(614) January | 2024 by 614mediagroup

50 YEARS STRONG

Celebrating Public Transportation Excellence Since 1974 For 50 years, Team COTA’s unwavering dedication to moving every life forward has been the heart of our organization. Together, we have created a legacy of excellence, and we look forward to continuing this remarkable journey with you by our side.

COTA.com/50

BIG PICTURE

Coleman Bates (pictured) is making a point. The 23 year old central Ohio resident turned world-class axe and knife thrower recently represented Columbus on national TV, taking third place in the World Knife Throwing League's USA Pro-AM Championships. Scan the QR code to read more.

PHOTO BY SARAH PFEIFER

CONTENTS

C O V E R PA C K A G E THE INTERVIEW ISSUE

MATT MAHONEY: PART OF THE CREW

HOOK, LINE AND SEAFOOD

TEA TIME

PAINTING THE TOWN YELLOW

IN THE GROOVE

29 35 40 10

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ON THE COVER:

Design & Illustration by Atlas Biro Original Photo by Dan Nelken

Clintonville • Grandview • Easton • Powell

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press

J AC K M C L AU G H L I N Editor-In-Chief

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jack McLaughlin

Columbus Gives Me Goosebumps

ASSISTANT EDITOR Sav McKee

I’ve only lived in Columbus for five years, but even after that amount of time, it’s easy for me to feel like I know everything there is to know about the place. But this city constantly surprises me. Around Halloween I learned that R. L. Stine – the man whose spooky book series, Goosebumps – defined a significant chunk of my childhood, grew up not just in central Ohio, but in Bexley, where I currently live. I want to make sure I don’t underestimate my Goosebumps fandom here. When I was in first grade, I was given a Say Cheese and Die! t-shirt in my Easter basket. I also remember (literally) crying tears of joy afterwards. Even beyond R.L. Stine, every year, I meet people in Columbus and learn things about the city that – because they’re just so fascinating – I cannot believe I didn’t know before. Jeanette Paras, better known to most people as Paras Pumpkins, is another example. She enjoyed a bit of a viral moment this year, when her nearly 400-pound pumpkin bearing a portrait of Taylor Swift made its way across the internet.

After learning about what she does – she’s been creating celebrity portraits (including everyone from Michael Dukakis to Baby Yoda) on some of the most massive pumpkins you can think of – and how long she’s been doing it (more than 30 years!), I’m amazed I had never heard of her before. Especially considering my unbridled love towards all things Halloween. In the first month of the new year – when it feels like the right time to really dig into what you stand for – I want to double-down on my appreciation for a city that continues to offer so much. We hope you enjoy reading about how R.L. Stine keeps a stack of frozen Rubino’s Pizzas in his New York apartment at all times, and more about Jeanette Paras’ massive pumpkin portraits (plus a handful of other fascinating individuals we’ve chosen to feature). So here’s to a new issue of (614) Magazine, a new month, and a brand-new year that’s – hopefully – filled with just as many surprises.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jorday Middlebrooks, Aaron Massey, Sarah Pfefier, Tyler Jamison, Heidi Oliver CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John M. Clark, Jack McLaughlin, Laura Hennigan, Maddie Schamer, Chris Alexis, Melinda Green, Molly Hammond, Sav McKee, Dylan Ecker, Matt Mahoney

CREATIVE DESIGNERS Bryce Patterson Victoria Smith Atlas Biro VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Austin Black DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Justynne Pride SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Julia Attanasio MARKETING ASSISTANT Zoe King ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite Paul VanHorn ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Anna Gerhard BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER Lizzy Saunders EVENTS COORDINATOR Lizzy Saunders

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� S TA F F P I C K S

Our staff picks It’s our annual Interview Issue, and in honor of us telling the stories behind some of Columbus' most impactful

F I N D U S O N T H E W E B @ 614 N O W.C O M Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’s top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com and suscribe to our daily email!

and original individuals, we asked our staff who they would sit down with if they could meet one person, living of dead. Here’s what they said:

Leonardo DiCaprio’s character from Titanic. I don’t know if he was even real, but I need to know if there actually was room on the raft for him. — Jack McLaughlin, Editor

I’d want to talk to Donn Beach. He’s the founding father of tiki culture and I feel like I could learn so much from him.

→ 138 year old meat & cheese shop is saying farewell Four generations and 138 years later of serving Columbus “the finest German-style homemade meats and sausages,” Thurn’s Specialty Meats is closing their doors and the owners are going into retirement.

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

Can you guess who I'm going to say? It’s Taylor Swift. — Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

I would do anything to sit down and have a glass of wine with Frida Kahlo. She's an icon in every sense of the word, and I loved visiting her home in Mexico City! — Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

→ Drinks Downtown: DORA proposed for Downtown Columbus Earlier this year, the Columbus Downtown Development Commission (CDDC), alongside the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District and the Franklinton Board of Trade, proposed a DORA—which stands for designated outdoor refreshment area, and typically allows visitors to openly carry alcohol within a specific area—within Downtown Columbus and Franklinton.

I would want to grab drinks with Freddie Mercury. I’m sure it would be a blast & I think if an ounce of his confidence rubbed off on me i’d be happy. — Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Lager

The man or woman behind the Kong toy. I have to know. — Peanut McKee, (614) Office Dachshund

→ Piglets loose on Dayton-area highway ramp causes closures Highway ramp in the Dayton area closed over the weekend due to escaped piglets.

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#AsSeenInColumbus

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61 4 T V Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. Keep an eye out for more on our 614TV account and on social media. In the meantime, scan the QR code to check out our newest videos.

• Snack Attack:

• Artist Talk : Hakim Callwood

We love a good kick in our foods around 614 and these globally inspired snacks are bringing a heat you don’t want to miss!

Art brings inspiration. Hakim is an artist, activist, teacher, and advocate for living each day to the fullest.

• Habibi Grill:

• COLO Oyster Bar

Bringing Lebanese cuisine to the heart of Columbus! Find out why this delicious new hot spot has had over an hour wait on some of their must-have sandwiches!

Nestled right in the heart of North Market, Colo Oyster Bar has got to be on your bucket list. With the freshest seafood in Central Ohio, its a must try! 614NOW.COM

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The story of the brilliant – and wealthy – Worthington inventor who paid to create a massive series of passageways beneath the surface of his central Ohio home

homas Midgley Junior came from a long line of inventors. His father, born in London, worked in the field of automotive tires and contributed to the advancement of bicycle manufacturing. His maternal grandfather, James Emerson, invented a type of circular saw blade. →

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From an early age, growing up in Columbus, Thomas Junior also showed sparks of inventiveness. As a teenager playing baseball with friends, he discovered that an extract from the bark of an elm tree proved to be an excellent substitute for saliva when throwing spitballs. It was about this time that a high school chemistry class led to his lifelong obsession with the periodic table, and for years, he carried a printed copy of it wherever he went. Though he majored in mechanical engineering at Cornell University, it was Midgley’s love of chemistry that led him to partnerships with General Motors and Charles Kettering, the man who invented the electric car ignition. In 1921, Midgley developed leaded gasoline, which greatly decreased engine knocking. And in 1928, he came up with the first chlorofluorocarbon, more commonly known as freon, which made possible practical home refrigeration and air conditioning. Both inventions would later be criticized for contributing to ozone holes, climate change and health problems. But it’s no doubt that they also made Midgley a fabulously wealthy man. In 1929, he and his wife built a large, colonial-style home on West Wilson Bridge Road – intended partly as a retirement home for his father. Not long after it was finished, the nation was wracked by the stock market collapse and the Great Depression. The Worthington millionaire was sensitive to the fact that his family had more than most, and he set about to spread his wealth by hiring as many men as he could to landscape his property, build private roads, improve upon his new home and…dig caverns. Midgley had always held a fascination for caves; why not build his own? Midgley’s far-flung plan took more than a year to reach fruition, as more than 50 men dug and burrowed to create two caverns that were eventually joined. As newspaper reporter and artist Bill Arter later wrote, “The vaulted ceilings, the walls and floors were all built of limestone, blue and white, from nearby quarries. (Project superintendent Ted Severance) and his father laid it all out with meticulous care.” Added to these homemade caves were wrought-iron hardware, including candle sconces, hinges and bolts, all created by a Worthington blacksmith.

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Ever the showman, Midgley and his wife loved to entertain guests in their home and then casually invite them to visit their caverns. Access was achieved through a heavy door at one end of a large recreation room. From here, visitors were astonished to enter a stone-lined room lit by a single candle placed inside a replica of a smiling, human skull. A door from this room led to a series of vaulted passageways and hundreds of steps, with candles lighting the way. At the end, another heavy door opened upon the back of the Midgley estate, at the foot of a bluff. Visitors from around the world scratched their heads in disbelief. Midgley was pleased, and so were his guests.

