SUMMER 2016
Health-Care Hotbed Economic Development Otterbein Goes Global
Nick of Time Local grad Nick Vannett gets a shot in the NFL.
Westerville365.com 1
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
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CONTENTS
Summer 2016
10 Upping His Game Westerville Central’s Nick Vannett helped the Buckeyes win a national championship. Now he wants to help the Seahawks soar.
ON THE COVER Photo by Joshua A. Bickel
22 Toy Story This mother-daughter team tapped their education backgrounds to create a play-based shop for local tots.
27 Overseas Outreach
Otterbein University aims to attract more international students and build a global campus
Health Care 18 Hot Spot The city has capitalized on the burgeoning medical market by carving out a district for the industry.
Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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COMMUNITY DAY
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THE GREAT WESTERVILLE FOOD TRUCK FEST Sunday - September 11, 12-7 pm 455 Executive Campus Dr. Details: Now in its fourth wildly successful year, the Food Truck Fest benefiting WARM pairs community and generosity with 30+ food trucks. Family-friendly music, entertainment, a brief 9/11 observance and much more rounds out this popular annual event. More: www.warmwesterville.org.
and next door... COPS & KIDS DAY Sunday September 11, 12-4 pm County Line Rd, between Vesper Way and Cleveland Ave. (This event will take place in the roadway on County Line Rd, which will be closed 10:30 am-5 pm) Details: Cops & Kids Day moves this year, bringing cruisers, helicopters, motorcycles, tactical vehicles and K-9s to interact with and educate children about law enforcement. More than 40 agencies from central Ohio will participate. Arts and crafts, inflatable gyms and hands-on activities, including the always-popular “Dunk-a-Cop” tank, are featured. The first 1,000 children receive a goodie bag. More: www.westerville.org/police. 9/11 MEMORIAL OBSERVATION Sunday September 11, 2 pm First Responders Park, 374 W. Main St. Never forget. Join us in honoring Westerville’s first responders as we remember 9/11 in the shadow of “C-40,” a piece of twisted steel orignally near the impact site of the North Tower. More: www.westerville.org 2
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
Around Town
A recent installment of the Family Concert Series
3 From the Editor 4 Events Calendar 30 Library Notes Today’s Westerville Public Library offers more than just a quiet place to browse the stacks.
32 Healthy Living Dietitian Estela Schnelle offers school lunch tips and tricks.
33 Outtakes
BUILDING BUSINESS
14 Forging Ahead From Uptown to Otterbein, an economic development renaissance is underway. .
From the Editor
Vannett Vaults Into NFL Spotlight 7801 N. Central Drive Lewis Center, OH 43035 740-888-6000 • Fax: 740-888-6001 Westerville365.com Volume 2 • Number 3 PUBLISHER Roy Biondi EDITORIAL Editor: Julanne Hohbach Contributors: Debbie Briner, Frank DiRenna, Andrew King, Justin McIntosh and Lisa Proctor PHOTOGRAPHY Chief Photographer: Joshua A. Bickel Contributor: Lorrie Cecil DESIGN/PRODUCTION Production Manager: Rebecca Zimmer Design: Annie Steel Web Producer: Scott Hummel ADVERTISING Director: Doug Dixon Retail Manager: Heather Kritter Classified Manager: Terri Tribbie Account Executive: Gail Fullerton Marketing & Promotions: Annie Steel CIRCULATION Home Delivery & Business Distribution Customer Service: 888-837-4342 Retail advertising: 614-583-5793 advertising@westerville365.com Classified advertising: 614-785-1200 Editorial: 740-888-6000 editorial@westerville365.com Westerville365 is published quarterly by ThisWeek Community News with Sunday distribution by Consumer News Services Inc., a subsidiary of GateHouse Media Inc. Consumer News Services Inc. reserves the right to reject, cancel or edit any advertisement at any time. If we make a substantiative error in news coverage, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call 740-888-6000. CNS is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts, press releases, etc. © Copyright 2016, GateHouse Media Inc.
By Julanne Hohbach
W
hen Nick Vannett arrived for our photo shoot at Westerville Central High School, there was a definite buzz surrounding the former Buckeye. Students in the boys locker room and nearby weight room were excited to have the alumnus back in Warhawks territory. Vannett graciously greeted them before posing for photos, talking with coach John Magistro and chatting about his pro prospects. At the time, the NFL draft was still six weeks away. Vannett was excited about the prospect of playing professional football, but a little nervous as well. After a solid high school career, Vannett attended Ohio State University and helped the Buckeyes win the first College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2015. Still, the mid-March draft buzz centered around many of his teammates (including Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones), rather than the tight end who was named honorable mention all-Big Ten his senior year. Fast forward to late April. Vannett was among 12 Buckeyes drafted— all of whom were picked up in the first four rounds. He went in the same round as Miller and a round ahead of Jones and Joshua Perry. The new Seattle Seahawk from Genoa Township was the first among the dozen to sign his pro contract. Vannett’s talent has landed him on an even bigger national stage, on which many Buckeyes have competed. According to NFL.com, coach Urban Meyer compared his team’s first-round dominance in this year’s draft to “a three-hour infomercial for our program.” ThisWeek Community News sportswriter Frank DiRenna, who covered Vannett’s playing days at Central, caught up with him before and after the draft. Find out what No. 81 says about his days at Central, the Seahawks and being a role model in “Upping His Game.” It’s a must-read, even for those who don’t follow football. You’ll find it on page 10. Also in this issue, learn more about the forces behind Westerville’s economic development boom. ThisWeek Community News reporter Andrew King analyzes what’s going on in three areas of town, including the new STEAM Innovation Center developed by Otterbein University that one city official called “the grand slam of economic development.” Check out “Forging Ahead” on page 14. A companion story, “Hot Spot,” on page 18 examines the rapid growth in the local health-care industry, including along the Medical Mile. Both major players and smaller operations are transforming the suburban scene. Thanks for reading.
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Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Upcoming
Events
To submit an item for the calendar, go to Westerville365.com. All events will run online and select listings also will appear in the magazine. The deadline to submit listings for the next print publication is Sept. 13.
AUGUST Aug. 2 National Night Out This event, held throughout the city, is held to heighten crime- and drugprevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs and promote civic pride. Participating neighborhoods host block parties with activities such as potlucks, karaoke, face painting, raffles, police car rides and appearances by Westerville Division of Police officers. 6:30-9 p.m. westerville.org Aug. 3 Meet the Author Series Debbie Macomber will discuss her life as an author while celebrating the release of her newest book, Sweet Tomorrows, the conclusion to her Rose Harbor series. Reception hosted by the Westerville Library Foundation includes food and a copy of the book. 5-6 p.m. The Medallion Club, 5000 Club Drive. $60, includes admission to the reception as well as priority seating and priority book signing at the presentation. Presentation follows at 7 p.m. Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave. $15. Advance reservations are required. westervillelibrary.org Aug. 3 Family Concert Series This free series is held Wednesdays throughout the summer. This week’s event is Storytelling with Candace. 6:30 p.m. Amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Free. westerville.org Aug. 5 Uptown Friday Night - Cruise in Uptown Uptown merchants invite car owners to show off their vehicles, classic or not. 6-8 p.m. Stores stay open until 8 p.m. shopuptownwesterville.com 4
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
FILE/THISWEEK
Aug. 13 Rock the ’Ville On the last Saturday before school starts, Uptown will feature rock music by artists of all ages, in businesses and on the streets. Noon to 9 p.m. Free. shopuptownwesterville.com Aug. 5 Robin Hood Enjoy a free theatrical production of Robin Hood performed by the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department Drama Camp. 6:30 p.m. Amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Free. westerville.org Aug. 6 Warrior Hoops Alumni Classic This tournament will feature former varsity players from throughout Westerville North High School’s history, which dates to 1975. The event will include raffles and concessions to help support WNHS athletics. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Road. For more information, contact Eric Shearer at 614-783-3851 or email eshearer@vorfin.com.
