(614) September 2020 by 614mediagroup

(614) MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

BIG PICTURE Members of the Columbus Crew continued their tradition of singing to the Nordecke after a 3-0 win over Chicago, even though there were no fans in the stadium. PHOTO BY DAVID HEASELEY

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Contents

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(614) MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

C O V E R PA C K A G E BUT STILL, THEY PLAYED

A CHANCE TO BE EPIC

THE PRACTICALITY OF BEES

BOUND AND DETERMINED

FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD

LATIN LOVE

LOVE ISN'T CANCELED

FORGOTTEN VICTIMS

ON THE COVER:

Pictured is the 1918 OSU Football Team, photo courtesy of The Ohio State Univeristy Archives

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis

STEPHANIE WEST Editor-In-Chief

Scan our QR codes for a richer storytelling experience with (614) You’ve probably heard that term “multimedia,” before. Usually it’s from a media company, definitely a school, and most certainly in the art world. Basically, it’s using more than one piece of media to express an idea—in media, it’s using print and video; in schools it’s creating presentations that use video, print, photos, and websites; and in art, it’s exhibits that use different media in either the work itself, or within the exhibit. In any case, it’s really about taking one piece of content and making it accessible to people in a variety of ways. I bring this up because, I’m not sure if you noticed or not, but in the August issue of (614) we began incorporating multimedia into our editorial content. You’ll see that same approach to storytelling this month as well with videos about a local guy whose love of bicycles led to him opening a business, one on fly fishing, and another on women in the trades industry. And while our social media platforms and email will allow readers to view content easily on the channels they were designed for, you can also view them through the magazine. No, it’s not some special paper we use—but it is technology. QR codes to be exact. Yeah, we were all skeptical at first, too...weren’t QR codes a thing of the early 2000s or something? They were; but with the onset of COVID and most restaurants going paperless, menus via a QR code on the table are making the technology popular again. Thanks to iPhone incorporating QR readers into the camera function a long time ago, you can easily scan a QR code by simply holding your camera over the code like you’re taking a picture and wait for the link to pop up on the upper portion of your phone. Then click on the link and you’ll get to easily watch the video that goes hand-in-hand with the written content, giving you a richer, more holistic understanding of the story. Android technology also offers this function, but there are a couple buttons you have to push for it to work—we suggest you Google your particular phone to find out how to turn on the scan function. Having said that, look for the QR codes throughout

EDITOR IN CHIEF Stephanie West

the magazine and scan away! It just so happens we have an incredible Director of Video, John Thorne, on staff who’s working with some very talented CCAD students and quite a few local film and video professionals to bring you some clever, professional storytelling. You don’t want to miss it, I promise. And just so you can practice before you get into the meat of the issue—yes, I know you’re raring to read the historical context of why Ohio State’s football season is unprecedented by talented writer, Lori Schmidt, and how Comic Book creators are alive and well in Columbus, Ohio—but take a moment and warm up your QR code scanner with these three, short videos from August. ↓

(614) MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

Ice Cream Wars

ASSISTANT EDITOR Allison Grimes 614NOW DIGITAL EDITOR Lori Schmidt 614 CAMPUS EDITOR Nicholas Youngblood STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Julian Foglietti

CONTRIBUTORS Jaelani Turner-Williams Jack Mclaughlin Melinda Green Rebecca Tien Zak Kolesar

Lindsey Escaja David Lewis Nathan Quin LEAD DESIGNER Sarah Moore CREATIVE DESIGNERS Justin Remotap, Paul Barton DIRECTOR OF VIDEO John Thorne

Buzz on Beekeeping

VIDEO EDITOR Maddy Van Buren ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Nikki Harris, Mindy Wilhite Kelly Robson

Holy $#@% That's Hot (614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614columbus.com www.614now.com

� S TA F F P I C K S

Football or School?

The September (614) issue is the annual football issue and this year, well...there is no OSU football. Or in-person school. So we asked staffers: If you could choose at least one to come back in-person, which would you pick?

( LET TER to the EDITOR ) We want to hear from you, Columbus. And Letter to the Editor is just the place to do it. Like something? Hate something? It’s fair game. Send us your thoughts (no profanity or name calling—let’s keep it clean) to editor@614now.com and sound off on the good and bad about us, Columbus, or what you’re seeing in your area of Central Ohio.

Me and my non-existent children may be biased, but...FOOTBALL.

ON the WEB

— Jayci Haase, Director of Marketing & Development

It pains me, but school.

— Paul Barton, Graphic Designer

EASY! Football. It’ll teach you everything you need to know about life #gobucks — Nikki Harris, Account Executive

For the well being of everyone, neither. But I would like to see another stimulus check inperson, am I right. — Justin Remotap, Graphic Designer

Man that’s a tough one! I’d say schools. I love OSU Football, BUT kids need to be in school. — Meggin Weimerskirch, Advertising Director

School or Ohio State football? That's cruel to try to make me choose. — Lori Schmidt, 614now Digital Editor

Responsible Me: Get the kids back to school! Selfish Me: Go Bucks! — Mindy Wilhite, Account Executive

Neither. Both are highly overrated. :) I really just want to be able to give my elderly mother a hug without fear of giving her a deadly virus. — John Thorne, Director of Video

(614) MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

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.

→ Law Bird spreads its wings Brewery District’s Law Bird closed four months after it opened due to COVID—now they’re back up and running thanks to a clever to-go menu.

→ Baby Bust? Will COVID create a baby boom or baby bust in nine months? Columbus couples weigh in.

→ To tailgate or not to tailgate It’s still possible to get your tailgate on even if you’re not watching OSU football. Read how one local season tailgater is doing it.

# I N S TA D R I N K nets instant win The Instagram account @HoneyandCity, run by Valerie Jama and Matthew Smith, shot the winning photo from (614)’s August #InstaDrink contest that netted them dinner for two during (614)’s Restaurant Week. In this photo from Antiques on High are Higher Grounds, l, and Village Buck.

P In response to Ohio Republican lawmakers filing articles of impeachment against Gov. DeWine on Facebook: STEVE MARKOSKY: I so love it when they eat their own!

Columbus, you are a social-ing bunch, and we couldn’t love it anymore than we already do—unless YOU had a giveaway for US! Still, your quirky, witty, commentary, sometimes full of love...sometimes not so much, gives us much to talk about during the day. So, have @ it Central Ohio—we’re listening!

SS PL

S OCI A L CO M M EN TA RY

61 4 V ID E O Did you know that (614) launched a new YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. We’re expanding our ever-growing content to include video across our web and magazine stories. Keep an eye out for more on our 614 Columbus account and on social media. In the meantime, check out the newest videos on our channel:

In response to ColumBEST launch on Instagram: @GRANT_FRISKY: Let's not vote any chains the best in Columbus this year deal?

In response to Sunrise photo on Instagram: @KALEBPP: This is one giant sky marble graphic away from being a 90s trapper keeper

Bound and Determined See the video on how one local resident turned his biking passion into a business.

In response to Seltzer State cover story (featuring Kitty Paw seltzer) on Instagram: HMMOMMA: I think Carole Baskin would meow meow apprrrrove

In response to Kanye running for president article on Twitter: @BRANDIBREEZE: Never. Not trading one mental illness for the next. Thank you, Next.

Women wear work boots See ladies in the trades talk about the difficulties of being a woman in a man’s world of electricity and construction.

In response to announcement of Governor DeWine's positive COVID-19 test on Twitter: @CBJBLLUJKTS: Was he in a bar after 10:00 P.M.?

In response to Holy $#@% That's Hot video on Facebook: KADIE COCHRANE: Not into pickles!!! But they do serve great food

On the fly Watch this video on how one Central Ohio woman turned her love of fly fishing into a group event

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WELCOME TO THE INSIDER! Have an event you want to shout-out? Send an email to editor@614now.com.

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NATALIE’S MUSIC HALL AND KITCHEN LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES

// Short North The Short North Gallery Hop is still alive and well, though being officially promoted and supported virtually. You can watch the Short North Arts District Instagram feed starting at 1 p.m. to see which businesses have special deals. From there, you can go visit the Short North yourself and enjoy strolling the streets. However, the SNAD is asking that you follow safety guidelines while doing so. You can see what safety guidelines are being encouraged at https://shortnorth.org/ShortNorthSafe

// Franklin Park Conservatory See the Conservatory’s Chihuly Collection in a whole new light during Chihuly Nights, happening from 7–10 p.m. All 19 installations will be professionally lit to create a breathtaking view within the backdrop of the botanical gardens. The evenings also include an opportunity to view the historic John F. Wolfe Palm as it’s illuminated by James Turrell’s Light Raiment II, to explore the Conservatory’s biomes after dusk, and experience exhibitions including the brand new Paul Busse Garden Railway in the Grand Mallway and Bonsai on display in the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The Conservatory food truck will serve a limited food menu, beer and wine.

Throughout the month

// Natalie's Grandview Throughout the month of September, check Natalie’s in Grandview for live music, socially distanced, of course. The Drowsy Lads and Kinfolk are just two of the bands scheduled to perform. Visit their website for information and to buy a table at https://nataliesgrandview. com/events

SHORT NORTH GALLERY HOP

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CHIHULY NIGHTS

09.14 - 09.19

(614)'S RESTAURANT WEEK // Various locations Enjoy 3-course meals at 175+ of Columbus’ best restaurants during 614’s semi-annual Restaurant Week. Dig into deep discounts from local favorites and newcomers alike for a week filled with food, fun, friends, and family. Visit 614now.com for menus & reservations.

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NORTH MARKET NIGHT MARKET // North Market The North Market Night Market from 6 to 9 p.m. is one of the oldest and largest in Central Ohio! Quickie Dips LLC will be selling gourmet blended dry rubs, dips and no-bake dessert mixes. COVID precautions, including wearing face masks, will be observed.

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// Short North Arts District Line up (cars only, no walkers) begins at noon on Park & Buttles. Less-ThanGrand Marshal 2020: Grandma Joy & Grandson Brad Ryan will join the parade. Organizers ask those in the parade to wear a mask and social distance. No spectators lining the street. To watch the parade and enjoy the live music, visit the Doo Dah Parade Facebook page for the live feed.

GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH

DOO DAH PARADE

09.25 - 09.27

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// Franklin Park Conservatory The Glass Pumpkin Patch is initially on display Sept. 25-27 during normal Conservatory hours. You can then view and buy hundreds of beautiful glass pumpkins and autumn-themed items handcrafted by local glass artists during the Pumpkins Aglow Special Engagement Oct. 14-18 and 21-25 from 5-9 p.m.

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

EVERYBODY HAS THE CHANCE TO BE EPIC The comic culture of Ohio’s own Central City is strong and diverse STO RY A N D P HOTO BY N AT HA N QUI N

ost casual observers only associate big-name superheroes with comic books; stories colloquially known as the American Mythology that are generally from one of the two powerhouse publishers, Marvel and DC. But comics as a medium are so much more than the basis of mega blockbusters—and Columbus has strong and varied ties to the artform. “I think a lot of comic book fans know that Jeff Smith, creator of Bone is from Columbus, and that put Columbus on the map,” says John Orlando, host of PVDcast, a podcast that lets him explore his four great loves: wrestling, hockey, movies and comic books. “The Billy Ireland museum down at OSU is also another great historical look at the past.” Comic convention culture has deep roots in the capital city as well with Columbus playing host to the Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, Jeff Smith’s own Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Sol-Con: The Brown and Black Comix Expo at OSU, and SPACE the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo, to name just a few of the major opportunities for creators to exhibit and fans to get their fix. “Columbus is a creative town in general,” Orlando observes. “There’s a lot of fantastic art being produced.” One of those outstanding local artists is Victor Dandridge, homegrown creator recognized as “The Hardest Working Man in Comics.” Dandridge 20

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“Columbus is a creative town in general.” JOHN ORLANDO

started publishing his own comics in 2006 with local imprint Freestyle Komics and has gone on to start his own company as one of the most influential voices in the community. A community that is thriving. “I bet there’s at least 100 creators in Central Ohio alone,” explains Dandridge. “I’d be surprised if it doesn’t grow annually.” A ton of that local talent is on display in the work coming out of Freestyle Komics. “Our books try to feature the melting pot that is the city that we live,” says Michael Watson, founder and lead creative at Freestyle. He points out that many of the company’s flagship titles actually take place in Columbus. “We try our best to have relatable characters for every type of fandom that there is. No matter your weight, size, height, color of skin, sex, gender—everybody has the chance to be epic.” Watson explains that approach extends off the page at Freestyle Komics as well. “Just as much diversity as we have in our cast of characters, I try to have in the people that are actually putting the books together,” he says. Another enduring associate of the comic industry is that of the comic shop. At one time there were dozens of the beloved institutions around Central Ohio. Now, less than 10 remain in Columbus and the surrounding suburbs. Ostensibly, comic shop owners and local comic creators are part of the same industry, but the reality is they frequently find themselves occupying two completely different worlds. “We just don’t get a lot of call for it here,” explains Jeff Patrick, owner of World’s Greatest Comics in Westerville, of why his shop hasn’t, to date, put much emphasis on local and independent publications. “We’re in the suburbs and not a lot of the local, small-press fans make it out to the suburbs.”

