Pickerington December 2020/January 2021

T h e O f f i c i a l M a g a z i n e o f t h e C i t y o f P i c k e r i n g t o n a n d V i o l e t To w n s h i p

DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021

Ice Warriors INSIDE Artistic mother-daughter duo Holiday Gift Guide Soup recipes

Advisor, volunteer yoga lover.

- Nicole Davis, Trust Officer Lancaster, OH

We’re more than our job titles and you’re more than an account number.

The personal attention we provide comes from a promise to serve you with respect and compassion. By being responsive to your questions, and taking time to understand your needs and goals, we give you more than just a place to bank. That’s the more you can expect from Park National Bank.

740-681-4973

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parknationalbank.com

pickerington magazine

volume 13, number 2 december 2020 / january 2021

4 Calendar

1335 Dublin Rd., Ste. 101C Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com

Kathleen K. Gill

President/CEO

Gianna Barrett

Vice President, Sales

Dave Prosser

Chief Creative Officer

Gary Hoffman Brandon Klein Mallory Arnold Rocco Falleti

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News and Information from Violet Township

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faces

Associate Editors

Sanaya Attari Maddie Gehring Alex Moreno

Editorial Assistants

Carrie Thimmes

Advertising Sales

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Holiday Gift Guide

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student spotlight Rising Creatives

Young artists get creative expressing their personalities

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

volunteer spotlight

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CityScene Media Group also publishes:

Serving is Ageless

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Church member heads furniture service for the underserved

26

Westerville Magazine www.WestervilleMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com

on the table Soup’s On

Ladle you hear this!

Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com

28 Top Homes Sold in Pickerington

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 bklein@ 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 February, April, June, August, October and December.

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.

Local nonprofit organization raises funds for ice rink

in focus

614-572-1240

Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com

Ice Age

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Accounting Manager

CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com

Like Mother, Like Daughter Carrie and Michelle Boerio share a bond beyond blood

Editor

Contributing Editors

Circulation

News and Information from the City of Pickerington

Creative Director

Amanda DePerro Sarah Robinson

Jamie Armistead

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29 Luxury Living Real Estate Guide 30

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bookmarks

Recommended reads from Pickerington Public Library

On the cover: Garrett Vipperman, left, Ian Watts, right, photo by Andrea Jolley

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com PickeringtonMagazine

pickerington community calendar december 2020/january 2021 Through Feb. 28, 2021 Russian Decorative Arts from the Tsars to the USSR Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster www.decartsohio.org

CANCELED

Breakfast with Santa Olde Village Holiday Gathering

From the decadence of the tsars to the destitute communist rule years, Russian history is filled with contradictions. During the Bolshevik Revolution (1917-1945), a significant amount of Russian-made art was destroyed, lost or taken from the country.

For the first time, curator Michael Reese will display his incredible private collection.

Through Dec. 15 Santa’s Mailbox Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd. www.pickerington.net

A North Pole Express mailbox will be placed in front of City Hall for children to write Santa Claus and his helpers a letter for Christmas. Please include the child’s name and return address so Santa can write back.

Dec. 4-18 Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd. www.pickerington.net

The 30th Annual Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree will be at City Hall. Drop off your new or gently used mittens, gloves, hats and scarves and they will be donated to Fairfield County Job and Family Services and then distributed to children and families in need.

Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree

Dec. 7, Jan. 18 Monday Makers

Dec. 7, Jan. 4 Facebook LIVE Book Chat

6-6:30 p.m., virtual www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

6-6:30 p.m., Facebook Live www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

Just in time for holiday gift-giving! This month we are making a personalized ornament. Once you register, you will be contacted to pick up your kit, which will include the Zoom login information.

Find us on Facebook starting at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of every month. New books are featured at every LIVE event!

Dec. 5 Toy Drive Collection Drive 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Fire Station 592 8700 Refugee Rd. NW www.violet.oh.us

The Violet Township Fire Department will host a drive-thru toy collection event and will accept a new gift, gift card or cash donation.

Dec. 6 Santa Land–A World of Hopes & Dreams 3-5 p.m., 7-8 p.m., Crossroads Ministry Center, 2095 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster www.visitfairfieldcounty.org

Meet Santa and his friends. Enjoy Christmas displays and trail layouts.

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Toy Collection Drive www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Events subject to change due to health concerns.

Consult websites for details and updates.

Are you a Senior in need of a little help?

Submit Your Event

Do you have an event you would like to submit to our calendar?

Send details and photos to bklein@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Dec. 8, Jan. 12 Stitching ‘N the Stacks–Yarn Craft Group

Lisa Stoklosa, Owner

Pickerington Senior Helper

6:30-7 p.m., Facebook Live www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

We provide in-home help with: • Companionship • Meal preparation • Light housekeeping • Grooming and personal care • Shopping/appointments

Stitching ‘N the Stacks is virtual! Librarian Laura hosts an informal meet up of experienced and beginner crafters.

Dec. 13 Wood Ornament Painting 2-4 p.m., DogTap Columbus, 96 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester www.studio614.com

This two-hour class will walk beginners with no experience through the steps of handpainting their own reversible wood ornaments for the Christmas tree or as gifts for friends and family. Studio 614 will provide its custom cut stencils and plenty of different brushes, paint markers and technique examples. Supplies are included and each guest will paint four ornaments.

Dec. 13 Lancaster Holiday Extravaganza 4-5:45 p.m., The Mill Event Center 431 S. Columbus St. Lancaster, www.paulettesprincessparties.com

Enjoy the magic of a holiday extravaganza! There will be singing, dancing and more with Mr. and Mrs Claus and their family of characters. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing requirements are in place, but tickets will be refunded if the event is canceled.

