Westerville Magazine July/August 2026

Westerville magazine

CityScene Media Group

1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 101C Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com

Gianna Barrett President

Dave Prosser Chief Creative Officer

Isabella Gaydosh-Bruce Business/Office Manager

Kathleen K. Gill Editorial Advisor

Elizabeth Wagner Sales Manager

Jeannie Whitton-Smith Creative Director

Megan Brokamp Editors

Jane Dimel

Rachel Hanz Ella Jay

Ellie Keehn Editorial Assistants

Grey Romohr

Abby Van Voorhis

Rose Whaley

Lucy Lawler Contributing Writer

Amanda Stevens

Sarah Reese Media & Marketing Advisor

Circulation 614-572-1240

@westervillemagazine

www. westervillemagazine .com

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JulyAugust

Saturdays

Westerville Saturday Farmers Market

9 a.m.-noon

COhatch/North High Brewing 240 S. State St. www.uptownwestervilleinc.com

Sundays

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Alum Creek Amphitheater 221 W. Main St. www.westerville.org

Thurs., July 2

K-Pop Demon Hunters: Dance Class (Ages 6-11)

1-2 p.m., 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Registration required)

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Sat., July 4

Independence Day 5K

7:30-9:30 a.m.

Westerville Sports Complex 325 N. Cleveland Ave.

Independence Day Parade

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

Concert Series & Food Truck Festival 5-9:45 p.m.

Westerville Sports Complex

Fireworks Display 10-10:45 p.m.

Westerville Sports Complex

www.westervillerotary.com

Thurs.-Sat., July 9-11

9 to 5: The Musical presented by Westerville Parks and Recreation Civic Theatre 7 p.m.

Westerville Central High School 7118 Mt. Royal Ave. parks.westerville.org

Fireworks Display

July 9-12 and 16-18

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra presented by Otterbein Summer Theatre

Thurs.-Sat.: 7:30 p.m.

Sun.: 2 p.m.

Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall

30 S. Grove St. www.otterbein.edu

Sat-Sun., July 11-12

Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival

Sat.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sun.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Heritage Park

60 N. Cleveland Ave. www.westervillechamber.com

Thurs.-Sun., July 16-19

Anastasia presented by Westerville Parks and Recreation Civic Theatre

Thurs.-Sat.: 7 p.m.

Sun.: 2 p.m.

Westerville Central High School 7118 Mt. Royal Ave. parks.westerville.org

Sat., July 18

Annual Memorial Butterfly Release 10-11:30 a.m.

Metzger Park Shelter 137 Granby Place columbus.cornerstoneofhope.org

Sat., July 18

Westerville Historical Society’s 85th Anniversary Celebration 1-4 p.m. Hanby House 160 W. Main St. www.westervillehistory.org

Sun., July 19

WesterFlora: All American Gardens Noon-6 p.m. www.westerflora.net

Tues., July 21

Introductory Tai Chi 2-3 p.m. Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. www.metroparks.net

Fridays, July 24 and Aug. 28

Fourth Fridays 6-9 p.m.

July 24: Summer Fun Aug. 28: School Spirit Uptown Westerville www.uptownwestervilleinc.com

July 25-Aug. 3

The American Revolution Experience: Traveling Exhibit

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Mon., Aug. 3

Bluey Party

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Tues., Aug. 4

National Night Out

6-8 p.m.

Huber Village Park 362 Huber Village Blvd. www.westerville.org

Sat., Aug. 8

Uptown Untapped

6-10 p.m. East Main Street www.uptownwestervilleinc.com

Fri.-Sat., Aug. 14-15

Walls Build Fri.: 5-7 p.m. Sat.: 7:30 a.m.-noon

Westerville Area Resource Ministry 150 Heatherdown Dr. www.westervillehabitatpartnership.org

Sat., Aug. 15

Rubber Duck Party 2-4 p.m.

Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. www.westervillelibrary.org

Tues., Aug. 18

First Day for Students Westerville City Schools www.westerville.k12.oh.us

Aug. 28-29

Camp Rock: The Musical presented by Westerville Parks and Recreation Civic Theatre

7 p.m.

Alum Creek Park N. Amphitheatre 221 W. Main St. parks.westerville.org

Sat., Aug. 29

Reuse-A-Palooza

8 a.m.-6 p.m. Westerville www.sustainablewesterville.org

By Amanda Stevens

Community Over Competition

Pickleball group builds friendships on and off the court

As it nears 11 a.m. on a sunny Thursday, more than two dozen cars begin to pull into Metzger Park, right by its six pickleball courts, still bustling with players from the morning’s competitive intermediate session.

While the intermediate players finish up their final matches, the newcomers set their lawn chairs, duffel bags and water bottles just outside the black wire fence surrounding the courts as they prepare for two hours of friendly sport.

For these players, many of whom are retired, the Westerville Community Center’s non-competitive pickleball open play, which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., offers more than just recreation – it provides an opportunity to engage with a community of like-minded individuals.

Though many of the players have been on the court together for years, the group began a new tradition of going out for monthly lunches in December 2025, providing the players with even more opportunities for connection. For these players, pickleball may be the common thread, but it’s the friendships and personal journeys behind the game that keep them coming back each week.

Fitness, friendship and fun

One of the many pickleball enthusiasts at the Community Center includes Ty Gantzer, who’s been playing for a couple of years following retirement in 2023 and helped organize the group’s first lunch.

For Gantzer, he says the group has been a good way to meet people in a healthy environment.

“I would recommend (the group) to anybody that’s interested in learning the sport because they’re very forgiving as well. They don’t take it so seriously that they can’t have fun,” he says.

Up until his retirement, Gantzer worked in maintenance for National Church Residences in Hilliard for several years. He still stays connected with the staff and residents through a Monday night Bible study.

He says he likes to focus on activities where he’s engaged with people and advises newly-retired individuals to try new, healthy hobbies.

“I never played pickleball up until just a couple years ago. I tried something new, and I fell in love with it,” Gantzer says.

He says he’s had people tell him he should move up to a higher level because of his skill level, but he says he’s satisfied where he’s at.

“To be honest, I just like the people that I’m playing with and I’m having so much fun playing with them,” he says.

Connecting beyond the court

Seeking to extend the group’s camaraderie, Gantzer and several other players helped coordinate the group’s first lunch on Dec. 18, 2025, with 22 of the players going to Bru Burger Bar on Cleveland Avenue.

“We were like, ‘This is such a fun group. Why don’t we get people together afterwards in different venues?’” Gantzer says.

Using an app called TeamReach, the players stay in touch via text messages and have since had a few more postpickleball lunches.

Gantzer shares that they try to choose local restaurants. For instance, they went to Las Margaritas in the Market District for Cinco de Mayo and had 29 people in attendance.

“We had three or four tables at that time and had a big turnout. It was a lot of fun,” Gantzer says.

Gantzer says the group is just getting started but is looking forward to future outings and continuing to welcome new members.

“It was just my desire to build a community through this group of individuals coming together to enjoy a sport. And I found out that I’ve made quite a few friends through this sport,” he says.

Meaningful matches

Two other familiar faces on the court include longtime Westerville residents Ruth “Ruthie” and Glen Kubinski, who’ve been married for 30 years and started playing pickleball as a way to stay active following retirement.

Glen, who retired 12 years ago, was the owner of Energy Tech Insulation, Inc. for more than 30 years. He says he had friends suggest pickleball and started playing while Ruthie was still working as an office assistant for the City of Columbus at Public Utilities.

Since her retirement two years ago, the Kubinskis have been playing in the non-competitive open play, enjoying the cardio the sport offers and building rapport with group members, thanks to frequent court rotations giving players a chance to connect.

