Dublin Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2013

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Chief Executive OfficerPresident/PublisherChief Creative OfficerCreative DirectorEditorContributing Editors

Contributing Writers Editorial Assistants Advertising Director Advertising Sales

Marketing/Promotions Manager Controller

614-572-1240

Charles L. Stein

Kathleen K. Gill

Dave Prosser

Christa Smothers

Lisa Aurand

Duane St. Clair Garth Bishop

Colleen D’Angelo Blaine Kelly Sarah Sole

Alex Wallace

Rose Davidson, Stephan Reed

Julie Camp

Gianna Barrett Pam HenricksMolly Pensyl

Sadie Bauer

Lynn Leitch

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The Hetherington TimesBob & Lorene HetheringtonDublin Specialists

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8 Calendar

12 faces Stitching Queen Local yarn shop is home to knitting star Michelle Hunter

15 Shoppe ‘Til You Drop The Shoppes at River Ridge boasts several new businesses

16 World Class Presidents Cup brings international spotlight to Dublin

18 in focus Holiday Heartwarmers Shop local with these touching gift ideas from Dublin-area businesses

22 Pages of the Past One of Dublin’s founding sons shares his personal and family history

25 living Winter Wonder Plants Deck the halls with festive flora

27 on the table Spilling the Beans Chili Cook-Off competitors share their cooking strategies

29 write next door Letter Writing Wrap Up Resolution to write important friends and family brings joy to many

Vol. 14 No. 6insidep12

Read More at dublinlifemagazine.com

Dec. 2012/Jan. 2013

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Memorable EventsAs you can see by the cover, the City of Dublin is

extremely proud to play host to the Presidents Cup next Oct. 1-6. The event, to be played at Muirfield Village Golf Club, will cast the international spotlight on our community.

It’s events like this – and the Memorial Tournament, the Dublin Irish Festival and all the other community gatherings throughout the year – that helped put Dublin on another worldwide stage. In September, our com-munity was honored as The Most Outstanding Global Festival & Event City in the World – for populations of one million and below – by the International Festivals & Events Association in Denver. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was recognized for populations of one mil-lion and above.

IFEA President and CEO Steven Wood Schmader noted that, “Dublin is a city that clearly recognizes the powerful role that events play in making communities not only great places to visit, but also great places to live.

“Dublin emerged as a world-class leader for the breadth of opportunities available for the community to gather; quality of festivals and events presented; outstanding parks and sports facilities; collaborative partnerships; visionary leadership and incomparable community support.”

Participation in the IFEA, like other international memberships the City enjoys, offers opportunities to exchange ideas and share best practices with com-munities around the globe.

Thanks to all who contributed to the applica-tion, including the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bu-reau, Dublin Arts Council and Dublin City Schools. To view the City’s award-winning application, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov.

In Dublin, we recognize that festivals and events con-tribute to a community’s vibrant lifestyle and economic vitality. Being named a World Festival & Event City is an award that is shared by all in our community. Thank you for making Dublin a great host city.

We look forward to rolling out the welcome mat for our guests who will be arriving from around the world to attend next fall’s Presidents Cup.

Sincerely,

Marsha I. Grigsby, City Manager

As 2012 draws to a close, we reflect on the many blessings of the past year and look forward to all the exciting events planned for 2013 – not the least of which is The Presidents Cup, coming to our City in October.

Our cover photo of central Ohio bagpiper Glenn Mackie was taken in October 2012, launching a year of preparations for this momentous event. Dublin will become the only city in the world to have hosted The Solheim Cup, The Ryder Cup and The Presidents Cup – a tremendous honor, as is being named the world’s best Festival & Event City by the International Festivals & Events Association. Read more about The Presi-dents Cup’s impact on Dublin in “World Class” on page 16.

The other stories in this issue are sure to warm your heart during these cold months as well. Curl up with a blanket as you read about Michelle Hunter, an online knitting celebrity who teaches classes at Historic Dub-lin’s Knitting Temptations. Learn the secrets of a delicious chili from the competitors in the Historic Dublin Business Association’s Chili Cook-Off. Look back on Dublin’s days of yore with Tim Sells, a descendant of the City’s founders. And check in with columnist Colleen D’Angelo as she reflects on a year of hand-writing letters to family and friends.

And don’t forget to peruse our annual Dublin Life Magazine Holiday Gift Guide, which features the best local merchants have to offer.

Slàinte,

Kathleen K. Gill President/PublisherCityScene Media Group

7Left to right: Richard S. Gerber, John G. Reiner, Mayor Timothy A. Lecklider, Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher, Vice Mayor Amy J. Salay, Cathy A. Boring, Michael H. Keenan

5200 Emerald ParkwayDublin, Ohio 43017614.410.4400www.DublinOhioUSA.gov

2012 Dublin City Council

Sandra Puskarcik, ABCDirector of Community RelationsCity of Dublin

Photo by Matt Sullivan


Through Dec. 21 Dublin Chamber and NextGen Dublin Food & Coat Drive Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 129 S. High St., www.dublinchamber.org

Drop off food and clothing donations at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce during office hours or at any Dublin Chamber or NextGen Dublin event. Items will be donated to Wel-come Warehouse and Dublin Food Pantry.

Through Jan. 1 Wildlights 5-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., www.colszoo.org

Join the animals for one of central Ohio’s favorite holiday traditions. The thousands of lights are efficiently powered by AEP Ohio, and a brand new holiday light show will take place each night on Conservation Lake.

Dec. 1 The Nutcracker 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Rd., www.dublinohiousa.gov

Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics puts on two performances of the traditional holiday ballet. The show is recommended for children ages 4 and up. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.

Dec. 1 Chili Cook-Off 1-4 p.m., Historic Dublin, www.historicdublin.org

You are the judge at this tour of six local es-tablishments, all competing for the title of Best Chili in the City. A $5 ticket gets you a taste of chili at all six locations: Brazenhead Irish Pub, Tucci’s, Mezzo, J. Liu, La Chatelaine and the Dublin Village Tavern.