Aug. 7 Sounds of Summer Concert The Sounds of Summer Series features various performers on Sunday evenings. This week is Larry Loeffert Big Band with Doubletake. 6:30 p.m. Amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Free. westerville.org Aug. 12 Uptown Friday Night - Art in Uptown Artist events will be featured around Uptown. 6-8 p.m. Stores stay open until 8 p.m. shopuptownwesterville.com Aug. 13 Jazz at the Amp The Westerville Parks and Recreation Department and Jazz 98.5 are partnering on this summer series. This month, Tommy Wade performs at 2 p.m. with the Rhythm Aces and the Blackbaer Project at 6:30 p.m.
Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic if desired. Amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Free. westerville.org Aug. 14 Sounds of Summer Concert The Sounds of Summer Series features various performers on Sunday evenings. This week is the Westerville Symphony. 6:30 p.m. Amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Free. westerville.org Aug. 18 Business After Hours The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a business casual night of appetizers, socializing and beverages. 5:30 p.m. Parkside Village Senior Living Community, 730 N. Spring Road. Free for chamber members, $5 for nonmembers. westervillechamber.com
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Aug. 19 Uptown Friday Night - Unplugged Musicians will be featured on the street and in various venues. 6-8 p.m. Stores stay open until 8 p.m. shopuptownwesterville.com Aug. 19 Classic Movie Series The last movie in the summer series from the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department is The Aristocats. Dusk. Everal Barn at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave. Free. westerville.org Aug. 26 4th Friday: Dog Days of Summer Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Fridays, sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau, feature street vendors, food carts, live entertainment, children’s activities, extended hours in Uptown shops and more. This month’s theme includes vendors with dog-related products and services and rescue groups with adoptable dogs. 6-9 p.m. Uptown Westerville. visitwesterville.org Aug. 29 A Nelsonville Sojourn: Local Author Steven Franklin Mount Steven Franklin Mount of Westerville will discuss his first novel, A Nelsonville Sojourn. Set in his hometown of Nelsonville, Ohio, the novel explores the intertwining themes of redemption, honesty and the influence of geography. 7-7:45 p.m. Westerville Public Library Meeting Room A, 126 S. State St. Free. westervillelibrary.org
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Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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SEPTEMBER
FILE
Sept. 2 Uptown Friday Night - Cruise in Uptown Uptown merchants invite car owners to show off their vehicles, classic or not. 6-8 p.m. Stores stay open until 8 p.m. shopuptownwesterville.com Sept. 9 Uptown Friday Night - Art in Uptown Artist events will be featured around Uptown. 6-8 p.m. Stores stay open until 8 p.m. shopuptownwesterville.com Sept. 10 Jazz at the Amp The Westerville Parks and Recreation Department and Jazz 98.5 are partnering on this summer series. This month, Tim Dvorkin performs. Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic if desired. 6:30 p.m. Amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St. Free. westerville.org Sept. 15 Business After Hours The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a business casual night of appetizers, socializing and beverages. 5:30 p.m. Heartland Bank, 450 S. State St. Free for chamber members, $5 for nonmembers. westervillechamber.com Sept. 15 Ladies Night Out Enjoy an evening of food and shopping with Uptown Westerville merchants, sponsored by Amish Originals. 7-9 p.m. Starts at Amish Originals, 38 N. State St. Admission is nonperishable food items for Westerville Area Resource Ministry’s food pantry. 614-891-6257. 6
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
Sept. 11 The Great Westerville Food Truck Fest This event benefitting the Westerville Area Resource Ministry features live music, children’s activities, food truck vendors and a community food packing service project to benefit neighbors in need. Noon to 7 p.m. Nationwide Children’s Close to Home Center, 455 Executive Campus Drive. Free admission. warmwesterville.org
Sept. 16 Uptown Friday Night - Unplugged Musicians will be featured on the street and in various venues. 6-8 p.m. Stores stay open until 8 p.m. shopuptownwesterville.com Sept. 16 Madame X, Code-Breaking Cryptanalyst Agnes Meyer Driscoll Agnes Meyer Driscoll lived in Westerville and attended Otterbein College from 1907-1909. In 1935, Driscoll led the attack on the Japanese M-1 cipher machine. Travis Risner will explain how she successfully spied on the Japanese military during World War II without leaving her office, and how encryption works. 7:30 p.m.
Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St. westervillehistory.org Sept. 18 Cops & Kids Day Children can interact with law enforcement officials while learning about the equipment and technology they use, including cruisers, helicopters, motorcycles, tactical vehicles and K-9s. Other activities include arts and crafts, inflatables and the “Dunk-a-Cop” tank. Child safety materials and other interactive exercises will be available. Noon to 4 p.m. Hoff Woods Park, 556 McCorkle Blvd. Free. westerville.org Sept. 22-25, 29, 30, Oct. 1 The Addams Family Otterbein University presents The Addams Family. Times vary. Fritsche Theater at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St. Ticket prices TBD as of press time. otterbein.edu Sept. 23 4th Friday: Fall Fest Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Fridays, sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau, feature street vendors, food carts, live entertainment, children’s activities, extended hours in Uptown shops and more. This month, the bureau will highlight education, including the students, staff and academics of the Westerville City School District. 6-9 p.m. Uptown Westerville. visitwesterville.org
OCTOBER Oct. 2 Ned Mosher Apple Butter Festival Sponsored by the Westerville Lions Club, the annual event includes demonstrations of apple cider pressing, apple butter making and samples, as well as banjo music and tours of the 1860s log cabin. 1-5 p.m. McVay Elementary School, 270 S. Hempstead Road. Admission is free. Apple butter and pulled pork sandwiches will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Debbie Bennati at debennati@aol.com. Oct. 8 Columbus Fall Classic Rowing Regatta Hosted by the Westerville Rowing Association. Time TBD. Hoover Reservoir, Sunbury Road at Walnut Street. westervillecrew.org
Oct. 10 Author Jane Turzillo: Unsolved Murders & Disappearances in Northeast Ohio Author Jane Turzillo will share true crime tales of eight unsolved murders and two chilling disappearances in Ohio’s history, as detailed in her book, Unsolved Murders & Disappearances in Northeast Ohio. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Westerville Public Library Meeting Room A, 126 S. State St. Free. westervillelibrary.org Oct. 19 Women in Business Luncheon Join the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce for this luncheon featuring Jessica Davenport, former WNBA star and entrepreneur. 11:15 a.m. Mount Carmel St. Ann’s, 500 S. Cleveland Ave.
ongoing events Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market More than 20 vendors sell artisan foods, meats, poultry, eggs, flowers and plants. 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays May through October. North State and East Home streets. marketwednesday.com
FILE/THISWEEK
Oct. 28 Midnight Madness A Halloween tradition, Midnight Madness features trick or treating in Uptown stores and free wagon rides. 6 p.m. to midnight. shopuptownwesterville.org
$25 for chamber members, $35 for nonmembers. westervillechamber.com Oct. 20-22, 27-29 The Crucible Otterbein University presents The Crucible. Times vary. Campus Center Theatre, 100 W. Home St. Ticket prices TBD as of press time. otterbein.edu
Otterbein University Art Exhibitions Aug. 22 to Oct. 5 Low Season Reception: 5-7 p.m. Sept. 1 Associate professor Jonathan Johnson’s sabbatical exhibition project includes an experimental film installation and lyrical narrative photo series centering on Thailand and the American Midwest. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Leslie H. and Ethyl Rose Miller Gallery, Art and Communication Building, 33 Collegeview Road. Free. 614-8231792. Aug. 24 to Dec. 22 Sonabai: Another Way of Seeing Reception: Oct. 28, time TBA Self-taught artist Sonabai Rajawar lived in enforced isolation for 15 years in a
remote village in India, creating her own sculptural environment. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Fisher Gallery, Roush Hall, 27 S. Grove St. Free. 614-823-1792. Aug. 24 to Dec. 2 On Being Gandhi: The Art and Politics of Seeing Reception: Oct. 28, time TBA Named one of India’s top 15 rising artists by India Art Fair, photographer Shivaraju B.S. (a.k.a. Cop Shiva) captures masquerade and impersonation on the streets of Bengaluru, India. The exhibition features his images of a celebrated Gandhi impersonator, Bagadehalli Basavaraju. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The Frank Museum of Art, 39 S. Vine St. Free. 614- 818-9716.