“We have a really good group of people... We fit really well together. If somebody falls down, we’re all running over there to make sure that individual’s okay, and we’ve just got really good camaraderie,” Ruthie says.

She also notes that there are even a handful of players who come from other communities to play because they enjoy the Community Center. She and Glen say the Center is fantastic for retired individuals and younger individuals too, noting that their grandsons play basketball during open gym sessions.

While the Kubinskis enjoy staying active in many ways, including working out at the Community Center, bowling, boating at Alum Creek and even snow skiing, they say the pickleball group has a special bond.

“A lot of times, say you go to work out, you might say, ‘Hey, how you doing?’ But you’re not making actual good friends,” Glen says.

A court of companionship

The Kubinskis say they’ve seen players stay with the beginner group simply for the connection.

“A lot of these people stay non-competitive just for the camaraderie and the people, which is nice. They go up to the intermediate and then, next thing, they come back down because they like the people,” Glen says.

He says he enjoys being able to smile across the court at his fellow players.

“We’re not there to be crushed or to be beaten. We’re there to have fun, play as well as we can. Win or lose, we’re laughing and smiling and having a good time,” he says.

Meanwhile, Ruthie describes the group as jovial.

“If you hit the ball wrong or if you miss it, we laugh and we make jokes about it,” she says.

Despite the Kubinskis recently being sidelined due to injuries, she says the group still tries to include everyone.

“They were real big about even inviting the injured people to the lunches,” Ruthie says. “They made sure we knew where they were going and when.”

While she and Glen miss the other players, she says they are looking forward to returning to the court and continuing to grow their friendships.

Amanda Stevens is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at astevens@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Pressure-Free Play

For the pickleball group’s many players, the sessions offer sport without stress.

“This group is a non-competitive group, so it’s just so much fun,” says Judy Sharpe-Kosmatka, who’s been playing for a few years.

Likewise, Carol Miller, a seasoned player with six years of experience, loves the group for many reasons, particularly for its humor and kindness.

While she acknowledges the sport isn’t for everyone, she recommends that individuals looking to be more active try different activities with friends.

“You’ve got to try things and see what you love because if you can find something you love, then it’s not exercise. It’s just going out and having fun,” Miller says.

SHUTTER BUGS Westerville

9 Harmonee Schmitt 0 Lynn Petro Heppner a Kelly Walk b Joe Paglione 9 0 a

c Eric Bush

d Teresa Bohrer

e Lia T.

f Linda Laine

Art, Music and a Nod to History

Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival returns with familiar favorites and new experiences

By Ella Jay

Westerville’s favorite summer tradition, the Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival, returns to Heritage Park this year, July 11-12.

The two-day festival features more than 125 fine arts and craft exhibitors showcasing multiple mediums; 18-plus food trucks with options ranging from Schmidt’s Sausage Truck to Whit’s on Wheels; 30 live musical performances throughout the weekend; and, this year, several special nods to the nation’s 250th birthday.

A vibrant celebration of art, music and creativity, attendees can enjoy exploring artist booths, interactive art demonstrations and a variety of family-friendly fun. Children will appreciate face painting, an obstacle course, arts activities with the

Arts Council of Westerville, an instrument petting zoo with Musicologie and an expanded KidsZone with yard games such as Big Jenga, Connect 4 and more. Adults can enjoy beverages from Rhinegeist and High Bank Distillery, now available both Saturday and Sunday.

Alongside an expanded KidsZone and extended alcohol sales, the Chamber is excited to provide free t-shirts to every volunteer for the first time this year, thanks to Roush Honda.

“We couldn’t do the festival without our volunteers, from our volunteer committee to our community partners, to all the people who help us the weekend of. We’re very appreciative of them,” says Westerville Area Chamber Communications & Community Outreach Manager Stacey Rusterholz. “I

think that’s what’s so special about the festival, it takes a lot of different people coming together, so it’s truly a community event.”

Another notable change to this year’s festival is the temporary omission of the youth art exhibit and silent auction. Due to much-needed structural renovations at Everal Barn, both features will remain on pause until 2027.

