Westerville Magazine

CityScene Media Group

1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 101C Columbus, Ohio 43215

Kathleen K. Gill CEO

Gianna Barrett President

Dave Prosser Chief Creative Officer

Kerrie Geckeler Business Manager

Megan Brokamp Editors

Maisie Fitzmaurice

Ella Jay

Rachel Karas

Korrigan Craddock Editorial Assistants

Frances Denman

Maggie Fipps

Grace Heberling

Jim Miller Media & Marketing Advisors

Rae Moro

Laura Pappas

Aaron Gilliam Social Media Coordinator

Circulation 614-572-1240

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Healthy New Albany Magazine

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Westerville

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Community Calendar

MayJune

Fridays, May 2, 9, 16, 30 & June 6, 13, 20

Uptown Friday Nights

6-9 p.m.

Uptown Westerville www.shopuptownwesterville.com

Fridays, May 23 & June 27

Fourth Fridays Street Festival

6-9 p.m.

Uptown Westerville www.uptownwestervilleinc.com

Thurs., May 1

Taste of Westerville-2025 6-9 p.m.

Renaissance Columbus WestervillePolaris Hotel 409 Altair Pkwy. www.westervillechamber.com

Thurs., May 1

Grant Writing for Artists

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

May 2-18

Curtain Players Theatre presents Fireflies May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17: 8 p.m. May 4 and 18: 2 p.m. 5691 Harlem Rd., Galena www.curtainplayers.org

Fri., May 2

Decorate a Flowerpot

10:30-11:30 a.m.

Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Sat., May 3

Ohio Romance Roundup

1-4 p.m.

Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Sat., May 3

Westerville ReUse-a-Palooza

8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Westerville home addresses www.uptownwestervilleinc.com

Sat., May 3

A Day at the Derby Experience 4-9 p.m.

North High Brewing Westerville 250 S. State St. www.westervillechamber.com

Sun., May 4

Spring Kids Maker Market Event 1-3 p.m.

Westerville Community Center 350 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westerville.org

Sun., May 4

Westerville Community Band Spring Concert 3 p.m.

Westerville Central High School Auditorium 7118 Mt. Royal Ave. www.westervillebands.org

Sat., May 10

Annual Plant Sale

Blendon Masonic Lodge 130 State St. www.westervillegardenclub.net

Wed., May 14

Women in Business Luncheon: Mental Health in the Workplace 11:30 a.m.

The Wenbeck/Little Bear Golf Club 1940 Little Bear Lp., Lewis Center www.westervillechamber.com

Thurs., May 15

Business After Hours: Small Business Edition 5:30 p.m.

COhatch Polaris 1554 Polaris Pkwy. www.westervillechamber.com

Fri., May 16

Veterans interred in Westerville cemeteries 7-9 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillehistory.org

Sun., May 18

Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk in Westerville 9-11 a.m.

Westerville Sports Complex 325 N. Cleveland Ave. www.runwalkwesterville.t2t.org

Mon., May 19

CONNECTED Westerville Networking Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

5839 Chandler Ct. www.westervillechamber.com

Fri., May 23

Last Day of Classes Westerville City Schools www.westerville.k12.oh.us

May 23-26

Field of Heroes 325 N. Cleveland Ave. www.fieldofheroes.org

Sat., May 24

Westerville City Schools H.S. Graduation Celeste Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds

• Westerville Central, 10 a.m.

• Westerville South, 2 p.m.

• Westerville North, 6 p.m. www.westerville.k12.oh.us

Mon., May 26

Memorial Day

Wed., May 28

Meet the Author: Grady Hendrix 7-8 p.m.

Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center 1630 Schrock Rd., Columbus www.westervillelibrary.org

Field of Heroes

Fri., May 30

Business Babes & Bagels

8:30-9:30 a.m.

5839 Chandler Ct. www.westervillechamber.com

Sat., May 31

History of Cemeteries in Westerville 1-4 p.m.

Hanby House

160 W. Main St. www.westervillehistory.org

Sun., June 1

IGS Annual Meeting & Garden Reception 2025

2-4:30 p.m.

Innis House at Inniswood Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. www.inniswood.org

Sat., June 7

Westerville Queer Collective Pride 5-8 p.m.

Uptown Westerville 21 S. State St. www.westervillequeercollective.org

June 9-Aug. 1

Blendon Woods Traditional Camp

Blendon Woods Metro Park, Sycamore Shelter 4265 E. Dublin Grandville Rd., Columbus www.inniswood.org

Tues., June 10

Quarterly Membership Meeting: Smart City, Smarter Community-The Road Ahead 11:30 a.m.

