Watch Stephanie’s story here or visit orthopedicONE.com.
Stephanie’s Orthopedic Practice MOST TRUSTED
After multiple injuries and surgeries -- to her hips, shoulder and spine -Stephanie is stronger than ever. She continues to pursue her passion for teaching and inspiring young athletes on and off the tennis court. She credits her physicians at Orthopedic ONE for sharing faith in her determination to recover and return to the game she loves.
Stephanie B., Tennis Instructor and Orthopedic ONE Patient
Cover photo by Teresa Bohrer
Photo by Mary Ann Schell
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JulyAugust
Wednesdays
JC Lunchbox Concert Series
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Java Central Coffee Roasters 20 S. State St., Ste. B www.javacentral.coffee
July 1-31
Disability Pride: Flags and Facts
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Tues., July 1
Bug Box with OSU Entomology 2-3 p.m.
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Fri., July 4, 11, 18 & Aug. 1, 8, 15, 29
Uptown Friday Nights
6:30-8:30 p.m. Uptown Westerville www.shopuptownwesterville.com
Fri., July 4
Westerville’s Independence Day
5K Run/Walk
7:30-10 a.m.
Westerville Athletic Complex 325 N. Cleveland Ave.
Westerville’s Independence Day Celebration Parade
10:30 a.m. State Street
Westerville’s Independence Day Celebration Firework Show
10 p.m. Heritage Park www.westervillerotary.com
Sun., July 6, 20, 27 & Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24
Summer Concert Series
6:30-8 p.m.
Alum Creek Amphitheatre
221 W. Main St. www.westerville.org
Mon.-Fri., July 7-11
Blendon Woods Grandcamp
Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-noon Fri.: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4265 E. Dublin Granville Rd. www.metroparks.net
Thurs., July 10
Media Conversation Basics 10 a.m.-noon
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Thurs., July 10
Whiskey Wars: New Perspectives 6:30-8 p.m.
Westerville Public Library Uptown
126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
July 10-13 & 17-19
Otterbein Summer Theatre Presents: Dames at Sea Thurs.-Sat.: 7:30 p.m. Sun.: 2 p.m.
Fritsche Theatre 30 S. Grove St. www.otterbein.edu
Sat., July 12
Stories and S’mores
1-4 p.m.
Hanby House 160 W. Main St. www.westervillehistory.org
Sat.-Sun., July 12-13
Westerville Area Chamber
Music & Arts Festival Sat.:10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun.:10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Heritage Park 60 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westervillechamber.com
Tues., July 15
Taylor Swift Party 2-4 p.m.
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Tues., July 15
Husky Fall Sports Jamboree 4-6 p.m.
WCS Heritage M.S. 390 N. Spring Rd. www.heritage.westerville.k12.oh.us
Wed., July 16
Magic Show and Workshop 2-4 p.m.
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Blendon Woods Grandcamp
Giant Bubble Show
Thurs.-Sun., July 17-20
WV Parks & Rec. Civic Theatre presents CATS
July 17, 18, 19: 7 p.m., July 20: 2 p.m.
Westerville North H.S. 950 County Line Rd. www.parks.westerville.org
Sun., July 20
Westerflora
Noon-6 p.m.
Uptown Westerville www.visitwesterville.org
Mon., July 21
Annual Golf Outing
9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Medallion Club 5000 Club Dr. www.westervillechamber.com
Fri., July 25 & Aug. 22
Uptown Fourth Friday Festival
6-9 p.m. State Street www.uptownwestervilleinc.com
Sat., July 26
Ice cream social in honor of Ben Hanby 1-4 p.m.
Hanby House 160 W. Main St. www.ohiohistory.org
Sun., July 27
Tapestry of a Town 1-5 p.m.
Uptown Westerville www.visitwesterville.org
Tues., July 29
Giant Bubble Show
2-7 p.m.
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Tues., Aug. 5
National Night Out
6-8 p.m.
Huber Village Park 362 Huber Village Blvd. www.westerville.org
Sat., Aug. 9
Uptown Untapped 6-10 p.m. East Main Street www.uptownwestervilleinc.com
www.westervillemagazine.com
Mon., Aug. 11
Composting with Worms
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Westerville Public Library Uptown 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org
Wed., Aug. 13
First Day for Students
Westerville City Schools www.westerville.k12.oh.us
Summer Concert Series
Aug. 15-16
Walls Build
Fri.: 5-7 p.m.
