Westerville Magazine November/December 2017

All Fired Up! CaJohns Fiery Foods founder John Hard brings the heat

2017 Holiday Gift Guide Fighting Hunger Westerville Symphony 35th Anniversary www.westervillemagazine.com

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Westerville: 17 North State Street 614.890.7832

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magazine

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

Kathleen K. Gill President/CEO

Gianna Barrett Vice President, Sales

Dave Prosser Chief Creative Officer

Garth Bishop Managing Editor

Amanda DePerro Assistant Editors Jenny Wise

Lydia Freudenberg Contributing Editor

Rocco Falleti Contributing Writers Tessa Flattum Zachary Konno Emily Real

Mikayla Klein Editorial Assistant

Barry Holland Advertising Director

Andrea Gerdeman Advertising Sales Brenda Lombardi Timothy McKelly Jamie Armistead Accounting Manager

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Christa Dickey Community Affairs

Administrator

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An elegant evening of dinner, entertainment and auctions.

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“Community Strong” VILLA MILANO I NOVEMBER 3, 2017 I 6:00 - 10:45 P.M.

Westerville Magazine - 4.75” x 4.875” westervillechamber.com I (614) 882-8917

4 November/December 2017

www.westervillemagazine.com

Inside

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 VOL. 17 NO. 2

09

06 community calendar 09 city reporter

CityReporter

News and Information from the City of Westerville

15 faces

News and Information from the City of Westerville

Man on Fire

The brain and (taste) buds behind CaJohns Fiery Foods

18 in focus

Uptown Funk

Know. Understand. Care.

Schedule a Private Tour Today!

The Westerville Magazine 2017 Holiday

Gift Guide

22 Promises, Promises

22

Otterbein students and faculty continue to help students with food insecurities

(614) 888-7492

www.wesleyglen.com 5155 North High Street • Columbus, Ohio 43214 Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

24 Keep Your Composure

Westerville Symphony’s 35th season aims to be a banner one

26 living

Out of the ’80s

Westerville homeowners modernize their home with the aid of the Cleary Company

28 on the table

24

Soup’s On

Soup dinner and multi-church concert mean more resources for Westerville Habitat Partnership

30 bookmarks

Recommendations from the Westerville Public Library

This issue’s Around Westerville can be found at www.westervillemagazine.com.

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

On the Cover: John Hard Photo by Jeffrey S. Hall Photography Story on page 15

November/December 2017

5

2017

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!

November Nov. 16-19

Otterbein University presents Dance 2017: Move Me 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 8 p.m.

Nov. 17 and 18, 2 p.m.

Nov. 19; Fritsche Theatre, Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

WESTERVILLE -DENTAL HEALTH-

Nov. 19

Uptown Scrooge

Nov. 3

We’re Just a Smile Away!

Stephen R Malik, DDS –General Dentistry– Dr. Malik has more than 25 years of experience.

OFFERING: Gentle Caring Staff Same Day Crowns Botox® Juvéderm

®

Nitrous Oxide Saturday Appointments Accepting New Patients!

614.882.6741 180 Commerce Park Dr. Westerville, OH 43082 Located in office complex, last building on the left by the bike path. westervilledentalhealth.com 6 November/December 2017

Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Evening of Elegance – Golden Gala 6-10:30 p.m., Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Rd., www.westervillechamber.com

Nov. 4-18

Holiday Bazaars Holly Day Bazaar, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Westerville Community United Church of Christ, 770 County Line Rd., www.westervillecucc. org; Mark Twain Craft Bazaar, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.marktwaincraftbazaar. org; Deck the Halls Christmas Bazaar, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Paul School, 61 Moss Rd., www.stpaulk-8.org

Nov. 6

Meet the Authors: Dr. Tom Peet and David Keck (Reading Lincoln) 7-9 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

Nov. 9

Meet the Author: Jeannette Walls (The Glass Castle) 7 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westerville library.org

Nov. 10

Westerville Historical Society presents Free at Last, Free at Last: Reminiscences on Slavery 2 p.m., Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State St., www. westervillehistory.org

Nov. 21

Ross Leadership Institute Series: Tara Abraham 7:30-8:30 a.m., The Point at Otterbein University, 60 Collegeview Rd., www.otterbein.edu

Veterans Day Celebration Breakfast 8:30-10:30 a.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www. westerville.org

Nov. 25

Nov. 11

Rotary Honors Veterans 5K Walk/Run 9 a.m., Alum Creek Park, 221 W. Main St., www. rotaryhonorsvets5k.com

Good Medicine Productions presents Uptown Scrooge Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30-2:45 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.good medicineproductions.org

Nov. 12

Nov. 26-Dec. 17

Westerville Historical Society presents World War I Reader’s Theater 2 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillehistory.org

Small Business Saturday Uptown Westerville, www. shopuptownwesterville.com

Nov. 25-Dec.17

Music in the Atrium Sundays, 2 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

Nov. 12

Women in Music Columbus 2 p.m., Riley Auditorium, Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., www.otterbein.edu Music in the Atrium

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

www.westervillemagazine.com

December Dec. 14-17

Westerville North High School presents Miracle on 34th Street 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 15, 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 17; Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., Westerville, www.wnhstheatre.org

Dec. 15-17 Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade

Dec. 1

Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony 7-8 p.m., Westerville City Hall, 21 S. State St., www.westerville.org

Dec. 1-22

Home for the Holidays in Uptown Westerville Fridays, Uptown Westerville, www.shopuptown westerville.com

Dec. 1-17

Photos courtesy of Amy Taylor, Westerville Public Library, Garth Bishop and Westerville Parks and Recreation

Curtain Players Theatre presents Crimes of the Heart 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 10, 17; Curtain Players Theatre, 5691 Harlem Rd., Galena, www.curtainplayers.org

Dec. 2

Gingerbread Cottage Craft Show 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.ginger breadcottage.org

Dec. 2

W.A.R.M.-Rotary Holiday Food Drive 9 a.m.-noon; W.A.R.M. Central Office, 150 Heatherdown Dr.; Westerville School District Administration Building, 936 Eastwind Dr.; Kroger, 55 W. Schrock Rd.; Kroger, 7345 State Rt. 3; www.westervillerotary.com

www.westervillemagazine.com

Dec. 2-9

Snowflake Castle 9 a.m.-noon and 5-8 p.m., Everal Homestead and Barn, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org