“We’re disappointed to not be able to host the youth art exhibit and silent auction, but we’re looking forward to having a wonderful new space that can highlight everyone’s art,” says Rusterholz.

In the meantime, the Chamber encourages those interested to save and submit their artwork next year.

Honoring local history

Beyond the festival grounds, this year’s America 250 elements tie into a larger community effort taking place across Westerville, with a variety of programs and events planned by the City that began back in May, highlighting local stories and history.

One of the City’s signature projects is a series of 12 murals showcasing Westerville’s untold stories – spotlighting its lesser-known but significant legacies. Created by multiple artists and installed in diverse locations, the murals will remain displayed for three to five years.

Festival attendees will get the chance to learn more about the mural initiative throughout the weekend, alongside other America 250-inspired touches, including themed arts and crafts for kids, patriotic

Sounds of the Festival

From blues and jazz to brass bands and rock, this year’s festival lineup offers a little something for every music lover. More than 30 performances will take place across three stage areas throughout the weekend, showcasing a mix of returning central Ohio favorites, emerging artists and community performers.

Saturday evening will feature the Shaun Booker Band as the opening act before headliner LDNL takes the Main Stage, bringing high-energy rock and dance hits to Heritage Park. Throughout the festival, attendees can also expect performances from regional acts such as John Henry and the Rainmakers, Lil Red & The Rooster, Largemouth Brass Band, the Westerville Jazz Orchestra and more.

music in between live performances and a production by the Curtain Players – The Day We Began – revolving around historical Westerville figures.

“As part of the Westerville America 250 Committee, we wanted to make sure there was a presence at as many events as possible to make a nod to the anniversary of our country but also share more about Westerville’s history,” says Rusterholz. “We want our community to remember that connection while also seeing it in a Westerville-specific way.”

Passing the mic

The Battle of the Bands, introduced to the festival in 2023, is one feature that continues to grow in popularity each year.

Held prior to the festival in May at the Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, the competition invites all genres of young musicians ages 11-18 – including bands, ensembles and solo acts – to show off their talent and vie for an opportunity to play at the fest.

For years, the festival has supported central Ohio artists and musicians, bringing back favorites while introducing audiences to new performers. Now, the Battle of the Bands acts as an extension of that mission, says Rusterholz – giving first-time performers a chance to connect with the community and reach a larger audience.

“It started as a way to engage the younger generation. We really wanted to find an intentional way to include younger folks and provide an experience for everybody at the festival to showcase their talent and share their gifts with others,” says Ruster-

holz. “I think any opportunity you can give kids to share their passion with the community is really important.”

An exciting change this year, multiple winners will get to perform at the festival, including on the Main Stage rather than the Community Stage. While official winner One Number Off won’t be able to attend due to a scheduling conflict, runner-up Short Fuse will play in their place Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Participants Sienna Collins and Gabriel Michael will also perform Sunday at the Songwriter Tent.

For more information about the festival’s featured artists, performers, food vendors and more, visit www.westervillechamber. com/music-arts-festival.

Ella Jay is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Bring Your Furry Friend

Did you know the Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival is pet-friendly? With a dedicated pet station featuring water bowls, treats, kiddie pools for cooling off and more, your pet can beat the heat and enjoy the fest with you all weekend long.

By Lucy Lawler

Prelude to Greatness

Middle school musician fine tunes bright future

Though Hudson Seerden is only 12 years old, his dedication to the performing arts is far from child’s play.

Seerden began studying piano at age 7 and has since expanded his skillset to encompass violin, singing and acting. Through passion and diligence, he has won numerous accolades both locally and globally, including a gold medal at the 2025 Piano Star International Competition.

Before tasting gold, however, Seerden worked hard alongside his longtime piano instructor, Kathleen Stephenson Sadoff. With her guidance, he reached the Piano Star Grand Finals three times in a row, earning multiple performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City.

