURE The NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets played to empty seats in Nationwide Arena in early 2021, submitting its variance request in February to Columbus Public Health and the state of Ohio to allow 10% of fans to return and cheer on the team. That variance was approved in late February. The Blue Jackets will welcome back 1,953 of its devoted fans this month.

PHOTO BY DAVID HEASLEY

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Contents

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C O V E R PA C K A G E THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

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MAKER'S SPACE: ALLISON HAAS 18 WIZARD OF ZA

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SUGAR RUSH

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SPRING GETAWAYS

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REUSE REVOLUTION

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SECRET PARKS AND GARDENS

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ON THE COVER:

Design by Paul Barton Photo by Leonardo Carrizo Model Natalie Harrison

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis

STEPHANIE WEST Editor-In-Chief

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press

What makes it a home, anyway?

I’ll be the first to admit that I love to decorate my home.

I love to go thrifting and find cute little pieces of furniture or head to a paint store and grab the paint cards, take them home, and hold them against my walls until I find the perfect match.

I love water elements and lights—lots of lights, and green plants of all kinds that I cannot kill no matter what I will inevitably do to bring about their demise. I love art— especially from Columbus artists, that I can display perfectly on a wall or a table. And I really love electronics and games—the perfect TV or chess game or pool table is the thing I love the most.

The truth is, I love to make wherever I live feel welcoming and, well, like a home—even though I know deep inside, that none of these things are what actually make a house a home.

I remember very clearly the day I learned this valuable lesson: I was 10-years-old and my parents were divorcing.

My Mom, my brother, and I moved to “not-so-perfect” housing in a different town, 20 miles away. We went from a 3-bedroom home on a hill with dogs and space, to a cramped, 2-bedroom apartment, with a small field behind us, and a residential neighborhood across from us.

The walls were white—very white, or perhaps eggshell, which I learned was an actual color. There was no “real” decorating here, or money for art, or space for pets. We had a few photos on the walls and the necessary pieces of furniture. I remember it felt like what the word “bleh,” must feel like, if it were a living thing. We were living in “bleh;” we were its real world manifestation. Address: 1111 Bleh Ave., Bleh, OH, Bleh, Bleh, Bleh.

And yet, when I walked into “bleh,” I felt nothing but love. In this dreary place with its white walls was my mother, who could draw anything under the sun that I could conjure up in my imagination, in the brightest colors with the most vivid stories. And my big brother, who, even on hard days, would sometimes laugh so big, it sounded like a brass band playing big music in a small club. There were my favorite dolls, and my little bed, and a tan, telephone on the wall I called my first boyfriend on (even though it lasted a mere 17 hours and he broke up with me on Valentine’s Day). There was a Christmas tree in the winter, a taco salad with meat

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on a special day, and a Whitney Houston tape given to me for no reason at all, except to show that I was thought of and loved.

As it turns out, what was on our walls mattered little; what was held within them was everything.

I do everything to create a space where I can have pets, and my child, and my friends, and my family.

Someday soon, I hope it’s an even bigger one, where I can splash color on the walls, buy 100 plants (OK, 10), and thrift the cutest furniture ever to fill it—and maybe even a fire pit in the backyard. But whether my walls are bare or they are filled with the cutest of trinkets and color splashes available, it will still be home. Because as anyone who has ever truly loved another will tell you—it is love that makes a house a home.

And where love goes, your home will follow.

In this issue, we celebrate all the love-filled homes in Columbus with a cover section devoted to turning love into an inviting space using the four elements of fire, water, earth, and air. We talked to three landscape companies who gave us the lowdown on the top five trends in each category and we show you what they are, from fruit trees and swim spas, to fireplaces in your backyard.

Need someplace to go while the landscapers work their magic? We’ve got 10 regional destination spots for a quick Spring Getaway to quell your travel bug and give you some much needed R&R. You can also explore some of Columbus’ secret parks & gardens, then hit someplace great for food—maybe Wizard of Za or Fried Chicka Bang, also featured in this issue.

No matter where you eat or where you go, you always come back to your humble abode. So, take our advice, and help your house look on-point for 2021, readers.

But most importantly, take a look around you at the people and pets in your life and know that love, and love alone, is what makes your house a home.

Happy landscaping, Columbus.

VP OF CONTENT / EDITOR IN CHIEF Stephanie West ASSISTANT / DIGITAL EDITOR Sarah Sole 614 CAMPUS EDITOR Caroline Cunningham CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Alex Lefebvre, Leonardo Carrizo, Jen Brown James D. DeCamp

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah Sole Jack Mclaughlin Melinda Green

Melissa Braithwaite Lindsey Esaja Jaime North DESIGN TEAM MANAGER Paul Barton SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER Justin Remotap GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jaime North VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Maddy Van Buren DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jayci Haase ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Nikki Harris ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite

(614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614now.com www.614now.com

ON the WEB

� S TA F F P I C K S

Spring Cleaning In (614)’s March issue, it’s time for a bit of spring cleaning and home updates! So we asked our staff, what's the one home project you're most looking forward to this spring?

Do you check your food and entertainment updates on 614now. com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’s top food, entertainment stories from throughout Central Ohio. Check out all things Columbus online at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!

Mark_McDaniel.jpg

Well, first step: Buy a home.

— Stephanie West, Editor-In-Chief

Moving.

— Sarah Sole, Asst./Digital Editor

Refurbishing + sprucing up some old furniture/garage sale finds!

— Jaime North, Graphic Designer

Landscaping...landscaping...landscaping.

— Meggin Weimerskirch, Advertising Director

New windows. Oh wait, I thought you said LEAST looking forward to....

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLOWN CON E STA F F

→ Not clownin’ around To say that Clown Cones & Confections owner Mark McDaniel is dedicated to his job might be an understatement. Read how the community rallied to save this community gem.

— Jayci Haase, Marketing Director

→ Get you some BBQ Turning my guest room into a gym— that I'll probably never use.

Pit BBQ opened another location in Columbus.

See where and when you can get your delicious, BBQ grub on.

I'll be decorating the kitchen in my new apartment to resemble Dakota Johnson's.

→ No FOMO here

— Nikki Harris, Senior Account Manager

— Maddy Van Buren, Video Editor/Producer

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We won’t ever let you miss out on the good stuff. That’s why we curated a list of the best new dishes in Columbus you don’t want to miss.

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61 4 V I D E O Did you know that (614) launched a new YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. We’re expanding our ever-growing content to include video across our web and magazine stories. Keep an eye out for more on our (614) Columbus account and on social media.

In the meantime, check out the newest videos on our channel: now playing...

SO CIA L CO M M ENTARY Columbus, you are a social-ing bunch, and we couldn’t love it anymore than we already do—unless YOU had a giveaway for US! Still, your quirky, witty, commentary, sometimes full of love...sometimes not so much, gives us much to talk about during the day. So, have @ it Central Ohio—we’re listening!

fa ceb oo k Columbus Arts Festival canceled for 2021: CATHY F: Not another year without festivals!! NO!! I CANT TAKE IT!

Buffets are back thanks to amended health order: KURTIS R: I mean let’s be honest. Buffets weren’t somewhere that you’d go to eat if you were the least bit concerned about hygiene or health, even before Covid.

Polaris eatery coming to Bridge Park

• Tasting Columbus Have you checked out our new TV show “Tasting Columbus?” Join OSU food scientist Matt Teegarden as he eats his way through Columbus’ food scene.

Episode 2 drops March 1. Make sure to tune in at tastingcolumbus.com or scan the QR code here.

NATE L: Y’ALL MAKIN’ IT REAL HARD TO WANT TO LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE

First episode of Tasting Columbus: MELINDA G: Thanks for the recommendations! Had Wario's for the first time tonight. It was delish. Can't wait to try the other featured eateries.

now playing...

inst a g r am From the Feb issue of (614) Magazine: Single and the City: @KELLYSCANTINA: Yeah, there’s a reason why most of the women are still single!! @PRO2AGIRL: I had to go outside of the Columbus market to find a GOOD man. I was single for 4 years before that.