Dec. 3

Rudolph Run/Walk 5K and Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade 2 p.m.; 5K, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 313 N. State St.; Parade, Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave.; www.visitwesterville.org

Ice Sculpture Tour Starting 5 p.m. Dec. 15, Uptown Westerville, www. shopuptownwesterville.com

Dec. 17

Westerville Concert Band presents Holiday Concert 4 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillebands.org

Dec. 28

Phil Brown Basketball Classic 10 and 11:45 a.m., 1:30, 3:15 and 5 p.m.; Rike Athletic Center, 180 Center St., www.westervillerotary.com

WESTERVILLE SPECIAL: Buy a Month Get one FREE! 614-949-6203 131 Huber Village Blvd Westerville, OH 43081

Try a FREE Class Anytime!

Dec. 8

Progressive Christmas Concert 7 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.westervillehabitat.com

Dec. 8-10

Westerville Civic Theatre presents It’s a Wonderful Life 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, 2 p.m.

Dec. 10, Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.westerville.org

Snowflake Castle

Dec. 10

Westerville Symphony presents Sounds of the Season 5 p.m., Fritsche Theatre, Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.westerville symphony.org

November/December 2017

7

Know. Understand. Care.

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Schedule a Private Tour Today!

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Join the Fun

Will You Win?

CityScene Magazine’s November 2017 Holiday Celebration

Try your luck with one of our many door prizes!

Free drinks, apps and prizes, including CityScene’s Annual Holiday Gift Basket, await. Door prize winners will be announced every 15 minutes beginning at 5:45, so increase your chances of winning by coming early and staying late!

Thursday, Nov. 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Gift of Giving

Miller’s Ale House 1201 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus, OH 43212

Bring toiletries and canned goods and join CityScene in supporting Star House Foundation and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank! Each person will receive one ticket for door prizes and the CityScene Annual Holiday Gift Basket for just coming, but get a second ticket and double your chances to win by bringing a donation!

Celebrate the launch of CityScene Magazine’s November issue and win great prizes!

The Gift of Receiving At 7 p.m., the big winner will be announced!

CityScene’s Annual Holiday Gift Basket is valued at more than $500, so you can’t miss this! Check the website to see new additions to the basket. Winners must be present to receive prizes. Door prize winners will be re-entered into the drawing for the Annual Holiday Gift Basket.

Kick off your holiday season with CityScene!

8 November/December 2017

www.westervillemagazine.com

NEWS FROM THE CITY OF WESTERVILLE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

CityReporter www.westerville.org

A Year in Review, Look to the Future City Leverages Smart Planning, Grant Funding for Infrastructure Improvements The City of Westerville continued to make notable progress with several critical infrastructure improvements in 2017, concluding one highly visible project, and kicking off new projects that will improve the way we navigate the City.

Westerville’s construction projects are outlined in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), available at www. westerville.org/finance.

The CIP focuses on major projects, such as park and infrastructure improvements, recreational path system expansions, and regional initiatives like roadway extensions. In a continuous effort to maximize the use of public dollars, the City leverages grant funding to help significantly offset the cost of these projects. CIP projects are core to the City’s mission of providing exemplary services to our residents.

GoWesterville New in 2017, the City launched GoWesterville, a communication program to better present construction and infrastructure information. GoWesterville provides a web-based overview of construction locations via a mapping system, along with detailed project descriptions, timelines and funding and/or cost information. See the portal online at www.westerville.org/construction.

South State Street Corridor Revitalization After months of intense construction, the community celebrated the long-awaited completion of the State & Schrock Improvement Project this spring. While this process was not without inconvenience, the payoff is evident with safer roads, a more welcoming atwww.westervillemagazine.com

mosphere and, most importantly, a more efficient thoroughfare that improves access and traffic along our primary gateway corridor. This project received a $2.28 million grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

Sunbury Road Improvements The City collaborated with the Delaware County Engineer’s Office to improve safety and reduce congestion along Sunbury Road between Maxtown and County Line roads. In addition to improving traffic flow with an added northbound and center turn lane, this project transformed the area to become more walkable with the addition of sidewalks on the west side of the road and the extension of the recreation trail along the east. The project was slated to be complete by the end of October.

This project is funded with a $6.2 million federal grant.

Moving into 2018 brings an expansion of amenities, as continued growth for the City means ongoing infrastructure improvements.

Cleveland Avenue/Schrock Road Improvements The City is partnering with the City of Columbus to improve congestion and safety to both Cleveland Avenue (between I-270 and the JPMorgan Chase & Co. signal) and Schrock Road (between Schrock Hill Court and Cleveland Avenue) by adding lanes and improving utilities. These improvements, which kicked off this summer, are expected to be complete in fall 2018. This project has garnered impressive grant support, with a $5 million grant through the Ohio

Northbound State Street south of Westerville Square before and after improvements

Department of Transportation’s Safety Funding program, a federal grant of $5 million and an Ohio Public Works Commission grant of $3.35 million.

Westerville Community Center Expansion The planning process to expand the Westerville Community Center Expansion began earlier this year, with public engagement and predesign meetings.

Progress continues in 2018 with design development and construction. Follow these developments at www.westerville. org/centerexpansion.

CMAX Bus Rapid Transit In January, Westerville commuters will celebrate the opening of CMAX, COTA’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. This express line will follow Cleveland Avenue, connecting people from downtown Columbus to Polaris Parkway and Africa Road. Plan your future public transit with COTA at www.cota.com/cmax.

November/December 2017

9

CityReporter

Staff Profile

Christy Bailey Helps Keep Communication Division Training on Par with National Standards It is essential to make sure our department provides consistent public safety services in an environment that is always changing.

The national standards are developed to provide direction on how we do our job based on best practices that have been proven to work.

Dispatchers are truly first responders who have the initial interaction with callers in times of need. This process makes sure we are prepared to deal with any situation that we might be facing over the phone.

Communications Technician Christy Bailey stands in the City Communications room.

