Tri-Village July/August 2026

PROUDLY PRESENTS YOUR

Tuesdays in July

40th Annual Music on the Lawn

7-8 p.m.

Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. First Ave. www.ghpl.org

Tuesdays and Thursdays in July

Explore 614 Series

7 p.m.

Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov

Wednesdays

Upper Arlington Farmers Market

3-6 p.m.

Dorset Road next to the Tremont Center www.commongreensohio.org/ upperarlington

Sundays

Grandview Heights Farmers’ Market

9 a.m.-noon

Larson Middle School 1600 W. First Ave. www.grandviewheightsfarmersmarket. com

Saturdays and Sundays

The Little Grand Farmers Market

11 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Little Grand Market

710 Grandview Crossing Way, Ste. 112 www.thelittlegrandmarket.com

Wed., July 1

Songs of America Outdoors

6:30-7:30 p.m.

UAPL – Miller Park 1901 Arlington Ave. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., July 10

Movies in the Parks Series: 8-Bit

Christmas & Family Campout

7 p.m.

Sunny 95 Park 4395 Carriage Hill Ln. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov

Sat., July 11, 25 and Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Satur-PLAY 10-11:30 a.m.

UAPL – Tremont Road

2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., July 4

UACA Fourth of July Celebrations

Parade – 9 a.m., starting at Zollinger Road to North Star Road

Party in the Park – 5 p.m. at Northam Park, 1880 Northam Rd. Fireworks – 10 p.m. at Northam Park

www.uaca.org

Wed., July 15

D.I.Y. Paratroopers with National Veterans Memorial & Museum

3-4 p.m.

UAPL – Tremont Road 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., July 17

Jazz Academy on Tour 10:30-11:30 a.m.

UAPL – Miller Park 1901 Arlington Ave. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., July 24

Rubber Duck Derby

4-7 p.m.

Grandview Heights Municipal Pool 1350 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov

Fri., July 24

Arts on the Block at The Bob 6-9 p.m.

Bob Crane Community Center 3200 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Sat., July 25 and Aug. 29

Grandview Hop

5-9 p.m.

Grandview Avenue www.grandviewhop.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Tues., July 28

“Meet Raptors!” with The Ohio School of Falconry

5-9 p.m. (registration required)

UAPL – Lane Road 1945 Lane Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Thurs., July 30

Fun Day Carnival

6-7:30 p.m.

UAPL – Miller Park 1901 Arlington Ave. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., July 31 and Aug. 28

Little Golden Hour Market

7-10 p.m.

The Little Grand Market 710 Grandview Crossing. Way, Ste. 112 www.thelittlegrandmarket.com

Aug. 2-9

Friends of the UAPL Sale

Various times

UAPL – Tremont Road 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., Aug. 7

Movies in the Parks Series: Little Giants

7 p.m.

Thompson Park 4250 Woodbridge Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov

Back to School!

Aug. 7

Freshman Orientation & Tour at GHHS

12:45-3 p.m.

Aug. 12

UAS First Day – Grades 1-6 & 9

GHS First Day for Students

Aug. 12-13

UAS Kindergarten Orientation

Aug. 13-15

GH Kindergarteners’ first day (staggered)

Aug. 13

UAS classes in Session – Grades 1-12 www.ghschools.org www.uaschools.org

Sun., Aug 9

Grandview Heights High School

Marching Band Performance

7 p.m.

Falco Park 1516 Fernwood Ave. www.ghschools.org

Fri., Aug. 14

WAVE on Wheels: Meet Reptiles

10:30-11:30 a.m

UAPL – Miller Park 1901 Arlington Ave. www.ualibrary.org

Sat. Aug. 15

Cultural CommUNITY Fest

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

UAPL - Tremont Road 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Sun., Aug. 23

OhioHealth Grandview Yard Half & Quarter Marathon 7-11 a.m.

Grandview Yard 850 First Ave. www.rungrandviewyard.com

Thurs., Aug. 27

Be Your Best Self Conference 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. (registration required)

The Grand Event Center 820 Goodale Blvd. www.bybsconference.com

Fri., Aug. 28

Red Cross Blood Drive

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

UAPL – Tremont Road 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Sun., Aug. 30

Columbus International Festa-val 3-7 p.m.