• Meet our Host!

If you’ve watched our new TV show “Tasting Columbus,” then you’ve already spent some time with our host and OSU food scientist Matt Teegarden. Wanna know about him and the show? Scan the QR code here.

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t wit t er The show must go on: Broadway in Columbus to return this fall @ANDREWEGG131: We’ve got two Hamilton Tickets. May be willing to part with them. Seventhish

#AsSeenInColumbus It’s difficult for us here at (614) to catch it all. That’s where you come in: while you’re out there capturing the city, you might as well slide some of your best shots our way. We’ll throw a few of ours in the mix, too.

There’s plenty to see in Columbus, so there’s no reason ot to share.

@fireproofcolumbus

@columbusmidnightbaker

@thurberhouse

@lilacsandlinenco

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MAKER'S SPACE

← Allison Haas, Owner of Fortuna June

Jewelry business shines light on mental illness

By Melinda Green Photos by Jen Brown

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BEAD

BY BEAD 18

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or the past nine months, in her Fortuna June studio, Allison Haas has produced hand-woven bead earrings in retro colors, emboldened with zig-zags, triangles, and hearts, some even paying homage to “Bernie’s mittens.”

But look closer, and you begin to see that each piece is a step on a journey that advocates for mental wellness—her business takes its name from her great-grandmother, Mary Fortuna Haas, who was institutionalized with severe mental illness for the last 40 years of her life.

“I feel like I’m giving a voice to someone who would have otherwise been muted by the stigma of her legacy,” Haas said of her great-grandmother.

“I’m reminded of my own privilege, being able to get help when I need it, and working to help others get assistance as well.”

And every tiny bead is a fragment of that commitment.

The wife of a small-town Ohio doctor, Mary’s symptoms began in June of 1929.

Though Haas only heard small whispers of her great-grandmother’s story growing up, it loomed large in her imagination. Who was Mary before she became ill? What was her life like in an institution?

Eventually, Haas was able to procure medical records and piece together a story of schizophrenia, grief, and postpartum depression. The lack of understanding during that period about mental illness eventually failed her great-grandmother. In 2019, Haas honored Mary’s legacy in a ghost walk, where she told her true story in a re-enactment.

While Haas’ art is influenced by the memory of her great-grandmother, it’s also affected by her own life experiences.

Her beadwork draws on a life rich with its own stories. Armed with digital design experience and →

↓ Haas' beadwork draws on a life rich with its own stories

↓ Hand-woven bead earrings

↑ Haas in studio creating hand-woven earrings

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I’m typically an incredibly impatient person, so it’s a little bit ironic that I have chosen a slowfashion art But it helps me slow down and enjoy the process, building something beautiful, bead by bead."

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a sense of adventure, she moved to Alaska in 2002. Though she intended to stay only a year, she was still there 14 years later. During the long, dark, rural winters, she designed knitwear patterns that are echoed today in the patterns of her earrings.

“A pixel is also a bead; is also a knit stitch,” she said. “I loved mapping out knitwear designs, stitch by stitch, and that’s what appeals to me about beading now.”

Haas moved back to Ohio in 2016 and took a full-time job at The James Cancer Hospital, but she struggled to find her bearings personally.

“Lives move on; I didn’t fit in where I used to fit,” Haas said. “I had to make my way into a new social and creative sphere.”

Haas had experimented with beadwork, and she decided to take the jump. The move paid off: She found a place in the beading community and a market for her earrings.

“This is my side gig—all evening, late into the night, and on the weekends,” she laughed. “I have a lot of designs just waiting in the wings for the right time to produce them.”

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Haas designs with an Excel grid snippet that she imports into Procreate software on her iPad and colors cell by cell. Her colorways include shades of teal, harvest gold, pink, mauve, and gray.

“I like to pair quirkier colors together, kind of the opposite of what I’d wear myself,” she said. “I’m drawn to very classic colors, and I wanted something a little more bold. So I push myself out of my comfort zone a lot. Nothing that’s too wacky, but [colors] that work together in a unique way.”

Haas has created a few custom combinations but prefers to listen to her own creative voice, balancing it with what her customers want to buy.

Pink and red is one of her emerging trends.

Right now, she produces mostly earrings, which take anywhere from 90 minutes to four hours to create. She’s also experimenting with mini-earrings, pendants, and loom-woven bracelets, hoping to offer them at summer craft markets. On a busy week, she produces as many as 12 pairs of earrings, plus prototypes for future creations and items for future shows.

But while Haas is focused on bringing her

← Hand-woven bead earrings

"Lives move on; I didn’t fit in where I used to fit. I had to make my way into a new social and creative sphere."

↓ Colorful beads Haas uses to create retro-style earrings

beading to a wider audience, the craft itself helps her stay grounded mentally.

“I’m typically an incredibly impatient person, so it’s a little bit ironic that I have chosen a slow-fashion art,” she said. “But it helps me slow down and enjoy the process, building something beautiful, bead by bead.” ♦

Follow Allison Haas on Instagram @fortuna.june

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Fried Chicka Bang is pouring it on thick— and reaping the benefits of 90s inspired sandwich pop-up shop

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Leonardo Carrizo

↑ The Hotstepper Sandwich

"Years before this, we were always joking around and making food together, and trying out each other’s recipes.

So we just sort of built on all that."

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T

here’s no doubt that 2020 was a challenging year. That being said, there’s at least one thing “the year that shall not be named” brought to Columbus residents that they can be thankful for every day: Fried Chicka Bang.

This fun, flashy, and undeniably delicious 90’s-themed pop-up opened its first location on Sept. 23 out of the Polaris Sunny Street Cafe (8461 Sancus Blvd.). As a pop-up, they open shop just after Sunny Street closes, operating from Wednesday to Sunday from 4-8:30 p.m. And four months later, their meteoric rise in popularity has allowed Fried Chicka Bang to open a second pop-up out of the Arena District location of Sunny Street Cafe (277 W. Nationwide Blvd.).

No matter which location you're talking about though, it’s the same story: these are some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the city. (Ranch-saucesmeared) hands down.

But it’s not just Columbus residents who can’t

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get enough Fried Chicka Bang, either, as the eatery regularly attracts patrons from across Ohio.

“We couldn’t even have guessed how wellreceived we’ve been,” said co-founder Maria Swallie. “We’ve had customers come from as far away as Marion. They drive down here and eat in the car.”

The business was founded by a trio of sisters and sisters-in-law—Maria Swallie, Megan Stasko, and Meggan Stasko, with each bringing their own set of restaurant-running abilities to the table.

“We would always have family dinners and get-togethers because we live so close together, and that’s sort of how all of this started,” said Meggan Stasko. “Years before this, we were always joking around and making food together, and trying out each other’s recipes. So we just sort of built on all that.”

The three sisters all enjoy different types of food, meaning one of the projects of creating a menu for

" We couldn’t even have guessed how well-received we’ve been. "

their restaurant was incorporating a wide range of flavors. While they’ve managed to pull this off— representing flavors from Nashville to South Korea— it’s ironically their menu’s lack of extraneous options that serves as one of its biggest assets. It features just chicken sandwiches, two salads, and a small list of side dishes.

“Our menu is on the smaller side on purpose,” Swallie said. “It allows us to execute everything really well, to make the orders quick, and make them consistent. When you specialize in one thing, you can really focus on making them good.”

Fried Chicka Bang’s current ten-sandwich rotation features items like Choo Choo (black sesame shake, gochujang mayo, sweet and spicy slaw), Funky Chick (swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato, “funky” mustard), and the new Alabama Barbie (bacon, onion jam, white barbeque sauce).

