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One of my favorite traditions is reaching out to clients on their home purchase anniversaries. The messages I receive years later say it all:
After 2 years: “We love it. Our neighbors have become great friendsthank you for helping us find it!”
After 13 years: “Our home is so special to us.”
After 18 years: “We still appreciate you and Mike helping us find our home.”
To me, real estate is about more than closing day. Just this past week, several clients texted asking who to call for things around the house. Because I maintain a trusted vendor network, I can connect them quickly with professionals I recommend.
I don’t believe in “past clients.” I believe in lifelong relationships.
If you’re considering buying or selling, I’d love to guide you through the process with over 20 years of
A Message from City Manager
Megan O’Callaghan
This year, as our nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, we are reminded that the strength of our republic begins at the local level. E ective self-governance depends on engaged residents, responsible leadership and transparent institu tions. In that spirit, I am proud to report that the state of our local democracy is strong, as re ected in this issue of Dublin Life.
This annual report provides a clear account of the City’s nancial performance and administrative activity, outlining our revenues and expenditures while highlighting the strategic initiatives shaping our future. Dublin continues to demonstrate what is possible when sound nancial management, strategic investment and citizen involvement align around a shared vision.
Over the past year, we advanced infrastructure, innovation and community wellness initiatives, all while prioritizing scal stewardship and accountability. In 2025, income tax revenues exceeded $118 million. This milestone re ects the strength of our business community, the vitality of our employment base and the policies that position Dublin to continue investing con dently in its future.
A stable revenue structure allows us to maintain roads, bridges and utilities to the highest standards, invest in public safety and parks, support mobility improvements and plan proactively for future needs.
One of the most signi cant opportunities before us is the continued development of the West Innovation District. This year, the City secured nearly 350 additional acres along the S.R. 161 corridor, extending into Madison County and building upon the 240-acre SportsOhio acquisition in 2024. Together, these properties create a footprint of meaningful scale and potential. Combined with the Ohio University Dublin Campus, the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor and planned infrastructure improvements, this district supports research collaboration, private investment and high-quality job creation while integrating recreation and connectivity for residents.
At the same time, we are strengthening the economic centers that have supported Dublin for decades. Metro Center remains vital, yet evolving workplace expectations and market dynamics are driving the need for change. In partnership with nationally recognized planners, we are developing a forward-looking framework that reimagines Metro Center as a vibrant, mixed-use environment that supports business growth and talent attraction. The Bridge Street District continues to demonstrate that long-term vision and disciplined execution deliver results. The district continues to grow to meet demand, with more mixed-use development in the pipeline, including two new hotels, additional housing and o ce space, including a global headquarters. In our historic core, Riverview Village will break ground in 2026, transforming nearly two acres along the Scioto River into a walkable destination for local businesses, startups, entertainment and the arts.
Megan O’Callaghan
Connectivity will continue to de ne our future. Regionally, we are actively participating in the LinkUS initiative by advancing transit-supportive infrastructure that will help enhance mobility across Central Ohio. Locally, City Council adopted the Signature Trail study, establishing a clear vision for a transformational east-west corridor across Dublin. Through our partnership with alta ber, ber access is now available to nearly every home in Dublin. Coupled with Dublink, our 100 Gig ber network serving businesses, these assets make Dublin one of the most connected communities in the nation.
In 2025, we also established the Dublin Wellness Alliance, building upon insights from our Community Health Needs Assessment. This coordinated e ort aligns health providers, nonpro t partners and civic leaders around measurable goals to address mental health, access to care and overall well-being.
Innovation continues to strengthen and modernize our daily operations. Our Drone as First Responder program enhances real-time situational awareness for public safety personnel, reducing response times and improving decision-making in critical moments. We also launched Ohio’s rst AI-powered smart crosswalk, a proactive investment in pedestrian safety that uses advanced technology to detect activity and increase driver awareness.
These advancements are complemented by stronger digital communication tools. In the last year, more than 2,500 residents registered to receive real-time updates through GoDublin text noti cations, which provide timely information about tra c, public safety and community events. Together, these e orts re ect our commitment to leveraging technology in thoughtful, practical ways that meet our stakeholders where they are.
Dublin’s success is rooted in disciplined planning, strong partnerships and a clear vision for the future. We will continue to invest deliberately, grow responsibly and serve with integrity to ensure that Dublin continues to thrive for the next 250 years and beyond.
Sincerely,
Megan O’Callaghan Dublin City Manager
Back Row: Christina Alutto (At-Large), Wendy Johnson (Ward 2), Amy Kramb (Ward 1), Vice Mayor Cathy De Rosa (Ward 4), Andy Keeler (At-Large)
Front Row: Dr. Greg Lam (Ward 3), Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes (At-Large)
2025 Financial Reports
All Expenditures By Program
CommunityCalendar
AprilMay
MON.-FRI., MARCH 30-APRIL 3
No School – Dublin City Schools Spring Break www.dublinschools.net
FRI.-SAT., APRIL 3-4
Eggs, Paws, and Claws
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 W. Powell Rd. www.columbuszoo.org
SAT., APRIL 4
Easter Bunny Cake Decorating 4-5:30 p.m.
Our CupCakery 54 S. High St. www.ourcupcakery.com
WED.-SAT., APRIL 8-11
Dublin Coffman High School Drama Club presents Mamma Mia 7 p.m.
Dublin Coffman High School 6780 Coffman Rd. www.dublincoffmantheater.org
THURS.-SUN., APRIL 9-12, 16-19
The Abbey Theater of Dublin presents Picasso at the Lapin Agile Thurs.-Sun: 7 p.m. Sun.: 2 p.m.
Abbey Theater 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov
SAT., APRIL 11
Sustainable Saturday
8 a.m.-1p.m.
Dublin City Service Center 6555 Shier Rings Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov
SUN., APRIL 19
Friends of CASA Teddy Bear Trot 5k
10 a.m.
Coffman Park
5200 Emerald Pkwy. www.visitdublinohio.com
WED., APRIL 22
Earth Day Exploration Hike 6-7:15 p.m.
Riverside Crossing Park 6625 Riverside Dr. www.dublinohiousa.gov
FRI., APRIL 24
No School – Dublin City Schools Teacher Conference Comp Day www.dublinschools.net
FRI., APRIL 24
Earth/Arbor Day Celebration
9 a.m.-noon
Amberleigh Park 4715 Vista Ridge Dr. www.dublinohiousa.gov
THURS.-SAT., APRIL 30-MAY 2
Dublin Jerome High School Drama Club presents The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Dublin Jerome High School 8300 Hyland-Croy Rd. www.dublinschools.net
SAT., MAY 2
Community Service Day
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dublin Community Recreation Center 5600 Post Rd. www.dublinchamber.org
SATURDAYS STARTING MAY 2
Dublin Market
9 a.m.-noon
Bridge Park
6741 Longshore St. www.thedublinmarket.com
FRI.-SUN., MAY 1-3
Dublin Scioto High School Theatre presents Frozen: The Musical Fri. and Sat: 7:30pm Sat. Sensory-friendly performance: 2 p.m. Sun: 2 p.m.
4000 Hard Rd. www.dublinsciototheatre.org
SAT., MAY 16
Experience Public Works Day 9 a.m.-noon
Dublin City Service Center 6555 Shier Rings Rd. www.dublinohiousa.gov
MON., MAY 25
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony 11 a.m.
Dublin Cemetery 83 W. Bridge St. www.dublinveterans.com
THURS., MAY 28 FORE! Miler
7 p.m.
Muirfield Village Golf Club 5750 Memorial Dr. www.foremiler.com
Last Day of School – Dublin City Schools
May 22: Seniors May 28: Preschool May 29: Grades 1-11 www.dublinschools.net
SUN., MAY 24
Dublin City Schools’ Graduation Day Coffman High School: 1:30 p.m. Jerome High School: 4:30 p.m. Scioto High School: 7:30 p.m. The Schottenstein Center 555 Borror Dr., Columbus www.dublinschools.net
Photos courtesy of Dublin Chamber, Robb McCormick Photography/City of Dublin
Community Service Day
dublin faces
by Amanda Stevens
Artistic Vision
New Dublin Arts Council director focuses on community engagement and creative growth
In 1995, at 23 years old, Merijn van der Heijden flew from her hometown, Tilburg, in the Netherlands to Columbus to earn her master’s of fine arts at The Ohio State University.
Now, van der Heijden has stepped into the role of Dublin Arts Council’s Executive Director, bringing decades of experience as both a teacher and leader in the arts.