Wood Ornament Painting

Call us today! (614) 971-0893

pickseniorhelper.com

Dec. 22, Jan 26 Citywide Training & Development 8:30-9:30 a.m., virtual www.pickeringtonchamber.com

Join the Pickerington Area Chamber and The City of Columbus Citywide Training and Development Center every fourth Tuesday of the month from now through September 2021 for a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Virtual Education series. Each month will feature a different topic with a fabulous speaker.

Dec. 23-Jan. 3 Pickerington Schools Winter Break www.Pickerington.k12.oh.us

Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

For the most recent information on events and hours, visit www.pickeringtonlibrary.org

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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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 Welcomes New Service Director The City of Pickerington has a new service director. Don Rector previously worked for Fairfield County as both a director and deputy director of County Utilities for 13 years. Additionally, he held the position of general manager for Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District for nine years. According to City Manager Greg Butcher, Rector’s previous positions afforded him an opportunity to work in high growth communities, positioning the City of Pickerington to leverage that experience for this role.

“The hiring of Don Rector is a win for the City and makes a strong team stronger.

His breadth of experience and professional relationships will prove vital as we move the city forward,” Butcher says. “Don has many connections within the development and

engineering areas and local government communities.”

Rector is a graduate of the University of Akron and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Ohio.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity and humbled to work under such strong leadership,” Rector says. “My career has always been in public service and one of the things I look most forward to is using my knowledge and experience to best serve the City’s residents. Pickerington has a great staff in place and I can already tell the employees work hard and have a lot of pride in what they do. Customer service will remain our top priority.”

Rector resides in Violet Township with his wife, Nancy, and three children.

Congratulations to Carolyn Sharp on her retirement from the Pickerington Police Department after 33 years! Carolyn was a dispatcher her entire career, serving as Chief Dispatcher since 1999. She will be sorely missed.

Pickerington Police Detective Tom Spreen was recently awarded the prestigious Franklin County Law Enforcement S.T.A.R. Award for 2020.

“S.T.A.R.” stands for Selflessness, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect for the residents of our community. The award is given out each year by the Franklin County Sheriff to deserving law enforcement officers in the Columbus metro area who exhibit these outstanding qualities.

Det. Spreen exemplifies all of these outstanding character traits on a daily basis. Congratulations Det. Spreen, we are very proud of you!!

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Wayne Patterson is also retiring from the City after 21 years as a Service Tech and Parks Maintenance employee. Wayne has done a great job and takes a lot of pride in his work.

Congratulations and enjoy retirement, Wayne!

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

City’s Financial Data Goes Online Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced recently that the City of Pickerington has joined OhioCheckbook.gov.

“We’re excited to welcome the City of Pickerington as our newest Ohio Checkbook partner,” Sprague says.

“OhioCheckbook.gov provides taxpayers an inside look at how their dollars are spent. When residents have access to spending information, they take greater interest in the important decisions that have a lasting impact on their communities.”

The City of Pickerington is the 12th government entity in Fairfield County to join OhioCheckbook.gov. The City’s

online checkbook includes more than 24,360 individual transactions that represent over $62.1 million in spending from Jan. 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020.

“We’re proud of all the financial decisions we make in Pickerington and this is another opportunity for people to be able to see and share in those decisions,” says Mayor Lee Gray.

“Thanks to the Ohio Treasurer’s office for offering this resource as a way of promoting transparency in government, and for allowing the City of Pickerington to utilize it.”

OhioCheckbook.gov launched in June 2020. The new transparency website combined OhioCheckbook.

com (previously administered by the Treasurer’s office) and Ohio’s Interactive Budget (previously operated by the Office of Budget and Management) to create a single, one-stop resource for taxpayers to learn more about spending at the state and local levels of government.

By streamlining website administration, eliminating duplication, and reducing overall operating costs, OhioCheckbook.gov will keep government transparency at taxpayers’ fingertips for years to come.

You can learn more about the City of Pickerington by visiting www.checkbook. ohio.gov/Cities/City-of-Pickerington The 30th Annual Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree will be at City Hall December 4-18. Drop off your new or gently used mittens, gloves, hats and scarves and they will be donated to Fairfield County Job and Family Services and then distributed to children and families in need.

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 Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Services......................... 575-6911 Photos courtesy of the City of Pickerington

Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292

A few new faces have joined the Pickerington Income Tax Department. Pictured L-R is Tax Administrator Jenni Fausnaugh, Clerk Vicki Cordle and new clerks Diedra Long, Kelly Daugherty and Lori Anderson. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Christmas Tree Lighting Live on Facebook Dec. 1 @ 6:30 pm

Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470 7

News and Information From

Violet Township Eco-friendly Snow Removal Tips

Use just a pinch of product in your ice melt recipe

By Tommy Springer

tional sodium chloride, or rock salt. At their core, all these ice melting products If the first 10 months of 2020 have are essentially chemical compounds been any indication, the weather condi- in granular form that are dissolved and tions for the upcoming winter might carried away by the ice and snow they range from blizzards to sweltering heat melt. These solutions can end up enterand anywhere in between. One thing we ing the soil of yards and flower beds, can probably count on, however, is we being transported by storm drains to will get at least a few major snow events ponds and streams, or being consumed that leave our roads, driveways and by wild animals and pets. If the chemisidewalks covered with frozen precipita- cal concentrations become too high tion. While the first thought in most minds might be to clear it by any means necessary to ensure a safe path to work, the grocery store or even just a walk outside to check the mail, what may not cross your mind is how the method you use may adversely affect the environment and your bank account.