Franklin County Fairgrounds 4951 Northwest Pkwy. www.wearefesta.org

The 2026 Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival is on Monday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Northam Park, featuring juried fine art and craft artists, musical performances, an art activities stage and a variety of food vendors. Admission to the festival is free. Visit www.upperarlingtonoh.gov for more information.

To submit your event for next issue’s calendar, contact mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Bringing Back the Big Screen

Molly Kreuzman unites Ohio through statewide film festival

Marble Cliff resident Molly Kreuzman is a certified movie buff. Hosting monthly gatherings for more than 300 filmmakers from her living room, she’s made a career out of bringing to light the uniting power of film – making her point by watching even her least favorite genre, horror (behind the safety of Dorito chip shields, of course).

In February of 2024, Kreuzman was appointed as the program director of Ohio Goes to the Movies, a statewide film festival in connection with the state’s America 250 celebration, highlighting Ohio’s deep roots within the film industry. What started as a goal to show 30 to 40 films across the state has spanned to more than 300 free movie screenings and an unforgettable journey for Kreuzman.

Coming of age

Growing up near the Overbrook Ravine in Clintonville with two artistic parents, Kreuzman was immersed in both creativity and nature from an early age.

When her elementary school lacked an art program, her mother went back to school at The Ohio State University to become the art teacher.

“I laughingly say that I grew up in the bowels of the art department in the ’70s, and every artist hippie in the world thought I was the greatest thing,” Kreuzman says. “(They taught me) how to tiedye, how to throw pottery, and one of the things that I did was make little experimental films.”

Although Kreuzman maintained an interest in film, she pursued a range of interests in her early years. She attended Mount Holyoke College, a private women’s liberal arts college in Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern politics with minors in religion and women’s studies.

In the years that followed, Kreuzman and her then-husband operated outdoor stores in Ohio. However, they were drawn to a life outside of the big city, so they decided to move to what she considered at the time to be “the only place that I’ve ever been and loved” – Bend, Oregon.

Life in Bend

In Oregon, Kreuzman helped restore a historic theater and became involved with the inaugural Bend Film Festival, eventually serving on its board.

She was also the director of Coyote Trails Nature Center, a nonprofit focused on outdoor education, environmental stewardship and hands-on nature programs for children and families. In Bend, she combined her two passions: nature and art.

“When you go out in nature, you slow down, right? And if you spend any time in nature, you start to understand that a lot of the things that cause us discomfort are superfluous,” Kreuzman says. “It does not take you long to sink in and start to reconnect with your true self and what really brings you joy, and I feel art does the exact same thing.”

Coyote Trails had a yearlong culminating program called the Caretaker Program in which participants lived primitively on a mountain. In 2014, five young women enrolled, and some questioned whether they could handle the experience alone. Kreuzman decided to document their journey, leading her to

create the documentary Earth Season. The documentary continues to be screened today in classrooms, and later inspired a yearlong environmental education curriculum.

Making Ohio Goes to the Movies

In 2021, Kreuzman moved back to Columbus, where she initially worked with CAPA as director of the Cinema Columbus Film Festival. She was then approached to help work on Ohio Goes to the Movies, a project first imagined by Stephen George, who was the head of Ohio’s bicentennial in 2003.

The program kicked off at the beginning of 2026, but Kreuzman’s work started far earlier. The mission was to select Ohiocentric films to show across the state, but before they could start planning events, they needed to find venues and data.

Kreuzman reached out to a lobbyist with the Statehouse, who helped her craft a list of all of the theaters in the area. From there, with the help of her team, she got to work creating the Ohio Movie Database, a curated archive that highlights films, filmmakers and actors with ties to Ohio.

The database is free to the public, as is each movie screening, an aspect that was important to Kreuzman.

“I was very determined that all of this should be public knowledge and should be open to the public for free,” Kreuzman says. “I didn’t want anybody to not be able to attend one of these events because they couldn’t afford it.”

Ohio Goes to the Movies launched its 250-day screening series on February 11 in Milan, Ohio, with a free event honoring local inventor Thomas Edison by showcasing early Edison motion pictures. Since then, hundreds of films have been shown, from Despicable Me in Hillsborough to Boomerang at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.

Each town puts its own spin on the event. For Despicable Me, kids came dressed up as minions, while other communities have hosted trivia nights and guest speakers. On July 24, the City of Grandview will be celebrating a hint of the holidays with the Rubber Duck Derby & Dive-in Movie at the Grandview Heights Municipal Pool, where National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be playing.