Of course, though, no fried chicken sandwich is complete without a side of the pop-up’s signature homemade ranch dressing.

“We give ranch with every order: every sandwich, every order of fries. Especially with our spicy sandwiches like the Hotstepper or the Ghostface, you need something to cut through that heat,” Swallie said. →

↑ Homemade Sauces

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↑ The Choo Choo Sandwich

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→ The Funky Chick Sandwich

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← (L to R) Meggan Stasko, Megan Stasko, & Maria Swallie, Owners and sisters

Our menu is on the smaller side on purpose...

When you specialize in one thing, you can really focus on making them good.”

It’s become so popular that Fried Chicka Bang whips up over 15 gallons of homemade ranch every week, and regular customers quite literally buy it by the tub (for only $7).

“I’m sort of thinking we should just make it a drink,” Megan Stasko said with a laugh. “We should start putting it in beverages.”

More than just ranch, the eatery is truly focused on their sauces, which are all housemade. From herbed mayo to chunky bleu cheese to their own brand of “funky mustard,” Swallie says each sauce is critical in defining the flavor profile of the sandwich it compliments.

Within the pop-up’s two dessert options, Teddy Banana Graham Pudding and Bizarro Crunchberry Cheesecake, you might recognize some of your favorite childhood snacks (Teddy Grahams and Crunchberries), and that’s not by accident. The finishing touch on Fried Chicka Bang—besides that last mouthful of fried chicken perfection—is a 90s-themed atmosphere that’s just as fun and indulgent as their sandwiches.

So make sure to check your next carryout bag for a free handful of iconic 90s candy as well.

“We’re delivering to so many people who grew up in the 90s, and what better feeling than to get those little nostalgic treats of Warheads and Laffy Taffies with your food,” said Meggan Stasko. “It kind of takes you back, you remember those days, an easier time. And that’s especially important during a pandemic, because it’s that little bit of happiness that we can bring to every customer.” ♦ Learn more at friedchickabang.com

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↑ Cheese Pie Comfort-style Sicilian Pizza

What’s next for newly brick-andmortared The Wizard of Za

By Sarah Sole / Photos by Alex Lefebvre

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← Sepncer Saylor, Owner

" To me, cooking is synonymous with family— breaking bread with the ones we love. "

S

pencer Saylor credits the people of Columbus for making his restaurant dreams come true.

“I never, ever, ever will be able to thank Columbus enough,” said the 27-year-old Youngstown native, whose viral Sicilian-style pizza launched him from his own kitchen, to ghost kitchens, to finally, his own space in FUSIAN’s Clintonville location at 4214 N. High St. But although Saylor seemingly got his happy ending, his story is only just beginning. Now that he has a space to call his own, Saylor has far more in store than just a popular pizza shop. The entrepreneur has always dreamed of having his own restaurant, and plans to use the Wizard of Za as a foundational test kitchen of sorts. It’s clear his pizza is just the first chapter.

Wrapping up the long waitlist for his pizza, which Saylor was slated to do by mid-February, will free him up to begin his culinary experiments.

First up will be an expanded pizza menu. Wizard of Za’s original four pies included pepperoni, cheese, tomato, and vodka sauce.

But now, Saylor said he plans to have specialty pies and collaborations with other local restaurants that rotate every couple of weeks. The goal is an ever-changing, modest menu. He also has his eyes on crafting homestyle Italian comfort food like handmade pastas as well as desserts and ice creams. → 614NOW.COM

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↑ Saylor makes Sicilian-stlye pizzas using local Ohio ingredients

I’ll never know what folks are going through day to day in their lives,

but if I can feed their soul for 15 minutes and bring some light into their life, that’s all I hope for.”

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Once the pandemic dies down and the service industry steadies, he’ll funnel those items into a full-service restaurant that’s a separate entity from Wizard of Za, one that features Italian comfort food.

“To me, cooking is synonymous with family— breaking bread with the ones we love,” Saylor said.

Saylor said his time spent with family in the kitchen in Youngstown brought him a lot of joy.

“Since then, it’s been my dream to bring as many folks as possible that feeling,” he said. “I’ll never know what folks are going through day to day in their lives, but if I can feed their soul for 15 minutes and bring some light into their life, that’s all I hope for.”

Though Saylor stands poised to embark on yet another culinary adventure, back in 2019 he was just a northeast Ohio transplant missing Youngstown pizza.

Sicilian-style pies are the closest thing to what he grew up with, he said.

“It’s very much based around the crust and not

the toppings,” he said.

So that year, Saylor began a personal quest to learn how to make Sicilian pizza. By March 2020, he was furloughed from his catering industry job, allowing him more time to focus on perfecting his pies. Friends and family began telling their friends and family about Saylor’s pizza.

By April of last year, Saylor was getting more and more requests to try his pies. By that time, he recognized he might have a commercial project instead of just a personal one. He began looking into renting ghost kitchens and commercial space, which were readily available because of the challenges brought to restaurants by the pandemic. The Wizard of Za became mobile, with Saylor lugging around his gear in his car, operating for days, weeks, or a month at a time at various kitchens.

A few months later, Saylor began getting inquiries from local and regional restaurant groups interested in working with him. One of those outfits was FUSIAN, which eventually transformed their dining room into a Wizard of Za pizza shop.

↑ Saylor prepares housemade focaccia crust for each pie

Saylor operated out of a FUSIAN kitchen in Westerville this past fall before moving into Wizard of Za’s Clintonville home in midDecember. And while his style of pizza is one with strong roots in New York, his pies are made with ingredients local to Ohio.

The pepperoni that graces his pies comes from Columbus outfit the Ezzo Sausage Company, and Saylor sources his basil from Waterfields Farm in Cincinnati. The vodka sauce is made using Ashville-based M&O Spirits.

Saylor makes all his sauces and the focaccia crust for his pies as well.

The focus on crust and sauce harkens to his childhood in Youngstown, where Saylor said pizza was used to commemorate any and all events, from football games to birthdays to Christmas Eve. “It’s just a food that people are passionate about,” he said ♦

Learn more at thewizardofza.com

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↑ Kyle Cardwell & Phillip Clary Head butcher and owner of Macelleria

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Columbus welcomes new butcher shop renaissance.

By Jack McLaughlin Photos by Leonardo Carrizo

L

ike the milk man or the chimney sweep, the neighborhood butcher shop probably feels like an antiquated concept to most Columbus residents.

Until recently, that is.

In the last several years, Columbus has seen an explosion of interest in the previously-floundering art of butchery, with several extremely popular “craft” butcher shops popping up in the city since 2016.

“A lot of it’s about people wanting to see where their products come from. It’s conscious consumerism,” said Ohio Association of Meat Processors Executive Secretary Valerie Parks Graham, who has noticed the trend spreading statewide.

And if you ask Tony Tanner, he would probably agree with Parks Graham’s assessment. Tanner is owner of The Butcher & Grocer, the wildly-popular artisanal butcher shop/market that opened at 1089 W. 1st Ave. in Grandview in 2016. He also launched the equally-beloved Grandview restaurant Cleaver, which uses TB&G for all of its proteins.

"We’ll only buy from our farmers, and we’ll never use pack houses or auction floors or distributors."

“At the end of the day, I think we’ve become popular because of the way we source. We’re transparent about everything,” he said, noting that the shop only purchases beef without hormones or antibiotics. “We’ll never buy the way that most meat counters buy today. We’ll only buy from our farmers, and we’ll never use pack houses or auction floors or distributors. I know everything about the animals that we purchase until they leave our store.”

This transparency is illustrated in the layout of the Grandview storefront itself.

Just behind its sweeping glass display case is a single wall separating the actual butchery from the retail space. A window-sized hole provides an even closer look into where, exactly, your food is coming from.