From here, visitors were astonished to enter a stone-lined room lit by a single candle placed inside a replica of a smiling, human skull.

Thomas Midgley Junior enjoyed visitors’ reactions to his estate’s unusual feature until 1940, when, at the age of 51, he contracted polio and lost the use of his legs. He devised a series of pulleys and ropes that allowed him to pull himself out of his bed in the morning and deposit himself in his wheelchair. For the next five years, Midgley continued his professional activities, even addressing a National Inventors Council meeting by closed-circuit radio. →

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But Midgley’s inventiveness eventually led to his demise. One morning in 1945, his wife discovered her husband’s lifeless body entangled in his machine. The public was told he died accidentally. Privately, the family learned that Midgley’s death was by suicide. A year later, the Worthington estate was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Gail Winegarner, who had fallen in love with the spacious property and decided it would be the perfect place to raise their five boys. And Midgley’s man-made caverns continued to stir imaginations. Eventually, the mystery proved too intriguing for neighborhood teens, who repeatedly broke locks and knocked down doors to gain access to the creepy tunnels and vaults. Despite repairs and reinforcements by the Winegarners, the interlopers continued to intrude, both day and night. Occasionally, they set fires in the tunnels, causing smoke to invade the home’s recreation room. Despite the interest in their property, the Winegarners declared no more publicity about the caverns and, apparently, no more tours. That became a moot point, anyway, when bulldozers moved in a few years later to begin work on a section of the North Outerbelt – I-270. The Midgley-Winegarner home was brought down in the name of progress…and so were the caverns that an eccentric inventor had commissioned and enjoyed decades earlier. ♦

Special thanks to writer Beth Winegarner, whose article about her grandparents’ house so wonderfully captured the spirit of Thomas Midgley’s final “invention.”

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DRY JANUARY FINALLY HAS FLAVOR NEW WHITE CLAW 0% ALCOHOL

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← Matt Mahoney, writer for (614) Magazine

To celebrate the Columbus Crew’s status as MLS champions, Matt “Man About Town” Mahoney takes a deep dive into the city’s soccer scene By Matt Mahoney Photos by Jordy Middlebrooks Story Design by Atlas Biro

Part of the

CREW 22

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dmittedly, I have never been much of a soccer fan. While I certainly respect the unique appeal of the game, my attention span is far too short to spend 90 minutes watching a contest that could potentially have no scoring. My brain is much better suited for things like basketball, or even a PAC12 football game. Yet, as the self-proclaimed “Man About Town” of Columbus, I have a civic duty to better understand the game—given the recent success of The Columbus Crew— and to find out what this sport and team mean to our great city.

The Storm Before the Hurricane:

One week before MLS Championship WIth a goal in the 115th minute of the conference finals propelling the Crew past our in-state rival, FC Cincinnati, Columbus is now on the threshold of glory, ready to host the Western Conference Champions, Los Angeles FC, in the MLS finals. Considering my lack of knowledge on the subject, I reach out to a colleague of mine – Liam – for some perspective on the Friday before the championship game. While I am admittedly a casual Crew fan, Liam is about as rabid as they come, and today it appears as if much of the vitriol from Columbus fans is directed not at our opponents—Los Angeles FC— but rather the league itself, Major League Soccer. Liam noted the league took over the process of distributing tickets for the finals match, a process that saw presale ticket codes leaked early, and resellers gobble up tickets by the gallon, leaving many Crew supporters out in the cold, or having to pay massively to see their hometown team take the pitch. Despite this, though, the energy is high going into match day. With rain in the forecast for Saturday’s contest, I pack an extra coat and set my alarm, eager to feel the buzz of a city hosting a championship game. →

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Match Day It’s championship Saturday in Columbus, and the Man About Town is, well, about town. While this is not the first time Columbus has hosted a championship game – they’ve hosted three before, although one championship didn’t even have the Crew involved (2001), and another was played in an empty stadium (2020) – there’s certainly a unique energy surrounding the occasion. With the arrival of a new stadium a few years back, Crew fever feels hotter than it has ever been in Columbus, with many OSU Flags and signs replaced by Crew regalia across my Southside neighborhood.

While the Man About Town is not quite able to secure a ticket into Lower.Com Field for the day—which is certainly a disappointment in some ways—I would have to think that any tickets, would be better off in the hands of someone who knows what they are talking about (as in, not me). But I digress. I arrived at the Arena District a few hours before the 4PM kick-off, and just a few minutes too late for The Massive’s march to the stadium. Spying a few stragglers, I attempt to make conversation with some of the fans on both sides.

↓ Columbus Crew players, inside Lower.com Field, with Nordecke in the background. Photo courtesy of the Columbus Crew

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LA Fans: Rude My first conversation – if you can call it that – is between myself and a pair of LA fans. One of the individuals sports a hair shade of blonde that I did not think was previously possible, while the other wears a beard that looks to have been carved into his face with a laser. I don’t know how else to say it, but they look like they’re from LA. I introduce myself as an emissary of (614) Magazine, and while it is apparent that they have no desire to speak, they also appear to lack the courage to tell me to go away. They mention something about working for the team and not being able to talk, and we go our separate ways.

LA Fans: Suspicious Later on, I’m able to wrangle a few Los Angeles FC fans outside the stadium, and while they were certainly more willing to chat than some of my previous interviews, I’m suspicious about this one. I ask the big city folk what they think of their brief time in a smaller city like Columbus, and their thoughts on the game, and am somewhat surprised by the answers I get. “I like this arena district, it’s pretty cool,” says one of the traveling fans as his buddies nod in agreement. Nice enough, sure. Too nice, I think. I keep my eyes on them.

Crew Fans: Honest, Worldy, Practical As I head towards the stadium, I spy a father with two young boys in Crew gear. This strikes me as a perfect opportunity to capture the generational differences between Crew fans, so I approach for a quick chat. “We’re going to go to live in England for a year next year and they’re big on soccer over there,” one of the younger boys tells me in a very matter-of-fact manner. Good on you kid. I’ve seen “Green Street Hooligans,” – I know how hard the world of footy fandom can be. Best come prepared. →

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← Matt Mahoney, writer for (614) Magazine

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Victory! In the absence of a ticket or suitable disguise to get me into the stadium, I link up with a few friends in the Short North to watch the game. With a PBR in hand, I prepare for the disappointment I have become so accustomed to as a Cleveland sports fan. But today, against all odds, it looks like there will be joy in Mudville. Two early goals in the first half prove to be too much for LA to overcome despite some signs of life towards the end of the match. Which means the Columbus Crew is YOUR 2023 Major League Soccer champions. Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? I check back in with Liam after the win, who now sports a new tattoo to commemorate the victory. The ink depicts a soccer player with a banner of text above and below him reading, “Wise men say impossible is an opinion.” And while Liam has a lot to say about the team’s future and the speedbumps that might be down the road, it’s the fresh black ink on his arm that speaks the most to me. Crew fans – supporting a sport that has for so long taken a back seat to larger markets in the US – are willing to mark their bodies permanently for their team. They’re willing to hand over their hard-earned money in droves to watch their team play (some even from a third party reseller). They’re even willing to down their Buckeye memorabilia for a time to let their fandom for the other kind of football shine. Columbus will likely always be a Buckeye town – I’m not trying to imply otherwise – and yet it feels like this victory marks an important shift in the city’s cultural landscape. Many of us weren’t even aware soccer was still being played when the Crew secured the cup back in 2020 amidst the COVID pandemic, it seemed. But today is awash in Black and Gold, and the future might be, too. ♦

↑ Liam's tattoo, courtesy of Liam Newberry

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↓ The COLO new space at the North Market Downtown.