When it came time to evaluate and redevelop the City of Westerville Communication Division’s training program in accordance with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) standards, Christy Bailey responded to the call.

The hard work paid off; the City earned accreditation and was even recognized at the 2017 APCO International Annual Conference & Expo in Denver. When she’s not on the line with a resident in need, Christy enjoys spending time golfing with her husband of 25 years and her son.

What’s the best thing about your job at the City and why?

I am able to help in times of need and each day brings different responsibilities. I can honestly say, after 19 years of working for Westerville Communications, that each day is unique.

10 November/December 2017

You never know what is going to be on the other side of the phone or what type of help the caller will need.

You recently helped secure APCO’s Agency Training Program Certification for the City. What was involved in that process?

It was a two-year process that started with a complete evaluation of our current training program and development of a new training curriculum. APCO is an international leader in public safety communication training, continuing education and professional development. The Training Program Certification is also known as Project 33 and provides a formal process to ensure our training program meets American National Standards (ANS) for service.

Why is it important that the City has this certification?

What else should the community know about the Communications Division?

We have a saying on the wall in the Communications room: “To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.” It is a reminder to us that our job is important and people depend on us for help. We are not always recognized as first responders, but dispatchers are the voices that are heard first during an emergency situation.

We are the part of public safety that makes that first split-second decision on what type of help is needed and the quickest way to get help on the scene. We also need to be prepared to give aid over the phone. It might be a child choking, CPR instructions, a domestic situation, a robbery in progress or someone threatening to take his or her own life. I have heard many calls in which dispatchers kept the situation under control until police or medics could get on the scene.

That is a true first responder. www.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter

Public Safety Profile

Think Fire Safety This Holiday Season

The Westerville Division of Fire (WFD) wants residents to remain diligent to minimize the risk of cooking fires this holiday season.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), the average number of cooking fires quadruples on Thanksgiving Day in this country. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are the next two leading occasions when firefighters battle cookingrelated fires.

“The number one cause of cooking fires is simply inattention,” said Westerville Fire Chief Brian Miller. “A fire can start in an instant and spread even faster. You cannot leave food unattended while cooking.”

The NFPA cites cook tops and ranges as the most common sources of cooking

fires, but flames can erupt inside ovens and turkey fryers as well.

In addition to prevention, Chief Miller strongly encourages residents to ensure they have working smoke detectors in the home at all times. This year, WFD has partnered with the American Red Cross to offer free smoke detectors and installation to residents. The initiative, “You Call, We’ll Install,” aims to keep Westerville families safer by ensuring smoke alarms are properly installed.

“The best gift you can give your family is the peace of mind that, should a fire break out inside your home, you will at least be aware and given the

chance to escape,” said Chief Miller.

“Give us a call; we’ll bring smoke detectors to your home and install them for free. There’s no reason not to take advantage of this service.”

Chief Miller said that residents should test smoke detectors monthly and replace them every 10 years. To request a free smoke detector and installation, please call 614-901-6600.

For more information about fire prevention, visit www.westerville.org/fire.

Naughty and Nice List of the Holiday Recycling Bin From holiday gift purchasing and wrapping, to special family meals, this time of year can make for bigger household contributions to weekly refuse and recycling pickups.

Residents can help ensure they are kept off the recycling “naughty” list by following the guidelines below from Rumpke, the City’s refuse and recycling contractor: The Nice List: Recycle These Items • Wrapping paper (not foil) • Gift boxes • Gift bags (paper, not foil) • Cardboard boxes • Newspapers and sales ads • Cards and envelopes • Clean pizza boxes • Wrapping paper rolls (cardboard) • Junk mail • Plastic bottles and jugs • Aluminum beverage cans • Steel food and drink cans www.westervillemagazine.com

• Glass bottles and jars • Cartons and juice boxes The Naughty List: Don’t Put These in Your Recycling • Holiday lights • Extension cords • Plastic bags • Ribbons, bows and tinsel • Tissue paper • Foil wrapping paper • Plastic packaging • Plastic toys • Aluminum pie pans and roasting pans • VHS tapes • Packing peanuts and bubble wrap • Ceramics • Cell phone and tablet batteries • Plastic bags • Clothing For more information on holiday recycling, visit www.rumpke.com.

Holiday Collection Schedule

Yard waste, refuse and recycling collections will be delayed by one day the week of Monday, Dec. 25. Yard waste collection will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 26 and refuse/recycling will be collected on Wednesday, Dec. 27. Collections will also be delayed for the New Year’s holiday. Yard waste will be collected on Tuesday, Jan. 2 and refuse/recycling will be collected on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Don’t Forget

Natural holiday trees are considered yard waste and will be collected during normal yard waste collections.

Before you take yours to the curb, remember to remove all ornaments, lighting and stands. Trees should not be wrapped in plastic. Also, please be sure to cut trees into four-foot lengths and to tie bunches with string or twine.

November/December 2017

11

CityReporter

Economic Development Profile

Aloft Westerville Opening a Big Payoff for Smart Planning

The sleek and modern Aloft Hotel in Westerville opens in December, welcoming guests to the new 101-room hotel, which is well positioned at 32 Heatherdown Dr., at the renovated southern gateway to the City.

“We chose the South State Street Corridor to be strategically placed for commuters traveling I-270,” said Robby Ryan, general manager at Aloft. “We also wanted to be in close proximity to Otterbein University and Uptown Westerville, to really be in the center of this great community.”

Only three years ago, the site on which the four-story hotel stands was anything but welcoming. It was once the location of an abandoned motel, a negative first impression in sharp contrast to the rest of the City’s charm.

The 2.6-acre parcel is one of the first things motorists see when they enter Westerville, an opportunity City leaders did not want to waste. The City, in partnership with Westerville City Schools and Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC), worked to acquire, demolish and reposition the site.

“We took a tremendous eyesore on one of the most blighted properties in our community and repositioned it to a beautiful, $20 million Aloft Hotel that will be a catalyst for other development in the City,” said Jason Bechtold, Economic Development for the City of 12 November/December 2017

Westerville. “This was a bold move on the City’s part that has truly paid off.”