For many years, salt was the go-to ice and snow melting agent used by our government and commercial road clearing crews, from unnecessarily large or too frequent but eventually the effectiveness and applications, they can harm or even kill easy availability of the product got the plants, fish and animals that are exnoticed by homeowners and has been posed to them. Knowing what products a common household tool in the battle to use, what conditions are suitable for against slippery sidewalks and drivetheir use and how often to use them ways for decades. is vital for limiting harmful effects to the In more recent years, we have seen environment and getting the intended the introduction of several different ice results without seeing too much of your melt products that offer both advantag- money literally carried down the (storm) es and disadvantages over the tradidrain.

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Based on a 2014 comparison by Consumer Reports, traditional rock salt loses effectiveness at temperatures below 20 degrees, while products containing magnesium chloride or calcium chloride maintain effectiveness at the lower temperatures; down to negative 13 degrees and negative 25 degrees, respectively. Worth noting from this report also is that nearly all commercial ice melt products can cause damage to asphalt and concrete, with the effects being magnified on concrete less than one year old.

Another factor in deciding which product to use is the differing levels of toxicity the ingredients may have toward wild and domestic animals. If you own a pet that could potentially be exposed to treated surfaces, it is highly recommended that you research or talk to a veterinarian about which products are the safest to use at your residence.

Regardless of which product you end up using this winter to ensure a clean sidewalk and driveway, the key to protecting the environment, pets, plants and your pocketbook is using it in moderation and in the right conditions.

Tommy Springer is a wildlife/education specialist of Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Violet Township

Holiday Safety Tips The holiday season is upon us and that means decorating will happen in our homes and office spaces. While decorating creates a festive atmosphere and adds color to our drab Ohio days, it also adds the potential for fires if not done correctly.

More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and two of every five decoration fires occur because the decorations are too close to a heat source (NFPA, 2019). In the Christmas season, tree fires are rare but very destructive when they do happen. A heat source too close to the tree or an electrical problem causes 50 percent of the Christmas tree fires (NFPA, 2019). This year the Violet Township Fire Department is providing you with some seasonal decorating safety tips.

Decorating Safety Tips: • Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant • Keep lit candles away from decorations and any other flammable items • Place candles out of reach of children and pets • ALWAYS make sure to blow out candles before leaving the home or going to bed • If hanging lights, make sure to use only lights rated for outdoor use • Never use nails to hang lights; only use clips • Make sure to turn off all lights before leaving the home or going to bed Christmas Tree Safety Tips: • Pick a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched • Cut two inches off the tree base before placing in the stand • Add water to the tree stand daily • Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source (fireplaces, radiators, vents, candles or lights) • Only use tree lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory (UL as an example) • Strings of lights that show wear, have broken cords or loose bulb connections should be replaced • Never use candles to decorate the tree • Always turn off the tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed If you have any questions about holiday safety or any other fire-related safety issue (other than emergencies), please call us at 614-837-4123. We are here for you 24 hours a day, every day.

As always, remember we are your “Friends for Life”. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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Winter Weather Recommendations Leaves are starting to fall which means winter is just around the corner. Violet Township has begun preparations for the winter season. We would like to ask residents to do a few things to assist us in our efforts to keep roads safe and clear this winter.

• •

•

Please check that your mailbox and post are in good and sturdy shape for the upcoming season.

When snow does arrive, please help the plow drivers by moving parked cars from the curb. This allows us to clear more of the road by pushing the snow all the way to the curb.

We do have a priority we assign when it comes to the order in which we plow roads. First priority is given to the main roads followed by secondary roads and cul-de-sacs. It is very helpful if residents can remove parked cars from cul-de-sacs. This makes for safer and more efficient plowing.

•

When you see a plow truck, please stay back and give us space to do our work so that we can safely clear the streets and you can get where you need to be.

Thank You

How to Reach Us

Violet Township would like to thank the community for passing the renewal road levy during the November election. The passage of the renewal provides the Township with the funds to properly maintain our roadway network and culverts, all without raising taxes for property owners. It is the goal of Violet Township to be able to provide safe and reliable roads for all Township residents.

Our roads connect our homes, our businesses, our parks, and ultimately our entire community. On behalf of Violet Township, we thank you.

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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

faces

By Sarah Robinson

Photo by Jeff Hall

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Carrie and Michelle Boerio share a bond beyond blood

T

here’s no bond like that of a mother and her daughter. Still, for Michelle and Carrie Boerio, that connection goes even deeper.

The Boerios are artists. Daughter Michelle, a graduate of The Ohio State University, paints with thick and heavy brushstrokes, weaving in pieces of found objects to create masterful collages rich with color and full of hidden meaning.

Carrie, a self-taught artist, dabbles in watercolors, acrylics and oils to explore

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color and nature with joyful sweeps of her paintbrush. Though their styles are wholly unique to themselves, the Boerios’ artistic journeys have been intertwined since the beginning.

Carrie was involved in art classes as a child when she was growing up in Pittsburgh, but as she grew older, other priorities such as academics and sports took precedence. She pursued communications in college and worked for nonprofit organizations. It wasn’t until her daughter,

Michelle, began taking courses at Columbus College of Art and Design that Carrie found her way back to art.

“I got back into art because Michelle liked it so much as a kid,” Carrie says.

