UPPER ARLINGTON | GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS | MARBLE CLIFF September/October 2026
MAGAZINE
Golf for Good
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship returns to Upper Arlington
UPPER ARLINGTON | GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS | MARBLE CLIFF
Three materials. One centerline. No last-minute fixes. The stone edge, apron trim, and turned support had to share a common centerline. Resolving that relationship early is what made the finished detail read as one deliberate piece. ˿ See the details behind this Columbus kitchen.
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Tri-Village Magazine is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November. Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and the Village of Marble Cliff. For advertising information or bulk purchases, contact Gianna Barrett at 614-572-1255 or gbarrett@ cityscenemediagroup.com No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Tri-Village Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A. © 2026 September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
MAGAZINE
VO L UME 2 7 N U MB E R 6 | SEP T EM BER/O CT O BER 2026
6 Community Calendar 8 Faces
Shirley Brooks-Jones
12 In Focus
PAST Foundation
16 Feature
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship
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20 Student Spotlight
GHS pollinator education programs
24 On the Table
Local spots for gameday
26 Living
2026 BIA Parade of Homes
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28 Top Homes 29 Luxury Living 30 Bookmarks
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On the Cover: Photo courtesy of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship
@TriVillageMagazine September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
@CitySceneColumbus 5
PRO UDLY PRE SEN T S YO U R SEP T/OC T
Photos courtesy Grandview Heights
columbus/osu
Grandview Heights Fall Fest Hay Ride
Wednesdays, Sept. 2-Oct. 21
Upper Arlington Farmers Market 3-6 p.m. 2151 Dorset Rd. www.commongreensohio.org
Sat., Sept. 5
TRI the Heights 8 a.m.-noon Grandview Heights Municipal Pool 1350 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Mon., Sept. 7
Grandview Heights Fall Fest Hay Ride
Tues., Sept. 22
Mon., Sept. 7
Sun., Sept. 27
Dog Swim 4-6 p.m. Grandview Heights Municipal Pool 1350 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
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Sun., Oct. 4
Grandview Fall Fest 4-7 p.m. Wyman Woods Park 1520 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Sat., Sept. 26
Tues., Sept. 8
Fall Choral Concert 7 p.m. Grandview Heights High School Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Friends of UA Parks 9 a.m.-noon Fancyburg Park Meets on Wickliffe Rd., west end www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
UACA Labor Neighbor Day 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Hastings Middle School 1850 Hastings Ln. www.uaca.org Labor Day Arts Festival 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Northam Park 1880 Northam Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Thurs., Oct. 1
Sat., Sept. 19 and Oct. 17
UA Fall Fest 1-5 p.m. Fancyburg Park 3375 Kioka Ave. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Thurs., Oct. 6
The Grandview Hop 5-9 p.m. Grandview Avenue www.grandviewhop.com
Safe Charging is a Superpower 6-7:30 p.m. Fire Bay 1525 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Kids in Capes 5K and Fun Run 8-11:30 a.m. Thompson Park 4250 Woodbridge Rd. www.thecmhfoundation.org
Sun., Sept. 27
Thurs., Oct. 8
Jazz at the Barn 6:30-8 p.m. Amelita Mirolo Barn 4395 Carriage Hill Ln. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Vocal Music & Theatre Boosters Coffee House Show 3-5:30 p.m. Larson Middle School Commons 1600 W. First Ave. www.ghschools.org
Always check websites for updated information.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Photos courtesy Grandview Heights
COMMUNIT Y CA LENDA R
The Great Pumpkin Run
Tiny Tot Pumpkin Trot
Thurs., Oct. 15
Sat., Oct. 24
Photo courtesy Smilyn Photography
Parks & Crafts 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pierce Field 1080 W. First Ave. www.grandviewheights.gov
Fri., Oct. 16 and Mon., Oct. 19 No School - Grandview Heights Schools Professional Development www.uaschools.org
Sat.-Mon., Oct. 19-21 Kids in Capes 5K and Fun Run
Sat., Oct. 10
Things that GO! 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Library 1685 W. First Ave. www.grandviewheights.gov
Tues., Oct. 13
Jones Middle School 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra 7-9 p.m. Jones Middle School 2100 Arlington Ave. www.uaschools.org
Wed., Oct. 14
Jazz Ensemble Concert 7 p.m. Grandview Heights High School Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Golden Bear Scare 6-9 p.m. Smith Nature Park 1270 Fishinger Rd. www.uaca.org
Thurs., Oct. 22
Bobcat Marching Band Season In Review Concert 7 p.m. Anderson Field 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Fri.-Sun., Oct. 23-25
Jones Fall Production: The Little Mermaid Jr. Fri.-Sat.: 7 p.m. Sun.: 2 p.m. Jones Middle School 2100 Arlington Ave. www.uaschools.org
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
The Great Pumpkin Run 8:30 a.m.: Tiny Tot Pumpkin Trot 9 a.m.: Race begins Grandview Heights High School 1587 W. Third Ave. www.grandviewheights.gov