The transformation of the property was certainly impressive, but it’s no Cinderella story. Like all economic development in the City of Westerville, it was the result of smart planning and diligent execution.

The hotel’s opening this December highlights a preeminent example of the City’s strategy of leveraging public dollars to entice private investment to position the City for a brighter future. The area surrounding the new hotel underwent a transformation of its own with critical infrastructural and safety improvements through the South State Street Improvements project, which concluded this past spring. Improvements included moving overhead utilities underground, replacing aging water

Aloft Hotel in Westerville during the late stages of construction

mains, adding lanes and upgrading pedestrian facilities.

“This was an intentional, direct approach,” said Bechtold. “When you can showcase the commitment the City has made in the area, it makes the invitation for businesses to invest in our community that much more enticing.”

The work paid off. Aside from the direct public benefits, the improvements, which represented about $30 million in public investment over eight years, have already translated into around $60 million in private investment, including the Aloft Hotel. To learn more about economic development in the City of Westerville, visit business. westerville.org. www.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter This Day in History

One Hundred Years Ago, Below-Zero Temps Stranded Westerville Residents On Dec. 13, 1917, The Public Opinion reported that a cold snap brought transportation to a halt in central Ohio, stranding some 100 Westerville residents.

According to the article, the snap resembled a similarlytough winter in 1873, “the one that the village sages always bring up. … There hasn’t a one of them ventured out to tell about the night they rode 50 miles in an open sleigh, wind blowing a 40-mile gait and snow falling like feathers.” Of the 100 people, 40 were said to have crowded into the lobby of the Chittenden hotel, located in downtown Columbus, before a streetcar took them aboard. It took the car three hours to make it just south of Minerva Park when it stalled without any assurance that it would move again.

Just when “it began to look like a night of suffering,” a boy invited the group to his parents’ home, “where hospitality was handed out by the handsful,” and the passengers stayed the night. This and hundreds of other fascinating facts, materials and artifacts are on display at the Westerville Public Library’s Local History Center. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sunday. Visit www.westervillelibrary/antisaloon to learn more.

Mark Your Calendars Tree Lighting Friday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.

Westerville Municipal Building Courtyard The annual tree lighting ceremony features caroling, sweet treats and one of Santa’s first appearances in Westerville’s new and improved City Hall Courtyard.

Bring the entire family for a fun way to welcome in the holiday season.

Community Recreation Guide and 2018 Calendar The winter edition of the Westerville Community Recreation Guide will begin arriving in area homes the week of Nov. 20. Look inside for the City of Westerville 2018 Community Calendar, special holiday events and details on important registration dates.

Online Resident Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, Dec. 8 In-person Resident Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday, Dec. 9 Online Open Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday, Dec. 10 In-person Open Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, Dec. 11 City Of Westerville Office and Facility Holiday Hours All City Offices Thursday, Nov. 23: CLOSED Friday, Nov. 24: CLOSED Wednesday, Dec. 25: CLOSED Monday, Jan. 1: CLOSED Westerville Community Center Nov. 22: 5:45 a.m.-5 p.m.

Nov. 23: CLOSED Nov. 24: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Dec. 24: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Dec. 25: CLOSED Dec. 31: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Jan. 1: CLOSED Extended Open Swim Hours of 1-5 p.m. at the Community Center Watering Hole Wednesday, Nov. 22 Friday, Nov. 24 Dec. 21-22, 26-31 Self Defense for Women Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Westerville Division of Police recognizes the need to educate women in our community in an effort to reduce their risk of becoming victims. The Division’s self defense instructors have developed a course designed to teach adult women, with varying levels of experience, simple and effective defensive techniques.

Class size is limited. To register, please call 614-901-6860.

A snowy day in Uptown Westerville more than 100 years ago www.westervillemagazine.com

Find a full list of dates and times for Westerville Parks & Recreation special events online at www.westerville.org/parks.

November and December feature Family Bingo and Swim, Teen Night, Military Service Appreciation Day, Veterans Day Celebration, Swim with Santa, Snowflake Castle, and Noon-lite Madness.

November/December 2017

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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 Kathy Kennedy.

Please send photo submissions to westervillemag@gmail.com

by Nov. 30 to be considered for the January/February 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 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 901-6400 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 November/December 2017

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.

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

City Manager Dave Collinsworth 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 Westerville Division of Fire: @WestervilleFire

www.westerville.org www.westervillemagazine.com

faces

By Jenny Wise Photo by Jeffrey S. Hall Photography

Man on Fire The brain and (taste) buds behind CaJohns Fiery Foods

T

here’s an old saying – “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen” – but for Westerville business owner John Hard, making the heat is the real challenge.

You probably know Hard by his business name. He’s the “CaJohn” in CaJohns Fiery Foods. And he’s always had an appreciation for the kitchen and his mother’s cooking.

“My mother’s cooking was always the subject of talk at many family get-togethers and potlucks during my youth,” says Hard. “From her homemade chicken and noodles to her cookies and pies, I was quite proud of her accolades from friends and family.”

Born and raised in Columbus, Hard graduated from Westerville High School (now Westerville South High School) in 1971 and attended Otterbein College. Growing up in the Midwest, he was used to eating pretty mild flavors, to say the least. He wasn’t exposed to the wonders of seasoning, especially spicy seasoning, until he started traveling with the family business in his early adulthood.

“It wasn’t until I began to travel in the family fire protection business that I began to crave the spice,” Hard says. “Trips to Louisiana and Texas, especially ... Creole/Cajun and Tex-Mex were simply fantastic, and I was really enjoying the spice.”

Upon marrying his wife, Sue, Hard gained even more exposure to spicy cuisine. Sue is from southern Mississippi, and it’s an understatement to say spicy foods reign supreme there. www.westervillemagazine.com

“That has a lot of influence on my quest for spice as well,” Hard says. “Not that they were particularly fire-eaters, but just the cuisine in the area and the close proximity to New Orleans.”

Family has always played a major role in Hard’s life and has influenced his career. When he made the leap from working full-time with his father’s fire protection business into his part-time personal passion, the whole family was on board. With two daughters – Julie, 42, and Erin, 37 – and a son Nate, 35, Hard was surrounded with creative input.