Sources: city of Westerville, Otterbein University, Spingo, Westerville Public Library, Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau
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Around Town
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Music in the Park PHOTOS BY LORRIE CECIL The Westerville Concert Band took the stage June 22 as part of the city’s annual Family Concert Series. Performances are held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays throughout the summer at the amphitheater at Alum Creek Park North. The last concert of the season is Aug. 3. 1 A crowd gathers to hear the Westerville Concert Band perform. 2 Linda Huff and Penny the beagle 3 Mom Kimberly Jordan, 4-year-old Kendrick Jordan and dad Jeff Campbell 4 Mark and Sheri Smith of Pickerington 5 Pete Cherrington of Circleville 6 Larry Klabunde directs the band. 7 Tommy Young and his son Cohen Young, 2, of Westerville 8 Ken and Lynda Fields of Gahanna 9 Teresa and Jeff Perry 10 The Shroads family: Ella, 9, and Andrew and Alex, 12 11 Ruth and John Nimmer of Upper Arlington 12 Three-year-old twins Olivia and Sophia Staneish dance. 13 Marge and Dave Markowich 2 3
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Upping
Vannett sits in the boys locker room at Westerville Central High School on March 16, the month before he was drafted. 10
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
ng His Game Westerville Central’s Nick Vannett helped the Buckeyes win a national championship. Now he wants to help the Seahawks soar. By Frank DiRenna photos by joshua a. bickel
“Exciting is an understatement; it was pretty awesome. I was told to pack my rain gear. I hear it’s a great city.” Nick Vannett on being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks
A
sign posted in the boys locker room at Westerville Central High School reads “Dream Big Dreams.” Alumnus Nick Vannett has done more than that. He’s fulfilling his dreams. The 2011 Central graduate became the first former member of the Warhawks football program to be selected in the NFL draft when he was taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round April 29, with the 94th overall pick. After helping Ohio State University capture a national championship and developing into one of the best tight end prospects in college football, Vannett is eager to make an impact in the NFL. “I realize I’m going to step into a big man’s league, but at the same time, I can’t be scared about it,” he says. “I have to get ready for it. I don’t have time to celebrate being picked; it’s time to get to work right away. I’m just excited for the chance.” As the draft was held at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Vannett watched the life-changing event on television at his Medallion Estates home in Genoa Township with his parents and a few close friends. Before the announcement that Seattle had selected Vannett, he received a phone call from team officials, including coach Pete Carroll, welcoming him to the organization. “Exciting is an understatement; it was pretty awesome,” Vannett says. “I was told to pack my rain gear. I hear it’s a great city. A lot of people say it’s one of their favorite cities and I’m going to have a great time out there. We have a great fan base out there.” Vannett left for training camp May 5 and hopes to be a key part of the offense this fall. Seattle has two veterans ahead of him in Luke Willson and Jimmy Graham, who missed most
of last season with a torn patellar tendon. “(Graham) is one of the best in the league and I get a chance to learn from him and learn from Luke Willson,” Vannett says. “They have a great tight end unit, so I’m excited to be a part of that.” At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 257 pounds, Vannett has the build to contribute as a blocker and a receiving target for quarterback Russell Wilson. Vannett’s size and skill set caught the Seahawks’ attention during the team’s draft preparation. “We think he’s going to develop,” Carroll said in a press release. “As a (pass) catcher, we have no problem throwing him the football; we’re not going to stay away from that at all. But we really need him to be an impact player at the line of scrimmage for us.” The 23-year-old was the first of 12 Buckeyes drafted this year to sign a professional contract. Vannett is projected to earn $3.1 million during the life of the four-year deal, which includes an additional $656,879 in signing bonuses. He will wear No. 81, the same number he had at Central and Ohio State. Vannett helped Ohio State win the first College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 12, 2015, scoring the go-ahead touchdown late in the first quarter in a 42-20 victory over the University of Oregon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He played in 53 games at Ohio State and started 15 of them, including 12 as a senior in fall 2015, and finished his career with 55 catches for 585 yards and six touchdowns. He was named honorable mention all-Big Ten as a senior and was invited to the Senior Bowl in January, putting together an impressive week of practice before catching three passes during the game. That collegiate record earned him a spot in a highly regarded Ohio State draft class, in which all 12 Buckeyes were selected in the first four rounds. Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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A Breakthrough at Central The only child of Jim and Carol Vannett was introduced to football in sixth grade, as a member of the Big Walnut Youth Athletic Association. Carol recalls asking her son to participate in a recreational summer swimming league before focusing his attention on another sport, but he had other plans. “I knew I was always going to play football,” he says. “I love playing football. It’s one of my passions in life. I knew I was going to play high school football, but I never knew how good I could become and what would come after high school.” Vannett remains close with many childhood friends, including Ben Lyon, who was part of the draft night celebration. They first played football together at Genoa Middle School and were teammates at Central. “One of the coolest things about him, with all the success that he’s had, is he doesn’t forget where he comes from,” Lyon says. “If we would see him out in public and he was with all his OSU football buddies, he would separate from them and come talk and then also include me in whatever he was doing. That is one of the greatest things about him.” Lyon also points to Vannett’s character and sense of humor. “He’s a quality person whose parents did great raising him,” Lyon says. Vannett’s football career took a major turn before his junior prep season when
John Magistro was named coach at Central, replacing Bob Fresch. Vannett had seen time on varsity as a sophomore before taking a more prominent role under Magistro. Magistro recalls his first meeting with Vannett’s father, who said his son had ability and size but “needed toughness.” “We tried to build a little bit of toughness, more confidence that you can get it done,” Magistro says. “I want kids to know that they can go up against anybody, and I’ve never seen Nick shy away from anybody. I never saw a football game where he didn’t win the battle.” As a junior, Vannett caught 20 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown and was named honorable mention all-OCCCardinal Division. He then led the Warhawks in receiving his senior season with 47 catches for 606 yards and six touchdowns, and was named third-team all-state in Division I and first-team all-district and all-league. Vannett says his father’s analysis “was absolutely true,” but he also realized he needed to get tougher. “My freshman and sophomore years I was soft. I didn’t want to block a soul. I just wanted to catch footballs,” he says. “When (Magistro) came in, I got a little bit of a mean streak in me. I just played physical. I knew what I had and I wanted to put it on display. I wanted to play hard.” According to Scout.com, Vannett, who
also played defensive end in high school, was the 14th-ranked tight end in the country his senior season at Central. He also was a force on the basketball court, helping lead the Warhawks to a Division I district title game in 2011. They lost to Northland 65-62, but Vannett averaged 11.3 points that season, earning him second-team all-league and honorable mention all-district honors. Lessons Learned Vannett’s dream of playing college football became reality when he signed his letter of intent in February 2011. About 35 Division I schools across the country had heavily recruited Vannett, who narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. Eventually, he decided to stay close to home and play for his favorite childhood team, choosing the Buckeyes over the Volunteers. “I wouldn’t trade those five years that I had at Ohio State for anything else in the world,” says Vannett, who was redshirted for the 2011 season. “Those are some of the greatest times I’ve had, with some of the best people and the best friends I’ve made. If I had to do it over again, I’d pick Ohio State again just for that experience because those are the things you’re going to remember down the road.” But as he had in high school, Vannett faced another coaching change—this one before his freshman year at Ohio State. Coach Jim Tressel, who was a major part of Vannett’s recruiting process and became close with his
“I’ve never seen Nick shy away from anybody. I never saw a football game where he didn’t win the battle.” John Magistro Westerville Central football coach Check out Westerville365.com for an online slideshow and a video of Nick Vannett talking with coach John Magistro.
Vannett with coach John Magistro 12
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
and collegiate levels with 2008 Central graduate Ben Buchanan, a former punter who has followed Vannett’s rise while working as an Ohio State football commentator for ABC 6/Fox 28. Vannett is “doing great things for Westerville and Ohio,” Buchanan says. “Nick has one of the best pair of hands I have ever seen on a tight end or wide receiver. At Ohio State, I can think of maybe one or two times when I watched him drop catchable balls. The guy catches everything and he’s improved his blocking a lot.”
file/The Columbus Dispatch
Vannett gets ready to catch a pass in the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 12, 2015. The Buckeyes shot down the Ducks 42-20. family, resigned in May 2011 amid NCAA violations linked to a tattoo-parlor scandal. He was replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Luke Fickell for one season before Urban Meyer was hired. “The one thing that we were most proud about, and what helped him grow, was being able to adapt to all those different changes in the program, because not only was he losing the guy in his heart he wanted to play for, but when Meyer came it was another change,” Carol Vannett says. “It was a lot of adapting that he had to do and he did a wonderful job doing that and it really taught him a lot.” His parents agree that despite all his success at the prep and collegiate levels, academics were a higher priority.