After name changes and a chic new North Market facelift, COLO is making a splash in the Columbus seafood scene 614NOW.COM JANUARY 2024 (614) MAGAZINE By Chris Alexis Photos by Heidi Oliver Story Design by Bryce Patterson

an Holmes always wanted to be a Fish Guy. Fish Guys is the name of a business where many flocked for fresh seafood in Downtown Columbus. As a seafood lover, Holmes admired the company and embraced its urban surroundings. “There’s something magical about the Downtown North Market. . .I wanted to be a part of that,” he said. →

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↓ COLO's North Market offerings

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This dream would come to pass and he became his own "fish guy" in a way. Twelve years ago, Holmes founded Coastal Local Seafood, a wholesale brand that supplied restaurants and markets across the state, including his beloved Fish Guys. "About three years ago, right before COVID, we were going into our first retail store in Bridge Park," he said. "During construction there, the Fish Guys at Downtown North Market went out of business." The exiting entrepreneurs offered their location to Holmes, who had already been working on a Coastal Local Seafood retail and dining location in Dublin's Bridge Park. "We weren't in any position to be taking on retail spots," he said. "But I've supplied the Fish Guys at North Market for a decade. I know that once that opens up, it's going to be a long time before somebody else takes it over again." And so, he dove in, hoping to make a splash. "We had the one in Bridge Park planned out for a year," he said. "We were moving toward opening that one and then this other one fell in our lap." The two ultimately opened within a month of each other. But that wasn't the only surprise: A company founded by Jeff Bezos sent him a cease-and-desist letter, demanding he stop using the name Coastal Local Seafood. And so the brand name COLO was born. "The wholesale company is still called Coastal Local Seafood," he said. "They told me that they don't care about that. It's the retail company that didn't want me to use the word 'coastal.'" COLO's unique approach to its two locations distinguishes the dining experience for customers. The Downtown store has a bigger oyster bar and a larger fresh display, while the Dublin location is "more of a food hall experience." "There's more public seating in Dublin," Holmes said. "You go to get a lobster roll and a beer there. For the Downtown location, you get a lobster roll and a beer, and you take home a piece of fish to make for dinner." The Downtown location has also been recently updated, having moved across the aisle in the market from its original location and adding a new 10-seat oyster bar. And when it comes to oysters, Holmes said there are people every single day who approach it nervously, only to end up discovering that they enjoy it. →

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↓ Jeffrey Fisher, Ryan Singrey, Justin Wotring, Tony Workman, Ian Holmes, and Dylan Holmes

"We give the same spiel all the time," Holmes said. "It's just going to taste cold and like the ocean. You don't even have to put anything on them. We put a drop of lemon and a drop of hot sauce on it. And normally if somebody's on the fence about it, we'll do one with them and give them one for free. It's time to break the ice." Although the 10-seat oyster bar is a central feature, there's more to COLO than that. "We do a lot of lobster rolls," he said. "We do the main style, which is a cold, mayonnaise-based lobster salad. And then we probably do three times more of the Connecticut lobster roll, which is just warm buttered lobster on a toasted bun; that's probably our most popular item." But Holmes is most proud of their fish and chips. "We're getting the freshest fish in town," he said. "If it sits in the sand for one day, it gets breaded and goes to the kitchen, and we restock the case with new fish every day. You're never going to get a better fish and chips than you get with ours. You're never going to get anything better in the Midwest."

The point is diversifying the locations to follow customer trends. "It seems like the clientele in Dublin is there to have someone cook for you," he said. “Downtown, we get the same loyal customers that have been going there for 30 years that pick up their bread and their piece of seafood, and they cook for themselves." He also loves educating people in fun ways. "We all pride ourselves on how knowledgeable we are about everything we have, whether it be the fresh seafood portion of it or the oysters – we're able to tell you the differences between each and every oyster." "It’s the perfect place to enjoy some wine with a date," he said, highlighting the sense of connection and community. “That's half the reason why I wanted to open an oyster bar in Columbus – I love the oyster bar experience in Boston or New York City. I like the banter and I wanted to bring something like that here."

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Although the Downtown location of COLO has moved across the aisle, Holmes found a great use for that original spot: a butcher shop, COLO Butcher and Deli, which also houses a smash burger restaurant. "There's been a lack of a butcher shop for the better part of a year now. So we took on the burden of carrying all the fresh proteins for the whole market," he said. "There's a full line of beef, pork, poultry, and seafood." And so far, it looks like the COLO team has found success. "Judging by reviews on Yelp and Google and all the things, it seems like half the reason people will come in is just to hang out and have a good time with us," Holmes said. ♦

To learn more, visit coloseafood.com, and visit their stalls at The North Market.

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alking into Asterisk Supper Club in Uptown Westerville is a bit like wandering into a few different movie scenes that have all been stitched together. The first thing you’ll see is the expansive wooden bar, which was built in the late 1800s and salvaged from an antique shop in Cincinnati. With a quick glance to the right, you’ll then notice the bookshelves that line the walls from floor to ceiling, filled with hundreds of books from every genre imaginable. →

Step into the past–and another world entirely–with Asterisk Supper Club’s unique and immersive tea service By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Atlas Biro

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Columbus Eyeworks

“

We wanted to create an elevated dining experience with no distractions, where you can sit with friends or family and enjoy the atmosphere. Providing quality eyewear that enhances your view columbuseyeworks.com 25 W. Hubbard Ave., Columbus OH 43215

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”

↓ Tea and Tea Sandwiches, from Asterisk Supper Club

When owner Megan Ada was creating her vision for a new restaurant concept, her bibliophile father, Jesse, inspired this unique addition. And her mother, Laurie, was the one to suggest that the eatery also function as a modern tea house. “There aren’t many concepts like this in Columbus,” said Ada. “We thought it would be perfect to embrace the cozy, historic ambiance of the space and offer an old school tea service.” Venturing further into Asterisk, you’ll pass many intricate details, like vintage chandeliers and terrazzo floors, before arriving at a 30 foot long communal table, surrounded by several smaller seating areas. The entire location pays homage to times gone by, when people slowed down to gather with loved ones and enjoy leisurely meals. And the tea service, served Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m., is a highlight of that nostalgic tribute. Guests may choose from a Petite Tea, the perfect size for one person, or a Full Tea, which is best shared between two people. Both options include your choice of tea, a soup or salad, a variety of tea sandwiches, plus scones and dessert. Ada, who also owns Ampersand Asian Supper Club in the Short North, shared, “We wanted to create an elevated dining experience with no distractions, where you can sit with friends or family and enjoy the atmosphere. We also encourage people to come by themselves, order some tea, and borrow a book to read.” →

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↓ Tea service spread at Asterisk Supper Club

The tea service presentation is made up of many small, elegant components, from the delicate, mismatched porcelain tea cups and saucers to the classic white and brown sugar cubes served with tiny spoons. The restaurant obtains much of its teaware through donations, often from estates. “Instead of someone’s grandmother’s tea set sitting and collecting dust, a customer will donate to us to use instead,” said Ada. “They love seeing it repurposed, and then they are also able to come in and use those pieces when having tea here.” In addition to afternoon tea, Asterisk also offers a full menu executed by Executive Chef Desmond Reid Jr., along with scrumptious desserts from pastry chef Christie Long, plus an extensive bar menu, including several cocktails that incorporate tea. Managing Partner Kathrine Dixon and Ada sampled countless teas and curated a specialized list of just over 20 for guests to choose from. “We were very intentional in selecting excellent, high quality teas that we knew people would love. When you come here, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget,” Ada emphasized. ♦ View menus, store hours, and more at asterisksupperclub.com ↑ Megan Ada, owner of Asterisk Supper Club

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← Various Menu Items, from Yellow Springs Brewery

At long last, the lauded Yellow Springs Brewery has launched a new location—and it’s right here in Columbus By Maddie Schamer / Photos by Tyler Jamison Story Design by Atlas Biro

ellow Springs Brewery’s mission statement comes from an old Quaker saying, “speak truth to power,” meaning that there’s power in being honest, authentic, and genuine. These guys do just that…only with craft beer, and now they’ve brought their renowned IPA Boat Show and their unique ethics to the Arch City with a brand-new Columbus taproom. Anyone who’s been to Yellow Springs knows that the town is one of Ohio’s greatest hidden gems. Beyond a vast natural landscape with hiking trails, rock climbing and more, Yellow Springs is full of handcrafted goods and art of all shapes and sizes. Locals take pride in their tightknit community and the vibrant showcases of creative expression found on every corner. The founders of Yellow Springs Brewery, Lisa Wolters and Nate Cornett, don’t fall short of this narrative. These two, along with neighbor and friend Jayson Hartings, began as home brewers who saw an opportunity to share their craft with the Yellow Springs community. They opened their first location in 2013, moving into a retired feed and seed plant. This original taproom was tucked away amongst the residential parts of Yellow Springs, somewhere you could “stumble across on a hike,” said Jayson Hartings. For locals and visitors, the first Yellow Springs Brewery was, and still is, a humble haven to enjoy thoughtfully crafted brews in good company. →

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↑ Boat Show IPA, from Yellow Springs Brewery

“At the beginning, Lisa actually had a window in the taproom office where she could see when a customer came in so that she could run out and help them,” recalled Hartings. It didn’t take long for locals and visitors alike to recognize the passion and artistry spilling from the taproom. Word spread, and what began as a low-key opening was so successful that they ran out of beer in just six weeks. Since then, Lisa and Nate opened another location right here in Columbus, on November 15. Yellow Springs Brewery has been supplying their top-tier beer to Columbus for years before they opened an actual brewery here. It began in 2014, with shipments to a handful of exclusive local restaurants and bars, and eventually word spread about the new craft beer on the block. Their flagship IPA, Boat Show, caught on in the Arch City like it had just about everywhere else it’s been available. “We’ve always been widely accepted in Columbus as a brand,” said Hartings. People were thirsty for more after getting a taste of their products, and when it finally came time to open a location outside of Yellow Springs, Columbus was lucky enough to get the green light. →

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“

At the beginning, Lisa actually had a window in the taproom where she could see when a customer came in so that she could run out and help them.