While the desire for transparency has partially fueled the recent butchery boom, it’s also been propelled by the need for variety. → 614NOW.COM

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↑ The Butcher & Grocer Artisanal butcher shop, Grandview

“You see, we’re not doing all the same tired stuff.

We want to educate, and we also want to elevate the food scene,” said Phil Clary, owner of Macelleria, another local artisan butcher shop. “We’re always offering different things; last weekend we had beef, pork, two types of lamb, and even wild boar. We’re doing wild boar sausage, a pork liver sausage, and a lot more. You’d have to go to Italy to get some of these things.”

Macelleria, located at 2474 E. Main St. in Bexley, has only been open since December, but in that time they’ve enjoyed white-hot popularity, with droves of repeat customers. One of the items that’s become a surprise hit among their east-side customer base is an uncommon specialty sausage known as Mazzafegati. Originally from Umbria, it features pork liver, pork shoulder, orange zest, and spices.

It isn’t just the new kids on the block who have enjoyed butchery’s surge in popularity. Carfagna’s Market has been a Columbus butcher since 1937, and they too have begun to offer interesting, lesstraditional cuts of meat They’ve also taken note of the hunger Columbus residents have developed for culinary knowledge.

According to Director of Marketing Sal Carfagna, one of the tenants of their massive, new Polaris marketplace (set to open later this year) includes actively educating customers about their meat, which will be served by their staff of professional butchers.

“Whenever anybody needs anything special, they can come right up and we can educate them.

Our trained butchers can explain to them where a certain cut is, what the texture and flavors are going to be, and how to cook it,” said Carfagna.

“If you’re looking for something unusual like say a Denver steak, we can cut it right there in front of you,

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and we can even help you learn how to do it on your own. Education is so important to our customers now. ” Those wanting to learn a bit more about craft butchery can even do so from none other than Ohio State. Their school is hosting a Buckeye Fresh Mini Meat-Cutting Workshop several times this spring beginning March and ending in May. Those interested can email Dr. Lyda G. Garcia, Extension Meat Specialist, at garcia.625@osu.edu for more information or to register.

During a time when whole food and consumer awareness appears to be at an all-time high, artisanal butchery is primed to stay in the spotlight.

And why not? It’s a great way to teach, learn and— more importantly—eat well.

“One of the problems with our food culture today is people being so disconnected. I’ve had people come into my shop and ask for boneless chicken wings, not realizing what they actually were.

But it’s great to be able to show them; it’s great to be able to educate,” Tanner said. “And I think if the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s this: The closer we are to our food, the better off we are.” ◊

↓ Kyle Cardwell slices a piece of pork

↑ Tony Tanner owner of The Butcher & Grocer

↑ A wide selection of meats

↑ Dustin Butler slicing meats

PA R - T E A T I M E

↑ Afternoon Tea Service includes a bag of tea, a scone, clotted cream and jam, three savory finger sandwiches, and two mini desserts

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How to throw the perfect tea party

By Lindsey Escaja / Photos by James D. DeCamp

"I feel people are finding themselves yearning for a connection, not only to host a party, but for nature’s everlasting riches—tea."

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fternoon tea is making a comeback. As the hit Netflix series “Bridgerton” continues to sweep the nation with its modernized British traditions, more people are realizing they don’t need to be throwing a bridal or baby shower to have a classy afternoon affair with friends.

You can also throw a tea party...just because, of course.

“I feel people are finding themselves yearning for a connection, not only to host a party, but for nature’s everlasting riches—tea,” said Mayra Betances Yerbatera, owner of Teas for Spirits.

There’s so much more to a fabulous tea party than just tea. Part of the magic is in the elegance of it all, and the rest is in the details. That said, anyone can throw a tea party with the right tea— Lipton just won’t do.

Betances Yerbatera recommends having various teas on hand and pairing them with a garnish buffet tray.

“Include a solid black, green, and oolong tea leaves for your guests. The tray will add flair, allow your guests to make their own selections, and make your par-tea catch Lady Whistledown’s attention and become the soirée it should be,” she joked.

If you don’t know where to start and have visions of a charming tea room setting out of a British fairy tale, Cambridge Tea House is the place to go for all of your party needs.

This hidden gem will make you feel like you’ve temporarily traveled across the pond. With its charming atmosphere and delicious goodies, the tea won’t be the only thing having you coming back for more.

↑ Sarah Jackson, Owner of Cambridge Tea House

→ Afternoon Tea Service from Cambridge Tea House

“During the pandemic, we have had a lot of fun planning themed menus for our customers,” said Sarah Jackson, owner of Cambridge Tea House. “Our afternoon tea service package is the best one to order, whether [you’re] hosting a party for one over Zoom or with friends in the flesh,” she says.

If setting up for one, the afternoon tea service package includes a bag of tea to brew at home, a scone, clotted cream and jam, three savory finger sandwiches, and two mini desserts. → 614NOW.COM

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→ Garnish buffet tray

↓ Hibiscus Fusion with Blood Orange tea & sugar balls

↑ Mayra Betances Yerbatera, Owner of Teas for Spirits

← Tea & Sugar Balls

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Include a solid black, green, and oolong tea leaves for your guests.

The tray will add flair, allow your guests to make their own selections.

It can also be customized to accommodate your guest list.

“We will continue to carry the special menus at our location, as they and our loyal customers are what is keeping us afloat during these tough times since we are unable to host events in person at our location,” says Jackson.

For those who want to sauce up their tea experience, adding a bit of spirit can enhance the occasion. When you add the leaves to something other than water—say, a spirit such as bourbon—you open a Pandora's box of possibility.

“Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Fusion is my favorite to mix with alcohol,” said Betances Yerbatera.” It blends harmoniously with gin, vodka, or white rum. If your guests are looking for the familiarity and comfort of a hot toddy, Blood Orange + Cinnamon Tea and Hibiscus Flower Tea are good to have on deck to pair with a whiskey or bourbon.”

Whatever menu you decide on, you’d better get started on that guest list. Tea for Two Tuesday is March 16, after all. Send out those invites, get all the mixings, and drink responsibly! ♦

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↓ Amanda "Mandy" Miller Owner of Sugar Rush

" " Sugar Rush embraces the weird and wonderful side of baking.

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Leonardo Carrizo

I

n 2018, Sugar Rush owner Amanda “Mandy” Miller baked the first cake of her life. It was four layers high, decorated in handcrafted red, white, and blue buttercream—and it ended up exploding.

“That really began my interest in baking, and it kind of just spiraled from there,” said Miller of the intentional “explosion cake,” she had crafted for a local Fourth of July Party. In this style, the cake’s center is hollowed

out and replaced with a bounty of colorful sprinkles and small candies.

When the cake is cut into, these spill out in a fun, festive display that’s also full edible.

More important than stealing the show at a neighborhood Independence Day bash, this cake marked a real turning point for Miller.

Not only did she demonstrate some prodigious baking talent, it turned on a light for her that’s still burning brightly to this day: a passion for whipping up

the wildest and most flavor-packed baked goods the human mind can conjure up.

“I would get off [work], and end up baking until 3 a.m. almost every night,” said Miller of working her day job for a real estate company before going home and baking like crazy.

As demand for her kooky custom cakes skyrocketed, Miller transitioned from a home bakery to renting out the kitchen of Sexton’s Pizza after-hours to her own storefront, all in just → 614NOW.COM

"I would get off [work], and end up baking until 3 a.m. almost every night."

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↑ Liam Hallstrom Enjoying a milk shake topped with a chocolate chip cookie + a cupcake

↑ Elvis cupcake

→ Sundae cupcake

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over a year’s time. The 8130 E. Broad St. location in Reynoldsburg opened last November and shows Miller’s passion for the crazy and colorful with its neon-colored slime painted down the walls and giant gummy bears flanking either side of the main entrance.

“I think if we keep everything the same we’re not going to stay relevant.