Vannett graduated in August 2015 with a degree in sport industry. “A lot of kids think school is plan B and plan A is going to the league,” his father says. “We were always in reverse—your plan B is a career in the NFL.” The lessons he learned extended to the field as well. Already a force at the prep level, Vannett developed into one of the top blocking tight ends in college football, a skill deemed necessary at the professional level. “He works his tail off,” former Ohio State tight ends coach Tim Hinton says. “The cool thing is when you watched Nick develop, it was done the right way. He’s a real dedicated person. He’s gone out there and worked extremely hard.” Vannett was a teammate at the prep
Staying Connected Although he’s moving up to the NFL, Vannett hasn’t forgotten his roots. During breaks from working out in California in preparation for the draft, Vannett made several visits to Westerville Central and met with students such as Benny Snell, who will play football at the University of Kentucky and also dreams of playing professionally. “I’m always watching (Vannett) and I’m really inspired,” Snell says. “That’s my dream and it’s going to take a lot of hard work for that to happen, so I have to put in the work now.” Vannett also has remained close with Central athletics director Andy Ey, who was at the draft party when Vannett got the call from Seattle. “He has stayed true to who he is, he doesn’t big-time people,” Ey says. “He’s still humble. He’s still hungry to keep playing. He doesn’t have to play in the NFL. He has a college degree. He’s smart, but he wants to (play professional football). He’s respectful and he doesn’t act like anything is owed to him.” An autographed photo of Vannett’s touchdown catch in the national championship game against Oregon—a gift to the school—is displayed in an awards case outside the gymnasium. The same photo also hangs in the locker room, near the sign that reads “Dream Big Dreams,” motivating current Warhawks to aim for similar goals. “At this point of my career I’m starting to become a role model,” Vannett says. “A lot more people are going to know who I am, so I have to understand that I’m always under a microscope. I want to put a positive impact on the people below me and if I can help out any way I can just to show my face and say some things to keep them motivated, I’m going to do it. This is my old home—once and always a Warhawk.” Frank DiRenna is a sportswriter for ThisWeek Community News. Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Building Business
Forging Ahead
From Uptown to Otterbein, an economic development renaissance is underway.
By Andrew King | pHOTOS BY jOSHUA a. bICKEL
F
or years, Westerville residents have seen plenty of planning, preparation and infrastructure work that promised to bring new economic opportunities to the city. Many of those developments now are coming to fruition, as a variety of projects have been completed or launched. “It’s exciting,” says Economic Development Director Jason Bechtold. “It’s a team effort. They’re all community-based projects where it takes a lot of great people to make it happen. From business to developments to the community, that alignment that we have is really special, compared to other cities even across the country. That alignment and focus on economic development is something that’s very attractive to businesses, and we’re seeing a lot of great interest in coming to the community because of that alignment.” Businesses and initiatives are springing up throughout the city, from the north side near Polaris Parkway, through the historic Uptown and into the south side. As districts develop, business leaders’ unique approaches and focuses have allowed these areas to thrive through a combination of guidance and organic growth. City officials aren’t focusing on largeor small-scale companies, but on fitting the pieces together. The momentum of each project has helped create what local officials say is one of central Ohio’s strongest business landscapes. Here’s a look at how three areas of the city are evolving.
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Uptown Westerville’s historic district has been in the midst of a renaissance. Boutiques and businesses that were run more as a hobby than a career have largely been replaced by entrepreneurial owners and up-and-coming stores and restaurants that fit more in Columbus’s Short North than in older versions of Uptown. Between 2015 and 2016, Uptown Deli and Brew, Koble Greek-Italian Grill, Asterisk Supper Club and 8 State Bistro all debuted, adding a nightlife element that brought extended hours at other businesses and a more pedestrianfriendly experience. Council Chairman Craig Treneff says Uptown is “nothing like” when he moved to Westerville in the late 1980s—in a good way. Bechtold says the new mix of businesses has changed the culture of the area. “When you see the balance of retail and restaurants integrated in the historic district of Uptown, it’s about feet on the streets,” he says. “When people drive by, they see people walking to different shops and amenities, going to dinner or picking up ice cream or popcorn and doing some shopping. Your staying power for that customer lasts a lot longer when you have a balance for people to shop and eat.” Uptown has been attractive to Northstar Café co-owner Darren Malhame for some time. The restaurateur says he’s had his eye on a Westerville location since 2009, largely because of what Uptown offers. For him, the area is a model
community. “They are, in a very real way, creating the world that we all want to live in,” he says. “No one that I know has this image of living next to a power center or something like that. That’s the reality of life and perhaps some sort of efficiency, but it’s not someplace anyone pictures themselves. Uptown is a place everyone wants to picture themselves.” Northstar will open its fourth central Ohio restaurant at 109 S. State St., joining locations in the Short North, Clintonville and Easton. Part of the new eatery sits on the site of the former Kyoto Tea House and Shinto Shrine. An opening date has not been set. Malhame says Northstar’s commitment to communities and local sourcing fit perfectly with what Uptown has created. “It was nothing as sophisticated as demographic analysis,” he says. “It was much more sort of the way we operate our restaurants and select menu items. It’s a place we want to be.” Bechtold praises city officials’ work on the Uptown Plan and their commitment to façade improvements, both of which have resulted in a districtwide willingness to invest. Making business owners aware that the city is willing to help them succeed has been important, he says. “You can see that continued reinvestment,” he says. “The foundational piece was, ‘What’s our strategy? What’s our plan to make it an effective incentive program?’ ” Malhame and other business owners have seen the benefits of that cohesive strategy. “It’s clear that the people of Westerville have worked really hard at
Building Business
“They are, in a very real way, creating the world that we all want to live in. … Uptown is a place everyone wants to picture themselves.” Darren Malhame Northstar Café co-owner
maintaining the character of that place,” he says. “Everybody I know who lives in Westerville loves it. It’s a great place to live and have a family and go to college. It’s just a really cool retail district with people who actually walk around.” The North Side From a collection of fields and empty land has sprung what could be Westerville’s most dramatic economic focus. The city is working to develop large areas off Polaris Parkway, essentially connecting the popular commercial corridor and its many amenities with the booming Medical Mile along Cleveland Avenue. The 941-acre Westar district, which was annexed into the city in 1995, will be divided into several sections, including the 62-acre Westar Place on the site of the Altair business park. The latter will be anchored by a Marriott Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center that will serve as the area’s crown jewel. In the same sector, the city—which still owns the majority of the property—hopes to capitalize on the infrastructure support of the hotel as well as nearby retail and dining to lure new businesses. “It’s on course with the vision,” Treneff says. “The vision was always primarily office jobs. You need supporting restaurants and some retail—I don’t know how much retail, we’ll see—but there’s increasing interest now in offices, which is really the vision.” The Westar Neighborhood Retail Center has drawn new businesses to the south side of Polaris Parkway between Worthington and Olde Worthington roads. Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Building Business The STEAM Innovation Center will offer startups access to office space and technology while connecting partner companies and students. Pictured in the under-construction facility are Jason Bechtold, the city’s economic development director, and Kathy Krendl, president of Otterbein University.