An artistic foundation
Growing up, van der Heijden’s family nourished an appreciation for art. She engaged with art in many ways, from dance and clay classes to museum visits and live performances.
In fall of 1993, while earning her bachelor’s in fine arts studying sculpture and textiles at the Academie voor Beeldende Vorming (Academy of Fine Arts), van der Heijden met OSU professor and sculptor, Malcolm Cochran, thanks to a faculty exchange program.
Cochran recalls she showed up in the middle of the semester, having gone to Spain rather than her classes.
“I’m thinking, ‘Here’s this wayward young woman, obviously adventuresome,’” Cochran says. “I do recall that she had very good energy and a wonderful personality.”
Cochran, who’s known for his local art installation Field of Corn (with Osage Oranges), later encouraged her to come to OSU for grad school.
Finding her direction
Initially, van der Heijden wanted to become a practicing artist but discovered an affinity for education as a graduate teaching assistant. She later took positions at Denison University, the University of Florida and OSU.
“What I enjoy most about teaching is to be inspired, ultimately, and to inspire oth-
Photos courtesy of Dublin Arts Council, Visit Dublin and Todd Yarrington
ers to do the best work that they can do,” she says.
While teaching, she also took on administrative positions, including Gallery Director at Denison University and director of OSU’s Urban Arts Space and Hopkins Hall Gallery
Cochran says it’s been interesting to watch van der Heijden’s career progress. He says he was pleasantly surprised to learn about her DAC directorship and believes her Dutch background offers a unique balance of traits.
“She comes from a culture where you are held accountable. And at the same time, you are open to new ideas, you’re innovative, you seek new opportunities, like going to Spain when you’re supposed to be going to school. And I think that’s a strength,” Cochran says.
Taking the lead
For van der Heijden, becoming the DAC director is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I’m really inspired, mostly by what the City of Dublin has done over the last 20plus years and how they have intentionally created this beautiful infrastructure and how they have built and grown their public art program,” says van der Heijden, who is excited to bring her background in site-specific arts to the table.
She sees her new role, which she stepped into this past July, as a challenge to look forward to – particularly in continuing to expand programs such as artist residencies and workshops.
“It’s a challenge of sorts that requires a lot of strategy and intention and making sure that people are aware that now they have input, that they are part of the conver-
Community collaboration
This past October, a few months into van der Heijden’s directorship, DAC welcomed Chilean muralist Alejandro “Mono” González, who collaborated with local artist Adam Hernandez to create a mural cube which community members were invited to help paint.
Hernandez, a DAC board member since 2022, recalls the new director’s assistance in assembling the cube.
“She was there holding up boards and using the drill, getting her hands dirty... It was really cool that she was okay to get down in the trenches and work and just has experience doing things,” Hernandez says. “I think that’s a kind of a cool thing, a cool sign of the way she’ll lead the Dublin Arts Council in the future.”
Hernandez says he’d previously met van der Heijden months prior to her directorship while they were both on a DAC committee and is excited by the ideas she brings.
“From what I know, she wants people to really experience things firsthand and just be conscious of where they are in the time and place. I think that’s kind of a cool perspective to come at it from,” Hernandez says.
sation, that they know that they are invited into that conversation and that we build that together,” van der Heijden says.
Cochran, who describes her as spirited, resilient and naturally optimistic, says her experience and background bode well for DAC.
“I know she is accountable (and) reliable, but beyond that, she knows how to and has found her way through difficulties and adversity. She’s a good problem solver,” Cochran says. “I think she’s very well equipped to find solutions to challenges that are not even on the horizon.”
Art as connection
As van der Heijden embarks on her DAC tenure, she emphasizes art as social infrastructure.
While the director of Urban Arts Space and Hopkins Hall Gallery from 20182025, she says a key part of her work was, “bringing people together, creating a space where people want to come together, not just to attend or to see something, but also to connect,” and she learned the value of building relationships.
“It’s so important to meet people where they’re at and to get to know them, not just as a kind of performative relationship, but to really get to know them and to engage them in their own environments to understand and learn what it is that they might need or appreciate, and then to work with people from that point on,” van der Heijden says.
She wants to focus on intentional engagement across demographics as DAC collaborates with local organizations and continues growing its public art program.
“It’s been wonderful to see how many people in Dublin have interest and excitement and pay attention to the arts... So making sure that we understand the depth and breadth that folks in the Dublin community bring and meeting people where they’re at means that we want to make sure that we engage intentionally across different sections and areas of the community,” van der Heijden says.
Amanda Stevens is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
In addition to adding artist residency projects to DAC’s portfolio, van der Heijden is looking forward to the installation of S/WING by Ivan Depeña for the Memorial Tournament’s 50th anniversary, working on new commissions for Riverboxes’ 20th anniversary in 2027 and commissioning a project for the public art program’s 40th anniversary in 2028. Read more about S/WING on page 30.
by Megan Brokamp
Growing Together
50 years of the tournament that helped shape the city
Sixty years ago, Jack Nicklaus announced plans for a golf tournament in his hometown that would pay homage to the sports’ history and traditions. This year, Nicklaus’ tournament finds its own place in history – celebrating 50 years of bringing world-class golf to Columbus.
The vision
In the early 70s, Dublin was a village with fewer than 1,000 residents and just one residential development. At the height of his career – having already won multiple major championships and being widely regarded as the best player in the world –Nicklaus decided to pursue his dream of creating a world-class tournament.
He set out to create a PGA Tour event that would honor golf’s legends, while bringing a premier sporting event to his home region. To do this, he designed Muirfield Village Golf Club.
“My thought at that time was bringing Major League golf to Columbus, Ohio, a place that gave me so much and supported me through all my youth,” Nicklaus says. “I wasn’t thinking of how significant it was going to be. I just wanted to make sure that we took care of the players well and we put on a good tournament.”
As construction began in 1972, Dublin was also growing, with the arrival of Ashland Chemical Company and the development of a Dublin ramp on the I-270 outer belt – a perfect combination for monumental growth.
“The township trustees, village council members, Board of Education, Church trustees, they all worked very closely together because the village was so small,” Dublin Historical Society Senior Historian Tom Holton says. “They knew that the Muirfield development was going to change things dramatically, so they wanted to be ready.”
Muirfield Village was completed in 1974, and the first Memorial Tournament was held May 27-30, 1976. An impressive inaugural year signaled that this wasn’t going to be just another Tour stop – Nicklaus’ influence elevated it immediately.
As the tournament wrapped up, Nicklaus tied for fifth, and Roger Maltbie won in a playoff over Hale Irwin.
Growing in tandem
Over the course of five decades, the Memorial Tournament and the city have grown side by side. When the first tournament teed off, it immediately placed Dublin in the spotlight.
Nearly 282,000 spectators attended that first year, with more than 40,000 attendees on its busiest day – a staggering number for a village of fewer than 1,000.
“As national television coverage expanded in the tournament’s early years and viewership grew, it became clear that the Memorial was more than a golf tournament. It was a national stage,” City Manager Megan O’Callaghan says.
Tournament to Tourism
As the event elevated Dublin’s profile, the city evolved with it – expanding neighborhoods, improving roadways, enhancing parks and cultivating vibrant commercial centers to support both visitors and residents.
Before the Tournament, the City’s only large corporation was Volkswagen of America’s MIDVO distribution center, now home to the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). Today, more than 4,000 businesses operate in Dublin, including more than 20 corporate headquarters, and Dublin’s population now approaches 50,000.
Over the years, the partnership between the Tournament and the City became symbiotic.
“(The partnership) is not only important, it’s critical,” the Memorial Tournament Executive Director Dan Sullivan says, pointing to parking capacity at Muirfield Village, access to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Bridge Park and the nearby highway system. “(All those) little things aren’t seen in many other golf tournaments… Because of this familiarity over the 50 years, the City of Dublin’s securi-
Throughout the years, the tournament has been both a blueprint and a catalyst for Dublin’s infrastructure growth.
“The Memorial consistently showcases Dublin as a well-planned, welcoming and economically vibrant community,” O’Callaghan says. “That exposure supports tourism, attracts corporate investment and reinforces property values. It has also driven long-term infrastructure improvements.”
A pivotal chapter in that evolution was Bridge Park, announced in 2013, with its first phase opening in 2017 and additional phases completed through 2022.
Bridge Park’s opening solidified Dublin’s transformation into a modern urban district, and provided new experiences for tournament attendees – offering additional dining and entertainment beyond the course. The addition of Fore! Fest in 2018 further extended the celebration.