”

↓ Magical Movements Winter Warmer Ale, from Yellow Springs Brewery

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↑ Various Menu Items, from Yellow Springs Brewery

“Clintonville was kind of a no-brainer...It's almost like its own version of Yellow Springs...” Jayson, now overseeing day-to-day operations, invested countless hours into bringing the spirit of Yellow Springs to the Clintonville community, more specifically the former home of The Crest, located at 2855 Indianola Ave. “The most important thing is that we want every person to be comfortable; beer is meant to bring said people together and it should be about that,” said Hartings. “We put a lot of work into training our staff so that everyone feels welcome.” The appreciation for art that’s abundant in the Village of Yellow Springs is closely replicated in the brewery’s Clintonville space, which made it the perfect fit for a new venture. “Clintonville was kind of a no-brainer when it came to choosing where to put the Columbus location,” said Hartings. “It’s almost like its own version of Yellow Springs with how the community is really close-knit, and there’s a lot of soul there.” Since its opening, the taproom has been a great success and fits right into the Clintonville community.

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The Columbus taproom posed a new challenge— food and cocktails, not just great beer. With the help of their chef, the team worked up a menu that matches the high quality and approachability of their craft brews. “We don’t do a lot of fancy ingredients,” Hartings said. “We lean on our main core ingredients and make consistent, quality products.” Their burger uses candied bacon with pork sourced from Yellow Springs, and the cheese curds come from the Yellow Springs-based Young’s Dairy. The food and cocktails alike are vibrant and innovative and uphold the Yellow Springs Brewery standards of quality ingredients and authenticity. “Our three core values are authenticity, positivity, and creativity,” emphasized Hartings. “Creating an environment of positivity and good vibes and putting love and care into that room through our staff and our products is our goal.” ♦ Learn more at yellowspringsbrewery.com

↓ Various Beer Cans, from Yellow Springs Brewery

Happy Hour Monday-Friday • 3pm-6pm $4 off Growlers $3 off Draft Beer $2 off Wine, Mead, Sangria $1 off Liquor

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Coming soon in Gahanna, Ohio to serve you the complex depth of South Indian food flavors.

1307 Stoneridge Dr., Gahanna OH 43230

he closer you look at Columbus, the more interesting people you find. By that, we mean individuals who live here currently, those who are from Columbus, or others who have made an impact on our city. We've put together profiles of five Columbus creators, chefs and more for you to enjoy, a list that includes Goosebumps author (and Bexley native) R.L. Stine, Three Bites Bakery owner Isa Bonello, stylist for the stars Mattey Spicer, giant pumpkin painter Jeanette Paras and Jim Bryant, a 97 year-old World War II veteran living in central Ohio. →

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↓ R.L. Stine through the fog, photo courtesy of Erin Hannigan

By Melinda Green

(614) MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 614NOW.COM

R.L. Stine, the prolific and worldfamous author of the Goosebumps books series sits down with (614) to discuss humor, horror, and growing up in central Ohio

“I

don’t understand why I’m popular,” R.L. Stine quipped, recalling a book signing at Gramercy Books this past October where the line was three blocks long and the police had to close the street. But he is popular, wildly popular, with readers across the country, and of all ages. And we do mean all ages. Known first for his ineffably-popular series of children’s horror books, Goosebumps, it might surprise you to know that the author actually cut his teeth in the world of humor. But there’s another fact about Stine that’s likely even more disarming to local readers. Even before writing for Ohio State University’s publication, The Sundial Humor Magazine in the 1960s, Stine got his start just east of Downtown Columbus, in Bexley. “I'm trying to remember my 614 phone number. You know, they had exchanges when I was a kid in Bexley and it was Evergreen 7042,” he said. “How do I remember that?” Even after more than sixty years, some parts of home are still fresh to the author, like the house he grew up in. “I lived on the very last block of North Columbia from the railroad track. It was in this tiny little white brick house, five of us jammed in, and we were very poor, on the edge of this very wealthy community. And two blocks from our house was the governor's mansion over on Parkview.” “We used to trick or treat at the governor's mansion on Halloween,” he recalled. “They gave out apples, and we’d get furious, furious, and we’d just take them, heave them down the driveway, roll them down the driveway. I don't know why we bothered to go.” While his sense of humor served him well throughout his life, Stine wasn’t particularly social as a boy. “I was a very shy, very shy kid,” he admitted. “It was weird being poor in Bexley. I was very self-conscious about it, so I didn't hang out that much.” What he did do was ride his bike, write stories and jokes, read comic books, and watch movies. Every Saturday morning, Stine and his brother could be found at the Drexel Theatre to watch Tom and Jerry cartoons and a horror movie. “I saw all the great horror movies: The Brain That Wouldn't Die and It Walks Among Us and Creature From the Black Lagoon,” he recalled. “They had to be very influential, of course.” And then there were the comic books: Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror. “They were really bloody, disgusting comics, and I loved them,” Stine said. “I just loved them. But I wasn't allowed to bring them in the house. My mother stopped me at the door; she said, ‘We can't have these. These are trash.’ That's when I began to realize how good trash could be.”

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So, every Saturday morning, Stine would also visit the barber shop, where a big stack of those comics waited. “I would get a haircut so I could read these comic books. I had less hair when I was a kid than I do now,” he said, laughing. One day, visiting the Bexley Public Library, he found the librarian waiting for him. “Bobby, I know you like comic books,” she said. “I have something else I think you’ll like.” And she led him to a shelf of books by Ray Bradbury. “I couldn't believe how great they were,” Stine said. “They're so beautifully written and so imaginative, and they all had great twist endings. Ray Bradbury turned me into a reader, and that librarian really, really changed my life.” His real ambition, though, was to have his own humor magazine. After high school, he enrolled at Ohio State to study English, but he felt the program had little to offer him. He admits that he probably actually majored in “beer and pizza.” Instead of going to class, he poured all of his energy into The Sundial Humor Magazine, which was staffed by OSU students, and spent three years as its editor. “I learned how to work with people. I learned how to have a staff. I learned how to get a magazine out every month. I learned everything. It was invaluable,” he said. In those days, the editor of The Sundial received 23% of its profits, Stine said. He turned it into a profitable magazine, by his own count, and it paid his way to New York after graduation. From there, he embarked on a career in humor and, eventually, horror writing that eventually led to the Goosebumps series in the early 1990s. “I was 49 when we started Goosebumps,” he recalled. “I had been writing for 20 years and nobody had noticed. That's the truth. And I think to have that kind of success, that kind of amazing sales suddenly where a book just takes off all over the world, I think that was so exhilarating that it kept me going.” For a few years, Stine was turning out one Goosebumps book and one Fear Street young adult horror book every month. If the settings in Goosebumps feel familiar for Columbus locals, there’s a good reason. “It’s like Bexley,” Stine admitted. “I grew up there, and that was my childhood. That's how I pretty much picture [their settings].” While there are a lot of books—62 in the original series and more than 250 riffs on them in total—Stine’s favorite of the Goosebumps books is probably The Haunted Mask. “Carly Beth wants to be scary and puts on this scary green mask, and it sticks to her face and becomes part of her, and she can't get it off, and it turns her evil. I think that's my best. Best of the Halloween books anyway,” he said. He went on to admit that the