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Bechtold says he sees momentum growing from west to east. A variety of businesses have opened in the Westar Neighborhood Retail Center, which sits at the edge of the city limits on Polaris Parkway between Worthington and Olde Worthington roads. The Ravines at Westar apartments are under construction nearby. From there, progress has spread east toward State Street and south toward County Line Road. “You have the Ravines at Westar, the retail, the apartments; there’s a lot of great business coming into that development, as well as a great opportunity for new residents in our community,” Bechtold says. Just south of Polaris Parkway, one of the Medical Mile’s premier tenants already has taken advantage of the new space. Mount Carmel Health System has partnered with HealthSouth Corp. to build a 60,000-square-foot rehabilitation hospital at 597 Executive Campus Drive, for which ground was broken in April. Richard Streck, Mount Carmel’s executive vice president and chief clinical operations officer, credits the system’s relationship with the city as one of the important factors in its continued investment, along with favorable demographics and a growing population. “Mount Carmel St. Ann’s is the anchor health-care provider in the Westerville community, and as the Westerville community and surrounding areas continue to grow, we’re seeking to meet that growing health-care need,” he says. “As the community grows, we’ll grow with it. It’s just been a phenomenal series of developments over the last several years that has contributed to the growth. … It’s an interesting time.” Bechtold says health care is a natural fit because of the Medical Mile (see “Hot Spot,” page 18). “We want to make sure our residents and people who work here have access to health care within close distances, so we very much want to promote that,” he says. “And those momentum pieces you see … all in this corridor, having four great medical service providers in our community, really speaks volumes that this is a place to get access to that kind of care.” Retail and restaurants along Polaris Parkway also are booming, with businesses such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Mutts & Co. already at Westar Neighborhood Retail Center and 101 Beer Kitchen on the way.
COURTESY Northstar Café
A rendering of the planned Northstar Café
Co-owner John Lane opened a new Winking Lizard Tavern at 496 Polaris Parkway in April, and says the franchise has been a big success. He says the site was attractive even before he found out about Westar developments. “We’ve been known to go into spots and be able to see what’s going to happen in a few years and get in on the ground floor when there’s going to be big opportunities in the future,” he says. Even as other restaurants are drawn there, Lane says he’s happy to be in an up-and-coming area. “I always think competition is good,” he says. Campus The economic development occurring elsewhere in Westerville doesn’t stop at Otterbein University. While the city and its partners work to attract and retain companies and jobs, the university is working to bolster the business community by aiding startups and keeping young talent nearby. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a region serious about economic development that is not looking for ways to retain talent,” says Otterbein President Kathy Krendl. “If you look at the central Ohio region, we generate a lot of talented students who come out prepared to go to work. We try to make (Westerville) a place where students want to stay—where they want to live and develop their careers. … Our students are predominantly from Ohio; they want to stay in Ohio. Many of them remain in central Ohio.” University officials hope the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math Innovation Center will help foster collaborations throughout the city. The center, under construction at 60
“The vision was always primarily office jobs. You need supporting restaurants and some retail—I don’t know how much retail, we’ll see—but there’s increasing interest now in offices, which is really the vision.” Craig Treneff Westerville City Council chairman on development of the Polaris corridor
Collegeview Road, will offer startups the chance to use its space and technology, while working with partnering companies to give students real-world experience and connections. According to a feasibility study, the center is estimated to create 200 jobs with a $16 million payroll and a $3.6 million local and state tax impact in five years. Krendl says the concept grew from the Columbus 2020 initiative, Westerville’s push for an innovation corridor and the university’s existing plan to expand its systems engineering program. Bechtold calls the STEAM Innovation Center “the grand slam of economic development.” He says the center will be attractive to businesses that want to use a 3-D printer, get off the ground with office space or work with future
members of the local workforce. “The integration of Otterbein students and connecting them with Westerville companies or startup companies, whether through interning or getting their first position after college, that’s something that will be very exciting,” he says. “That’s a playbook that we look forward to working with Otterbein on and partnering on, and it can become an economic development engine for us to spur more companies and develop more competition and attract more companies.” Troy Bonte, director of facilities management and planning for the university, says the connection with Westerville is something on which Otterbein prides itself. “Building a model community is very much ingrained in the university’s values and culture,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons the partnerships with Westerville and the business leaders in the community are so important.” Krendl says the university has innovation in its blood. She says Otterbein has always emphasized partnerships, and she believes the benefits of the STEAM Innovation Center will go far beyond the businesses and students who are directly involved. “The collaboration with the city is a commitment we have in terms of (improving) this region, this city, this location,” she says, “and improving quality of life to make it a more attractive place, not just to business and industry, but to the residents themselves.” Andrew King is a reporter for ThisWeek Community News. Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Health Care
Joshua A. Bickel
Brett Justice, senior vice president of strategy and system development for Mount Carmel Health System, says accessibility is one of the key assets of the local health-care sector.
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Summer 2016 | Westerville365
Hot Spot A
catchy moniker denotes the prominence and plethora of healthcare services along Westerville’s Cleveland Avenue corridor. But the Medical Mile brings more than a memorable nickname to this suburban stretch. With a significant presence from three of Columbus’ major health-care providers—Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and OhioHealth—the industry has become a major player in Westerville’s economy. It’s development that the suburb has planned and competed for in the corridor that stretches for 2 miles along Cleveland Avenue, from Mount Carmel St. Ann’s just north of Schrock Road to OhioHealth’s Westerville Medical Campus on Polaris Parkway, just east of Cleveland. And it’s primarily driven by continued population growth in Westerville and northern Franklin and southern Delaware counties as well as an aging population, according to health-care executives and local officials. Another factor: A changing delivery model is shifting patient care away from centrally located anchor hospitals to medical facilities that offer coalesced and specialized resources in the communities where people live and work. It’s no accident, then, that the Medical Mile offers convenient access from both Interstates 71 and 270. Plus, Cleveland Avenue is a major thoroughfare that extends from downtown Columbus into Westerville. “It makes accessibility for our patients much easier,” says Brett Justice, senior vice president of strategy and system development for Mount Carmel Health System. That’s one reason Mount Carmel, Nationwide Children’s and OhioHealth have targeted growth in the health-care district, building and expanding inpatient and outpatient facilities that offer everything from surgery to heart and vascular services to orthopedics and physical therapy, specialty clinics, diagnostics and dental care. The biggest project in progress is a $22 million, 60,000-square-foot, 60-bed rehabilitation hospital set to open in the first quarter of 2017. It’s a joint venture between Mount Carmel and HealthSouth Corp. under construction on 7 acres near the southwest corner of Cleveland Avenue and Polaris Parkway. The facility will provide specialized rehabilitative care to patients affected by stroke, trauma, brain and orthopedic injuries. It will feature private rooms, an on-site therapy gym and a walking path, and will boost Mount Carmel’s
The city has capitalized on the burgeoning medical market by carving out a district for the industry. By Debbie Briner
presence in Westerville, which began with the acquisition of St. Ann’s Hospital in 1995. “We’re just continuing to expand our services in the community as the community needs them,” Justice says. Westerville officials were happy to land the new hospital. City Council in 2015 approved a 12year, 65 percent property tax abatement for the project, which was projected to save HealthSouth about $3.1 million, with the city getting about $3.9 million in net property and income taxes. Initially, the hospital should bring about 100 full-time jobs, growing to 140 jobs with an annual payroll of $8.9 million, says Jason Bechtold, Westerville’s economic development director. Those are mostly high-paying positions, he adds, averaging more than $60,000 a year. The project is another score for the suburb, whose officials have targeted health care among five growth industries. “Health care is a significant segment of the Westerville economy with hospitals, physician facilities and medical offices located in the Cleveland Avenue corridor,” Bechtold says. “We’re very focused and intentional about what our growth in Westerville is over a period of time.” The Medical Mile also is attractive to companies in other industries looking to potentially locate in Westerville, Bechtold says.