“My children were instrumental in the founding of the company along with Sue,” he says. “They determined the company name and the ideas for our first labels. They even had a bit of say in our first product offerings.”

And just like that, with the passion of one man and the support of his friends and family, CaJohns Fiery Foods was born.

After officially opening the business, Hard traveled to the Fiery Foods Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico to expand his retail offering of products.

While there, Hard met a packager who happened to be a fellow lover of all things spicy. It was this relationship that led Hard to consider opening his own manufacturing facility.

In 2002, Hard decided to do just that, allowing him to better control the quality of his products. Just two years later, Hard sold his father’s 60-year-old fire protection business and began devoting himself to CaJohns full-time.

Though he and his family still live in the Midwest, the Hards have certainly come a long way in terms of their personal preferences. Sue was never a fan of spicy foods, but has since developed a taste for some heat.

“My kids grew up with it, my wife just had to get used to it,” says Hard. “Sue did not like spicy at all, but has developed a flair for the mid-range heat.”

As for the kids, the girls can hold their own when it comes to heat. It’s Nate, though, who has the highest tolerance for spice.

“Nate is a true chile-head and can rival my ability to eat the hottest peppers around,” says Hard. “(A chile-head) is an individual who loves all things hot and spicy. It is a neverending quest driven by passion for the fiery products both of November/December 2017

15

John and Sue Hard pose with some of the awards CaJohns Fiery Foods has won.

So just how does Hard continue to come up with new ideas? Per the king of spice, it’s a combination of friends’ suggestions and trial and error.

“Friends’ input and experimentation are key. I am known as the ‘Godfather of Hot Sauce’ because I help so many upand-coming producers,” says Hard. “They keep me aware of what is going on in the market. I have an insatiable desire to learn as well. Cuisines from other places intrigue me tremendously. Being in the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame doesn’t hurt, either. I have some excellent peers there who are a great source of inspiration.”

CaJohns Fiery Foods has grown substantially from its humble beginnings, but there are certain things about the business and production that Hard will keep consistent forever. Operating with small-batch production is one of those things.

“Small batch allows us to control the outcome of our manufacturing, ensuring the best product we possibly can,” says Hard. “I made the choice to avoid grocerytype markets in 2000. It is a decision that I think was responsible for my success today.

We went the fresh route when no one knew what that meant. We have been selective in our markets and will continue to be so going forward.”

Jenny Wise is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Former Buckeye and Patriot player calls Westerville home • Don Barlow’s dedication to Westerville Public Library • Local artist brings expertise to Westerville classrooms

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Mother Nature and those of us who weave her gifts into elixirs and salsas and such. It is an attitude and a lifestyle.”

With upwards of 180 products sold at CaJohns, Hard has trouble choosing just one as his favorite, saying it would be like trying to choose a favorite child. Just as someone would prefer a certain wine with a certain food, Hard has favorite sauces for different foods.

“A good Louisiana style (chiles, vinegar and salt) is my everyday go-to style (hot sauce). It depends on what I’m eating which pepper sauce I choose. I have won five world championships, and three of those have been with this (pepper) style,” says Hard. “Barbecue sauce and sweet-hot sauces are up there. Heck, I like them all.”

Hard believes having a variety of options to explore is important for the growth of the industry. The Midwest has gained a fan base for spicy seasonings, sauces and food in general. Hard credits this to the prevalence of ethnic foods brought to the region by a diverse population.

“Just look at the international diversity of our population here in central Ohio,” he says. “They have brought their cuisine and their ingredients to share with us. Just the growth in the scope and number of ethnic restaurants since my college days speaks volumes.”

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in focus

By Zachary Konno

Uptown Funk The Westerville Magazine 2017 Holiday Gift Guide 1Escape the Holidays

4Chalk it Up to a Win

Put some excitement back into your holiday family gatherings with the Thames & Kosmos line of Exit games available at Naturally Curious Kids. These at-home versions of an escape room will have your family working as a team to solve puzzles until you reach the end. $14.95. www. naturallycuriouskids.com

Everyone knows that painting can be a hassle. Having to cover up edges with tape you don’t want to get paint on is a drag, and waiting for the paint to dry after applying multiple coats is even worse. Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan at Edwin Loy Home rarely requires any preparation and can be used indoors and out on just about any surface. $39.95. www.edwinloyhome.com

2Sound the Alarm Waking up in the morning can be difficult, especially in the cold of winter. For someone who likes to wake up in style, and not to the artificial sound of a phone, look to the restored novelty alarm clocks at Grandfather Clock Company. They shouldn’t have trouble waking anyone up. $85-$325. www.uptownwesterville. us/grandfatherclockcompany

3Garments, Garb and Attire Looking for chic clothes at an affordable price? The flowy, vintage dyed tank with a flannel wrap (left) and men’s collared button-down shirt (right) at Stone and Sparrow Apparel will help someone on your list look great for any occasion. $30-$150. www.stoneand sparrowapparel.com

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5True Blue The jewelry at Morgan’s Treasures is always stunning, and this pendant is no different. It features a rare aquamarine gemstone that shifts from blue to white, and is set in 14-karat white gold with a brush finish. This piece of jewelry, with a unique flowing design, is sure to be cherished by that special someone. $3,800. www.morganstreasure.com

6Oil Aboard Oil and vinegar finally do mix at A Twist on Olives. With the store’s jute bags, you can choose a combination of two, four or six bottles of their extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The oils and vinegars also come in a variety of flavors,

2 so that gift recipient can add flair to his or her holiday cooking. $12.50-$50. www. atwistonolives.com

7No Need to “Wine” All wine-related needs – except the vino itself – are available for the party planner at My Cousin’s Closet, including dishware, glasses and bottle openers all at affordable prices. The shop also has jewelry, artwork and clothing that serve as great gifts. $10$30. www.shopuptownwesterville.com/ members/my-cousins-closet/ 14 W. College Ave Uptown Westerville

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614.895.7420 18 November/December 2017

13 E. College Ave. Westerville, OH 43081 naturallycuriouskids.com www.westervillemagazine.com

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a 7 8Great Skate For a skateboard with a vintage feel, consider shopping at Old Skool Skate Shop. These skateboards, from both local and national brands, have eye-popping colors and are sure to make flashy gifts. $40-$60. www.oldskoolskateshop.com