“We try our best to have relatable characters for every type of fandom that there is. No matter your weight, size, height, color of skin, sex, gender— everybody has the chance to be epic.” MICHAEL WATSON

While that may, at first, seem like a disservice to local creators, Victor Dandridge has a different take. “A lot of comic creators don’t really understand the retail side of things and it creates a big misunderstanding [with] the belief that retailers don’t like independents,” Dandridge explains. He said that it can be a lot harder to sell independent titles that don’t already have giant, built-in marketing machines like summer blockbuster films carrying most of the advertising weight. “A store has to live and die by the products that they sell. It’s very imperative that they acquire things that they know they can sell,” says Dandridge. This reality has led to smaller independents finding other ways to get their creations into the hands of the fans and, ultimately, allowing many to grow past the need of getting their books onto the shelves of local shops. “Whether it’s through conventions, online sales or Kickstarters, we have circumvented the need for retailers which, to a degree, can hurt the retailers," explains Dandridge. “We are syphoning some funds away from the retailers almost as a means of necessity on our part.” SAVE THE DATE!

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“A lot of comic creators don’t really understand the retail side of things and it creates a big misunderstanding [with] the belief that retailers don’t like independents.” VICTOR DANDRIDGE

•ARTWORK BY VICTOR DANDRIDGE

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•ARTWORK BY MICHAEL WATSON

“ There are a lot of talented people out there, we would like to shine more of a spotlight on it.” JEFF PATRICK

For his part, retailer Jeff Patrick sees the value in building relationships with local creators. “There are a lot of talented people out there,” says Patrick. With a recent relocation to a larger retail space, he now plans to feature a curated selection of local and independent comics. “We would like to shine more of a spotlight on it.” Dandridge is incredibly optimistic for the future prospect of better retailer/creator cohabitation of the Columbus comic landscape. “I don’t really like the concept that we are against each other,” he says. “I am a believer in the success of both sides.” • SAVE THE DATE!

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The Practicality of Bees

â&#x2020;? LUK E HOWA R D

Former OSU student creates useful, sustainable bee tools for businesses and individuals

BY J I M F I S C H E R P H OTOS BY J U L I A N FO G L I E TTI

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↓ L U K E H OWARD 'S NATIVE B E E B OX D ES IGN

"If you hang out at all with Luke, you’re going to hear about bees."

aren’t all grass.’” The Bee Collective currently includes about seven volunteers, Howard said, offering classes and workshops in all of these and other related topics, including herbalism and bee box construction. Classes are hosted at partner gardens, schools and other spaces willing to host programming that will expand as the organization becomes fully functional in its new permanent home at 410 W. Town St. in Franklinton. “We ran an Indiegogo campaign that ended in June, with the idea to raise some money to create wild spots throughout the city,” Gimblett said. “As a result, we were offered this space in an old barn to sort of house all of our activity.” Continued access to tools and systems at The Idea Foundry, including a computer numerical control router, full spectrum laser, wood and metal working tools and design programs—not to mention the Foundry’s experts—has benefitted Howard’s bee box construction efforts. He has also partnered with Franklinton-based artists on bee-themed jewelry and other metalwork projects.

he growing public awareness around bees, beekeeping, pollination, and native plants means a real hive mind is needed to provide the best information and education on these topics. Enter Luke Howard and The Bee Collective. Howard’s interest in beekeeping was stoked during courses in sustainable agriculture while he was a student at Ohio State University. He supplemented classroom learning with realworld know-how by acquiring four hives soon after finishing school about five years ago. It’s a topic about which Howard buzzes. “I pretty much won’t shut up about bees,” he joked during a recent online video chat. Rebecca Gimblett, Howard’s partner in the collective, concurred. “If you hang out at all with Luke, you’re going to hear about bees,” she said with a laugh. The pair met while they both worked at

The Idea Foundry, a makerspace in a rehabbed Franklinton warehouse. As Howard’s interest in not only beekeeping, but in supporting practices that create a beneficial ecosystem for insects, native plants and, ultimately, people, grew, so did his eagerness to share those interests with others. “There’s a growing prominence just among people in general about bees; it’s this sort of almost romantic idea of hives and honey,” Howard said. “But what I love about someone who wants to investigate what it means to have a hive or to ask about beekeeping is that it’s just a start. You learn one thing and you start to learn more and notice more… more nature, more flowers, others bees and insects, butterflies and other pollinators. “Then we can branch out into ‘Let’s plant a pollinator garden, let’s care about where our food comes from, let’s make sure our parks

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“Having a background in making and the benefit of this large facility allows us to do some unique and cool things,” Howard said. “And we’re connected with artists and other talented people in the community, which helps because, in many ways, we’re still learning ourselves.” Howard said he’s created a unique, “eye-popping” native bee box, and that the Collective plans to install these wild spots in sites around the city over the next few weeks, “turning the city into a pollinator sanctuary.” Howard also continues to manage hives, now 17 of them scattered throughout Columbus, including on the roof of The Idea Foundry, at Franklinton Farms, and atop The Crest Gastropub on the city’s south side, which collects the honey for use in its kitchen. “It’s practical for us in that we’re able to harvest our own honey, giving our team a direct connection to the food,” co-owner Abed Alshahal said. “But it also fits with our green, sustainable infrastructure—a rooftop garden, collecting rainwater—at the restaurant that’s crucial to our mission.” Howard recently installed native bee boxes, honeybee hives and bat boxes on the roof at The Crest’s Clintonville location, Alshahal said. “The news in recent years about losing bees, bee habitat, and the dangers of pesticides and parasites…that’s important but it’s only part of the story,” Howard said. “But the good news is, people are looking for ways to help, to get involved, and you don’t have to keep bees to do it.” •

↓ T H E B E E CO LLE CTIVE IN F R A N KLINTO N

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"Chicken In Waffles" →

"The G.O.A.T" ↓

24 KARAT EXPERIENCE You’re golden at Gahanna’s newest sports bar that offers bar food with a twist 28

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BY JA EL A N I T UR N ER -W I L L I A M S P H OTO BY JUL I A N FOG L I ET TI

long the cobblestone path of the Gahanna Creekside district resides the suburb’s newest sports-centric gastropub, Stadium. The brainchild of founder James Dawson and executive chef, occasional Food Network star, and co-owner Darnell ‘Superchef’ Ferguson (also co-owner of four Superchef’s Breakfast & More locations), Stadium was built on their mutual enthusiasm for sports and the diverse communities within Columbus’ dedicated fandom. “Stadium was a concept I created in early 2018, but even prior to then I’ve always wanted to open a sports bar. I took my time scoping out the sports bar scene and the competition,” Dawson said. “Growing up a diehard sports fan, me and my younger brother played sports. That kept us out of trouble while living in rough areas of the city, and the goal was always to make it to the highest level—the highest level in any sport is competing in a Stadium.” As guests are required to wear masks upon entering Stadium, they can opt for a seat within the restaurant or the patio to absorb the parkadjacent view. Just one look at Stadium’s menu, and first-timers will be intrigued by the restaurant’s magnetic offerings well beyond options at the average concession stand. For a pre-game boost, take a sip of the Gahanna Lion, a lightly tart buzzy concoction that intermingles Ketel One vodka, fresh basil, and elderflower liqueur. During the first quarter, opt for Stadium’s OMG Cauliflower wings, drenched in bang bang sauce with enough spice to rev into halftime. Once you’re prepared for your first official course, you don’t just have to indulge in burgers or hot dogs to get the full-court experience. Try the Wild Shroom pizza topped with wild mushroom, alfredo sauce, and caramelized onions for a creamy taste or Chicken ‘N’ Waffles for boneless fried chicken sandwiched between strawberries, blueberries and maple syrup. Looking for an ultimate challenge? The $50 24 Karat Gold Trophy Wings might be up your alley, as the edible metal isn’t just reserved for jewelry. With weekend brunch offerings, Stadium boasts scoreboards worth of bites that any foodie will savor. “I’ve seen 24 Karat Gold Trophy Wings done in New York City for fifty wings [at] $1,000 and they really didn’t taste good at all,” Ferguson joked. “I thought I could give people a better experience for a lesser price.” Dawson noted he’s a huge fan of not just good food, but on creating a high-energy experience for his guests. “If you look around you have so many different elements of sports,” Dawson said. “From our ‘Stadium illustrated’ sports wall, to [our] streetball graffiti walls, classic retro sports arcade games for big kids, Pop-A-Shot for families, and the sports-themed menu—Stadium offers something for everyone. The vibe of Stadium is fun—that’s what we wanted to accomplish.” Like other restaurants, Stadium faced setbacks at the beginning of the pandemic. Anticipating a grand opening during March Madness, Dawson and Ferguson’s game plan was derailed upon NCAA’s COVID-19 shutdown earlier this year. Still, first time Stadium guests came out in droves to support the restaurant’s launch through social media updates and local word-of-mouth, especially as one of only a handful of Blackowned businesses in Gahanna. “I’ve always said that Gahanna was a loyal community, that’s why I wanted to open the first location here,” Dawson said, hinting at a future sister location. “I think Stadium’s aesthetic creates a huge shock value in Gahanna because it’s one of its kind. Most importantly, I think our guests are just excited that we are finally open.” “I hope that people don’t associate Black-owned restaurants with just mom-and-pop joints—we take pride in setting new standards,” Ferguson added. “I think we did that.” • SAVE THE DATE!

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BOUND and DETERMINED

the increasingly complex—and valuable—world of restaurant delivery, Bound Couriers is proving the straightest and shortest route is still the best. Jaedon Nauriyal started Bound in 2019 as a way to streamline food delivery for both restaurants and customers by keeping the process local and personal, cutting through some of the layers of complexity that result from third-party platforms like GrubHub, UberEats, and Postmates, and other impersonal, often out-of-town online vendors. Many customers don’t even notice these layers when ordering online, Nauriyal said, but the process matters on both ends of the delivery. “People care about where they’re getting their food from and what they’re ordering, not who’s delivering it,” Nauriyal said. “But (Bound) is built off of relationships. I thought we could make delivery better for the restaurants, the riders and the customers.” Nauriyal, 25, has seen food delivery from multiple vantage points. After working in the kitchen of a downtown eatery for five years, he did delivery through third-party vendors. Convinced he could provide a more reliable

service at lower fees than those charged by most platforms, he set up Bound to be “like a cooperative,” he said, a worker-owned team of riders that has increased from two at startup to six currently riding with Bound. “We work almost like an in-house delivery service,” Nauriyal said. At rates approximately half of the 30 percent often charged by many third parties, fees that come out of the restaurants’ price for each order, Bound benefits restaurant owners. And with 100 percent of the fee going to the deliverer, it’s a more equitable proposition for riders as well. The company delivers food throughout downtown Columbus and its adjacent neighborhoods like Short North, Olde Towne East, Franklinton, and German Village, from restaurants in essentially the same area. Bound clients include Brown Bag Deli, Cravings Cafe, Market 65, Lexi's On Third,

Columbus cyclist finds niche market in food delivery that helps Central Ohio restaurants BY J I M F I S C H E R P H OTOS BY J U LI AN FO GLI ET T I

Law Bird, Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace, Hai Poke, Poke Bros. and more. “(Jaedon) just stopped in and introduced himself. We’d never used a third-party delivery service—I’ve been kind of anti-thirdparty since we opened,” Matt Tewanger of downtown’s Cravings Cafe said. “We’re a small, local company, the kind where customers who come in know you by name. Because he’s small and local, he can mirror that same kind of customer service. And, I work with Jaedon one-on-one.” Molly Pesich of Brown Bag Deli in German Village agreed with that sentiment. “We’re very like-minded, and that’s a big part of the relationship,” Pesich said. “Delivery is an important piece of the puzzle. Jaedon is able to make sure the order is received, assure the customer is happy, and work directly with us if there’s an issue. Customers want the food, but they also want to know they’re going to be taken care of.” Of course, online ordering with delivery still requires the technology to make it work. But Nauriyal has worked to take as much of that hassle away from the restaurants as possible and offers links directly to their online ordering through boundcouriers.com.