“When I would drive her down to CCAD, they had these adult classes. So, I’d take her to class, drop her off and go to my class.”

After Michelle graduated from OSU with a fine arts degree, she pursued a master’s degree and began teaching at the Co11

Follow along Carrie and Michelle’s art journeys and support their art online at www.michelleboerio.com and www.carrielaceyboerio.com.

Michelle Boerio 12

Photos courtesy of Michelle Boerio

lumbus Museum of Art. This time, it was Carrie who inspired Michelle to take the next step in her art career.

“Mom had been getting back into making art and becoming really serious as an artist. Then, all of a sudden, she went fulltime as an artist, and I was like, ‘OK, wait a minute. That looks fun,’” says Michelle. “So I got to follow her lead in some parts of my career. So just being able to go back and forth with, who started doing what and who’s following who?”

Despite their different creative styles, the Boerios often find themselves showing art at the same galleries, and in the same shows – even ones that are hosted outside of Pickerington.

“Part of what I love about some mother-daughter shows is that it’s fun to compare and contrast. A lot of the times, Mom and I will have paintings that we’ve painted from the same place at the same time and then still get to see just how completely different our viewpoints were of that same moment in time,” says Michelle. “I can compare and see, this is where we were both really into painting at Lincoln Ponds, or this is the time when, for some reason, neither of us had the right green, so we both had to do something different.”

Both Carrie and Michelle draw inspiration from nature and color, creating artwork that explores exactly what they’re most Carrie Boerio curious about.

Maine Glory by Carrie Boerio www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Favorite Pieces: “Michelle and I went to Chestnut Ridge to paint in the spring. It was during COVID, and the apple blossoms were blooming on this tree at the beginning of the path that we always take,” Carrie says, “and I was just so happy that winter was over. I’m so happy that there was some color. It was when I started to really explore my own style. I just love the way the painting (Radiant Spring) turned out.”

Radiant Spring

What Makes a Blue Whale

“I think about stained glass when I’m painting, like the way light comes through the colors and how brilliant and clean that is,” Carrie says. “That’s what I’m trying to go for with my paintings, pieces of really radiant color that make up the world as I see it.”

“The thing that drives me most is curiosity, and especially curiosity with nature,” Michelle adds.

One of the best parts about painting in Pickerington are the interactions with neighbors and community members. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

“My current favorite painting is from last year. It’s this large acrylic and collage mixed media piece called What Makes a Blue Whale,” Michelle says. “The animal that’s the largest current living animal, possibly that’s ever lived, we just don’t actually know that much about. I wanted to make this work of art where we could see part of a blue whale and get the idea of a blue whale, but we would never be able to completely see it.”

“The neighbors around us come to everything. They support everything we do,” Carrie says. “When we’re having a gallery show, they’ll just show up and they also commission paintings. It’s just been a really lovely place to live. I can go out my yard and paint, and all the neighbors will want to see. It’s been really fun.”

Carrie and Michelle spend a lot of time outside. In addition to painting in their backyard, Pickerington parks are some of their favorite haunts.

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Sunlit Conservatory by Carrie Boerio

“What Mom and I do usually is, any time it’s nice out, is we’ll go and paint outside in a park,” Michelle says. “In a really big way, Pickerington has been a real practicing ground for where I paint and a great place for Mom and I to make art together as well as connect with our neighbors.”

Though there’s no place like home, the Boerios enjoy traveling and creating art abroad – before the global pandemic, of

Color Wash by Carrie and Michelle Boerio 14

course. With eyes primed for color, beauty and new perspectives, both artists look to new places for inspiration.

“A lot of the things that I love about having learned to paint is that it makes you come to your senses,” says Carrie.

“You stop rushing around and just really get immersed in the moment, and you’re really present. I think that’s a thing that happens when you travel.”

Michelle spent time living in Siena, Italy, as part of a post-baccalaureate program. Some of the artwork she made while abroad is on display at the Accademia dei Fisiocritici in Siena.

“That kind of living somewhere long enough to start to know a little bit, enough to know how much you don’t know about that place, really just made me even more interested about making art about it,” Michelle says.

Despite the decrease in business due www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Michelle and Carrie Boerio

The City Galactic by Michelle Boerio

• 20 Years of Expert Experience • Private & Public Funding Accepted • Ask Us about Our Loyalty Program

to the pandemic, Carrie found a silver lining in the abundance of time she found herself with during quarantine.

“A lot of my commission work stopped. Everything came to a standstill,” says Carrie, “and so I spent that time making what I wanted to make, just making original work. It’s been weirdly very good for me.”

Michelle offers advice to any artist: create what you want and show your own unique perspective through your creations.

“There’s really no one way to make art. We’re mother and daughter, literally some of the same DNA, some of the same influences and places we’ve been, yet a lot of the times we’re coming up with very different ideas of what we would like to make or what kind of art comes out of our hands,” she says. “Everyone’s got such a different perspective and different things that they can bring to their art.”

NOW ENROLLING

Sarah Robinson is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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Local nonprofit organization raises funds for ice rink

K

ristin Watts didn’t catch the ice hockey bug until her son’s second season.

During that season, Ian Watts’ team did not have a good regular season, but made a deep run in the subsequent tournament. That’s when Watts became really connected to the team. She, alongside other players’ family members, created signs and got together inside and outside the arena to support the team, and a camaraderie was born.

“It was so emotional,” Watts says.

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The Pickerington Prowlers is a new under-14 club that kicked off its inaugural season in 2020. Members of the Center Ice Foundation of Central Ohio helped formed the club as it works toward raising funds for an $8 million ice rink in the area.