More than a movie

While Kreuzman seeks to celebrate history through the initiative, it has also allowed her to spread awareness on the importance of preserving the industry.

She explains that the film industry depends on an interconnected ecosystem of film festivals, theaters, schools, commissions and independent filmmakers, arguing that each plays a critical role in sustaining cinema and creating spaces for community connection.

“If you don’t have theaters, you don’t have community gathering places,” Kreuzman says. “It’s such a circular thing. When one of those spokes gets bent or pulled out of shape, then that wheel doesn’t roll anymore.”

Beyond preserving the industry itself, Kreuzman says the project is ultimately about reconnecting people through film and shared storytelling. Using The Shawshank Redemption, a film made locally in Mansfield, as an example, she explains that movies can help audiences empathize with people and experiences far different from their own, allowing viewers to recognize shared humanity through storytelling.

“I have the best job in the entire world, because what I get to do is to bring people back together in a space that is communitybased,” Kreuzman says. “We don’t talk about what makes us different. We talk about what’s similar, and we laugh at the same things, and we cry at the same things.”

The next reel

Ohio Goes to the Movies is scheduled to conclude in October, and one of the final events will be a feature of the movie 42 about Jackie Robinson, with involvement from the City of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University and the Robinson family.

And as for what’s next for Kreuzman?

“I have no idea… I didn’t know this was coming. So, I kind of just throw it out to the universe and see what comes. I’m sure I’ll figure it out,” she says.

For now, Kreuzman remains focused on bringing Ohio Goes to the Movies to all 88 counties.

“The biggest thing that I hope that they take away is that they want to come back to the theater, that they’ve had this incredible experience that they’ve met the theater owners or operators, that they now feel part of that community,” Kreuzman says, “and they realize, again, what a special thing it is to go to the movies.”

Megan Brokamp is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Shutterbugs

Our annual look at Tri-Village through the lenses of its residents

Double Milestone

Upper Arlington commemorates its 100th Fourth of July celebration alongside America 250

By Jane Dimel

Photos courtesy of the Upper Arlington Historical Society and the City of Upper Arlington

The nation’s semiquincentennial is here, and with it, a milestone even closer to home: Upper Arlington’s 100th Fourth of July celebration.

From the morning’s beloved parade to the evening’s Party in the Park and classic fireworks show, many early traditions of “The Best Day in UA” live on and continue to become even better than ever.

Rich history

Upper Arlington Historical Society Executive Director Kristin Greenberg shares that prior to UA’s first Fourth of July celebration in 1923, the holiday was prominent for travel among UA residents, particularly with the increased access to cars. From 1923 on, the day became part of a community initiative for neighbors and friends to celebrate a “Stay at Home Fourth” – a theme that continued for many years.

The Upper Arlington Historical Society welcomes donations of any Fourth of July memorabilia throughout the years, from newspaper clippings to event programs and more, as well as print and digital photos of previous years to present day. Inquiries can go directly to info@uahistory.org.

In 1926, the nation commemorated a triple holiday – a Sunday, Fourth of July and the nation’s 150th birthday – though Greenberg shares UA did not celebrate that year or the next three years, likely due to holiday traveling and dissipated planning.

However, 1930 saw the return and revival of the festivities, as population increases over intermittent years garnered heightened anticipation for the event, with many wanting to experience it for the first time.

The Best Day of UA has remained a community staple ever since, with this year’s milestone a testament to its long history alongside the national holiday.

A banner of traditions

Early Independence Day celebrations mirrored a larger community tradition, Field Day, which brought together residents of Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff to celebrate in June. From approximately 1916 through the mid-1920s, Field Day was described as the “Big Day of the Year,” and it became a signature patriotic event with neighborhood floats in the grand parade alongside contests and late-night street dances.

UA’s Fourth of July took on many of these traditions as well. In its first year, a newspaper clip archived by the Historical Society shared that a flag-raising ceremony began that day at sunrise, followed by a wake-up call from a cannon salute at 6:08 a.m.

At 4 p.m., the Fife and Drum corps of the Old Guard led residents to Miller Park, where a performance by the Fort Hayes band, a grand march and a national flag ceremony occurred. A crowd of 1,500 then watched as an hour-long fireworks show closed out the night, with a display including giant skyrockets, aerial bombs, firecrackers and sparklers. Afternoon pageants were also noted as a potential cooccurring event throughout the 1920s, with pony shows, athletic contests and stunts.