“We’re very fortunate to have three of the major hospital systems within our community and region.” Janet TresslerDavis Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
The Major Players Relatively speaking, it wasn’t all that long ago when St. Ann’s was the only game in town. Founded in 1908 on Columbus’ East Side to care for unwed mothers and orphaned infants, St. Ann’s Infant Asylum was renamed St. Ann’s Hospital for Women in 1920 when maternity care was added. In 1951, it opened a department of medicine and general surgery. It wasn’t until 1972 that the hospital treated its first male patient. St. Ann’s move to Westerville in 1984 was Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Health Care
File/Andrew King, ThisWeek
Laura Atkinson (right) and Catherine Lopienski relocated TWC Pharmacy and Wellness Center from Columbus to Westerville in 2014. driven by the same thing that influenced the facility’s major expansion a few years ago: continued population growth and the need for medical services that are more accessible to patients. That market shift also provided the impetus for Mount Carmel, Nationwide Children’s and OhioHealth to expand their presence along the Medical Mile in recent years. For example, Mount Carmel physician practices provide primary care as well as heart and vascular, neurology and neurosurgery services. Additionally, centers for breast and endocrine surgery, thoracic surgery, heart failure and anticoagulation care are located in the corridor. Cardiac and other rehabilitation services, sleep medicine and labs are available, too. In 2012, OhioHealth and Nationwide Children’s debuted major facilities of their own. OhioHealth opened the nearly 50,000-square-foot, two-story Westerville Medical Campus on Polaris Parkway, featuring the health-care system’s first freestanding emergency department. Also on-site are the outpatient Polaris Surgery Center, primary-care practices, imaging and lab services, orthopedics, ob-gyn, cardiovascular care, physical therapy and rehabilitation programs, and sleep medicine. OhioHealth’s first suburban multispecialty campus has served 20
Summer 2016 | Westerville365
as a model for additional facilities, starting with the Pickerington Medical Campus that opened in 2015. In late June, OhioHealth announced plans to build three more standalone emergency departments in 2018 in Grove City, Hilliard and Obetz. Company officials were not available for comment. Meanwhile, Nationwide Children’s Hospital also has established a strong presence. It opened a new facility in 2012, a 46,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center. Aside from operating suites, the center has medical and surgical clinics for specialty care in areas such as audiology, cardiology, neurology, otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), and speech and language pathology. The center’s opening was the most recent in a trio of facilities Nationwide Children’s has located along the Medical Mile. The first, in 2003, was a 32,000-square-foot Close to Home Center with urgent-care services. Five years later, the 23,000-square-foot Westerville Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center opened. Nationwide Children’s also offers another Close to Home Center and the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, both on Schrock Road. In 2013, Mount Carmel St. Ann’s debuted its $110 million expansion, aimed at creating a regional medical
center. Today, the hospital has close to 400 registered beds and clinical specialties such as cardiovascular care (including open heart procedures), primary stroke and women’s health centers, an orthopedics and spine unit and neurosurgery. Strong Ties The big systems’ investment has been a catalyst for other medical professionals to set up shop throughout Westerville—from dozens of private physician and dentist practices to related health-care services. When TWC Pharmacy and Wellness Center was looking to leave its location near Easton for a larger space, Westerville’s established health-care market was a deciding factor, co-owner and CEO Laura Atkinson says. “That was the main reason: the location and proximity to multiple medical facilities and health-care providers,” she says. “We looked for well over two years. “I think one of the big things is having Mount Carmel, and then of course OhioHealth putting a facility on Polaris Parkway. The benefit of them being there enhanced opportunities for ancillary medical providers to meet the need for these types of services,” she says. Atkinson and Catherine Lopienski, co-owner and vice president of
Debbie Briner is a freelance writer. ThisWeek Community News reporter Andrew King also contributed to this story.
 �
pharmacy operations, opened TWC Pharmacy in a new building on Schrock Road near State Street in late 2014. They wanted to be part of the community while offering personalized services in a throwback to the days of the independent local pharmacy. Atkinson lives in the Polaris area and is a Westerville fan. “I really like the community. We participated in a lot of the community events even prior to us being there,� she says, including with the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and Uptown’s 4th Fridays. “We like the small-town feel, but there still are the big-time opportunities,� she says. “We want to continue to grow in the community.� They have room to do so and are already in talks about possible expansion, Atkinson says, though she declines to discuss specifics yet. As an economic driver, the three health-care systems employ more than 2,700 workers and occupy nearly 800,000 square feet of office space along the Medical Mile, according to the city’s community snapshot. “The medical profession is very prominent in our community,� says chamber President and CEO Janet Tressler-Davis. “We take pride in this. We’re very fortunate to have three of the major hospital systems within our community and region.� The businesses also are civic-minded, Tressler-Davis notes. “The major institutions absolutely want to give back. They are very involved in our community.� Mount Carmel’s Justice applauds the working relationship between the health-care provider and the city. “We have a strong relationship with the management team in Westerville. It’s a pleasure working with them. It’s good to work with a group of like-minded folks who want to serve the community as much as they can and partner with them to do that.� “Just the momentum of the Medical Mile has really galvanized the city’s efforts in supporting and understanding the health-care industry,� Bechtold says. “So you’re seeing a lot more companies looking to expand here.� The corridor has earned a certain panache as well, he says: “If you have your address along the Cleveland Avenue corridor, that has a regional awareness.�
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Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Toy Story
Jerilyn Rademacher and her mother, Linda Cullison, opened Naturally Curious Kids in 2014.
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Summer 2016 | Westerville365
This mother-daughter team tapped their education backgrounds to create a play-based shop for local tots. By Justin McIntosh PHOTOS BY LORRIE CECIL
O
ne step into Naturally Curious Kids, and Anastasia Menard was hooked. “Oh, I love your store,” says the 36-year-old Clintonville mother. “I could spend hours here.” Menard recently moved to Clintonville from Brooklyn and had been looking for a toy store for her two children, Viv, 3, and Cass, 6 months. She made the trip to Westerville for a swim class and takeout from Thai Grille, and stopped in Naturally Curious Kids based on a recommendation from a friend. While Menard looks around, Viv plays in the back of the store with a dollhouse of Calico Critters (which happens to be missing, much to Viv’s chagrin, the toy toast). Though the Uptown Westerville toy store has only been open a little more than two years, owners (and motherdaughter team) Linda Cullison and Jerilyn Rademacher have experienced this scene countless times. “People come in and get it right off,” Cullison says. “They’ll stop at the door and be like, ‘I love this store,’ and they haven’t even really come in. They just looked around and immediately saw what our brand is, and our brand is natural, as organic as we can make it at least.” The key component, Rademacher says, is the “play is organic. They call it play value: The toy encourages the child to play with it, not just do something with it. They have to actually interact with the toy.” It was Rademacher’s own sons who showed her the value of this style of play. Though their father is a huge comic book fan and has countless comic and cartoon figures to play with, the two
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Naturally Curious Kids 13 E. College Ave., Westerville 614-568-8590 naturallycuriouskids.com
The shop offers a variety of toys and games, including (clockwise from top right) puzzles, Calico Critters play sets, realistic animal figures and Folkmanis Puppets.
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Summer 2016 | Westerville365
boys preferred more basic toys, often losing themselves in imaginative play for hours. And so it was, in November a few years ago, that the mother and daughter had the same reaction their customers do. They were visiting San Francisco to see Rademacher’s brother and his new baby when they found their way to a natural and organic toy store. Delighted at having found a store offering many of her grandsons’ favorite toys, Cullison turned to her daughter and offhandedly remarked how Westerville needed something like this. “And then on the plane home she’s like, ‘So, we’re doing this?’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah,’ ” Rademacher recalls. Early Expansion Soon after they got home, planning began in earnest. Cullison returned to San Francisco to scope out the store in more detail, returning with a database of potential toys to offer and companies to research. Rademacher found a template from the U.S. Small Business Administration and created a business plan. Then they started looking for storefronts in Uptown Westerville. The influx of activity and businesses gave the pair confidence that foot traffic would be substantial enough to support the store while they learned the ropes. Everything from marketing to accounting had to be learned from scratch. When they found space at 13 E. College Ave., Cullison says, “It just felt right, and the timing was good.” So good, it turns out, that the store already is set to grow. In the coming months, Naturally Curious Kids will expand to the second floor, where older kids will get their own space and a board-game library. The Netflix-like subscription service will allow members to borrow games to take home. “You can pay an annual subscription fee,” Rademacher says, “and then when you return the game on time you can get a coupon to use next month, or something like that. It’s not totally fleshed out.” Aside from the plethora of toys designed to inspire learning “without really knowing it,” Rademacher says, it’s Naturally Curious Kids’ attention to service and community building that inspire so many fans. The co-owners both have education backgrounds (Cullison is a retired schoolteacher, while Rademacher has a master’s degree in school psychology), which appeals to shoppers such as April Brehob, 35, of Westerville. In addition to being a mom, Brehob is a pre-K special needs teacher. “I shop here for the school all the time, and for my own
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Your neighborhood. Your life. 26
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children,” she says. “The toys actually hold up.” Educators from as far away as California have found the store, too. One Golden State teacher found Naturally Curious Kids online and ordered a batch of puppets; now the store is part of the school’s buying system. Beyond shaping the toy selection, Cullison taps her teaching background to hold summer classes, with themes such as story time or science, though they’re taking this year off because of the expansion. Building Loyalty The hands-on touch carries over elsewhere, too. The owners know shoppers by name and send cards to members of the birthday club. The free service sends a birthday card and $5 gift certificate to 150 members. There’s also a rewards club, delivery within 10 miles of the store and gift wrapping—all free—as well as a Christmas and birthday list service. In some respects, Cullison and Rademacher say they feel compelled to offer this level of service because of the help the community has given them. A high school friend designed the store’s logo, Cullison’s brother made the shelves and the in-store treehouse, another friend lent her accounting expertise and customers have regularly offered their own skills. Word of mouth has helped convert many shoppers into brand ambassadors of sorts. Brehob, for example, was one of the first customers, and she’s become one of its strongest allies. One day in May, Brehob mingles with Rademacher and Cullison while her children play nearby: Pearl, 2, is in the treehouse while 5-year-old Jackson fills a bin (a “real life shopping list”) with gift-giving ideas for his birthday the next week. “Jackson, our bin is already very full,” Brehob warns her son, who was bringing a large plastic animal to put into the already-brimming container. “How much is this? I hope it’s not $100,” Jackson inquires. “No, it’s not; it’s $27.99. You can put him in there, but you do realize you’re not getting everything out of here. People will look and decide what to buy you, so it’ll be a surprise.” Jackson drops the toy into the bin and rushes off to look for more. Brehob gives a two-minute warning, then turns to the store’s owners. “That is the only other problem,” Brehob says. “You can’t leave.” Justin McIntosh is a freelance writer, editor and social media marketer.