Notably, Seerden says his father first taught him the basics of piano. But as his ambition to be the best grew, he started training under Stephenson Sadoff to strengthen his fundamentals and consistently advance.

“We got a real teacher,” Seerden says. “And that’s when I really started to rocket boost inside of my studies, and that’s how I got to where I am now.”

When he’s not completing coursework for online charter school Ohio Virtual Academy, Seerden practices piano anywhere from 28 to 30 hours per week. In addition, he takes violin lessons with Columbus Symphony Orchestra Violinist Tatiana Hanna, participates in the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra and lends his voice to the Columbus International Children’s Choir.

These commitments might seem daunting, especially for someone so young, but for Seerden, being surrounded by so many mentors and peers allows him to feel like a vital thread in the city’s vibrant arts scene.

“The singing teacher knows the choir teacher, the choir teacher knows the theory teacher, the theory teacher knows the piano teacher, (and) the piano teacher knows the violin teacher,” Seerden says. “They talk to each other all the time, and it’s really an amazing opportunity to be part of that tight-knit community that’s inside of Columbus.”

Seerden says that sense of support empowers him to keep pushing forward, especially as he explores more singing and acting opportunities. In mid-May, he embarked on another New York adventure, this time to spend some time with his acting coach, actor and playwright Allen Fawcett.

On that same trip, Seerden got to see celebrated actor Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter, Swiss Army Man) in his one-man play

Every Brilliant Thing . This came after Radcliffe, who previously collaborated with Fawcett on a TV project, sent Seerden a video message encouraging him in his music studies.

“Daniel Radcliffe knows me; I mean, I know it’s insane,” Seerden says. “I can’t even believe these words are coming out of my mouth.”

Going forward, Seerden says he hopes to continue making music, a goal that extends to writing his own compositions with help from music theory tutor David Nelson Tomasacci. Currently, he has two arrangements under his belt, titled Variations on a Theme of Hudson and La Fleur

“It’s fun to be able to look at something that you’ve created, and then be able to play that composition yourself,” Seerden says. “Knowing, ‘I created this.’ Like, I’m not finding the works of some dead person and then playing it. I created this, and now I’m playing it, which is just super, super amazing.”

Of course, amid a flurry of blue ribbons and gold trophies, Seerden is still a young student who plays outside, reads books, begs his mom for a pet dog and eats sweets.

“I just like to eat,” Seerden says. “I love trying out new food places. I love going to five-star restaurants. I love going to threestar restaurants, seeing if they have good food. I love going to pastry places, eating apple pie. My dad’s apple pie is the bomb.”

“ ”

It’s fun to be able to look at something that you’ve created, and then be able to play that composition yourself. — Hudson Seerden

Still, Seerden’s musical goals are never truly out of sight. Every time he watches his idols on YouTube or catches live performances in Columbus, he dreams of what his future might look like: winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, performing on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall and always proving himself alongside the best of the best.

“That inspires me to excel inside of my piano studies and get better, because it inspires me to be as good as them,” Seerden says. “I feel like it would be really fun and cool to be able to play the piano on these big stages.”

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

By Rose Whaley

Where Community Grows

WesterFlora garden tour has blossomed into a citywide celebration

For more than three decades, the WesterFlora garden tour has invited residents to step inside some of Westerville’s most stunning gardens, celebrating the beauty of community-grown creativity. Beginning as a small event, the tour has since blossomed into a beloved city tradition, shaped by dedicated volunteers, passionate gardeners and years of memorable moments. As this year’s tour returns July 19 with a new theme and fresh inspiration, organizers reflect on its history while continuing to cultivate a unique experience that’s equal parts garden showcase, neighborhood gathering and summertime ritual.

Planting the seed

WesterFlora took root back in 1992, the same year Columbus hosted AmeriFlora, an international flower show that briefly transformed central Ohio into a hub of horticultural pride.