“We’ve worked closely with tournament planners and organizers on having patrons be able to park at Bridge Park and come back and forth throughout the day, and so certainly that week at Bridge Park, it’s our highest sales value,” Bob Hoying, principal at Crawford Hoying, the developer of Bridge Park, says. “We’re just very honored and proud that we’ve been able to play a part in further elevating the tournament.”
Photos courtesy of the Memorial Tournament
ty team, operational team and traffic and parking team work so well with our team that these conversations come together.”
Impact beyond the fairways
One of the tournament’s cornerstones –and something that was principle to Nicklaus’ motivation – is its charitable impact. The tournament has a long-standing partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, raising roughly $50 million since its inception, according to Nationwide Children’s.
Its primary beneficiary is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which cares for more than 3,000 babies annually, and more than 40 programs across central Ohio. Additional initiatives funded include the Butterfly Paws program, a grief-support initiative tied to the NICU; the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Rooftop Playdeck; and expanded mental health services.
“The funding really helps expand the care that we can provide, and all of the first-class and best-in-class treatments for those kids,” Niki Shafer, vice president of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, says. “But the tournament also helps raise the profile of Nationwide Children’s which enables families to find us.”
More than 3,000 volunteers help power the Tournament each year, many representing Nationwide Children’s.
In 2010, the event formalized its philanthropic efforts with the creation of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, and in 2022, the Tournament added the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation – co-founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry.
Inside Muirfield
Like the Masters in Augusta, the Memorial is inseparable from its home. Designed specifically for tournament play, Muirfield has continually evolved to remain a premier experience.
“You have someone who is golf’s greatest player of all time as the host and founder with probably the greatest all-time spouse in the world of golf, and, of course, probably in life,” Muirfield Village Golf Club General Manager Nicholas LaRocca says. “When they put the place together 50-plus years ago, it was (based on) their experiences, how to make it the best experience for the players, players’ families and, of course, the patrons.”
Nicklaus designed Muirfield with intentional flow so everything from scoring to media spaces to practice areas connect
Dublin and the Memorial: 1976-2026
1976
Tournament: The inaugural tournament is played at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Population: ~1,000-2,000
City Snapshot: A small, largely rural community with minimal commercial development.
1980
Tournament: the Memorial gains momentum as a respected PGA Tour stop.
Population: 3,263
City Snapshot: Residential growth begins shaping Dublin into a suburban community.
1990
Tournament: Solidified its place as a premier tournament on Tour.
Population: 14,629
City Snapshot: Rapid growth in Dublin City Schools and residential expansion.
2000
Tournament: National reach expands through broadcast; tournament week becomes a regional event.
Population: 30,853
City Snapshot: Dublin becomes a business hub, with corporate campuses and commercial growth.
2010
Tournament: Course renovations allow the tournament to adapt to the changing professional game.
Population: 41,568
City Snapshot: Planning ensues for mixed-use and walkable development.
2016-2020
Tournament: Continued global recognition, along with major renovations completed.
Population: ~49,000
City Snapshot: Bridge Park opens, transforming the community landscape.
2026
Tournament: Celebrates five decades of tradition, charity and worldclass golf.
Population: 50,000+
City Snapshot: A nationally recognized city, shaped in part by the presence of the tournament.
Population data provided by Dublin Historical Society and the U.S. Census.
Tom Weiskopf and Jack Nicklaus officially open Muirfield Village Golf Club in 1974.
Bob Hope was a prominent celebrity participant in the tournament’s early years.
Defining Moments
1977 Nicklaus wins his own tournament, deeming it his “biggest thrill in golf.”
1993 Paul Azinger makes an emotional comeback, winning just months after undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
1999 Tiger Woods secures his first of five Memorial victories.
2001 Woods delivers a dramatic birdie on the par-3 17th hole to help secure his third consecutive Memorial Tournament title.
2014 Muirfield Village hosts the Presidents Cup, bringing one of golf’s premier international team competitions to central Ohio.
seamlessly, while Barbara Nicklaus helped shape the spectator and family experience, creating thoughtful spaces for families and easy movement throughout the grounds.
“Barbara and Jack Nicklaus built a masterpiece in 1974, but the place evolved every year since, and we evolve every year still to this day,” LaRocca says.
Improvements over the years include:
• Late 1980s-1990s: Early adjustment included reshaping the greens to increase speed, repositioning bunkers and lengthening holes.
• Early 2000s: Tee boxes were added to stretch yardage beyond 7,400 yards, fairways were narrowed and greens were modified to add challenge.
• 2013: Ahead of hosting the Presidents Cup, the clubhouse was transformed and upgrades were made to infrastructure and hospitality areas.
• 2020-2021: A two-phase project was completed to modernize the course. All 18 greens were rebuilt, each bunker was reconstructed, tee boxes were rebuilt and fairway adjustments were made.
The meaning of 50 years
Fifty years later, the Memorial Tournament stands as a testament to what a strong vision and partnership can create. From economic growth and tourism, to life-changing philanthropy and global recognition, the Tournament and the City of Dublin have evolved together.
“I think that we’ve been very blessed, that the City has supported us in every direction we wanted to go,” Nicklaus says, “to make it bigger and better, not only for the world, but for the City of Dublin.”
Megan Brokamp is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Pennies for Good
Feeding Dublin
The Dublin Food Pantry has provided food and resources to families and individuals in the community for 50 years. On average the pantry sees 1,000 visits each month consisting of 3,750 individuals, 365 seniors and 1,500 children.
Deane Brown Bishop Elementary fourth graders fundraise
$5,000 for Dublin Food Pantry
By Maggie Valentine
Photos courtesy of Kelli Traber, Dublin City Schools and Pamela D. McAdams/iStock
Since opening in 2025, Deane Brown Bishop Elementary has focused largely on developing student leadership as a way to serve the community.
Kelli Traber, a fourth-grade teacher who previously worked at Daniel Wright Elementary, followed fellow administrator and now-principal Lucas Bauer’s transition to Bishop Elementary to work together to create spaces and opportunities for students to lead through service.
“I think (what) we’re seeing in the world today is that people want to help one another, but they’re not always sure how,” Traber says.
At Bishop, this commitment takes shape in programs such as the Kindness Corps through the Seeds of Caring organization, in which fourth graders participate in six service projects each year, while fifth-grade students serve on a leadership team that supports younger students – all designed to also raise awareness of Dublin’s diversity.
Taking that spirit a step further, Traber’s fourth-grade class recently launched a penny war as an additional way to give back.
Call to action
Traber’s fourth graders were inspired to help their community after reading Katherine Applegate’s book, Crenshaw. Crenshaw is a children’s book about a boy named Jackson and his family who are facing food insecurity and making ends meet by living in their minivan. To cope with their living situation, Jackson creates an imaginary friend, Crenshaw the cat.
While discussing the book, Traber and her class had a long conversation about poverty and breaking the stereotypes that come with it, and after connecting the book to real community circumstances, it left the students feeling motivated.
“They started generating all sorts of ideas, (such as) ‘We can give them some of our clothes, we can buy them cars, we can buy them homes,’” Traber says.
Overwhelmed with the amount of generosity garnered by her fourth graders, Traber brought their ideas to Bauer, and together, they decided the school should launch a penny war fundraiser.
Coins for change
The penny war fundraiser consisted of filling water jugs with pennies, with dollar bills acting as positive points, and silver coins acting as a way to sabotage other grades’ jugs.
When Traber and Bauer introduced the penny war to the kids, they quickly went to work.
As a former Dublin Food Pantry (DFP) board member, Traber invited the DFP Executive Director Julie Rinaldi to speak with her class about the socioeconomics of Dublin and how the food pantry assists members of the community.
According to the Dublin Food Pantry, 23 percent of Dublin students are considered economically disadvantaged.
The kids, understanding Traber’s relationship to the pantry and having listened to Rinaldi’s speech, set out to make a real impact with the penny war.
“I could definitely see the passion and the drive that a lot of them have to really make this world a better place, and we need so much more of that,” Traber says.
Working together, Traber’s fourth graders put together research to present in each classroom to encourage everyone else to participate in the fundraiser.
Soon enough, Bishop Elementary was covered in homemade flyers about the penny war and the food pantry. Fourth graders were organizing goals and making announcements to the whole school, keeping the community spirit alive.