I think in Columbus especially, where everything is new and changing all the time, you have to be willing to change,” said Miller. “Every week we’re thinking of different flavors and different things that we’re offering, and I think that’s what drives a lot of people in.”

If it’s a custom cake you’re after, Sugar Rush offers 30 different base flavors put together any way you’d like: the crazier the better. Their creations range from flashy superhero and Star Wars-themed birthday cakes and cakes decorated with multiple full-sized donuts; to prisitine-white cakes featuring Pennywise the clown that are splattered in red, and even (tastefully-done) X-rated options.

The store’s most memorable creation? An explosion cake that held (in addition to a deluge of sprinkles) an engagement ring in its center. She said yes, by the way.

While custom cakes are the “bread and butter” of Sugar Rush, according to Miller, the opening of their Reynoldsburg storefront also led to an increased focus on cupcakes, which allows customers to try a greater range of flavors without having to shell out for a full cake.

While classic options like chocolate and cookies n’ cream are offered, so is a wide range of other more inventive options. Their signature cupcake, the Elvis, features banana cupcake with peanut butter, buttercream, candied bacon, and freeze-dried banana topping. Other favorites include the Flapjack, which has a cinnamon base with maple icing and candied bacon, and the sweetand-spicy Strawberry and Jalapeno.

Now with a staff of talented, dedicated employees—Carol Popp serves as Head Designer and Craig Roberson as Head Baker—the Sugar Rush team is constantly dreaming up

fantastic new creations (including dessert tacos and churro baskets).

Roberson recently created a new bread pudding cupcake based on his grandmother’s that patrons have been raving about. Just don’t ask him to give up the recipe. The Sugar Rush team is even experimenting with savory flavors as well, so keep your eyes open for those.

Even more, Miller believes the bakery’s embrace of the wild and wonderful goes beyond just food: it represents the best, most accepting, parts of Columbus, a city she’s grown to call home.

“I’m from a small town in PA, you know, one stop light. If I went there now and brought this they would be like, no thank you, you’re crazy,” she said. “But that’s what I love about Columbus, is you can really express yourself, you can be who you want to be. Tattoos, blue hair, crazy clothes: we love it. So no matter what you like, come in here, have a good time, and enjoy some frickin’ sweets.” ◊

↓ Mandy Miller Preparing one of their signature cakes

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THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to stay on-trend in 2021 with Earth, Air, Water, and Fire Columbus readers, it's March in Ohio, which means we're crossing our fingers, just like you, that spring arrives sooner rather than later. But that doesn't mean you can't start planning the four elements of your interior and exterior landscaping for when the snow goes away and the greenery arrives! So, we curated the top trends for landscaping in Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, to help you navigate your backyard design when the weather finally turns warm. From fruit trees to swim spas, and creating space to LED lights, this section is all about how to make your abode trendy in 2021.

So, grab a pair of garden gloves and your favorite sunhat and let's get 'scaping, Columbus! →

By Sarah Sole

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EARTH

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INTERIOR LANDSCAPE Easy-care plants to bring fresh air and new life into your home

1 01

POTHOS

Medium-Low Indirect |

~Every week

Grows quickly without much attention, produces long, beautiful vines, + it’s easy to propagate! Pothos also come in many variations, some of the most popular including: Golden, Marble Queen, Satin, & Neon.

02

2

PEACE LILY

Medium-Low Indirect |

~Every 2 weeks

Very hardy and forgiving plant, they even let you know when they're thirsty by drooping their leaves (they’re dramatic). Produce white flowers and can grow to be pretty big – make the perfect floor plant!

GENERAL HOUSEPLANT TIPS: Only plant in pots with good drainage holes.

Terra-Cotta pots can help absorb excess water.

4

Make sure to rotate your plants weekly, don’t leave one side getting less light than the other!

Use less water in winter months & more in the warmer months.

3

5

03

SPIDER PLANT

Bright-Moderate Indirect

|

04

Once they are mature, they sprout out little hanging babies (called spiderettes) that can be easily propagated, or saved on the mother plant to create a “fountain” looking effect.

ZZ PLANT

Medium-Low Indirect |

~Every week

05 ~Every 2 weeks

Has thick, waxy leaves and is a great air purifier. Super hardy, can tolerate neglect, droughts, & low light – for people that think they can’t keep plants alive.

SNAKE/SANSEVIERIA

Medium-Low Indirect

*Some plants are toxic to pets & children, please research plants further before adding them to your home.*

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|

~Every 2 weeks

Also known as Sansevieria, it is considered one of the top plants for indoor air purification.

Also comes in many different varieties of leaf color, shape, + size.

ON-TREND

INTERIOR MUST-HAVES

By Lindsey Escaja

T

here is always more to add to your list when it comes to making your interior space more comfortable, creative, and, most importantly, up-to-date with the latest trends. We’re highlighting five home trends that are having a major moment right now, all of which you can copy in your own abode now.

SHELF LIFE Storage is hidden on purpose and needs to be intentional in its use, which is where mordern storage comes in handy. Urban Sundry’s collection is the place to get started on that getorganized-in-2021 plan.

CUTLERY

Your inner chef already knows it—high-quality knives will change your life. Sur La Table is a good place to start if you’re going to buy good knives.

BRING NATURE INSIDE

Plants can provide some much-needed anti-pollutants, ensuring the air we breathe is fresh and full of oxygen. Green is also proven as a color to make us feel safe and content.

A handmade potted plant from Stump Plants can help bring the outside in.

AIR FRYER Healthy fried foods can be a reality, people. Indulge your french fry craving more healthily by getting yours practically anywhere in the city.

CHARCUTERIE BOARD The adult lunchable of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies is next level and totally accessible. Arch City Woodcraft is your go-to place for the perfect custom board. ♦ 614NOW.COM

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NATIVE + NATURAL 1 Gardens incorporating native plants are very popular right now, and serve as an escape from the home, said Noah Mabry, principal lead designer with Foreground Studio. These concepts offer a more natural feel, and can make your yard feel more like a metro park.

2

NATIVE GARDENS

01

Recently, there’s been a move toward native and sustainable plants, said Bill Gerhardt, president and founder of GreenScapes Landscape Co. “That’s definitely been a trend,” he said. In that vein, gardens that attract birds and wildlife are having a bit of a moment. →

These concepts offer a more natural feel, and can make your yard feel more like a metro park.

Photos courtesy of GreenScapes Landscape Co.

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BIRD-ATTRACTING WILDLIFE GARDENS

02

2021 EXTERIOR TRENDS

By Lindsey Escaja

C

urb appeal is huge, and there’s just no denying that—and 2021 is the perfect year to switch things up! On that note, we found five must-know exterior home design trends for this year that will make staying home that much more enjoyable.

WORM COMPOSTING

Turn kitchen scraps, paper waste, and cardboard into nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants. Get your compost box and worms at Buckeye Organics.

DIY GARDENS

Victory gardens popular during World War I and II are making a comeback. Get all the supplies you need to get started from your local Oakland Nursery and try out that green thumb.

SHOW DOOR Your door is the center of attention and 2021’s spotlight is on neutral wood or iron tones with unique architectural designs, along with wider doors and large sidelights.

Check out any of Columbus’ hardware stores for the perfect entrance.

BACKYARD FEVER By far, one of the hottest design trends for 2021 is to elevate outdoor living by creating extensive outdoor living spaces with covered spaces like pergolas and sheltered lounges. Grab yours before everyone else at The Outdoor Living Store.

WOOD ACCENTS Goodbye laminate siding; hello natural or composite wood. Whether it’s columns, siding, a front door, a fence, soffits, or garage doors, embrace the wood trend, a style that is both natural and timeless. ♦

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NATIVE + NATURAL 3

Photos courtesy of GreenScapes Landscape Co.