Neighborhoods across the region, including Westerville, spruced up their gardens, organized tours and launched friendly competitions in celebration of the moment. Most of those efforts faded after a few seasons, but one tradition endured.

Today, WesterFlora stands as the only garden tour from that AmeriFlora era still flourishing each summer.

Its longevity owes much to Dr. Ronald Clowson, the father of WesterFlora and a longtime member of the Westerville Garden Club, who became captivated by the idea of a community garden showcase.

Inspired by the excitement surrounding AmeriFlora, he helped establish WesterFlora and remained one of its most dedicated champions before his passing in 2023.

Save the Date

WesterFlora 2026: All American Gardens

July 19, noon-6 p.m.

In its earliest years, WesterFlora began as a judged contest – initiated by current Chairwoman of WesterFlora Susan Haas –complete with prizes for the most beautiful gardens. But organizers soon realized the competition was discouraging residents who felt their yards weren’t worthy of entering.

“That’s not what WesterFlora is about. We want to showcase all kinds of neighborhood gardens,” Haas says.

From shade gardens and vegetable plots to tiny front yards – the tour celebrates them all.

Shear spectacles

WesterFlora has never been just a garden tour – it’s a stage for stories, tributes and the occasional surprise. Over the years, several moments have stood out as defining chapters in the event’s history.

In 2018, the tour turned blue in honor of two Westerville police officers, Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering, killed in the line of duty. Residents planted blue blooms across their gardens and the event highlighted the First Responders Park, where police representatives spoke with visitors about their work.

That same year brought WesterFlora’s first “Legacy Garden.” An elderly couple signed up at the last minute, hoping to show their garden one final time before moving. Organizers soon learned they had participated for 20 years, from the very first tour, and honored them as the final destination on the tour and with a written tribute.

In 2025, the spotlight shifted to the LeVeque Mansion on Africa Road. A young couple had renovated the historic home with a contemporary addition, drawing visitors eager to see the transformation.

This year’s theme – All American Gardens – celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday with a red, white and blue grand spectacle. Organizers plan to feature Westerville’s Veterans Memorial and honor the community’s Revolutionary War history.

As every year prior, WesterFlora will also roll out a patriotic float in the Fourth of July parade, with plants supplied by Hoover Gardens.

Perennial preparation

For WesterFlora’s 10-member committee, preparations begin in early April.

Working with Hoover Gardens and Westerville Parks and Recreation, the team orders the signature yard signs and secures the gift cards Hoover donates each year.

Planning starts April 30 and by May 1, applications are available at the Community Center, Hoover Garden Center, the Westerville Public Library and online.

Haas has also built a roster of artists and musicians from across Ohio who paint or perform among the gardens, a feature that keeps visitors returning.

Applications typically close June 13, with accepted gardeners notified by June 19.

By then, committee members have already driven past each home to get a sense of how each garden might fit into the tour.

Recruiting participants remains a challenge – many residents doubt their gardens are ready – but Haas encourages them, reminding neighbors that WesterFlora welcomes all styles and skill levels.

Weather adds its own unpredictability.

“It always rains on WesterFlora, even if it’s just a drizzle,” Haas says.

But visitors rarely mind – it’s an opportunity to pull out rain boots, coats and umbrellas, and enjoy the tour in its natural glory.

All the buzz

WesterFlora’s impact reaches far beyond the gardens themselves – it involves entire neighborhoods.

“It gets the neighborhood buzzing,” Haas says.

As soon as the tour approaches, residents start sprucing up their yards and sharing maintenance and presentation tips.

Haas experienced that spirit firsthand last year when neighbors pitched in to help tidy her garden, even picking up stray leaves for show day.

WesterFlora is sustained by a network of donors – Hoover Garden, Westerville Parks and Recreation and Uptown Heritage – that believe in its community value. Together, their support and dedication keep the event free, accessible and deeply rooted in Westerville’s Tree City identity.