The Point at Otterbein 60 Collegeview Rd. www.westervillechamber.com

www.westervillemagazine.com

Sat., June 14

Early Female Graduates of Otterbein 1-4 p.m.

Hanby House 160 W. Main St. www.westervillehistory.org

Thurs., June 19

Juneteenth

Sat., June 21

Presentation about Fouse Family 1-4 p.m.

Hanby House

160 W. Main St. www.westervillehistory.org

Mon., June 23

Creating Graphic Novels: Author Visit with Grace Ellis

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Congratulations to our own Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce for being awarded Outstanding Chamber of the Year (600+ members) by Chamber Professionals of Ohio.

History of Cemeteries in Westerville

By Maisie Fitzmaurice

Brews Bros&

Neighbors cultivate a lifelong friendship through home-brewed beer

Brewing beer in his driveway surrounded by combustion equipment and contraptions, Dan Haskins often explained his hobby to confused neighbors who passed by.

That was until he met his neighbor, Eric Hatton in 2019, who instead of asking, ‘What are you doing?’ asked him, “What are you brewing?”

To Haskins’s surprise, Hatton had been home-brewing for a decade in his backyard. They soon began collaborating on their shared hobby along with another neighbor, Brett Haaser. From then on, the men met each Saturday, brewing from early morning to late afternoon and tasting beers brewed on previous Saturdays.

After noticing their operation, Roland Reeb, another hophead, joined the team in 2021.

Come one, come all

After a day of brewing, the men reconvened at night and lit a campfire which became a smoke signal to their neighbors that it was time to enjoy a home-brewed beer. Word caught on about their Saturday night get-togethers and the men became hyper-local celebrities in their community.

But, for the men, the tradition was never about gaining attention, but bringing people together and enjoying the hoppy, malty fruits of their labor.

“It was more than just us. It was the whole neighborhood,” Reeb says. “We were creating so much that, despite how much we did drink on our own, we had more than we could ever drink. So, we would naturally hand it out, asking for opinions… we kind of became known for handing out free beers as long as you offered up your honest opinion.”

Engineering flavor

While brewing was a leisure activity for the men, they took the quality of their beers seriously, tasting each tap multiple times throughout the brewing process to estimate when it may be ready to pour. Then, they took notes on how the beer matured, helping them create a better product each time.

A love for brewing beer isn’t the only thing the men have in common. All are proud dads with backgrounds in analytics – Hatton,

Photos courtesy of Maisie Fitzmaurice and Dan Haskins

Left to right: Brett Haaser, Eric Hatton, Dan Haskins and Roland Reeb

Haaser and Haskins being engineers and Reeb, an accountant. Their inclination to think in numbers and patterns has lent well to their practice.

“We’re really good at keeping close attention to all of the details that go into each specific batch,” Haskins says. “So, we’re treating it more or less like a science experiment and we’re tracking all of the data, and that’s how you get better, you log everything, take notes of everything, and then you do a taste analysis…”

Each of the men has varying taste preferences in beer, keeping their collective drink list unique and varied.

“Each of us would get to pick the next one that we did. If we got an IPA, the next time we do something like a sour for Roland, and Eric is more like a German beer traditionalist, so you’ll end up seeing that reflected on the offerings that we bring out because we have grown to appreciate all those different styles too,” Haskins says.

Commercial combustion

The weekly campfires often hosted conversations lasting late into the night, as the men sat around discussing.

Naturally, they’d joke about what it’d be like to sell their beers or own a largescale brewery.

“It’s like, ‘Hey, what can push this thing to the next level? Yeah, we should do that, we should do that.’ And the next day, you’re like, ‘That sounds exhausting,’” Haskins says.

Reeb kept dreaming of what could be, and over time his excitement convinced the others to seriously consider the possibilities.

“(Reeb) came on board and was like, ‘Man, you guys make a pretty darn good beer,’ and he’s like, ‘Why don’t we do it?’” Haskins says. “Obviously, he’s going to be

All craftsmen are background checked, bonded, and insured

the numbers guy, and that was the missing piece that we didn’t realize, at the time, we were looking for, and it just started coming together.”

So, the men started crunching the numbers, took business courses, sought advice from small business counselors and learned about business structure and staying organized. They connected with established local breweries, including Nocterra Brewing and Hoof Hearted, to visit their facilities.