While some aspects have faded away, many elements of the first celebrations remain, even as the Fourth of July has adapted to the growing community.

Early morning wake-up calls, once cannon salutes, are now conducted by volunteers as they drive around with bullhorns.

The grand march, now the Fourth of July Parade, became a morning staple that neighborhoods spend weeks preparing for with elaborate float displays to compete for the title of Best Neighborhood Float and

other awards. The fireworks finale then provides a grandiose spectacle – commemorating all the celebratory efforts, and the community coming together and reuniting on the holiday.

“The Parade and the entire day of celebration will always be a placeholder event for community members, drawing residents who have moved away home to celebrate with their families,” shares Emma Speight, community affairs director for the City of Upper Arlington.

This year’s lineup

With the convergence of America’s 250th year of independence and the 100th community celebration of the Fourth of July, honoring tradition remains at the forefront of the event.

After a year of planning alongside the July 4th Committee – and four years on the planning committee leading up to it – UACA July 4th General Chairpersons Cara and Jeremy Logsdon share that they

have been awaiting the honor to commemorate the milestone by choosing this year’s theme: Ohio’s Greatest Hits.

“We were heavily influenced by the (America250-Ohio Commission) wanting to celebrate the contributions that Ohio has made to the United States in the past 250 years. So, we just started thinking about, ‘What has come from Ohio? What can we celebrate that Ohio has contributed?’” Cara says. “We really can’t wait to see what the neighborhoods and the floats come up with on who or what they want to celebrate… It’s really a highlight for us to see how they take that theme and run with it, and what the parade will end up looking like.”

Starting with the ride-along wakeup call at 6:30 a.m., the parade setup starts before the Spirit of ’76 begins its march down Northwest Boulevard, followed by ornate neighborhood floats celebrating the state’s influential creations, figures and more.

Uncovered History

In tandem with the planning for the 2026 Fourth of July and celebration of America 250, the Upper Arlington Civic Association (UACA) donated its paper programs and other memorabilia of past celebrations from the ’40s through the ’90s to the Upper Arlington Historical Society to compile a historical commemoration.

Upon organizing the programs, photos and newspaper clippings by year, the Historical Society team noticed contradictions, with programs advertising anniversaries in incongruent years. Counting backwards, the team found gaps in celebrations from 1926-29 –leading to the exciting discovery that 2026 marks Upper Arlington’s 100th celebration alongside America’s 250th.

“We were thrilled to discover the collision of these two items. It just heightens the already high expectations of the day for the community,” Greenberg says. “It’s just a natural moment of reflection and appreciation for this unique history we have.”

Origins of Other Familiar Favorites: Debut to Now

Parade Route

Debut: The parade started as a grand march at Miller Park. Over time, the route shifted northward as UA grew, following the most popular hubs in town – the Mallway shops; the UA School, now Jones Middle School’s gathering field; Devon Pool; the first Municipal Center, now Fire Station #71; and the Lane Avenue Shops.

Now: Since its opening in 1959, Kingsdale Shopping Center has been the starting point of the parade, and the route has remained consistent since the ’60s.

Spirit of ’76

Debut: The group became the leader of the parade in 1935.

Now: The group is on its fourth generation of participants, passed down through family lines.

Miss Arlington

Debut: Started in 1949, inspired by Field Day’s “Queen of the Carnivale” as residents cast votes to crown the honoree. It later became a contest from the 1960s through 1997.

Now: In 1999, the program was reimagined as the Junior Director Community Service and Scholarship Program and has remained ever since.

Grand Marshal

Debut: Traced back to the mid-1960s, the role of Grand Marshal was typically held by a member of the military and was likely a more involved role.

Now: It has since become an honorary role used to recognize active members of the community making a positive difference. In 2026, the Grand Marshal is Wendy Gomez, an Upper Arlington Schools graduate, local business owner of Wendy’s Gymnastics and community advocate.

Learn more about the history behind these traditions at www.uahistory.org/ ua-fourth-of-july.