Dec. 2 Turtle Time 2 p.m., Glacier Ridge Metro Park, 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., www.metroparks.net

Meet more than 30 different critters with the Turtle Lady at the park’s maintenance shop.

Dec. 2 Dwight Lenox 3 p.m., Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Rd., www.dublinohiousa.gov

Join Columbus’ premier jazz artist as he sings favorite holiday hits. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.

Dec. 4-13 Dine with Santa 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Columbus

Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., www.colszoo.org

Children can meet Santa and have up-close animal encounters at the zoo’s activity pavilion when they attend this kid-friendly dinner. Space is limited, so order your tickets online in ad-vance. Cost is $20 for zoo members or $30 for non-members, with zoo admission included.

Dec. 6-15 A Christmas Carol Thursdays through Saturdays, Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Rd., www.dublinohiousa.gov

Delight in a holiday classic with this hour-long version of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale from Abbey Theater. The show is recommend-ed for ages 4 and up, and tickets are $7 for adults or $5 for children and seniors.

Dec. 8 Jack Hanna’s Home for the Holidays featuring Santa Paws 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., www.colszoo.org

Those who bring an approved animal enrich-ment item from the zoo’s online list receive one free admission to Wildlights. In the evening, Han-na gives two special presentations accompanied by his animal friends at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.

Dec. 9 The Dublin Singers Christmas Concert 3 p.m., St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church, 7179 Avery Rd., www.dublinsingers.org

The local singing group presents its annual holiday show, this year titled Here We Come A-Caroling.

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CommunityCalendar

Jan. 7 Be a Quitter: Freedom from Smoking 6-7 p.m., Dublin Branch Library, 75 N. High St., www.dublinohiousa.gov

Join this presentation to learn about the process of quitting tobacco use. Included will be discussions on the hazards of nicotine use and the benefits of quitting, as well as lifestyle changes that make quitting easier.

Jan. 8-Feb. 22 Char Norman: Forest Remnants Dublin Arts Council gallery, 7125 Riverside Dr., www.dublinarts.org

Fiber artist and Columbus College of Art & Design Dean of Faculty Char Norman uses natural relics in each of her sculptures.

Through this exhibit, Norman aims to increase appreciation and respect for the environment. A free opening reception is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8.

Jan. 10 Metro Five-0: Level 3 Winter Birding 2 p.m., Glacier Ridge Metro Park, 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., www.metroparks.net

Those ages 50 and up may catch a glimpse of hawks, owls and other winter birds while getting some exercise on this 2-mile hike. Bring your own binoculars or use extras provided by the park.

Jan. 16-March 20 The Leadership Academy 2013 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Dublin Chamber of

Commerce, 129 S. High St., www.dublinchamber.org

Designed for young business professionals, this annual academy offers six sessions of valu-able information to help you strengthen your career, community involvement and profes-sional skills. The sessions are taught by area experts and offer a great chance to connect with other young professionals. Register online at www.dublinchamber.org/leadership.

Jan. 27 Owls! Time TBA, Glacier Ridge Metro Park, 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., www.metroparks.net

The Ohio Wildlife Center brings live owls to visit with participants. After the presentation, attendees set out on a 1-mile hike to listen for

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Photo by G. Jones, courtesy of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium


Dec. 13 District Open House 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Historic Dublin, www.historicdublin.org

If you’re still struggling with gift ideas, browse Historic Dublin’s shops and stores dur-ing this event, part of the Holly Days festivities. Free trolley rides through the district will be available from 6-8 p.m.

Dec. 22 Colo’s Birthday Celebration 11:15 a.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., www.colszoo.org

Colo, the world’s oldest zoo gorilla, is turn-ing 56. To honor her big day, she and the other gorillas will be given a special cake to celebrate the occasion. Watch the great apes chow down and enjoy a slice of birthday cake handed out by the zoo, while supplies last.

Dec. 24-Jan. 4 Winter Break for Dublin City Schools

Dec. 30 Winter Walk and Woof 2 p.m., Glacier Ridge Metro Park, 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., www.metroparks.net

Bring your canine companion to the park for a 2.5-mile hike through the forest and fields.

the calls of a barred owl. Advance registra-tion is required.

Jan. 28 Spring Literacy Program Volunteer Training 11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Riverside Elemen-tary School, 3260 Riverside Green Dr., www.dublinchamber.org

Dublin Chamber and Dublin City Schools have formed the NextGen Dublin Literacy Program, which works with first-graders to improve reading and comprehension skills. To kick-start the program, new volunteers are asked to attend this training session, where lunch will be provided. The program runs Jan. 28-March 22.

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fa ces STORY AND PHOTOS BY L ISA AURAND

StitchingQueenLocal yarn shop is home to knitting star Michelle Hunter

MMICHELLE HUNTER might not get recog-nized walking down the street in central Ohio, but in the world of knitting, she’s a celebrity.

Hunter travels the country teaching the ancient art of knitting at conventions – and right here in Dublin at Knitting Temp-tations on South High Street. Her book, Building Blocks, is sold at about 2,000 independent yarn shops all over the Unit-ed States and Canada.

But Hunter’s biggest presence is on the internet. Her website, KnitPurlHunter.com, draws thousands of beginners and long time enthusiasts, who come to read

her blog and view the instructional videos she’s posted. Her videos have more than 1.3 million views on YouTube alone.

She didn’t start out as a knitting whiz. Hunter’s grandmother taught her to knit at age 6, but it didn’t become her passion until much later. “It was something I did on and off when I went to Grandma’s house,” Hunter says.

She grew up in the Cleveland area and earned her bachelor’s degree at Miami University, where she met her husband, Don. The couple and their chil-dren moved to the Dublin area 22 years ago when Don’s job transferred him to

Columbus. Daughters Megan, Colleen and Shelia Hunter – now 27, 25 and 23, respectively – all at-tended Dublin City Schools, and Hunter taught elementary and preschool.