Mon., Oct. 28
Festive Fall Crafts 3:30-5 p.m. Tremont Road Branch 2800 Tremont Rd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Weds., Oct. 28
Upper Arlington High School Marching Band Indoor Concert 7-9 p.m. UAHS Performing Arts Center 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org
Sat., Oct. 31
Trick-or-Treat for Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff 6-8 p.m. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov www.grandviewheights.gov
To submit your event for next issue’s calendar, contact mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com. 7
Faces
By Ella Jay Photos by Ray LaVoie and courtesy of Shirley Brooks-Jones
The Power of Compassion Kindness, connection and authenticity define the life of Shirley Brooks-Jones
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f you spend enough time talking with Upper Arlington resident Shirley Brooks-Jones, one story quickly becomes another. She may tell you about the time she traded anecdotes with Archbishop Desmond Tutu over dinner, or when she met Neil Armstrong, who turned out to be just as shy as she was. Perhaps she’ll even tell you about casually conversing with the future King Charles III after receiving the medal of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. To her, though, none of those stories were ever about the famous names – they were always about the people. That perspective has guided BrooksJones throughout her life – rooted in genuine curiosity, compassion and the belief that every person brings something valuable to the table. It’s also the reason why one unexpected detour 25 years ago became one of the most defining moments of her life.
Before the headlines Long before you could find her name in any headlines, Brooks-Jones was born in Vinton County as the oldest of nine children. She had four brothers and four sisters and spent her early years split between southeastern Ohio and Columbus as her family relocated for work. Though money was scarce, she fondly remembers spending her childhood with neighbors – people of all walks of life who shared their meals, traditions and stories, teaching her the value of connection. “What I’ve learned is to just be yourself. People are all fascinating in their own ways. I love meeting others and learning more about them, and no matter how famous, a lot of them are just like me down below,” Brooks-Jones says. “I found that people usually are open to talking if you’re truly interested, so I don’t try to put on any pretenses. I just am who I am.” 8
After graduating from McArthur High School in 1954, Brooks-Jones came back to Columbus and took an administrative position at The Ohio State University’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Evolving from typing and taking shorthand to overseeing budgeting, longrange planning and fundraising, her role at OSU spanned more than 34 years. She retired with specially-granted Emeritus status before going on to achieve another lifelong goal: earning a college degree of her own. “I always loved being a student. I missed it. I wanted to learn,” she says. “I majored in English literature and minored in art history. It was a challenge, but something I really wanted to do. It was an exciting experience to finally achieve that dream.” In her retirement, Brooks-Jones married her late husband, Ron, with whom she spent many happy years. She also de-
voted much of her time to volunteering through People-to-People International, a program established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to foster global understanding and friendship. It was then, while flying back from a People-to-People board meeting in Denmark on September 11, 2001, that her trip took an unexpected turn – one that would leave a lasting imprint on her life forever.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Her Journey Continues Today, Brooks-Jones lives happily at The Coventry retirement community, where she continues to enjoy connecting with residents from all different backgrounds. She is currently focused on publishing her own book about Newfoundland – with plans to donate all proceeds to the scholarship – and preparing to return to Lewisporte for the 25th anniversary of 9/11. “I can’t wait to get back up there this year. They’re just such special people,” she says. “It’s become a major part of my life… and I just feel so fortunate and blessed.”
Generosity knows no borders About four hours into her flight, Brooks-Jones’ plane was suddenly diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, along with dozens of other aircraft following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States. Unaware of the situation, she and 200-some fellow passengers remained aboard for 28 hours before being bussed to the small town of Lewisporte, where residents opened churches, schools, community centers and their own homes to thousands of stranded travelers.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
“It was amazing what the people of Lewisporte did to help us,” she says. “The thought they gave to people they’d never met and would probably never meet again, it was incredible. They really cared.” Among those strangers were Bill and Thelma Hooper, whom Brooks-Jones refers to as her fifth brother and fifth sister. More than three decades later, the three still speak every week – just one of the many lasting friendships that came from her five-day detour.