RAISED PLANTERS Gerhardt recommends using brightly colored planters of plastic or fiberglass in blues, reds, or yellows to create space, block views, or just enhance your yard. To make sure the pots drain, add gravel in the bottom and buy good potting soil from a garden center. “Vary the height of the plants from small perennials to medium shrubs and decorative trees like weeping Japanese maples,” he said. →

Vary the height of the plants from small perennials to medium shrubs and decorative trees.

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9 WAYS TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME

By Sarah Sole

W

hether you’re planning on selling your house down the line or staying put, only a little TLC is required to update your humble abode and add value. We talked to Worthington-based Davis Rogers Interiors to learn the best methods for injecting a bit of modernity and style into your space that helps increase your home’s selling point.

PAINTING

LIGHTING

Fresh color can make a big difference to interior and exterior spaces. Choose neutral hues such as Sherwin Williams’ Aesthetic White and Natural Choice, both soft whites. Add color with art and accessories.

Give that ceiling some love with updated lighting fixtures in a modern, fresh color, like black.

Score yours at Capital Lighting.

FAUCETS Abandon that nickel kitchen faucet in favor of something black or bronze. Worly Plumbing has a variety of timeless options from which to choose.

FLOORING Remove that carpet, especially throughout main shared spaces, and replace your flooring so that it's a cohesive material. A durable choice is luxury vinyl, which looks like wood and is easy to install over your existing flooring. Find it at Rite Rug or America’s Floor Source.

HARDWARE

DOORS

Update your kitchen and bathroom cabinets by switching to black metal knobs and linear pulls. To start your search, try In Home Concepts.

Avoid that uniform feel by updating your doors with new colors or new material, such as glass instead of wood. Look for your right fit at Capital City Millwork.

POWDER ROOM Since the first-floor bathroom is used by all your guests, it’s a prime place to add some pizazz. Give that powder room the luxury hotel treatment with fancy wallpaper, lighting, flooring, and an updated vanity.

KNOBS Try exchanging your traditional door knobs for levers, which are more ADA accessible. Replace the round rosette knob mounting with a more modern square shape.

FIREPLACES A wood-burning fireplace is in vogue right now—but maybe isn’t your style. Cost effective alternatives without the smoke include electric or linear gas fireplaces, which add ambiance as well as extra heat. Find your light at Hamilton Parker.♦

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EARTH

NATIVE + NATURAL 4

ORNAMENTAL POTS Your vegetables don’t have to live in a garden plot. According to Gerhardt, beautiful pots with vegetables or fruit have been very much on trend.

↑ Photo courtesy of GreenScapes Landscape Co.

5

FRUIT TREES Edible plants are having a moment. Gerhardt said to try growing espaliered apple trees against a wall or garden border. “You can get apple trees with multiple grafts of different apples on the same tree,” he said. ♦

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Beautiful pots with vegetables or fruit have been very much on trend.

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AIR

CREATING SPACES

1 PHYSICAL STRUCTURES

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No matter how big or small your space is, structures are a great way to divide up areas and create space, said Noah Mabry, principal lead designer with Foreground Studio. These can run the gamut from a slanted roof with four posts to pergolas, to an open-air addition to your home. →

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↑ Photo courtesy of Foreground Studio

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AIR

CREATING SPACES 3

NATURAL BARRIERS Tired of white picket fences? Hedges are a natural way to create layers out of your landscape and divide up yard elements, such as a garden, said Will Lehnert, owner of Outdoor Space Design.

4

PLANTERS Get more mileage out of your flowers by taking them out of the ground. Visually interesting planters can not only add a bit of seasonal color, but also help create a sense of architectural design, Lehnert said. ↑ Photo courtesy of Outdoor Space Design

↑ Photo courtesy of GreenScapes Landscape Co.

2

TRELLISES Trellises can be an excellent, period-appropriate choice for historic properties, Lehnert said.

“That’s an excellent way to create layering and dimension,” he said.

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ROOFTOP GARDENS

Rooftop gardens and patios can be a great way to create your ultimate outdoor room, said Bill Gerhardt, president and founder of GreenScapes Landscape Co. Create yours with bright pavers, raised planters, and pergolas or arbors with cloth awnings or drapes. “Add low voltage LED lighting for romantic evenings,” Gerhardt said. ♦

↑ Photo courtesy of Outdoor Space Design

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Nocterra

Jennings Java

www.nocterrabrewing.com (614) 896-8000 41 Depot St, Powell, OH 43065

www.jenningsjava.com (614) 935-8348 1193 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43206

Located in historic downtown Powell, Nocterra’s brewers have been perfecting their recipes & crafting high-quality ales & lagers since they opened in 2019. They offer a wide array of beers including traditional styles like dunkels, pilsners & porters, but have pushed the boundaries with fruited sours that truly expand the definition of beer. And IPAs? Yep! …everything from citrusy Beta Flash NE IPA to the big bold flavors of Scioto Coast Double IPA w/ honey.

On the hilly campus of Muskingum University, Jennings Java was born from a college dorm room in the Spring of 2016. Jennings Java highlights coffee’s unique flavors by sourcing quality beans from various regions around the world. Wholesale or home brew, Jennings Java roasts to order, promising the freshest flavor and an authentic experience with each sip. This is how we remain “True to the Origin” in every cup that you enjoy. Jennings Java provides amazing coffee and a smile to everyone that comes through our doors.

Brewing Co.

Nocterra’s canning line has been pumping out 6-packs for Central Ohio so there are plenty of ways to get their beer. Find a complete list of stores on their website, or, stop by the taproom for a pint & take home a 6-pack to share.

Better yet, try Nocterra’s free local home delivery service and get delicious craft beer dropped off at your house.

Artisan Eats

Telhio Credit

www.aeplatters.com (614) 906-8011

www.telhio.org

We specialize in creating captivating grazing tables and indulgent Charcuterie platters for a variety of events. Whether it be a bridal shower, a small gathering of friends or a night in, we will provide a spread that is sure to have your guests in awe of its beauty and abundance. Sourcing a variety of fresh foods, we use vibrant colors and textures to piece together a lavish feast for you to enjoy. Local delivery available.

Follow us on Instagram: @aeplatters

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Union

For more than 80 years, Telhio Credit Union has been serving central Ohio as a not-for-profit, full-service financial cooperative. We offer the same financial products and services as a bank –but with a small, important twist; since we are a cooperative, our members are our owners. This means that our members come first and foremost. As an organization, we also believe in our core values of caring, commitment and integrity and being an active presence in the communities we serve. That is why we offer programs to help our members live easier lives, like our Checking that Protects account that gives members the added benefits of local discounts. As Telhio Credit Union grows and expands, we continue to develop new financial solutions for our members and maintain an active presence in the communities we serve.

Parsons North

Get your 614 T-

www.parsonsnorth.com (614) 824-4208 685 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206

614now.com/shop

Brewing Co.

Parsons North Brewing Co. wants your beer experience to be straight-forward and help you take the guesswork out of deciding on your beers. We call it what it is. We put three simple, easy-tounderstand descriptors on the side of each can and bottle, so you know what to expect. We have numerous styles to choose from and are sure you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy.

Shirts Now!

Back by popular demand. Be prepared to tell people where you snagged this comfy tee.

Even better? Shipping is free!

Available in Charcoal, Royal, Red, and White.

Printed right here in Columbus, Ohio!

Carryout, Curbside Pick-up, and Delivery for all our offerings. See website for current hours of operation. Visit parsonsnorth.com to place your order for Beer, Merchandise, Gift Cards, and other items from local vendors.

Don’t forget to follow us!

Instagram @parsons_north Facebook @ParsonsNorthBeer

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WAT E R

BACKYARD OASIS

01

ORNAMENTAL POOLS

↑ Photo courtesy of Foreground Studio

1

Just the presence of water is like a calming and cooling effect.

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Water is an important ingredient in creating a backyard oasis, said Bill Gerhardt, president and founder of GreenScapes Landscape Co. Small, ornamental pools are a popular choice, he said, as are larger ponds with goldfish, lilies, and irises.