Her second career as a knitting maven didn’t begin until after Knitting Temptations debuted in its current form in Historic Dublin in 2003. Prior to that, Hunter’s creativity took many forms, including cross stitch, sewing and needlepoint.

Knitting Temptations owner Karen Wilkin-son quickly recognized Hunter’s talent.

“Michelle was one of my customers, and she took a class or two and she just took off all by herself,” Wilkinson said. “She spent a lot of time here and de-signed some patterns.”

Soon, Hunter was teaching classes herself.

“She has a real gift for simplifying knitting and making it much more under-standable to the average knitter,” Wilkin-son says.

“Teaching knitting classes just seemed natural,” Hunter says. “I’m very fortunate because I get to combine my hobby with my passion, which is teaching.”

For the Block a Month Club, the class that eventually became her book, Hunter developed a curriculum that takes the beginner through a host of basic skills. Once completed, the student will have created a beautiful 12-block afghan.

“People just flock to her classes. When she started Block a Month, it was really clear that we were going someplace,” Wilkinson says.

The class became so popular that yarn and needle distributor Skacel Collection, Inc. took notice.

“The woman who took the orders from Skacel said, ‘What do you have going on there that you keep ordering the same supplies?’” That question got Michelle a meeting with Skacel’s owner, Karin Ska-cel, at the National NeedleArts Summer Convention, held in Columbus each June.

“We hit it off and (Skacel) said, ‘I want to publish this. I want you to do things for our company,’” Hunter says. “So that’s how I went from little Dublin, Ohio to the national scene.”

The process of putting the book to-gether took about 18 months. Building Blocks was released in January 2011.

Like her classes, the lessons in the book are supported by Hunter’s vast on-line library of instructional videos, pro-duced by Dublin resident Matt Kubic. The videos of Hunter demonstrating tech-niques were born out of what she saw as a need for her students. “People always say, ‘Sure, I understand it. I get it,’ and then they go home and when they need

Michelle Hunter


to use that technique two weeks or two months later, they forget about it,” Hunt-er says. Hunter’s website and YouTube channel now have more than 100 free knitting instructional videos.

Teaching knitting and meeting other knitting enthusiasts gives Hunter fulfillment that she never expected she would have.

“I feel like now that my children are grown that this is my time to have this whole second career that I never had be-fore,” she says. “I feel like a late bloom-er, in a good way.”

She travels to conventions all over the U.S., teaching classes, doing dem-onstrations for Skacel and enjoying the company of others with the same interest in knitting. Her typical convention attire includes a pair of colorful tights, knitted over the course of two years from the yarn she had left over from various proj-ects (mostly socks). They’re definitely a conversation starter, she says.

“I’ve met and have worked with so many great people. (In a class, you have) 20 to 30 women from all different walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds and when they all get together knitting, that all goes away and they just become one delightful group,” Hunter says.

Knitting also connects people with older generations, which is the reason the logo for KnitPurlHunter.com has a retro feel.

“Most people learned it from someone like their grandmother or their mother and it makes them feel connected to that person,” Hunter says. “One knitter made a pair of socks with one of my online classes and ended up burying her aunt

Wishing you a tangle-free holiday.

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Michelle Hunter helps a student during a vest knitting class at Knitting Temptations.

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in them because her aunt was the one who taught her to knit.”

Building Blocks is dedicated to Hunt-er’s grandmother, who’s now 96. “I’m just so grateful that she gave me this gift, that I was able to dedicate it to her and that she could see it,” Hunter says.

What little spare time Hunter has is also filled with knitting. She takes it ev-erywhere, from the doctor’s office and sporting events to Presidential rallies and the beach. “What’s nice about it is you can take it anywhere,” Hunter says.

For those who may have learned to knit as children or don’t feel they have much skill, she has words of encouragement.

“I think that anybody can become a better knitter. Some are fast and some just plow through, but they get the job done,” Hunter says. “What’s great about knitting is that there are people who just want to knit a plain scarf and that’s all they ever want to do, but it makes them really happy. It relaxes them. There’s something about fiber running through your fingers that is relaxing and very therapeutic.”

There are rumors that Hunter has an-other book in the works, but neither she nor the Knitting Temptations staff is speaking up just yet.

“Keep an eye on her because she’s going to keep going,” Wilkinson says.

Lisa Aurand is editor of Dublin Life Magazine. Feedback welcome at [email protected].

The tights Hunter knitted from sock remnants are a big hit at knitting conventions.


IIT’S HARD TO miss the Shoppes at River Ridge. New, larger signage and dis-tinctive stone walls signal to shoppers that they’ve arrived at their destination – a cluster of high-end shops on West Dublin-Granville Road.

The signs aren’t the only things that have changed about the upscale retail strip. The Shoppes at River Ridge has seen increasing success and economic prosperity since Miami-based Mast Capital and Rok Acquisitions took own-ership of the center in December 2011.

The Shoppes was built in June 2007, but saw little development.

“(The center) has struggled in the past,” says Camilo Miguel, Jr., CEO of Mast Capital. “It was hard for it, con-sidering … it was in a foreclosure for a really long time.”

Tenants could not be brought in be-cause the center was in foreclosure, and decisions by the bank and the own-er further complicated matters, Miguel explains. But now that Mast has taken over, he has high hopes that the center will fulfill its potential.

“There are a lot of good drivers to jus-tify the success of this property,” Miguel says. “We’re excited about it. We’ve gotten a tremendous amount of posi-tive feedback from the community and we’ve done a pretty decent job of tak-ing the certain tenants that we want in

there and being patient with the tenants that we want going forward.”

Among the center’s current attractions are retail clothing shops LOFT and Jos. A. Bank, high-end hair and nail salon Polished, and women’s accessories boutiques Audacious and Bliss, as well as Koko FitClub, a tech-savvy gym, which opened in October.