The last box to check before pulling the trigger was getting their families on board. They put all their findings together into a presentation to show their wives.

Build with Brava

“I think (our wives) see the drive and the passion to want to do this, and at some point, no wife, no spouse who cares about you wants to stand in the way of that,” Reeb says. “We are all four very lucky that we have loving and supporting wives and family because they’re kind of the true rock stars here…”

In 2025, the men officially opened their brewery, Campfire Brewing, paying tribute to the days of backyard campfires with the community.

“Now we get to share with hundreds of people and see the same reaction that our friends and family were giving us, that’s what we aim to recreate here, that neighborhood gathering space centered around our beers, but also still inclusive and full of fun,” Haskins says. “If the community is having fun here, we’re having fun here.”

Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Brewing is not only a science, it’s an art.

Here are some of the men’s most unique and fun creations:

Smoked IPA: “It’s a bright sort of IPA, a little similar to a Bell’s Two Hearted IPA, with a touch of smoke ale that rounds out the flavor into something unique, and it goes along with the campfire theme,” Reeb says.

Habanero Stout: “It’s a milk chocolate stout base, then we throw habaneros in it, and then on top of that, we have another barrel that has raspberries in it, and then you mix and match,” Reeb says. “It’s got a little bit of that sweetness and a little bit of that spicy, and that is just delicious.”

Orange Dreamsicle IPA: “It’s a hazy IPA base that is heavy on the orange and with just a little bit of lactose that makes it taste like an orange creamsicle from your childhood,” Reeb says.

By Rachel Karas

courtesy of Bryan Knowles and Inniswood Metro Gardens

Botanical Museum

Inniswood Metro Gardens’ Rose Garden

gets upgrades among other changes

Situated among 6,000 acres of parkland within 41 parks and recreational facilities, residents of Westerville are no strangers to green spaces around the city. One local spot offers a hidden world that feels right out of a fantasy novel.

Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District Metro Parks’ Inniswood Metro Gardens, north of 270-I and off of South Hempstead Road, welcomes roughly 650,000 visitors annually with its ever-changing landscape that blankets the 123-acre nature preserve.

Aside from the foliage and miles of trails, Inniswood offers various educational and entertainment activities as well as volun-

teer opportunities. Over the past 50 years, the Gardens have grown and changed, welcoming more horticulture groups and organizations as well as incorporating unique plants and sub-gardens to keep the space fresh and welcoming.

With new leadership and changes in the works, Inniswood is excited to turn a new leaf and welcome new and returning visitors for years to come.

A budding future

Thanks to a donation of land from Grace and Mary Innis in 1972, the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks developed and officially opened the Inniswood Metro

Man Behind the Garden

Before becoming the Public Gardens Manager, Bryan Knowles earned a wildlife management degree from Michigan State University.

He eventually joined the Metro Parks team as a part-time park ranger at the Prairie Oaks Metro Park, and during the past 21 years, Knowles has worked at five parks throughout the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system, including Inniswood.

Knowles isn’t alone in his outdoor adventures as his wife and son also work in the Parks. His wife, Kerry, is a park manager at Prairie Oaks and his son, Ethan, works in the IT department.

Gardens to the public in 1984 with the first two sub-gardens, the Rose Garden and the Rock Garden.

As one of Inniswood’s most recognizable sub-gardens – due to its location near the entrance and its large blueish-grey Rose Terrace – the Rose Garden has welcomed visitors for roughly 40 years. With those decades has come a fair amount of wear and tear to the Terrace and benches surrounding the beautiful roses, leading to the Inniswood Fund of Metro Parks at the Columbus Foundation stepping in, along with a $10,000 private donation through the Inniswood Garden Society to cover the cost of its renovations.

Other than some lumber and stone upgrades and general maintenance, the design of the Rose Garden will be mostly the same. But when the updates are completed, which Public Gardens Manager Bryan Knowles hopes will be sometime this summer, the Rose Terrace will have an allnew wooden framework. Other planned upgrades include new stone benches.

Knowles and his team also aided with an irrigation system update in 2020 and are updating the plant-identifying plaques

Photos

found all around the park. This year, Inniswood Metro Gardens will replace an estimated 40 trees and shrubs through Inniswood Garden Society donations.

Watch your step

Since joining the team in 2019, one of Knowles’s goals was to reduce conflicts between the people and the plants.

“Because people don’t understand that this is a museum, many of them may not understand how impactful soil compaction and stepping on plants and stuff can be, so they’ll be in areas that they really shouldn’t be in,” he says.