Each of Traber’s fourth-grade students played a role in the making of the fundraiser: rallying the entire school together,
sorting and counting the coins, and tallying the totals.
“It was incredibly impressive because, really, my only role was entering money into the spreadsheet and taking everything to the bank at the end,” Traber says.
Gratitude in giving
As one of the 688 partner agencies of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, the Dublin Food Pantry is able to purchase food items at steeply-discounted prices. When the pantry receives a $1 donation, they are able to buy enough food for nearly 40 meals.
After the final tally of coins and dollars collected from the students plus the additional donations from the Bishop community, the total collection came to $5,004.16, which will
Accreditations & Designations
provide more than 12,500 meals to Dublin neighbors in need, according to Traber.
AAA ratings from Moody’s Investor Service, Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and KBRA
American Public Works Association
Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
The class who collected the most pennies got to celebrate their achievement, and had the opportunity to pie Principal Bauer. The winning class just so happened to be the one who put the whole thing together – Traber’s fourth-grade class.
Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation
Planning Polish
International Economic Development Council
Purple Heart City
O cial America 250-Ohio Community
“I want to highlight the generosity of our community, but also the leadership that I saw in these 9- and 10-year-olds. They were amazing,” Traber says.
Runner Friendly Community by Road Runners Club of America
Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by League of American Bicyclists
Along with the celebration, students shared statistics they learned from the fundraiser and their visit from the Dublin Food Pantry executive director. A common fact being shared among the kids was just how many meals they were going to supply with the money raised.
Rinaldi returned during their assembly to thank the students for their hard work and expressed gratitude from the entire board of directors at the food pantry.
Acts that follow
5 BroadwayWorld Columbus Awards for the Abbey Theater
6 Central Ohio Public Relations Society of America awards
Traber is already working with the fourth graders on their next act of service as they look forward to fifth grade and how they will make their mark in 2027 and beyond.
3 City-County Communications & Marketing Association awards
2 Visit Dublin Ohio Voters’ Choice awards
Top Suburb in Central Ohio by Columbus Underground – 5th year in a row
2025 World Festival and Event City by International Festival and Events Association
Auditor of State Award with Distinction
A dining room like this invites you to linger. Warm wood tones, tailored millwork, and a table set beneath soft light create a space that feels both refined and welcoming. But rooms like this don’t happen by accident. They begin with careful conversations, measured drawings, and a clear vision for how the space should live and breathe. With experienced hands guiding every step, from layout to the final finish, the result is a dining room that feels effortless, enduring, and ready for years of gathering.
“That’s an exciting part of being in the Dublin community, is that I’ll get to watch these kiddos go right across the field and attend Jerome High School in a few years, and watch them go off to college and think about what they will accomplish and the goals they will set,” Traber says.
Marketing Innovation Award from Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
Preservation Merit Award from the Ohio History Connection
Maggie Valentine is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Dublin Irish Festival: #1 Cultural Festival by USA Today, Best Suburban Festival by CityScene Magazine and Best of the Best by American Bus Association
Best DORA and Art in Public Places by Columbus Monthly
Government Finance O cers Association Triple Crown – 4th year in a row
Learning and Doing
Specialized Plan Award from Ohio Chapter of American Planning Association for Metro Center Revitalization Plan
Some of Traber’s fourth graders share their takeaways from the fundraiser:
9 Safest Small Communities to Settle in Ohio by World Atlas 90+ cashVest Award by National Association of Counties
Top 20 Green Fleets in North America
“My favorite part was counting the money each day. Looking at all of the coins and bills reminded me what we did.” – Mehak
Platinum Level Healthy Worksite by Healthy Business Council of Ohio
Since 1978, J.S. Brown & Co. has been delivering excellence in remodeling, improving both homes & the lives of our clients. Let us do the same for you.
“We helped a lot of people who are not as fortunate as we are. If I ever go through a tough time, I would want people to help me. I was proud to be a part of raising all of the money we did. Everyone helped a little, and it added up to a lot.” – Lily
“Usually grownups help others, but we did it all as kids.” – Liam
“We learned about the food pantry and we decided we needed to help. Food is necessary to survive, and everyone should be able to have it.” – Shanaya
From Foundations to the Future
Grounded in a proud legacy of thoughtful planning, fiscal strength and community partnership, and guided by forward-focused leadership, Dublin continues to grow with purpose. In 2025, we advanced that foundation through strategic investments and bold decisions that position our community for lasting success.
Approve Dublin as a Top Place to Live
4 AAA Only U.S. City to Receive these Credit Ratings
12.2K Rides on the Dublin Connector
30 Roundabouts Improve Tra c Flow & Safety 2025
Adopted Dublin Sustainability Plan
40.1K Regional 911 Calls Answered
9.7K
GoDublin Service Requests Completed
2.8K
Volunteers Between 7 to 98 Years Old
99%
High-Speed Fiber Coverage Citywide
450.8K Dublin Community Recreation Center Visits
2K Trees Planted
47%
Waste Diversion Rate, Exceeding State and
97%
Approve Dublin as a Great Place to Raise Children
9.9 TONS
Food Donated to the Dublin Food Pantry at the Dublin Irish Festival
2.5K GoDublin TXT Subscribers
Accreditations & Designations
Accreditations & Designations
AAA ratings from Moody’s Investor Service, Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and KBRA
American Public Works Association
AAA ratings from Moody’s Investor Service, Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and KBRA American Public Works Association
Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation
Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation
International Economic Development Council
International Economic Development Council
Purple Heart City
Purple Heart City
O cial America 250-Ohio Community
• O cial America 250-Ohio Community
• Ohio EPA Gold Level E3C community
• Ohio EPA Gold Level E3C community
• Runner Friendly Community by Road Runners Club of America
• Runner Friendly Community by Road Runners Club of America
•
Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by League of American Bicyclists
• Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by League of American Bicyclists
• SolSmart Bronze Designation
• SolSmart Bronze Designation
• Tree City USA by Arbor Day Foundation
• Tree City USA by Arbor Day Foundation
Awards Received in 2025
Awards Received in 2025
5 BroadwayWorld Columbus Awards for the Abbey Theater
5 BroadwayWorld Columbus Awards for the Abbey Theater
6 Central Ohio Public Relations Society of America awards
6 Central Ohio Public Relations Society of America awards
5 Best of Columbus awards
5 Best of Columbus awards
3 City-County Communications & Marketing Association awards
3 City-County Communications & Marketing Association awards
2 Visit Dublin Ohio Voters’ Choice awards
2 Visit Dublin Ohio Voters’ Choice awards
Top Suburb in Central Ohio by Columbus Underground – 5th year in a row
Top Suburb in Central Ohio by Columbus Underground – 5th year in a row
2025 World Festival and Event City by International Festival and Events Association
2025 World Festival and Event City by International Festival and Events Association
Auditor of State Award with Distinction
Auditor of State Award with Distinction
Marketing Innovation Award from Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
Marketing Innovation Award from Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
Preservation Merit Award from the Ohio History Connection
Preservation Merit Award from the Ohio History Connection
Dublin Irish Festival: #1 Cultural Festival by USA Today, Best Suburban Festival by CityScene Magazine and Best of the Best by American Bus Association
Dublin Irish Festival: #1 Cultural Festival by USA Today, Best Suburban Festival by CityScene Magazine and Best of the Best by American Bus Association
Best DORA and Art in Public Places by Columbus Monthly
Best DORA and Art in Public Places by Columbus Monthly
Government Finance O cers Association Triple Crown – 4th year in a row
Government Finance O cers Association Triple Crown – 4th year in a row
Specialized Plan Award from Ohio Chapter of American Planning Association for Metro Center Revitalization Plan
Specialized Plan Award from Ohio Chapter of American Planning Association for Metro Center Revitalization Plan
9 Safest Small Communities to Settle in Ohio by World Atlas
9 Safest Small Communities to Settle in Ohio by World Atlas
90+ cashVest Award by National Association of Counties
90+ cashVest Award by National Association of Counties
Top 20 Green Fleets in North America
Top 20 Green Fleets in North America
Platinum Level Healthy Worksite by Healthy Business Council of Ohio
Platinum Level Healthy Worksite by Healthy Business Council of Ohio
good ideas
by Ella Jay
Designed to Grow
Dublin’s 45-year commitment to progressive sustainability
Dublin has grown rapidly over the past four decades – evolving from a small village into a thriving city with a nationally recognized urban forest, more than 60 parks, 33,000 street trees and 37 years of Tree City USA recognition under its belt. Even as development accelerated, one thing remained constant: Dublin’s commitment to greenspace preservation and sustainability.