first book in the series, Welcome to Dead House, was much too scary for young audiences, but he quickly learned how to break up the scary parts with funny material. He’s far away from his time writing for humor magazines, but for Stine, the parallels between humor and horror come naturally. “Writing Goosebumps is like writing punchlines,” he explained. “It's the same visceral reaction. If you sneak up behind anybody and you go ‘Boo!’, what's the first thing they do? They gasp, right? And they laugh. Or you go to a roller coaster, hear people screaming and laughing at the same time—it's all the same.” “I never get scared at things,” he continued. “There's something missing in me. I always thought horror was funny. When you go to a horror film, and something awful is happening, I'm the one laughing. People come to me, they say, ‘I had to leave all the lights on, I had to lock my doors after I read your book.’ I've never had that feeling. I don't know what that is.” Still, he believes that reading horror is scarier than watching it. A story is more intimate and real when it’s happening in your own head. One of the hardest parts of the author’s job, he says, is switching between audiences, especially with younger readers. “You have to spend a lot of time spying on kids just to see what they wear now, what electronics they're using, and what their haircuts are, and, their language, the way they talk, the music,” he said. “That's a really important part of the job, trying to keep up a little bit. You don't want to sound like some old guy.” With a dizzying array of works that includes everything from The Sundial to 1970s Bananas Magazine to more recent works like the new Goosebumps House of Shivers series, horror comics for adults, a children’s picture book about monsters, and even a few funny Garbage Pail Kids books, Stine’s audience over the past sixty years is vast. While the beloved author has made New York his permanent home, he does come back to Columbus quite a bit. Even having frozen Rubino’s pepperoni pizza overnighted to his home in New York (he always has a stack of them in his freezer, he said) doesn’t replace the real thing. Besides, he has ties here. He funds an annual scholarship for a creative writing student at OSU, as well as a two-week-long writing workshop in all three Bexley elementary schools. He does speaking engagements, book signings, and school visits. His impact on readers will last for generations, and, for that reason, his popularity is, in fact, very understandable.

“Writing Goosebumps is like writing punchlines. It's the same visceral reaction. If you sneak up behind anybody and you go ‘Boo!’, what's the first thing they do? They gasp, right? And they laugh. Or you go to a roller coaster, hear people screaming and laughing at the same time—it's all the same.”

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R.L. Stine lives in New York City with his wife Jane, an editor and publisher. You can connect with him on Twitter @RL_Stine, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. For more information, visit rlstine.com.

↓ Photo courtesy of Scholastic

↓ Photo courtesy of Dan Nelken

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↓ Isa Bonello, owner of Three Bites Bakery

By Molly Hammond / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

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Isa Bonello, owner of Three Bites Bakery, fuses her Italian & Filipino background to create home-made pastries that will leave you wanting more than just a couple of bites

J was working a full-time corporate job but getting

ust like out of a Hallmark movie, Isabella (Isa) Bonello

creative in her home kitchen on the side, which sparked her passion for baking. In 2019, she started selling tasty treats on social media, at pop-up markets, and at local stores around Columbus. The unfortunate circumstance of a COVID-19 layoff from that steady corporate job turned into what the Columbus community now knows as Three Bites Bakery, which is settled in a charming 1,100 square foot storefront in the historic King Lincoln-Bronzeville neighborhood. As we all found our own ways of passing time during 2020, Isa started offering monthly assortment boxes and cakes to the community, donating a portion of her earnings to local charities that were near and dear to her heart. The final days of COVID-19 restrictions urged her to pop up at more markets and really hone in on what would eventually be her brick and mortar store’s final menu. Isabella’s love for the kitchen began at a young age and was sparked by her father, with whom she shares her Italian roots and love for all things food. Drawing from her heritage, Bonello infuses her creations with flavors and techniques that pay homage to her Italian and Filipino roots. “While I grew up speaking Italian and eating more Italian food at home, we were geographically closer to my Filipino family,” said Isa. “I loved going to my Lola’s house where she would make me lumpia, adobo and pancit. Food was always so important to us. No matter how much we struggled financially or how exhausted my parents were, my dad always cooked, and throughout the years, taught me how to cook, too.” You can taste this love for her heritage in the bakery’s bestselling items, like the Baklava Morning Bun and the Bomboloni, an Italian brioche donut filled with vanilla pastry cream and tossed in sugar. Or you can try more unique specials, like the Ensaymada, a Filipino classic consisting of a fluffy brioche spiraled up and baked, topped with butter, sugar, parmesan cheese, and sharp white cheddar. Bonello’s move to open a bakery was not one she suspected to start so early on in her life, though. After graduating from Ohio State with a psychology degree in 2012, she started working at Northstar Cafe, but her dream of owning a bakery was always in the back of her mind. After a friend’s encouragement, telling her to follow her dreams of what she loves, she fell into multiple small bakery roles, then ultimately ended up as a baker at L Brands headquarters.

THIS is chamber music!

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PRESENTS

ISIDORE STRING QUARTET SAT FEB 24, 2024 ~ 7pm @ Southern Theatre 21 E. Main St.

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↓ Bonello serving customers at Three Bites Bakery

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Enter 2020. “COVID probably had the biggest impact on my career than anything,” explained Isa. “If it wasn’t for pandemic layoffs, I never would have realized I could make this little business actually work on a larger scale.” Purchased in 2021 through crowd-funding and support from her family and community, Isa couldn’t wait to receive the keys to her 999 Mt. Vernon Avenue brick and mortar bakery location. “The biggest highlight of my career is always going to be the opening day of the bakery in March 2022,” remembered Isa. “I’ll never forget it. It was snowing outside and people were lined up to the end of the block. We sold out in about two and a half hours and had to turn people away. It still humbles me every time I think about it.”

“We try so hard to be the happy in someone’s day. Life is tough enough, so we just want to bring a little bit of joy to anyone, however we can.” Isa said that despite the instability and financial troubles of the bakery industry, she’s been nothing short of grateful for the support and love her business receives from the community. “Our neighbors have welcomed us with open arms. We have regulars that come in from once a month to multiple times a week. We try so hard to be the happy in someone’s day,” Isa emphasized. “Life is tough enough, so we just want to bring a little bit of joy to anyone, however we can.” When she’s not providing tasty sweets to the Columbus community, you can find Isa taking Muay Thai classes in the Short North or watching K-Dramas at home. As for baking in her free time, Isa said she tries to stay away from it. “I don’t bake for fun at home because I’ve realized how important it is to have that separation.” While Bonello couldn’t share specific details, she hinted at exciting things in the pipeline for the bakery. “Expect some new things in the next year with some really cool people!” she teased. Three Bites Bakery has learned to bake a tremendous experience into a small bite with intention and culture behind every treat. Although these delicacies are meant to be eaten in just a couple of bites, you’ll definitely be wishing you had a hundred more. To learn more about Three Bites Bakery, check out threebitesbakery.com, and find their rotating pastry options on Instagram, @threebitesbakery.

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↓ Mattey Spicer styling a client, photo courtesy of Benjamin Willis

By Sav McKee

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Mattey Spicer, a local stylist for A-list celebrities and famous brands, is showing Columbus that it’s possible to achieve anything you set your mind to – and he looks good doing it, too

t’s Mattey’s World, and we’re just living in it. At least, it appears so – everywhere we look, whether it’s tuning into The Grammys to catch a glimpse of Ice Spice’s live performance, or watching Drake’s new music video, or even seeing the commercial promoting Lebron James’ new movie, Shooting Stars – Mattey Spicer, a Columbus local, is one of the forces behind them all. Spicer wears many different hats (both literally and figuratively – hats are essential in his own personal wardrobe), but the one he worked hardest for is the title of Wardrobe Stylist. “If I say stylist, people might think I do hair, but really, I specialize in celebrity wardrobe work, individual personal shopping/ wardrobe styling, and even corporate marketing campaigns for fashion brands,” Spicer explained. And it’s taken a lot of work to make it in this world – Mattey’s World, that is, which is the branding name he uses for his portfolio and social media accounts, embodying the notion that he doesn’t define himself by doing just one thing. “Mattey’s World represents what I’m doing in my own world,” he said. A graduate from OSU with a degree in fashion & retail, Spicer found inspiration while working at a now-closed boutique in the Short North, called Milk Bar. “I learned about entrepreneurship and styling there. I was helping them develop their online shopping platform, and I was in charge of photoshoots and putting their stuff online. I met so many cool people there,” reminisced Spicer. “And I realized I loved doing that type of work.” It would be incredible if, right after working at Milk Bar, Spicer could say he immediately began styling celebrities like Lebron, Tyga, and Migos, but it wasn’t that easy. In order to be successful as a stylist, he realized that networking was a secret weapon.