Several areas have man-made paths that help visitors reach areas faster, but

sometimes harm the wildlife on or around them. Knowles says the proposed changes to the layout are to make accessing each corner of the garden easy without walking across flower beds.

“There was so much foot traffic in (some areas), most of the stuff was dead or had erosion problems, so, (adapting it) gives them a path to get to where they wanted to be to take the picture without being detrimental to the health of the plants,” he says. “There is this really nice garden back here that didn’t get a lot of visitation, so we’re going to be redoing this garden this year too, and it’s going to have a path through it so you’ll be able to explore this area a little bit more.”

Inniswood Metro Gardens Myths and Facts

While Inniswood is a part of the Metro Parks family, it has some different rules due to it’s status as a botanical garden. For example, dogs are not permitted.

MYTH: Bikes, scooters and other vehicles as well as food are allowed in the Gardens.

To help preserve the diverse and sometimes delicate foliage of the space, it is important that visitors do not use wheeled transportation or bring in any items that could harm the wildlife, including food. Activities such as walking, running and other similar physical activities are welcomed.

MYTH: You can cut and take home the flowers.

Due to the Gardens’ botanical garden status, much of the plant life on the grounds are covered under federal patent laws that restrict the removal of any florals. However, visitors are welcome to enjoy them from a distance or pick up small things such as leaves off the ground.

FACT: You can see wild animals on the grounds.

In addition to the thousands of plants, you will also find a wide variety of fauna that call the grounds home. Visitors and workers have spotted animals ranging from frogs to larger animals like owls.

FACT: You can enjoy more than just flowers in the Gardens.

While there are many quiet spaces to enjoy throughout the Gardens, there are also plenty of activities hosted on the grounds. The spring and summer months welcome various educational and volunteer groups as well as weddings, field trips and those looking for great photo backdrops.

For families, forever

The Sisters’ Garden, which was dedicated in 2002, honors the memory of Grace and Mary Innis and is designed to celebrate nature and childhood inquisitiveness. It houses several children’s spaces, including a treehouse and a secret garden. This year, the Inniswood Garden Society will renovate and repair a small historical farmhouse, ‘Grannie’s House,’ located in the garden. In the future,

Inniswood Metro Gardens hopes to add a shaded structure within the Sisters’ Garden. With plenty of updates and upgrades down the road, Knowles says the Inniswood team hopes to continue welcoming visitors back for another 50 years.

Rachel Karas is the lead editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Don’t Miss This!

Art exhibit in the Innis House (changes monthly)

Plant Sale: May 3, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. & May 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Craft and Plant: May 11, 1-3 p.m.

Summer Children’s Programs: Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Inniswood Garden Society Annual Meeting: June 1, 1-4 p.m.

Wellness: Tai Chi: June 14, 10 a.m.

Free Concerts at 5 p.m.: June 15, July 20, August 17

For more information visit www.inniswood.org.

Peter Kourlas, M.D.

Jarred Burkart, M.D. Shabana Dewani, M.D. Andrew Grainger, M.D. Joseph Hofmeister, M.D. Augustine Hong, M.D. Elizabeth Kander, M.D.

Erin M.Bertino , M.D.

Nse Ntukidem, M.D.

Thomas Sweeney, M.D.

Emily Saul, D.O.

Anish Parikh, M.D.

Joy Tang, M. D.

Kavya Krishna, M.D. Shylaja Mani, M.D.

Erin Macrae, M.D.

Michael Ozga, M.D.

The evolution of Fourth Fridays in Uptown

By Ella Jay

Now a beloved Westerville tradition, the first Fourth Friday event connected Uptown merchants with residents, and grew into an experience with impact beyond the Westerville community.

Today, the street festival series typically showcases more than 100 vendors and attracts 10,000 to 30,000 visitors monthly. But, the event stemmed from humble beginnings.

Tradition takes shape

The very first Fourth Friday event took place in July 1999. It was held from 5-9 p.m., just east of State Street, between Winter Street and College Avenue. The event was advertised as a night of family fun with chalk drawing, and performances by the Westerville Community Band and the AmeriCheer Sparklers cheerleading squad. There were an estimated 20 art exhibitors and two food options – Graeter’s Ice Cream and Sertoma’s Brat Wagon.

According to Westerville History Museum’s archived records, the then-Executive Director of the Westerville Visitors and Conventions Bureau, Amy Skar, introduced the idea of the event to provide more family-oriented activities after observing families stroll through Uptown.