The tour naturally pulls people together. At times, next-door neighbors also team up and apply as a pair, a collaboration the Westerville Garden Club actively encourages.

The goal isn’t perfection – it’s participation. Organizers want more people to discover the joy of gardening, no matter the size of their space.

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

Top Homes Sold in Westerville

Westerville home prices increased by 6.07 percent in April 2026 compared to the previous year. In April, homes sold for a median price of $479,900. On average, homes sold after 22 days on the market compared to 24 days the previous year. There were 125 homes sold in April 2026, up from 112 the previous year.

814 Memories Ln.

4 beds, 3.5 baths

$859,000

Sold 5/22/26

7488 Lee Rd. 5 beds, 3.5 baths

$713,000

Sold 4/22/26

1050 S. Sunbury Rd. 4 beds, 3 baths

$678,000

Sold 5/14/26

1364 Leesland Dr. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$650,000

Sold 5/11/26

964 Woodsedge Ln. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$625,000

Sold 5/13/26

6511 Cold Mountain Dr. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$620,000

Sold 5/12/26

5816 Pinesdale Pl. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$610,000

Sold 5/1/26

6553 Bowery Peak Ln. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$600,000

Sold 5/12/26

1178 Springtree Ln. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$597,000

Sold 5/19/26

692 Harwick St. 4 beds, 2.5 baths

$590,000

Sold 5/26/26

479 Deer Run Ct. 3 beds, 2.5 baths

$589,000

Sold 4/23/26

5011 Smothers Rd. 3 beds, 2 baths

$585,375

Sold 5/15/26

(Data from Franklin County Auditor, Redfin and Realtor.com)

By Rose Whaley

Photos courtesy of Can’t Believe It’s Vegan, Everbowl, Herbs & Flour, Magnific/Valeria_aksakova, and The Two-One

Savoring Superfoods

Local kitchens preparing hearty and healthy meals for older adults

Superfoods are nutrient-dense whole foods packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that support healthy aging – from heart health and mobility to memory and immune strength.

When you want something nourishing without the prep, Westerville has plenty of spots offering meals built around beneficial superfoods.

Parks and Recreation

Meal Gatherings

Westerville Parks and Recreation’s Older Adults/55+ programs offer a welcoming place for seniors to stay active, social and engaged. Along with fitness classes, creative workshops and special-interest groups, the Senior Center hosts twice-weekly meal gatherings prepared by an in-house chef, giving older adults a chance to enjoy nutritious food while connecting with friends.

The super bowl

Avocado, acai, berries and chia seeds all earn their place in the super bowl lineup, delivering anti - inflammatory fats, antioxidants, fibers and steady-energy carbohydrates in one easy-to-eat meal. Avocado brings monounsaturated fats, potassium and soluble fiber that support digestion and blood pressure, especially when paired with whole grains and veggies as in the classic Buddha Bowl served at Can’t Believe It’s Vegan, the only fully-vegan restaurant in Westerville. Acai, mixed berries and chia seeds add brain-supporting anthocyanins, plant-based omega-3s and additional fiber to any bowl – a combination showcased in Everbowl’s Berry Boost Bowl, where acai, chia pudding and fresh berries are layered to create a soft-textured, nutrient-dense option ideal for any meal or dessert.

Toss it

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale and mixed lettuces offer a dense supply of vitamins A, C and K, along with folate, calcium and fiber – nutrients that support bone strength, immune function and healthy blood clotting.

When tossed with berries and seeds, greens become even more powerful, combining antioxidants, healthy fats and gentle fiber in a format that’s easy to chew and digest.

The Spring Berry Salad at the Asterisk Supper Club brings these elements together with mixed greens, fresh berries, sunflower seeds and a light poppyseed dressing for a mineral-rich, antioxidant-forward toss-up.

Heart smart catch

Fatty fish such as salmon provide DHA and EPA, which are long-chain omega - 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and fish oil. These nutrients are essential for heart health, reducing inflammation, supporting brain function and protecting eye health.