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Speaking of Coincidences Alongside her special connection to the Lions Club, Brooks-Jones has experienced a handful of happy synchronicities throughout her lifetime that are just too concurrent to dismiss – whether you believe in coincidences or not. •
Growing up in Columbus, she lived a block away from Garden Theater, attending a matinee each week. Little did she know that, years later, her likeness would be represented on that same stage in Come From Away.
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While she and Ron didn’t marry until later in life, she had known him for many years prior – his mother happened to be her high school homeroom teacher.
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Many years before 9/11, a friend gifted her a rock painted with the words of Psalm 61:2 – “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Newfoundland’s famous nickname? The Rock!
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While that experience would go on to inspire books, interviews, countless public appearances and speaking engagements, and even the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away, Brooks-Jones says its true lasting impact has little to do with recognition and everything to do with the power of compassion. Leaving Newfoundland with a conviction that generosity has no borders, Brooks-Jones wanted to ensure that the kindness shown to the “plane people” would never be forgotten. On the flight back home, she helped establish the Lewisporte Area Flight 15 Scholarship – an enduring expression of gratitude which, supported by The Columbus Foundation and the Rotary Club of Columbus, has helped 461 graduates of Lewisporte Collegiate and counting. “I insisted we not limit the number of recipients per year, because those people
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
didn’t limit their help to us,” says BrooksJones. “Watching the scholarship grow, my heart has just burst with pride.”
The ripple effect While the scholarship was inspired by Newfoundland, Brooks-Jones’ belief in paying it forward began much earlier – something that’s since come full circle. As a child, she struggled to see the blackboard at school. When her family couldn’t afford glasses, the local Lions Club stepped in to help. Years later, after arriving in Lewisporte, she was assigned to stay at none other than the town’s Lions Club center. “Tears started coming down my cheeks, and the woman walking next to me said ‘What’s wrong?’” says BrooksJones. “I just said ‘The Lions are still taking care of me.’” When she arrived home, the Tri-Village Lions were the first to invite her to speak about her journey, and she remains a member of the club today. She says it’s moments like this that motivate her to never stop giving. “The feeling I get from helping people, no one could pay me enough money to take that away,” she says. “Throughout my life, there was always someone who stepped forward to encourage me, even when I had no confidence in myself. So if I can do that for other people, that’s what I’m going to do.” Ella Jay is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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In Focus
By Jane Dimel Photos courtesy of PAST Foundation
Engaging and Educating PAST Foundation nurtures award-winning transdisciplinary, problem-based learning
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eyond the textbook education most students experience in school every day, for more than two decades one local nonprofit has shown another way kids can interact with learning that continues to fuel their curiosity and creativity through its design thinking and problem-based learning model. Recognized for excellence in STEM innovation by the U.S. Department of Education and recently awarded the 2025 Daniel G. Roberts Award for Excellence in Public Historical Archaeology by the Society for Historical Archaeology, The PAST Foundation’s STEM and workplace development programs continue to evolve how students and educators engage with learning and career planning. From need to nonprofit Founder and CEO Dr. Annalies Corbin shares that, as she moved around for work in the early days of The PAST Foundation, the idea remained the same: Provide real-world scientific research and learning opportunities for students. Driven by her background in anthropology and archaeology, Corbin worked with applied research scientists from across universities, museums and other institutions to give students real-world fieldwork experience. This led to the official creation of The Partnering Anthropology with Science and Technology (PAST) Foundation in 2000. “We would bring in experts and partners from all over the world,” Corbin says. “They were really public-based projects, so schools were involved, community was involved… Students were the scientific research team, and it was always by design set up to work that way, so if we were going to do a thing, there were scientific experts involved, but the students were the worker bees, the folks actually doing the research.”
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Before the headquarters was established in 2005, PAST operated concurrently in Columbus and out of East Carolina University, where Corbin worked, before an anonymous endowment allowed the Foundation to become a full-time, non-profit operation. Corbin opened the headquarters in Columbus, building a dedicated educational team to support it. Now, in the PAST Innovation Lab – an education research and design prototyping facility and translational research center on Kinnear Road acquired in 2015 – Corbin and The PAST Foundation team have established year-round programming. It provides unique STEM education, research and career preparatory experiences for students, as well as offers tools for educators to use in-house and beyond.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
In the design lab With pre-K–12 programs ranging from after-school and summer programming to research and workplace development opportunities, students learn about various STEM pathways. In the pre-K through third-grade program, students read original stories created by PAST and Ad Astra Media, such as Goodnight Little Doctor, to learn about STEM pathways and complete related hands-on design challenges. PAST also offers industry-driven learning laboratories through partnerships with The Ohio State University and Metro Schools, Battelle’s STEM school. Through these programs, stu-
dents gain early postsecondary credit from OSU, Columbus State Community College and/or the University of Cincinnati. High school students can also participate in paid workforce development internships with different industry partners, with focuses including media production, entrepreneurship and small business, as well as social justice and agricultural innovation. Along with STEM-related areas of study, real-world career preparation is a basis for each in-house and partnering program, as Corbin shares its key to engaging with learning in an applicable way. The premise of career preparation experiences is also designed to emphasize not asking
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
For students and classrooms beyond central Ohio, The PAST Foundation partners with Battelle on portable innovation labs (PILs) – curating coursework units for different age groups and focus career pathways for educators to request and pick up at local community hubs throughout Ohio, such as local Columbus Metropolitan Library branches. With different partners helping create and distribute the units, some topics include forensics, drones, alternative energy and the science of fragrance.