Photos courtesy of Megan Davies, Rock House, Glover L. Sherron Jr., Uptown Westerville Inc. and Visit Westerville

The first event was a hit, attracting more than 500 people. While that’s smaller than today’s crowd, it was a success, nonetheless. A second Fourth Friday was held in August 1999 and added 25 more exhibiting artists. Soon after, the event was established as a permanent fixture in Westerville.

Over the years, the event went from a block party to a full-blown festival. In 2007, it attracted an average of 4,000 visitors, reaching 5,000 by 2008. Two years later, that number had almost doubled to 8,000 visitors.

By 2016, Fourth Fridays began breaking records as one of the largest regularly held events in Ohio, averaging more than 10,000 visitors per month and hosting an average of 100 to 125 vendors.

In 2000, the Visitors and Conventions Bureau decided to try something new to accommodate growing attendance and foot traffic, and for the first time in history, State Street was shut down for Fourth Friday.

The measure proved successful, and according to the History Museum’s archives, the previous Executive Director of the Westerville Visitors and Conventions Bureau, Jeff Hartnell, had trouble counting the more than 17,000 festival-goers. Within less than a year, the closure of State Street became a permanent part of the event.

In 2019, event management duties were passed from the Visitors and Conventions Bureau to Uptown Westerville Inc.

A deeper meaning

Fourth Fridays are open for all to enjoy, but for Westerville residents, the long-standing festival is more than just weekend fun. It also represents a meaningful culmination of community connection, growth and history.

Honoring Jeff Hartnell

Prior to UWI, Fourth Fridays were run by the late Jeff Hartnell, a beloved personality who served as Executive Director of the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau (WVCB, precursor to Visit Westerville). The building at 20 W. Main St. in Uptown housed the WVCB, and the historical plaque on the building has a ‘secret nod’ to Jeff. After Jeff passed, and with his family’s permission, Jeff’s image was photoshopped onto the plaque, standing behind the window where his office used to be.

“There are just some great traditions that have been built into this event,” Kris Thompson, director of operations at Uptown Westerville Inc., says. “(And) it’s a good way of saying, ‘Come down and see what we’re all about.’”

Not only has the festival achieved Hartnell’s goal of “reintroducing the community to itself,” but it also continues to attract visitors from far and wide, boosting the local economy. With new performances and attractions each month, there’s always an exciting reason to stick around town for the weekend.

Most significantly, Fourth Fridays fosters a unique sense of interconnection within Westerville, connecting residents with Uptown merchants and local organizations and also with each other.

“It’s an event (where) you can come down, see your neighbors, and see other members of the community,” Thompson says. “It’s always good to bring everyone together.”

Attendees can look forward to another summer of fun-filled Fourth Fridays with

good food and DORA beverages starting May 23 . According to Thompson, the 2025 festival series will bring back plenty of fan favorites – such as the Generations Performing Arts Center, collaborations with COSI, and DJ Matt Ryan’s dance party for kids – as well as introduce some new performers and exhibits into the mix.

For more information, visit www.uptown westervilleinc.com.

Ella Jay is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@cityscenemediagroup.com

The success of the festival series has also inspired similar community events that further promote growth and inclusivity, such as Uptown Friday Nights, held every Friday (except Fourth Fridays), providing a less crowded atmosphere and just as much fun.

Go to www.shopuptownwesterville.com

Fourth Friday 2025 Schedule

May-Oct., from 6-9 p.m.

May 23

June 27

July 25

Aug. 22

Sept. 26

Oct. 24

Throughout the years, Fourth Fridays has welcomed many performers and vendors, some of whom continue to return. Here are notable participants:

Food

Dan’s Deli

Graeter’s Ice Cream

Mojo Tacos

Pizza Mike’s

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus

Sertoma’s Brat Wagon

Performers & Demonstrators

Academy Irish Dance Co.

AmeriCheer Sparklers

Archeological Society of Ohio

Avalon Nine

Central College Church Praise Band

Clave Sonic

Columbus Swiss Alphorn Ensemble

Corey Heichal

Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Generations Performing Arts Center

Habeeba’s Belly Dancing Troupe

Halfway Home

Hanby Singers

In Full Swing Band

Juggler and Balloonist Mackee

Ohio RockStars

Regan Dance Academy

Song Spinners

Sounds Educational Center

Suzuki Violin Studio

Taoist Tai Chi Society

The Dance Space at iYooWee

Tim O’Connor and Clarinet Trio

Westerville Community Band

Westerville North High School Jazz Orchestra

Westerville Police and Fire Departments

Westerville Public Library

Westerville Puppet Posse

Westerville Symphony

Xcel Martial Arts

Yankee Celtic Consort

• studentspotlight

By Frances Denman

Senior Spirit

Westerville Competition Dance Team goes to Nationals

The Westerville City Schools Competition Dance Program, initiated at Westerville North High School, gives students the opportunity to build team culture.