“It’s in the heart of Dublin, so it’s easy access. There are 93,000 people within several miles. There’s a ton of business,” says Brad Root, owner of the Shoppes at River Ridge Koko FitClub.

Three new tenants are opening their doors in time for holiday shopping: Posh! Nail Co., a salon offering more than 40 services; White Dress Bou-tique, a high-end bridal store; and The Pint Room, an upscale pub serving more than 100 beers.

Bruegger’s Bagels and Montgomery Inn bring a dining component for visi-tors to enjoy. Montgomery Inn is known nationally as the “ribs king” and overlooks the Scioto River, attract-ing local families and couples.

Dublin City Council recently cleared the way for the Wen-dy’s at the intersection of West Dublin-Granville Road and Riv-erside Drive to move up the hill into an undeveloped lot near the entrance of the Shoppes at River Ridge.

In addition to the merchants and res-taurants, Miguel says, visitors are also attracted to the architecture of the cen-ter, which is intended to complement buildings in nearby Historic Dublin. A water retention pond and fountains add interest and appeal.

“It’s a beautiful center. Aesthetically, it looks really nice. We’ve been able to improve the signage on the street and put up a new sign, attracting a lot of attention,” Miguel says.

Mast pictures the Shoppes at River Ridge as a smaller, local shopping al-ternative to other high-end centers in central Ohio.

“You have some good food and bev-erage options here, LOFT and other fashion tenants as well as beauty, hair care and spa/salons,” Miguel says.

Alex Wallace is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@city scenemediagroup.com.

Shoppe ‘Til You Drop

BY ALEX WALLACE

The Shoppes at River Ridge boasts several new businesses


T

BY SANDRA PuSkARCik, Director of Community Relations, City of Dublin

World Class

The Presidents Cup is a biennial golf tournament designed to give the world’s best non-European golfers an opportuni-ty to compete in international team com-petition. Fred Couples will captain the U.S. team, while Nick Price will captain the International team.

As host community, Dublin will be-come the only city in the world to have hosted The Solheim Cup, The Ryder Cup and now The Presidents Cup – and all at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

2013 marks the 10th year for The Presidents Cup, and Muirfield Vil-lage Golf Club will become the third U.S. course where the event has been played. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, Va., hosted in 1994, 1996 and 2000, and in 2009, the event took place at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco.

“The excitement for The Presidents Cup will no doubt build throughout the year,” said Dan Sullivan, The Presidents Cup tournament director. “For the past 38 years, Muirfield Village Golf Club has partnered with the City of Dublin to stage the world-renowned Memorial Tournament.

“Now, in 2013, we will not only have the opportunity to work with Dublin to stage the Memorial, but will have the pleasure of partnering to host The Presi-dents Cup. Jack Nicklaus envisioned Muirfield Village Golf Club as a place that represented his love for the game of golf, but also a place that could bring tremendous value to Dublin and the Co-lumbus region through the hosting of in-ternational events. Jack’s role in growing the prominence of The Presidents Cup is unquestioned, and we are fortunate that we will be able to contribute to his

legacy by hosting the 2013 event. Next October will be an incredible opportu-nity to showcase our great community and witness a spectacular international golf competition.”

Unlike at many other events, Presi-dents Cup players do not receive prize money based on performance. Instead, the PGA TOUR pledges to contribute to charities nominated by the players, cap-tains and captains’ assistants from both teams. Since 1994, contributions have totaled more than $27 million.

Economic impact and Exposure

The PGA TOUR and Muirfield Village Golf Club expect the total community im-pact to include more than 150,000 golf fans in attendance, contributing $50 million in economic impact to the re-gion. There is a potential for 10,000 to 12,000 hotel room nights to be booked during the week.

The Presidents Cup will attract more than 600 domestic and international media representatives. The event will be broadcast to a national and internation-al audience of 200 countries and ter-ritories over 16 international television networks through 26 hours of live golf coverage over four days to 600 million households.

Events such as The Presi-dents Cup not only put Dublin in the international spotlight, they also provide additional benefits through travel and tourism, business development, and image enhancement.

This was evident when the City of Dublin was one of several cities to receive a

World’s Best Festival & Event City award from the International Festivals & Events Association. The City was one of two in the world to receive The Most Outstand-ing Global Festival & Event City. Dublin was honored for our collaborative com-munity efforts, our world-class parks and amenities, and the internationally rec-ognized Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. We also were acknowledged for events like the Memorial Tournament and the renowned Dublin Irish Festival and also for our ability to bring tourna-ments like The Presidents Cup to town.

Community involvementAs excitement builds for the event, the

City of Dublin has hosted town hall meet-ings to get input from residents, business-es and community organizations on the best way to roll out the welcome mat and showcase Dublin, Greater Colum-bus and the State of Ohio as a world-class destination.

The City is developing a number of complementary event concepts that could be held in conjunction with The Presidents Cup, in order to replicate the kind of energy that Dublin is famous for during the Irish Festival.

Some of the initial ideas that have been presented focus on Dublin’s reputa-

THE COUNTDOWN has begun! Next Oct. 1-6, the eyes of the world will be upon Dublin as international golfers tee it up at Muirfield Village Golf Club for The Presidents Cup 2013.

Presidents Cup brings international spotlight to Dublin

Dublin City Council with the Presidents Cup

tion as a hospitable commu-nity as well as a community that is proud to showcase green space, public art and overall vibrancy. You will see enhanced gateway features, international flags and more.

An ambassador program will be available through a partnership with the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bu-reau. Presidents Cup lapel pins, official flags and mer-chandise will be available for purchase. And on Thursday, Oct. 3, the focus will be on Dublin – be-yond Muirfield Village Golf Club – as we have been given the opportunity to create events, programs and ac-tivities as part of the week’s formal off-course activities.