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kids what they want to do professionally, but instead asking who they want to be and what they want to accomplish and explore, Corbin explains. To further emphasize this exploration, each program’s lesson planning focuses on transdisciplinary, problem-based learning, as students learn how to apply each step of the design cycle – Identify, Brainstorm, Design, Build, Evaluate, Modify and Share – to their learning and projects. Whether each day focuses on a specific part of the cycle, or working through it at their own pace, the approach aims to teach kids to work through each problem as they come up. Educational outreach Expanding its programs outward into the community is a large part of what PAST does, increasing students’ exposure to design thinking and learning. Locally, PAST partners with nearby schools, including Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, Columbus City and Hilliard Schools, to provide opportunities for field trips or programming directly within the schools. Through Grandview Heights Schools, for example, students participate in the medical technology program and early IT microlearning. Another facet of its community education programs is its Columbus EcosySTEM, a community network of learning hubs, field sites and virtual home bases that offer programming around Columbus for easier accessibility – an approach in collaboration with 100 Roads and Education Reimagined. In its 26 years of operation, Corbin shares that PAST’s learning opportunities have reached more than 3.4 million students and 25,000 educators nationally and worldwide.
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Regardless of which area of study or location the learning comes from, building the soft skills beyond the learning is one objective that the PAST team and its partners value. “These kiddos grow in their knowledge in CAD, 3D printing, making music, all those kinds of things, but they’re also growing within their teamwork, their communication, all of those human skills,” Director of Student Experiences Ashley Price says.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Coming in the fall and beyond As after-school programs return, programs will continue to run at several locations to help minimize transportation barriers. New programs will also be implemented year round in the Innovation Lab, with several on the books for the fall. One such program is its microlearning environments – learning environments catered to smaller groups of students that provide hands-on learning experiences, personalized mentorship and exposure to real-world scenarios and applications. With current programs specializing in early IT, medicine and biotechnology, the foundation is launching a third microlearning program this fall in aviation technicians, and will be partnering with Columbus State and OSU. New Maker Co-Op experience programming will also be available for homeschool families and members of a Scouts group. More community events are anticipated, including a few Maker Mania events inviting families to jointly complete hands-on STEM activities. Jane Dimel is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at jdimel@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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Life Health Medicare September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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More Than a Tournament
Local tournament combines championship golf with a mission to change lives By Megan Brokamp
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efore the winner lifts the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship trophy on Sunday afternoon, another moment occurs on the 18th green. A patient from Nationwide Children’s Hospital steps forward for the ceremonial Last Putt to Cure Cancer, a reminder that, while the tournament crowns a golf champion, its impact goes far beyond the scorecard. Why Columbus? The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship returns to The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course Sept. 14-20, with the main tournament rounds beginning on the 17th. Born from a partnership between Nationwide, The Ohio State University, the PGA TOUR’s Nationwide Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour) and Nationwide Children’s Hospital (at the time Columbus Children’s Hospital), there were two central goals for the tournament: Bring a professional golf tournament to central Ohio that highlighted future talent, and raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Since its inception, the tournament has raised nearly $33 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the tournament has grown from a small event into one of the Korn Ferry Tour’s premier stops. Following an extensive course restoration led by Jack Nicklaus, the Scarlet Course was a natural fit for the inaugural 16
tournament in 2007 and has continued to host it since then. As one of the nation’s leading collegiate golf courses, the course presents unique challenges for players. “(The course) consistently ranks as one of the players’ favorite venues and one of the truest tests of golf on the Korn Ferry Tour,” says Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship Communications Manager Ashley Grimmer. Beyond course quality, central Ohio provides a combination of community and corporate support that has allowed the tournament to flourish for nearly two decades. The city’s passion for sports, from Ohio State athletics to professional sporting events – such as the Memorial Tournament – creates an impressive fan turnout each year, along with many volunteers.