9The Time of the Dog (and Cat) You finally don’t have to choose between being a dog or cat person. The clocks at Captivating Canines come in a variety of both dog and cat breeds and are great reminders when it’s feeding time. The shop also sells pet-themed Christmas ornaments to hang on the tree. $39.99. www. captivating-canines.com

0Cookie Crazed Since 1954, Schneider’s Bakery has made cookie platters in sizes of small, medium and large that feature everything from sugar cookies to chocolate chip to snickerdoodles. Make sure to order early, as they’re especially popular around this time of year. $15-$50. www.schneidersbakery.com

aShopping can be Hard If you’re shopping for the special woman in your life but don’t quite know what to buy her, consider buying a gift card for the Gemma Shop, which just opened this summer. The gift card can be of any amount to purchase a wide variety of women’s apparel, accessories and giftable items the boutique has to offer. The store has a special gift-giving event Dec. 14. Prices vary. www.thegemmashop.com

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November/December 2017

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Cut through all of the holiday noise with this Arundel Bicycle Company bicycle bell at Westerville Bike Shop.

Made of brass and designed to be loud enough to be heard through earbuds, this pleasant-sounding bell would be a welcome addition to any bike’s handlebars. $25. www.westervillebike.com

2Frame that Photo Everyone’s got a treasured family photo, signed jersey or other piece of memorabilia that needs to be properly prepared for display. Look no further then to Uptown Custom Framing, where you can buy framing styles not seen in other stores to make objects on display pop. $125-$300. www.uptowncustomframe.com

3Stench Be Gone With scents like “Abe Lincoln’s Log” and “Fifty Shades of Brown,” the lavatory mists from Blue Q at A Gal Named Cinda

Lou can make anyone’s bathroom just as amusing as it is fresh-smelling. $12. www. cindalou.org

4Easy Extension Know someone wanting to add some length to a hairdo or just go with a completely new style? The hair extensions at Uptown Hair Design are made of 100 percent human hair in a variety of colors. $350-$580. www.uptownhairdesign.net

5A Haymaker of a Deal If you know someone who hasn’t been able to find the right workout, Title Boxing might be just what the (ring) doctor ordered. During the holiday season, the gym is offering a free boxing kit – including gloves, T-shirt, water bottle, key chain, gym bag and wrap, a $99 value – with each membership, which can be purchased online or by calling 614-949-6203. Prices vary. www.titleboxingclub.com

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8 9 6Mitten Gettin’ On some cold days, gloves just don’t cut it. These mittens from Wool Squirrel, available at Ohio Art Market, are handmade from upcycled felted wool sweaters and lined with microfiber terry. $38. www. ohioartmarket.net

7Local Love Ohio is the name of the game for many of the treasures available at Pure Roots Boutique, and there are just a few of the options on that front. Pictured here are a scarlet and gray sweatshit from Objet Adapte ($50), a metal Westerville sign from Ten Customs Metal ($25), Buckeyes A to Z by Mark Walter ($14.95) and an Ohio pillow from All My Lovin ($49). www. purerootsboutique.com

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8Animal Magnetism Year after year, the seed characters – decorative seed cylinders with blends designed to attract a wide variety of birds – are hugely popular gifts at Wild Birds Unlimited. Even so, they’re only the tip of the iceberg at the store, which also sells rock soaps, MOVA Globes, Lifetime Candles and handwarmer mugs. $18.99. westerville.wbu.com

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9What a Doll Uptown Westerville newcomer Norah & Dorothy Boutique, which opened in July, specializes in children’s, women’s and plus-size clothing. But it also has a wealth of gift-giving options, including handmade dolls such as this Christmasthemed one. $28. www.facebook.com/ norahanddorothy Zachary Konno is a contributing writer.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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November/December 2017

21

Promises, Promises

Otterbein students and faculty continue to help students with food insecurities

By Lydia Freudenberg

F

ood insecurity among college students is a hard concept for some to fathom, but the problem exists, and is more widespread than we might like to believe.

According to a 2016 report by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness, about 20 percent of students attending a four-year institution struggle with food security.

In winter 2015, when a group of Otterbein University students noticed food insecurities throughout campus, the concerned scholars teamed up with faculty and staff to open a food bank.

Today, the Promise House is a student-led organization overseen by Stacey Rusterholz, assistant director of campus life, with the help of Rachel Scherzer, an AmeriCorps VISTA employee whose host is Otterbein.

Both started their positions in summer 2016, right after the house opened in spring 2016.

“We were kind of building the car as we were driving it,” Scherzer says. “We had students coming in for food while we were trying to figure out what the policies were. … But the need is so persistent and the students were already there. There was no way we could say, ‘Let’s put on the brakes.’”

Rusterholz and Scherzer keep the house sustainable by facilitating food donations from churches and other community groups, creating new partnerships and promoting the pantry throughout campus.

They have also implemented policies by asking students to fill out a membership form, but there are no eligibility requirements. Rusterholz says this eliminates stigma associated with food insecurities and creates a welcoming environment.

“We want to create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable,” Rusterholz says. “We recognize that financial situations change very quickly in college … and we just want to be there, no matter what those situations are, to help support students.”

More than 250 students are now members of the organization, says Stephanie Ohalek, a junior majoring in allied health and Promise Inside The Promise House, tables are available for House volunteer coordinator since students to relax, work or partake in some of the the beginning. financial wellness or time management classes the “We hope that having everyone food pantry conducts. Other amenities, including a become members … would help resmall kitchen and coffee station, help create an duce that feeling,” Ohalek says. “We inviting atmosphere.

22 November/December 2017

don’t want anyone who comes to the Promise House to feel bad about themselves.”

The Promise House has held free food events to encourage students to visit, and variable shopping hours are held once a week.

Recently, the organization has started providing classes for students on topics such as financial wellness, time management and even other resources on campus that can be utilized.

Those extra resources turn a food pantry into a comfortable space where students can gather and learn, Rusterholz says. Scherzer adds the organization is doing more than just providing.