Westerville North seniors, Ali Kidder and Abbi Johnson began dancing at the age of three at competitive dance studios. In high school, they were the only freshmen to join the Westerville dance team when it first separated from the cheerleading squad in 2020.

Lifelong friends and last season’s cocaptains, Kidder and Johnson describe how, as freshmen, upperclassmen on the team stepped into leadership roles, helping them adjust to high school, coaching them on their dance skills and preparing the girls to become leaders themselves.

“It became something that we felt comfortable working with others to be like,

‘Here, welcome onto the team, let us show you what it’s all about,”’ Kidder says. “All of the seniors try and work with giving the freshmen rides, including them in things and it’s just really cool because it builds a deeper connection with (them).”

Leading the team to victory

As sophomores, Kidder and Johnson say the Westerville Competition Dance Team took home a State Championship title in its first year, winning the contemporary lyrical category.

“It was really nice to see how all of the work we’ve put into it has actually started to pay off,” Johnson says.

This past season, Kidder and Johnson made it a goal to finally attend the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship. Johnson says ac -

complishing this goal as seniors felt like a fever dream.

“It felt unreal, but it also felt magical,” Johnson says. “Everyone always says Disney is the most magical place on earth, I thought Nationals was the most magical place on earth.”

The national competition is what the team practiced for all season, training from June through January. The team prepared three routines during those months – a contemporary jazz routine, a pom routine combining elements of cheer and dance and a gameday routine in which senior dancers perform a crowd cheer to a fight song.

Johnson says that although competing at the State Competition was fun, her favorite memory is performing at Nationals because the team’s unification was so powerful. This was the moment they’d all been waiting for, she says.

“At Nationals, I felt like the team just hit a whole new level of being a team – I felt like they were more than just my team, they were my friends and family,” Johnson says.

Kidder says Westerville outscored many other teams with their game-day routine, continuing to the National semi-final round.

“You’re surrounded by so much talent and so many different backgrounds because now you’re seeing schools from Florida, you’re seeing schools from New York, from California,” Kidder says. “I think everyone was really happy with what we were able to bring to the floor, considering it was our first year.”

Keeping up

Kidder says an interesting aspect of the Westerville Competition Dance Team is the varying backgrounds and styles, resulting from different studio experiences. Kidder and Johnson, for example, grew up dancing in different studios.

“We turn differently so both of us at some point in time would have to change the way we learn certain steps to match

Photos courtesy of Beth Kidder

on stage,” Kidder says. “It’s overall just expanded my dancing ability a ton in the last couple of years and it’s just been such a cool experience.”

With such a diverse group of dancers, Kidder says she was incentivized from the beginning to improve her skills so that the team would be synchronized on stage.

“I think what motivated me a lot was trying to be on the same level as (my teammates) and be able to perform for my team and not just for myself,” Kidder says. “I want us all to look together and precise on stage…”

Westerville pride

As one of the only high school dance teams in the area competing at such a high level, the Westerville Competition Dance Team welcomes dancers from all three Westerville City Schools’ high schools, displaying an impressive athletic emergence.

“I’m so grateful,” Kidder says. “We get to show off our Westerville pride – if you will – wherever we go.”

Both Kidder and Johnson plan to continue dancing after high school.

“It truly made my high school experience so much fun,” Kidder says. “I loved getting to cheer and dance on the sidelines and just getting to do more with my dance and expand that.”

Johnson says dance will always have a special place in her life, no matter where her future takes her. She’s sad to be leaving

the team behind, but she wishes nothing but the best for the remaining dancers on the team.

“It’s been my home, honestly, for the past fourteen years of my life and I literally cannot imagine myself without dance,” she says. “It’s very emotional for me and Ali, especially because we did it together the whole time. I hope that the team continues to grow and continues to do amazing new things, I hope Nationals is not where we stop.”