That commitment began 45 years ago in 1981 with the adoption of Dublin’s comprehensive landscape code, which was the first of its kind in the state. Complemented by the City’s greenspace ordinance and written into the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, that progressive policy has shaped Dublin into what it is today – a national model for forward-thinking, environmentally conscious development.
Rooted in policy
At its core, Dublin’s landscape code and greenspace ordinance were designed to preserve the community’s natural resources while guiding inevitable growth – policies considered progressive long before sustainability became a central focus in municipal planning.
“Dublin started out as an agricultural community, and I believe it was very important to the past generations of City leaders to keep that green feel,” says City Horticulturist Scott Moncrief. “They looked outside of the box, outside of central Ohio, to establish these codes.”
That foresight is visible across the city today in many aspects: tree pruning and pres-
ervation standards, undisturbed green belts, ponds and bioswales, intentionally-designed landscapes featuring pollinator-friendly and native plants, and especially through substantial development requirements.
For example, City Forester Jeff Myers says all developments and subdivisions are required to submit landscape plans that implement central park areas, ponds, street trees and multi-use paths and sidewalks.
Enforced by the City’s planning team and collaboratively maintained by the forestry and horticulture departments, those policies give Dublin a distinct character –one set apart by its abundant canopy, accessible parkland and vibrant greenery.
“It’s truly greener in Dublin. When you go from one city and drive into Dublin, you know you’re there,” says City Operations Administrator for Sustainability Emily Goliver.
Sustainability in action
Over time, that early commitment has expanded in more ways than one – evolving into a broader, cross-departmental philosophy that weaves environmental responsibility into daily operations, longterm planning and community engagement. Overseeing that breadth of responsibility falls partially on Goliver.
“Sustainability is woven through all our operations,” says Goliver. “My role is working across City divisions to make sure we’re looking at things through a sustainable lens and that we’re advancing the goals set forth in Dublin’s Sustainability Plan.”
Alongside integrating those efforts into City operations, Goliver says the main focus is making sustainability accessible to residents. Through events such as Sustainable Saturday – falling on April 11 this year – Arbor Day and Earth Month celebrations, as well as volunteer opportunities such as Community Service Day, residents are encouraged to do their part in preserving Dublin’s greenspaces.
The City also offers multiple 24/7, yearround sustainability programs such as compost, e-waste and Styrofoam drop-off at the Dublin Service Center, as well as 24/7 medication drop-off at the Dublin Justice Center.
Additionally, the City works with partners such as SWACO, Rumpke and Goodwill to achieve zero-waste community events, as well as corporate and residential groups, such as Homeowners’ Associations, to host annual planting events and landscaping classes.
Above environmental stewardship, Myers says those efforts benefit residents directly.
“It affects quality of life. Studies show that access to green infrastructure prolongs life, promotes better health outcomes, better mental health, better moods,” Myers says.
Cultivating the future
While Dublin’s forward-thinking policies set the groundwork, the people who translate that vision into daily practice continue to shape what sustainability looks like today – and what it will look like tomorrow.
“We’re always evolving, especially as technology improves,” says Moncrief. “We
Photos courtesy of City of Dublin
do a lot of continuing education, we go to conferences and learn new trends, and that can change how we operate from a sustainability standpoint.”
Each department – from forestry and horticulture, to planning and operations – plays a role in moving the City’s commitment forward. The focus remains on long-term impact, whether it’s working toward a higher canopy coverage percentage, diversifying tree species to combat invasive threats, taking a comprehensive look at zoning codes – Dublin’s newest sustainability initiative, according to Goliver – or adapting plant selections to shifting climate conditions.
For City staff, that work is both professional and personal. Maintaining Dublin’s reputation as a leader in thoughtful development requires collaboration and innovation, but it’s also a major point of pride for staff and residents alike.
“We strive to stay on the forefront of being a progressive, model city. We have high expectations, and we’re already looking at what’s next,” says Myers. “That’s Dublin, that’s how we do things here.”
Ella Jay is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Sustainability that Stands Out
Sustainability in Dublin shows up in ways both visible and unexpected. Here’s a closer look at some sustainability fun facts and the science, strategy and small details that make Dublin’s approach unique.
Climate-ready cultivars: Dublin is looking into cultivated plant variations, or cultivars, bred to survive both extreme cold and heat – preparing the City’s greenspaces for broader climate change, not just warming trends.
Preserving ash trees: Dublin is one of the few cities in Ohio to still maintain a population of ash trees, currently treating about 1,600.
Nature as infrastructure: Trees in Dublin intercept stormwater and reduce runoff – with one large tree’s canopy able to hold up to 100 gallons – as well as extend pavement life and lower seasonal heating and cooling costs.
Unexpected green spaces: From the cactus garden at Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park, to its City-funded trash and recycling services, Dublin shows sustainability can be both practical and unique.
LOCAL. FRESH. AUTHENTIC.
by Raygan Barrett
Introducing S/WING
New public artwork coming to the Muirfield green
I
n Spring 2026, S/WING, Dublin’s newest public artwork by Ivan Depeña, will anchor the open green space between Whittingham and Muirfield Drives, just steps from Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Timed for installation ahead of the Memorial Tournament’s 50th Anniversary, the work promises to be more than a sculpture –celebrating history, nature and community.
“S/WING will be an invitation for all of us to experience our surroundings anew,” says Dublin Arts Council’s Director of Public Practice Ava Morgan. “Artists like Ivan Depeña are skilled at sparking curios-
ity and changing our relationships to places we inhabit. This is such an important artwork for Dublin.”
A legacy rooted in place
To understand the significance of S/WING, one must first understand Dublin Art Council’s longstanding belief that art belongs not only inside a gallery, but in the daily life of its community.
Dublin’s Art in Public Places program was established in 1988 through a partnership between the City of Dublin and Dublin Arts Council. From the outset, the
mission was clear: enrich public spaces and foster community connection through art. What began as a visionary idea has since evolved into a nationally recognized model for suburban public art.
The program’s first major commission, Leatherlips (1990) by artist Ralph Helmick, honored a local Wyandot leader whose legacy is intertwined with the region’s early history. Carved from limestone and set within a natural landscape, the sculpture established an important precedent – public art in Dublin would be site-specific, historically aware and deeply rooted in place.
Photos courtesy of Ivan Depeña and Dublin Arts Council
Today, the collection includes more than 60 permanent, temporary and interactive works by artists from across the country and around the world. Smaller-scale initiatives, such as Riverboxes™ – artist-created vessels inspired by geocaching – demonstrate that creative engagement remains central to the program’s philosophy. In 2021, Dublin adopted its first Public Art Master Plan, reaffirming its commitment to thoughtful, strategic growth.
A site with global visibility
The selected site is an open green space featuring an approximate 10-foot-high knoll between Whittingham and Muirfield Drives. The elevation enhances visibility, creating a natural pedestal for the sculpture. Cyclists and pedestrians traveling along nearby paths will encounter it at eye level, while drivers moving north or south on Muirfield Drive will see it against the backdrop of the sky. Its adjacency to the 12th hole and 13th hole entry gate of Muirfield Village Golf Club offers something even more significant: international exposure. During the Memorial Tournament week, the world’s best golfers compete on one of the most challenging courses in the world for the enjoyment of spectators.
Inspired by motion
geography and history of the land as sustenance, the sculpture also fuses green elements into the overall form, to simulate it seamlessly rising up from the site.”
An artist bridging disciplines
Depeña brings a multidisciplinary background to this commission. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, his practice spans art, architecture, technology and design. With a Master of Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, he approaches sculpture not merely as an object, but as spatial experience. He has completed large-scale public projects across the country and has been recognized nationally for his contributions to the field.
In S/WING, Depeña applies this expertise to create a form that is both sculptural and architectural – one that engages with sightlines, elevation and the choreography of movement around it.
Reflection, community and continuity
At its heart, S/WING is about reflection and inspiration. It connects Dublin’s agricultural past, its strong ties to golf and its growing reputation as a community that invests in creativity. It celebrates motion while encouraging stillness – a reminder to pause, look up and take in the bigger picture.
honoring the swings of the past, welcoming those yet to come and reminding us that public art strengthens civic identity, fosters connection and reflects a community that plans for the future.
Raygan Barrett is the Director of Design & Marketing at Dublin Arts Council.