Trophy TourAs part of the official launch and

celebration, The Presidents Cup 2013 Trophy Tour began in October at BriHi Square in Historic Dublin. Residents and visitors joined Dublin City Council and PGA TOUR officials to hear about the tournament and take photos with the trophy.

The trophy has made stops at Ohio Stadium during an Ohio State Uni-versity football game and traveled to Denver, where the City of Dublin was honored as the World’s Best Festival &

Event City by the International Festivals & Events Association in September.

The trophy tour will also include stops at the Emerald Celebration, the State of the City Address, the St. Pat-rick’s Day Parade and more.

Spotlight on Dublin“Next year, the spotlight of the

world of golf once again will shine brightly on Muirfield Village Golf Club while showcasing the City of Dublin and the State of Ohio,” Mayor Tim Lecklider said. “We are proud to welcome The Presidents Cup to our community, and invite ev-eryone to join us in experiencing the excitement, the majesty and the pres-tige that surround this global event.”

For more information, visit www.DublinOhioUSA.gov or www.Presi-dentsCup.com.

17

Sandra Puskarcik is the director of community relations for the City of Dublin, a position she has held for 22 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State Univer-sity and is an Accredited Business Com-municator.

Puskarcik works with a creative team of professionals who are responsible for the City’s media and resident relations, public information, issues management, websites and social media, multimedia and video production, citywide market-ing and brand management, and opti-mization. During her first two decades with Dublin, Puskarcik served as the di-rector of the Dublin Irish Festival. She also is credited with creating the format for the community’s Independence Day Celebration.

Puskarcik shares her appreciation and passion for Dublin and the Irish community by serving on the boards of the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bu-reau and the Greater Columbus Irish Cultural Foundation. She also serves on the Dublin Schools Business Advisory Council, the Central Ohio Safe Ride Committee and the Steering Committee of the 2013 Presidents Cup, and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.

One of her proudest moments as a public servant was the opportunity to work with veterans and community members on the creation of the Grounds of Remembrance in Veterans Park.

Sandra Puskarcik

The Wendy’s Company

March 14State of the City Address

March 16St. Patrick’s Day Parade

May 27-June 22013 Memorial Tournament

July 4Independence Day Celebration

Aug. 2-426th Annual Dublin Irish Festival

Oct. 1-6The Presidents Cup

Oct. 24Halloween Spooktacular

Dec. 5Christmas Tree Lighting

2013 Dublin EventsMark Your

Calendar!

Presidents Cup Executive Director Matt Kamienski


i n fo cus

Holiday Heartwarmers

Shop local with these touching gift ideas from Dublin-area businesses

Decorations by Design Personalized ornaments from Baker’s Village Garden Center give any holiday tree a unique touch, and with more than 3,000 options, you’ll be sure to find a perfect match. Choose from the variety of careers, hobbies, sports, babies, kids’ activities, marriage and family orna-ments available for under $20. Personaliza-tion is free. www.bakersvillagegardencenter.com

Snowy SparkleThese dazzling holiday-themed Swarovski Crystal earring kits from 1 Stop Bead Shop are sure to impress friends, family, teach-ers and co-workers. Choose from trees, angels or snowmen earrings priced from $8-$12. www.1stopbeadshop.com

Stylish SpiritShow off school spirit with a chic watch. Stainless steel Kameleon watches from Simply Rr’s feature interchangeable charms, such as the Ohio State University ones seen here. Choose from black or silver metal. Prices range from $249-$329. www.simplyrrs.com

Holiday EscapeTreat a frazzled friend or family member to Woodhouse Day Spa’s signature escape, a full-body massage with five specialized treatments. The bamboo body scrub detoxifies the skin and is followed by a relaxing hot stone massage, then a neck, shoulder and scalp mas-sage with wild lime. The experience closes with reflex-ology performed on the feet. The 110-minute treatment is $200. www.woodhousecolumbus.com

Suave SalonThe holidays are stressful for men, too. Reward the man in your life with services from Modern Male. Choose from several salon packages ranging from $75-$220 or design your own package; choose three or more services and receive 10 percent off the services’ prices. www.modernmalespas.com


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Cuddly CreaturesKeep the babies in your life cute and cozy this winter with custom-ized baby hats from Blankets and Booties. Choose from an assort-ment of hat designs, such as owl, teddy bear, flower and cupcake, and an array of colors. Prices range from $15-$18. www.blanketsandbooties.com

Pampered PalsGive the relaxing gift of an all-inclusive pack-age from Jacobsen’s Skin and Body Care. The Pamper Me package includes a spa pedicure, a 60-minute massage and a Eu-ropean facial. This 3.5-hour package retails for $210 but is on sale for a limited time for $175. www.jacobsensdublin.com

Oh, So CharmingNew Alex and Ani charm bracelets sold at Auda-cious Boutique bring personalized flair to holiday gifting. The bracelets are eco-friendly and adjust-able and are available with a variety of charms, including, sports teams, birthstones, sororities, quotes and more. Single charm bracelets range from $24-$32. www.audaciousboutique.com

Cruisin’Send your loved one on a vacation of a lifetime with a travel gift certificate from Cruise One. Featured destina-tions include the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe and Alaska. Gift cer-tificates are available in any denomi-nation. www.dublincruisestore.com

A Perfect FitGive a healthy boost to start the New Year with a one-month unlimited automated per-sonal training certificate from koko FitClub for $79.99. Each machine at Koko is pro-grammed to patrons’ individualized training programs. www.dublinoh.kokofitclub.com.