Alyssa Libby, who joined Otterbein University in May 2015, is leading a push to boost international recruiting.
Overseas Outreach Otterbein University aims to attract more international students and build a global campus. By Debbie Briner PHOTO BY Joshua A. Bickel
A
record number of international students are attending U.S. colleges and universities. And Otterbein University would like to count more of them on its rolls. But how does a small, private liberal arts school in Westerville, Ohio, compete with well-known names in sexy locations such as New York University or the University of Southern California that draw large international numbers? To make their case, Otterbein officials say the pitch rests on a few key factors: personalized learning with accessible professors in small classes, on a campus where diversity dates to its founding more than a century and a half ago. The face behind the university’s stepped-up recruiting effort is Alyssa Libby, who was hired last year as senior assistant director of international recruitment for the Office of International Admission. Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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“It’s a small liberal arts school, and the size of class really attracts me. … Otterbein is committed to helping students.” Joseph Shin student from South Korea
The Cleveland native earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University and master’s degrees in education from Loyola College in Maryland and Kent State University. She joined Otterbein in May 2015 from Ohio State University, where she was program coordinator for international admissions. Libby knows the competition is stiff. With stronger emphases on diversity and teaching skills for a global workforce, institutions of higher learning are creating environments where students can learn how they fit into the world’s larger cultural, political, religious and social contexts. “If you’re a university in today’s world, you need to be a global university,” Libby says. “One of the most important things you can do for your university is to provide diversity in your student population—students who are different than you in their culture, religion, sexual orientation.” Building sensitivity toward and appreciation for other cultures and viewpoints helps students develop tools they need to succeed in today’s world, she says. Today, record numbers of international students are traveling abroad for college. In its 2015 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the Institute of International Education reports that nearly 975,000 undergraduate and graduate students from other countries came to the U.S. for the 2014-15 academic year. That’s a 10 percent jump from the previous year and the highest growth rate in 35 years. The growth is spread across 44 states, with Ohio having one of the fastest-climbing rates, at 10 percent. It’s among five of the top 10 host states that experienced double-digit growth. Recruiting Reach Otterbein has a track record of hosting international students, albeit for shorter terms. Otterbein Semester provides a one- to two-semester experience for those who want to temporarily study and live in the U.S. The program is designed so academic work here transfers back to students’ home schools, keeping them on track to graduate. Visiting students are immersed in campus life as they live, socialize and attend class with their American counterparts. The school’s English as a Second Language program helps bridge communication barriers. And they are exposed to social and cultural events through Otterbein’s International Students Support Services office. Otterbein Semester has provided “a pretty strong international presence on campus,” Libby says. “That’s been very successful. We’ve had many different relationships with international students.” University officials wanted to strengthen that presence with a larger, more consistent international enrollment on an ongoing basis. About 100 international students are now among Otterbein’s total enrollment of 3,000. The recruitment goal? To boost that 3 percent
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benchmark to 5 percent, Libby says. Though university officials decline to discuss the cost of the initiative, the effort seems to be paying off. International enrollment has climbed by 67 percent and applications by 65 percent, Libby says. Since coming on board, “I’ve traveled quite a bit,” she says, adding that her recruiting efforts have been aided by Otterbein professors traveling abroad to connect with students, professors and administrators. “Altogether, we visited 18 different countries, and we did a lot of networking. We also attended a lot of conferences and met with college counselors all over. One of the messages we share is our commitment to diversity. Otterbein opened its doors in 1847, and it was one of the first universities to have women faculty and students,” Libby says. Otterbein also admitted African-American students before the Civil War and welcomed Japanese-American students who had been sent to internment camps during World War II. In addition to touting diversity, Libby says recruiting efforts also boast the quality of Otterbein’s academic programs, more than 70 majors and individualized education. “We have some unique majors and very caring professors on our campus who get to know students. You really get a personalized experience, no matter what you decide to study.” The campus’ location offers advantages, too, she says, with the small-town friendliness and amenities of Uptown Westerville a few blocks away and the cultural and entertainment choices of Columbus close by. Going to Uptown restaurants and events provides opportunities for members of Otterbein’s International Student Association to become acclimated to the American culture and to speaking English, says Chen Wang, who organized such outings as president of the group. Chen, 20, came to Otterbein from China two years ago to earn a business administration degree. Once on campus, he joined the association, serving as vice president his freshman year and then as president. Studying in the U.S. has been a lifelong ambition, he says. “This has been my dream since I was in elementary school.” A family friend led Chen to Westerville. “My parents know a professor here, so that’s how I know about Otterbein,” he says. Still, the transition to college life wasn’t easy. “My first year was pretty hard for me because I was not really good at English. So sometimes I cannot even understand the professor.” Chen graduated from the university’s ESL program and formed relationships with fellow students, faculty, his dorm resident assistant and others on campus to become more proficient in English. “People have been very helpful in teaching me how to write papers,” he says. A Global Campus Joseph Shin came to the United States when his mother moved here temporarily from South Korea to complete a graduate degree. “My father sent me to protect her,” he says.
Shin attended Olentangy High School for three years, and Otterbein offered him a scholarship. He started classes in 2009 but returned to South Korea to complete his mandatory military service. He came back to Otterbein in 2014 and is studying political science and economics. “It’s a small liberal arts school, and the size of class really attracts me,” he says. “It’s about 15 to 30, so I am able to have relationships with the professors. Otterbein is committed to helping students.” Living in the U.S. has come with some surprises, Shin says. “I always thought that people were very liberal compared to very conservative South Korea.” He now sees conservatism exists here, too. Luring more international students boosts on-campus diversity, which benefits everyone, says Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Otterbein’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. Students learn global competencies for a world that’s very different than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Since it’s not feasible for every student to study abroad, Martinez-Saenz says, bringing more international students to Otterbein exposes American students to other cultures. After joining Otterbein in 2014, MartinezSaenz developed an initiative called “Otterbein and the Arts: Opening Doors to the World.” The three-year effort to deepen global education launched in the 2015-16 academic year with numerous visual arts, music and other events for students, faculty and the public.
“Opening Doors is about how we use the arts as a gateway to learn about other cultures,” he says. The first year focused on the Latin American countries of Cuba and Chile. It shifts to Asia in 2016-17 and Africa in 2017-18. Libby says she enjoys interacting with prospective Cardinals. “I really love meeting with the students that I see overseas. They are typically really well-educated and they have very diverse backgrounds.” Some may attend American schools and have parents who work at an embassy or international corporation. “A lot of them are third-culture kids. They bring to Otterbein students a mix of experiences from having lived in different locations around the world.” Chen and Shin say they are happy they chose Otterbein, though they get homesick and don’t see their families often. “I’m the only child in my family,” Chen says. “In Asian countries, family is a pretty important thing. And they all miss me so bad.” Still, “I’m really thankful I can come to Otterbein.” He plans to stay in the U.S. to attend graduate school. Shin aspires to join the U.S. Army and eventually become a professor. He hasn’t seen his family since 2014. “But I try to be strong. I think I’m making a really good choice for my future.”