Dublin Arts Council’s Public Art Board
To ensure that public art initiatives are thoughtfully evaluated through artistic, civic and communitycentered lenses, the Public Art Board was formed. The advisory body is composed of nine members: two members of Dublin Arts Council staff, two members of City of Dublin staff and five community representatives. All selected community representatives reside in Dublin and are subject matter experts from the fields of contemporary public art, community engagement, municipal services and business interests. Bringing professional expertise together with local insight, the Board helps safeguard the integrity, relevance and long-term impact of Dublin’s Art in Public Places program while ensuring projects reflect the values and character of the community.
To learn more visit: dublinarts.org/ publicartboard
Your Guide to Dublin’s Public Art
The name S/WING plays with words, hinting at the dual meaning behind the work. In Depeña’s own words: “The work’s dialogue between avian movement and human dynamics connects the site’s historical context with its contemporary use. S/WING is an abstract reflection on how birds are regarded as guides and messengers in Shawnee and Wyandot traditions, as well as in Irish-Celtic lore. Revered as figures that move between worlds, birds signal intuition, transition and connection to the natural environment: symbolism that reflects a long-standing cultural understanding of flight as both spiritual and ecological. In further connection with the
“The arts are not a side feature of strong cities. They are part of the infrastructure that makes people want to stay, invest and belong,” says Merijn van der Heijden, Dublin Arts Council executive director.
When the dedication ceremony takes place on May 20, 2026, just ahead of the Memorial Tournament’s 50th Anniversary, Dublin will mark more than the installation of a new artwork – it will celebrate nearly four decades of Dublin’s Art in Public Places program.
From Leatherlips to Field of Corn and now to S/WING, Dublin continues to show that art can shape a place. S/WING will stand as both tribute and invitation:
Discover Dublin’s vibrant public art scene with your very own Public Art Map. Explore the inspiring works featured in Dublin’s Art in Public Places permanent collection. Pick up your free map at the Dublin Arts Council, Dublin Library or the Dublin Visitor’s Center.
Ivan Depeña
by Cassie Dietrich
Turning Game Day into Growth
Redefining learning through the NFL
When the National Football League (NFL) season kicked off last fall, students in Molly Love’s fourth-grade classroom at Indian Run Elementary were ready.
Not just as fans, but as analysts.
Over the course of the season – from opening weekend through the Super Bowl – Love’s students participated in NFeLementary, a pilot program that uses the structure, statistics and storylines of the NFL to teach fourth-grade academic standards. What began with the excitement of drafting teams in September evolved into months of deep academic engagement grounded in real data.
At the start of the year, each student selected an NFL team to follow. That team became more than a favorite franchise: it became a case study.
Students tracked weekly performance data, calculated win-loss percentages, compared scoring averages, analyzed trends and applied fractions and decimals to real-time statistics. Geography lessons took students across the country as they studied team locations, regional characteristics and city demographics. Even science concepts emerged through discussions about player positions and the mechanics of the human body.
The fall football season became a framework for rigorous thinking.
In Love’s classroom, Mondays were especially meaningful. While many classrooms ease into the week, hers buzzed with conversation. Students debated game outcomes, referenced statistics and eagerly opened their binders to update data charts. The enthusiasm was authentic, but the work was intentional. Every discussion circled back to standards-based learning.
Approximately 200 to 300 teachers nationwide are piloting NFeLementary, with Indian Run Elementary serving as the only participating school in central Ohio. The program represents a growing recognition that relevance fuels engagement – and engagement drives learning.
Photos courtesy of Dublin City Schools
Throughout the season, students maintained detailed data binders. They did not simply record scores. They interpreted them. They identified patterns. They asked why performance shifted from one week to the next. They practiced defending conclusions with evidence.
The learning was cumulative. As the season progressed toward the playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl, students were not just spectators. They were informed observers with months of analytical practice behind them.
ABC6 Sports Anchor Dave Holmes visited the classroom during the season to see the program firsthand. During his visit, he quizzed students with sports trivia tied to their team research and classroom analysis. The students responded with confidence, demonstrating both content knowledge and academic reasoning. The
moment captured what had been building quietly all fall: students who were comfortable thinking critically in real time.
While test scores are never the sole measure of success, early indicators show strong academic growth. More importantly, students demonstrated increased confidence and participation. Each child had ownership and expertise, and each had something meaningful to contribute to the conversation.
A sense of belonging also played a role. Through a partnership with FOCO, a leading manufacturer of sports and entertainment merchandise, every student received an official NFL backpack representing their drafted team. Several NFL franchises sent care packages during the season, reinforcing that their classroom work was connected to something larger.
Yet the true impact of NFeLementary was not the gear or even the games them-
selves. It was the transformation of interest into disciplined inquiry.
By the time the Super Bowl arrived, students had spent months building skills in data analysis, mathematical reasoning, geographic literacy and evidence-based discussion. The championship game was not the culmination of hype – it was the final chapter of a season-long learning journey.
As a new NFL season approaches, the lessons remain.
At Indian Run Elementary, one teacher’s creative approach demonstrated how thoughtful instruction can bridge culture and curriculum, and the academic confidence built along the way will carry these students far beyond the field.
Cassie Dietrich is a Public Information Officer at Dublin City Schools.
ABC6 Sports Anchor Dave Holmes visits students.
student spotlight
by Katarina Guy
Ready, Set, Run
Teaching boys the importance of physical, mental and emotional health
For participants of Let Me Run, the track is just the starting line. Through teamwork, mentorship and meaningful conversations, the program equips them with the tools to grow not just as athletes, but as confident, compassionate young men. From energizing Unity Laps to cele-
bratory 5K finish lines, Let Me Run blends movement with life lessons that stretch far beyond the track.
More than a run club
Let Me Run is a national non-profit organization dedicated to developing the
physical, mental and emotional character of elementary and middle school-aged boys through interactive fitness. The nonprofit was first established in 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina and has been an influential presence in the Columbus community since 2014, reaching Dublin in 2016.
The program is designed to encourage the boys’ sense of camaraderie with one another while also empowering them to move through the world as confident individuals.
Shruti Gupta, regional director of Let Me Run, explains how each practice begins with an opening huddle, dynamic stretches and what the teams call a Unity Lap.
“The whole premise of (the Unity Lap) is that we have to stay together… even though we are all runners and we’re separate beings, we’re all one team,” says Shruti.
Learning through laps
Kaspian Chan, a student at Scottish Corners Elementary, says he enjoys practice because he gets to spend time with his friends joking around and cheering each other on.
As a returning participant, Chan says that the program has helped him to learn that he and his teammates are capable of more than they could’ve imagined.
“I can run a lot better and faster than I thought I could… There (was) this one run where I had this record and I was like, ‘I’m never going to be able to beat it,’ then I beat it by like two minutes,” says Chan.
Not only do participants learn to pursue their own goals while in the program, they also develop skills to encourage and support other participants’ growth.
Coaching cap
While the program is designed to support elementary and middle school boys, there are several ways for older groups to
Photos courtesy of Shana Chan and Shruti Gupta
get involved. High school students can become junior coaches, and adult members can volunteer as head coaches.
Kavin Gupta, a senior at Dublin Jerome High School and former Let Me Run participant, later returned to the program as a junior coach and developed an appreciation for his former coaches and their compassion.
“I really enjoyed coaching... and I learned a lot,” Kavin says. “And I think it’s really important (the kids) learn the people skills and the value of exercise at a younger age.”
5K festivities
At the end of each season, participants commemorate their hard work with a 5K race paired with additional festivities. Before the race begins, the boys are welcomed with several stations to create posters and apply temporary tattoos and colored hair spray.
While the 5K serves to celebrate the participants’ physical, mental and emotional development, the event is just as fulfilling for the coaches and families of participants.
“As a coach, (the race) was even more fun than as a participant because I was able to push my kids that I was coaching the whole year to keep going,” says Kavin.
Whether a participant, a coach or involved community member, the Let Me Run program inspires a personal commitment to chase your dreams and cross the finish line with a smile.
Katarina Guy is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
by Jane Dimel
Stroll-Worthy Samples
A food adventure in your backyard
Saturday afternoon can come with a bite, or more, thanks to the Dublin Food Tour. Celebrating five years this summer, the tour highlights local eats in Dublin, featuring everything from mini cupcakes to spring rolls, and showcasing Dublin’s diverse cuisine scene March through November.