Pet PlacematsA pet’s “kitchen table” can be more than just a dish on the floor with one of these custom dog and cat bowl mats from k.A. Menen-dian Rug Gallery. Cat rugs are $45; dog rugs are $45 or $75, depending on size. www.karugs.com

19


A Dickens of a GiftRoush Hardware sells much more than just hardware – a look at its gift area proves that. These Department 56 collectibles, ranging from $50-$200, are enjoying enormous popularity as holiday decorations. www.roushhardware.doitbest.com

We Have Something for Everyone on Your List & Everything You Need to

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Gift DepartmentChristmas DepartmentWorxSports Memorabilia College & NFLStihlDept. 56Weber Grills & AccessoriesAnnalee Collectables

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Z Bearla’sFun & Unique Gifts

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Holiday Heartwarmers

Warmth o’ the IrishBundle up with Mucros Weaver scarves from Ha’Penny Bridge im-ports. Each unique scarf is handmade in Ireland. Prices start at $65.www.hapennybridgeimports.com

Smooth MovesWith one month of fitness classes or one month of ballroom dancing for $50 from Just Dance Ohio, the dancers in your life can shake what you gave them. Classes include Booty Barre, Zumba and Cardio Hip Hop. www.justdanceohio.com

Cold FeetA gift card from The Chiller makes a great stocking stuffer. Chiller gift cards are available in any amount, never ex-pire and can be used on public skates, as well as skating and hockey classes. www.thechiller.com

Tasty TreatsGingerbread houses from Our Cupcakery make delightful hostess gifts and will serve as delicious centerpieces for holiday meals. The creative confections start at $89 for a standard build. Contact the store for custom creations. www.ourcupcakery.com

Super BowlsDecorative scented wax bowls from Z Bearla’s in Historic Dublin scent up to 1,200 square feet and last forever, with no burning involved. Bowls range from $23.95-$25.95. 614-760-7066


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The Eyes Have ItDesigner sunglasses are sure to delight the fashion-conscious person in your life. Em-erald Eye Care carries brands including Maui Jim’s, a premium line of polarized sunglasses. www.emeraldeyecare.net

Hometown PrideGive the gift of green with Dublin, Ohio gear from The 1810 Shop in the City Hall Community Relations office at 5200 Emerald Pkwy. On holiday special this month is a gift package including a scarf, “It’s Greener in Dublin” water bottle and lightweight backpack for $20. Get a free “It’s Golf in Dub-lin” T-shirt with $20 purchase while supplies last. www.DublinOhioUSA.gov

More Than Skin DeepTreat yourself, family and friends to a relaxing and healthy holiday season. Introduction to Acupunc-ture with Patricia A. Stafford, MD at Wellness ReSolutions starts at $95 for a 60 minute session. www.wellness-resolutions.com/gift

Fore the GolferGet your swing on with a Full Golf Membership at The Country Club at Muirfield Village for the price of a Social Membership until April 30. Membership includes complete access to the golf course, food by Certified Master Chef Enzo Sclama, social events, fitness center, and tennis courts for $228 per month. www.tccmv.com


FFEW CAN BOAST a family tree that in-cludes both the founder of a city and the founder of a well-known circus.

Tim Sells always knew he wanted to write. He also knew he wouldn’t have to search for subject material.

“I knew that I had the richest resource material right at my very fingertips be-cause I came from an extremely unusual family,” the 63-year-old says.

Weaving a mostly humorous narrative describing a rich family tapestry, Sells’ new book When Dublin Wasn’t Doublin’ chronicles the beginnings of the City of Dublin, the Sells Brothers’ Circus and the many, in Sells’ words, “magical” and “mystical” characters who made their home on the Sells family farm.

“There was always a circus on the farm,” Sells says. It was not uncommon for fist fights to break out among the boys during family reunions, he recalls. Writing about his aunts and uncles, Sells says, he often laughed so hard he cried.

Sells can trace his ancestry back to his four-times great grandfather, Ludwick Sells, who moved to the area around 1800. His three-times great grandfather, John Sells, founded Dublin in 1810. A man who was worried more about money than fame, John Sells let his surveyor name the town in honor of Dublin, Ireland.

The Sells family farm, located on Riv-erside Drive just south of Martin Road, was originally granted to Sells’ ancestors John Davis and Ann Simpson Davis for their Revolutionary War service. Sells’ father, Bob, grew up on the farm, the youngest of 15 children. In the 1970s, the family sold the land to the company that developed Friendship Village.

For author Sells, writing the book was a cathartic experience, a way to embrace family eccentricities he wanted to escape in his youth during the 1950s and 60s. As a boy, Sells sought out normalcy in other neighborhood families and was, in

a sense, raised by a village. In his stories, he pays homage to these caretakers.

Part of Sells’ book describes his own childhood in Dublin, where he was raised by his father, Bob. Bob was often physically abusive to his wife, Darline. As a child, Sells used to pray that someone would come to his home and intervene.

“When you write about it, it’s very painful,” Sells says.

The more difficult memories of Sells’ childhood are absent from the book. In-stead, Sells recalls happier times with his father spent on the Scioto River. His fa-ther built a raft, the African Queen, which became a sort of metaphor of love for the young Sells. The hand-welded craft, which Sells compares to a prehistoric pontoon boat, had a couch and a roof.

“It was genius,” he says. In putting these and other memories

into words, Sells was able to embrace his love for his father. His work was therapeu-tic, helping him come to terms with the good and the bad childhood memories.

“Once I realized how deep my love re-ally was for my dad, then I was free,” he says. “Then I could really, really jump into these stories and make them come alive.”

Sells also delves into his own lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder, which he says motivated him to write the book. He wanted to show others like him that their health could be restored.

“Everybody lives with limitations,” he says. “Nobody’s perfect.”

Sells served in the U.S. Army for near-ly two years before he was honorably discharged in August of 1973. At 23 years old, he had an attack of mania and was diagnosed as bipolar.

Pages of the PastBY SARAH SOLE

The Hutchinson Hotel, at the intersection of Bridge Street and High Street, was built in 1835 by City of Dublin founder John Sells, Tim Sells’ great-great-great grandfather, as a wedding present to his daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Zenas Hutchinson. Hutchinson was Dublin’s first mayor. The building now houses a Donatos Pizza.