Ian, who’s now 14 years old, has been playing hockey since he was 7, and his younger brother, Connor, 10, is following in his big brother’s footsteps. Watts’ husband, Christopher Watts, played the sport growing up and now coaches the Pickerington Prowlers’ under-14 club, which started in 2020.

Being a hockey family in the Pickerington area, however, is not easy.

The family often commutes to the OhioHealth Chiller’s Easton facility for hockey practice because there are not many ice rinks in central Ohio.

There are eight ice rinks in the central Ohio area, and before the Chiller added a new sheet of ice at an existing facility last year, none had been added for more than 20 years, Watts says. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Center Ice Foundation of Central Ohio

By Brandon Klein

For more information about the Center Ice Foundation of Central Ohio go to www.centericefoundationoh.org

or email info@centericefoundationoh.org.

In comparison, Cleveland, which lacks an NHL team, has more than 50 ice rinks, she adds.

Central Ohio has one of the largest adult ice hockey leagues in the country, and many of its teams play at midnight because of the small number of facilities, Watts says.

For hockey families in Pickerington, the situation is more acute because central Ohio ice rinks are located north of Interstate 70, Watts says.

This creates barriers for more children to get acquainted with the sport and reduces the likelihood of finding the next Wayne Gretzky in towns such as Lancaster, Watts says.

“I want any kid to have that opportunity,” she says.

In 2018, Watts helped start and run the Center Ice Foundation of Central Ohio to bring an ice rink facility to Pickerington.

Watts says Pickerington is an ideal place for an ice rink because of the city’s strong sports culture and a hidden popularity for the sport.

A few years ago, for instance, the city offered about eight sessions of street hockey during the summer and the program sold out within an hour, Watts says.

In June 2019, the nonprofit organization gained some momentum after Pickerington City Council approved the donation of eight acres to build an ice rink if the organization can raise $8 mil-

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Photos courtesy of Center Ice Foundation of Central Ohio

lion within two years. The project is otherwise funded entirely by donations.

Watts’ group has raised thousands of dollars and is actively seeking to attract large individual donors to reach that goal.

The group, however, had to adjust its fundraising ventures because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, it canceled its Kentucky Derby gala in the spring, but replaced it with a virtual 5K. It hosted another virtual race in October.

In May, the group hosted a virtual hockey video game tournament to help keep the hockey world connected in spite of an inability to gather on the ice. The event attracted 300 players from England, Canada and states spanning from California to New York.

“This year has been super weird,” Watts says.

“We’re continuing to look for ways to be relevant to every hockey family in central Ohio.”

She hopes the facility will have two-and-half sheets of ice and house some other sports amenities. With an ice rink, Pickerington schools could have an ice hockey team that’s sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The school district now has the Pickerington Prowlers ice hockey club, which includes other school districts such as Reynoldsburg and Canal Winchester, that competes in the Ohio Scholastic Hockey League. Students who play for the team,

Winter Activities Winter is here and, weather and pandemic permitting, Pickerington offers a variety of options to enjoy the outdoors for the season.

Area residents know Sycamore Creek Park, for instance, is a great place for sledding.

Sledding hills are located on Hereford Drive behind the Pickerington Senior Center.

In the past, the City of Pickerington has hosted an outdoor ice skating rink at Victory Park, but residents can also drive to Buckeye Lake State Park, where ice boating, cross country skiing and ice fishing are offered, too. however, can’t earn a varsity letter despite maintaining a high GPA and competing in club tournament games.

A completed facility could benefit Pickerington’s local economy because hockey families could spend their dollars at nearby eateries and shopping areas.

For instance, Watts often does her shopping at Easton during her son’s practices and the family often eats in that area after practice is over. Those dollars could instead be spent right here in Pickerington.

Additionally, a potential Pickerington ice rink could attract tournaments and out of town families. In September, Watts and her family went to one of her son’s tournaments in Virginia that brought in nearly 500 athletes.

“Our goal for the ice rink is for it to be a destination,” Watts says.

Brandon Klein is the editor.

Feedback welcome at bklein@ cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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19

in focus

Holiday Gift Guide

Combustion Brewery & Taproom

Who doesn’t love deals on beer? At Combustion, purchase a Mug Club membership and enjoy $1 off pints all day, every day; $2 off growler and growler refills every day of the week; 10 percent off merchandise; early invites and discounts on tickets for events; and so much more. www.combustionbrewing.com

Edward Warren Jewelers

Dream Land Toy Store

Feather Your Nest

This toy store contains all sorts of toys to make the ideal gift for your son, daughter, niece or nephew. Offering a wide selection of toys, choose from tiny stuffed animals to large trucks and play sets for children of all ages. www.rivervalleymall.com 20

Celebrating 33 years of business in the Pickerington community, stop by this holiday season to find special gifts for everyone on your list. www.jewelrystorepickeringtonoh.com

This lifestyle boutique offers vintage, handmade and curated new home goods. It also carries boutique clothing, accessories and artisan crafted jewelry to help you find the ideal gift for yourself and for others. www.fyn.bigcartel.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Heartfelt Photography

Capture those heartfelt moments and create amazing memories to be cherished forever. Book your session or gift one for your loved one for the holidays. www.heartfeltbymarve.com

Monroe’s Salon and Spa

Monroe’s provides a tranquil environment for all your salon and spa needs. You can either give them a call or schedule an appointment online. Check out its COVID-19 response for additional details. www.monroesbeautyspa.com