Establishing the tour
One of Columbus Food Adventures’ 11 tours, the Dublin Food Tour was an idea in the minds of co-founders and couple Bethia Woolf and Andy Dehus for many years. According to Woolf, they wanted to highlight Dublin’s unique tastes and bring forward the
The only thing they were waiting on was the development of the area – the Dublin Link Pedestrian Bridge and North Market Bridge Park – connecting Dublin and its food experiences across the riverfront. Though stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the duo kicked off the Dublin Food Tour in 2021 and saw a positive response from residents and newcomers alike.
Now, the tour is established with six stops and seven spotlighted restaurants – two of which are in the North Market Bridge Park – with more than 15 items to try between Historic Dublin and Bridge Park.
that’s sweet bites, savory plates or international cuisine. Some even offer a glimpse of what’s coming next on the menu.
Guided by residents and workers of Dublin who are passionate about the community and sharing its history while walking between stops, Woolf says it’s an opportunity to learn more about Dublin and see and experience what these local restaurants do best – whether
Follow the Tour
With some occasional swaps, the tour traditionally follows a path from:
• Brew pub North High Brewing, to
• Bakery Our CupCakery, to
• Ramen spot Fukuryu Ramen, to
• North Market Bridge Park’s Lan Viet and Falafel Kitchen, to
• European cuisine sit-down restaurant Fado’s Pub & Kitchen.
Take part in the unique tour experiences offered at each site, with DORA regulations allowing you to grab a drink on the go as you travel amongst the featured stops.
North High Brewing
Beer sample: served with appetizers such as pretzels, beer cheese, mustard and pickles
Our CupCakery
Mystery-flavored mini cupcake (Hint: it provides a dash of Irish spirit)
Frank & Carl’s
Signature ma fratelli sandwich: served alongside the house pimento cheese and bagel chips
Fukuryu Ramen
A broth flight of all available broths: served with classic small plates changing week to week, including fried chicken and edamame, takoyaki, fried tofu and more, as well as a seasonal cocktail
Loyal fans and volunteers. Impactful philanthropy. A history of unbelievable moments.
Local love
While many of these spots may not be new to Dublin residents, the experiences can provide a fun sampling of menus and a new lens into the history and craft of each business. At Our CupCakery, the staff gives a tour of the space and shares information about the innerworkings of the baking process.
“We tend to be pretty animated and tell funny stories,” Our CupCakery Chief Creative Officer Linda Kick says. “We explain what our business model is, then we bring them back into the kitchen so they get to see a commercial bakery. Then we explain some of the equipment and some of the upgrades of equipment over the years because one of our mixers is 75 years old and the other is much, much newer.”
The tour has also allowed its host restaurants to experiment with the menu, highlighting different flavor profiles and even testing the reception of new recipes.
For established community restaurants, opportunities to spotlight their menu staples and newcomers have helped revitalize connections with the community, bringing new and previous customers alike through
the door who are intrigued about the food.
“I think it’s a great idea for people who have already dined with us to get a better insight into how we do things here,” says Jason Lam, creative director at Fukuryu Ramen. “I also think it’s great for people that may have been pretty apprehensive to try our type of food before to get a look and to see what we do, how we do things and to have a small tasting to try before they want to come in and commit to a full meal.”
Whether it’s a couple sharing the gems of Dublin with visiting friends or family, grandparents bringing along their grandchildren for some bites or new residents diving into the area, the tour offers new, unique types of experiences across restaurants.
“It’s just a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, whether you do it with a group of family or friends or you do it as a date,” Woolf says. “People just find it a fun way to explore and learn a little more about the community, and maybe they’ll discover a new favorite restaurant.”
Jane Dimel is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at jdimel@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Dublin Food Tour
Saturdays, March through November, 2 p.m.
1-mile walk to enjoy six stops and 3.5 hours of food
Visit www.columbusfoodadventures. com/tour to learn more about the Dublin Tour and other tours – from German and Italian Village, to Short North and more – offered by Columbus Food Adventures.
by Rose Whaley
Spring Cleaning with Purpose
Sustainable practices to create a greener, lighter home
Spring cleaning – the annual ritual of sweeping floors, clearing cupboards and refreshing the spaces we live in – may feel like a chore, but it also offers a chance to practice more sustainable habits. It’s an opportunity to let the golden rule of repurposing shine: reduce, reuse, recycle.
In Dublin, that effort is strengthened by a network of community events and services designed to make responsible disposal easier, helping residents turn spring cleaning into a shared commitment to environmental care.
Clean waste
Dublin’s spring-cleaning season is supported by a network of community events and services that make responsible disposal easier across every waste category. The Dublin Service Center plays a central role in these efforts, offering a range of yearround and weekday dropoff services:
• Weekday E-Waste Drop Off: Accepts old phones, laptops and other electronics Monday-Friday as part of the city’s diversion program.
• 24/7 Styrofoam Drop Off: Provides yearround access for recycling unwanted Styrofoam packaging.
• 24/7 Compost Drop Off (GoZero): Offers free, continuous access for residents to recycle food scraps.
• 24/7 Medication Drop Box (Dublin Justice Center): A permanent option for safely disposing prescription medications. Sustainable Saturday further expands the city’s diversion options, providing large-scale, event-based opportunities for residents to recycle, donate and safely dispose of a wide variety of materials:
• Electronics (E-Waste): Acts as a onestop drop off for electronics, Styrofoam, documents, hazardous waste and textiles.
• Household Hazardous Waste: Provides safe disposal for flammables, adhesives, old gasoline, batteries, fluorescent bulbs and lawn chemicals.
• Textile Donation: Collects clothing, linens, shoes, accessories and small household items for Goodwill recycling and reuse.
• Document Shredding: Offers secure, onsite shredding for paper documents, receipts, mail and credit cards.
• Styrofoam Collection: Accepts a wide range of Styrofoam materials as part of the city’s largest annual recycling event.
• Drug Takeback: Accepts unwanted prescription medications as part of the event’s broader waste diversion services.
Clean community
Sustainability isn’t only a personal effort – it takes a village. Dublin also supports
conservation throughout its community and offers opportunities to raise and encourage environmental conscientiousness through volunteer initiatives.
For example, Community Service Day, organized by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, mobilizes volunteers citywide to assist seniors, nonprofits and residents with outdoor cleanup and yardwork. Across Dublin’s parks, Keep Dublin Green Kits provide residents with bags, gloves and vests to support litter removal efforts. And the City’s annual Citywide Street Sweeping program clears winter debris and improves roadway cleanliness.
Photos courtesy of Zero Waste Event Productions
Additionally, the Dublin Irish Festival Zero Waste Program at Coffman Park – which collects e-waste and compost – uses more than 250 recycling stations, staffed sorting, composting, cardboard recovery and water refill stations to push the event toward the City’s 80–90 percent diversion goal.
Rose Whaley is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com
Preliminary Preparation
Effective spring cleaning starts long before the first surface is wiped. A strong plan helps you work efficiently, avoid safety hazards and stay focused on what matters most.
Begin by taking inventory of your cleaning supplies and noting what needs to be replaced or restocked –a step recommended by the American Cleaning Institute. From there, write out a room-by-room or task-bytask checklist, breaking larger jobs into manageable segments so you can pace yourself without sacrificing thoroughness.
Eco-friendly
Eco-friendly cleaning starts with choosing nontoxic, biodegradable products that protect indoor air quality and reduce chemical runoff. Simple swaps – such as reusable rags, Swedish dishcloths and loofah sponges – replace disposable tools, while castile soap, powder cleansers and tablet sprays offer low-toxicity alternatives. Brands such as Grove Collaborative, Blueland and Branch Basics provide concentrated or refillable options. Repurposing old towels and checking labels helps avoid waste and greenwashing.
Seasonal Safety
Safety should be part of the planning process as well. Ohio”s Division of State Fire Marshal emphasizes decluttering early; recommends ensuring items are kept at least three to four feet away from furnaces and hot water heaters; and clearing debris from gutters, roofs and outdoor areas to reduce potential fire risks and flammable buildup.
As you plan, also include time to inspect electrical cords, check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and review dryer vent safety, all of which are highlighted as essential seasonal precautions.
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Luxury Living
primary suite, additional bedroom, and bath. Attached and detached garages with heated flex space – ideal for a gym or office. $539,900. KELLER WILLIAMS CONSULTANTS REALTY www.SteveSmithAssociates.com
Neil Mathias (614) 580-1662
213 Wilber Ave., Columbus – This custom-built home blends refined finishes, privacy, and exceptional flexibility. Hand-scraped walnut floors anchor the main level with three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a dedicated office. The primary suite features marble flooring, a walk-in shower, and clawfoot tub. A chef’s kitchen offers premium appliances and a large island. A detached three-car garage includes a finished carriage house, while the private-entry lower level provides additional living space ideal for guests or multi-generational living. $1,450,000.