“Opening Doors is about how we use the arts as a gateway to learn about other cultures.” Miguel MartinezSaenz provost and vice president for academic affairs
Debbie Briner is a freelance writer.
Westerville: 444 North Cleveland Ave. Ste. 210 Westerville, Ohio 43082 Dublin: 4335 W. Dublin-Granville Road Dublin, Ohio 43017
Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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Library Notes
Not the Same Old Shhh! By Jodi L. Bumgarner
V
isited the library lately? You know, the place with dusty bookshelves, study carrels and librarians who shush you if you talk above a whisper? You may be surprised. Even though I’ve worked at the Westerville Public Library for more than eight years—in several different positions—I’m still surprised when people think that the internet has made the library obsolete. While technology gives people the capability to carry hundreds of books around on their phones, today’s libraries offer much more. The truth is, libraries have evolved to meet the needs of the community. Not only is the library a one-stop repository of knowledge, but it also is a community center where people of different backgrounds and socioeconomic status can come together. Want to use a 3-D printer or learn Somali? Get an art print to decorate your wall, grab a cup of coffee, play a video game or just just—gasp!—read a book or magazine? Patrons can do all that and more. And although the library does offer quiet study areas, shushing is kept to a minimum. Our librarians are information curators and technology specialists. But the basic purpose remains the same: to help people learn new skills and help them connect. We bring people together and continuously add access to emerging tools. During our children’s programs, the library parking lot is filled to capacity. It is a popular spot for teens to hang out after school and during the summer, and offers programs aimed especially at them. The computer lab is always occupied. We circulate more than 40,000 items—such as books, DVDs, CDs and children’s puzzles—a week. As a community resource, the library has something for everyone, and best of all, most of these resources are free with a library card.
Courtesy Westerville Public Library (2)
Patrons can check out art prints from the collection (left) or fuel up at the coffee and snack bar (above).
We even have some services patrons may not be aware of: • Do you visit the library because you don’t have internet access at home? Check out one of our hotspots and take the internet with you. • Want to encourage an introverted child to read? Make a Saturday appointment with our therapy dog and read him/her a picture book. • Staging a home you’re trying to sell? Bored with your décor? Take one of our art prints off the wall to check out for a month. • Craving a snack in the middle of a job hunt or studying for an exam? Stop by the coffee and snack bar to grab an energy drink or a fresh-baked cookie. • Rode your bike to the library? Check out a bike lock for on-site use so your ride will be here when you’re ready to go home. • Want to learn more about Pinterest or how to make money on eBay? Having trouble understanding Microsoft Office? There’s a class for that. • Do you want to learn another language or find out more about your ancestors? Find out the safety rating for a new car you’re considering? Our subscription databases offer access to Mango Languages, Ancestry.com and Consumer Reports. • Many libraries allow patrons to download audiobooks and e-books.
But the Westerville Public Library also subscribes to Freegal, a streaming music service, and Zinio, which puts popular magazines on a smartphone or tablet. Comic book or manga fan? Check out Comics Plus for hundreds of downloadable titles. • Want to be more energy-efficient? Check out an electricity usage monitor, which allows the user to measure the power consumed by household appliances and determine the actual cost. • Have a book club? Our book discussion kits contain seven copies of the book, plus an instructional guide that includes reviews, author information and discussion questions. If you don’t feel like starting your own, the library has several to choose from, including our “Page Turners” virtual book club (no meetings!). • Need something notarized? We have several notaries on staff. Just call and make a free appointment. • The library doesn’t just do high-tech. We offer a variety of craft classes, such as painting, sewing and crochet, an open chess club, ethnic cooking classes and more. Public libraries are remarkably adaptable institutions. Learning tools, services and information access are changing rapidly. So if you haven’t been to the library lately, stop by. You might be surprised.
Jodi L. Bumgarner is a coffee services associate at the Westerville Public Library. For more information about library services and programs, go to westervillelibrary.org. 30
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Healthy Living
Tips to Make School Lunches Healthy and Enjoyable By Estela Schnelle
W
hen it comes to packing a lunch for school, many parents are left scratching their heads trying to come up with ideas that are not only nutritious, but also something their children will actually eat. Lunchbox staples need to be healthy as well as tasty, visually appealing and enjoyable. Make back-to-school time stress-free with healthy ideas that both parents and kids will love. Here are a few ideas to get started: Prep fruits and vegetables. Sliced apples can be dipped in lemon water to prevent browning. Carrots, celery and bell peppers can be cut and stored in cold water in the refrigerator. Later, parents can pull out just what is needed. By taking a few extra minutes to cut up fresh fruits and vegetables instead of buying the prepackaged variety, families also can save money. Make it fun. By cutting fruits and vegetables into fun shapes or sliding them onto a stick kebab-style, kids enjoy the presentation and are more likely to eat more of them. There are cookie cutters in just about every shape and size these days. Parents can use those to cut up things such as apples or cucumbers. For younger children, try putting the food on ice pop or lollipop sticks. Find out what kids like. It’s easy to get into a rut making the same thing over and over. Try mini sweet bell peppers packed with individual packs of hummus for a new twist to incorporate more fruits and vegetables. For a quick easy trail mix, take children to the grocery store and have them pick out a few dried fruits and nuts of their choice, combined with a whole grain cereal. Or, using a wood skewer, alternate strawberries and cheddar cheese cubes.
Involve the kids in packing their own lunches. Not only is it helpful to have an extra pair of hands in the kitchen, but letting kids participate in their lunches also helps them gain valuable life skills as they grow older. They will learn patience as they wait for something to cook or for their turn to help, and math skills as they measure ingredients. Children have fun when they can be creative putting together colorful lunches. In addition, they’re more likely to try new foods when it’s something they helped prepare. Keep track of lunch choices. With busy schedules and new routines, it’s often hard to keep track of everything. Plan out lunchbox meals in advance and keep track of them. When parents think about what they’re going to make, they’re more likely to make healthier choices for the family. Find the right containers. There are a number of reusable lunch containers on the market. Many are
divided into different compartments, allowing families to customize the lunch. There are even containers that keep hot food hot and cold food cold, plus insulated totes and ice packs that help the food stay fresh. Pack lunches the night prior. Mornings seem to be a hectic time for just about everyone. Pack drinks in Thermoses, get wraps or sandwiches ready and put fruits and vegetables into containers and Courtesy METRO store them in the refrigerator. Then, in the morning, pull everything out of the refrigerator, fill the lunch tote and everyone is ready to go. Set up a lunch preparation launch pad. Designate a drawer or shelf in the kitchen to hold lunch preparation materials such as sandwich cutters, storage containers or bags, and spoons and forks. By having everything in a central location, packing a lunch is quick and easy. Plan meals around deals. Parents don’t need to be extreme couponers to save money at the grocery store. Clipping or printing coupons is a good idea, but also be sure to check the circular at the grocery store for weekly deals. If the retailer has a smartphone app, download it to see additional digital deals before going to the store. With just a little creativity and planning, families can pack healthier lunches that are tasty and keep kids fueled throughout the school day.
Estela Schnelle of WeeklyBite.com is the official dietitian for Produce for Kids, an organization that unites the produce industry to educate consumers about healthy eating and raises funds for children’s nonprofit organizations. Produce for Kids partners with retailers across the country, including Meijer in Ohio. For more information, go to produceforkids.com. 32
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Outtakes
LORRIE CECIL
Elin Olson, 4, of Westerville laughs and claps to the music during the Family Concert Series held June 22.
Last Look
T
here are always a few tough choices when it comes to picking the photos that run in the magazine. Here are a few of our other favorites from this issue.
Joshua A. Bickel
Alyssa Libby, senior assistant director of international recruitment for the Office of International Admission at Otterbein University, poses for a photo on campus.
Nick Vannett looks for running room as a University of Michigan defender goes airborne in the second half of “The Game� on Nov. 29, 2014, at Ohio Stadium. FILE/Chris RusseLl, THE Columbus Dispatch Westerville365 | Summer 2016
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