↓ TEAM OF BOUND COURIERS

(614) MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

↑ JAEDON NAURIYAL, FOUNDER

Bound is built off of relationships. I thought we could make delivery better for the restaurants, the riders and the customers. And in 2020, with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic dramatically impacting dine-in receipts, delivery has taken on a new importance. “There are a lot of places that are not offering dine-in right now. Having not just delivery, but reliable delivery that cuts through a lot of the extra work and doesn’t gouge the restaurants is more important than ever,” Nauriyal said. “We started with Jaedon right before (shutdowns and restrictions due to) COVID. We didn’t know all of this was going to happen,” Pesich said. “So on one hand, it’s been difficult but we’ve been able to build some things, to expand a little further, with (Nauriyal). We’re definitely getting orders we wouldn’t be getting, and that’s important in this time.” Nauriyal said his strengths in working with Columbus businesses are his organizational skills and his commitment to working local. “People love these restaurants,” said Nauriyal. “My number one goal has been to get their food to the people who want it.”

WATCH BOUND IN ACTION

Scan here to watch the accompanying video

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↓ A LLYSON BLACKWELL AT NORTH MARKET Photo by Bram Fulk

Fortune Favors the Bold

Allyson Blackwell turned no allowance into gourmet cookies BY N ATH A N Q U I N

hen young Allyson Blackwell asked her father yet again for an allowance, he just would not budge. Instead, he offered some advice that has helped inform Blackwell’s life ever since: become a self-made woman. At the time, Blackwell was already well on her way to accomplishing great things in the kitchen, so her father’s advice, mixed with her grandmother’s teachings became the foundation of her life to come. •

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↑ GOURMET FORTUNE COOKIES Photo by Preston Perich

“What first lit that match for me was watching my grandmother bake a pound cake,” Blackwell recalls. She was five years old. “She was pulling out flour and all these containers of stuff. I’m tasting the flour, the baking soda...it just didn’t make any sense to me that she was making a cake with all of these strange ingredients that individually were not good. I was smitten at that moment because it just blew my mind.” Blackwell took up baking that day, eventually graduating from her Easy-Bake Oven to the real deal and, over time, impressing her family with her ever-proofing skills. When she pushed again for an allowance, Blackwell’s father took the opportunity to praise his young daughter’s talents in the kitchen and suggest that, if she really wanted some spending money, she should use her burgeoning baking abilities and figure out a way to make it herself. So she did. Armed with a fortune cookie recipe copied from a PBS program, Blackwell made a whole mess of the sweet treats for her family to enjoy. When her father cracked into the confection made specifically for him, he found a fortune that read: “You should probably consider paying your children an allowance.” It worked. Allowance negotiations resumed and Allyson began what has now become an incredibly accomplished career as a chef for restaurants, hotels, and country clubs from Columbus to the Kentucky Derby. In 1996, Blackwell started The Pastry Factory as a fun side project but her creative endeavor took on new life when the COVID pandemic struck this past spring and Blackwell found herself without full-time work. “I thought, ’You know, this is the perfect time to put 100 percent of my energy into my pastry business.’” Offering gourmet desserts for “sophisticated palettes,” Blackwell’s home business gives her the freedom to develop unique flavor combinations for cakes and pastries made to order. “I really want to stand out from the rest of the crowd,” Blackwell says of her custom concoctions like avocado & rosemary or corn & mango cakes. Through it all, she has never abandoned her love of fortune cookies and her innovative take on flavor carries through to her current futuretelling offerings. Mint chocolate chip, piña colada, and pralines and 34

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MATC H "W HAT FIR ST LIT TH AT G MY HIN TC WA FO R ME WA S ." KE BA R HE OT DM GR AN

cream with crushed pecans are all on the menu. “You can infuse a lot of flavor,” Blackwell explains of the notewrapped concoctions. “You can really play around with making them something interesting.” On paper, fortune cookies seem fairly easy to make. However, that perceived simplicity hides unexpected challenges. Machines can mass produce fortune cookies by the millions. Made by hand, though, Blackwell is only able to bake them in pairs. The dexterity required to pull the cookies from the oven, place the fortunes and perfectly form both in the 15 seconds or so before they cool is staggering. “You just have to know the love language of how to make that cookie right.” Blackwell has had the opportunity to provide some cherished fortunes to happy customers over the years. The Girl Scouts commissioned cookies for 100 of their members, each with an individualized message. Blackwell has also made jumbo-sized fortune cookies carrying edible colored confetti for gender reveal surprises as well as one special treat with a fortune in the form of a lovely marriage proposal. Sadly, Blackwell’s father was never able to witness the culinary achievements of the aspiring young chef he sought to inspire all those years ago. “He passed away right before I turned 16,” Blackwell explains. “It makes me feel really good that he did kind of inspire me to do something with [baking]. I would like to think that he’s kind of looking at it like, ‘Yeah, I gave her that idea.’”

Discover more of Allyson Blackwell’s culinary creations on her website mypastryfactory.com SAVE THE DATE!

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AAB INDIA • ALQUERIA • AMPERSAND ASIAN SUPPER CLUB • ASTERISK SUPPER CLUB BARCELONA • BAREBURGER • BARREL & BOAR • BARROLUCO • BASIL BEER BARREL PIZZA • BONEFISH GRILL • BRAVO • BRIO ITALIAN GRILLE BRISTOL REPUBLIC • CAMERON’S AMERICAN BISTRO • CIMI’S BISTRO • CITY BBQ COLUMBUS FISH MARKET • CONDADO TACOS • CRAFTY PINT • DEL MAR • DEWEY’S PIZZA DOS SABORES • EDDIE MERLOT • EL VAQUERO • ELEVATOR • EVEREST CUISINE FADO KITCHEN & PUB • FIGLIO • FORTY DEUCE CAFE & SPEAKEASY FOURS/BARREL ON HIGH • G. MICHAEL’S BISTRO & BAR • GRANDVIEW CAFE HAVELI BISTRO • HEN QUARTER • HOGGY’S RESTAURANT & CATERING • HUBBARD GRILLE HYDE PARK PRIME STEAKHOUSE • J GILBERT’S • JONY’S SUSHI KYOTO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI • LA SCALA • LEGACY SMOKEHOUSE LINCOLN SOCIAL • HARVEST MOON CRAFT KITCHEN • MACKENZIE RIVER PIZZA GRILL & PUB MARCELLA’S • MARTINI MODERN ITALIAN • MATT & TONY’S • MATT THE MILLER’S MAZAH MEDITERRANEAN EATERY • MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S • MEZZO • MID CITY GARAGE MILESTONE 229 • MITCHELL’S STEAKHOUSE • MORETTI’S OF ARLINGTON NAPA KITCHEN & BAR • NIDA’S THAI ON HIGH • NOSH ON HIGH • OLD MOHAWK TAVERN PAT & GRACIE’S • PECAN PENNY’S • POLARIS GRILL • RODIZIO GRILL • RUSTY BUCKET RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE • RYE RIVER SOCIAL • SIP BREWING COMPANY • SIP LOCAL SMITH & WOLLENSKY • SOULSHINE TAVERN & KITCHEN • SOUTH VILLAGE GRILLE • STADIUM TAJ PALACE • THE BOGEY • THE GUILD HOUSE • THE KEEP KITCHEN & LIQUOR BAR THE PEARL • THE RAIL BURGER • THE REFECTORY • THE ROSSI BAR + KITCHEN • THE TOP THE WALRUS • THE WINE BISTRO • THE WOODBURY • TUCCI’S • VINE + FORGE VITTORIA RISTORANTE & BAR • WOLF’S RIDGE BREWING • YELLOW BRICK

Unique beer and coworking space concept takes root in Dublin BY JACK MCLAUGHL I N PH OTO BY J ULIA N FOG L I ET T I

W when you think of craft beer? If it isn’t community workspaces, then you’re not hat’s the first thing that comes to mind

thinking like it’s 2020. A longstanding pairing between Columbus’s own COhatch—a group of community-oriented coworking spaces— and one of the city’s largest homegrown beer producers, North High Brewing, has created a unique partnership that’s yielding results for both craft beer drinkers and 9-5 workers.

Earlier this year, the two Columbus businesses combined forces, allowing North High to occupy the 4,500 square-foot building at 56 N. High St. in Dublin, an historic farmhouse that previously housed Brazenhead and served Irish pub fare. “It’s a unique partnership for us; but it’s been kind of the perfect storm,” said North High Brewing co-founder Gavin Meyers. For COhatch, the union is a no-brainer as well, as it fits snugly into the business’s philosophy of offering workspaces where people naturally congregate and thus smoothly integrating into a given area. “When we’re looking for a new COhatch space, we try to create something that’s already located in a central point in the community, where people are already spending a lot of their time,” said COhatch co-founder Eric Ferch. Additionally, the Columbus coworking group are staunch supporters of local business: SAVE THE DATE!

the group launched a “No Small Business Left Behind” campaign, offering heavily discounted rates to small companies utilizing their worksites. COhatch plans to build an abutting 10,000 square foot riverfront building to house its worksites in the area. Not only will the North High taproom act as a defacto after hours hangout for Dublin coworkers, the natural flow of patrons in and out of the location will provide a steady stream of traffic and exposure for both businesses. “We try to be as efficient as possible with our spaces,” said Ferch. And for North High, the partnership serves as a catalyst for a handful of potentially impactful upgrades. Not the least of which is the historic space their Dublin Brewery now gets to operate under. “It’s this beautiful 1890s farmhouse, and the bones of the place are awesome,” •

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It’s a unique partnership for us; but it’s been kind of the perfect storm.

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said Meyers of the edifice. But it’s more than just a pretty facade that North High is bringing to the table. The location allowed the brewery to offer its first full kitchen concept and menu. “We had considered maybe doing food trucks,” said Meyers. “But as we looked around the neighborhood we felt what was missing was a unique upscale pub atmosphere.” The Dublin menu offers a balanced slate of fresh salads, burgers, and sandwiches, and even a list of Game of Thronesinspired entrees such as the Iron Islands Tuna and the Dothraki Dinner. What’s more, 10,000 square feet of the new COhatch location, which will likely be completed in 2021, will serve as space for the beermakers to brew their lagers. They will also be barrel aging beer in the basement of their new Dublin brewpub, and may add a sour beer facility at another COhatch site in the near future. And while the new location serves as North High’s first fullconcept kitchen and menu, don’t expect it to be the brewery’s last. According to Meyers, North High is already paired with COhatch at a series of other locations throughout the state, including Cinncinati’s Hyde Park and Cleveland. After the success of their kitchen at the newest location, North High is looking to add other unique food options at these locations, such as a burger and wings-centric eatery in Hyde Park. “We’ve had a strong presence in Cincinnati for about six years now, but being right in the heart of the details area is going to help us even more,” he said. Their partnership with Cohatch may also lead them to expand into distribution markets that haven’t yet been tapped. As COhatch runs several coworking spaces in nearby Indianapolis, the installation of a taproom there could help them break into a brand new market. “It could really let us get our foot in the door out there,” Meyers said. • SAVE THE DATE!

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WORLD WAR II INSPIRED BEERS T

ake a long look around the Columbus beer scene. You’ll see some great stuff: the stalwart of Columbus Brewing, the wacky yet world-class IPA experiments out of Hoof Hearted, the trans-Atlantic choiceness of Brewdog. One thing you don’t see, however, are any Columbus beermakers focusing on Belgian styles—that is, until now. Buzzsaw Brewing’s love of the Belgian form goes way back. Like, way back. According to cofounder Andrew Watkins, during World War II, an American soldier serving in Belgium was rescued by a group of monks after becoming lost in a forest. They exposed him to Belgian beer (much of it is actually produced in monasteries), which he brought back to the states.