“The outdoors is becoming so much more important,” he said.

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SWIM SPAS

Halfway in between a hot tub and a pool, swim spas can be used like a very small pool or a very large hot tub, said Noah Mabry, principal lead designer with Foreground Studio. In the last two years, the designer has received many requests for the spas, which feature water nearly as hot as a traditional hot tub, and motors that create a current.

3

WALL FOUNTAINS While regular fountains are a mainstay of a lot of landscape design, Will Lehnert, owner of Outdoor Space Design, recommended wall fountains. The fountains can be either mounted to something or built into a wall. Another plus? Being vertical, wall fountains take up less space than a large, tiered fountain. →

↑ Photo courtesy of Outdoor Space Design

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WAT E R

BACKYARD OASIS 4

PONDS

Natural ponds and reflecting ponds that are organically incorporated into the flow of the entire landscape are very on trend, said Mabry. Especially in urban environments, the features can provide an auditory alternative to the sounds associated with city living. “Just the presence of water is like a calming and cooling effect,” Mabry said.

↑ Photo courtesy of Foreground Studio

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↑ Photo courtesy of Foreground Studio

5

POOLS AND HOT TUBS

Since the pandemic has prevented people from taking that vacation or visiting a water park, many people have decided to opt instead for pools and hot tubs, said Mabry.

“It’s changing the way people value the space they have at home,” he said. ♦

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FIRE

FEELING THE HEAT

1

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FIRE PITS

Despite the plethora of heaters and other fancy outdoor fire features on the market right now, fire pits are still great choices for warming yourself and your guests, said Lehnert. This long-standing, go-to for backyard parties isn’t going anywhere. →

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↑ Photo courtesy of Outdoor Space Design

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FIRE

FEELING THE HEAT

2

OUTDOOR FIREPLACES ↑ Photo courtesy of Outdoor Space Design

You gotta go big or go home, right? According to Will Lehnert, owner of Outdoor Space Design, nothing is more aesthetically pleasing than an outdoor fireplace. “It becomes a visual point,” he said.

3

GAS LAMPS AND LEDS Gerhardt recommends using low voltage LED lighting to highlight features in your garden like plants, sculptures, or arbors. “Copper garden path lights are lovely to define areas and [help] add another artful element to your garden,” he said.

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4

FIRE AND ICE Fire pits and ponds are nice and all, but what about combining the two for real dramatic flair? Gerhardt recommends getting the fire and ice look by adding a propane gas burner to your pond.

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COOKING AREAS

Over the last 15 years or so, a variety of outdoor-specific cooking appliances have made their way to the market, said Bill Gerhardt, president and founder of GreenScapes Landscape Co. Ovens, grills, pizza ovens, and even smokers are, you’ll excuse the pun, hot items. “It’s just how much money do you want to put in it,” Gerhardt said. ♦

↑ Photo courtesy of GreenSpaces Landscape Co.

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Spring into action

with a weekend away

By Melinda Green

Spring is coming, and that means finally getting out of the house and into the fresh air. To help with that, we’ve found a handful of hidden gems within a few hours’ drive for a quick spring getaway.

As always, check the locations’ policies and hours before you travel— but most of all, get out and enjoy leaving winter in the rear view mirror!

1

Spring Beauty After April 1, at Akron’s Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, tour the 65-room Tudor Revival Manor House and the historic Gate Lodge, and wander through spring’s botanical beauty. Then, visit the Bath Road Heronry outside of town to see hundreds of nesting herons. The next day, take in living history at Hale Farm & Village, with mid-1800s-era farm animals, homes, crafts, and historic interpreters.

2

Take a Hike Love hiking or mountain biking? Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, near Toledo, has more than 50 miles of hiking trail through dunes, wetlands, and savannahs, plus singletrack bike trails and a skills course. Stay at a campground, lodge, or cabin, or sleep in the largest public overnight treehouse site in the country!

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3

Midwest Charm

Nashville, Indiana, has a surplus of delightful lodging and historic character. Take the kids (or yourself) to Pioneer Village, hike in the state park, visit the wildlife sanctuary, and gorge at the candy and ice cream shops. Or make the half-hour drive to Columbus, Indiana, and see works by a wealth of modernist architects.

4

Amish Country Chill Out

Leave the kids at home and relax for the weekend at the adults-only White Oak Inn properties, in Danville. Venture out to spend the day at Ohio wineries, many within an hour’s drive, or embark on one of many other curated, selfguided adventures: Local food, pottery and crafts, antiques, or peaceful, scenic country roads.

5

Black History Matters The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, in Cincinnati, is a fun day trip. But make it a weekend and further that learning at sites like the National Afro American Museum & Cultural Center, the Paul Laurence Dunbar House, and the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument outside of Dayton.

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The Long and Wine-ding Road

6

Love wine? Northern Kentucky’s limestone-rich water is ideal for growing grapes, and there are many wineries in this region. Try the Back Woods Wine Trail for scenic drives to six of them, and spend the night in charming Maysville, home of the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center and National Underground Railroad Museum. Or stay in the Cincinnati area and make up your own tour.

7

Go Wild The Wilds is pretty well known to central Ohioans, but as far as a hidden gem, we think it still counts. In March or April, book a cabin at Straker Lake, grill out, and add on a Winter Tour to learn about the animals’ housing and care. Or visit in May, for the park’s full lineup of lodging (including yurts), safaris, tours, and ziplining.

8

Ghostly Encounters So maybe spring flowers aren’t your thing. How about paranormal activity, then?

West Virginia is full of haunted sites, from the paranormal hotbed of Lewisburg, to abandoned Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, to North Bend Rail Trail No. 19’s long, pitch-black tunnel. And of course, you’ll want to stay at the Blennerhasset Hotel to catch a ghostly glimpse of the original owner.

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The Sap is Flowing The last weekend in April, check out the Geauga County Maple Festival in Chardon.

With rides, concessions, competitions, one- and five-mile runs, and other activities, it’s sure to be packed with fun. Not up for two days of it?

Burn off those funnel cake calories at one of the Geauga Park District’s many nature preserves and parks, or unwind at one of its fishing holes.

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No Time for a Getaway?

Your kids are restless, and you can’t get away for spring break. How about some closeto-home treasure hunting? Try the Delaware County Scavenger Hunt—you won’t win a prize, but everyone can exercise their thinking skills (and their bodies) while learning about all 18 of the county’s townships. In between, visit Sunrise Sanctuary in Marysville, home to many types of rescued farm and companion animals.

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e h t n i o J

↑ Christy Walters, Owner

How one Columbus homegoods store is standing up for change

By Jack McLaughlin Photos by Alex Lefebvre

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"The most sustainable thing to do, actually, is use what you already own."

C

hristy Walters has a problem on her hands. She owns and operates the newly-opened Reuse Revolution, a popular, eco-conscious storefront located in Dublin’s North Market Bridge Park that sells reusable and Earth-friendly versions of everyday household items. And while she obviously wants her business to succeed, she says she knows that rampant consumerism is a significant contributor to much of the waste

we produce, a fact that leads to a fundamental conundrum.

“The most sustainable thing to do, actually, is use what you already own. And we tell people this, so in some sense we’re kind of like the antiretailer,” Walters said. “We need to make money obviously, but at the same time we discourage people from mindlessly shopping.”

Strangely enough, though, this contradiction (and Walter’s embrace

↑ Refillable cleaning supplies cut down on packaging waste

progress, It's about

not perfection.

of it) is part of what makes Reuse Revolution such a fascinating Columbus business.

Walters has been passionate about spreading eco-consciousness long before her current store existed. In fact, the name Reuse Revolution was first given to a website she created in 2018 to share environmental information with the world.