At 5 p.m., attendees will gather at Northam Park as Party in the Park commences. Several food truck options will be available, including Cousins Maine Lobster and Schmidt’s. The event also features performances from returning Yachtopia and The Conspiracy Band throughout the night, alongside the presentation of the Float Awards at 7:15 p.m. The National Anthem precedes the 10 p.m. drone light show, coming back for its second year alongside the fireworks. Accompanying the show will be a playlist featuring a surprise roster of Ohio bands to commemorate Ohio’s contributions to the nation’s legacy.

Jane Dimel is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at jdimel@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Soccer Star

GHHS’ Maci Tew returns from playing in Barcelona just in time for graduation

When recent Grandview Heights High School graduate Maci Tew traveled to Barcelona last November for a training week with soccer club Ona Sant Andrià, she didn’t expect the opportunity to continue beyond the trip. Tew was surprised when – halfway through her senior year – the club asked her to return to be a part of the roster during the 2025-2026 season.

“Obviously, I had to take the opportunity, which was really cool, because I got to see a different style of play,” Tew says.

Record-breaking goals

Tew’s soccer journey began at the age of 4, playing for The Golden Girls, a youth soccer team through the Northwest Kiwanis Club. After a short youth stint, Tew joined the competitive Ohio Premier (OP) Soccer Club in kindergarten, and her relationship with the club has remained strong for 12 years. Currently, Tew’s club team is ranked No.1 in the Elite Club National League (ECNL) Girls Ohio Valley North Conference.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had the dream of playing professionally,” Tew says.

This past fall, Tew ended her high school soccer career with Grandview Heights, leading the team in a program

record of 168 goals. In the 2025 season, the midfielder contributed a total of 59 points, 26 goals and 7 assists. Tew was awarded the 2025 Central Buckeye League Player of the Year and was also selected All-Ohio.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the rest of my team,” Tew says. “My teammates are the most important people that I’ve ever met, and they’re always helping me to push me to be the best I can be on and off the field.”

Semester in Spain

While deciding to leave school for three months to pursue the Barcelona team, missing out on senior year with her best friends made Tew hesitate. She didn’t decide on going until three weeks before she had to leave in January.

“I was terrified, but I think I just thought of it like, ‘Everyone’s going to have to leave for college,’” Tew says. “Me leaving a little earlier, I knew I’d come back and get to see them before I went to college.”

In Spain, Tew had enough credits for a free semester, only needing to take an online English class. With the free time she had, Tew managed to sightsee, try new foods and take some Spanish classes. Between the visits from friends

and family, FaceTimes and the four other international teammates Tew became close with, Barcelona became a lot less intimidating over the course of those three months.

“It was so cool, I would go for walks or runs up in the mountains and you can see the whole city below you,” Tew says.

Athleticism and ambition

Tew’s hard work has paid off – she’ll be playing soccer this fall at the University of Pittsburgh. The recruiting process began the summer of Tew’s junior year, and once she began visiting colleges, the appeal of the big city of Pittsburgh and the competitive spirit of the Division I team drew her in.

“I liked the conference in the ACC, which is almost, if not the most, competitive conference in the nation. It’s Power Four, and I feel like it just fits how I play the game,” Tew says.

Tew credits her ambitious personality to her parents, Jonathan and Melissa, who have always given her both space and advice to figure out her goals in life. This flexible lifestyle has allowed Tew to grow as an athlete while also taking time for herself.

“They’ve always held me to a high standard, I feel like, which I appreciate,” Tew says. “They never forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do.”

Final days ahead

Back in Ohio, Tew soaked up the last few weeks of high school, going out to dinner with friends, prom dress shopping and preparing for the bittersweet day of graduation. She attended a few final classes and helped out with the finishing touches on the yearbook.

Before college, Tew is making sure to take advantage of her free time, whether

it’s trying out a new sourdough starter, going on walks with her dogs, Breck and Phoebe, or hanging out with friends.

“Everyone wants to spend time together, and get as much time together as we can before we all move away,” Tew says.

Maggie Valentine is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Fresh and Flavorful

Local places to find farm-to-table food this summer

Summer is the perfect time to get outside to support your health and your community. What better way to do both of those things than through fresh food?

Buying farm-to-table foods cuts down on transport times, which allows for greater nutrient retention and ensures freshness. Supporting local farmers and producers also aids local economies and the environment.

Whether you’re looking to bring the farm to your kitchen table, or enjoy it at a restaurant, the Tri-Village area has locallysourced options for everyone.