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After graduation, Spicer began shadowing a local personal shopper, Stephen Jordan, who worked at Nordstrom and styled wealthy clients’ wardrobes. From there, Spicer started accompanying Jordan on photoshoots for corporate brands, and eventually, Spicer was able to get his foot in the door at photoshoots for Home Goods, Express, and Victoria’s Secret. Spicer emphasized, “I had to build my network, assist other lead stylists, get to know people, and insert myself into this styling world. Then I had to go out on my own and reach out to my own clients.” The Catch-22 faced by so many entrepreneurs caught up with Spicer here, too. “You have to have something to show to get that experience, but to get that experience, you have to have something to show,” said Spicer. “So I asked myself, ‘How am I going to have something to show if I can’t get that experience?’” That notion alone fueled Spicer to keep going, even when he was discouraged, and even if it meant taking assistant roles for little to no money at first. “Sometimes you have to look at relationships as a form of currency – as you’re building your career in styling, you can’t worry about how much you’re getting paid for a job. You have to look at it as an experience or a way to propel you forward,” said Spicer. He recalled a time where he made essentially nothing at a stylist gig, but then a client saw his work, and that allowed him to book more paid jobs. Spicer explained, “It took me five years of hard work assisting others, and me being the one to reach out to clients, asking to style them, before clients started reaching out to me – but I knew this was part of the process.” Years of tenacity, strategic collaborations, and some unapologetic self-promotion led him to the limelight, where he’s single-handedly curating the clothes for features in Vogue, sourcing pleated mini skirts for Ice Spice to wear to The Grammys, and ensuring rappers like Quavo have the freshest looks for Coachella. What sets Spicer apart is that he’s achieved all of this from right here in Columbus. He hasn’t moved to NYC or LA, although, “I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my career could have been fast-tracked if I lived in those cities,” Spicer said. “But there’s always been a really great creative community here, full of helping hands and people willing to work together and share connections. I like being part of that,” he explained. Spicer also really appreciates the work-life balance he’s been able to incorporate while living here. After spending the past decade working exceptionally hard to climb to the top, he’s able to live affordably and easily in Columbus, he said. “Every time I think that maybe I should move, I’m always drawn back by something here, whether it’s relationships or just

something that I know I don’t want to leave behind. There are also just so many opportunities here,” he emphasized. Spicer shares his affinity for fashion, styling, and Columbus in general through his volunteer work with Columbus Fashion Alliance and Big Brother, Big Sister, where he empowers kids and teens who are also trying to experiment in the styling industry. He mentors them, conducts workshops, and takes part in guest speeches and panels to encourage others that all of this is completely possible – yup, even in Columbus. “It’s been so cool to connect with them, show them what my own path has been like, and encourage them that there are a million ways to do this. You can do it however you want. It’s completely possible to work with big, huge names, all while being right here,” he explained. Mattey’s World is a place where anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard enough for it. It’s also a place where you should probably look and feel cool while doing it. “Whether you like it or not, style is the first thing that anyone sees about you before you introduce yourself or talk to someone. The one thing you have control of is your appearance and how you present yourself. You don’t need to be the most stylish person with cutting edge fashion – it’s how you feel about yourself in your clothes that speaks through your appearance,” Spicer emphasized. While he gains inspiration for styling clients by looking at their past red carpet appearances or music videos, or even just having a personal conversation with them to check which silhouettes, textures, brands and cuts they love or loathe, his own personal style is a reflection of his travels, and he encourages us to start thinking about bits and pieces we can collect on the way throughout our lives, too. “I pay attention to what’s come before me – specifically in rap videos from the 90s and early 2000s,” said Spicer. “Traveling and being around people from different places is also such a powerful tool for anyone who’s looking to be more stylish. For me, I realized I was subconsciously remembering cool outfits I’d seen while traveling,” he highlighted. And for those who might not have the travel bug, Mattey assures that looking good and feeling great is really all about understanding what fits right on your body. Spicer leaves us with some other advice for success – something that even people who aren’t interested in fashion can certainly try on: “You have to grind. You have to want it.” After all, while this may be Mattey’s World, it’s possible to create and define your own world, just as he did.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my career could have been fast-tracked if I lived in [NYC or LA]. But there’s always been a really great creative community here, full of helping hands and people willing to work together and share connections. I like being part of that.”

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To learn more and view some of Mattey’s work, visit matteysworld.com and follow his Instagram, @matteysworld.

↓ Mattey Spicer, photo by Sarah Pfeifer

↓ Mattey styling a client, photo courtesy of Benjamin Willis

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↓ Jeanette Paras of Paras Pumpkins

SWEET

By Dylan Ecker / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

Success By Dylan Ecker / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

(614) MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 614NOW.COM

From puppets to 400 pound pumpkins bearing celebrity portraits, Dublin resident Jeanette Paras is the one-of-one, whimsical entertainer extraordinaire the world needs

“S

o, you do these exercises where you count. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,” Jeanette Paras tells me as she places her hand into the head of a puppet. She maneuvers its mouth, waves its arms, twirls it this way and that. “Like my haircut,” the puppet inquires. Jeanette laughs and laughs. She combs the puppet’s frizzy mane. Her affection for puppetry began in 2020 — the year she became a grandmother. The day hospitals around Ohio implemented a stricter COVID-19 visitation policy was the same day her grandson was born. Along with the rest of the world, she was suddenly dropped into the age of FaceTime and accidentally muted microphones, frozen screens and weird pauses. The communication limitations imposed by these digital platforms motivated Jeanette to acquire a new way to express herself and (re)connect with family. She got her first puppet simply because she wanted to amuse her newborn grandson over video calls. Today, three and a half years later, in her house in Dublin, Ohio, she proudly displays and meticulously arranges a whole troupe of colorful and silly characters. Jeanette is, if nothing else, an entertainer. There is never not a moment when she is trying her darndest to make people giggle, smile, feel lovely and good. If she’s going to do something, she’s going to commit to it as fully as possible. And even if you think you haven’t, if you live in central Ohio, you’ve almost definitely heard of her. Just not for puppets. Three words: giant celebrity pumpkins. Every year for the past three and a half decades, Jeanette Paras has been making headlines due to an ongoing tradition of hers that involves painting faces of famous people onto pumpkins that are, to put it plainly, massive. A forklift is required to relocate them from her studio (the garage) to the exhibition site (her porch). “Pumpkinization,” or the act of pumpkinizing, is a term coined by Paras to describe her technical process. The first step is to decide on the perfect candidate or candidates. “Right about the end of September, I put a short list together,” she says. Jeanette keeps this list classified. Not even her husband knows exactly who it will be. A key determining factor is: who, in pop culture or politics, garnered the most attention from the news throughout the year?

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1988 presidential nominees Mike Dukakis and George H.W. Bush were Jeanette’s first pumpkinized pair. One of the orange globes was 94 pounds and the other was 118 pounds. “Those are babies to me!” says Paras. The pumps she paints on nowadays are many hundreds of pounds and range from megastars like Miley Cyrus (which featured a metal chain affixed to the pumpkin’s apex a la the 2013 ballad-bop “Wrecking Ball”), to works of fiction such as Din Grogu aka Baby Yoda (whose galactically gargantuan ears stretched the total length of the pumpkin to nearly 10 feet). Once it’s decided who will be pumpkinized, the next step begins. A lot of planning and energy goes into procuring the behemoth berries (TIL: pumpkins are actually berries – who knew!). Evidence suggests that two varieties of seed, Atlantic Giant and Mammoth Gold, are more apt to result in a fruited body of unparalleled proportions. During peak growing season, it’s possible for these pumpkin varieties to gain dozens of pounds per day. Their unique maturation can be linked to farmers selectively breeding plants that genetically favor traits like elastic epidermal layers that help withstand their continual, rapid expansion. Concerning this step in the pumpkinization process, Paras notes, “God loves the growers. I cannot do this without their generosity and support.” This year’s 399-pounder was cultivated by Dublin residents Kurt Rossbach and Jason Johnson. They had no idea that the seed they planted in the dirt would one day be fashioned into a Paras Pumpkins original—let alone it going on to be one of her most viral creations to date. The Taylor SwiftKin (and accompanying Travis Kelce footballkin) made its debut outside the Paras residence in late October of 2023. Jeanette admits, “It’s always just such an awesome whirlwind of a month for me. It’s my birthday. It’s my wedding anniversary,” and it’s the month of the big reveal. Of course, the final step in making her giant pumpkin celebrities come to life is the art (and math!) of painting their likenesses. For the Taylor SwiftKin, Paras researched the ideal reference photo to work from, sketched and sketched, then drew up a to-scale plan. The pumpkin actually had a slight concavity that Paras took into account when designing the illusion of a three-dimensional face. A great deal of intricacy, detail, and effort goes into realizing her creative vision, and yet, Jeanette has previously stated she does not think of herself as an artist.