Frances Denman is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Westerville Competition Dance National Championship Team

Seniors

Abbi Johnson

Addison Cummings

Ali Kidder

Catherine Graff

Charlotte Sieck

Juniors

Aylah Heck

Maddie Walker

Freshman

Ava Parry

Charley Jones

Mia Gorski

Zakiya Ayers

By Grace Heberling

Kitchen Comes to Life

Westerville homeowners get a bright kitchen makeover

When Angela and Matt Bartosic and their three sons moved into their new house last year, they had higher hopes for the outdated kitchen.

To cultivate a kitchen space that fits their family’s lifestyle, the Bartosics met with Kitchen & Bath Tune-Up Columbus designer, Sheri Knapke, who has designed more than 350 renovations. Under Knapke’s guidance, Angela began planning major changes to their kitchen.

While Kitchen Tune-Up headed up the renovation, Angela also collaborated with vendors to update light fixtures, paint bannisters, railings and walls, and upgrade other elements in their house.

Photos courtesy of Rita Thompson at Kitchen & Bath Tune-Up Columbus

Before

Design specifics

The family of five loves to host their friends and family. Since their guests always gather in the kitchen, the Bartosics knew they wanted a long kitchen island with seating for everyone to gather around.

Along with installing the island, Angela wanted to brighten up the space. The old oak cabinets, gray countertops and tan backsplash darkened the kitchen substantially, so they added pendant lighting over the island and incorporated brighter colors, gravitating toward neutrals and pinks to create something timeless.

Ultimately, she opted for a two-toned kitchen with a soft white perimeter and a soft-gray island.

The drab backsplash was replaced with white porcelain tile and the gray countertops were replaced with white granite. To balance out the light hues, Angela chose dark vinyl flooring.

The Kitchen Tune-Up team also added extra storage space, tore out the kitchen’s outdated desk area and replaced it with a mini fridge.

Process

Renovations began a month before the family moved into their new house and Angela had to make decisions quickly to stay on schedule. The flooring was completed only a day before they moved in.

To make things more hectic amid the renovation, Angela and Matt went on a two-week trip to Europe to commemo-

rate their 10-year anniversary. When they planned the trip, they hadn’t anticipated undergoing home renovations at the same time, but they didn’t want to put their life on hold and decided to go anyway.

The team worked to make their vision a reality, and Angela and Knapke had to troubleshoot when plans threatened to go over budget. Although they originally planned to replace the door frames, they found that painting and

On to the next one

The Bartosic’s new home is only six minutes from their old house, so Angela enjoyed coming over and seeing progress.

Similar to most renovations, the Bartosics’ home experienced months of workers coming in and out. After three months, aside from a few touch-ups, the Bartosics finally had the kitchen they wanted.

“It was so nice to have that first gathering

Now, the Bartosics have already begun a landscaping project.

“For the spring and going into summer, we’re going to be focusing on the outside of our house,” Angela says. “We’re always wanting to do house projects. That’s just who we are and what we love to do.”

Grace Heberling is an editorial assistant at

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Top Homes Sold in Westerville

Westerville home prices were up 14.3 percent this February compared to February 2024. The median selling price was $440,000. Westerville homes sold after an average of 38 days on the market compared to 39 days a year ago. There were 29 homes sold in February this year, which is up from 27 in February 2024. (Data from Redfin)

6863 Temperance Point Pl.

6 beds, 6.5 baths

$1,740,000

Sold 2/27/25

5222 Medallion Dr. E. 5 beds, 5 baths

$930,000

Sold 3/04/25

4526 Royal Birkdale Dr. 4 beds, 3.5 baths

$918,000

Sold 3/14/25

795 Bigham Ridge Blvd. 5 beds, 3.5 baths

$840,000

Sold 2/28/25

8216 W. Shore Dr. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$825,000

Sold 3/10/25

6247 Spring Run Dr. 4 beds, 4 baths

$799,000

Sold 2/28/25

950 Raintree Ct. 4 beds, 3.5 baths

$740,000

Sold 3/21/25

437 Landings Loop E. 5 beds, 4.5 baths

$702,000

Sold 2/24/25

7485 Upper Cambridge Way 4 beds, 4 baths

$700,000

Sold 2/07/25

5311 Slater Rdg. 4 beds, 3.5 baths

$685,000

Sold 3/10/25

8419 Danbridge Way 4 beds, 4.5 baths

$685,000 2/7/25

6345 Heritage Pl. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$680,000 3/14/25

All information is collected from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.