A local night out

Perfect for any occasion these triedand-true Tri-Village restaurants are putting local farms on the menu.

Lupo

This New American bistro first welcomed customers in Upper Arlington in 2018, opened by the owners of La Tavola, another local favorite. Dedicated to sourcing from local farmers and to crafting a seasonal menu, Lupo is influenced by both Italian cuisine and Spanish tapasstyle dishes, making it the perfect place to meet up with friends for a drink and some smaller bites, such as Bacon Wrapped Dates and Spicy Tuna Roll Tartate.

Third & Hollywood

With a menu dedicated to highquality meats and seafood, finding the right purveyors and producers is very important to Third & Hollywood. Located in Grandview Heights, this restaurant is dedicated to both good food and values surrounding the environment and humane farming practices. Its website also has a list of local producers and larger companies it works with, providing guests with full transparency of its menu. Try the weekend-special Ribeye, as one example.

Farm-to-food truck

Food trucks are a staple at any summer community event. Small but mighty, these kitchens on wheels are a convenient way to bring good food anywhere. The next time you’re out enjoying a festival or planning a summer event of your own, consider supporting a Columbus-based food truck that is dedicated to providing delicious, locally-sourced dishes.

Seven Little Sliders

This food truck serves up a variety of sliders made from fresh locally-sourced ingredients. Mix and match classic flavors or show some local pride by ordering the C-bus Slider dressed in a special Scarlet and Grey Sauce.

Elevated Wood Fired Pizza

With locally-sourced ingredients and an oven imported from Italy, this central Ohio-based food truck crafts authentic wood fired pizzas in a portable trailer. The menu has pizzas for every palate, includ-

ing meat and veggie lovers alike, as well as the option to build your own creation –choosing ingredients from spicy marinara to Columbus-based Ezzo’s pepperoni and sausage and locally-sourced vegetables such as zucchini and roasted red peppers.

Right from the source

Farmer’s markets are a great way to connect with your community while buying locally-farmed and -produced products directly from the farmers that grew them. Tri-Village is home to three different farmer’s markets that feature dozens of vendors, selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to homemade lip balms and sponges.

Upper Arlington Farmers Market

Wednesdays through October, 3-6 p.m.

2151 Dorset Rd.

Grandview Heights Farmers’ Market

Sundays through Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-noon 1600 W. First Ave.

The Little Grand Farmers’ Market

Saturdays through December, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

710 Grandview Crossing Way

Farmer’s markets also provide a great way to eat seasonally, ensuring the freshest and most nutritious produce. You can check what foods are in season on databases, such as the Ohio Farm Bureau, to know what types of produce you should be on the lookout for.

Abby Van Voorhis is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Flip in 4K

A&E show comes to Grandview for Harr house flip

Over the past few weeks, a new home renovation show has debuted, spotlighting Grandview Heights resident and professional house-flipper Tommy Harr and his family as they transform houses in central Ohio from decrepit and neglected spaces into refurbished, lively homes.

Following its premiere on May 30, Zombie House Flipping: Family Business showcases the Harrs as they tackle different home transformations, including one right here in Grandview.

From life to TV

Growing up in Pickerington, Tommy recalls watching his father, Chris, work in home inspection and property preservation, a time in which he learned to love and appreciate the work.

Over time, he and his younger brothers, Jake and Will, worked with Chris at various points, leading them to pursue careers in the home industry as well. For Tommy, house flipping became his passion after discovering the career opportunities and the impact of the work.

“I was following some of the guys that we’re doing inspections for on Instagram, so I was like, ‘That sounds kind of cool,’ and there’s that good feeling, taking a nasty house and turning it beautiful as well. So,

it’s a mix of you can make a great living and also help areas and neighborhoods,” Tommy says.

Following his graduation from the University of Dayton in 2017, Tommy connected with an investor and founded Legacy Homes, a home-buying and flipping business, in 2018.

As his brothers graduated from college, they focused on other aspects of the business – Jake in inspection and Will in inspection and later project management and realty – while flipping on the side. Their mother, Katie, became a realtor and home designer following her retirement from education, and home renovations became a family business as they all began working closely together.

