Tri-Village March/April 2026

A Sporting Legacy

Grandview Heights Athletic Director Logan Dunn

Care Calm

www.cityscenecolumbus.com

PROUDLY PRESENTS YOUR

Mon., March 2

Author Visit: Jerry Craft

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Fri., March 6

An Evening with Trace Bundy

8:30 p.m.

Natalie’s Music Hall and Kitchen 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com

Wednesdays, March 4-April 29

Grandview Cafe’s Famous Trivia Night

7 p.m.

Grandview Cafe

1455 W. 3rd Ave. www.grandviewcafe.com

Thurs.-Sat., March 5-7

Spring Musical: Disney’s The Little Mermaid

7:30 p.m.

Grandview Heights High School Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org

Sat., March 7

Community Health and Wellness Fair

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tremont Road Branch 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Tues., March 10

UAHS Choir Concert

7-9 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org

Wed., March 11

Grandview Library Writers Group

6-8 p.m.

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

Sun., March 15

Stepping Into the Unknown: Films from the Bob Dylan Center

7 p.m.

Natalie’s Music Hall and Kitchen 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com

Mon.-Fri., March 16-20

No School – Upper Arlington Schools Spring Break www.uaschools.org

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

Wed., March 18

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Noon-6 p.m.

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

Thurs.-Fri., March 19-20

Doc Robinson

Thurs. 7:30 p.m.

Fri. 8 p.m.

Natalie’s Music Hall and Kitchen 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com

Mon., March 23

No School – Upper Arlington Schools Teacher Work Day: No School for Students www.uaschools.org

Mon.-Fri., March 23-27

No School – Grandview Heights Schools Spring Break www.ghschools.org

Tues., March 31

Spring Planning and PlantingGardening

6-7 p.m.

Urlin Activity Room 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.recdesk.com

Thurs., April 2

Craft Night – Satisfying Slime

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Lane Road Branch 1945 Lane Rd. www.ualibrary.org

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Fri., April 3

No School – Upper Arlington Schools Teacher Work Day: No School for Students www.uaschools.org

Sat., April 4

Community Egg Hunt

9-11 a.m.

Wyman Woods 1520 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov

Mon., April 6

2026 Upper Arlington Cherry Blossom Celebration

5 p.m.

Mallway Park 2096 Arlington Ave. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov

Always check websites for updated information.

Thurs., April 9

Newfound Road

8:30 p.m.

Natalie’s Music Hall and Kitchen 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com

Thurs., April 16

Lego Challenge

4-5 p.m.

Tremont Road Branch 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org

Sat., April 18

Peter Case

9 p.m.

Natalie’s Music Hall and Kitchen 945 King Ave. www.nataliesgrandview.com

Sat., April 25

Pickleball Tournament - Beginner Plus (Co-ed)

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Pierce Field Tennis Courts 1080 W. First Ave. www.grandviewheights.recdesk.com

Wed., April 29

COSI Science Fest: Landscaping 101 1-2 p.m.

Urlin Activity Room 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.recdesk.com

Wed., April 29

UAHS Spring Band Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org

The Perfect Catch

New Athletic Director Logan Dunn brings game-day pride to Grandview Heights

Fun Facts about Dunn

• One of five kids in an athletic family, Dunn even coached his younger brother in basketball at North Union Middle School.

• His hobbies include CrossFit, golf and traveling with his family – his favorite spot being St. Lucia from his honeymoon, where he got to enjoy the beach and a golf resort.

• As the husband of a veterinarian, he and his family love animals and have three – their pug, Q, and cats, Paisley and Phoebe.

• As an avid sports fan, Dunn enjoys playing fantasy football and listening to podcasts, as well as watching his favorite sports teams – the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds, Columbus Blue Jackets and Columbus Crew.

Picture game day: a brand-new athletic complex showcasing the achievements of past teams, sporting school spirit on the radio station as the team runs through an inflatable welcome tunnel displaying Grandview Heights in its glory.

With a vision for building facilities and curating game day experiences, Athletic Director Logan Dunn brings a passion for sports, education and community to Grandview Heights Schools.