One of Dublin’s founding sons shares his personal and family history

The book’s title actually came from Sells’ hospital stay at Mt. Carmel in Co-lumbus in 1973. Sitting in a psychiatric ward, Sells began speaking with a nun who had arrived to visit with the patients. When Sells acknowledged that she probably hadn’t heard of his hometown of Dublin, the nun said otherwise.

“Everybody knows that Dublin’s doublin’ every day,” Sells quotes her as saying.

He would remember the story years later when he began writing his book in 2010.

A father of two and still married to his wife of 25 years, Debbie, Sells says he has the disorder under control by moni-toring his lifestyle. He doesn’t drink alco-hol, for example, and he makes sure to get enough rest. In the epilogue of his book, Sells credits his faith in God and the continued support of his wife with keeping him mentally healthy.

Sells’ editor, Don Rose, became in-volved with Sells’ book in March 2012, when he heard Sells read an excerpt of his manuscript at a Dublin Historical So-ciety meeting. His interest in the narrative led him to assist Sells with research and editing the manuscript.

Author Tim Sells watches the Ringling Bros. elephants parade through “Sellsville,” the winter home of the

Sells Brothers Circus, which was between Fifth Avenue and King Avenue, west of the Olentangy River.

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“I read it from cover to cover,” says Rose, also a Dublin native.

The book ended up receiving fund-ing through the U.S. Department of Vet-erans Affairs to print 200 copies. Sells purchased 40 additional copies himself. The books are being sold at a variety of retail outlets in Historic Dublin.

Despite Sells’ personal challenges, he says his book is meant to bring a smile to readers’ faces.

“They’re innocent stories. They’re stories you can read to your grandkids,” he says.

Sarah Sole is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@city scenemediagroup.com.

Where to Buy When Dublin Wasn’t Doublin’Biddie’s Coach House: 76 S. High St.

Dublin Barber Shoppe: 24 S. High St.

The Dublin Village Tavern: 27 S. High St.

Hair Smiths of Dublin: 50 S. High St

Ha’penny Bridge Imports: 75 S. High St.

Morgan House: 5300 Glick Rd.

Roush Hardware: 373 W. Bridge St.

David A. Bennett, D.D.S.

Where Old-Fashioned

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l i v i n g PHOTOS BY L ISA AURAND

Wonder PlantsDeck the halls with festive flora

YYOU’vE GOT THE LIGHTS, the wreaths, the gar-lands, the tinsel, the mistletoe, the tree. You’ve got all the fixings to get the house ready for the holidays.

But if you want to breathe some new life into your seasonal décor, consider decking the halls with some holiday houseplants from these Dublin-area retailers.

Winter

1. Ivy topiaries, like this one from Oakland Nurseries and reindeer topiaries from Baker’s Village Garden Center, are great for decorating because they come in so many shapes.

1

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2. This potted rosemary, a fantastic herb for cooking and baking, from Cedarbrook Landscaping and Garden Center comes wrapped with a strand of LED lights.

3. Perennial greenhouse cyclamen, available at Baker’s, are known for their gorgeous blooms. Keep one in an east-facing window for bright, indirect light and you’ll be able to enjoy its flowers for winters to come.

4. Club mosses, available at Oakland Nurseries, come in a variety of colors – and no combination is as holiday-appropriate as the green-and-red moss.


6. Why limit yourself to trees? Christmas Cacti, sold at Oakland Nurseries and Strader’s Garden Center, can’t be loaded with tinsel, but will flower just in time for Christ-mas and spruce up any room.

7. Add a tropical touch to your Yuletide décor with a Norfolk Island Pine, available at both Oakland and Strader’s. These festive plants are popular alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree.

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5. Maidenhair ferns are the most popular ferns sold at Baker’s Village Garden Center. They’re a great choice for indoor hanging baskets.

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S

on the table BY BLAiNE kELLY

SIx UNIQUE CHILIES, three judges and hundreds of hungry patrons all converge Dec. 1 for the Historic Dublin Business Association’s annual Chili Cook-Off.

For the second year, restaurants compete for the Chili Cook-Off title: defending overall winner Brazenhead, defending people’s choice winner La Chatelaine, the Dublin Village Tavern, Mezzo, Tucci’s and J. Liu.

The Chili Cook-Off gives local restaurants a chance to experiment with new flavors and cooking methods. Perhaps most importantly, it gives the restaurants a chance to attract new customers and compete for the bragging rights of Historic Dublin’s best chili.

Prior to last year, the cook-off was hosted by the restaurants, but the competitors were individuals. The event’s growing popularity began to make individual participation too costly due to the amount of chili needed, says Dublin Village Tavern owner Tim Picciano.

This year, Brazenhead has its eyes on the prize again after last year’s Cajun-influenced chili won the overall title. “It was great to win last year and we had a great chili. It’s all for fun and it’s great for the community and the City of Dublin,” says Brazenhead General Manager Mark Stalzer.

Pete Meyst, head chef at Brazenhead, enjoys the challenge of improvising chili techniques. “We improvise in our cooking style and choice of proteins and beans,” says Meyst. “The fact that it is cooked one batch at a time gives the chili time to develop its final taste.”

Although improvisation plays a key role, Meyst says there are also some essential ingredients for good chili: properly-cooked meat and beans, celery, onion, peppers and tomato.

While the cook-off is all about fun, that doesn’t mean Brazenhead is willing to give up its title. “We were fortunate to win last year and you can expect us to defend our title,” says Stalzer. “Since everyone lost to us, I am sure they are gunning for us now.”

One of those competitors is Dublin Village Tavern. “Last year, the Dublin Village Tavern prepared the best traditional chili I’ve ever tasted, but we didn’t win,” says Picciano. “It seemed like the judges went for the more unique and uncommon chili recipes, and we’ll remember that this year.”

Straying from traditional chili will not be easy for the Dublin Village Tavern, but it is possible.

“I’m a traditional girl at heart and I believe the true test of a chili is getting the perfect combination of heat and seasonings,” says Geri Ziemba, Dublin Village Tavern chef.