“I’m more of a comedian,” she said. After putting on final touches, she will take a step back and unleash a ceremonial “scream-laugh.” She’s been told by neighbors that sometimes, as they walk past, they can hear her scream-laugh echoing around inside the closed garage. When they do, they know it’s a sign she’s completed her next masterpiece. Giant celebrity pumpkins will often live out the remainder of their existence on the Paras porch. During the holiday season, Jeanette gives them festive makeovers and adorns them with cheerful decorations (the aforementioned Miley CyrusKin donned a set of fuzzy earmuffs and a red scarf to abate the winter chill). The spirited updates usually make for a conclusive wrap to the pumpkinization arc. This year, though, Taylor SwiftKin didn’t adhere to that same trajectory. Jeanette Paras is a two-time breast cancer thriver. Why thriver? Because her “decision is to attack life with joy and vigor,” she says. She’s harnessing the perennial intrigue and awe her giant celebrity pumpkins generate locally, nationally and globally to spread awareness, promote early detection, and raise money for breast cancer research. In November of 2023, in collaboration with WCOL FM 92.3 and CraneTime, what initially was a *punny* idea turned into a *gourdgeous* reality. Instead of a cozy holiday refresh, the Taylor SwiftKin was hoisted up 75 feet into the air by a crane in the parking lot of WCOL studios and dropped onto a mass of smaller pumpkins in the name of “squashing” breast cancer. Following the SwiftKin’s descent and subsequent splatter, the remaining unsquashed pumpkins were duly squashed by stomping and tossing them all over. What delightful absurdity. And even cooler: all the proceeds from the event went to the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. “How extraordinary that I have this thing that I do that appeals to so many different people. All across the spectrum of life. And we can enjoy it together,” Paras says with a smile.

“How extraordinary that I have this thing that I do that appeals to so many different people. All across the spectrum of life. And we can enjoy it together.”

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To learn more, visit paraspumpkins.com or check out @paras_pumpkins on Instagram

↓ Jeanette Paras of Paras Pumpkins

↓ Jeanette Paras with "Taylor Swiftkin"

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↓ Jim Bryant (Right), and his fellow sailors

By John M. Clark

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From growing up in Kentucky’s coal country to surviving a kamikaze attack in WWII, 97 year-old New Albany veteran Jim Bryant shares the story of his silver screen-worthy life

im Bryant remembers the events of December 15th, 1944, as if they had happened just last month, or even last week. The World War II aircraft mechanic watched in horror as a Japanese kamikaze plane, no doubt packed with explosives, headed straight for the carrier he served on in the South Pacific. Anti-aircraft fire proved useless, and the ship’s entire crew stood a very real chance of being blown into the sea by a lone, suicidal, enemy pilot. Then, the moment of impact. Bryant held his breath as the plane glanced off a lookout platform, instead, and crashed into the sea. The strike killed one sailor. Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief…until a second plane came into view, just moments later. The second pilot missed the flight deck completely (although just barely) and barreled into the ocean, spraying the flight deck with shrapnel. Several men on board were injured. Seventy-nine years later, Bryant still treasures a souvenir of the twin, near-death encounters – a palm-sized hunk of twisted aircraft metal that bears a portion of the red “zero” painted on the side of one of the doomed kamikazes. At 97 years old, Jim Bryant, of New Albany, Ohio, is one of a dying breed – the World War II veteran. Fewer than one-percent of the 16.1 million Americans who fought in that terrible war, 80 years ago, are still among us. And more than 200 more are lost to old age every day. A stroke in early November slowed Bryant down a bit. But there’s no doubt he is a true survivor. He doesn’t need glasses or hearing aids. His memory is sharp, and so is his wit. Just before his stroke, he recalled a recent conversation with one of his doctors. “I guess I’ve almost worn out my second pacemaker battery,” he said. “And they’re talking about putting in the third one. I don’t think they see that very often.” The gentle-spoken nonagenarian with a face that belies his age recounted his remarkable life in early fall, while sipping sweet tea from the shade of his front lawn. “I was born May the 14th, 1926, in Harlan County, Kentucky,” he said. “Coal country. My father was a mine foreman. There were seven of us children. I was the youngest. And my mother, who was pregnant at the time, died in a car accident when I was just two-and-a-half. Yeah, times were hard. And my father did the best he could.” “Living conditions in the company towns weren’t quite as bad as they’ve been made out to be – at least not in ours, which was owned by Henry Ford. Ford had a reputation for treating his miners and their families better than most of them did. But don’t get me wrong. It was still rough,” he recalled. Bryant continued to live with his father for four or five years after his mother died and then bounced from one relative’s home to another until he was 16. Then, like most of his brothers before him, and with only 10 years of formal education, he left the impoverished valley.

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“I remember taking a cardboard suitcase with my clothes in it down in the Philippines.” By some estimates, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was the to the Greyhound bus station and buying a one-way ticket to Columbus,” largest naval battle in history. It was shortly after this, during the Battle he said. “That was 1942, and I had an older cousin here that I came to of Mindoro Island, that Bryant encountered the kamikazes. In fact, this live with for a little while. I worked at a car dealership on North High was the very first battle in which the Japanese carried out the organized Street, changing oil and that sort of thing. But my cousin’s family was suicide missions. growing, and more relatives were coming up from Kentucky, so I moved Japan surrendered to Allied Forces in September 1945, and Bryant’s on. I was a restless scoundrel!” ship was assigned to the Operation Magic Carpet fleet, whose job was Next stop was Cincinnati, and the home of a widowed sister. That to bring U.S. servicemen home from throughout the Pacific. For his part, lasted just a couple of months, until Bryant turned 17. It was 1943, and Bryant and a half-dozen of the men he served with were sent to the World War II was raging. Bryant, the “restless scoundrel,” wanted island of Saipan to serve out their enlistment. nothing more than to be a part of it. He recalled, “I was supposed to In March 1946, Bryant returned to Cincinnati to care for a brother be 18 before I could sign myself up. Younger than that, and you had who was dying from pancreatic cancer. He paid his bills by rebuilding to have a parent’s OK. I didn’t want to get in by cheating, so I took car engines for a local Ford dealership. And it wasn’t long before a train back to Kentucky to get my father’s permission. He gave me he met his future wife, Lois. The newlyweds relocated to Huntington, his signature and I came back to West Virginia, for fifteen years, Ohio, where I was sworn into where the couple raised the U. S. Navy.” three children. By this time, Aircraft mechanic training Bryant had stepped up in took the teenaged Bryant first the business world, selling to Great Lakes Naval Training automotive test equipment Station in North Chicago, throughout the region. The Illinois. After nine weeks, he family moved to Columbus in was sent to California, then 1963, so their deaf son Paul to Seattle and finally, with his could attend the Ohio State new squadron, to North Bend, School for the Deaf. Oregon. It was the spring Eventually, in 1968, of 1944. Bryant’s job was Bryant and his wife found to help keep fighter planes a ranch-style house to their and torpedo bombers like liking on a 28-acre tract of the Grumman TBF Avengers land in New Albany. “When in top flying condition. To we moved here,” he said, “the prepare themselves for battle, entire front of the property was ↑ Jim Bryant (Right), with late US politican Bob Dole pilots practiced dropping wheat fields. We eventually water cannons on boulders built another couple of houses in the surf and landing their there, including one for Paul, planes on aircraft carriers. but I still have plenty of land.” Bryant was assigned to In the years since the the USS Marcus Island, a war, Bryant has lost his mid-sized, mass-produced father, all six brothers and escort carrier ship that sisters, a granddaughter traveled with about 900 men and, in 2004, his beloved and 33 aircrafts. Their mission Lois. He lives alone now, – to support the other military but has frequent visits from Paul branches in their assaults on Japanese strongholds in the Pacific. Each and from his daughter, Cathy Wehner, who lives in Worthington. His attack plane was assigned one pilot and one mechanic, also known as son Ted and his family live in Colorado. Bryant also keeps his mind a plane captain. sharp by listening to the latest news on public radio. He’s composed In his two-plus years of active duty, Plane Captain James Bryant a number of poems, and he’s even writing a fictional novel based on witnessed some of the heaviest fighting in the Pacific Theater. His ship’s family members. first engagement was supporting the Marines in their fight over the tiny Bryant’s service to his country all those years ago is never far island nation of Palau. “One of the Marines’ commanders thought we from his mind. In 2011, he was awarded an Honor Flight to Washington, could take Palau in about four days,” said Bryant. “But these were D.C. The non-profit program sends veterans, free of charge, to visit coral islands, and our bombs were practically useless there, where the war memorials in the nation’s capital. Bryant’s flight was made even Japanese hid from us. The battle wound up lasting two months, with just more special by a chance encounter with former U.S. Senator Bob about every Japanese soldier fighting to his death.” Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, also a former U.S. senator. The couple “Next was Leyte Gulf,” he recalled. “We lost a lot of ships and a lot happened to be greeting veterans that day at the World War of people there. This was our first attempt to put soldiers on the ground II Memorial.