Now, as Dunn kicks off his first spring season with the Bobcats, he sets his legacy in motion through uplifting student experiences, school pride and athletics.

The road to new heights

Growing up in the small town of Morral, Dunn’s love for sports started early, playing football and basketball from elementary school on, and later adding baseball as a third sport in high school at Ridgedale Jr./Sr. High School.

As he approached college, Dunn knew he was destined to work in sports –but getting there required some additional steps. Inspired by his experience volunteering at the elementary school, Dunn decided his first step would be to work with kids as a positive male role model for younger students.

“At Ridgedale, we did not have any male (educators) in the elementary school, or if we did, it was very few, so that was the career path I was going to take, knowing that I wanted to get into coaching and become an athletic director, but starting off in early childhood education,” Dunn says.

He went on to play football at the College of Wooster, where he studied communications with a minor in early childhood education, student teaching in Buckeye Valley Local Schools in Delaware. While attending Wooster, he met cheerleader and his now-wife, Melissa.

Following his graduation in 2012, Dunn and Melissa settled down in Delaware as he worked his way through different grade levels, starting as a long-term

Standout candidate

Drawn by the community support for athletics and the district’s reputation as a place for his three-year-old son, Lennox, Dunn decided to pursue the opening at Grandview Heights.

“This job does not come open very often, and (I thought), ‘Where do I see myself and where do I want to raise a family?’ That was a big decision of exploring this opportunity,” Dunn says.

In his interviews, Dunn stood out for his facility experience and understanding of logistics, but also his student engagement and game day experience.

“It was just amazing to hear somebody who was that passionate about what they do, the knowledge base they bring and just their care for student athletes and students as a whole,” Grandview Heights High School Principal Sam Belk says. “Working with him, I’ve seen it firsthand that his care doesn’t stop with athletics. He’s involved in every aspect of the student experience.”

“The first (thing that stood out was) his commitment and focus to the student athlete experience for all sports we offer here at Grandview, and the passion with which he feels about that student experience,” District Superintendent Andy Culp adds. “Related, but in a different way, also the fan experience and all that entails, trying to make the fan experience at every event really meaningful and powerful in support of our student athletes.”

substitute for third grade at North Union before going on to work in second grade, then third grade full-time at various districts. Over that time, he stayed involved with athletics by coaching football and basketball.

While teaching, Dunn started his master’s degree in athletic administration through Ohio University and became the athletic director of North Union Middle School following his graduation in 2018. He then made a goal to expand his administrative experience, taking a position as dean of students at the middle school.

Over the next six years, Dunn was recruited for two athletic director positions at schools in need of extensive facility renovations and athletics development.

The first was Triad High School, where Dunn was asked to step in after the fall season to develop stadium plans. He held this position for three years, working on plans for new locker and weight rooms, concessions, a community meeting room and more with the support of corporate sponsorships and a newly passed levy.

The groundbreaking for the new K-12 Athletic Complex and Bobcat Stadium will coincide with the groundbreaking for Stevenson Elementary. Read more on page 12 about its history and the plans for the new school building.

Then, the retiring athletic director of Fairbanks High School recruited him as his replacement. Dunn was drawn by the welcoming atmosphere and community investment in athletics and got to work developing plans and partnerships to support the stadium work.

“We were able to develop student athletes at a higher level than I was at Triad because our participation numbers were significantly higher, but they still lacked from a facility standpoint,” Dunn says.

In the spring of 2025, the athletic director position for Grandview Heights opened with the retirement of Brad Bertani – a rare opening Dunn saw as an opportunity to put down roots for his family.

School pride

Since his start this past summer, Dunn has committed to uplifting school spirit and developing branding in the athletics sphere and across the schools.

Building relationships was his first priority. He met with coaches and athletic staff to establish policy and procedures for conduct and expectations, along with streamlining communication across sports and schools. He also met with stakeholders and local businesses to maintain and establish partnerships supporting the department and new projects.

During his average workday, he is preparing for game time – scheduling and coordinating the teams, as well as working on the plans for the updated K-12 athletic complex and planning ahead for the 2027 sports seasons.