The heart of the tournament While charity is tied to each Korn Ferry Tour stop, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship makes philanthropy a part of its identity, weaving it into each part of the tournament. From the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to player interactions with patients, supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital is the defining purpose of the tournament. Patients are actively involved in the tournament from start to finish. The First Shot to Fight Cancer – which involves a patient hitting the first shot on Thursday morning – reminds both players and spectators what they’re playing for. Throughout the week, patient artwork is displayed around the course through butterfly bag tags, caddie bag tags and more. Patients remain at the forefront through
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Tournament Traditions •
First Shot to Fight Cancer (Thursday)
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Folds of Honor (Friday)
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Play Yellow Putting Challenge
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Free Graeter’s Ice Cream (Saturday)
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Pub 13
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Free Pancake Breakfast (Sunday)
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Last Putt to Cure Cancer (Sunday)
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Photos courtesy of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship
its final day, serving as honorary observers alongside the final groups before the week concludes with the Last Putt to Cure Cancer ritual on the 18th green. One of the tournament’s most meaningful traditions is Pros Fore Patients, where Patient Champions and their families spend time with the players through golf activities, games and a putting challenge before teaming up to assemble care packages for children receiving treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Rather than just acting as a meet-and-greet, the program puts the tournament’s charitable mission into action. “Players sign well wishes, kids come out, four or five of the Korn Ferry Tour players give lessons, and then we all go inside and pack gifts,” Tournament Director Kip McBride says. “It’s really a moving moment, and it’s what we’re based on.” 17
The road to the PGA As one of the Korn Ferry Tour’s final events, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship comes at a pivotal point in the season. At the end of the Tour’s Finals events, the top 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List earn PGA TOUR cards for the next season. Players are playing for career-defining opportunities, with every shot counting towards their future on the PGA TOUR. The championship has been the stepping stone for many golf legends throughout the years. Justin Thomas held the trophy in 2014 before winning multiple majors. Scottie Scheffler’s 2019 win paved the way to becoming the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer and a multi-major champion. Harris English, Daniel Summerhays and David Lingmerth are a few other notable players who made a breakthrough at the Scarlet Course. “You’ve got the number one players in the world winning this tournament,” McBride says. “At the time, you may not know those players’ names. But (one day) you will.” 18
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Community impact After nearly two decades, the event has also become a community tradition for residents in the area. Each year, hundreds of volunteers, corporate partners and fans come together to celebrate golf while supporting a cause. The tournament’s success depends on the collaboration of organizations across the region, including Nationwide, The Ohio State University Golf Club, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, local businesses and nearly 400 volunteers. These partnerships are the reason that the tournament continues to be free for all ages. Part of the reason for such widespread community involvement is due to the family-friendly atmosphere the tournament provides. Unlike many major sporting events, fans can get close to the action. The smaller crowds create opportunities to watch rising professional golfers up close and interact with players throughout the week. Along with providing entertainment, the tournament also brings national exposure to the area, bringing players, caddies, officials, sponsors and golf fans from around the country to the city each year and solidifying Columbus’ reputation as a destination capable of hosting high-level sporting events. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship has become a Columbus tradition because it offers high-level competition with a purpose that extends far beyond the game. Every birdie and putt brings an up-and-coming player September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
closer to their dreams, while also helping support children and families facing cancer. “That’s what we grade ourselves on, how well we give back,” says McBride. “We hope people have a good time while doing it, but it’s really become about the charity.” Megan Brokamp is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com. 19
Student Spotlight By Lucy Lawler, Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Page and RaeAnna Wieland
Bee the Change Grandview Heights Schools help pollinators and students thrive
Larson Middle School students explore the school’s pollinator garden.
M A Larson Middle School student participates in a Garden Club Scavenger Hunt. 20
any young people struggle with eco-anxiety, but Grandview Heights Schools’ pollinator education programs help students channel their worries into caring for their local environment. Jessica Fields, a 21st-century learning coach at Grandview Heights Schools, says students can sign up for Garden Club to learn about the critical role that pollinators and native plants play in their daily lives. After finding success at the middle and high school levels, and with support from a donation by Grandview Heights High School alumni Warren Klink and Carolyn Guggenaster Wyman, the program expanded to include third graders in the 2025-26 academic year. September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Grandview Heights High School students discuss the design process for the school’s pollinator garden.