Sat.: 7:30 a.m.-noon
Westerville Area Resource Ministry 150 Heatherdown Dr. www.westervillehabitatpartnership.org
Tues., Aug. 26
Women in Business – Mix and Blend
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Blend Candle Co. 16 E. Main St. www.westervillechamber.com
Sat., Aug. 30
ReUse-A-Palooza
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Westerville www.sustainablewesterville.org
Save the Date!
2025 Annual Shopping Cart Shuffle 5K is on Sat., Sept. 6, at the Westerville Sports Complex, in recognition of Hunger Action Awareness Month. Register now at www. warmwesterville.org.
By Maisie Fitzmaurice
Queen
of Whiskerville
Photo courtesy of Maisie Fitzmaurice
Columbus Humane Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Advent is a veterinarian with a passion for humanity. As a Westerville South High School graduate, her roots in the community run almost as deep as her compassion for pets and their loving owners.
An unexpected trajectory
If you told Advent 10 years ago that she would be working as a veterinarian, she would have been shocked. In college, Advent had her sights set on working as an international epidemiologist studying zoonoses such as Ebola and rabies.
She attended The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in public health before entering OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine – the final step before pursuing her dream job at The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
She felt different from other veterinary students because of her driving focus on human welfare.
“They’re like, ‘Oh no, I don’t like people, I only love animals, I only want to touch animals,’ and I really wanted to help people,” she says.
As she went through the program, she became increasingly drawn to witnessing and experiencing the strong connections between people and animals that are not seen through the lens of transferable diseases. So, after veterinary school, she decided to give traditional veterinary medicine a try and accepted a job at a veterinary clinic in Circleville.
“Seeing the passion people have for their animals and what they’re willing to do for them, knowing that I could help them in that small way was so rewarding,” she says.
Advent’s father, now retired, also had a career in veterinary medicine and was able to support her through her journey.
“He’s been a tremendous support to me, navigating this career field and giving me all the tools I needed and pushing me in all the right ways, so I’m very lucky to have him,” she says.
Fostering healthy families
While in Circleville, Advent noticed some pet owners in the rural area had financial and educational barriers as well as a lack of access to veterinary care, especially for emergencies and surgical services.
She noticed that when individuals and families were struggling due to factors such as food insecurity, healthcare, housing and transportation, they needed human welfare support services in addition to veterinary care to keep not only themselves afloat, but also their pets healthy at home.
When owners surrender their pet willingly, it often isn’t that they don’t want to care for it, but that one or more of these factors inhibits them from doing so, she says.
“I saw veterinary medicine from a very different perspective,” she says. “I think there’s this myth that if people are struggling financially, they don’t care about their pet and they don’t deserve to have the animal, and that breaks my heart because you hear stories all the time where people are literally choosing to starve so that they can feed their animal, or they are choosing not to purchase their life-saving medication because they’re trying to help their animal. These people love their animals more than anything. They don’t need shame and criticism, they need support.”
Advent’s compassionate nature may have been shaped partly by unimaginable tragedy. While Advent says she lived the ideal early childhood, she lost her mother in a car accident at 16.
“It’s very much changed me as a person,” she says. “I can have compassion and empathy for people in a very different way, and relate to people in crisis, and even though those (crisis) situations might be different, I can understand how your life can very unexpectedly change.”
Humane heart
When Advent heard that Columbus Humane was hiring, she decided to apply. Now, seven years later, she uses her expertise in public health, zoonoses and veterinary medicine, as well as her unique
and compassionate perspective, to make a difference in the lives of families and pets.
Columbus Humane doesn’t just provide shelter for pets and facilitate adoptions, it also offers subsidized veterinary care and free dog food, trap-neuter-return services for feral cats, behavioral training, assistance with outside support services, emergency boarding for pets of domestic violence survivors and so much more.
“I knew from the moment I started this was the place I wanted to be,” she says. “There are so many different aspects of my job that involve how we keep people and animals healthy, and how to provide holistic support. I use that public health education every day, making sure animals that leave our building are safe for the public, all those things are related to public health. I had no idea that I could feel this fulfilled in a career.”
Columbus Humane also handles animal cruelty investigations in Franklin County. This part of the job isn’t so joyful, but for every tragedy, Advent says there are 100 more positive outcomes. She is inspired by Columbus Humane volunteers, staff, community members and donors dedicated to the cause.
“I feel more positive than I do anything else here because you see all these people
working towards a common goal, and it’s so inspirational,” she says. “We’re all just sitting around talking about how do we help more animals, and how do we help more people?”
For Advent, the most rewarding part of her job is watching an animal that was once in a horrendous situation experience TLC, become healthy and eventually walk out the door alongside a loving family.
“A young family can walk in and the pet bonds with a kid, that same pet that has been in our facility, that we’ve been rehabilitating, and you see the look on a kid’s face when the bond instantly happens,” she says. “You get to watch this amazing outcome, but also knowing the impact that’s
Westerville woman
going to have in that family and that kid, there’s nothing better than that.”
Advent and Columbus Humane often check on new owners and pets soon after adoption. What they’ve seen is truly heartwarming.
“You’ll get the photos of the dog cuddling up in bed with the toddler, they’re reading books together, or it’s napping with the kid, or they’re playing at the park together, and that’s transformed everybody involved, right? Even us here,” she says.
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Advent first met her husband, John, while they both attended Westerville South, however, the two never connected personally until years later. It was over her Thanksgiving break in college when she was reintroduced to him by a mutual friend; the two have now been married for more than 20 years.
The Advents have two kids: Bear, 5, and Avery, 2, who named their two cats, Chew and Cheesy Poof, as well as their dog, Noogie. They also have two fish whose names are changed by Bear based on what he’s into that day. Advent’s father still lives in Westerville where he now carries out his duties as a grandpa.
As a Westerville native, Advent enjoys taking her kids to Graeter’s Ice Cream and Fourth Fridays in Uptown. On occasion, the family enjoys grabbing breakfast at Northstar Café before heading across the street to the library. She enjoys spending her alone time running at Sharon Woods or Hoff Woods.
SHUTTER BUGS
Candid cameras capture life in Westerville 1 3 2
0 Lynn Petro Heppner
a Jill Jones
b William Pflanz
c Robert Ramsey
d Emelia Douglas
e Leadership Westerville
f Harmonee Schmidt
g Westerville Symphony
Play Like a
Girl
Westerville Central H.S. girls’ flag football team opens door for young female athletes
By Ella Jay
Photos courtesy of Charlie Boss, Westerville City Schools
As part of a pilot program sponsored by the Cleveland Browns, WCHS’s first-ever girls’ flag football team breaks barriers for female athletes – reshaping outdated perceptions and creating more spaces where they can compete, lead and thrive on the football field.
“Who says girls can’t play football too? We’re just as capable,” WCHS Girl’s Flag Football Coach Peyton McBride says. “And it’s so important to give women more opportunities.”
Game on
According to Josh Franke, the head football coach at WCHS, the girls’ flag football program is a result of ‘being in the right place at the right time.’ During a sports conference, Franke was approached by Cleveland Browns Youth Football Manager Hannah Lee.
“She said if we were interested in the program, everything would be taken care of by the Browns. We just needed to gather a team,” Franke says. “So I thought, ‘Why not?’”
Franke brought the proposal to WCHS Principal Dawn Sayre, who immediately embraced the idea. With district approval, funding and player interest, the team just needed one more thing: a coach.
So, Franke and Sayre approached McBride, a seasoned athlete, WCHS teacher and Westerville South’s head track and field coach. With a packed schedule, McBride was slightly hesitant to take up the position, but ultimately, her students convinced her.
Sideline Q&A with players
Q: Why did you choose to join the flag football team?
Aubrey Hurt: My brothers played football my whole life, I love football – and other sports never really gave me a chance to play.
Audrey Reed: Football’s my favorite sport to watch, so to get the opportunity to play myself was really exciting.
Madison Previlon: I felt like it would keep me active. It’s a very fun activity, and you’re building bonds while you do it.
Zainab Sesay: It was something new – everybody plays track, basketball, or cheer.
Q: What’s been your favorite part about being on the team?
Audrey Reed: I like collaborating, cheering on our team, getting touchdowns and making up new celebrations.
Capri Burkey: Getting to know people on a different level – connecting with people you’re not used to.
Mel-Victoria Bila: I really love that we’re the first people to do this. In our classes, we learn about history, but you don’t realize you can actually make history.
Harley Dexter: Being able to have a team, build new bonds… We all got to come together, learn something new and learn together.
Q: What lessons have you taken away from the program?
Addie Shoults: It taught me to try new things, don’t be closed-minded.
Madison Previlon: Just have fun. If it’s your first time doing it, don’t be so hard on yourself – you’re learning as you go.
Mel-Victoria Bila: If you reach out and go beyond your barriers, you can find those resources to do anything you want to do.
Harley Dexter: Always get out of your comfort zone. Try something new, you might enjoy it.
Q: Do you think it’s important for all young women to have opportunities like this?
Addie Shoults: Guys’ sports are so much more talked about and watched. They have so many opportunities… I think it’s important for us to take opportunities where we can get more.
Zainab Sesay: Every girl should have opportunities to do something great, to make a change, to have fun and to play more aggressive sports.
Mel-Victoria Bila: Yes, it should be available to everyone, because it gives girls the opportunity to display their talent.
Harley Dexter: You should always have the opportunity to do something you’ve never done before – it might be something that could bring you further in the future.
“The kids were like, ‘Oh my gosh, you have to do it. If you do it, I’ll do it.’ …and the rest is history,” McBride says.
With McBride on board, and assistance from Franke, the program quickly took shape and the girls played their first game in April.
Breaking boundaries
For many of the team’s players, signing up for the flag football team was simply a fun way to try something different and stay active. However, as the season unfolded, it became clear that the inaugural team signified something far more meaningful than just a new sport it was breaking barriers as one of the first teams
of its kind, not only in Ohio but across the country.
As the sport continues to evolve, WCHS has high hopes for the future.
“I just hope it continues to increase in number of participants, because not only is it getting kids involved outside the classroom, but I also think… it’s one more avenue (for the students) to continue to pursue their goals post-secondary,” Sayre says. “I also see it as adding another layer for us to celebrate within our school and generate excitement.”
As WCHS and other Ohio schools embrace the new program, they hope to create a domino effect.
“It’s creating opportunities for other schools too, and that’s what I hope to see, for more schools to jump into the program next year,” Franke says. “Being able to create those opportunities from our pilot program, not just for these girls, but to open up the door for other schools is awesome too.”
Meanwhile, the girls at WCHS benefit from the program beyond the thrill of competition and scholarship possibilities. For instance, many of the girls share that one of the best parts about joining the team was meeting new friends and building new bonds.
“This is a huge melting pot for the girls. Many of them wouldn’t have associated outside of this sport,” Franke says. “We have all different types of sports players here – soccer, swim, cheer, basketball, track and field.”
Just the beginning
According to Sayre, the program is also proving beneficial for the school and community as a whole.
“It’s one more way for kids to be proud of our school (and) of themselves,” Sayre says. “It’s increased our school spirit. We have a lot of guys from the football team wanting to support them and cheer them on. It’s been really cool to see the excitement around this team.”
There were many memorable aspects from the first season, but, according to the players, the biggest takeaways were how to keep an open mind, how to have patience with themselves, how to get out of their comfort zone and how to have fun amidst it all.
“To be able to take anything that you want by the reins, I hope, is what they take away from this. To seize your opportunity to be better,” McBride says.
By Korrigan Craddock
Photos courtesy of Brody Alexander
Brody the Bagpiper
Class of 2025 Westerville South H.S. graduate shares his love of bagpipes
Brody Alexander loves performing and finds joy in moving people with the sound of bagpipes. From the moment he first heard the instrument, he was won over. Since then, he has been playing his bagpipes for people all over town.
First note
Alexander began playing the bagpipes at 7 years old.
He first heard the instrument played during an Honor Flight ceremony as vet-
erans arrived home. He remembers being taken and captivated by the sound.
“The sound moved me,” says Alexander. “It made me feel a way like I hadn’t felt before, so I was like, ‘I want to play this instrument,’ and I have always been super interested in music.”
Learning an instrument at a young age came with its challenges. Alexander, being so young and small, had an especially unique challenge because his hands could barely fit around the instrument.
He did have an advantage, though, because he already read music through playing the piano, violin, guitar, trumpet and multiple percussion instruments. With practice and hard work, he became the bagpipe performer he is today.
“It was a very long process but very worth it. It paid off,” says Alexander. “I’m really glad that I stuck with it and just kept going even though it was hard and challenging.”
He regularly plays and competes with the Capital City Pipes and Drums and is an honorary member of the Columbus Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, which involves performing at special occasions and ceremonies.
Alexander is not just a popular face locally. In 2023 and 2024, Alexander was the Grand Champion of the Ohio Eastern United States Pipe Band Association for Grade 4 Junior.
“I get to touch so many different people and that’s really what matters,” says Alexander. “I get to make their day better and I get to show them something that they haven’t really seen before, or that they don’t usually see on a daily basis.”
Notes of honor
From honoring veterans to performing at funerals, Alexander has honored many people through his playing. He recalled his first-ever public performance being a deeply emotional and memorable experience as he was playing at his band teacher’s funeral. Another memorable and emotional performance was to honor Eric Joering
and Anthony Morelli, two Westerville Police Officers who died in the line of duty in 2018.
Alexander and his family were close to the fallen officers and were devastated after hearing the news. That night, he went to the police station to play in their honor and performed at the candlelight vigil.
Alexander is also very passionate about honoring veterans. He had the privilege of opening the ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, and in 2024, Alexander performed at the Ford Oval of Honor for military and first responders.
This past fall he had the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight that was carrying the 10,000th veteran and played the bagpipes at every stop.
“I love playing for the veterans because I have a lot of family that used to be in the military,” says Alexander.
Across the stages
This past summer, Alexander had a dream come true when he met one of the most famous bagpipers in the world, Ally the Piper, at the Dublin Irish Festival. She invited him up to play on stage with her, which happened to be on his 18th birthday.
“It made me want to do what she does, which is travel around the world and play the bagpipes,” says Alexander.
He is already getting a head start on that goal through his performances at OSU tailgates, where he has become a fan favorite. He loves walking around, talking to people and sharing his music.
“I did it a couple of years ago and ever since I did it one time, people have been contacting me and expecting to see me at every home game so it’s amazing,” says Alexander.
His next sets
A few days after graduation, Alexander flew back out to New Orleans to receive the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award which is given to one student in each state who showcases explementary leadership.
In 2026, he will take his passion internationally to play with the Capital City Pipes and Drums in Scotland for the World Championship of Bagpipes.
Outside of the pipes, Alexander plans to go to Columbus State in the fall. While he is still figuring out exactly what he would like to do, he knows for sure he will continue to pursue his love of the bagpipes.
“Of course, I’m going to continue to bagpipe. I can’t see me not playing the bagpipes,” says Alexander.
Korrigan Craddock is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
The Best in Fests
Westerville Area Chamber’s Music & Arts Festival returns July 12-13
By Maisie Fitzmaurice
July in Westerville means it’s time for the annual Westerville Area Chamber’s Music & Arts Festival. This summer tradition, held on July 12-13, features 125 fine arts and crafts exhibitors, 20plus food trucks, 30 musical performances, kids’ entertainment, a youth art exhibit, a silent auction and more. Building upon accessibility measures implemented in 2024, the Chamber partners with the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Momentum Refresh to provide universally
Photos courtesy of Evan Blankenship, Jacob Dilley and Tom Welsh Photography
accessible bathrooms equipped with an overhead ceiling hoist, height-adjustable adult changing tables, sinks, showers and customizable grab bars.
Also new this year is a compost exchange to collect food waste, as well as a water bottle refill station.
Alcoholic beverages such as White Claw hard seltzers, and Rhinegeist and North High Breweries’ beers are available Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
Children will love crafts with The Arts Council of Westerville, the interactive
instrument petting zoo hosted by Musicologie (Saturday) and School of Rock Gahanna (Sunday), caricature drawings and face painting (for a small fee). Don’t miss the youth art exhibit in the historic Everal Barn, highlighting artwork by young creatives ages 3 and up.
After browsing the youth art exhibit, be sure to head to the first floor for the silent auction with all items donated by the festival’s fine art and craft exhibitors. Proceeds from the auction benefit future festivals and ongoing event enhancements.
New Performer: North to Nashville
Country band North to Nashville headlines the Fest lineup this year. The band regularly performs at Harry Buffalo and other spots around Westerville and the central Ohio area – and lead vocalist and Westerville resident Evan Blankenship can’t wait to play for the community at the Music & Arts Festival.
“We’re pretty excited and looking forward to playing in Westerville. We have a good core group of folks, every time we play around the Westerville area, it seems like we always do really well,” Blankenship says. “We have a lot of supporters, and it gets a lot of fans around the area, so it was kind of a no-brainer once we were asked to play the Arts Festival that that we wanted to be a part of that.”
Living in Westerville, Blankenship says it’s possible the community has inspired some of his artistry.
“I mean, country music, at its core, is the story of being authentic to yourself, where you’re from… I wasn’t born and raised here in Westerville, but it’s where my wife and I want to put our roots down. So, I would like to say a little bit of Westerville kind of is trickled into the original songs that I write.”
Artist Exhibitor: Jacob Dilley
Amateur photographer Jacob Dilley has attended the Music & Arts Festival since he was a kid. In fact, the Fest is somewhat of a Dilley family tradition.
“I would help my grandparents, Richard and Marie Dilley, with their booth, ‘It’s a Dilley,’” he says. “Because of that, the Festival holds a special place in my heart.”
During the pandemic, Dilley began watching photo element tutorials and exploring the town as a street and landscape photographer, which he found to be meditative and grounding. He went on to present as an artist at the Festival for the first time in 2024.
“The Festival has been an incredible platform to share something I’m passionate about,” he says. “I especially enjoy when people recognize familiar places in my photos and share the stories or memories they associate with them. That kind of connection is something I don’t think social media can replicate. It’s a meaningful reminder of why I create, and this year, I’m looking forward to more of those connections, as well as sharing some new images I’ve captured since last year’s event.”
Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com.
North to Nashville
Jacob Dilley with his grandparents
Top Homes
Westerville home prices increased by 4.8 percent in April 2025 when compared to the previous year. Homes sold for a median price of $440,000. In April 2025, 50 homes were sold compared to 47 homes the previous year. On average, homes sold after 37 days on the market compared to 29 days the previous year. (Data from Redfin)
6843 Lake Trail Dr.
5 beds, 5.5 baths
$2,900,000
Sold 5/21/25
14176 Fancher Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,255,000
Sold 5/9/25
5881 Miller Paul Rd. 4 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,100,000
Sold 4/4/25
8231 Rookery Way 4 beds, 4 baths
$931,000
Sold 4/30/25
5863 Medallion Dr. W. 5 beds, 5.5 baths
$920,000
Sold 5/13/25
5310 Medallion Dr. E. 3 beds, 3.5 baths
$805,000
Sold 5/19/25
5226 Leydorf Ln. 5 beds, 3.5 baths
$800,000
Sold 4/22/25
6221 Spring Run Dr. 4 beds, 4 baths
$795,900
Sold 5/8/25
5111 Oakmont Pl. 5 beds, 3.5 baths
$774,900
Sold 4/28/25
919 Valleyview Dr. 4 beds, 4 baths
$762,000
Sold 4/21/25
5452 Seclusion Dr. 3 beds, 3 baths
$740,000
Sold 5/2/25
8693 Peter Hoover Rd. 4 beds, 2.5 baths
$725,000
Sold 5/9/25
All information is collected from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
• onthetable
By Ella Jay
Photos courtesy of Nadine Primae and iStock.com
Spice Up Your Life
Growing your own herbs and spices
Not only are herbs often lowmaintenance, but growing your own herbs and spices can also help save on grocery bills, minimize pesticide exposure and support a healthy lifestyle.
Choosing the right herbs
Gardeners should educate themselves on which herbs grow best in their geographical Hardiness Zone. Examples of herbs that thrive in Zone 6 (Ohio’s zone) include:
• Basil
• Catnip
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Lemon grass
• Lovage
• Mint
• Nettles
• Onion and garlic chives
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rhubarb
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Sorrel
• Thyme
• Yarrow
More to know before you sow
Compatibility
Certain herbs don’t have similar water preferences and some plants prefer to
spread out within their space, making them bad roommates. This includes mint and lemon balm. Herbs that grow great together include dill, cilantro and parsley; or rosemary, oregano, sage and thyme.
Potting
Always plant herbs in containers that are a bit larger than the plant and have drainage holes. Containers should be 6-12 inches deep. If the herbs grow horizontally, only plant two per square foot. If they grow vertically, four to six can be planted within a square foot.
Sun vs. shade
Most herbs love sunlight and will produce more leaves when given four to eight hours of sun daily, including rosemary, oregano and basil. Other herbs can still thrive in partially shaded areas. Dill, cilantro, parsley and chives only require about four hours of sunlight daily.
Watering and pruning
Generally, herbs should be watered two to three times a week, but herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme can be watered once a week. Indoor herbs will need to be
watered less than those growing outdoors. In addition to watering, herbs should be regularly pruned to encourage leaf growth and increase sun exposure.
Soil
Herbs prefer loose and moist welldraining soil with a pH level around 6.5.
For herbs in pots, an all-purpose potting mix is suggested; if the mix contains peat moss or coconut coir, even better. For herbs growing indoors, a more specific, indoor potting mix is required to maintain proper levels of moisture and nutrients
Harvesting and storing
When harvesting, remember to leave some foliage to encourage continued growth. For leafier herbs such as basil, pinch off the top few leaves. For longerstemmed herbs such as rosemary, cut closer to the base.
Herbs can be stored on the countertop in a container with an inch or two of water. They can be stored in the refrigerator the same way, or between slightly damp paper towels in a plastic bag. They can also be frozen for later if encased in water, olive oil or butter.
The next best thing
While growing your own herbs and spices can be a wonderful project, not everyone has the time. If you’re looking for fresh alternatives to store-bought herbs and spices, look no further than your local businesses and Farmers Market vendors.
Westerville Saturday Farmers Market features many local produce vendors such as:
• Bale Kenyon Family Farms and Greenhouse
• Basil and Thyme
• Castle View Farm
• Chile Dean’s Pepper Scene
• Drift Hill Farms
• From Scratch Farm
• Fuhrmann Orchards
• Granville Lavender Farm
• New Albany Organics
• New Path Farm
• Tripping Vittles
Ella Jay is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@cityscenemediagroup.com.
• bookmarks
From the Westerville Public Library
Recommended Youth Reads from Katie Ross, Youth Services Librarian
Rose Weaves a Garden by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Picture Book)
Rose loves to watch her Baba Joon turn colorful threads into woolen rugs for family and friends. Inspired by one of her floral garden drawings, she asks Baba Joon if they could turn it into a rug. This is a beautiful story of one generation teaching the next to carry on a tradition of craft.
My Hive by Meredith May (Picture Book)
A grandfather finally asks his granddaughter to help in the Honey Bus. Although she is afraid to work in the hive, she summons the courage to spend the day with her grandfather, making honey. Facts about bees are sprinkled throughout this sweet tale.
The Mailbox in the Forest by Kyoko Hara and Kazue Takahashi (First Chapter Book)
Mayu is spending the holidays with her grandparents. While visiting, she discovers a mailbox in the forest and finds a letter. So begins a joyous discovery of letter writing that will help her understand why her grandfather loves to get letters.
Best in Show by David Elliott (Juvenile Non-fiction)
This unique collection of poems about man’s best friend combines lyrical homages to each breed, along with fun facts.
Recommended Adult Reads from Mindy Bilyeu, Adult Services Librarian
Too Old for This by Samantha Downing (Fiction)
Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her. Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town, when investigative journalist, Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past, and specifically her involvement in numerous unsolved cases.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston (Fiction)
Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is, there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from. At 82, he’s desperately lonely, broke and on the brink of homelessness. Fred’s luck changes when, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, he takes the place of Bernard Greer at the local nursing home. Now, he has a roof over his head, three meals a day, and, most importantly, the chance to be part of a family again.
My Three Dogs by W. Bruce Cameron (Fiction)
When a tragic accident separates three dogs from their human, they find themselves up for adoption – separately. But, Riggs, an Australian Shepherd with a heart of gold, refuses to see his family torn apart. After the exuberant and fun-loving doodle, Archie, and quick-witted Jack Russell, Luna, are taken to new homes, Riggs’ powerful herding instincts send him on a journey to bring his pack together again.