This work has included refining plans for the athletic complex to include upgraded locker rooms – from two to five – and new spaces for meetings and watching film, along with tailoring the weight and equipment rooms for each sport.

These plans will enhance game day experiences for players and fans alike with new turf fields, a ticket booth and concessions, a press box and bleachers – allowing for the band to be a part of the crowd and feed the energy of game night. With this, there will also be the addition of a Victory Plaza to socialize and highlight the achievements of the athletics programs.

Branding has been another component of the project, with efforts towards elevating game days with the stamp of Grandview Heights. His work has included:

• New Adidas jerseys and gear for the teams

• Integration of a new athletics department website and app – allowing for easy access to stats and schedules, with the ability for students to gain credit towards new school merch or gift cards for checking into games

• A customized radio station playing family-friendly music and school-specific content

• Inflatable mascot, welcome tunnel for teams and more

These efforts have also come inside the building, with athletics spaces seeing plans for a locker room wall of photos, from 1910 to present day, of Grandview Heights history with the words “Honoring Our Tradition” and “Creating Our Legacy”, and a “Champions Are Made Here” lit sign with the Grandview Heights Schools logo for the weight room.

“No matter what sport you play, when you walk into that back hallway, hopefully you understand that there’s a really rich tradition that came before you, and really, this is your time, and

it’s such a short amount of time, to create your legacy,” Dunn says. “And it’s not (just) your legacy. More importantly, you understand that it’s our legacy together, whether that’s going to the weight room, going to practice, going to a game, whether that’s a coach. (It’s to) inspire them to do the best that they can and to work to achieve a common goal as a team.”

Beyond his work with the athletic complex and branding, Dunn has prioritized building relationships with the students and highlighting their achievements through Athlete of the Month spotlights. He is also implementing what he calls Next Level ceremonies and videoboards, starting a new tradition for celebrating students signing on to play sports at a higher level with a Next Level pen to sign with and a board to show their commitment.

“My long-term goal is to set the standard of what an athletic department looks like, not just a division six athletic department,” Dunn says. “So, if you compare us…to any division one school, division seven school, I want them to say that Grandview Heights set the standard, from game days to how we run our website, social media, how we highlight student athletes, the entire experience.”

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

Legacy Reimagined

Stevenson Elementary gets new building after 100 years

For 100 years, the corner of Oxley Road and West First Avenue has been home to Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School.

This May, after decades of classes and students passing through its halls, Stevenson will send off its final class for the summer before beginning its transformation process.

Naming Game

After it is rebuilt with the latest technology and educational standards for today’s classrooms, the new Stevenson Elementary will continue to educate and care for the next generation of Grandview Heights students.

The school’s name comes from Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote books such as Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The inaugural class of students chose the name themselves, and the building is one of less than 10 schools in the U.S. to share its name with the author.

A look back

After the high school was built in 1923, a $175,000 levy was proposed the following year to build a new elementary school. When the levy failed in November 1924, a public relations campaign was led by school

officials and community members to help educate the community regarding misconceptions about what the proposed funding would be used for. Within a year, the levy was put back on the ballot and passed in November 1925, making way for construction of the new school to start only months later, on January 7, 1926.

The levy delay led to some benefits as four additional classrooms were added to the floor plan, and the overall building costs decreased by roughly $8,000. Construction was completed within a few months, and Stevenson Elementary welcomed its first class for the 1926-27 school year.

Due to the growing population in the community, two additional wings were added to Stevenson within the first 10 years of opening. Eight classrooms in total were added, bringing the overall total to 20 classrooms.

“It was the second elementary for the community,” says Wayne Carlson, Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Historical Society member. “At that time, I think (Grandview Heights) only had, like, 4,000 people. (There were) a lot of young kids, though, because every year the school district said, ‘We need more room. We need more room,’ because there were so many kids.”

The building was updated again in 1971, when additional classrooms were added to accommodate a large incoming class of kindergarteners.

Birthday Buddies

As Stevenson is welcomed into the centenarian club in 2026, the Grandview Heights City School District is celebrating 120 years.

