pickerington magazine april/may 2015

ALSO INSIDE

Creative Comics

Tasty Treats

A Superstar Student

Hometown Hero

L I V E W O R K P L A Y

Pickerington Police Officer and DARE coordinator retires after more than 25 years of service

The Official Magazine of the City of Pickerington and Violet Township

APRIL/MAY 2015

2 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Expert physicians, 24/7 emergency care and outpatient healthcare services

To learn more about physicians and services, visit OhioHealth.com/Pickerington

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28,000 PHYSICIANS, ASSOCIATES & VOLUNTEERS

3www.pickeringtonmagazine.com


The Publisher welcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings, photographs or story ideas to consider for possible publication. Enclose a SASE with each submission or email [email protected]. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage.

The appearance of advertising in Pickerington Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Pickerington.

Pickerington Magazine is published in June, August, October, December, February and April. Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Pickerington, Ohio. For advertising information or bulk purchases, email Pam Henricks-Claxton at [email protected].

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Pickerington Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A.

CityScene Media Group also publishes:

CityScene Magazinewww.CitySceneColumbus.com

Dublin Life Magazinewww.DublinLifeMagazine.com

Westerville Magazinewww.WestervilleMagazine.com

Tri-Village Magazinewww.TriVillageMagazine.com

Healthy New Albany Magazinewww.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com

pickeringtonMagazine

781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202Columbus, Ohio 43212

614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241www.cityscenecolumbus.com

President/CEO

Vice President, Sales

Chief Creative Officer

Creative Director

Managing Editor

Assistant Editors

Contributing Writers

Advertising Director

Advertising Sales

Accounting Manager

614-572-1240

Kathleen K. Gill

Gianna Barrett

Dave Prosser

Gary Hoffman

Garth Bishop

Hannah BealerSarah Sole

Brenda LaymanZach Maiorana

Elizabeth TzagournisTaylor Weis

Pam Henricks-Claxton

Julie CampRobin Weitzel

Jamie Armistead

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TM

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6 Calendar

9 News and Information from the City of Pickerington

11 News and Information from Violet Township

14 facesEnd of an EraCommunity crusader hangs up his cape

18 in focus Easy as 1, 2, 3Pickerington Center offers accessible, af-fordable education for a variety of students

20 Different Strokes Local comic book artists come together to share their craft

22 student spotlightBoundless PotentialCentral senior is motivated by faith

24 A Strong SpiritATHENA Awards celebrate women who lead

26 on the table Decadent Delights

Businesses in Olde Pickerington Village offer tasty treats during annual Chocolate Hop

30 bookmarks

inside April/May 2015

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www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

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community calendar Mark your calendar for these community events

April 2015April 1Spring Break Activity Day10 a.m.-noon, Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.orgBring your child to the library to spend spring break with Little Critter from the well-known books by Mercer Mayer.

April 4Museum Opening10 a.m.-3 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.comNew exhibits and demonstrations will be featured at the museum.

April 9Brown Bag Book Club1-2 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.orgJoin the book club as it discusses The Circle by Dave Eggers.

April 11“Eggs”traordinary Fun2-3 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.orgBring your kids to the library for an hour of bouncing eggs, balancing eggs and making an original egg craft.

April 12-18Don’t Just Book It, Book Drive It for Nationwide Children’s HospitalPickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.orgDonate new and gently used books to the patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital through the library’s annual book drive. Donations may be dropped off at Pickerington Public Library.

April 16Pickerington Central High School presents AidaPickerington Central High School, 300 Opportunity Way, www.pickerington.k12.oh.usCentral presents the musical adapted from the opera of the same name by Giuseppe Verdi.

April 18Arbor Day Celebration & Bicentennial Time Capsule Opening10 a.m., Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd., www.pickerington.netJoin the city of Pickerington in planting a tree in honor of Arbor Day. The city will also open its time capsule in front of City Hall and bury a new one.

April 18Violet Township Women’s League Style Show11 a.m.-3 p.m., Creekside Confer-ence & Event Center, 101 Mill St., Gahanna, www.vtwl.orgThe 16th annual style show features a meal, raffle and the gift of a plant, with

proceeds benefiting scholarships for high school seniors entering college who reside in Violet Township or the Pickerington Local School District.

April 21Pickerington Public Library Book Club7-9 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.orgThis month the book club dis-cusses The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.

April 23-26Pickerington High School North presents The Wedding SingerPickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12.oh.usNorth presents the stage version of the 1998 Adam Sandler film as its spring musical.

http://www.pickeringtonlibrary.org


http://www.pickerington.net

http://www.vtwl.org


May 2015

May 1Olde Pickerington Village Chocolate Hop6-8 p.m., Olde Pickerington Village, www.pickeringtonvillage.comExplore the businesses of Olde Village for special chocolate treats to benefit the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Museum and Olde Pickerington Village Business Association events.