Fish also delivers high-quality protein plus vitamin D, B12, selenium, iodine and potassium – all of which strengthen bones, support nerve and thyroid health, and help maintain healthy blood pressure.

According to a Harvard analysis, adults who eat about 8 ounces of seafood each week reduce their risk of dying from heart disease by 36 percent.

The American Heart Association encourages adults to eat up to 12 ounces a week from a variety of fatty fish. Whether fresh, frozen, farm-raised or canned, seafood fits any budget and is best enjoyed baked, grilled, steamed, air-fried or pan-seared.

One local example is seared salmon with vegetables – a catch offered at Westerville’s The Two-One Restaurant, Bar & Patio.

Soup-er nourishing

Italian wedding soup, also known as “minestra maritata” or “married soup,” began as a humble Neapolitan peasant dish that originally contained no meatballs at all – instead marrying greens and whatever scraps of meat were available.

Today, this once-simple dish has come a long way, creating an option that’s gentle on digestion as well as rich in essential nutrients.

With kale or spinach for bone and immune support paired with protein-rich meatballs to help maintain muscle mass, the benefits are all simmered in a warm, hydrating broth that provides electrolytes and makes the dish easy to chew and digest.

A classic appetizer or full-course staple on many menus, this dish can be found at restaurants such as Uptown Deli & Brew featuring kale, meatballs and acini de pepe.

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

Meal Prep Services

Caregivers are another resource to help older adults maintain balanced, nutrient-dense diets, focusing on fresh ingredients and meals tailored to health needs. Customized plates at home can combine lean proteins, steam vegetables and whole grains for healthy meals. Some local meal prep services include:

• LifeCare Alliance Meals-on-Wheels

• Visiting Angels of Westerville

• Home Helpers Home Care of Columbus

• A Place at Home

• Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)

• bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Recommended

Youth Reads from Katie Ross, Youth Services Librarian

Two Artists, Grandad and Me by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow recalls the moments she spent with her grandfather, the Caldecott-winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney, working side-by-side as artists in his studio. The special bond they had, and the impression he made on her work, is beautifully told and illustrated in this book.

So-Hee and Lowy by Anna Kang

So-Hee longs for a pet of her own, but she has many allergies. But one day, she sees a sign, “Non-Furry Animal Pet Sale,” at the pet store. Follow the hilarious antics of So-Hee and her pet python Lowy in this book for kids who long for a pet of their own.

The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane by Erin Stewart

After an embarrassing episode in school where Lucy could not control her feelings, Lucy is looking forward to spending the summer with her grandfather on Prince Edward Island. What awaits Lucy is the grandfather she hardly knows, a magical camera and new friends who help her discover who she is.

Recommended Adult Reads from Mindy Bilyeu, Adult Services Librarian

How

to Age Disgracefully by Clare

Pooley

When Lydia takes a job running the Senior Citizens’ Social Club, she quickly realizes its eccentric members are deceptively benign – from a failed actorturned-kleptomaniac to a rebellious yarn artist, they’re anything but ordinary. When City Council threatens to sell the doomed community center, the members of the Social Club join forces with their tiny friends in the daycare next door to save the building.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

Colette Marceau spent her life stealing jewels according to her family’s code of honor – take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need –until one night, during WWII, it all went wrong. Decades after her mother was arrested and her sister disappeared with an exquisite diamond bracelet hidden in the hem of her nightgown, Colette is pulled back into her past when the bracelet suddenly resurfaces in a Boston museum exhibit.

Good

Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki

Brammer

For more than 80 years, Joy Bridport has played by the rules, but her quiet existence is jolted when she learns that her best friend, Hazel, only has months left to live. Determined to live boldly and make the most of the time that she and Hazel have left together, Joy steps outside of her comfort zone –and into a bit of trouble.

The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love by

Alice Hoffman

Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. In this charming collection of essays, 14 celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left pawprints on their hearts – capturing the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend.