Westerville Magazine May/June 2016

Animated Adventures

Artist Tracy Miller-Robbins teaches and inspires others

Uptown Sweets Heroic Volunteers A WARM Delivery

C O N G R AT U L AT I N G E X C E L L E N C E I N O H I O

2016 ARTS DAY & MAY

Governorʼs Awards for the Arts LUNCHEON Wednesday, May 18

Columbus Athenaeum

Reserve your spot online by May 2. Tickets are $50 and include Awards Ceremony Lunch & Dessert Reception, Columbus artVentures! and the Arts Impact Evening Reception.

All proceeds go to the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation.

oac.ohio.gov/governorsawards

GOVERNOR’S AWARD

WINNERS GARY HANSON Arts Administration JOE DEER Arts Education GEORGE S. BARRETT Arts Patron FIRST-KNOX NATIONAL BANK Business Support (Small) PREMIER HEALTH Business Support (Large) HARMONY PROJECT Community Development & Participation JANICE LESSMAN-MOSS Individual Artist JOHN SCALZI Individual Artist

NEW!

MAY

A STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ENGAGING THE CREATIVE SECTOR.

JAMES CONLON Irma Lazarus Award Artist: Paula Kraus

Media Sponsors:

Conference tickets are $50 and also include access to Columbus artVentures! and the Arts Impact Evening Reception on May 18.

oac.ohio.gov/artsimpactohio Image: Paula Kraus, Dogwood 3, Platinum/Palladium Print

With support from:

Š OhioHealth Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. 96798-FY16-139-2-8001. 01/16.

OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus

More expert care than you expected, closer than you ever imagined.

+ A variety of healthcare services, conveniently in one place, including physical therapy, imaging, mammography and lab services + Our team of expert physicians include primary care, heart and vascular, neurology, orthopedics, foot and ankle, sports medicine and more + 24/7 emergency care as well as the latest treatments in our outpatient surgery center

Find a physician at OhioHealth.com/Westerville

Westerville

TM

Sounds of Freedom Mon / Jul 4th / 6 PM

Westerville South High School

Sat Jul 30th 8 AM Westerville Sports Complex 5k Run/Walk + 1 Mile Walk

magazine

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Can you beat Beethoven?

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Gabrielle Benton Contributing Writers Leah Kunnath Chris Woodley Zoe Zeid

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Administrator

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4 May/June 2016

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Inside

MAY/JUNE 2016 VOL. 15 NO. 5

09

06 community calendar

CityReporter News and Information from the City of Westerville

09 city reporter

News and Information from the City of Westerville

15 faces

Animation Domination Artist Tracy Miller-Robbins works to help aspiring animators advance in the world

18 in focus

That’s So Sweet Cupcakes, candy, custard and (pop)corn in Uptown Westerville

20 Unsung Heroes

22

Volunteers play a key role at the Field of Heroes

22 A Bountiful Busload

WARM’s produce delivery truck brings nutritious food to neighborhoods in need

24 Around Westerville 26 living

Now We’re Cooking Minuscule kitchen bulked up big time in remodeling project

28 on the table

28

Diversity in Dining Offering options is a key component to school district’s lunch menus

30 bookmarks

Find Westerville Magazine on Facebook Read more online at WestervilleMagazine.com www.westervillemagazine.com

Recommendations from the Westerville Public Library

On the Cover: Tracy Miller-Robbins Photo by Wes Kroninger Story on page 15 May/June 2016 5

2016

SAT FRI THU 4 3 2 11 10 9 8 18 7 17 6 16 5 15 25 14 24 13 23 12 22 21 31 20 30 19 29 28 27 26

WED TUE MON 1 SUN

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

May

May 4-Oct. 26

Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market 3-6 p.m., Uptown Westerville, North State and East Home streets, www.marketwedesday.com

May 5

We’re Just a Smile Away!

STEPHEN R. MALIK, D.D.S. GENERAL DENTISTRY

Dr. Malik has more than 20 years of experience.

OFFERING: Gentle Caring Staff Same Day Crowns Botox® Juvéderm® Lumineers® Nitrous Oxide Saturday Appts.

24 hr. Emergency Care

Accepting New Patients!

(614) 882-6741 180 Commerce Park Drive Westerville, Ohio 43082

Located in office complex, last building on the left by the bike path.

westervilledentalhealth.com 6 May/June 2016

May 6-22

St. Jude Discover the Dream

May 18

May 27-30

May 22

May 28

Curtain Players Theatre presents The Skin of Our Teeth Curtain Players Theatre, 5691 Harlem Rd., Galena, www.curtainplayers.org

Westerville Historical Society: Women at Otterbein 7:30 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillehistory.org

May 7

Honor Flight Jukebox Revue 2:30 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.honorflightcolumbus.org

Meet the Author: Anthony Doerr 7:30 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillelibrary.org

May 7-8

National Public Gardens Weekend Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., www.inniswood.org

May 12

St. Jude Discover the Dream 6 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, www.stjude.org

May 26

Party at the Creek 6-8 p.m., Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org

May 27

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Back to Nature 6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.visitwesterville.org

Field of Heroes 24 hours a day, Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave., www.fieldofheroes.org Aquatic Center Opening Day Highlands Park Aquatic Center, 245 S. Spring Rd., www.westerville.org

May 28

High School Commencement 10 a.m., Westerville Central High School; 2 p.m., Westerville South High School; 6 p.m., Westerville North High School; Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., www.wcsoh.org

May 15

Westerville Community Band Spring Concert 3 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillebands.org

Party at the Creek

Sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau For more events, visit www.visitwesterville.org

www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Discover the Dream, City of Westerville, David Myers Art Studio & Gallery, American Cancer Society and Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce

Westerville Community Prayer Breakfast 7-8:30 a.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www.warmwesterville.org

June June 1-July 31

Westerville Art League Exhibition Quest Conference Center, 8405 Pulsar Pl., www. westervilleartleague.com

a two-week intensive studio program designed for intermediate to advanced level clay artists offering the opportunity to work in a hands-on environment with nationally renowned ceramic artists

June 2-11

Otterbein Summer Theatre presents Brighton Beach Memoirs Fritsche Theatre, Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

June 3

Westerville Lions Club Chicken Dinner 4-7 p.m., American Legion Hall, 393 E. College Ave., www.westervillelions.org

June 3

Young Professionals Uptown Shuffle 5:30-8 p.m., multiple locations, Uptown Westerville, www.westervillechamber.com

The Art of Intuition

June 5-26

Sounds of Summer Concert Series 6:30 p.m., Alum Creek Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org

June 15-29

Family Concert Series 6:30 p.m., Alum Creek Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org

June 16-25

Otterbein Summer Theatre presents Invention of Theater Fritsche Theatre, Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

June 18 Relay for Life of Westerville

June 4

Baby & Kids Bargain Boutique & Maternity Sale 9 a.m.-noon, Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org

June 4

Westerville Community Bands and Arts Festival Noon-9 p.m., Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St., www.westervillebands.org

June 24

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Safety Fest 6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.visitwesterville.org

June 25-26

Relay for Life of Westerville 3 p.m.-9 a.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.relay forlife.org/westerville

SAVE THE DATES Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival: July 8-10 WesterFlora Garden Tour: July 17

Honor Flight Pancake Breakfast 7:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 393 E. College Ave., www.honorflightcolumbus.org

For more information: Jim Bowling, 614-823-1268 jbowling@otterbein.edu

www.otterbein.edu

What does the perfect MBa prograM look like to you?

?

Does it produce creative thinkers?

Does it focus on problem solving?

Does it position its graduates to impact the world?

It does if it’s Otterbein.

June 23-Sept. 16 The Art of Intuition David Myers Art Studio & Gallery, 7 W. Main St., www.david myersart.com

july 25 - aug. 5 M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Young Professionals Uptown Shuffle

Get to know the new Otterbein MBA. Invest 24 months and about $24K. It’s your next smart career move. for more information call 614.823.3210 or visit otterbein.edu/ MBAroi today!

Master of Business Administration

www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2016 7

300+ artists PRODUCED BY

6 stages of live performances 40+ food vendors

Family Fun!

Adult dult & children’s Hands On Art activities and demonstrations

ColumbusArtsFestival.org

#cbusartsfest

weekendscene Looking for something to do?

See what’s on the menu this weekend and beyond!

Sign up for CityScene Magazine’s weekly event newsletter

Check out the NEW cityscenecolumbus.com 8 May/June 2016

www.westervillemagazine.com

NEWS FROM THE CITY OF WESTERVILLE • MAY/JUNE 2016

CityReporter www.westerville.org

Public Safety Profile

Raising Awareness: Heroin in our Community

In an interview last November with Mental Health Board of Franklin the community, as well as treatment, CBS This Morning, Ohio Attorney County), Westerville City Schools, prevention and intervention strateGeneral Mike DeWine called heroin C o n c o rd C o u n s e l i n g S e r v i c e s , gies for drug-related crises. the “worst epidemic I’ve ever seen.”

“As a community, we need to realize Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & The discussion, part of a follow-up Recovery Services Board, Wester- what we’re facing here,” said Joseph on CBS News’ 60 Minutes segment ville Area Ministerial Association, Morbitzer, Westerville Chief of Police, on heroin in central Ohio (“Heroin in Westerville Area Chamber of Com- attributing the prevalence of heroin in the Heartland,” airdate Nov. 1, 2015), merce and Westerville Citizen Police central Ohio to the closure of pill mills focused on how the drug has invaded Academy Alumni. The objectives of in southern Ohio. communities and changed the land- the summit focused on the effects “We’ve done an excellent job with scape of drug addiction. of heroin addiction on families and pills mills,” said Morbitzer. “Through “(It’s) so pervasive; it’s in every part of Ohio,” said DeWine.

KEY FACTORS “The drug dealers are going where the money is, and that’s ADAPTED FROM OHIO DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH the suburbs. They’re also in the AND ADDICTION SERVICES rural areas.”

According to that news Formulation Purity TAMPER RESISTANT INCREASING PURITY report, heroin is spreading LONG-ACTING RX OF HEROIN because the drug is cheap and OPIOID FORMULATIONS feeds the addiction of those Change who first misused prescription ADDED SCRUTINY OF painkillers (opioids).

Rx OPIOID PILLS Unfortunately, Westerville Shutdown has not been spared from the SHUTDOWN OF SOUTHERN OHIO PILL MILLS (FEWER evils of heroin abuse. Acting Rx OPIOID PILLS) on the urgency of raising awareness and dispelling Addiction Cost GROWING DECREASING COST myths about heroin use, the OPIOID-ADDICATED OF HEROIN Westerville Division of Police POPULATION hosted its first community foSupply INCREASING SUPPLY OF HEROIN rum on the topic in early April.

WPD organized “Raising Awareness: Heroin in our Community” with multiple agencies, including the Ohio SOURCE: Massatti, R., Beeghly C., Hall, O., Kariisa, M. & Potts, L. (2014, April). Increasing Attorney General’s office, Heroin Overdoses in Ohio: Understanding the Issue. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug and

Heroin Shift in Ohio

www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2016 9

CityReporter strong partnerships in law enforcements, we’ve pretty much evaporated that market. However, to show you the strength of the Mexican drug cartels, when they saw that opening, they immediately flooded our market with heroin.”

One of the most concerning topics about access to the drug is its potency, which Morbitzer explains is coming primarily directly from Mexico.

“About four or five years ago, we were a fifth/sixth-cut city, meaning when heroin got to this region, it was cut five or six times so that when we got the product it was about 11-18 percent pure,” he said. “Today, we’re a one-two cut region. Unfortunately, this means heroin is coming in anywhere from 8892 percent pure and, at times, mixed with things like fentanyl.”

Fentanyl is a highly addictive narcotic used to treat severe pain. It is 100 times more potent than heroin.

Its potency, in fact, is how the drug was named. The Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services agency defines heroin as a semisynthetic drug derived from morphine. Discovered in 1874, it was introduced commercially in 1898 by the Bayer company in Germany. The name heroin was coined from the German heroisch, meaning heroic and strong.

Combine heroin’s potency with a number of manufacturing uncertainties, and the risks can quickly become uncontrollable.

“It’s not what we used to think of heroin as an inner-city drug,” says Morbitzer. “It’s a designer fad drug now, and the problem is it’s mixed with a number of manufactured chemicals also, so it can be instantly fatal.”

In fact, the realities of heroin use are being seen in young and old, and middle-to-upper class and suburban users. The CBS report indicates heroin use has spiked more than 60 percent in the past decade alone. Westerville Fire Division Chief Brian Miller says medics are watching the issue closely.

“We have the ability to use naloxone, known as Narcan, a drug that has the potential to reverse drug overdoses,” said Miller. “It has a variety of medical uses, but Westerville medics are definitely tuned in to the fact that heroin overdoses are being seen in and around our community. If anyone suspects an unconscious person may have overdosed, they need to call 9-1-1 immediately.”

10 May/June 2016

The timing of the community forum was important so that Westerville can develop a community-endorsed strategy to recognize and combat heroin use before it further infiltrates schools, homes and businesses.

“Understand we’re not talking about bad people, we’re talking about addicted people,” Morbitzer said.

“When they use the same amount of

heroin used in previous episodes, it can be an instant overdose.”

Four heroin-related deaths in the City of Westerville in the last five years are four too many, says Morbitzer. “It tears at your heart to see some of the parents who never had a clue.”

For more information on heroin prevention and treatment resources, please visit www.westerville.org/police.

Thank You, Westerville On March 15, Westerville voters had a say in the future of their fire and emergency medical services (EMS), approving a 2.8-mill levy to address the Westerville Fire Division’s (WFD) operating and capital needs for at least the next six years.

Thank you for your commitment to helping WFD meet the demands of the changing face THANK YOU, WESTERVILLE! of the fire service. This funding allows WFD to maintain the service levels Westerville residents have come to know and expect: • Maintain rapid response. In 2015, emergency response averaged just seconds over four minutes.

• Meet service demands of increased EMS calls. In Westerville and Blendon Township, calls grew 12 percent between 2008 and 2014. In 2015 alone, calls rose another 7 percent, marking an eight-year high.

• Meet increased demand for fire inspection services. In 2015, WFD again conducted nearly 2,500 commercial building inspections, a number we expect to continually rise as new business enters the community.

• Enhance disaster planning, preparation and training to meet resident feedback (2014 Community Survey).

• Address aged equipment and facilities. WFD will make critical replacements of some equipment in poor condition and begin needed repairs on some facilities.

Thursday, May 26 – 6-8 p.m., FREE Alum Creek Park North

Party at the Creek is a Westerville tradition for free family fun, including explorations of nature, tours of scenic green spaces and waterways, and food and snacks. Party at the Creek celebrates the environment in community block-party style.

VISIT THE NEWLY EXPANDED WATER TREATMENT PLANT Dedication and Ribbon cutting 5:30 p.m.

Tours begin at 6 p.m. www.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter

Mosquito Control An Ounce of Prevention

Summer traditionally spells the re- trol plan starts turn of warm weather, weekend barbe- with ongoing cues and daily excursions to Highlands surveillance, Park Aquatic Center. which includes On the flip side, the warmer and trapping and wetter summer climate serves as t e s t i n g l o c a l the ideal environment for mosquito mosquito populapopulations to thrive. Plans are well un- tions for mosquitoderway to combat the return of these borne diseases such pesky summer nuisances, and many of as West Nile Virus. the tricks to keep them at bay are well When trap data reveal within your control. either an abnormally high “Although the City participates in number of mosquitoes or the a comprehensive Mosquito Manage- presence of West Nile Virus, sprayment Program with Franklin County, ing is conducted in the affected area there are more proactive and longall effective strategies to reduce the adult mos- lasting measures on the table,” said Weaver. “When we spray for mosquiagainst mosquitoes start How can I avoid quito population. with prevention,” said mosquitoes?

In addition to spraying, toes, it only affects the flying adult Kevin Weaver, WesterFranklin County works population. Actions we can take early ville Public Service Direc- • Eliminate standing wawith Vector Disease Con- on to inhibit their growth and develter around your home. tor. “Mosquitoes are not trol International to ap- opment ultimately stop the problem only attracted to water • Limit outdoor activity ply larvicides to water before it starts.” at dusk and dawn Residents who want to report a comsources, but they also sources used as mosquito choose these locations when mosquitoes are breeding sites. Larvicides plaint or request additional information most active. to breed. Managing and consist of chemical and about mosquitoes should visit www.

• Wear insect repellant eliminating water sourcbiological products that myfcph.org or call the Franklin County containing DEET. es on your property can kill or inhibit the matura- Public Health Mosquito “Bite Line” at prevent their return and tion of younger mosqui- 614-525-BITE (2483). All Westerville resigo a long way toward reducing adult toes. Since mosquitoes remain in water dents should contact Franklin County populations in the area.” until they become adults, larvicides Public Health regardless of their county To reduce the likelihood that mos- hit mosquitoes at the stage in their of residence. Mosquito-related updates quitoes will choose their property as development when they are easiest to and information will also be posted their next staging ground, homeown- control. This limits the number of adult at www.westerville.org throughout ers are encouraged to remove and cap mosquitoes capable of taking flight and the season.

As always, any complaint or concern outdoor containers capable of retain- invading your outdoor summer plans. ing water, repair leaky external pipes “Spraying is an important part of may be directed to the Westerville Puband faucets, ensure the functionality the mosquito control strategy, but lic Service Department at 614-901-6740. of gutters and downspouts, empty and replenish outdoor water sources on a regular basis to avoid stagnation, drain or infill naturally low-lying areas prone to retaining water for several days, and, Construction season continues in Westerville. of course, remind neighbors to follow To help ease the commute from here to suit to help keep your neighborhood there, the City website is up-to-date with the dry and mosquito-free. latest news, information and alerts on roadBeyond these simple at-home way construction. Included is a summary of prevention methods, Franklin County the project at State and Schrock, includPublic Health administers the Mosing mapping to find out more about lane quito Management Program for much closures and anticipated schedule notes. of central Ohio, including Westerville.

Find out what’s happening online at www.

Franklin County’s mosquito conwesterville.org/construction.

Construction Update

www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2016 11

CityReporter

Staff Profile

Meet Assistant Chief Anthony Wilson What led you to a career in law enforcement?

My grandfather was a police officer with the CPD from 1938-51 and I had a cousin who was a police officer. He was injured in the line of the duty and, sadly, passed away from that injury. My brother is also a CPD officer. Policing has always been visible in my family: photos of my grandfather; interacting with my cousin and hearing her stories; coming home on leave from the military and doing a ride-along with my brother. Policing is a natural passion in my life. In 24 and a half years, I haven’t lost that passion.

Anthony Wilson says law enforcement is in his DNA. Inspired by a grandfather, brother and cousin who all served and protected, Wilson found law enforcement and community policing to be his life’s natural calling. Now in Westerville after 24 years with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD), Wilson will focus on recruiting and bringing his years of expertise in public safety to our community.

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Columbus, raised on the south side, and went to MarionFranklin High School. After high school, I enlisted in the Air Force, where I spent most of my time in England and North Dakota as a security specialist, guarding airplanes and nuclear weapons facilities. When I was in the service, I was notified CPD was hiring. I flew home from England and took the police officer examination. When I was accepted, I got an early release from the military. I knew I wanted to get into the civilian side of policing.

12 May/June 2016

Tell us about your years with CPD. What were your major responsibilities?

In Columbus, there were many different opportunities. One of things I was always involved in was community service. As a young police officer, I enjoyed doing the stranger danger presentations and interacting with preschoolers and kindergarten-aged children. As an officer, I later transferred into recruiting. To me, recruiting was a part of being in the community. You just don’t start recruiting people who are of age. You start at preschool and through DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). That’s why DARE is so important; it was really crucial to building community relationships when it was introduced. When we encounter kids in DARE, we’re planting a seed. As we continue to interact, it cultivates and continues to grow. When kids start seeing public safety as a career, you can actually see the fruits of your labor.

You don’t do this job for the salary. You do it because there’s something in you that wants to help people.

What would you characterize as your most rewarding achievement in your years at CPD? Honestly, it’s the people inside and outside the organization I appreciated.

The biggest thing for me was that engagement. So many people from various backgrounds; good people who make up the community we serve. We would go in their homes to take a police report and spend time just engaging, laughing and joking. You enter a situation where people were distraught at first and leave with them smiling.

That’s a service. I always say you have to remember in this profession you can spend time with people. That’s OK. It’s not sympathy, it’s empathy.

What was attractive to you about this position in Westerville?

I have always been attracted to leadership. I’m pursuing my Ph.D. in organizational leadership. So, when I was looking at different opportunities in and around Columbus, one of the things I looked for was leadership, the community programming and the city as a whole. For Westerville, I wanted to see if I could learn about the real Westerville and how I would fit. I looked at the website, annual reports and staff information. What I saw and read and learned from that process spoke to my heart. One of the last things that really sold me on Westerville was how the City Manager spoke of customer service. That resonated with me because that’s what we do in public safety, first and foremost.

What have you noticed about Westerville since you started work in March?

It’s a very professional organization. The way in which everyone carries themselves and approaches their responsibility is impressive.

Staff is friendly and outgoing, and that’s not just in the Police Department. I’ve noticed that same things about the community. My wife and I have even started talking about moving here. (Wilson currently lives in Grove City.) www.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter

How can the community get involved?

In policing, that’s the partnership.

When we look at, for example, revising or updating Internal Affairs processes, why not have the community give its stamp of approval? It shows we’re open and we want to involve the community in every aspect of our policing program.

Our customers are our stakeholders and we want to include them in everything that we do. We have a community of veterans we cannot forget about. From recruiting to building partnership with organizations, there are opportunities to get every segment in the community involved, including singles, couples, youth and the elderly.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to golf and love to read. The best book I’ve read lately is Outliers

by Malcolm Gladwell. It gives you a different perspective of how to look at things based on certain accomplishments of “high achievers.” I also enjoyed Leadership by Rudy Giuliani.

With these books, you’re talking about leaders who not only hold themselves accountable, but paint a picture of what it’s like for them.

Tell us a little about your family.

My wife, Kyatonna, and I keep very busy with our 4-year-old identical twin boys. That’s what I look forward to every day when I go home. www.westervillemagazine.com

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Saturday, May 14 – 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

370 Park Meadow Rd. The Westerville Public Service Department hosts the first of two Household Hazardous Waste collections planned for 2016. Check www. westerville.org/HHW for full details on acceptable items for disposal.

2016 Honor Flight Jukebox Revue Sunday, May 22 – 2:30 p.m., $10 Westerville North High School The popular annual show is produced in the tradition of television’s early variety shows, featuring musicians, bands, dancers, singers and other entertainers. Proceeds benefit the 2016 community-sponsored Honor Flight, a program honoring World War II and Korean War veterans with a guided tour of their national monuments in Washington, D.C. This event is free for veterans and active military.

Youth Police Academy June 1: Final Application Deadline Westerville Division of Police Students ages 14-18 who have an interest in law enforcement careers are invited to attend this week-long training to learn basic law enforcement principles, including hands-on investigations and activities. Students also participate in demonstrations and light physical training (e.g., marching).

Details online at www.westerville.org/police.

Photo courtesy of Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club

What do you hope to achieve in your role for WPD? I definitely want to continue to assist the Chief and everyone at WPD to be the best department in the United States, not just the state of Ohio. I want to get more involved in community efforts – get into the high schools, and meet administrators and students. My goal is to continue the programs we are doing and create new programs to benefit the youth and the residents in the city. On the recruiting side and investigative side, we’re reviewing and updating policies and getting the men and women of the department involved in that initiative.

Mark Your Calendar

Field of Heroes Memorial Day Weekend: Friday, May 27-Monday, May 30 (various times) In a central Ohio tradition, join the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club and community partners at the Field proudly waving more than 3,000 American flags in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday. For more information, visit www.fieldofheroes.org.

Honor Flight Pancake Breakfast Saturday, June 18 – 7:30-10:30 a.m., $6 American Legion Hall, 393 E. College Ave. The eighth annual event features all-you-can-eat pancakes for a great cause: funding the Westerville community-sponsored Honor Flight. This event is free for veterans and active military.

May/June 2016 13

CityReporter Mini Shutterbugs Every year, the “Shutterbugs” submitted photo feature that runs in the July/ August edition of Westerville Magazine has been overwhelmingly popular.

For that reason, we’ve decided to give our readers more opportunities to send in their photos and feature one per issue in this space.

This issue’s photo was submitted by Jenni Fries.

Please send photo submissions to westervillemag@gmail.com by May 31 to be considered for the July/August issue. Photos must be high-resolution and horizontal.

Westerville Community Contacts FIRE/MEDICAL/POLICE EMERGENCY. 9-1-1 Gas/Carbon Monoxide Leaks. . . . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 Mental Health Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1-1 Fire, non-life threatening emergency. 882-2213 Police, non-life threatening emergency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7444 City Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . www.westerville.org Community Affairs .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 901-6411 Animal Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6863 Animal Removal (dead at roadside). . . 901-6740 Cemeteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 City Manager’s Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6400 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6413 Clerk of Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Digging (Ohio Utilities Protection Service). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-362-2764 Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6403 Electric Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Electrical Outages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Street Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Tree Trimming Near Electric Lines. . 901-6700 Finance Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6440 Fire Division Headquarters. . . . . . . . . 901-6600 CPR/First Aid Training. . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Human Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6406 Income Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6420 Leaf Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Mayor’s Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6418 Parks & Recreation Department. . . . 901-6500 Inclement Weather Hotline . . . . . . . 901-6888 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6530 Community Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6500 Everal Barn & Homestead . . . . . . . . 901-6570 Parks Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 Highlands Park Aquatic Center. . . . 901-7665 Recreation Program Center. . . . . . . 901-6531 Senior Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6560 Shelter Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6515 Urban Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6598 Permits Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 Burning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Parade/Block Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Security Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6482 Zoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 14 May/June 2016

Planning & Development Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 Planning, Engineering & Zoning. . . 901-6650 Traffic Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6670 Code Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6816 Police Division Headquarters. . . . . . . 901-6450 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6470 Detectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6475 Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6482 Recorded Information Line. . . . . . . . 901-6879 Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6450 Service Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Sewer Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Sewer Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Stormwater Hotline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Street Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Street Maintenance Repairs. . . . . . . 901-6740 Trash/Recycling Collection. . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Traffic Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 Tree/Storm Damage (in right of way). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 After hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6790 Tree Trimming (in right of way). . . . . . . 901-6598 Utility Billing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6430 askutilitybilling@westerville.org Water Plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6770 Other Community Service Contacts Airport—Port Columbus. . . . . . . . . . . . 239-4083 Concord Counseling Services . . . . . . . 882-9338 COTA Bus Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228-1776 Delaware County General Information. . . . . . . . . 740-548-7313 Franklin County Board of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3160 Property Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3696 Voter Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3100 Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. . . . . 898-4000 Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-8917 Westerville Area Resource Ministry. . . 899-0196 Westerville City Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . 797-5700 Westerville Historical Society. . . . . . . . 891-0821 Westerville Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7277 Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794-0401

All area codes are 614 unless otherwise noted.

City Manager Dave Collinsworth

Westerville City Council (Front left-right) Chair Craig Treneff, Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi, Vice Chair Larry Jenkins (Back left-right) Mike Heyeck, Vice Mayor John Bokros, Tim Davey, Diane Fosselman

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/cityofwesterville Follow us on Twitter: All-City news and information: @tellwesterville Westerville Electric Division: @WvilleElectric Westerville Parks & Recreation: @WestervillePark Westerville Division of Police: @WestervillePD

www.westerville.org www.westervillemagazine.com

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alt Disney once said, “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation.”

Tracy Miller-Robbins not only creates animation, but shares and teaches her passion to others.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Robbins graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and later received her master’s degree in electronic arts from the University of Morning Coffee Cincinnati. The Westerville resident is currently a professor of animation at the Columbus College of Art and Design and an independent animator and artist.

“I’m a visual artist who creates drawings and turns them into animation,” says Robbins. “After graduating, I saw an exhibit by South African animator William Kentridge.

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May/June 2016 15

inspiration to begin projection animation and a turning point for me and my career.”

While Robbins has displayed her talents at more than 50 exhibitions and festivals, some of her most enjoyable work is sharing her passion for animation with children in the Westerville City School District.

“I have worked with the school district for about four years,” says Robbins. “My first project was at the Hanby Magnet School, working with fourth grade students on creating a Post-it note animation.

For 45 minutes, I taught the basics of transforming drawings to animation, and the students did an amazing job.”

Robbins returned to the school the following year to help bring a food web project to life.

“I always made an elaborate report with illustrations whenever I had a project in parochial school,” says Robbins. “I suggested to my son’s fifth grade teacher that I could teach students how to create an animated food web project. We used 2-D claymation so students could also learn about animation in a frame-by-frame format.”

Each student selected an animal, researched its role in the food web and then brought the animal to life though an animated sequence. They designed six frames and met in small groups to combine all the frames into a three-minute animation. It

was later screened at the Wexner Center for the Arts Ohio Shorts competition (Youth Division) and the Aurora Picture Show’s Extremely Young Film Festival in Houston.

“The students exceeded my expectations,” says Robbins. “I taught them about animation and transformation, and it showed in their work. It was also the first time I saw a student jump up and down with pure excitement, which often happens when I animate with kids.”

Robbins and her husband, Rob, later worked with a teacher at Heritage Middle School on a project about the cell division process of meiosis.

“Since this was a process that was not visible, it was interesting for my husband and I to see how each student had their own ideas,” says Robbins. “Some groups ran out of time, because they debated on how the process would visually occur. Watching how each student saw the process in a different way was an interesting dynamic that we did not expect. Overall, they did an amazing job with the animation.”

Even though Robbins has not recently worked with the school district as much as she would like to, she wants to continue to expand her work with students on future projects.

“When you make something visible, moving and alive that students have only

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previously read about, it’s such an engaging experience that becomes real,” says Robbins. “I would love to start a program in schools where animation is integrated, especially in science. Animation helps students create and see how things and processes work.”

Outside of the school district, Robbins’ animation work has been displayed in local, national and even international exhibitions, including in Australia, Brazil, South Korea and Turkey. Her animated project Strange Neighbours was on display on the media facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, Croatia as part of Animafest 2014.

But Robbins also helps others showcase their work at no cost through her blog, titled “no entry fee festivals.”

“I started the blog because a lot of filmmakers commented online that they applied to four festivals and gave up,” says Robbins. “They applied to big festivals and paid high fees. But I’ve found plenty of free festivals and venues of all sizes, especially in animation. I research and update my list to share with others.”

Not only is art a career for Robbins, it’s also a common interest with Rob. Both are professors at CCAD, and the couple operates Cartwheel Animation Studio. Rob, who moved to Westerville when he was 12 years old, provides color and design for animation projects.

“We met while I was at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and he was studying at CCAD,” says Robbins. “I was creating a large-scale painting in my studio when he walked in. We ended up talking about painting for the next three hours.”

Robbins has created and taught animation for more than 20 years, and is still excited about its future.

“The technology keeps getting better and individuals have more opportunities,” says Robbins. “Animation is so accessible today, and I see more personal, creative and artistic approaches. It’s become more of a tool for individuals to explore and create.”

Westerville resident Chris Woodley is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Animation at COSI’s Planetarium • CCAD art professor Andrea Myers • Westerville artist and CCAD grad Dennis Rano • Art exhibitions around Columbus www.westervillemagazine.com

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in focus

By Garth Bishop

That’s So Sweet T

hings have gotten a lot sweeter in Uptown Westerville over the last few months.

Sweet snacks are certainly not new to the area. After all, by now, visitors are surely used to the pastries at Schneider’s Bakery and Java Central, and the frozen treats at Graeter’s Ice Cream and Dairy Queen.

Nevertheless, 2015 was a particularly good year on that front for Uptown.

LuLu’s Sweet Shop

14 W. College Ave. Amy Gorenz opened LuLu’s in July, but neither the Uptown location nor the notion of selling sweet treats was new to her.

Gorenz lives Uptown, so locating her storefront there was a no-brainer. And while the shop’s vast array of candies may be new to passers-by, LuLu’s gourmet cupcakes – from vanilla bean to sweet cinnamon latte – are familiar indeed to those who’ve followed Gorenz during her eight years as a cupcake baker.

The batch of cupcakes that made the difference for Gorenz is the batch she baked on her son’s first birthday.

“I wanted (something) all-natural, and everything was chemicals,” she says.

Gorenz posts lists of allergens at the shop, ensuring visitors know exactly which items to steer around if they’re buying for someone with, say, a gluten sensitivity. Some of the products she carries to avoid those allergens can be tough to find, Gorenz says.

“People drive from Cincinnati to get the nut-free stuff,” she says.

Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn

15 N. State St. This is no tub of flavorless movie theater popcorn doused with a questionable butter substitute.

Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn – a franchise out of Bluffton, Ohio – opened its Westerville storefront in November. The 18 May/June 2016

local franchise is owned by northwest Ohioans John and Anna Mae Blankemeyer.

“They were spending so much time in Bluffton … that they said, ‘We just need to own our own store,’” says Ally White, general manager of the Westerville Shirley’s.

All popcorn is popped on-site in small, five-gallon batches so it doesn’t have time to get stale, White says.

Among the most popular offerings are dark salted caramel and Windy City Style, which is half cheddar and half caramel. Both incorporate the company’s trademarked Caramel to Die For flavor.

“Caramel to Die For is part of half of our other popcorns,” says White.

Other items on the menu include standard spicy and caramel nut cluster options, as well as premium flavors such as buckeye and lemon cheesecake.

Whit’s Frozen Custard

46 N. State St. Whit’s Frozen Custard is new to Westerville, but it already had a definite following in central Ohio.

The franchise opened its first location in Granville in 2003 and now has 28 stores in three states. The Westerville spot opened this past October.

Boyd Fackler, owner of the Westerville franchise, will gladly compare frozen custard to ice cream.

It’s thicker, denser, smoother and creamier than its more

LuLu’s Sweet Shop

widely-known cousin and, despite its richness, it generally has fewer calories.

“It is, in my mind, superior to ice cream,” he says.

Like all Whit’s stores, the Westerville location has, in addition to its regular menu, a “flavor of the week” each week.

In April, such flavors included German chocolate cake, bourbon praline pecan,

Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of LuLu’s Sweet Shop, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn and Whit’s Frozen Custard

Cupcakes, candy, custard and (pop)corn in Uptown Westerville

50 Summer

OTTERBEIN SUMMER THEATRE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE PRESENTS 50th Anniversary Season

black raspberry chip and a Girl Scouts cookie-inspired thin mint.

The most popular flavor? Buckeye, of course, Fackler says.

“It’s a very good product and has a very good reputation,” says Fackler.

Garth Bishop is managing editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

What Else is New?

Some other recent and upcoming additions and changes to Westerville’s dining scene: • Sapporo Sushi Factory, 732 N. State St.: Under new management since October • 8 State Bistro, 8 N. State St.: Opened in March • Asterisk Supper Club, 14 N. State St.: Opening soon More at www.westervillemagazine.com

Brighton Beach Memoirs

SEASONS

OTTERBEIN

By Neil Simon June 2-5, 9-11

T H E AT R E 1967-2016

Invention of Theater

By Otterbein Graduate Sean Murphy June 16-19, 23-25

The 2016 Season is generously sponsored by:

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Book, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

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Whit’s Frozen Custard

Visit www.westervillemagazine.com for more Uptown sweetness!

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Last year’s new additions • New restaurants elsewhere in Columbus

One Gorgeous Kitchen, 2 Ways to Save

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May/June 2016 19

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Volunteers play a key role at the Field of Heroes

By Zoe Zeid

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n Memorial Day weekend in Westerville, it’s the 3,000 American flags that get all the attention.

But the Field of Heroes’ flags wouldn’t stand as straight without the hard work of 225-250 volunteers who help make it possible.

The city’s Memorial Day weekend tradition, now in its eighth year, is an experience designed to inspire visitors to reflect and honor their own personal heroes.

Many of the flags planted in the field across the street from the Westerville Community

Center were purchased for or dedicated to a visitor’s lost loved one.

From the Friday set-up to the Monday tear-down, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club’s cadre of volunteers works hard all weekend to ensure the event is special for all visitors. They plant flags, set up equipment, work the information booth, greet visitors and take everything down at the end.

“When the family arrives at the field, it takes a very special person to help them find their flag dedicated for their loved one

and to listen as they tell stories,” says Julie Colley, event co-chairwoman.

All of the crosses displayed on the field are made by volunteers, many by dedicated volunteer Jim Biven.

Just as the Field of Heroes is special for visitors, it’s also very close to volunteers’ hearts.

“While I’m there, I get to hear stories of other people’s heroes and loved ones, and sometimes share a hug with someone that needs it,” says volunteer Cathy Noskowiak.

The field is open 24 hours a day May 27-30.

For information on how to sign up to volunteer, visit www.fieldofheroes.org.

I AM AMY LAY. MUSICAL THEATRE IS MY ART. I learned how to sing from my father.

I studied acting in school. I dance everyday. Name any skill in musical theatre and I’ve wanted to learn it and get better at it. Columbus inspires a passion to create, a willingness to take risks and the courage to be original. I am Amy Lay, Musical Theatre is my art. And there’s no place I’d rather make it.

Zoe Zeid is a contributing writer.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Check out Amy in Shadowbox Live’s Scandalous thru May 21.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • High schooler’s Field of Heroes speech • Family’s Field of Heroes tradition

Design: Formation Studio

20 May/June 2016

• Westerville reserve police officers www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club

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www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2016 21

I

t doesn’t have bright product pictures or a tinny, repetitive jingle, but the Westerville Area Resource Ministry’s equivalent of an ice cream truck is still a welcome visitor to neighborhoods.

Two years ago, WARM bought and refurbished an old school bus to use as a produce delivery vehicle.

The organization worked with Westerville City Schools, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Bird Bus Corporation to convert the bus for its new mission.

“We were inspired by the idea of making our services mobile so we could take it to at-risk locations,” says WARM Executive Director Scott Marier. “We wanted to be able to make produce and other services available to senior centers and other neighborhoods with people who might not be able to travel to our central location.”

WARM serves the 52,000-square-mile boundaries of the school district, within which roughly 88,000 people reside. Its services are available to individuals at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

The bus mainly serves to quickly provide produce to those in the community who need it. It also plays a central role in the Kids Lunch Club, a free program that provides children 18 and under with healthful meals and enrichment activities throughout the summer when school is not in session. The 2015 statistics show that 36 percent of Westerville students are on the school district’s free and reduced-price lunch program – 5,111 of the total 14,900 students – demonstrating the need for the club when school lunch is not an option.

“We are only limited by our imagination for what this program can accomplish,” says Marier.

WARM refurbished the bus, removing all but six of the seats to store produce. The remaining space includes media to play educational videos and modules, and there are also seats available for adults who need help refining their resumes or applying for jobs.

This year, the bus will be making a few more additions, including a canopy and a generator.

“We’re taking WARM to the streets, empowering neighbors to be WARM,” says Cheryl Wooten, director of development and communications for WARM. “(We’re looking) to give a hand up to those around the neighborhood.”

In the summer, the bus is used five days a week; the rest of the year, it is scheduled on demand and used when able. The bus also makes appearances at the Independence Day parade and the Great Westerville Food Truck Fest.

“We hope to be able to use it all year round, because when there is bad weather, there is is often also a lot of need,” says Wooten.

WARM clients have to demonstrate their eligibility and proof of residency. The organization has incorporated Pantry Track, an electronic sign-in process that cross-checks among food pantries in Ohio to ensure there is a fair system in place to provide people the appropriate level of food and resources.

“The bus is the WARM mobile ambassador,” says Wooten. “Anything we do, we want to take to the streets. Our goal is for people to come to WARM on a regular basis.”

The bus can be the starting point for some to become clients, and it reaches many children through the Kids Lunch Club. It is primarily operated by student and adult volunteers overseen by WARM staff.

“Anyone can volunteer, and we are always happy to have the support,” says Wooten.

Forty-five percent of the resources provided to clients are from community donations, and 55 percent is bought and provided

by WARM itself. The WARM food pantry provides assistance to 500 families a month. The bus is mostly used for fresh produce, given away on site.

A Bountiful Busload WARM’s produce delivery truck brings nutritious food to neighborhoods in need

By Gabrielle Benton 22 May/June 2016

www.westervillemagazine.com

THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

JOIN A CENTRAL OHIO TRADITION

Join us at the Westerville Sports Complex on Friday, May 27 Monday, May 30 for a breathtaking display of 3,000 full-sized American flags flown in honor of our personal heroes, as well as more than 5,000 ceramic poppies as a special tribute to women in the military.

The weekend observance also features a 5K Run/Walk for Heroes benefiting United Service Organizations (USO).

www.fieldofheroes.org

Photos courtesy of Westerville Area Resource Ministry

“The bus is farm-to-table, getting the fresh produce into the hands of recipients quicker,” says Wooten.

Gabrielle Benton is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • More on the Kids Lunch Club • PRIDE Committee school supply drive • Otterbein’s community garden • CSAs for fresh produce www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2016 23

Around Westervil

Westerville City Schools Trash to Fashion Competition Photos courtesy of Westerville City Schools 24 May/June 2016

www.westervillemagazine.com

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May/June 2016 25

living

By Garth Bishop

Now We’re Cooking Minuscule kitchen bulked up big time in remodeling project

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he kitchen in Don and Kim Reed’s Westerville area home is much bigger today than it was when they bought the house in 2012.

But that growth is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the major overhaul the kitchen underwent.

For one thing, its look is decidedly different. Westerville-based Custom Home Works gave it what Kim calls a “mid-century modern” vibe, and that extends to the living area, which is open to the kitchen.

Oh, and the kitchen is also in a completely different part of the house.

The original kitchen was crammed into an oppressively small space – Kim estimates about 20 square feet to move around – leaving precious little room for an expansion.

“It’s a small house, and it was cut off from the rest of the house,” Kim says.

So Custom Home Works physically relocated the kitchen. It was a major undertaking that necessitated, among other things, moving plumbing and heating pipes as well as covering up a fireplace.

The new-and-improved Reed kitchen has significantly more storage and counter

space, Kim says. “You actually have space to bring in groceries and set them on the counter,” she says.

Now, the entire first floor is open. And the expanded space means more than one person can be in the kitchen at the same time – good for evenings when Kim and Don are involved in the cooking, even better for company, Kim says.

Garth Bishop is managing editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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The kitchen island is entirely new, with chairs and counter seating to make it more inviting. www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Custom Home Works

Big windows on either side of the kitchen help bring the outside in, Kim says.

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DESIGN BUILD REMODELERS Quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances define the kitchen itself, and it’s united with the dining area and living room by the new hardwood floors throughout.

In contrast to the old cabinets and cupboards, the new ones – located above the sinks and below the island, among other places – are much easier to work with, Kim says. Updated appliances include a double oven and stove.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • UA kitchen remodel • Prize-winning kitchen renovation • Dublin kitchen remodel • Custom Home Works sunroom project www.westervillemagazine.com

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on the table By Leah Kunnath

Diversity in Dining E

nough with the jokes about school cafeteria food.

Yes, they got their start for good reason. But these days, through a combination of more selection and better nutrition, many school districts have found ways to make lunch decidedly more palatable.

Westerville City Schools is no exception.

The district’s middle and high schools have adopted a “create your own” style of service, akin to the type seen in fast-casual restaurants such as Chipotle and Piada.

Get your camera ready.

It’s time for

Send us your photos for the annual Shutterbugs issue of Westerville Magazine!

Images should be of: People/Pets in Westerville Places in Westerville Events in Westerville Images can be in color or black and white. The top photos will be featured in the July/August issue of Westerville Magazine. Up to 10 images may be submitted per person. All images must be submitted as digital, high resolution photos.

Deadline: May 31 Email hi-res digital files to westervillemag@gmail.com 28 May/June 2016

The cafeterias feature a variety of different specialty bars – barbecue, Italian, Asian, hamburger, burrito, mashed potatoes, pasta, chicken tenders and breakfast – operating on a two-week rotation.

With the ability to customize your own meal, the possibilities for combinations are multifarious, and students value this kind of variety, says Karisa Dennis, food services director for the district.

“The choices we make, in terms of the food we choose to serve, are Fiestada Pizza a collaborative effort,” Dennis says.

“The menu is a whole departmental concept, and features input from the entire food services department. We also make sure to adjust to our students’ preferences.”

Students’ favorite? Per Dennis, it’s the hamburger bar. Each student starts with a whole-grain bun and a choice of standard beef burger or mushroom burger, then has the option to add American cheese, white American cheese, shredded romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, turkey bacon and even onion rings.

Salad Bar The burrito bar – and the associated walking taco bar, for those students Among the priorities of the food service who prefer their lunch unwrapped – of- department are fresh ingredients – nothing fers brown rice and choice of toppings, is canned, Dennis says – and color variety, which include shredded cheddar cheese, a concept that calls for a more balanced queso blanco cheese sauce, shredded diet through a balance of colors in fruit and romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced vegetables. The middle and high schools onions and taco sauce. For the Asian bar, have their own salad bars, which have brown rice, stir-fried vegetables and a proven popular among students. vegetable egg roll accompany a choice of Though menus there are more concrete, tangerine, New Orleans Mandarin, sweet elementary schools aren’t left out in terms chili Thai or sweet and sour cherry blos- of choice: all of them have fruit bars. som chicken. Mini pancakes, mini French toast or mini waffles may be served for Leah Kunnath is a contributing breakfast with turkey sausage links and writer. Feedback welcome at hash brown sticks. gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Westerville City Schools

Offering options is a key component to school district’s lunch menus

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Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, onion powder, garlic powder and chili powder to make dressing. Mix well and refrigerate at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine broccoli, carrots, spinach and pineapple, then mix in dressing and chicken. Cool to 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower within four hours if storing.

Portion 2/3 cup of mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll and seal, then cut diagonally in half.

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Serve 1 wrap (2 halves) each.

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RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com WWW.WESTERVILLECHAMBER.COM 614.882.8917 INFO@WESTERVILLECHAMBER.COM

• Corporate cafeterias • The evolution of Wendy’s burgers www.westervillemagazine.com

May/June 2016 29

WHERE ARE YOU?

Showcase your home listings to homeowner in the Westerville school district. Your listings will also appear in the digital edition at www.westervillemagazine.com

Contact Amber Young today for more information:

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bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Recommended Reads from Susan Carr, Youth Services Librarian

Eat, Leo! Eat!

By Caroline Adderson (picture book) Leo would rather play than eat until his wise grandma comes up with a solution that has Leo eager to join his family at the dinner table.

List today, sell tomorrow!

BooBoo

By Olivier Dunrea (reader) BooBoo the little blue gosling is not a picky eater; she eats her food and everyone else’s meals, too. Then one day she swallows something that might change her ways. Fun for beginning readers.

Milo Speck, Accidental Agent

By Linda Urban (juvenile fiction) Milo’s clothes dryer is really a portal to Ogregon, where human children are a favorite snack. In this fast-paced and hilarious story, he escapes a hungry ogre baby and learns what his father really does at work.

Hungry

By H.A. Swain (teen) In Thalia’s world, people no longer need to eat thanks to science and new devices. Curious about the past, she meets a boy who is helping recall a time when thinking about food wasn’t a crime.

Recommended Reads from Megan Chrusciel, Adult Services Librarian INSIDE

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The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet

By Nina Teicholz For decades, the scientific community and the public have been misinformed about saturated fats.

Science will show you that it’s time to welcome meat, cheese and eggs back into your diet.

An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace

By Tamar Adler Get back to basics with this guide on stretching your food dollar by using what’s in your cupboard, creating inexpensive meals and saving dishes that have gone awry.

The Tummy Trilogy

By Calvin Trillin This New Yorker food critic hilariously recounts his favorite eateries around the country in the 1970s – dives, diners and burger shacks – snubbing his nose at the food snobs of the world.

The Food of a Younger Land

By Mark Kurlansky Authentic recipes, anecdotes and photographs are used to showcase the eating habits and struggles of 1930s America, a bygone era before “fast food” was a thing.

The Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. • Phone: 614-882-7277 • www.westervillelibrary.org Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun.: 1-6 p.m. www.westervillemagazine.com

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