“He had a small gas station bar somewhere on the East coast,” Watkins said of the soldier. “And on tap there was Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, but also Chamay Blue. [Buzzsaw’s second cofounder Quinn Bartlett]’s dad ended up there once, and he fell in love with Belgian beer. That interest was passed down to Quinn, and then from him to me.” And while the pair both value Belgian beer for its taste and versatility, Bartlett is also fond of the brewing process itself. “[Belgian beer] was actually always difficult for me to make when I started home brewing. Because there’s not much in them; they were so simple, so you really have to dot your i’s and cross your t’s,” he said. “The ingredients list is pretty short, but the procedure list is very long. I think the simplicity of them is elegant.” And early on, at least, simplicity seems to be the name of the game at Buzzsaw. Currently,

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Buzzsaw offers sleek Belgian style brews BY JAC K M CLAUGHLI N P H OTO BY PRESTO N PERI CH

the pair operates out of a small, unadorned industrial space just south of Main Street. They work on a brewing system featuring two custom-made fermentation tanks that can turn out a total of 750 cases per week, although to start, the brewers will likely be putting out about 500 cases a week. This simplistic clarity shines through in their beer as well. 614 was lucky enough to get an advance tasting of Treasure Trove, Buzzsaw’s Belgian Tripel, at 9% ABV. The beer exuded a simplicity and clarity of flavor that’s difficult to find among even some of the country’s best beermakers. The bright addition of Amarillo hops (a nice, subtle American twist) balanced by caramel malt and just the right amount of wheat in the grain bill created a smooth, delicious, drinkable brew that reminded staffers of we love craft beer. It’s nothing fancy; no crazy wood aging; no lactose;

no quadruple dry-hopping; but that’s the beauty of it, and this beer absolutely shines. The duo are currently waiting on a pair of permits, but once these are received, you can expect to see Buzzsaw beer three weeks later. The duo is eyeing this month as their likely launch. The brewery plans to stay streamlined early on from the production standpoint as well. They will have two regular flagship offerings, Buzzsaw Pale Ale and Buzzsaw Blond, in cans and kegs, as well as several rotating beers (including a good mix of German lagers and the occasional contemporary American style), likely in kegs as well. While they don’t yet have a taproom of their own, they plan to distribute their kegged beer to a variety of craft beer bars throughout the city. One of these is the nearby Grain and Grape, a long-standing, family owned neighborhood beer and wine bottle shop complete with a sleek taproom (featuring cocktails as well) and an eclectic selection of the best local and national craft beers. Owned by the husband and wife team of Adam Fleischer and Samantha Smith, Grain and Grape will act as one of Buzzsaw’s “Home Away from Home,” according to Watkins. And for Fleischer and Smith, their connection with Buzzsaw allows them to not only welcome deserving local brewers, but also display pride in the city’s East side, where a full slate of under the radar beermakers are popping up. “Our personal thing is to focus on the eastern part of the county. Because we’re kind of at the edge ourselves, we’re sympatico with Homestead and Outerbelt and Buzzsaw and Parson’s North, all those breweries. We feel like we’re kind of in the same boat in that way.” Watkins and Bartlett have also noted the friendships they’ve already established with fellow East-siders Nocterra and 2 Tones Brewing. So go enjoy the east side, Columbus. It’s rife with great beer—and 614 couldn’t be happier about that. •

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THE M A

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G IN

QUARANTINE

BEARD VERSION BY N ICHOLAS YOUN G BLOOD PHOTO BY J UL I A N FOG L I ET T I

HIGH-POWER ELECTRIC TRIMMER This is the most important weapon in your arsenal. You want something compact and lightweight so you can see what you’re doing, but with a high enough RPM that it can cut through loose hair with ease. Many people use a clipper with adjustable guards, but if you want your beard longer than an inch you will need to freehand most of it.

he first Saturday in September is National Beard Day, and as the country enters its seventh month of working from home and nightlife withdrawal, you may be experimenting with growing a beard of your own. If you have found yourself disappointed that the rat’s nest sprouting from your mug looks nothing like the roguish models on the Instagram Explore page, you’re not alone. Here are some tips on turning that mountain man mess into the beard of your dreams. First, the basic tools you will need to get started:

HAIR DRYER Beards are naturally curlier than the hair on your scalp. Blowing your beard dry with a brush before trimming ensures that the hair is straight(ish) and always flowing in the same direction for an even cut.

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SHAPING YOUR BEARD Now that you have your tools in order, it is time to outline your beard. Step one of your masculine makeover is deciding how much length you want to keep. Shorter is more manageable, but requires more frequent trims. To keep it from looking wispy, try to cut it off before it begins thinning out. After drying your beard, pick a length that is to your liking and use your trimmer to cut a line along the bottom. Start below your chin and work toward each side so you can maintain symmetry. You can keep the line flat for a square beard, or taper it toward the corners of your jaw for a rounded look. Generally, a round head looks good with a square beard and vice versa. Then, trim away all the neck hair below this line. The neck hair above is essential to making your beard look thick and full. No matter what, this neckline should go no higher than about two fingers over your larynx. Now it’s time to adjust the cheek line. This is the top edge of your beard, located on your cheeks (obviously). The current trend is high cheek lines, but this is mostly personal taste. The shape of your face will determine if you look best with bushy chops or a low chin strap. You will be amazed at how much thicker your beard looks when you trim it low enough to leave an unbroken line of hair from your sideburn to your smile line on each side.

Mustaches are another point of preference. A longer ‘stache is becoming common, but you may find it turns into more of a soup strainer than a fashion statement. Regardless of length, trim it in one clean line at the bottom. The longer hairs on top should cover the shorter hairs below, giving it a clean look. Finally, it is time to remove some of the bulk from your beard. Be warned, this is the tricky part. Orient your trimmer so the cutting edge points downward. With a steady hand (or two) hover it over your beard and glide it down, removing the stray hairs that stick out. Think of it like trimming a hedge, except you’re trying to make the hedge look like Chris Hemsworth. It is going to take a lot of practice and precision to get it right, so look at examples before you start.

MANLY MAINTENANCE So you’ve sculpted the perfect beard, and you’re ready to debut your rugged new look. But after one shower, it looks like a ferret’s den. What gives? Much like a sports car or a steel longsword, a beard requires regular oiling and maintenance to stay in peak condition. Beard oil or beard balm is a great way to keep the dry, coarse hairs of your beard nourished and healthy. It is also a remedy for the number one killer of new beards: itchiness. The product doesn’t need to be a luxury brand that sells for $40 an ounce, just make sure it has good reviews. Brush a few drops through your beard after showering, once the hair is completely dry. To really kick it up a notch, you could blow dry your beard before applying the oil. It only takes a few minutes and the difference is staggering. Use a round brush while applying heat to pull your beard hair down and curl it inward to maintain a clean jawline. Once you’ve gone through these steps, you should have facial hair that looks less like Hagrid and more like Leonidas, which is great for those of us with a jawline that resembles Kermit the Frog’s. • SAVE THE DATE!

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Latin Love

Anayanncye Peña-Salas →

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, and respect BY L I N DS EY ESCAJA P H OTO BY P RESTO N PERI CH

← Amanda Reynolds-Snavley

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rowing up Latinx was difficult; not only for Columbus local Amanda Reynolds-Snavley, but many other Hispanic Americans going back as far as she can remember. “I was told I was different from a young age and at first I didn’t understand why. I thought I was just like everyone else,” said Reynolds-Snavley. “I would have people accuse me of being in a gang even when I was sitting quietly on a bus. I was even pulled out of class on multiple occasions during high school and questioned if I actually knew how to speak English.” Occurrences like those described by ReynoldsSnavley are what make celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month so important to her. Experiences like these have also empowered her to embrace her roots and celebrate being different as she gets older. “I owe all my energy to my heritage – my colorful hair, my personality, and my energy,” she said. For Reynolds-Snavley, the most significant part of this month is not just about the connection it provides her to her roots, or an excuse to perfect her family's arroz con pollo, but the opportunity to introduce people to something different. “I think fear and anger can come from things we are not familiar with, especially in today’s society; which makes me want to share my pride stronger than ever.” She does this in a variety of ways during Hispanic Heritage Month, such as introducing Latino artists into her fitness classes, sharing a Spanish word or an influential Latina woman every day of the month on Instagram, and being open to any questions her friends have about her culture or the Latinx movement. “Change comes through kindness, sharing our voices, and coming together as one community; which will make the world and Columbus a better place,” she said.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2020, which takes place from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, takes on an entirely new meaning given the global pandemic and current administration. The celebration starts in the middle of the month, as opposed to the beginning or the end, because that date honors the independence from Spain for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. “Regardless of how we end up commemorating this month as a nation and community, we should continue to pay tribute to all of the achievements and contributions that Hispanic Americans have made throughout our history. From music to food to politics to art, Hispanic Americans have earned themselves a seat at the table to be respected instead of discriminated against,” said Reynolds-Snavley. Anayanncye Peña-Salas, a local Costa Rican living in Columbus agrees. “Since I have been in this country, I have heard about the famous ‘wall’ that prohibited immigrants from entering the United States of America on more occasions than I can count,” said Peña-Salas. “However, to our culture, the wall is nothing new. What is new is that this administration uses the ‘wall’ as an excuse to hide true feelings of hate, ignorance, discrimination and racism towards our race.” Peña-Salas hopes that people will use Hispanic Heritage Month to acknowledge the Hispanic culture–a culture that has contributed significantly to the social and economic development of the United States of America– and turn feelings of fear and hate into feelings of respect. Having come to this country from Costa Rica, Peña-Salas knows a thing or two about sharing her pride, culture, roots, and history with others. One way she does this during heritage month is through her love of cooking, sharing regional dishes like arroz con pollo, sweet plantains, bread pudding with caramel, rice and beans, salads and natural honeydew melon with milk, mango, strawberries, blackberries or papaya shakes. While the coronavirus pandemic has shut down parades and festivals, both Snavley and Peña-Salas said that anyone can support Hispanic Americans both during the month of observation and beyond by volunteering, exploring Latino music and cuisine, and supporting local Latino owned restaurants and businesses.

. For Hispanic organizations to get involved within our area check out The Children’s Advocacy Project, Cap4Kids, The Ohio Hispanic Coalition, or Alianza 614. Latinx-focused news sites mitú and Remezcla both have roundups of products you can use to buy from Latinx and Hispanic-owned businesses. However, if you are looking to support locals, Reynolds Snavley highly recommends checking out Arepazo and Barroculo. Additionally, the Hispanic Museum and Library offers virtual events and exhibits you can check out regardless of where you live. •

For additional resources on how to get involved and show your support during Hispanic Heritage Month be sure to check out https://nationaltoday.com/hispanic-heritage-month/. SAVE THE DATE!

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Couples get creative during COVID-19 with microweddings

BY LI NDSEY ESCAJA I LLUST RAT I O NS BY SARAH M O O RE

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Microwedding at Flat 51 | PHOTO BY JEN BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

ouples in the early stages of planning a wedding—or those who had to make a quick pivot since COVID-19 regulations changed everything— are finding it might not be as bad as previously thought. A truly intimate ceremony with cherished loved ones is still possible through the newest trend in nuptials—the microwedding. (614) checked in with some of Columbus’ most trusted wedding planners, venues, and vendors to gather the best ideas to help couples “micro-size” their wedding: from narrowing down a venue for the wedding or reception, to trimming the guest list, to being COVID-friendly, we have it all right here. Read on to see how you can have the (micro) wedding of your dreams even during a pandemic.

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HOW DID WE GET HERE For all couples with a 2020 wedding date, their dream day wasn’t supposed to be like this—happening in the midst of a global pandemic. States continue to determine guidelines for how wedding ceremonies and receptions are to be held, leaving couples to go back-and-forth in an exhausting “to cancel or not” match? This struggle led to the birth of the microwedding. “To compromise between the two options, what a lot of couples are considering during COVID-19 is hosting a microwedding to keep their original date, but still respect COVID guidelines,” said Columbus wedding planner Lindsey Perkins. “A microwedding consists of no more than 50 or so close friends and family, allowing them to connect individually with guests and have a more intimate ceremony.” The smaller crowd lends itself to coronavirus regulations, giving guests more space and options when it comes to their personal health, while also celebrating the special occasion. To make guests comfortable, Perkins said there are several things a couple can do.