For Fields, this growth feels incredibly exciting. She says 36 third-graders willingly worked in the elementary school garden instead of going to recess, showcasing a genuine, fiery passion for fostering healthy ecosystems in their own backyards and beyond. “Starting this momentum in the third grade is going to exponentially impact our Middle School Garden Club and, eventually, our Environmental Club at the high school level,” Fields says. “We are planting seeds in more ways than one.” When it comes to engaging a younger audience, Fields says nurturing and respecting kids’ natural curiosity is a major goal. “Naturally, students see bright, beautiful ornamental flowers in other gardens or at home and wonder why we can’t just plant those,” Fields says. “It’s been a great teaching moment to explain that while those plants might look pretty to us, they don’t always offer the specialized food or habitat our local Ohio pollinators need to survive.” To help club members grasp this concept more fully, the teaching staff invited Ohio naturalist Jared Goodykoontz to guide participants’ research into plants that support local wildlife while still looking beautiful. Such collaborations strengthen students’ resolve to take responsibility for their environment, says Elizabeth Page, a fourthgrade teacher at Larson Middle School and Garden Club advisor. She shares that even simple activities, such as taking a walking field trip to Boulevard Presbyterian Church’s pollinator garden, can inspire children to keep learning about nature and share that information with others.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
A Larson Middle School student poses with a milk jug that is being used for winter sowing. 21
Larson Middle School students participate in a Garden Club scavenger hunt.
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“It’s important for them to have a sense of belonging,” Page says. “They’re excited, and they want to spread the knowledge that they’ve gained to other people.” Of course, gardening isn’t always sunshine and roses. Page says the clubs sometimes run into roadblocks, such as when their attempt at using a winter sowing technique proved unsuccessful. The method involves planting seeds in recycled containers, such as milk jugs, outside during winter so they can later bloom in spring. Even though the seeds did not bear fruit, Page says members still learned a valuable lesson: Things don’t always go as planned. Now, students can practice resilience by reworking their approach and trying again, with plans to partner with Sustainable Grandview – a community organization dedicated to keeping Grandview clean – for a pollinator plant giveaway next year. Ultimately, Page says navigating setbacks as they arise helps build students’ confidence in their ability to advocate for different causes.
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
“They can have an impact now, and hopefully for the rest of their lives, they can feel like, ‘Oh wow, I can really make a difference on issues that I care about,’” Page says. Looking ahead, Fields says Garden Club will be offered to K-2 students in the 2026-2027 school year. She hopes the extracurricular will continue to grow, with the construction of an outdoor science lab for high school students being one of the program’s major long-term goals. Notably, Fields also says the work of faculty advisors and student garden assistants is what will nourish the program for years to come. “It truly takes a village to grow a garden, and we are so grateful for ours,” Fields says. Lucy Lawler is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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Make your holiday celebrations bright with City Creek Events City Creek Events features three district areas under one roof to host a variety of events. From engagement parties to elegant baby showers and grand weddings we provide the perfect setting to celebrate life’s special moments. Why City Creek Events is Perfect for Parties & Events: • Beautiful, remodeled event space • Convenient Columbus location • Stress-free planning • Giant screen to share your photos or to allow for live streaming
A Larson Middle School student helps weed the school’s garden. September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Call (614-202-3607) today to book your celebration 23
On the Table
By Abby Van Voorhis, Photos courtesy of Bobcat Sports Bar
Game Day Bites & Brews Local spots to catch the next big game
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rom college teams to the NFL, football season is back in central Ohio. The energy throughout the Buckeyes’ home base is palpable, and even the leaves are turning scarlet to match. As fans start to gather in search of good food and drinks and an exhilarating community atmosphere, consider these local spots for your next game day watch.
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Pastimes Pub & Grill Grandview Yard With 50 TVs, this local familyfriendly chain boasts that there is “not a bad seat in the house.” Opened in 2024, this quintessential sports bar has a daily happy hour running from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 28 beers on tap and a special game day menu featuring burgers, pizzas and fanfavorite appetizers from loaded nachos to pretzel bites. Try the chicken wings and choose from a list of 25 sauces and 11 dry rubs ranging from mild honey barbeque to ghost pepper-infused lava. With a pool table and a few arcade games, there are other ways to pass the time beyond keeping up with the scores. Barrel & Taps Opened in 2019, the neighborhood bar Barrel & Taps has established itself on 3rd Avenue through its extensive bourbon menu and inviting, dog-friendly patio. Grab a glass of bourbon from the private selection, or try the newest seasonal cocktail. Watch the game up at the bar, or sit out on the patio and enjoy a sense of community.