Time for a change

Although it was up to the standards of its time, Stevenson Elementary has slowly succumbed to its age over the years.

“The building is past its useful life and failing,” says Superintendent Andy Culp. “(It has) leaky roofs, the boiler system is hanging on by a thread. HVAC systems hanging on by a thread. It is in dire need of being replaced.”

Culp says the district is thankful to the community for passing a levy in 2024 to build a new Stevenson on the same grounds as the original one.

And the firm in charge of the project, Elford, won’t be working alone. Thanks to feedback from both Stevenson staff and community members throughout the design process, Culp says the new building will not only have the latest classroom and technology advancements, but it will also become a great space for the community.

“Those buildings are community spaces also outside of the school day, so everybody is going to benefit. I think the gym is, for example, one of the community spaces that will be a wonder-

New Building, Same Builder

The business responsible for the construction of the original Stevenson Elementary building, Columbus-based construction company Elford, will oversee the construction of the new building.

Elford, originally known as E. Elford General Contractors, was established by Edward “Pop” Elford in 1910.

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ful addition to our community in so many different ways,” Culp says. “I think, from a school district standpoint, to be able to design a new state-of-the-art building in ways that support how students learn as well as how teachers are teaching today and into the future is an awesome task, and will serve our students well today and into the future.”

Other advancements range from classroom updates – which will include more open concept rooms that have access to extended learning spaces – to technology and safety upgrades, including cameras and double doors at the main entrance, similar to Larson Middle and the high school.

The gym won’t be the only meeting space – there will be a new media center, as well as a cafeteria that will include a stage for performances and events.

Memory lives on

With a long history and decades of memories, Stevenson has left its mark on students, parents and staff over the years.

Carlson, who has been a resident of Grandview Heights since 1974, watched his kids grow up at Stevenson and remembers dropping them off at school,

Athletics Space Arrival

watching them play on the sculpture the kids call “The Big Cheese” as they waited for the school day to start.

Culp says the district is working to help keep those memories alive. The sculpture will be put into storage during construction and will get a new home once the building opens up.

As construction gets underway, students and teachers will settle into their modular classrooms, housed on the grounds of Larson Middle. While teachers like third-grade teacher Angela Pharion are preparing for the unique situation, many are keeping the kids and their education at the heart of it all.

“For me, it’s not about the surroundings. It’s about the relationships with the kids, and that’s always my focus,” Pharion says. “That’s really what’s important, and you can do that anywhere. So, next year, even in a modular unit… it doesn’t matter, because I still have my group of kids. I still do what I do and help them learn and grow.”

Rachel Hanz is the lead editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rhanz@cityscenemediagroup.com.

In addition to approving funds for the new Stevenson Elementary, the 2024 levy also included funding for Phases 1 and 2 of the new K-12 Athletic Complex and Bobcat Stadium.

Although still in its design phase, construction is estimated to begin as early as this summer, with the hopes of opening the new space for the start of the 2027-28 school year.

An Art Branch UA Cultural Arts division brings art to the community

By Katarina Guy

The City of Upper Arlington has long demonstrated its dedication to promoting and implementing the arts as vessels for connection and community-building. The Cultural Arts division, which has been active for nearly 50 years, recently developed an Arts and Culture Master Plan to better support the community’s needs and desires for fellowship through increased availability and access to the arts and creative activities.

The Cultural Arts division has sought to have pieces of art available throughout public spaces, including parks, libraries and community facilities, for communal enjoyment and engagement. The collection of art in community spaces consists of more than 20 pieces, but the City of Upper Arlington is eager to grow and consciously curate the artistic assemblage.

Weaving Between the Branches

The latest temporary installation to the public art collection is a piece called Weaving Between the Branches by Upper Arlington resident and artist Marcia Armstrong.

Its original installation took lodging in Northwest Kiwanis Park and consisted of nine hand-crafted nests as well as a large willow tunnel, which was constructed with the help of community volunteers and City staff. Armstrong, the artist behind the display, is said to have drawn inspiration from the nesting practices of the white-browed sparrow weaver species.