5 Bean Coffee

With a selection of delicious drinks ranging from

The Humble Crate, Artisan Marketplace drip coffee to frozen drinks and iced lattes, 5 Bean An artisan marketplace with more than 60 vendors displaying quality, handmade products in leather, textiles, glass, pottery, clothing and specialty foods. It offers gifts for every occasion. www.facebook.com/humblecrate

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Coffee also offers several bakery items to complement your drink. It also has patio seating and a drive thru. www.5beancoffee.com

21

Holiday Gift Guide

Greek Star Bar & Grill Porter’s Coffee House and Bakery

The locally-owned Porter’s offers delicious cinnamon rolls, seasonal coffee and much more. Give One Line Coffee to any coffee lover, a gift card to your friend with a sweet tooth, or a Porter’s T-shirt to a true fan. www.facebook.com/porterscoffeehouseandbakery

Rick’s Freshmade Cafe and Catering

Despite the pandemic, this new locally-owned mom and pop deli started this year, now offering gift cards starting at $10. Additional funds can be purchased in increments of $5. The deli will offer made-to-go meals during the holiday season. www.ricksfreshmade.square.site

22

Indulge in fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, order gift cards, pick-up and delivery. www.greekstargrill.com

Stocking Stuffers Gift cards are great for any occasion and the perfect way to spread holiday cheer.

Visit local favorites like Rule 3, Hangry City Grille & Spirits, Olde Village Diner and Omezzo Italian and more this holiday season to purchase a gift card and support your local restaurants. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

student spotlight

By Maddie Gehring

Rising Creatives SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

Photos courtesy of Nia Russell and Maya Turner

Hi I'm Traci, the founder of Design & Renew.

I spent the last 10 years working in higher education, career tech, and in industry.

During my years in higher education, I spent a lot of time in the high schools of Central Ohio talking with over 5,000 high school students. I witnessed student after student with no plan, unaware of the careers that exist, unaware of the best option for them, and about to rack up student debt on a degree they weren't even sure was the best fit, and I said, enough is enough.

I know the pressures of high school and the struggles of finding the best career path after graduation. I was once the student in high school with a great GPA, a variety of interests and no plan after graduation. I didn't go to college right away, instead I went out in the world. Several years later I found myself a single mom, looking at the mess my life was in and decided it was time to change.

I enrolled in Columbus State Community College, changed my major several times, then finally decided to work with a career coach and create the perfect plan for me.

Call or Email us to schedule today!

(614) 434-6536 tbakenhaster@designandrenew.com www.designandrenew.com

W

hen two Lakewood Junior High students were tasked with showcasing their own personality traits in an art project last year, they decided to take the project in a unique direction.

They didn’t know it then, but their outsidethe-box thinking and one-of-a-kind vision would soon pay off.

Now eighth-graders, Nia Russell and Maya Turner explored their creativity through the project during their seventhgrade visual arts class. Art teacher Sheryl Broz-England nominated Turner and Russell’s works, McLongboi and Smiley, for the Pickerington Local School District Student Art Gallery Spring Exhibition premiere in February 2020.

“We basically had to create a character that wasn’t necessarily human, but it was something that showed an emphasis of our personality,” Turner says.

Russell and Turner created their creatures on paper and with clay. Turner says working with multiple media was one of her favorite things about the project. The

After graduating with my Associate degree, I went on to earn my Bachelor degree at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. I then went to Franklin University where I earned my Master degree... and the rest is history!

Young artists get creative expressing their personalities

Maya Turner

young artists each spent about one week on the project.

Broz-England says Turner and Russell always go above and beyond every art assignment that she gives them.

“They really took the lesson expectations and catered them to their own artistic style and to their own vision which

Registration Now Open Spring 2021 - High School Workshops For Your Teen:

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Traci Bakenhaster

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is really impressive for young artists,” Broz-England says.

Russell depicted her personality using a clown.

“Clowns can look really scary, but I wanted it to show, like, she’s actually a sweet person,” she says. “Basically, don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Russell used bright, bold colors to create her clown and, to give it an even more threedimensional and dy- Nia Russell namic appearance, set it against a black and white background.

Turner chose to represent herself as a multicolored alien. She says she used many colors to express her bright personality.

“It has really bright eyes to show that I like to see things differently than other people,” she says.

Turner’s alien has many arms, each creating a work of art of their own. She placed the alien in a room that pays homage to some famous artwork as well.

Both students were nominated by Broz-England to be in the Spring Art Show and were thrilled to have their art displayed for everyone to see, Broz-England says.

Though this project gave students the opportunity to showcase just how creative they are, they both enjoy creating outside the classroom, too.

Turner says art is something that she has always been good at and is something she has enjoyed her entire life. For Turner, it is a hobby that keeps her happy.

Russell says the best thing about art is how it allows her to do and create whatever she can imagine.

She loves that there is no right or wrong way to create art, and it is her favorite way to express herself.

Turner agrees and loves to express herself through her creativity and artwork. She says she likes to create original pieces rather than base her work off of other artists or people, and make her artwork completely her own.

“It’s just something that you can have a brain explosion on,” Turner says.

Their art teacher agrees that art is something that comes naturally to these two artists.

“They really looked at what was being asked and how they could make it unique in their own style,” Broz-England says.

“They kind of pushed the envelope, they went outside of the box a little to show their own artistic voice.”

Turner’s preferred medium is colored pencils and charcoal because she loves the depth these tools add to her artwork.

Russell says she enjoys working with watercolor and draws a lot of inspiration from her mom when creating her pieces.

“My mom inspires me to do art because she shows me different strategies, styles and tools,” Russell says.

Maddie Gehring is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Photos courtesy of Nia Russell

Contact Gianna Barrett today for great rates!

614-572-1255

gbarrett@cityscenemediagroup.com 24

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

volunteer spotlight

By Maddie Gehring

Serving is Ageless Church member heads furniture service for the underserved

Photos courtesy of Pickerington Furniture Ministry

A

ge is just a number, and that number can’t stop Norm Jones from helping his community.

The 80-year-old member of the Pickerington Church of the Nazarene has led a group of volunteers called the Pickerington Furniture Ministry to get household items to those in need for about eight years.

“Our mission statement is as simple as this, to get stuff from people that don’t need it anymore to people that really need it,” Jones says.

A member of the church for about 20 years, Jones started the service after he overheard someone say they needed a piece of furniture for their home. He adds he couldn’t remember the item, but that it wasn’t anything lavish and that everyone should have.

“I just thought to myself, there are surely people all over our church that have one of those,” he says.

He put out a plea to the church for the piece of furniture and received an overwhelming response. So the volunteer program began.

Jones works with a group of five or six other volunteers to get all the work done.

The group has formed relationships with addiction treatment centers, operations that help incarcerated people and provide donations of household items to social services.

Jones says the group usually serves members of the Fairfield County area but have worked with people throughout central Ohio.

Typically, church members donate the pieces that the Pickerington Furniture Ministry distributes. However, as Jones’ group has grown and news of it has spread throughout central Ohio, community members who are not affiliated with the church have heard the call and begun to donate as well. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

es. The barn is set up like a store where visitors can come through and browse for what they need. The barn has become home to a large amount of donations from small appliances such as pancake turners to entire furniture sets.

The setup is helpful because many visitors who contact the Pickerington Furniture Ministry don’t know what they need or where to start, Jones says.

Though it’s a large part of what it does, the group of volunteers doesn’t stop at delivering household items.

Jones says it has something they call a “crockpot ministry.” Some of the women at the church were interested in the group’s mission, but wanted to find a way of helping that didn’t involve moving furniture.

He says these ladies have a basement full of donated crockpots and a list of people willing to make crockpot meals. Thanks to their hard work, hot meals are dropped off along with the furniture delivery.

The entire program runs on donations – patrons simply take what they need and no money is exchanged. If the items are too big to fit in their vehicle, Jones will put a hold tag on it and deliver it Friday morning, which is when most of the deliveries take place.

“It’s just all a bunch of regular people just doing a little bit,” Jones says.

Jones says the work is the most fulfilling thing of his life. The group of volunteers has dropped off more than 225 crockpot meals and delivered about 7,500 pieces of household items.

“I can’t even tell you how many times “It’s had a great, great effect on we’ve had people call and say they really my faith,” Jones says. “It’s a gift to be able need something, and then later that day to do it.” someone else calls in and asks if anyone needs such-and-such, and it’s the exact Maddie Gehring is a contributing thing that first person was looking for,” writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@ Jones says. cityscenemediagroup.com.

Jones says PickNaz has a garage and an old barn where they store donated piec25

on the table

By Mallory Arnold

Soup’s On! Ladle you hear this!

T

here’s nothing better than a hot, steaming cup of soup on a chilly, wintery day.

But with so many to choose from and a New Year’s resolution to keep, it’s hard to know which soup is healthiest. We scoured Pickerington for the best spoonfuls and slurps of healthful, hearty soups.

Photo courtesy of Karolina Grabowska Kaboompics

Photo courtesy of Jenvit Keiwalinsarid

Greek Star Bar & Grill Cafe Lentil soup For such small legumes, lentils are bursting with benefits. They lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar and are a great source of protein and fiber. Plus, tomatoes, which are usually incorporated in lentil soup, help reduce the risk of heart disease and are full of antioxidants.

contains vitamin K and zinc among other Mallory Anrold is an editor. essential amino acids. Not only is it deli- Feedback welcome at marnold@ cious and the perfect side item to sushi, cityscenemediagroup.com. miso can help fight off bacteria that cause influenza, so drink up!

If you’re looking to stir up some creativity in your own kitchen, here’s a simple, healthful recipe.

RECIPES Noodles & Company Chicken noodle soup It may be a chain, but its chicken noodle is off the chain. A whole bowlful is 360 calories and contains only five grams of sugar and six grams of fat.

Plus, a clear broth is good for when you have a cold or a sore throat. The salt and seasonings, in moderation, combat the feeling of dull taste buds that come with the common cold.

FuGu Sushi Miso soup This soup is (mi)so good. It’s good for digestion and can improve gut flora, which fends off toxins. Miso soup also 26

Quinoa vegetable soup Recipe courtesy of Laura Rege

Directions • In a large pot over medium high heat, Ingredients heat oil. Add onion, carrot, celery 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil and garlic and season with salt and 1 medium onion, chopped pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin until vegetables are soft, about 10 rounds minutes.

2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced • Add zucchini, diced tomatoes, 3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced beans, quinoa and cumin. Pour in 1 large zucchini, cut into ½-inch pieces broth and stir to combine. Bring to 1 can diced tomatoes a boil and boil until quinoa is tender, 1 can cannellini beans about 13 minutes.

1 cup quinoa • Stir in kale and cook until wilted, one ½ tsp. ground cumin minute more, then stir in lemon juice.