When trying new recipes, Ziemba advises making small adjustments. “(Add) a little of your seasonings, peppers, etc. at a time. Let it simmer for a while and then taste it to see if it needs more.”

Just as Meyst gives his chili time to develop taste, Ziemba stresses the importance of time. “Don’t rush it, let the chili simmer, allowing the flavors to develop,” Ziemba says.

Blaine Kelly is a contributing writer and an intern for the City of Dublin’s Community Relations Department. Feed-back welcome at laurand@cityscene mediagroup.com.

See recipe on page 28.

Chili Cook-Off competitors share their cooking strategies

Spilling the Beans


The Dublin Village Tavern offers this traditional recipe from last year’s competition.

IngreDIenTs:• 1lb.groundbeef• 1lb.groundpork• 2Tbsp.oliveoil• 1largeyellowonion,chopped• 1greenpepper,chopped• 3clovesgarlic,minced• 3(15-oz.)canschilibeans• 1(6-oz.)cantomatopaste• 1(8-oz.)cantomatosauce• 1(14.5-oz)candicedtomatoes• 1bottleGuinnessBlackLager• 1cupwater• 21/2Tbsp.whitecornmeal• 2Tbsp.chilipowder• 1Tbsp.cumin• 1Tbsp.garlicpowder• 1Tbsp.salt• 2tsp.blackpepper

DIrecTIons: Cook ground beef and

pork over medium high heat,crumbling meat and stirringuntil evenly browned and nolongerpink.Drainexcessfat.Heatoliveoilinlargepotover

mediumheat.Addonion, greenpepperandmincedgarlic.Cookandstiruntilonionhassoftenedandturnedtranslucent,about5-7minutes. Addmeat, chili beans,diced tomatoes, tomato paste,tomato sauce, beer and water.Stir well. Sprinkle in the cornmeal,chilipowder,cumin,garlicpowder,saltandblackpepper.Bringtoasimmerovermedium

heat,thenreducetomediumlowand simmer for at least 2 hoursbeforeserving.

guinness Black Lager chili

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write next door WiTH COLuMNiST COLLEEN D’ANGELO

MMY 2012 RESOLUTION of writing one letter per week for a year is coming to a close. Truthfully, I was not able to com-plete the task of 52 letters, but I wrote a lot more than in previous attempts, and for that I will congratulate myself.

I have conversed with a few Dublin Life readers who took the challenge, and we agree that it was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, express gratitude to former teachers and divulge feelings to precious family members in their golden years. For those of us who find it easier to put pen to paper than come up with the proper words face to face, this exercise in letter writing over-flowed with life lessons.

Jenny Patton of Dublin originally envi-sioned contacting 52 different people from her past but instead found herself exchanging letters with a smaller group. “I didn’t anticipate everyone writing back and of course I wanted to con-tinue corresponding since it is such a special way to connect,” Jenny says.

Her new pen pals include two cousins in Los Angeles, a college roommate in South Carolina, two colleagues from a writer’s conference and several friends who lost parents or siblings this year. “I’m so grateful for this challenge as I feel we are reclaiming a lost art and renewing our friendships at the same time,” Jenny says.

Angie O’Brien should win a prize for carving out time every Sunday for corre-spondence and never missing a week. She says that everyone she penned took the time to write her back and not one note went unanswered. Angie’s first letter was to her grandfather “Papa,” Norval DePaul.

“I told my papa how proud I was of him for being a Marine in World War II, and how blessed I was to be his granddaughter,” says Angie. “It meant a lot to him and to me because Papa passed away four months after receiv-ing my message.”

I had a similar experience this year when I sent a missive to my Uncle Walt. I recollected staying at his home and travers-ing Washington, D.C. on my own when I was only 13. I was armed with a map, a few dol-lars and some phone numbers, which I used after I found a phone booth. We both got a kick out of the absur-dity of a 13-year-old let loose on the Metro and agreed it wouldn’t be allowed today. Unfor-tunately, my uncle was diagnosed with pancre-

atic cancer the next month and passed away in October, but I know he appre-ciated sharing memories and laughter through our correspondence.

By reaching out to our elders, we can learn about family history and maybe even some hidden secrets. Angie’s grandma, Rose, wrote a 10-page let-ter outlining their family tree and inform-ing her of a safe concealed under the floorboards of her Florida house. One of the buried treasures was a diamond that Rose gifted to Angie, which Angie has since set into a custom ring that she wears every day.

The easiest letters I found to write were those of gratitude. I feel blessed

Resolution to write important friends and family brings joy to many

“Uncle Walt” and D’Angelo’s daughter Catie in 2005


in so many ways, and to reach back into the past and thank the people who have added knowledge and grace to my life was rewarding. At one point in time, I had three children under age 6, and there was an important person in my life who was as calm as I was frazzled. Jill Roshon is the owner and director of Dublin Montessori Academy and she helped a D’Angelo child out of the carpool line for eight straight years.

Although time has flown by, my chil-dren still have great memories of pre-school and kindergarten, and they

continue to have a love of learning. I wanted to relay to Mrs. Roshon how special she was to us and the enormous impact DMA had on our family. My son, Christopher, even wrote his col-lege essay on the benefits of a Montes-sori education and letting the child lead at his or her own pace.

To my delight, Mrs. Roshon wrote back after re-reading my letter three times and said that I “pulled the years together for her just like a purse string.” I’ve always thought of Mrs. Roshon as a mentor and role model, so I was not sur-

prised that she doled out some helpful encouragement in her letter. She wrote, “Keep writing. You give many people joy, even people whom you don’t know. You touch their lives with the gift of your words.”

I couldn’t have written it better myself. - CD

Colleen D’Angelo is a freelance writer who lives in Dublin with her husband, three children and

several small animals. She enjoys playing tennis, walking the Dublin bike paths and traveling.

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Dublin Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2013