“The Promise House isn’t just providing the things that people need. It’s also creating awareness and advocacy about poverty, about food insecurities, about those … bigger societal issues,” Scherzer says. “And we really want students to support each other. That is where the Promise House came from.”

Erick Martinez, a junior studying systems engineering, helped establish the Promise House his freshman year, and is now the student organization outreach coordinator.

He encourages other campus organizations to collaborate with the house. “(The Promise House) shows students that the campus is willing to do what is necessary to help give students the extra hand or help needed to help them succeed,” he says. “You don’t need to worry about who’s looking at you or what other people think.

We’re all here to help each other.”

Martinez says his favorite part is seeing the smiling faces of the students who appreciate what the faculty, staff and student volunteers are doing with the Promise House.

“It helps to know that the work we’re doing is actually helping people,” he says.

To help students further, Rusterholz and Scherzer are thinking up new ideas for the future of the Promise House.

“We have a lot of different ideas about where we could be going,” Rusterholz says. www.westervillemagazine.com

Volunteers hold up partnership signs and products the Promise House offers. The pantry participated in Otterbein’s Community Plunges, all-day service events held three times a year which allows students to learn about neighboring areas and make a difference.

“Just other ways we can support students going through challenging times. (We’re) thinking about some sort of scholarship we can offer or maybe even mini grants.”

In terms of a big picture goal, Scherzer has dreams going beyond the campus walls. “(We want) to have more students as advocates and working on breaking down those socioeconomic barriers, working on alleviating poverty as a bigger issue … not just on our campus but more broadly,” she says. “We could connect with other students interested in these topics and potentially make some big changes in society.”

Rusterholz thanks the students who have helped make Promise House a reality over the last two years.

“It wasn’t overwhelming,” she says.

“Rachel and I both have a strong interest in this area, and we have a great, great group of students who are very passionate about this because they see the need every day.”

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Lydia Freudenberg is a contributing editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Tri-Village Lions Club helps Ohio State food alliance • PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington encourages all ages to volunteer • New Albany cook uses skills to fight food insecurity • Grandview church aims to feed those in need November/December 2017

23

Keep Your Composure Westerville Symphony’s 35th season aims to be a banner one

By Tessa Flattum

I

24 November/December 2017

Encounters of the Third Kind. It marked the first time the symphony had put on such an elaborate show, Wilson says.

“We’re kicking it up a notch or two,” he says. “I had the pleasure of presiding over a show back in 2008 for the Columbus Symphony (Orchestra), and knew I needed to bring that here to this community.”

The symphony also welcomed new Executive Director Hild Peersen in September.

The season continues with Sounds of the Season, the symphony’s annual holiday show on Dec. 12. Further shows include performances with Now Device, a group of visual artists from Seattle, and violinist Lindsay Deutsch, a talented musician who will join the orchestra for

a special showing of her new Beatles Concerto. The symphony’s January Tunes & Tales show at the Westerville Public Library will be back, too.

“A friend of mine, Andy Geiger, thanked me for a concert once after a football game.

He said to me, ‘What you guys really do is feed our souls.’ I will never forget that,” says Wilson. “I think orchestras give people a chance to experience something much more than the sum of the individual talent. It brings the community together to experience something uplifting. It reminds us to dream.”

For more information about the symphony and its upcoming shows, visit www. westervillesymphony.org.

Tessa Flattum is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Westerville violin virtuoso gets involved in community • Longtime musician Chris Logsdon plays for Pickerington • Otterbein University faculty member in stand-up comedy www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Ed Syguda and Westerville Symphony

t’s anniversary season for the Westerville Symphony.

More than 50 years ago, Otterbein University’s Department of Music established the Otterbein Orchestra, a collection of student musicians. Over the ensemble’s first few years, additional seats were filled with help from the community, and concerts were performed alongside Otterbein’s Department of Theatre.

This continued until 1980, when the Department of Music applied for a grant that would allow for the expansion and continued growth of the orchestra within the community. And the rest, well, is history.

Today, the ensemble is comprised of more than 80 professional musicians, semiprofessional musicians and Otterbein students. The symphony is now celebrating 35 years in the music business, and its 2017-18 season is intended to reflect the milestone.

And that’s not the only landmark achievement of the 2017-18 season. It’s also the 25-year anniversary with the orchestra for Music Director Peter Stafford Wilson, having joined up in 1992.

“The thing about Westerville that initially sparked my interest was the great college connection and art scene,” says Wilson. “Three years after moving here, a spot opened within the symphony and I applied. It took about 18 months to complete the whole process. I was given the chance to introduce myself not only to the orchestra, but the surrounding communities. Something must’ve worked, because I’m still here 25 years later.”

The season kicked off with an Oct. 22 performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets and John Williams’ Excerpts from Close

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living

By Emily Real

Out of the ’80s

Westerville homeowners modernize their home with the aid of the Cleary Company

W

hen they remodeled the exterior of their home, one of the main things Westerville area residents Jeff and Darlene Kerr wanted was to bring their 1980s home into the 21st century.

“We wanted to refresh the exterior to make it more contemporary,” Darlene says.

“As you can imagine, that goes beyond just slapping a new paint color on the outside of your house. You want to pull it together and really make it look updated.”

To do that, the Kerrs enlisted the help of the Cleary Company and its in-house designer and project developer, respectively, Cathryn Brassfield and Robert Raskin.

“I wanted to move to a look that gave a nod toward (a Craftsman style) without going overboard on that, because we’re obviously not a Craftsman-style house,” Darlene says. “We wanted to include some features that are Craftsman, and that’s why it was important for me to go with Cleary Company, because they have an in-house designer that you can work with.”

Having an in-house designer helped the Kerrs realize their visions in a way that was still attainable, Darlene says.

“I went into the project with ideas of my own, but just having that designer to play off of and also to be able to draw on their experience … was very helpful for me,” she says.

Among the renovations about which Darlene was the most excited was the Craftsman-style post on the porch.

“What we originally had was … just a plain lumber post,” she says. “We wanted

26 November/December 2017

2 5 1 3 4

a stone bottom and a kind of decorative post at the top that’s painted.”