8 cups low sodium vegetable broth Season with salt and pepper and 1 tbsp. lemon juice serve. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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CITYSCENECOLUMBUS.COM www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

18 E Columbus Street Pickerington, Ohio 43147

614-321-6441 27

Top homes sold in Pickerington All information is collected from the Fairfield and Franklin County auditors’ offices.

13876 Whitetail Ln. 4 beds 4 baths $705,000 Sold on 10/7

12373 Pintails Cir. 3 beds 3.5 baths $347,500 Sold on 10/2

8442 Chesapeake Way NW 4 beds 3.5 baths $539,990 Sold on 10/5

199 Balsam Dr. 4 beds 2.5 baths $334,900 Sold on 10/8

13831 Sunladen Dr. NW 3 beds 3.5 baths $475,000 Sold on 10/2

282 Arlington Dr. $331,825 Sold on 10/5

240 England St. $387,561 Sold on 10/6 114 Heft Ct. 4 beds 3 baths $376,530 Sold on 10/7 278 Blue Jacket Cir. 4 beds 4 baths $355,000 Sold on 10/13

105 Moore Ct. $326,762 Sold on 10/5 871 Melrose Blvd.

4 beds 3 baths $315,000 Sold on 10/2 765 Janice Ln. 4 beds 2.5 baths $314,500 Sold on 10/16

“The only reason we would give Sam 5 stars would be because we can’t give him more.”

-satisfied seller & buyer

Selling Real Estate Team & Realtor® in Central Ohio 2017-2019 407 Sold Transactions in 2019

(614) 561-3201 SamCooper.herrealtors.com 28

Source: Columbus MLS & Trendgraphix

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

what’s your style?

CT

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C IN

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com IN CONTRACT WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS

Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com JUST SOLD 12971 Sheffield Dr. Pickerington Ohio 43147

969 Gray Dr. Pickerington Ohio 43147 Windmiller Ponds. Gorgeous two story home in Windmiller Ponds situated on large 1/4 acre lot with wooded preserve behind. 4 Bdrms, 2.5 Baths, 2 Car Garage & Finished Lower Level Rec Room. $341,000

Winding Creek. Remarkable Hiser Built Home tucked away on big cul de sac lot with mature trees behind. Sold for $460,900.

SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS

SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS

Your info

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Luxury Living

WHERE ARE YOU? what’s your style?

Real Estate Section Showcase your home listings to every homeowner in the Pickerington school district. 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 Get a great response from your ads in PICKERINGTON MAGAZINE!

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

29

bookmarks

Submitted by Colleen Bauman, Community Engagement Manager, Pickerington Public Library

Pickerington Magazine: What’s on our book list this holiday season? This is just a sampling of our must reads!

ADULT:

When No One Is Watching

by Alyssa Cole Rear Window meets Get Out in this gripping thriller from a critically acclaimed and New York Times notable author, in which the gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning.

Transcendent Kingdom

by Yaa Gyasi Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief – a novel about faith, science, religion, love. Exquisitely written, emotionally searing, this is an exceptionally powerful follow up to Gyasi’s phenomenal debut.

Piranesi

by Susanna Clarke For readers of Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane and fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe, Piranesi introduces an astonishing new world, an infinite labyrinth, full of startling images and surreal beauty, haunted by the tides and the clouds.

The Complete One Pot: 400 Meals for Your Skillet, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot, Dutch Oven, and More

Updates & News:

Coming soon! Drive-up Service Window at Pickerington Main Save the date: Dec. 14-Jan. 31, Winter Read with Violet on READsquared!

To stay up to date on all library news: Opt in to the PPL’s e-newsletter, follow us on social media and download the library app through the Apple or Google Play store!

MIDDLE GRADE:

When Stars are Scattered

by Victoria Jamieson Heartbreak and hope exist together in this remarkable graphic novel about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

by Tehlor Kay Mejia Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents author Tehlor Kay Mejia and her thrilling fantasy adventure based on the Mexican legend of La Llorona (the Crying Woman).

TEEN:

You Should See Me in a Crown

by Leah Johnson (Reese Witherspoon book club pick) Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too Black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed Midwestern town.

But it’s okay – Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra and become a doctor.

by America’s Test Kitchen Join the one-pot movement with The Complete One Pot Cookbook. From sheet pan suppers to no boil pastas, millions of home cooks want the ease of hands-off meals made The Cousins using a single vessel. These flavorful recipes

by Karen M. McManus represent years of the test kitchen’s best strategies for successful Milly, Aubrey and Jonah Story are cousins, single-pan cooking. but they barely know each other, and they’ve never even met their grandmother. Rich and rePICTURE BOOKS: clusive, she disinherited their parents before they If You Come to Earth were born. So when they each receive a letter inby Sophie Blackall viting them to work at her island resort for the From two-time Caldecott winner authorsummer, they’re surprised ... and curious. Whatillustrator Sophie Blackall, If You Come to Earth ever pulled them apart years ago isn’t over – and is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call this summer, the cousins will learn everything. for us to take care of both Earth and each other.

On Account of the Gum

by Adam Rex On Account of the Gum is a book about how the best intentions can lead to some of the worst (and funniest) ideas! Serious humor abounds in this story about one kid’s hilarious misadventures with gum, and the cumulative buildup of stuff stuck in hair.

New temporary hours: Pickerington Public Library | pickeringtonlibrary.org Main – 201 Opportunity Way | 614-837-4104 Sunday 1-5 p.m. | Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | Friday & Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sycamore Plaza – 7861 Refugee Rd. | 614-837-4383 Sunday 1-5 p.m. | Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Friday closed | Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hours are subject to change due to health concerns

30

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