Jodi Hatfield, the City of Upper Arlington’s Arts Manager, explains the artistic connection.

“(The species) builds nests in tightly knit social groups… but over time, each of their individual nests change,” Hatfield says. “(The sculptured nests) look similar, but they’re (each) very unique and different. So, (Armstrong) is kind of speaking to (the question) as humans: how do we live?”

By pulling people into a restored naturalized space, the installation serves as an invitation to embrace everyday encounters with curiosity and consider the significance of community.

Hatfield says that the previous location for the installation was carefully chosen so that Upper Arlington residents would have an opportunity to feel like a kid again and experience nature in a new way. The original display simultaneously encouraged exploration of the surrounding environment and offered a starting point for dialogue and discovery among community members.

Unfortunately, about a week after the installation debuted, City staff encountered a roadblock. The City recognized signs of damage endured by the sculptured nests, so to ensure the preservation and protection of the art pieces, they decided to have the installation relocated to the newly constructed Bob Crane Community Center. The nests have now found a lovely home upon a balcony by the senior-citizen lounge – thus, bringing pieces inspired by nature to those who may otherwise face difficulties when interacting with wildlife and natural spaces.

Though this change may not have been a part of the plan, the City’s ability to adapt and provide respite during such adversity largely reflects the character of Upper Arlington and illuminates the pur-

pose of the public art initiative. Hatfield says the presence of art creates a welcoming and inviting space to provide a sense of belonging.

“If there is art to engage with… I hope that it will initiate conversations between people,” Hatfield says.

Art accessibility

Alongside similar lines, increasing availability of and access to the arts supports the Upper Arlington community by highlighting local and foreign artists. Art-informed initiatives such as galleries, installations, events and educational programs provide opportunities for art to facilitate personal interactions and connections between art pieces, artists and curious members of the community.

Not only do feelings of connection and community spring from such art spaces, but the arts also serve as training apparatuses for knowledge acquisition and generation. For example, in tandem with the installation of Weaving Between the Branches, the City invited Arm-

strong to lead a workshop in which youth participants learned about her creative process and put into practice this newfound knowledge to create their own clay tiles from natural materials.

By bringing the arts and education into conversation, Hatfield expresses her hope that community members will feel empowered to learn and experience art so they become better equipped to appreciate art and even create their own.

The City of Upper Arlington’s Cultural Arts division continues to make strides towards implementing the proposals in its Arts and Culture Master Plan. While working to bring this latest installation to fruition, the City has come closer to perfecting its selection process and maintenance procedures for public displays so that future pieces can support and sustain safe spaces within the community for many years to come.

Katarina Guy is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

March Of Determination

Upper Arlington High School senior plays in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Leo Summers, an Upper Arlington High School senior, marched amidst a conglomerate of 235 musicians and auxiliaries, all headed toward Herald Square in the heart of New York.

Accompanied by the trusted tune of his clarinet, he proved steadfast in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade of 2025, relishing each moment and enjoying the payoff of his hard work.

His first love

Starting in fourth grade, Summers began fostering his musical talent, driven by a deep love and admiration for music. During an after-school program, Summers found himself learning

how to play his first instrument – the ukulele – the first of many stringed instruments he would learn to play.

He soon picked up the guitar, and later the violin. Now, after nearly a decade of music lessons, Summers hones his craft in all these instruments.

In high school, Summers wanted to join the marching band – motivated by his long standing fascination with music and the natural flair of showmanship – and needed to select a new instrument. Leo met with his band director, and together they decided that a treble clef instrument would be the best fit.

“I needed an instrument that was practical and I could pick up quickly,” Summers says.

Since Leo could already read treble clef music from playing the violin and had a friend in that section of the band, it meant one less new thing to learn. And, as luck would have it, there was already a clarinet at home – making the choice both pragmatic and meaningful as he became the third generation in the family to play that very same marching band clarinet.

Stepping into tradition

Each year on Thanksgiving morning, millions of Americans tune in to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For the Summers family, nestled in the warm comfort of their home, watching the parade’s festive grandeur on TV isn’t just a national spectacle – it’s a cherished part of their own Thanksgiving tradition, and something Summers himself wanted to be involved in.

His junior year, he applied for the Macy’s parade for the first time. Though he did not get accepted, he decided to try again. As a senior, it was his final chance to experience something of this scale before going to college.

He threw himself into preparation several months in advance, practicing after school, out on the football field and during lessons with his private clarinet instructor.

Rehearsal brought together a selective group of 185 musicians from across the country – strangers who shared one commonality: making music. Two weeks before the parade, Summers traveled to New York as the ensemble began practicing after receiving music sheets that had been specially arranged for them, with the longest training day stretching to six hours of fast-paced work, countless repetitions and constant refining.

He had to miss a couple of classes, but all of his teachers were very understanding and supportive.

“This time, there was a lot more at stake,” Summers says.

With the support of his parents and additional help from his band instructor, Summers had found himself in the same place as the year before: waiting to hear back.

A sense of uncertainty lingered for six long weeks until he checked his email and found the message he’d been hoping for.

The news of his acceptance came both unexpectedly and with a hint of hesitation, but quickly gave way to a rush of excitement. He immediately called his parents to share the news, riding the wave of happiness together.

His acceptance into the parade was “a huge confidence booster,” he shares, as the opportunity not only reaffirmed his commitment to music, but also inspired him as he began applying to colleges, strengthening his resolve to continue performing – both in music and marching band – preceding his high school years.

Practice, peers, parade

On the big day, Summers waited for his cue at the red ready line with a lingering nervousness. He pushed the feeling aside, concentrating on what he needed to do.

“I was hyper focused on doing everything right,” Summers says.

The moment settled in slowly: Summers was no longer a viewer on the couch, but a participant, walking beside giant character balloons, ornate floats and thousands of performers — living from the side of the TV he’d only ever dreamed about. The confirmation symbolized Summers’ hard work and would present itself as a great performance.

“Seeing him come down the street and play was amazing,” his mother, Marcia Summers, says. “I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I saw him.”

For Summers, two moments stood out most. First, he spotted a girl from Upper Arlington, he recognized in the spectator crowd, a small reassurance in the swath of faces to see someone he knew. And finally, the marching out of Herald Square marked the end of their set, the parade and his entire experience. Everything had paid off and everything had finally come to completion.

At the end of the intense, time consuming preparation and the event itself, Summers had made new friends and gained a tenacity he now carries into his future aspirations and goals.

Rose Whaley is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback is welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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Serving Up Nostalgia

Beloved Upper Arlington diner restored to its former glory

In late June of 2025, one of Upper Arlington’s historic breakfast staples re-opened its doors after more than a year of renovations. Chef-O-Nette first opened in 1955 and was a progressive restaurant for its time, with one of the nation’s first drive-thru windows and an expansive casual dining menu.

Today, stepping into the diner feels like entering a time capsule, transporting guests back to the days of landlines and

Restoring history

The restaurant first opened under Chuck Zollinger, Jim Reed and Bill McKinley, and it has remained a familyrun institution for decades. In 1972, Maborn Howard and his son Harlan assumed ownership, continuing the legacy. With only a handful of ownership changes over the past 70 years, the restaurant is now operated by its third family.

In February of 2024, Mike Purdum,

the brass fea tures of the bar stools. The upholstery was remodeled by Fortner, a Columbus upholstery company, allowing for visually appealing seating with fresh cushioning, and mechanical aspects were repaired in order to allow the seats to swivel.

The interior was repainted with fresh color, and classic decorations were preserved, such as its atomic clocks and vintage art pieces. A brand-new kitchen was added, along with ADA-accessible restrooms and upgraded utilities.

A taste of the past

Although the restaurant has undergone a significant facelift, the menu retains its old-school charm. Line cook Brian Turner Jr. has worked at Chef-ONette for more than 24 years, and he says that the restaurant’s comforting familiarity is what keeps generations coming back.

“The biggest thing is the optics,” Turner Jr. says. “We tried to keep it aesthetically similar in the ways we could.”

This is not only reflected in its interior and decorations but also in its menu, much akin to Chef-O-Nette’s original offerings.

“It’s your typical kind of Americana diner fare… comfort foods, burgers, fries, milkshakes,” Turner Jr. says.

The menu is straightforward, starting with specials such as Tootsie’s Cinnamon Rolls, served on Sundays only. Chef-ONette also offers weekly specials, such as the Chorizo Breakfast Wrap or ‘Crispy Ba con’ Pancake Stack, which are posted on social media and in the restaurant. Specials

are followed by classic breakfast items such as breakfast sandwiches and omelets, along with à la carte items.

For those opting for lunch, Chef-ONette’s classic burgers remain consistent. The Chef-O-Burger is a no-nonsense diner burger: juicy, griddled beef on a toasted bun with simple toppings. The Hangover Burger ups the indulgence with savory ham layered on top for a heartier, craveworthy twist. Although the ingredients and flavor are the same, Turner Jr. adds that the patties are a bit bigger than previous versions.

Other menu staples that have stood the test of time include a patty melt, a classic club sandwich and the restaurant’s famous milkshakes in vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, each topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Diners can also try limited-time shake flavors, which rotate weekly and have included banana, mint chocolate and chocolate raspberry.

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

Good Bones

Vesper-Walker house follows the blueprint for generational growth

For Kelsey and Scott Walker, a “forever home” was never very far away.

Built by Kelsey’s grandfather in 1948, the Upper Arlington residence on Kensington Drive passed to her father, Richard Vesper, after his mother’s death, and was eventually sold to the couple in 2020.

Six years later, the home still shelters the same family it was originally built for, with some structural updates and mod-

ern amenities helping Kelsey and Scott feel truly at home. Kelsey says if the walls could talk, they’d be happy.

“I enjoy the legacy that this house has, and I think that’s really special,” Kelsey says. “It’s not, you know, very frequent that only one family has lived in a house from the time it was built, and I think (they) would be pleased with the changes that have been made because the home was built for the family, and every

change we’ve made has been with our family in mind.”

Upon moving in with their two children, the couple’s first goal was to distinguish the property’s past from its present.

“We put a coat of paint in the kitchen, like on the cabinets and stuff, just to give it a new feel, so that it didn’t feel like the house that we visited all the time when we came over for holidays with my parents,” Kelsey says.

Once smaller tweaks were made, attention turned to the upstairs area. The pair’s son and daughter shared a single bathroom that acted like a “Jack and Jill,” but growing pains made the existing layout unsustainable.

By implementing a new floor plan and converting one restroom into two, the Walkers found a functional solution to the siblings’ increasing desire for privacy.

“It’s changed the way the kids live, for sure, because our daughter has her own space, and our son’s not waiting for her to get out so he can use the bathroom,” Scott says.

Considering the residence is nearly 80 years old, climate control proved to be an additional challenge.

This past summer, the Walkers worked with Atlas Butler – a home service business with over

100 years of local history – to install a precise mini-split HVAC system, giving them more control over the temperature(s) in each room.

“Instead of doing double zones with two furnaces, where you have one upstairs and one downstairs, we have the front half of the house and the back half of the house,” Scott says.

Though Kelsey and Scott have hired roughly six developers for various renovation projects, they say Atlas Butler stands out for its personal connection to the family. Both Kelsey and her father are veterinarians, so while the Walkers trust Atlas Butler with their house, the company has trusted the duo with their pets.

“ I enjoy the legacy that this house has, and I think that’s really special.—Kelsey

“Out of all the contractors we’ve had, they have certainly taken some ownership over this home,” Scott says.

Of course, there are many small details that have gone purposefully untouched to preserve the property’s nostalgic flair, from the flowers Kelsey’s mother planted outside to a gas-assisted, wood-burning fireplace that always combats the cold.

“That’s my favorite thing to do in the winter, is just to be together in the family room and have fires,” Kelsey says.

”

The Walkers also replicated and framed a blueprint of the home, which was discovered when Kelsey’s father, Richard, moved out. A second copy was gifted to Richard, who cared for his late wife and son – Kelsey’s mother and brother – while living in the house.