Over the next few years, Legacy Homes became a prominent houseflipping business and Tommy continued to grow his presence and partnerships, building a social media presence and connections beyond central Ohio. In 2023, he attended business networking group events in Tampa, Florida, where he connected with a previous A&E executive who suggested the Harr family’s work could be a TV show.

In the summer of 2024, A&E flew a production crew to Columbus for two days to create a five-minute reel of the Harrs in action to pitch the series.

“At that point, you either get told no, which most people get told no; or you get a pilot, which is what most people, if you do get greenlit, get; and then they said one out of a million get 10 episodes,” Tommy says.

After almost a year of no word, the 10-episode series was greenlit in May 2025, and production started a few weeks later.

A&E in Grandview

With only weeks to prepare before production, some of the 10 homes across their locations – Pickerington, Grandview, Blacklick Estates, Plain City, Merion Village, North Linden, Clintonville and Galloway – needed to be pitched to the showrunners and purchased quickly.

The home on Wyandotte Road, however, was one of a few already ready to be approved.

A three-bedroom, one-bath home built around 1910 and purchased off the market for $330,000, Tommy shares that the home had older features and deeper issues to fix, but without many of the

Family Insight

While the Harr family shares that there were many challenges throughout the process – including tightened timelines for getting permits, additional approval processes for production and heightened weather conditions – one major highlight was the ability to work so closely together and have fun on camera.

From a business perspective, Tommy particularly enjoys the process of finding a steal on the market.

“I am more of the money guy. I get more excited about finding (the house), and then my second happiest day is selling it,” says Tommy.

For Will and Jake, they enjoy inspection day, gathering together and having fun while taking a closer look at the project at hand.

“My favorite day is definitely inspection day, because it’s all four of us, Tom, Jake, me, dad, and we’re just kind of goofing off the whole time, getting some serious takes, and then someone will ruin the take with something,” Will says.

Katie shares that the highlight for her is the first day of design walk-through, drawing from her time decorating houses on the side with her best friend over the past 25 years.

“My happiest days are walking (through the house) the first time for the design. I like to be creative, and I like to think, ‘Oh, we could do this, or we could do this,’ and ‘Oh, let’s take this wall out,’” she says. “Just being able to be creative, and then getting together with the design team and talking about colors, sounds girly and I guess it is, but I like all that stuff.”

other immediate problems present in the other houses.

“Most of them are insanely disgusting. The only insanely not disgusting one was this one here in Grandview. It was just like grandma’s house, old and had some issues, but the rest of them were flea-ridden and filled top to bottom, roof falling in, no roof, you name it,” Tommy says.

A mostly original home, the structure had updated windows and an etching found in the bathroom, featuring signatures of previous homeowners and a note about a partial renovation in 1956.

The house still proved to be a difficult project as it required more than cosmetic work, needing what Tommy refers to as a “full gut rehab”: replacing 100-year-old electric and plumbing; addressing mold and water intrusion in the basement; even ripping off an enclosed, 6-foot-by-4-foot space built as a fourth bedroom on the back porch that was falling off of the house to replace it with a new two-story addition.

With renovations costing $220,000, additional work included foundation work, building a two-car garage, add-

ing backyard fencing, moving the one bathroom to add a primary ensuite and a half bath, and removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room to open up the space. Many elements of character remained post-renovation, such as the hardware and trim as well as an old hutch left by the previous owner that was integrated into the dining area.

“Our goal was to keep a lot of the character of that age of home, but then just modernize it tastefully enough to work for today’s discerning buyer,” says Katie.

After more than 80 showings over nine months on the market, the home sold for approximately $625,000 – the highest price-per-square-foot sale ever in Grandview at roughly $500 per square foot.

Watch episode 4, “There’s Always a Catch,” which aired on June 20, to see the behind-the-scenes of the project and full final reveal.