EMBRACE COVID PROTOCOLS Whether you’re postponing, considering a postponement, or moving on with a wedding this year, the best thing couples can do right now is start communicating with their venue about social distancing parameters in response to the pandemic, said Perkins. The best starting point, she said, is with the most basic, physical aspect of prevention—hand sanitizing and masks. “If you aren’t using a wedding planner, I recommend you make sure your venue provides all guests access to hand sanitizers and wipes everywhere—at their tables as a centerpiece, at the bar, in the restrooms, even when they first walk in,” says Perkins. She also suggests this is a behavior that should carry on regardless of the pandemic. As for the use of masks, well, it’s a state mandate at any indoor location that is not a residence or outdoors when unable to keep a safe six feet social distance from other guests. With this mandate, Perkins said the venues have been offering guests masks upon arrival if they didn’t come with one or happened to forget it. She also suggests having these as a cute wedding favor with your wedding date on them.

*During COVID-10, things can change quickly, so be sure to stay connected with your wedding planner, venue, and vendors to stay up-to-date on precautions to communicate out to your guests.

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

Lindsey Perkins • PHOTO BY PRESTON PERICH

MAKE YOUR GUESTS COMFORTABLE For those guests that make the short list and decide to attend your wedding, make sure they’re comfortable by providing them space, safe food, and bracelets—yes bracelets. “The coolest trend I have seen while planning weddings during all of this is individual color coded bracelets that reflect a guest’s social-distancing preferences,”says Perkins. Each colored bracelet signifies something different: Red signifies that a guest is not comfortable with people being close to them, but still wants to be in attendance to witness the beautiful day; Yellow signifies for other guests to proceed with caution—they want to engage with people, but keep a close distance when doing so; Green signifies a go on all fronts. “Not only can these bracelets help guests feel more at ease while attending a microwedding during the pandemic, but communicating how food will be served will too,” says Perkins Food is something you want your guests to enjoy, but not in the classic buffet style most wedding guests are accustomed to. Another trend Perkins is seeing is a rise in food truck weddings. “No one can deny how awesome it is to be able to have guests have a fresh-made-to-order meal handed directly to them to avoid the risks of multiple servers or caterers handling their food,” she says. And as a bonus, food trucks serve outdoors, which means more space for guests to mingle and feel comfortable. Another aspect couples should plan for is space. Enforcing social distance rules and giving plenty of room to move around, will put guests at ease –although once the drinks start flowing that may become a little more difficult. “The tricky part brides are running into is that guests are not supposed to be mingling with people especially with drinks in hand; which can be a major challenge during cocktail hour,” said Perkins. “I highly recommend making sure your venue is willing to help out with regulating this especially after guests have had a few drinks.” And, most importantly, don’t let COVID keep you from having fun and dancing. “It is our job to make sure couples and guests have a great time celebrating regardless of the restrictions; which is why we do our best to provide instructions while guests are out on the dance floor so they know what to expect ahead of time,” said Josh Staley, owner of Josh Staley Productions, who often DJ weddings. “I do have to remind guests to keep to groups of ten, stay six-feet apart and wear their masks.” • 52

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Flat 51 Decorated for a microwedding PHOTO BY JEN BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

“Remember, love isn’t cancelled, it is what is going to bring people together in these uncertain times regardless of how you decide to host your special day.”

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GO HIGH-TECH FOR YOUR WEDDING With a trimmed guest list and high-risk guests who can’t attend, technology can bridge the gap and bring favorite people to the party virtually. “Technology can bring a large wedding feel to any microwedding with live streaming; broadcasting your nuptials and reception to anywhere from 500 to 1,000 guests at one time,” says Staley. “I think this is a trend that will continue post pandemic because couples now know this is now an option they can include in their packages when booking a DJ or videographer.” Not only is technology useful to bring people together on the wedding day, , but it can also play a big part leading up to the big day. “To maximize time, you can do everything from the comfort of your own home by having virtual zoom tours with your vendors, venue and your wedding planner to ensure you are socially distancing properly,” says Perkins. During this pandemic, it’s important to keep guests reassured by letting them know what to expect at the wedding in terms of social distancing and germ spread prevention. “I recommend couples look into utilizing digital invitations and a wedding site, such as TheKnot.com. This will help them communicate all of the necessary information, such as face masks requirements, wedding ceremony seats distance, hand sanitizers access and so forth to a mass group quickly and efficiently,” says Perkins. Microweddings may just have a fighting chance of sticking around even after the initial threat of COVID is gone. But it’s certainly here now and it’s an opportunity for couples to keep the nuptials even if they ditch the grand idea of it. “Remember, love isn’t cancelled,” said Perkins. “It is what is going to bring people together in these uncertain times regardless of how you decide to host your special day.” SAVE THE DATE!

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

Flowers & Bread Re-opens Services, Not Storefront Fresh flowers, bread, and meal baskets take center stage as owners reconfigure BY JA ELANI TURN ER -W I L L I A M S PH OTO BY MA RKIA F RYE

he Flowers & Bread Society has long focused on simple traditions through their relaxing aesthetic and delicious breads. As the brainchild of co-founders Sarah Lagrotteria and Tricia Wheeler, the idea for The Flowers & Bread Society was contrived in 2015 after Wheeler attended classes at nearby culinary school The Seasoned Farmhouse. Once Lagrotteria and Wheeler’s business

model was expanded, they discovered their mantra for the cafe: flowers and bread make a house a home. “The Clintonville community comes out in a big way to support its food scene—that enthusiasm and openness invites diverse and passionate business owners who take our community and their food seriously,” Lagrotteria said. “People often tell us it feels like they’ve been transported to Europe and that we’ve created a truly unique experience they can’t get anywhere else.” Choosing to refrain from investing in art pieces for the cafe space, which is now closed to the public, the owners instead relied on fresh bread and flowers to take center stage. With intention to make The Flowers & Bread Society calm and airy, the neighboring flower studio and bakery feature numerous windows to invite natural lighting and allow customers

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a clean slate for creativity. This meant that the cafe hosted seasonal workshops for guests to get crafty with teacakes, wreaths, flower arranging, hot cross buns and other surprises. The flower workshops canceled due to COVID are in the process of being rescheduled. “The seasons play a huge role [in workshops]; as the weather cools, we’ll incorporate dried flowers and more herbs into our floristry. It’s the same with baking— inspiration is everywhere as long as you are open to it,” Lagrotteria said. “If a flavor combination surprises you during your travels—or in a recipe or book you’ve read— how does that translate to bread or baking? If there is a problem to be solved, like hungry houseguests [during] the holidays, how can we create a solution? These are the starting points for workshops, and if you’re excited about something and can explain why, chances are other people will be as well.” Aside from workshops, The Flowers & Bread Society also hosts intimate weddings in their private event space. With its charming atmosphere, The Flowers & Bread Society has an on-site floral room for centerpiece customization, arches, crowns, bouquets and other wedding gems. Though weddings will be on hiatus at The Flowers & Bread Society until 2021, followers can still relive past wedded bliss on the cafe’s Instagram archive. “We provide all food, except wedding cakes, and full-service staff, including bartenders.

People often tell us it feels like they’ve been transported to Europe and that we’ve created a truly unique experience they can’t get anywhere else."

Weddings have full use of our renovated 1920s farmhouse space, including the large front patio and second floor patio. There are multiple special places from the conservatory-style floral studio to our loft-like dining space upstairs,” Lagrotteria said. “Each room is its own unique, intimate space. Brides tell us they feel at home here—it is really special when someone hosts their bridal shower, wedding, and then, later, their baby shower with us. We've been lucky enough to have that occur.” Guests who have jumped the broom can also go on an impromptu honeymoon or anniversary trip thoroughly planned by the cafe. In August, The Flowers & Bread Society launched a Society Membership that will entail three unique sociallydistanced trips each year including a fall visit to Branstool orchard, and European-inspired holiday walk in private gardens. Along with monthly video tutorials, The Flowers & Bread Society also launched Village Baskets designed for customers to take the cafe experience to-go. Baskets include an array of goodies from sourdough loaves, english muffins, fresh flowers, pastries jam and coffee beans, along with weekly add-ons from partnerships with local farms. “In fall, [add-ons] might mean a special crop of locally-grown Italian prune plums and heavy cream with a recipe for a prune plum tart and whipped cream. A breakfast-themed week might include local farm eggs, our granola, half-and-half and yogurt from a local dairy, bake-at-home scone dough and freshlyroasted coffee beans,” said Lagrotteria. “When the weather turns, we might offer beef from a local farm with beautifully wrapped bouquet garni and our favorite beef bourguignon recipe. As we get closer to the holidays, there will be special taper candles and wreaths. And flowers, always flowers!” Though The Flowers & Bread Society storefront is closed permanently, the Village Baskets will be an integral part of the cafe as it will feature essentials such as flourless chocolate brownies and monkey bread. With a rearrangement of the cafe’s nimble, public-facing approach, Lagrotteria shares that there’s no inspiration quite like the outpour of community support. “I want us to emerge, along with our fellow cafes, as COVID-19 success stories. The beauty of a cafe is in its size and proximity of owner to customer. We’re often the ones pouring our customers’ coffee and responding to their messages on social media,” she said. “We know their names, their orders and the lines of communication are open in a unique way. I think that allows cafes such as ours to adapt and respond to our customers' needs in a way that will hopefully make us sustainable for a long time.” • SAVE THE DATE!

RESTAURANT WEEK

SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

UNPRECEDENTED

â&#x20AC;¢ PHOTO BY DAVID HEASELY

History shows why 2020 will be a historic year for Ohio State football BY LOR I SC HM I DT

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

• Pictured is the 1918 OSU Football Team, PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERISTY ARCHIVES

t has been well over a century since Columbus, Ohio, has had an autumn without an Ohio State football game. “I thought the sun would come up in the west before the Big Ten would cancel football,“ notes historian and 97.1 The Fan radio commentator Jack Park of the league’s decision to shut things down until at least January amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His shock is natural, given what he knows. One of the five books Park has authored, The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia, records how students needed to make contributions to buy a “real” football prior to the school’s very first game, but from that May 3, 1890 kickoff to the present, the Buckeyes have persevered through multiple calamities and still made it on the field for fall football— until now. In 1901, amidst a furious debate about whether the sport was too violent, Ohio State played–even after John Sigrist died of injuries suffered on the field. Sigrist’s younger brother, Charles, remained in the lineup. In fact, he delivered the speech that convinced the team to continue. When a pandemic raged and World War I was being fought in 1918, Big Ten teams were limited to only one overnight trip for the season. Ohio State’s campus was shut down for around a month starting in mid-October due to 60

the Spanish Flu. The school closed on a Friday. The Buckeyes beat Dennison the next day, 340, with health officials figuring being outdoors would prevent transmission of the disease. The closing did end up pushing back the game against Michigan to the last day of November, but still, they played. OSU lost that contest 14-0 to finish 3-3.

• Newspaper Clipping from The Ohio State Lantern, 9/26/1918. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERISTY ARCHIVES

The Great Depression from 1929 to 1933 forced Americans to make tough decisions on what was economically necessary, and attendance took a hit, but football was considered necessary enough to continue. Most Ohio schools failed to field teams in

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1943 as they lost players to military service in World War II. At the end of the 1943 season, legendary coach Paul Brown was drafted into the Navy. The man who replaced him, Carroll Widdoes, took over the team even as his missionary parents were prisoners of the Japanese. Widdoes won a conference title in his first season. In 1961, when 28 faculty members decided to fight the growing commercialism of the sport by voting against the Buckeyes going to the Rose Bowl, The Columbus Dispatch printed their names, salaries, and addresses— leading to the harassment of these professors for costing the team just this one, single game. “The students made a march to the Statehouse, and they came back and held a huge rally on campus wanting them to reverse the decision,” said Park. In 2001, just days after the 9/11 terrorist attack, a different kind of unity rally was held at Ohio Stadium—there was no game, only mourning. However, by Sept. 22, the Scarlet and Gray were back in action on the field. If the idea of a fall without Ohio State football seems so unthinkable, it’s because for so many years, it has been. Sadly, assuming nothing changes, the 2020 Buckeye squad will be making history in a year when they had the potential to leave their mark in an entirely different way.