Scott says the blueprint serves as a poignant reminder that, even in the face of profound loss, the Vesper-Walker house changes and endures.

“It served its purpose, being a place for those people who needed a place,” Scott says. “But then, it has been refreshed and revived since we got here. That was something that was going to need to happen, whoever took it over next, and I think we’re proud to be the ones who got to do that.”

Kelsey agrees, saying that honoring her family’s memories while making the home her own has been deeply meaningful. Still, some traditions are just too good to lose.

“When we bought it from my dad, one of the things he said was, ‘Can we still have Christmas here?’” Kelsey Walker says.

Lucy Lawler is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback is welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

The Official Magazine of Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington and Marble Cliff

Top homes sold in the Tri-Village area

In January 2026, Upper Arlington home prices increased 41.3 percent compared to last year, while Grandview Heights home prices increased 10.7 percent. The median home price in Upper Arlington was $636,500, and $692,000 in Grandview Heights. A total of 20 homes were sold in January this year in Upper Arlington, and five homes were sold in Grandview Heights. (Data from Redfin)

2681 Lane Rd.

4 beds, 4.5 baths

$2,250,000

Sold 1/02/26

3509 Redding Rd. 5 beds, 4.5 baths

$1,350,000

Sold 12/31/26

2063 Westover Rd. 5 beds, 3.5 baths

$1,325,000

Sold 1/22/26

2648 Chester Rd. 4 beds, 3 baths

$1,307,500

Sold 12/08/25

5055 Slate Run Woods Rd. 3 beds, 4 baths

$1,250,000 Sold 12/12/25

1837 Andover Rd. 3 beds, 2.5 baths

$1,250,000

Sold 12/24/25

4000 Lyon Dr. 3 beds, 2.5 baths

$1,100,000

Sold 12/29/25

4450 Haverford Ct. 5 beds, 3.5 baths

$1,014,000

Sold 1/21/25

2276 Hoxton Ct. 4 beds, 3 baths

$1,000,000

Sold 12/02/25

884 Neil Ave. 4 beds, 4 baths

$975,000

Sold 1/13/26

4540 Langport Rd. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$960,000

Sold 1/07/26

1909 Inchcliff Rd. 3 beds, 3 baths

$940,000

Sold 12/09/25

weekendscene

Ready to Walk

by Lee Wildish

(ages 3 months-2 years)

Rhyming text and colorful illustrations of a little girl lead the reader through the process of learning how to walk in this board book. Luckily, Daddy is always there in case she falls, and once walking is mastered, it will be time to learn how to run!

Humans

by John Devolle (ages 3-5)

This nonfiction book for preschoolers gives some insight into what it means to be human. We are a collection of organs, share our planet with other creatures and plants, have opposable thumbs and talk with both words and facial expressions. Part of the “Big Science for Little Minds” series, this option is a colorful, informational and fun introduction for little ones to understand our amazing species.

Don’t Think of Tigers

by Alex Latimer (grades K-3)

Interactive and imaginative, this book is a lot of fun to read one-on-one or with a group. The reader is told repeatedly not to think of tigers, which, of course, results in illustrations of tigers with too many legs or oddly shaped ones. An important note at the end encourages readers to create bad pictures, because that is the only way to make good ones.

Three Blue Hearts

by Lynne Kelly (grades 4-7)

A great read for anyone who loves animals and enjoys learning about wildlife, this story will pull the reader in quickly. Max and his mom are spending their summer on the Gulf Coast of Texas at Lafitte Island, where Max finds and helps to save an octopus who has been washed up on the beach after a storm. Endearing characters and lots of love make this a memorable story.

Good OldFashioned Korean Spirit

by

Kim Hun Sook & Ryan Estrada (grades 8-12)

Set in 1985 in South Korea, this engaging graphic novel explores Korean traditions like the holiday of Daeboreum, which celebrates the first full moon of the lunar year. Taehee and her college dance club classmates arrive at her halmoni’s farm to carry out the mysterious ceremony. Though the story touches on serious and historical events of Korea, it is lighthearted and has a diverse group of fun and multi-generational characters.