Jane Dimel is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at jdimel@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Top homes sold in the Tri-Village area

In April 2026, Upper Arlington home prices increased 0.8 percent compared to last year, while Grandview Heights home prices increased 14.9 percent. The median home price in Upper Arlington was $619,680, with an average of 28 days on the market. The median home price in Grandview Heights was $594,693, with an average of 24 days on the market. A total of 96 homes were sold in Upper Arlington, and a total of 35 homes were sold in Grandview Heights. (Data from Redfin)

2095 Tremont Rd. 6 beds, 4.5 baths

$2,750,000

Sold 5/29/26

2006 Cambridge Blvd. 5 beds, 4.5 baths

$2,575,000

Sold 5/19/26

1565 Berkshire Rd. 5 beds, 4.5 baths

$2,395,00

Sold 5/28/26

2729 Eastcleft Dr. 6 beds, 5.5 baths

$2,208,500

Sold 4/22/26

1201 Wyandotte Rd. 5 beds, 3.5 baths

$2,050,000

Sold 5/22/26

3163 S. Dorchester Rd.

4 beds, 4.5 baths

$1,950,000

Sold 4/17/26

2324 Abington Rd.

4 beds, 3.5 baths

$1,700,000

Sold 5/15/26

1580 London Dr. 4 beds, 4 baths

$1,600,000

Sold 5/29/26

4614 Lanercost Way

4 beds, 2.5 baths

$1,545,000

Sold 5/22/26

1044 Glendale Ave. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$1,400,000

Sold 4/30/26

4726 Bayford Ct. 5 beds, 2.5 baths

$1,400,000

Sold 5/18/26

2391 Donna Dr. 5 beds, 3.5 baths

$1,355,000

Sold 5/20/26

A World to Meet

By Katie Harnett (birth-3

years)

A “welcome to the world” board book for little ones, filled with beautiful, rhyming text and strong vocabulary. The illustrations on each page are calm and focus on each of the specific items being introduced such as trees, boats and different kinds of animals. Older children will enjoy naming and making sounds of what is on each page.

Crouton: One Cat’s Adoption Tale

By Kristine A. Lombardi

(ages 3-5)

An adorable shelter cat named Crouton gives her perspective about searching for just the right person to adopt. When she finds the perfect little girl to go home with, she does everything she can to make her feel welcome and loved.

Copland: A Story About America

By Veronica Mang (ages 6-10)

About the famous, first-generation American composer, Aaron Copland, this book poses the question, “Who is America?” A timeline of American history from Copland’s birth in 1900 to the 1960s coincides with his major life milestones. His music encompassed all kinds of Americans and their roots. More detailed information and suggested listening and reading for kids is included at the end.

The Bletchley Riddle

By Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (grades 5-7)

If you fancy a lighter historical fiction story about World War II, check out this one. The plot takes place outside of London at Bletchley Park, Britain’s code breaking operation location, and offers alternating perspectives between siblings Lizzie (14) and Jakob (19). Simultaneously, the duo tries to solve their own personal mystery of their mother’s disappearance. There is a fun mix of riddles, espionage, history, puzzles, adventure and developing relationships throughout the novel.

If We Never End

By Laura Taylor Namey (grades 8-12)

Sylvie is spending another summer with her dear tía Vivian. Before arriving at their cabin in Oregon, Sylvie purchases a vintage watch that later summons the spirit of a teenage boy named Penn. They develop a close and complicated relationship as she helps him navigate who he was and what his future holds. This is a unique spin on a romance story with lots of surprises and growth mixed in.

Old Dog, New Dog : Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One

By Kathy Callahan

and Helen St. Pierre

Old Dog, New Dog offers advice on navigating the aging of their beloved pet dogs while also providing insight into introducing puppies into the family. Juggling an aging dog with a new puppy can be a challenge, and in this work the authors help guide dog-owners through this sometimes-difficult transition. The authors suggest strategies for timing the addition of a new puppy while minding the senior dog’s comfortability throughout the remainder of their lives.

How to Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon

By Lyn Slater

How to Be Old is the autobiography of the author of the Accidental Icon blog Lyn Slater, whose late entrance into the world of fashion sparked a defiance of beauty standards for older women. Entering the influencer world at age 61, Slater sought to prove that the timing of bold self-reinvention is not restricted to one’s youth but can be done at any age. Slater discussed both her entrance into the digital realm and her return to reinvent not just herself, but the world around her with connection and creativity.

Humanish: What Talking to Your Cat or Naming Your Car Reveals About the Uniquely Human Need to Humanize

By Justin Gregg

Humanish explores the common, but curious need to anthropomorphize everyday objects and pets. Blending scientific insight and humor, author Justin Gregg explores why pets are treated as children, why we name and speak to our cars and possessions and the benefits of this somewhat unusual relationship with our surroundings. Gregg’s book offers insight on both our need to humanize and how this need drives future innovations and how it allows us to have better connections with the real humans in our lives.