“This team is special. It's special because it's talented, it's special because it has leadership, it's special because of the character. It could have been a once-in-alifetime team.”

They were ranked No. 2 behind Clemson in the preseason Coaches Poll. “Feel bad for all the players and teams who are losing their season,” wrote Yahoo! Sports college football reporter Dan Wetzel. “However, really thought Ohio State was loaded this year and could’ve won it all.” NFL Draft analyst and founder of New Era Scouting Matt Miller agreed. “This is the best Ohio State team I've seen in my career,” he said. Quarterback Justin Fields, who had been a Heisman finalist in 2019, was going to lead the team. Projected first-round NFL Draft picks Ohio State offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and defensive back Shaun Wade were among those voted captains this year. “This team is special,” lamented coach Ryan Day. “It's special because it's talented, it's special because it has leadership, it's special because of the character. It could have been a once-in-a-lifetime team.” “There was just something about this team that had ‘it.’ They had ‘it.’ They came back hungry after their last game on the field. They were determined, and this quarantine, this virus, was not going to get in their way.” On Aug. 11, the Big Ten decided otherwise, confirming its initial no-go decision despite player, parent, and coaches protests. “It became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall," Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren announced in a news release. Day has made it clear he supported delaying the start of the season for a few weeks, but this move by the Big Ten went farther than he would have liked. Day was asked in a subsequent press conference if he ever looked at the big picture. Did he consider how unique the challenge that he, his team, his community have been facing? A reporter—specifically this reporter—pointed out it was a very different test than playing Michigan. “It's ‘team up north.’ Please, don't use that word,” Day gently corrected, because even in unprecedented seasons, there are some things that simply don’t change. •

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

THE BEST DAMN BAND IN THE LAND MARCHES ON With or without football, you may still see the dotting of an “i” BY Z AK KOLESA R | P HOTO BY JUL I A N FOG L IE TTI

here are hardcore Buckeye football fans who tailgate all morning long then leave their campsites to make it into Ohio Stadium just before kickoff. And then there are those who attend Skull Sessions, the pregame sendoff at St. John’s Arena where the band runs through its setlist one last time. What originally served as a final practice session has evolved into the official pregame send-off for home matches. Even the head coach makes it a point to stop by and psyche up Buckeye Nation. Unfortunately now that Ohio State University football has officially been called off for 2020, Skull Sessions have gone with it. Of course, when the Big Ten Conference canceled its 2020 football season on Aug. 11, conversations about the economic impact fallout and players having their future as professional athletes jeopardized dominated the headlines. But what effect has the coronavirus pandemic had on The Best Damn Band In The Land? “I can tell you that I've had many people ask me what's going on with the band? Are you going to have a season?” said OSU drum major Brayden Deemer.

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Even without a football season, the band will still play on—at least in an academic sense. While the OSU marching band may seem like just a way of amplifying the Buckeye football experience, members are scholars first and foremost with a tough academic schedule. Of course, as with everything in 2020, that experience will not be the norm. The marching band will have a one-up, though, on other organizations doing pandemic problem-solving, as practice will almost exclusively take place outdoors, an environment that TBDBITL knows well. “It's easy, actually, to spread the band apart and make sure that there's plenty of space between students and, then, quite frankly, the circulation outside is so much better than inside,” said Christopher Hoch, Director of Marching & Athletic Bands at OSU. Those assuming leadership roles have provided band members and marching band candidates with precise up-to-date instructions as information about the upcoming school year is made available. Take, for example, the field social distancing guidelines laid out on the OSU marching band website (tbdbitl.osu.edu), which states that “all drill will be written at a four-step (90-inch) interval between participating members.” Talk about pandemic precision. “A lot of it is very minute details,” said Deemer. Until now, all of the band’s preseason activities have taken place virtually, something that’s new to all existing members and incredibly challenging for candidates trying to integrate with the band prior to the season. Getting expensive, school-owned instruments such as tubas, baritones, and sousaphones, into the hands of band members and candidates has also been a major hurdle for the band to overcome this summer. The integration of new members, a process that is usually aided by

in-person socializing, has proven to be one of the more difficult obstacles the band has faced. Marching auditions for new members are not being required, but students still have to submit a video music audition. “This is normally a time where they get used to the band and they get used to having our practices,” said Deemer. “They make an effort to try to make everyone feel like they're part of the family.” With all of the marching band’s summer sessions taking place through Google Classroom, the submission and review process has been laborious. The necessary backand-forth video swapping to critique marching movements or drum major tricks has been an arduous process, and does not adequately replace inperson methods. High profile moves such as chair stepping, a marching Big Ten staple, cannot be reviewed and improved if they don’t even fit in the video frame. Shoddy recording quality can also make spotting baton technique problematic. However, while the Scarlet & Gray may not be storming out of the Horseshoe tunnel like most years, OSU band members have already been progressive in providing hope in situations where people would normally be getting together to celebrate. Already, TBDBITL has provided Buckeyes with socially distanced performances of the Buckeye Battle Cry and Hang On Sloopy. The band even provided a virtual Carmen, Ohio for the Buckeyes who graduated in the spring and summer. And since the marching band already had music written for the upcoming season, it’s very possible that Buckeye fans will end up seeing what TBDBITL was going to dazzle and entertain spectators with on the field this fall, albeit in a different form. As the pandemic forces the exploration of different avenues of entertainment, it’s only a matter of time before Columbus may get to see a socially-distanced dotting of the infamous Ohio “i.” “I know Buckeye Nation will be eager to see what a Script Ohio will look like during these times,” said Hoch. • SAVE THE DATE!

RESTAURANT WEEK

SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

THE CROWD GOES mild The hurt from losing Ohio State football for a season will be wide and deep BY LORI SCHMI DT

ome of the biggest parties in Ohio over the years have been those gatherings next to the Olentangy River. RSVP was done through the purchase of a ticket. The dress code was scarlet and gray. Hating the whole state of Michigan was decidedly not optional. COVID-19, however, has turned out to be the ultimate party crasher as the Big Ten has decided to postpone the fall season. As a result, Ohio Stadium will be quiet this year, despite the fact that Buckeye football has been a perennial leader in attendance numbers. In 2019 they were third nationally with an average of 103,383 fans at OSU home games. They have never slipped out of the top three at any point in the last decade. “It’s unbelievable,” Ohio State football coach Ryan Day has said of the support of OSU fans. “That’s why our team gets up at 6 a.m. on a Wednesday. That’s why we go to work, and that’s why our staff is here.” One of those fans is Kevin Beisel. “You're never alone when you watch Buckeye football – it's a community,” he said.

HAIL! HAIL! THE GANG’S ALL HERE... “Some of my earliest memories are of Buckeye football,” Beisel told us. “There's an aura around it. It's special. It brings people together. That sentiment never rang so true as it does now with friends leaving Ohio for better opportunities. When the leaves change color and begin to fall, the warm air turns cold, and the smell of Autumn is inescapable, they come back to Columbus. They come back to Columbus because nothing in this world compares to

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watching Ohio State football with your family.” His experience is shared by others—because sharing is what the Buckeye football fan’s experience is all about. “I truly enjoy Buckeye football Saturdays,” Ohio State alum Courtney Lessick said. “We take our time getting to the game by walking down High Street, visiting local shops, eateries, and breweries. It makes actually reaching the game a great end to our journey.”

FIGHT (FOR) THE TEAM... Of course, it’s one thing to say Buckeye fandom is like family, and another to actually be family. Some of the team’s biggest supporters are the relatives of OSU’s football players, who have an organization—Football Parents at Ohio State, and they have strongly opposed the Big Ten’s decision. They have sent formal letters and even protested outside of the conference’s headquarters in response. “Football is a game of risk,” they wrote in an open letter. “Our sons work extremely hard for the opportunity to play and understand the risks involved when they step on the field. Their personal decisions should be honored to give them the opportunity to compete as athletes in the game they love.” That risk is understood by former athletes like Amy Wheeler, who competed as a swimmer, cross country runner, and track athlete at OSU. She described Buckeye football as meaning “everything” to her. “I am so sad not to see my Buckeyes compete for a National Championship this year,” she told us.

“It doesn’t matter what sport: football, cross country runner, or soccer player, when you have the opportunity to be a college athlete and even more special be an athlete at The Ohio State University you want the opportunity to play,” she said.

HIT THEM HARD AND SEE HOW THEY FALL... The impact of the Big Ten postponing fall football goes far beyond the emotional. In fiscal year 2018, The Buckeyes brought in more than $59 million dollars in revenue from football tickets. That went a long way toward funding the 137 All-Americans that Ohio State fielded in their 30 varsity sports the next year. It’s the biggest moneymaker for the school’s athletics department, and the athletics department, in turn, makes money for the region. Ohio State partnered with consulting firm Tripp Umbach to determine the university’s economic impact on the state. Their findings? In that same 2018 fiscal year, the Buckeye athletic department, paced by OSU football, was responsible for $400.5 million dollars and 3,152 jobs. While the city is being given a chance to discover what this college football town can be without football, that opportunity comes at a cost.

SET THE EARTH REVERBERATING... The world will be very different for Ohio State supporters this year. The Big Ten’s decision shapes who makes money and how much, whom people spend time with, and so much more. It’s about a lot more than the hours one spends at the Shoe on Saturday. It’s a lot more than just the loss of entertainment. It’s more than the loss of a game. Fans are being asked to hold their applause for now. Someday soon, though, they hope to return to the now silent stadium and raise it with a mighty cheer. •

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER T

Local fisherman’s love of the sport grows a business that’s flourishing amid pandemic STORY AND P HOTOS BY J ULIA N FOG L I ET T I

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o the non-fisherman, a walk into Mad River Outfitters would feel like a stroll into your average retail store. Seen next to a Cabelas, or the fishing section at a Dicks sporting goods, and the shop looks diminutive. In a sport dominated by shops the size of a small city apartment, Mad River Outfitters is a mecca of sorts representing the largest fly fishing store in the state of Ohio, and one of, if not the largest in the U.S. To the uninitiated, fly fishing differs from regular fishing by the use of a weighted line that runs along a long flexible rod generally 8-10 feet in length. This rod is used to cast small hooks wrapped in feathers, tails, and string designed to mimic the look of the insects, or animals a fish might eat. Most fly fishing is done by wading into the streams you're fishing, though fly fishing from boats has taken off in recent years. As COVID-19 forced many of us into isolation, some have sought out fly fishing, and fishing in general, as an escape from our homes and apartments. “I haven't taken a day off since February,” says Brian Flechsig, owner of the store. “It’s almost like everything we’ve done for 26 years was preparing us for this.” In many ways, Flechsig's whole life has been leading to this. “My family has always been into fly fishing. When I was five-years-old I remember my dad had this wooden chest he built to hold all his fly tying materials. I was always fascinated by the stuff, and how flies were made. I tied my first fly when I was seven, it was that year that I caught my first trout on a fly, and it's been part of my life ever since.” Flechsig’s work in fly fishing began when he became the manager of a small shop in Cincinnati at the age of 19. After working there for a few years, he realized it was something he could do as a career, and settled on Columbus, Ohio, as the location for his store. In the summer of ‘94 Flechsig, with the help of his Dad, opened Mad River Outfitters in the same plaza they sit today. “I moved to Columbus October 1, and by December 1, 1994, we were open.”