With only a couple of snacks on the features all your favorite sports bar famenu, Barrel & Taps invites guests to sup- vorites while also serving brunch from port local restaurants and BYOF (bring 11 a.m.-2 p.m. your own food). Beyond the wall-to-wall TVs, Bobcat serves up upscale sports bar food, from Pointe Tavern crispy wings and stacked burgers to beerPointe Tavern is an Upper Arlington battered fish and chips, plus unexpected sports bar tucked away on the banks of dishes such as gyros and Greek salads. the Scioto. Although the bar has a range of draft beers and cocktails, the real hid- Abby Van Voorhis is an editorial assistant den gem is the pizza. East Coast-inspired at CityScene Media Group. Feedback pizza, subs and Italian meatballs from welcome at Bazemore Pizza Co. are served within feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. Pointe Tavern every Tuesday through Saturday. Create your own pizza with The Custom, or try something vegetarNo Place Like Home ian such as The Mushroom. If you’re looking to watch the big game from the comfort of Bobcat Sports Bar your own couch, but still want Central Ohio isn’t just Buckeye some football finger-food, try this country. The Ohio University Central fish taco recipe from Littleton’s Ohio Alumni Network reports more Market. Customizable and easy than 40,000 alumni in central Ohio. to make in large batches, these Opened in 2023, Bobcat Sports Bar tacos are perfect for parties. brings OU pride to Grandview Heights while celebrating all things Ohio sports Recipe link: littletonsmarket. with 19 TVs and a variety of Columbuscom/elementor-3571/ and Athens-based beers on tap. Its menu
September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Living
By Abby Van Voorhis Photos courtesy of Owens Construction and Rockford Homes
Looking for a Little Inspiration BIA Parade of Homes returns to central Ohio
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or nearly 75 years, the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio has hosted the Parade of Homes to give homeowners a sneak peek at the latest home-building trends and connect them with local builders and designers. The homeownership rate in each community in the Tri-Village area, according to 2024 census data, are as follows: 56 percent for Grandview Heights, 64 percent for Marble Cliff and 79 percent for Upper Arlington. The average rate for the state is approximately 70 per-
cent as of 2024, as the Ohio Housing Finance Agency shares. Marble Cliff is the closest to matching the national average of 65.3 percent reported by the United States Census Bureau for the first quarter of 2026. With its concentration of beautiful, historic homes, the Grandview Heights/ Marble Cliff and Upper Arlington Historical Societies have programs to recognize homes in each community that are 100 years old or older, known as century homes. Upper Arlington alone has 490.
It can take a lot of effort to maintain historic charm while making these homes more attuned to modern life. The BIA Parade of Homes presents a fantastic opportunity for homeowners to gather remodeling inspiration. From the latest in smart technology and energy efficiency to storage solutions and outdoor entertaining spaces, this year’s Parade is sure to have a little something for everyone.
It’s in the details Renovating a historic home is a careful balancing act of deciding which century-old design choices get to stay and which must go. Houzz has curated a list of timeless vintage details that homeowners should consider keeping or updating. Throughout the house: Dutch doors; peg rails; telephone niches; leaded/stain-glassed windows; transom windows; milk doors; library ladders; exposed brink, stone, and wood; servants stairs; wainscoting; dumbwaiters; crown molding; picture rails; built-ins; and door hardware. In the kitchen: butler’s pantries; plate racks; apron-front sinks; hanging pot racks; stove alcoves; and vented cabinets. In the bathroom: clawfoot tubs; skirted sinks; fold-out ironing boards; and laundry chutes.