CUTLER REAL ESTATE www.TheMathiasTeam.com • Free home estimate available
Alli Close (614) 726-9070
5137 Chaffinch Ct. – Gorgeous Reserve home in impeccable condition! Step into the two story entry with a bridal staircase. The updated kitchen w/quartz counters overlooks the tranquil and private backyard. All bedrooms are upstairs including the vaulted owner suite with the lux bath. The finished lower level has plenty of room for movies and rec space. Tons of recent updates! This one is stunning and ready to move into!
CUTLER REAL ESTATE www.dublinhomes.com
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top homes
SOLD IN DUBLIN
Home prices in Dublin were up 2.4 percent in January 2026 compared to the previous year. They sold for a median price of $660,000 and spent an average of 44 days on the market compared to 60 days in 2025. There were 33 homes sold in January 2026, up from 24 the previous year.
43016
7040 Bordeaux Ct. 5 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,950,021
Sold 12/29/25
6422 Albanese Cir. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,020,000
Sold 1/2/26
6658 Traquair Pl. 5 beds, 4.5 baths
$970,000
Sold 1/15/26
8159 Winchcombe Dr. 5 beds, 4.5 baths
$890,000
Sold 1/16/26
5834 Vandeleur Pl. 4 beds, 4.5 baths
$885,000
Sold 12/8/25
4329 Wyandotte Woods Blvd. 4 beds, 4.5 baths
$870,000
Sold 12/2/25
43017
7931 Tillinghast Dr. 5 beds, 5 baths
$1,715,000
Sold 12/19/25
7126 Wilton Chase 5 beds, 4 baths
$1,500,000
Sold 1/16/26
4340 Manor Ct. E. 4 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,442,750
Sold 1/21/26
8500 Stonechat Lp. 5 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,325,000
Sold 1/13/26
9533 Tartan Ridge Ct. 5 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,260,000
Sold 1/5/26
8736 Dunsinane Dr. 4 beds, 4 baths
$1,150,000
Sold 12/19/25
Data from the Franklin County Auditor and Redfin
by Colleen D’Angelo
courtesy of Patty Bernard and Cathy Schadel
The Road to Rescue Dog rescue takes holistic approach
One day last year, I was strolling with my 9-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Cavalier, Mason, in Bridge Park when an energetic woman stopped to pet him and said she was part of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rescue organization. Patty Bernard and I have been friends ever since and she has become Mason’s second mom.
My life runs at warp speed and Bernard steps in regularly to give him tons of walks and snuggles when my schedule gets overloaded. I call it “Camp Patty” and Mason is an extremely fortunate canine to attend weekly.
As a passionate dog-lover, Bernard is full of ideas for raising healthy pets. This winter, she bought Mason a brightly colored puffer coat and booties to protect his paws from
the cold, snow and salted roads. When coyotes were seen nearby she suggested I order a collar with flashing lights to scare them off. Bernard has a raised, protective seat in her car that Mason absolutely loves and she recently bought him a new bed that he falls asleep in. Mind you, he never sleeps in his own bed at my house. Bernard recently asked if she could change Mason’s food to a raw diet because it’s healthier and he needs to drop a few pounds. Turns out, Camp Patty is also a weight loss camp.
Bernard has had several Cavaliers throughout the years and is well informed on their habits, temperaments and health issues. She and her niece, Lauren Fanfer, are volunteer transporters for Cavalier Rescue Midwest. They are fondly called “Road Warriors,” and pick up dogs from farms and puppy
mills that are no longer being used for breeding purposes.
“We drive to farms in Holmes County for example and there could be 100 dogs on the premises,” says Bernard. “The hard part is not being able to take all of them with us, but I do feel that I’m giving back to the canine community.”
The Road Warriors have their cars equipped with crates, blankets and towels for the two-hour trip to the next transport station. The process continues until the Cavaliers arrive at the Illinois rescue, nicknamed The Sanctuary.
There, the pups are bathed, groomed and checked by veterinarians and the founder of the organization, Cathy Schadel. All medical and dental situations are treated, and Schadel holds onto the dogs with the most serious conditions until they are healed.
Many of the Cavaliers have never worn a harness, walked on a leash or ridden in a car. Vetted foster homes take in many of the animals and work with them until they are ready to be adopted. Schadel prides herself on how well she can match dogs up with their forev-
Photo
er people, making sure to take into account whether the home has other dogs, young children and a quiet versus active lifestyle.
Schadel’s approach with Cavalier Rescue Midwest is a holistic one. As a nurse and natural caretaker, she believes in massage, acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments for dogs, as well as raw dog food nutrition. This includes raw goat’s milk which is especially good for pups with heart disease, which is prevalent in Cavaliers.
Years ago, Schadel had a Cavalier named Princess Sophia who was diagnosed with a heart murmur on a 6-out-of-6 scale, and only given six months to live. She started feeding Princess Sophia the raw goat’s milk, the heart murmur dropped to a 3-out-of-6, and she lived for nearly six more years.
The idea is to replicate a canine’s ancestral diet by providing high quality protein, natural enzymes and essential nutrients. Stay away from most kibble because it includes synthetics and by-products like beaks, feet, feathers and is sprayed with flavoring. Instead, go back to naturally sourced food like fresh bone broth, and your pet will reap the benefits of increased energy, cleaner teeth, better digestion, reduced inflammation and a shinier coat.
Passionate animal lovers like Bernard, Fanfer and Schadel are a special kind of people – the ones who show up, load crates, drive miles and give their time and hearts to animals who have never known kindness.
If you’ve ever considered helping, there is always a need. Donations cover medical care and food. Foster homes give frightened dogs a safe place to land. Even volunteering to walk dogs at a local shelter can change the course of a life.
“The best gift is watching a dog recover and find someone who loves him so he can give his love to someone else,” says Schadel.
For more information, visit www.cavalier rescuemidwest.org
Lend a Paw Close to Home
If you’re inspired to help, here are some nearby, local dog rescues and shelters where Dublin residents can volunteer their time and talents.
• Ohio Pet Charities Inc.
• Columbus Humane
• CHA Animal Shelter
• Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center
• Colony Cats & Dogs Adoption Center
• Pets Without Parents
• Canine Connective
Colleen D’Angelo is a Dublin Life columnist and freelance writer who has lived in Dublin for 27 years. You can find her on the pickleball court, in the yoga studio or on an airplane to international destinations. Contact her at colleendangelo1@gmail.com
bookmarks
by Josh Duke Information Services Specialist at the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library
Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer
Mark Oppenheimer’s new biography Judy Blume: A Life captures the life of the beloved children’s author Judy Blume, highlighting her treasured literary voice through interviews, correspondence and her novels. From her early childhood years to her rise in popularity, Oppenheimer dives into the magic of Judy Blume and her books.
Kin by Tayari
Jones
Bestselling and award-winning author Tayari Jones is back with her new novel Kin. Vernice and Annie are childhood best friends but walk different paths. Vernice marries into a wealthy family and joins a sisterhood of powerful Black women. Annie embarks on a journey of adversity. Kin explores sisterhood and friendship, what it means to be a woman in the American South, and the power of adversity.
Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History by Dr. Helen Zoe Veit Professor, historian and writer Dr. Helen Zoe Veit’s book Picky dives into the history of fussy eaters in America. With more than 200 years of food in America to unpack, Veit unpacks how the standard American diet has changed with the rise of ultra-processed foods and how parents can help their children expand their palates.
How My Family Says I Love You by Yvonne Sewankambo, illustrated by Aurore McLeod
How My Family Says I Love You illustrates the ways families say I love you through quiet acts of kindness, consideration and love. From learning to make a grandmother’s favorite meal or braiding your sister’s hair, to a hug from your favorite aunt, this feel-good picture book illustrates the importance of telling the people you care about how much you love them.
Dublin Life Book Club Selection
Editor’s note: To be added to the Dublin Life Book Club mailing list or for more information, email kgill@cityscenemediagroup.com. The club will meet Wed., April 29 at 6 p.m. Location TBD.
Wild Dark Shore by
Charlotte McConaghy
When a family of caretakers on a remote Antarctic island takes in a mysterious woman who washes ashore during a storm, a suspenseful story about dark secrets, survival and the relationship between humans and nature unfolds.