To achieve this, Cleary put in a Craftsman column with a stone base and a whitepainted column on top.

The Kerrs also wanted to make sure their new exterior remodel would be easy to keep up. To that end, Cleary replaced their normal wood siding with a vinyl siding.

“We really wanted to … do something that would be more maintenance-free in terms of not having to repaint things and replace boards and things like that,” says Darlene. “We had tried it on our own before … trying to do painting and some ba-

sic updating, and that’s fine to a point. But if you really want a fresh look … I think it’s really worth it for people to consider contracting with a company.”

All in all, the Kerrs are very happy with their home remodeling process, so much so that they’re contracting with Cleary again in the future for an interior remodel. “(Cleary) was great in making sure all the pieces were in place before the project started, so it didn’t drag out forever,” Darlene says. “It was a very painless process for us.”

Emily Real is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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column on the Kerrs’ patio 1 The was revamped by replacing the plain wooden post with a new Craftsman column with True Stack Calgary stone veneer

2 To reduce the amount of upkeep

on the siding of the house, the front exterior wooden siding was replaced with vinyl siding.

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3 To match the new color scheme

and to increase the exterior’s curb appeal, the Kerrs’ front door was repainted to match the new blue siding on the front of the house.

4 A new, lighter garage door and

hardware was installed to further modernize the Kerrs’ home.

5 To bring the exterior of the Kerrs’

Photos courtesy of the Cleary Company

home into the 21st century, Cleary repainted the trim white and used blue vinyl siding for the exterior.

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on the table By Rocco Falleti

Soup’s On

Soup dinner and multi-church concert mean more resources for Westerville Habitat Partnership

T

he Westerville Habitat Partnership’s Progressive Christmas Concert is more than just a series of musical performances; it’s a night to bring together some of its most important partners to increase fellowship in the community.

The concert, slated for Dec. 8, is an annual fundraiser for the partnership.

New to the evening, as of this past year, is a connected Soup for Shelter dinner that precedes the concert.

The bowls for Soup for Shelter are made

by Columbus Academy students. “(Soup for Shelter) is actually self-run by students at Columbus Academy, and they take tremendous pride in that responsibility,” says Christy Bening of the partnership.

“Students also were responsible for making over 200 bowls for those attending the event. It’s a perfect opportunity for them to showcase their talents and learn how to run an event.”

Soup for Shelter takes place at Otterbein University’s Campus Center from 5-7 p.m.

Attendees receive a bowl of soup, bread, a cookie and a beverage, and they get to keep the bowl.

28 November/December 2017

The concert has three stops, each within a block and a half of the last: Church of the Master, Church of the Messiah and First Presbyterian Church. Patrons are led from one performance to the next by costumed, lanterntoting guides.

Over the past 20 years, the partnership has collaborated with a huge number of community organizations, from local churches to Otterbein. Proceeds from events such as the concert and dinner have helped build almost 40 homes for families in need.

“Raising money is obviously vital to our success, but at the end of the day, it’s almost more about raising the awareness about why we raise the money,” Bening says. “What The inaugural Soup for Shelter event in 2016 helped the is so great about pairing these Westerville Habitat Partnership contribute to a wall build in two events is you are able to Delaware in June. take that money and use it to seed more opportuni- the gifts and talents they have and come ties for people to be more invested together to create something that truly and get involved in the longer makes people feel good about what they are doing,” Bening says. haul with our efforts.”

Tickets for the soup dinner are $15 and Last year’s events alone brought in more than $9,500. tickets for the Progressive Christmas ConIn June, the partnership used that cert are $10. Both events are free to chilmoney to contribute to a wall dren under 18. Tickets can be purchased at build for a house in Delaware. any of the churches prior to 7 p.m. the day Wall builds are much safer, Ben- of the event, or at the Westerville Visitors ing says, and they allow for the & Convention Bureau.

For more information, visit www. whole family to participate, made possible by having experts on site westervillehabitat.org. and forbidding use of nail guns.

“We are able to have different Rocco Falleti is a contributing writer. Feedback players in the community, take welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and then stir in flour until completely dissolved. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until thickened.

Add in potatoes, chopped green onions and ¾ of the cheese. Turn off heat and let cool down, stir in sour cream and gradually turn heat back on until soup reaches 165 degrees.

Spoon into bowls and top with cheese and green onion.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Award-winning cupcakes at Fat Girl Bakery • Westerville increases variety in school lunch • Vegetarian Club www.westervillemagazine.com

November/December 2017

29

bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Recommended Reads from Susan Carr, Youth Services Librarian

Hold Fast

By Blue Balliett (juvenile fiction) Early Pearl believes her love of words will help solve the mystery of her missing dad so that her family can move out of the homeless shelter and be together again.

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

By David Levithan and Rachel Cohn (teen fiction) A red notebook, two teens on their own in Manhattan during the winter holidays and a crazy scavenger hunt leads to romance for Lily and Dash.

Andy & Sandy and the First Snow

Best in Snow

By April Pulley Sayre (picture book)

By Tomie dePaola (reader)

“A freeze, a breeze, a cloud, it snows.”

Beautiful photographs and simple text capture the wonder of the season.

Sandy introduces Andy to the joys of playing in the first snowfall of the winter, including the best part: getting warm.

Seasonal fun for beginning readers.

Recommended Reads from Megan Chrusciel, Adult Services Librarian Nothing But Net erook strives Shaun Ston easier to make life and athletes for children

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Aunt Sass: Christmas Stories

By P.L. Travers From the woman who gave us Mary Poppins comes this collection of short stories written for friends as Christmas gifts.

Christmas in the Crosshairs: Two Thousand Years of Denouncing and Defending the World’s Most Celebrated Holiday

How to Celebrate Everything: Recipes and Rituals for Birthdays, Holidays, Family Dinners, and Every Day In Between

By Gerry Bowler

By Jenny Rosenstrach

Learn about the history of the Christmas holiday, all the way from pagan times to the present day.

This guide to slowing down and making memories out of the holiday season is written to last a lifetime.

Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience

By Melanie Kirkpatrick Discover the history of Thanksgiving over the past four centuries, from the perspective of both famous figures and ordinary Americans.

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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