“There were things that weighed on me. I didn’t want to seem like the crazy friend on Facebook who’s always sharing doomsday articles, but I told myself that I had to be actively pursuing some kind of solution,” she said.

At the beginning of 2019, she introduced ecofriendly products to her website, which were a hit.

This led to regular pop-ups selling these items, and eventually—in November of last year—her very own storefront.

Wisely, Walters realizes that no matter how passionately she feels about something, the only way to encourage real change is by working (however imperfectly) with the systems that are already in place “We really want to integrate this stuff into peoples’ lifestyles in a way that feels natural,” she said. “Nobody’s going to be able to do it all; nobody’s going to want to. But eventually a bunch of small changes start to add up.” → 614NOW.COM

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A DIVISION OF

THE RIGHT GEAR FOR THE JOB.

footwear - headwear - fall protection - eye & ear protection gloves - fr clothing - hi vis - rain gear - and more!

shop the new showroom at

999 goodale blvd. columbus, oh 43212 - 800.242.4424 - www.ohiopowertool.com

↑ Reuse Revolution in Dublin at North Market Bridge Park

↑ Eco-friendling and biodegradable kitchenware

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And while the actual storefront is itself small—taking up roughly 400 square feet in a corner of the near the market’s main entrance—Reuse Revolution is stacked nearly floor to ceiling with a litany of engaging, eco-friendly products that can make your life both easier and a whole lot less impactful on our planet.

In the kitchenware section, bamboo sporks are a great (and biodegradable) option to avoid the dreaded “black plastic cutlery” from restaurants. Also for sale is a beeswax-based replacement for plastic wrap, and stretchy silicone bowl and dish covers. A central “refill station” in the store allows customers to refurbish their supplies of things like shampoo or dishwashing soap as well.

In the personal hygiene section, Reuse Revolution offers deodorant in glass containers (which hold up to recycling better than plastic), shampoo and conditioner in solid bar form without any plastic packaging, and even a popular brand of biodegradable hair ties, which Walters says are some of the most commonly-littered items. → MARCH 2021 (614) MAGAZINE

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We really want to integrate this stuff into peoples’ lifestyles in a way that feels natural.

Nobody’s going to be able to do it all; nobody’s going to want to. But eventually a bunch of small changes start to add up.”

↑ Walters owns and operates Reuse Revolution in Dublin

↓ "Let's Make a Change"

"If you feel something, you should contribute to your community and speak up, you should do something about it."

There are even some household products that not only benefit our planet, but provide improvements over things we’re used to, such as washing machine detergent in the form of thin, solid, easily-portable strips, which make cleaning clothes simpler and shed the unnecessary plastics of popular laundry pods.

Soon, they’ll also be offering Leafy products, a local black-owned business making environmentally-friendly toilet paper out of bamboo.

And of course, there’s always an array of functional and eye-catching reusable, non-plastic water containers for sale as well. “We eat on average a credit card’s worth of plastic every week from microplastic; most people just don’t realize,” Walters said.

From the wide variety of products for sale to the many signs on display throughout Reuse Revolution offering statistics related to environmental issues, a visit might at first be overwhelming to some (or even most) of us.

Walters understands that. And if you’re having trouble navigating the best place to start your own journey toward bettering the planet, her advice is to take a breath, because nobody is perfect, and no one of us can do it all. Anything we do for the environment is a helping hand that wasn’t there before.

“Even if you don’t know exactly what to say, if you feel something, you should contribute to your community and speak up, you should do something about it,” she said. “We love the quote ‘The revolution has many lanes’, because it shows people that whatever they’re doing, it’s helping.It’s about progress, not perfection.” ♦ Learn more at thewizardofza.com

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The secret parks & gardens of Columbus →

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by James D. DeCamp

↑ Hayden Falls

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AS

winter turns the corner toward spring and warmer weather begins to set in, it feels increasingly important to find yourself some fresh outdoor activities to enjoy.

As we all know, the greater Columbus area offers a full slate of top-tier spots to enjoy, from historical Schiller Park in German Village to the beautiful Three Creeks Metro Park.

But if you look a little closer, there are just as many hidden gems to uncover. These might not be the biggest parks the city has to offer, but they’re not short on intrigue. From hidden waterfall paths to tucked-away burial mounds, it’s time for a little adventure. Just don’t tell anyone else.

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Shrum Mound On an isthmus between two quarry lakes and surrounded by a dense patch of woods, Shrum Mound almost feels out of place—and time, with its location on the busy McKinley Ave. Also referred to as Campbell Mound (after former Ohio Governor James Campbell), the earthwork stands at 20 feet tall and 100 feet in diameter, with a footpath snaking up either side to a lookout point at its summit.

Shrum Mound was believed to have served as a burial mound for the Adena, a group of pre-contact Native Americans. Between its rich history and wooded surroundings, this offset location imparts a sense of quiet mystery and intrigue onto visitors.

← Shrum Mound

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← David Demmings “Terrestrial Gest” Created in the early 80's for the Chicago Art Expo before being moved to Columbus

Thurber Park If you’re a Columbus resident, you’ve more than likely driven by this spot dozens of times without realizing what it holds.

Thurber Park, named after renowned author James Thurber, is a mere stone’s throw away from the bustle of Broad St. Yet, due to the tiny stretch of Jefferson Ave. between the two, it’s difficult to spot from Broad unless you know just where to look.

The small, oblong park boasts a fantastic neighborhood atmosphere plus an ornate gazebo.

Its current sculpture display, however, is the real highlight, with several illusory, gravity-defying pieces from Polish artist Jerzy Kedziora. With Discus and Charlie Chaplin, Ladder both utilize a set of well-hidden wires, suspending each piece high above the ground.

← "With Discus" by Polish painter and sculptor Jerzy Kedziora.

Part of "Suspension: Balancing Art, Nature, and Culture,” a sculpture series

← "Unicorn in the Garden" From the James Thurber story “Fables For Our Time”

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Tarpy Woods

← Railroad spikes fastened on trunk for easy-access climbing

↓ Hammock hanging from tree in Tarpy Woods

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This Marble Cliff spot is quite literally off the map. To find it, follow Cambridge Blvd. south until it hooks west, becomes Village Ct., and dead-ends in a nearby cul-de-sac. Just before this curve, a small, unmarked road branches off, continuing south, and this road ends at the entrance of Tarpy Woods.

What the park lacks in size—offering only a few short, meandering trails—it makes up for in tranquility with its paths weaving through a dense patch of woods where you’re unlikely to encounter another soul. It’s even home to an iconic Columbus tree with a line of railroad spikes fastened up the trunk for easy-access climbing.

Hayden Falls Park Believe it or not, you don’t have to travel to the rock formations of the Hocking Hills to find a stunning, natural waterfall.

Hayden Falls is sandwiched between the Mall at Tuttle Crossing and the OSU Airport, so even its entrance—a small parking lot on the Western shore of the Scioto River marked by a nondescript sign—feels like a secret.

As you descend down the park’s wooden steps and onto a lengthy river-level boardwalk, the sounds of the overhead traffic fade, and you’re enveloped in a new world, one with steep cliffs on either side and—following a short, scenic trek—a gushing 35-foot waterfall.

↑ Hayden Falls Boardwalk to view waterfall

← Hayden Falls Snowmen sitting by the waterfall

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Glen Echo Park Nestled in the heart of Clintonville, Glen Echo is one of several different ravine parks that cut across the greater North Campus area.

While not necessarily difficult to find, like some of the other spots on this list, park visitors quickly exit the busy streets of Clintonville down steep, tree-lined ravine banks, ending up in a quiet slice of serenity that resembles a state forest more than nearby metropolitan Columbus.

While navigating the winding streams and trails offered by Glen Echo, make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife such as deer, a common sight in the park.

→ Tonya Williams McAdams and her dog ‘Meko’ take a stroll along the past at Glen Echo Park

↓ Bridge at Glen Echo Park

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