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EXPERIENCE THE DAVE FOX DIFFERENCE
With properties open and free to tour from noon-6 p.m. all across central Ohio, parade-goers can mix and match home styles and price points to meet their exact needs. Make a day of it or just stop by Thursday-Sunday for the last two weekends in September. Abby Van Voorhis is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Plan Your Parade Visit Sept. 17-27 Thurs.-Sun. Noon-6 p.m. www.BIAparade.com September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
WWW.DAVEFOX.COM
(614) 459-7211
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Top homes sold in the Tri-Village area Upper Arlington home prices grew 8.3 percent in June 2026 compared to the previous year. Homes sold for a median price of $705,366 in June 2026. A total of 178 homes were sold in June 2026, 22 more than in 2025. On average, homes sold after 29 days on the market, compared to the previous year’s 28. (Data from Redfin) Grandview Heights home prices grew 9.2 percent in June 2026 compared to the previous year. Homes sold for a median price of $649,646 in June 2026. A total of 46 homes were sold in June 2026, four more than in 2025. On average, homes sold after 33 days on the market, compared to the previous year’s 30. (Data from Redfin)
2642 Clifton Rd. 5 beds, 4.5 baths $1,775,000 Sold 6/11/26
1920 Edgemont Rd. 5 beds, 3 baths $1,525,000 Sold 6/30/26
1410 Arlington Ave. 5 beds, 3.5 baths $1,760,000 Sold 6/26/26
2015 Hillside Dr. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $1,450,000 Sold 6/18/26
1869 Tewksbury Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $1,730,000 Sold 6/22/26
4726 Bayford Ct. 5 beds, 2.5 baths $1,400,000 Sold 6/22/26
2324 Abington Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $1,700,000 Sold 5/15/26
2391 Donna Dr. 5 beds, 3.5 baths $1,355,000 Sold 6/26/26
4085 Lyon Dr. 5 beds, 4.5 baths $1,685,000 Sold 6/26/26
1865 Collingswood Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $1,300,000 Sold 6/22/26
4614 Lanercost Way 4 beds, 5 baths $1,545,000 Sold 5/22/26
4605 Lanercost Way 4 beds, 3 baths $1,250,000 Sold 6/17/26
1875 ROXBURY ROAD Upper Arlington, Ohio 43212 Character and charm abound in this iconic South of Lane 1920’s home featuring 5 BR’s, 3.5 BA’s, 3-car garage, and an extraordinary 2 BR, 1 BA CARRIAGE HOUSE - perfect for guests, studio, hobby or entertainment space. Meticulously maintained and beautifully updated, this nearly 6,000 sq.’ home sits on .46 acres and includes a white quartz kitchen open to a breakfast room and spacious great room, gracious living room, formal dining room, large home office/den, first-floor laundry and a light-filled sun-room. The second and third floors offer large bedrooms, updated baths and a bonus/flex room. Surrounded by beautiful homes and across from Miller Park, you’ll love the lifestyle this home provides!
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September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
what’s your style?
WHERE ARE YOU?
Are you doing all you can to put your listings in front of the community of buyers?
Your Picture You@gmail.com (614) Your Phone
Featured Home Text describing your listing could be here generating leads Your Company Name
Showcase your home listings to every homeowner in the Tri-Village area. Your listings will also appear in the digital edition of the magazine, hosted on the Tri-Village Magazine home page: www.trivillagemagazine.com Contact Gianna Barrett today for more information: gbarrett@cityscenemediagroup.com 614-572-1255 September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Submitted by Upper Arlington Public Libraries Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
By Justine Pucella Winans
By V.E. Schwab
Bianca is a teen who keeps a list of all the things she fears: being the center of attention, spiders, getting caught doing something wrong and dozens more. As a reclusive teen, she has taken up the hobby of birdwatching with a telescope from her bedroom window. One day she witnesses a murder which the police dismiss. Read her journey of tracking down the murderer while conquering her fears.
Desperate to avoid a marriage and life she doesn’t want, Addie makes a hasty bargain to live forever, but quickly learns she will be forgotten by everyone she meets. Still, she perseveres for centuries, learning little tricks to make her existence into an adventure, until one day, while trying to return a book at a local bookstore, a young man working there remembers her.
The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria
By Chuck Hogan
A married couple goes missing, and their bodies are found at the bottom of a steep ravine. Years later, a group of true crime-loving women starts delving into the case. After gaining the trust of an assistant district attorney and, incredibly, interviews with the victims’ family members and co-workers, the women draw conclusions and experience breakthroughs no one could have imagined.
Dog Show: Poems By Billy Collins
The latest collection from former Poet Laureate Billy Collins takes his usual poetic skill and humor to focus on dogs. His mastery of the art of casual observation is on full display here as he delves deep into why we love our canine companions and how we establish those deep bonds with them. Fair warning: some of these are fun, but there are a number that might tug at your heartstrings. Grandview Heights Public Library www.ghpl.org
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By Lili Wilkinson
Titch is nobody special. She’s the smallest mouse in her family and lives in a peaceful little village where nothing ever happens. But she dreams of epic adventures like those in the legend of the gallant hero, Bravepaw. When dire trouble comes to the Plateau, can Titch complete a quest to take the Heartstone to the heart of Alluria?
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires By Grady Hendrix
What would you do to protect the ones you love? When a series of strange events unravel in her safe ’90s suburb, a housewife and her true-crime book club decide to crack the case themselves. As the truth comes to light, they must decide – can they believe reality when it’s stranger than fiction? Get ready to sink your teeth into this deliciously grotesque, Southern Gothic-inspired novel that plays an unforgettable twist on the classic vampire figure.
Upper Arlington Public Libraries Tremont Road Branch, Lane Road Branch and Miller Park Branch www.ualibrary.org September/October 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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