“It’s almost like everything we’ve done for 26 years was preparing us for this.” As the years grew on, Mad River Outfitters continued to sell more and more gear, surpassing sales of the local Orvis store in Orvis rods, and selling more TFO rods than Cabelas. “Amazon and big box stores can’t do what we do, and that's eat, sleep and breath this sport,” said Flechsig. Preparations for the move began in November, and even with the pandemic there has never been a moment when Flechsig was worried. “Nobody got laid off, nobody here ever missed a paycheck.” A huge accomplishment considering the effect of the pandemic on the retail sector. Another important side of Mad River Outfitters has been its role in education from day one. “I had always offered a free beginners Fly Fishing course to the public, and one day I was approached by a guy who made videos, and he said ‘Why don't we try and share what your

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doing with the world,’ so we began to put out VHS’s and they took off.” Fast forward to today, and the Mad River Outfitters YouTube has over 90K subscribers, with some videos gaining close to a million views worldwide. “There's so much misinformation, especially now with YouTube, and there are very few people in the industry who have been educating as long as we have,” said Flechsig. “A lot of the guys making videos back when I started are in their 80s and 90s now, I started when I was 25 and was one of the youngest.” For those looking to get started in the world of fly fishing, Flechsig recommends watching episode 14 titled Getting Started in Fly Fishing Program on their YouTube channel, and then coming in to Mad River Outfitters to build their first rod. “Eventually people will be able to take our basic casting class, but for now our YouTube will have to suffice,” he said. With football seasons everywhere on the chopping block, those looking for a new way to spend their Saturday afternoons might just have to pick up a rod and some flies, and wade into their local rivers to fulfill their outdoor cravings. • 68

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“Amazon and big box stores can’t do what we do, and that's eat, sleep and breath this sport.” WATCH KATIE JOHNSTONE fly fish and talk about her Central Ohio women's group.

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

TURN YOUR OFFICE into GREEN SPACE

Local business brings the outdoors, inside and provides stress-reducing peace and calm BY M EL I N DA G R E E N | P H OTOS BY J U L I A N FO G L I E TTI

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he three-foot-diameter wooden frame on the table is packed with fist-sized mounds of at least a half-dozen species of moss, arranged abstractly in a counterpoint of colors and textures. Nearby, large bromeliads with electric-purple centers nestle among dark green foliage in a partly-finished room divider. Planthropy’s south side industrial space is bright with summer morning sun, and more moss panels soak up the light on tables, above the desks, and stacked against the walls. “Planthropy is founded on our love of nature, connecting with nature, and bringing the outdoors in,” said co-owner Jessie Laux. It’s called biophilic design—increasing connectivity to the natural environment. They specialize in moss walls and hangings, as well as “living walls” of mostly low-light tropical plants, carefully selected to grow and thrive together. The moss is zero-maintenance; the living walls require specific, customized care, provided as an add-on service by the team. Pieces take from a few hours to multiple weeks to construct, with large works prepared in the studio and assembled on site. Co-owner Michael Creath formerly owned a landscape design company. One day, he saw a picture of a living wall, and said to himself, “I want to do that.” Ohio weather constrained living-wall installations to indoors, but he embraced the niche. Laux’s background is in graphic design and art management, and she planted arrangements as a hobby. That hobby grew into a product line and workshops. She and Creath were paired on a project, and shortly thereafter, they decided to merge companies. For their first three years, before COVID-19, the team installed moss and living walls in mostly corporate, event, and trendy mixed-use developments. They traveled the nation, working with architects and interior designers, installing large moss or living walls. Many of their installations were built after hours, as a surprise for employees. Now, as corporate and event venues cut costs or shut down temporarily (or permanently), Planthropy’s clientele is shifting toward medical offices and homeowners. Doctors, dentists, and most recently plastic surgeons use biophilic-design installations and accents in the office to help reduce patient and staff stress. The economic shift has been a blessing in disguise, allowing Laux and Creath to focus on goals they hadn’t had time to pursue before. One of the

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pillars is a product line geared more toward consumers. “People knew they were going to be in their homes more, and they wanted a more thoughtful space; cared more about what they were surrounding themselves with,” Laux explained. Planthropy is preparing to launch moss hangings in the shape of Ohio, as well as rolling room dividers for home offices. Prices range from around $75/square foot for moss works to around $150/square foot (plus maintenance) for living wall works. “If you have a meeting [online], you roll these dividers out, and you’re in these walls of plants,” Creath noted. It’s a definite step up from the kids’ artwork or the purely functional beige home-office wall. And now, with businesses closed, the living-wall maintenance service is seeing significant changes as well. “Restaurants, I’m still going to a couple, after hours,” Creath said. “Some businesses, we’ve gone back. Some [clients], we trained. As a small business, we’re almost friends with a lot of these people, so training them to do our job—I didn’t feel so horrible, because of the relationship.” The moss panels used in COVID-related home office spaces are selfsustaining. Planthropy uses a preservation process on the moss to keep its texture and color, and they affix it to the frame with floral adhesive. Because mosses don’t rely on roots for survival, they will live happily anywhere that has light, air, and a little humidity. Planthropy also sources its moss sustainably—in fact, some of it is not even farmed. Moss is an invasive nuisance in Norway, and the Norwegians have taken advantage of its ubiquity by selling it overseas. Other mosses are farmed in Canada. None of Planthropy’s moss is collected from local sites or trips; tempting as it may be, the owners always respect the ecosystem. Laux and Creath relish their role of bringing nature’s power to a wider audience. “It’s that feeling you get when you step outside and get to take a deep breath, and you’re like ‘Ohhhhh, I’ve needed this!’” Laux said. “We’re bringing that feeling indoors.” •

You can follow them on Instagram at @planthropy. SAVE THE DATE!

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SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

Libraries Are the Last Great Democracy Even COVID hasn’t stopped the flow of information STO RY & P HOTOS BY R EBECC A T I EN

“If

information is the currency of democracy, then libraries are its banks,” Senator Wendell Ford once said. Libraries are the great societal leveler. They welcome all people, regardless of age, race, creed, gender, education level, wealth, or political leaning. Libraries are at the core of a democratic society because they help every individual be a better citizen through community building, literacy, and equal access to resources. According to a Pew Survey conducted in 2015, over 90% of adults think of public libraries as “welcoming and friendly places,” and about half have visited or otherwise used a public library in the last 12 months. For those lucky enough to have a library in their neighborhood, it can become a second

living space, a place to keep the kids safe after school, to keep cool as summer temperatures soar, and warm when winter storms cause power outages. And for those who have no home, the library is often a sanctuary—a safe haven when shelters are not open, a place to rest, recover, reflect. “Libraries provide information triage and vital social services. This is where people at a serious socio-economic disadvantage get a leg up,” points out Reagan De Victoria, Board President of the Westerville Library Association. The importance of a library as a neighborhood hub is at the core of the Columbus Public Library’s mission. Over the last decade they have renovated and rebuilt almost half of their libraries with the goal of transforming the spaces “from vaults for books into community centerpieces where people can gather,” says CPL’s media specialist, Ben Zenitsky. For the Main Library branch downtown this has meant a variety of modifications: adding a large reading room that could also serve to host guest lectures by famous authors such as Sandra Cisneros, Garth Stein, and local hero Wil Haygood; updating the children’s area; and connecting the library to the Topiary Gardens to allow community members another peaceful reading spot. “In all these renovated spaces, you can see themes that reflect these principles of community building—walls of windows to provide natural sunlight and beautiful views, and wide-open spaces, to make you feel welcomed,” said Zenitsky.

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Columbus libraries focus on a wide range of populations with particular needs, including seniors, veterans, and immigrants. For children, the library offers what Zenitsky refers to as the “young mind strategy” which aims to guide children from the earliest stages of literacy, through the third grade reading guarantee, and right up to high school graduation. For adults, they offer services ranging from internet access to civic engagement workshops, and tax preparation help to assistance with government documents. While internet access may seem like a trivial thing to some, for many without reliable service at home, Zenitsky considers it to be “a public utility, something that is needed like water, or electricity, or gas.” Many employers require online applications to apply for jobs, and library internet access allows for that. Columbus Public Libraries go one step further. “Our staff are there to help every step of the way whether it’s creating or improving a resume, working on interview techniques, or even learning how to dress for the job,” said Zenitsky. For new Americans who may not fluently speak the language and are not familiar with available resources, libraries are also actively engaged in helping immigrants connect with services that ease the transition and help them adapt to living in a new country. As Covid-19 has continued to spread through our city and many institutions have had to temporarily shutter their doors, organizations like CPL have gotten creative about how they reach an audience that they can’t directly see. Over the last half year, the

Over the last decade they have renovated and rebuilt almost half of their libraries with the goal of transforming the spaces “from vaults for books into community centerpieces where people can gather.”

library has created a method for contactless curbside pick-up, hosted Ebook clubs, run a Virtual Kindergarten Summer Camp, held online storytimes for preschoolers, and provided crowdcast author lectures. Individuals may not have been able to walk into a library for months, but they can have one-one one time with a librarian online using the “Reserve an Expert” option to gain help with anything from assistance finding a great Sunday morning read to help finding a new job. CPL has even hosted virtual job fairs to connect employers with the ever increasing number of unemployed residents. For the services that they simply cannot provide in-house right now, they partner with a variety of local social service organizations to provide citizens with the resources they need. Those who work in the public library system serving others also recognize that, as much as they try to creatively connect to community, there are some barriers impossible to overcome. “We’re all kind of scrambling here and trying to figure out the best way to reach the community. Nothing is to the quality we wish we could have. We all wish we could be in person and working face-to face with our customers,” said Zenitsky. Whetstone Youth Service Manager Kris Hickey echoes this sentiment. “We are missing the kids, families, customers; we know that there are families that need us, that rely on us for help, and we don’t have the ability to help safely right now,” said Hickey. While both the librarians and community members are experiencing that loss, libraries have also been making strides towards structuring their settings so that they can begin to safely reopen their doors for limited use, including critical computer and internet access. They have partnered with Battelle to effectively rid books of virus through a four-day quarantine so that they can rapidly get them back in the hands of waiting patrons, installed plastic shields at reference desks for safe check-out, and put in place strategies for social distancing such as limiting the number of customers at a given time and browsing the shelves for borrowers. While that certainly won’t replace the joy of wandering through the aisles and finding treasures, it is worth the trade-off for being able to greet the staff face-to face for a friendly and much-missed “hello.” • SAVE THE DATE!

RESTAURANT WEEK

SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

Women Wielding Hammers Two local women start a nonprofit to help females in traditionally male trades BY JAC K M C L AU G H L I N P H OTOS BY J U L I A N FO GLI ET T I

C ↑ CHRISTINE MARSEY

hristine Marsey will tell you how it is, whether you like it or not. “That’s how I am; I’m not politically correct. I’m the stereotype of every construction worker in that way,” she said with a laugh on a scorching late July day, outside, in the midst of the COVID pandemic. One of the stereotypes she doesn’t fit, however, has to do with her profession—she’s a woman in a traditionally male world—and she and women just like her are trying to change that. Marsey and Jill White Connor are both electricians and co-founders of Central Ohio Women in the Trades (COWIT), the Columbus based nonprofit group they formed in November of 2017. Together, the pair is working to recruit women to educate for construction trades with a series of hands-on classes (everything from carpentry to plumbing to pipefitting and more) in order to bring more women into an employment field in which they’re currently underrepresented. For the COWIT founders, the road that led them to the trades was far from linear, and part of their project is to make things easier for future construction workers. •

SAVE THE DATE!