“I’m 97 years old. I have three wonderful children. And I’ve had a good life. And a day like this? Who wouldn’t want to be alive?”

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“I was just walking through the entrance,” Bryant recalled. “Dole was close enough to read my name tag, and he said, ‘Jim, come over here.’ So, we spoke for a few minutes. Of course, he was injured in World War II. We had our picture made. And then I had my picture made with Elizabeth. It was a very proud day.” Photos on the walls of a small room in Bryant’s home show the younger version of himself with his fellow service members. A display frame holds several medals that he was awarded. His frequently worn “WW-II Veteran U.S. Navy” ballcap sits on a small desk opposite a wall of books. One title, in particular, stands out – the highly acclaimed, The Greatest Generation, by journalist Tom Brokaw. Reminded that he was a member of “the greatest generation,” Bryant paused. “I don’t think we did anything greater than the young people of today would do in our situation,” he said. “It might have been a little easier for us because we were brought up during the Great Depression. We didn’t have much to begin with. And maybe we were a little tougher because of it. But we have plenty of fine, young people today.” Pausing again for a sip of sweet tea, Bryant looked out over the property that has been his home for the past 55 years and smiled. “I’m 97 years old. I have three wonderful children. And I’ve had a good life.” Then, commenting on the warm, breezy weather, he added, “And a day like this? Who wouldn’t want to be alive?”

↓ Jim Bryant

Editor's Note: The following interview with World War II veteran James Bryant was conducted on September 23rd. Six weeks later, Bryant suffered a severe stroke. As of publication, he is recovering at a local rehabilitation center.

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↓ From left to right: Westerville Sunny Street Cafe manager Wendi Reed, owner Megan Ada and director of operations Brandi Madden

On the Sunny Side The story of Columbus restaurateur Megan Ada, from Sunny Street Cafe to a Short North Supper Club By Jack McLaughlin Photos by Aaron Massey

When Megan Ada, now a lauded Columbus restaurateur, was 25 years old, she knew two things: that her future was in the restaurant industry, and that she really, really loved breakfast. “It’s my favorite meal of the day,” she said with a laugh. “By far.” With these two things in mind, it only made sense that she decided to take over as franchisee of the Westerville location of Sunny Street Cafe at 25. And even though she had no doubt she could make the location a success, there were still hurdles that had to be cleared. First, some in the industry questioned her capabilities because of her age. Then, her father offered to cosign a loan that would allow her to buy the franchise, but only after she agreed to work at Sunny Street Cafe for a full year beforehand. Which she did without hesitation.

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“What’s cool is my dad really trusted me,” Ada said. “If it didn't go well, he would have lost his house, his retirement. Everything.” Luckily for Ada and her father, she did succeed, and she did so resoundingly. The 25 year old took over as franchisee in 2010, and since then has turned her Sunny Street Cafe into a cornerstone eatery of the Westerville community. “We have fresh eggs, fresh fruit, and the best grits I’ve ever had,” she said, noting that the Eggs Benedict just slightly edges out the grits as her top choice from Sunny Street’s breakfast menu. More than good food, though, the location is known for its service. A big reason for this, Ada said, is a pair of long-standing employees who have been at the Westerville Sunny Street since Ada took the reins: Brandi Madden (director of operations) and her sister, Wendi Reed (Manager).

↓ From right to left: Westerville Sunny Street Cafe manager Wendi Reed, owner Megan Ada and director of operations Brandi Madden

“Starting my own concept was a totally new ballgame. I had to think of everything,” “I’ve had people come to the restaurant specifically for Wendi,” Ada said with a laugh. “That’s how good her service is.” After establishing herself as a successful restaurant owner, Ada decided to build on her success. In 2016, she opened Asterisk Supper Club (14 N. State St.), a totally unique Westerville eatery that features walls lined with books, immersive decor and afternoon tea service that’s one of a kind. “Starting my own concept was a totally new ballgame. I had to think of everything,” she said. But she did–think of everything, that is–and in the process she created a restaurant that offers an environment, and a dining experience, that’s not to be missed. “Asterisk is so unique that you just have to visit to fully understand it,” she said. Four years later, Ada launched Ampersand Asian Supper Club (940 N. High St.) in the Short North. With her husband as head chef and more knowledge on how to operate her own concept, the eatery, too, has thrived. Ampersand offers everything from rice bowls to chef-driven ramen with a personal flair, and has quickly become a go-to dining spot in the lively Short North “I got my first job at McDonald’s when I was 15, and kept working in restaurants from there,” Ada. “I knew all along I would be able to make it in the industry, I just needed a chance.” Visit Westerville’s Sunny Street Cafe location at 644 N. State St. from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily

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Columbus spots for live jazz to cozy up to this winter By Laura Hennigan Story Design by Bryce Patterson

here’s no better cure for the winter blues than an evening spent wrapped up in a sweater, sipping a martini and listening to some of the best live jazz music in Columbus. We’ve found the coziest spots to spend the coldest nights, so plan to warm up with a stop at each of these local jazz venues this winter. →

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Ginger Rabbit 17 Buttles Ave. Since opening last year, Ginger Rabbit has drawn plenty of attention for its basement location, curated cocktail menu and specialty small-plate snacks. But the real focus of the space, from restaurateurs BJ Lieberman and Bronwyn Haines, is the jazz played nightly, Monday through Saturday. With plenty of speakeasy vibes, the mixed lineup includes solo artists during the week, and duos, trios and quartets on the weekends. Walk-in space is very limited, so guests 21 and over should plan to grab tickets in advance to guarantee a seat to the show.

Dick's Den 2417 N. High St.

Zaftig Brewing 7020-A Huntley Rd. Tucked away behind the railroad tracks in Worthington, the Zaftig Brewing taproom features live jazz on Thursday nights, with a new guest artist playing every week. From 6:30 to 8:30p.m. you can grab a pint of craft beer, order from one of the rotating on-site food trucks and hear some great music in a laid-back, family (and dog) friendly atmosphere. Once a month they also feature a student night, where the younger set are invited to preview the featured music and join in the jam session.

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As one of the first jazz lounge locations in the city, Dick’s Den prides itself on a live music lineup that runs Thursday through Sunday. A casual stage space hosts a rotating cast of jazz musicians playing to a highly eclectic group of both regulars and guests. The iconic, campus area dive bar has been around since the 1960s, offering a warm, well-worn venue to linger in as long as you care to. It’s a low-key vibe at the den, so come as you are for some of the best jazz and cheapest beers in town.

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8930 lyra dr. columbus, oh 43240 JANUARY 2024 (614) MAGAZINE

Parable After Dark

↓ Jazz Night at Parable After Dark, photos by Aaron Massey

149 S. High St. Every Sunday night, this well-known coffee shop turns down the lights and turns on the fireplace, transforming into a cozy jazz den. From 7-10 p.m., 3Deep, a local jazz band, serenades patrons for no cost or cover. Grab a seat, enjoy the ambiance, and try one of the best martinis in town in one of the best atmospheres Columbus has to offer.

Blu Note

Brothers Drake

2882 E. Main St. Sometimes you want a bit of sustenance to go with your music, which is where the Blu Note Jazz Cafe comes in. The Bexley establishment serves up live jazz Tuesday through Saturday, as well as an extensive menu that pays homage to several cities known for their jazz culture. Order some Kansas City Burnt Ends or New Orleans Shrimp and Grits while listening to a variety of solo musicians and groups playing all different styles of jazz from those areas.

1025 W. 3rd Ave. Recently moved into their new space in Grandview, Brothers Drake Meadery will soon relaunch its long standing tradition of jazz on Wednesday nights. All ages are welcome to enjoy live music from 8 - 11p.m., with no cover charge. Grab a table or a spot at the bar and sample a glass of their signature meads, made with honey and spices, or try one mixed in a creative cocktail.

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When it’s TRUE LOVE only a TRUE JEWELER will do TM

S AW M I L L R O A D | E A S T O N T O W N C E N T E R | D I A M O N D C E L L A R . C O M

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