By Korrigan Craddock

Photos courtesy of WARM

Fueling the Body and Mind

Ensuring proper nutrition for children during the summer

Food is an important factor in a child’s growing body and mind as it contributes to how well children learn and thrive in different environments.

Without daily school lunches during the summer, some kids do not get the nutrients they need. So, the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM) works to fill this need through its Kids Lunch Club (KLC) program which provides daily nutritious lunches to kids across Westerville.

Kids Lunch Club

WARM recognizes the importance of providing children with nutritious meals which is why it works closely with MidOhio Food Collective to help create nutritious warm meals for children each summer.

Delaney Stephens, child nutrition coordinator at WARM, collaborates with Sha-Wana Pressley, director of prepared foods at Mid-Ohio Food Collective, to help plan the summer meals.

On Fridays, KLC sites have weekend goodie bags available, which include two breakfasts, two lunches and a few snacks.

Quick and Easy Nutritious Snacks

• Fruit such as mandarin oranges

• String cheese and crackers

• Homemade frozen yogurt

• Trail mix

• Nut butter and apple or celery

• Frozen grapes

2024 KLC Impact Report

• 45,081 meals served

• 11 sites

• 301 children served each day on average

• 14,915 weekend meals distributed

• 15,656 hot lunches served

• 5,549 lbs. of produce distributed

When preparing lunches for the KLC program, Pressley follows USDA’s guidelines for child nutrition that direct each meal should contain a fruit, vegetable, meat or meat alternative, a whole grain item and milk.

“(We know) just how important (nutrition) really is, especially for youth. I don’t think we always think about how much emphasis food puts on how well (children) learn,” Stephens says.

Nutritious meals

Although the main focus of preparing these meals is making sure each one meets the nutritional guidelines, Pressley emphasizes the importance of making meals visually appealing and familiar to children.

“Kids eat with their eyes first,” Pressley says. “How do we make this meal appealing to them?”

By incorporating fan-favorite items, such as chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, and gradually introducing healthier options like brown rice or green beans, children are more likely to try new things.“For us, it is understanding the nutritional guidelines, but at the same time understanding that if the kids don’t eat it, then they aren’t getting the nutrition,” Pressley says. “At the same time making (the meals) approachable to the kids.”

Mid-Ohio Food Collective accommodates dietary restrictions to ensure no child feels left out. For example, vegetarian meatballs are offered when they serve spaghetti and meatballs, and gluten-free buns are available on burger days.

Although cold meals might seem like a refreshing choice during the summer, Pressley and Mid-Ohio have noticed that children tend to consume more when meals are hot.

Hydration is just as important in the summer months. Research shows children should consume roughly four to eight cups of water daily, depending on their age.

Besides water jugs WARM provides at each KLC site, the group also works to include hydrating fruits and vegetables in the children’s meals.

Summer slide

Although food fuels the brain, getting up and moving around is just as important. Over the summer when kids are not in school, they can experience what is known as the summer slide, which is the loss of the academia learned in the previous school year. One way to combat this is by keeping kids up and active.

At KLC sites, there are items for children to play with such as soccer balls and basketballs as well as crafts and other activities throughout the summer.

WARM also has special guests from organizations, such as the Westerville Public Library which provides crafts and books.

“It’s actually proven that when kids engage in some sort of recreational activity, like what we offer at our sites, that they are more likely to retain the information that they had learned in that school year moving into their next school year,” says Stephens.

Korrigan Craddock is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Home Deliveries

• bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Connecting You to the World

Enrich your life with books, movies, and more, delivered to your home for free with a smile. westervillelibrary.org

Recommended Youth Reads from Katie Ross, Youth Services Librarian

Thank a Farmer by Maria Gianferrari (Juvenile Non-fiction)

Meet a variety of farmers responsible for the products we consume daily. The author encourages us to be thankful for the hands that help feed and clothe us.

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz (Picture Book)

Children will delight in traveling through a foodie neighborhood as one boy searches for an ice-cold treat from the Paletero Man. A surprise ending makes for a sweet story.

Salt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the World by Jacques Pasquet (Juvenile Non-fiction)

When we drink a cup of coffee or tea, eat a chocolate bar or salty pretzel, we are taking a culinary journey around the world. Discover the fascinating history of some of the common ingredients we eat.

Linh’s Rooftop Garden by JaNay Brown-Wood (Picture Book)

A girl is on a quest for blueberries on her rooftop garden. Along the way, readers will learn about different fruits and vegetables and their many characteristics. A recipe for blueberry and banana pancakes is included.