RESTAURANT WEEK

SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

"I think people look at them and they say, ‘Wow, they look a lot like me. They sound like me, they dress like me, they have kids like me. I might be able to do this too." “[There’s] about 246,000 women compared to over 10 million men in construction,” said White Connor of the statistic that women make up between 1 to 3% of the total construction workers in the country. The largest reason for this disparity? She thinks it’s just a matter of preconception. “On a lot of occasions, the thought of being a woman in construction just doesn’t cross someone’s mind.” Marsey, who worked as a dog walker in 2008 before finding a career as an electrician through courses at Columbus State after the recession hit, agrees with White Connor. “I would have been in this at 18 if I had known about it. I didn’t even know what a traded union was until I was 30,” she said. “I lived in a rural town, where Kroger gets a lot of their vegetables. There are three giant farms there and we have three factories. Besides going to college, those are your only job options. Women don’t get involved in the trades due to a lack of information; there are so many other people like me.” The nonprofit, which holds a six-person board and operates on a participation basis only (no membership requirement) is intent on finding ways to get potential trades career exposure to women who would otherwise not receive it, and thus not consider it. Recruitment for the group happens largely at the high school level, where COWIT attends job fairs to provide information to students and has even begun offering a “Meet a Tradeswoman” virtual talk series, geared

↑ JILL WHITE CONNOR

LEARN MORE ABOUT COWIT Scan here to watch the accompanying video

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toward high schoolers. Students will be able to engage personally (through video chat) with a different female tradesperson each month, as the group aims to include representatives from a variety of trades, including iron workers, electricians, painters, and many more. Another way the group is appealing to the younger generation is by involving themselves in the construction of the new Linden Community Center. Not only does this let them interact with community members, but it has also allowed Marsey and White Conner to host an Intro to Tools class at Linden Alternative High School. And education as a whole is another fundamental mission of the group. While COWIT began teaching basic home construction classes at several different venues right after forming, it was their partnership with the Columbus Garden School that really put their courses into the spotlight. The school, located on the city’s North side, hosts a wide variety of classes from beekeeping, to herbalism, to sustainable gardening; and the school’s two-acre demonstration space gives COWIT a platform to let students work handson with whatever it is they’re building. According to Columbus Garden School founder Tisa Watts, the duo’s approachability has been one of the reasons they’ve connected with so many people, and made their classes such a hit. “I think people look at them and they say, ‘Wow, they look a lot like me. They sound like me, they dress like me, they have kids like me. I might be able to do this too,’” said Watts, who noted people take the classes to gain more knowledge themselves, or because they have a specific construction issue within their home. At the school, the duo regularly offers several basic construction classes like HVAC, plumbing, intro to tools, carpentry, and electrical; in addition to a host of different rotating and one-time specialty classes. In the last year these have included building bird feeders, constructing chicken enclosures, and an especially interesting, “How-to” for building your own bat house, hosted last year around Halloween. While COVID hampered some of the group’s momentum (they had nearly 40 people on a waiting list for a regular 12-person class before large-scale closures came into effect this spring), August has seen COWIT courses start up at the Garden School again, including an in-person carpentry workshop for women. The classes are limited to six people, require masks, and sell out in the blink of an eye. In addition to education, COWIT has one other simple, but equally important goal in mind according to Marsey: unity. “There are so many good programs out there, we’re trying to bring them here. Nobody is tied together. We all are doing our thing, but we all have a common goal,” said Marsey. • SAVE THE DATE!

RESTAURANT WEEK

SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

Forgotten victims Homeless population increases as COVID ravages and exposes the city’s most vulnerable

BY Z AK KOLESA R PH OTO BY J ULIAN FOG L I ET T I

COVID continues to impact the nation, there is one population getting hit harder than most: the homeless. In Franklin County, it’s a number that reaches well into the thousands and continues to grow as unemployment rates rise rapidly. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a 45% percent increase in homelessness, according to a Bloomberg report. “I keep praying for a philanthropist, a millionaire, somebody to come along and say, ‘Hey, let's do a school.’ I'll take a house, a storefront, whatever,” said Jeanette Bradley at 2nd Chance Ministries Bradley, a recovering addict and former sex trafficking victim, experienced trauma as a young child from a family member. At one time, one of her older sisters, now deceased, took the abuse in her place. “You know, when you don't have any support or counseling or anything to deal with all these problems, you just start looking for love in all the wrong places to feel accepted,” said Bradley. Bradley’s life completely changed on Aug. 15, 1999: that day she had her stomach pumped and it marked the last time she tried to commit suicide. She said it was divine intervention that came into her life and asked her a simple question: Are you in or out? Seventeen years later Bradley is still all in. After that fateful day, she wasted no time in setting up her own street outreach program. 80

victims of sex-trafficking being treated as 2nd Chance Ministries was founded in March criminals and listed as prostitutes on police of 2003 with a general mission of feeding, reports; by 2009 he knew he had to act. That’s clothing, and providing resources to the why he started CATCH Court, which stands for homeless. Changing Actions to Change Habits, to address Although homelessness doesn’t just affect this vulnerable population. Over a decade later, women, current data shows that women Judge Herbert’s influence has spanned across who are sex-trafficked make up the largest Ohio and in at least four more states. population of those living on the streets. The However, COVID-19 has reared its ugly head new homeless demographic is a reflection on the CATCH Court too. Since the shutdown of years of prejudicial policies, and affects in early March, 11 CATCH participants have minorities disproportionately–especially Black gone missing. An people–in addition to additional six women the women who are "It's such a depressed, have dropped out of victims of the sexoppressed, almost forgotten the CATCH Court, trafficking trade. Even though little city, little town because bringing the total class size down to 21. legislation has been they keep re-gentrifying “COVID has depassed to assist incentivized victims of the homeless, it everywhere." human trafficking to hasn’t been enough. work with the criminal justice system and its Columbus, however, has been on the frontlines wealth of resources,” said Hannah Estabrook, of combating this disenfranchised sector of the a coordinator at CATCH Court. “The ‘carrot’ of homeless. Along with Bradley’s organization, the amazing CATCH community persists, but institutions such as Faith Mission and the the ‘stick’ is basically non-existent.” extremely recent addition of a brand new 40Much like the isolation that many unit homeless youth complex on the Southeast Americans have faced throughout the past six Side have also been working overtime to months, CATCH participants, who had relied expose homelessness, with a focus on human on human-traffickers in the past to provide trafficking, an area that Ohio ranked fourth in resources and a warped sense of community, the country in according to a 2018 study. This lost the crucial in-person CATCH Court local effort has even had national impact, as the meetings, which participants have to attend Franklin County CATCH Court has inspired once a week for two years to graduate. Meetings change across the country. are available online, but many have found that a Judge Paul Herbert had seen enough of

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Zoom call cannot replace the healing power of human contact. “Connection is crucial for all human beings, but maybe especially for those in recovery from substance-use disorder and complex trauma,” said Estabrook. “I’m not convinced that we even know yet how damaging this time has been.” Bradley has felt the effects of COVID-19 as well. After reaching out to some of her close friends living on the streets of Columbus, Bradley received no response from all five people she contacted. “My heart is still with them because I used to be what you would call the ‘CATCH mom,’” said Bradley. At age 67, Bradley has earned the nickname Mama J by working tirelessly in the business of helping the homeless and freeing sextrafficking victims. Bradley has recently focused the mission of 2nd Chance Ministries on Franklinton, an area she says is full of gang members aiming to snatch women off the streets. Areas such as Sullivant, West Broad, Livingston, and Main can seem, at times, like a separate world. Bradley has even seen in these areas a father charging $10 to $20 to have sex with his daughter, a face she has seen on an endangered minor flier. “It's such a depressed, oppressed, almost forgotten little city, little town because they keep re-gentrifying everywhere,” said Bradley. “I have tried and tried to get the [Columbus] Rotary, get someone to listen to me to open up a 2nd Chance center where you take a closed down school and house 300 to 400 people in there, and that would take care of a lot of the homeless right in that area.” But not everyone is so quick to open a center like Bradley proposes. The opening of the Southeast Side homeless shelter for the youth showed how Columbus residents are weary of what those buildings may attract to their neighborhoods. Despite the backlash, people are beginning to think harder and longer about the homelessness crisis in America. And while this issue is becoming increasingly more visible, there’s still a lot of work to be done. For those hoping to get in on the ground floor, Bradley suggests volunteering to serve food, donating store gift cards for groceries, and passing along essential living items such as propane tanks, blankets, camping tents, and clothes. Most importantly, people can help by giving recognition to any homeless person they encounter in the community. Making eye-contact and offering a smile is a basic human courtesy that homeless people rarely experience. “I did find that when you put a face to trafficking or a face to homelessness, of course it makes all the difference in the world when people start seeing they're human,” said Bradley. • SAVE THE DATE!

RESTAURANT WEEK

SEPTEMBER 14-19 2020

R EMEMBERING 9/ 1 1 (614) writer David Lewis, a New Yorker for 33 years, recalls the day that changed America

I looked out my bedroom window to see billowing smoke coming from Battery Park. Black plumes of death. The darkness juxtaposed against the blue, cloudless sky dropped my cheeks. Then I turned to the TV to see the second plane throw a dagger into all our hearts. The South Tower was supposed to be OK. They said there was no need to evacuate. They were wrong. Who the fuck did this? Who can I go yell at, or better yet, scream at? Then this pain washed over my body like a heavy wave enveloping me as I swam too deep. People jumping off burning buildings? Really? I felt helpless. And it was a helplessness I have never felt before. I called my mom, who lived a block away. I called my sister, who lived cross-town. I called friends all over the city to see if they were OK. My city was burning—and I didn’t know what to do. Wanting to feel empowered, my wife, a friend, and I ran uptown to the local hospital to give blood so all the hundreds, or thousands, of survivors could get nourished. But the nurse at the door turned us away. She said they had too much blood and nobody to use it on. I wasn’t prepared for that.

BY DAV I D L EW I S

The towers came down; but New York rose up."

pending the first 33 years of your life in New York City can both adore you to its city life and harden you to the world. It is a dichotomous relationship I have with my hometown. On one hand there is love—museums, beauty, energy, passion, diversity; and the other, hate—stepping in dog shit, getting mugged, rude behavior. You see too much, too soon, too often. I am no exception. I have seen a lot. I witnessed a man being shot ten feet away from me. I have the battle scars that have made me tough. But nothing could’ve prepared me for what happened on 9/11. I was in NYC that day, when it became the spiritual epicenter for everything that happened, from the Pentagon, to a rural field in Pennsylvania, to the Twin Towers. The month had started like any other fall month—with one exception; on Sept. 1, I got married in Central Park at Tavern on the Green with an accompanying horse and carriage ride. It was the quintessential “New Yawk” event. I returned from my honeymoon in Paris on Sept. 10 and had a serious case of jet lag. On the morning of Sept. 11, after not sleeping a wink, I decided to do my laundry in the early morning hours. I walked up from the laundry room of my Upper West apartment building (five miles due north of the Towers) and went outside to get some air. The front of the building was hustling with pedestrians and car traffic. Not a cloud in the sky. Crystal blue. Crisp air. After about 20 minutes, I heard this rumbling noise coming from two and half blocks away, over the Hudson River. Then it built up to a sonic-sounding streak of energy only a low flying jumbo jet plane could make. That was cool, I thought, and went upstairs, not giving it much more of my time, until... I walked into my L-shaped studio with my wife watching the news. It was around 8:47 and there was talk of a plane hitting the World Trade Center’s North Tower, a place I have visited several times. It was initially reported as a small plane hitting the tower. I glanced at my wife, our eyes squinting as they met. How could that happen? Well, it couldn’t. We watched the replays. It was a big-ass plane. I turned to my wife and said, “I heard the plane when I was outside. It was just a few blocks away from us.”

The loss of control was eating me up. So, we ran downtown towards the billowing smoke. We saw tanks roll down Fifth Avenue. We watched the replays over and over of the planes hitting the towers on a jumbotron TV in Times Square. As we neared Union Square, two miles from the burning towers, we were stopped by police and barricades. Nobody was getting any closer to the flames unless you were essential. I wasn’t prepared for that. In New York, you can be anywhere, anytime—but not this day. Not this time. We walked back uptown snice all the subways stopped running. Soot filled the air, making each breath feel like I was living in a 1950s Pennsylvania coal town. I coughed and thought of all the people coughing in the towers right after the planes hit. People gave us water to wash away the filth and soothe our throats. I was deflating with every step as I walked further away from Ground Zero. My New York resolve. My toughness. My ability to see disturbing things and brush them off was waning. After hearing about a post-it note that blew off a desk in the South Tower after the building collapsed and fell in in Brooklyn, a good distance away, I sank deeper. What saved me the days and weeks after the towers fell was volunteering. I handed out water. I thanked every firefighter I saw. But then I had a thought. I have spent my entire life forming the callouses to get through this. Maybe not today, but tomorrow I will feel better. I got behind my New York-ness and rallied with others. We can show the nation that we got their back. That we have the resilience to bounce back with force, like a rubber ball hitting a wall. My best friend’s mom, a tough single mom from Brooklyn, would tell people, “That Dave Lewis, he’s a survivor.” It was the ultimate compliment to get, from one New Yorker to another. I should’ve been prepared for that. But even for a tough New Yorker, it was a day that challenged everything we believed about ourselves and our beloved city. It was a gut punch to the Big Apple and the nation, but us New Yorkers—we are survivors. We dust ourselves off and pick ourselves up and put one foot in front of the other. The towers came down; but New York rose up. And that is something I most certainly was prepared. •

(614) MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 614NOW.COM

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