May 1-10Pickerington Community Theatre presents Oliver!Pickerington Christian Church, 575 Diley Rd., www.pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.orgEnjoy the musical based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel Oliver Twist.

May 34th Annual Tyler’s Light 5K Run/Walk2 p.m., Victory Park, 100 Lockville Rd., www.tylerslight.comThis 5K walk/run promotes commu-nity involvement and raises funds to provide the city of Pickerington and surrounding areas with the resources to help people choose drug-free lives.

May 7Old Time Medical Remedies7:30 p.m., Pickerington-Violet Town-ship Historical Museum, 15 E. Columbus St., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.comJack Whitaker presents a program on swamp root, strychnine phosphate tonic and other medicines used before the passage of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act in 1938.

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Calendar continues on next page

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May 9 Big Comic Show 201511 a.m.-5 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.orgSpend a day learning from the artists, illustrators and graphic novelists who produce comics in and around Columbus.

May 9Bicentennial Tea2-3 p.m., Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr., www.pickeringtonhistoricalsociety.com

In honor of Pickerington’s bicenten-nial, the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society will host a tea party.

May 152015 “A Day of ATHENA” Workshop & Awards Celebration8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ohio University Pickerington Center, 12933 Stonecreek Dr., www.business.pickeringtonchamber.comThis event will feature speakers, awards and a workshop titled “Inspiring YOU to Make a Difference.”

May 21Discover the Dream6 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquar-ium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, www.stjude.orgSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospi-tal’s 10th annual gala includes cock-tails, a raffle, silent and live auctions, dinner and entertainment.

May 22Last Day of SchoolPickerington Local Schools, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us

May 23Pickerington High School Graduation9-10 a.m., Central; 1-2 p.m., North; World Harvest Church, 4595 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester, www.pickerington.k12.oh.usJoin the Pickerington High School Central and North classes of 2015 in celebration of this exciting achievement.

May 23Pool OpeningNoon-8 p.m., Pickerington Commu-nity Pool, 11330 Stonecreek Dr. S., www.ci.pickerington.oh.usPickerington’s community pool is back in business for the summer.

May 2015 continued

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PICKERINGTON NEWS & INFORMAT ION FROM THE C ITY OF P ICKER INGTON

I N S I D E


The Pickerington community can plunge into summer when the Picker-ington Community Pool officially opens May 23.

Once school is out for summer, the pool will open at noon each day and close at 8 p.m.

Pool passes cost $175 for Pick-erington residents and $225 for non-residents. For a family of two, a season pass is $225 for residents and $275 for non-residents. Each additional family member pass costs $20. Pool enthusi-asts who buy their season passes before April 30 will earn a $15 discount. Day passes are $8.

This year the pool is hosting several special events.

On June 19 from 6-9 p.m, the pool will hold its Family Fun Night. Regular admission passes or fees apply.

For those children who want to try a triathlon, the Pickerington Community Pool is sponsoring its TRY-athlon at 9 a.m., July 11. The cost of the event is $5 per child, and pre-registration is required.

To celebrate Pickerington’s 200th birthday, the pool will sponsor a Bicen-

tennial Pool Day on July 19 for only $2 per person.

Pickerington’s Community Pool will host the grand opening of its new Chil-dren’s Splash Pad on Aug.1.

On Aug. 7, the pool will be a tropical paradise for Family Luau Night

from 6-9 p.m. Regular admission passes or fees apply.

Closing out the season is the annual Dog Splash on Monday, Sept. 7. The fee is $5 per dog. Dogs must have proof of vaccinations at entry and can-not be in heat.

Making WavesCommunity pool events make a splash for summer

The Pickerington Police Department warns residents to protect their personal information after learning of reports that scam artists have conned at least one elderly man out of $7,000.

Pickerington Police Chief Mike Taylor said his office was recently contacted by a local grocery store because a clerk was concerned for an elderly customer who came in on two sepa-

rate days to purchase several hundred dollars in gift cards.

The customer reportedly told the clerk that the gift cards were to pay for an attorney for his granddaughter, who was involved in an accident in another state. The cards were also to be used to help compensate the victims of the vehicle she hit.

Out of concern for the customer, the store clerk contacted the Pickerington Police Department.

“We made contact with the subject and tried to explain to him that this is a scam, but at the time he was insistent that it was his granddaughter because they even put her on the phone to talk to him. The victim said that she was

Staying SafeCaution is integral to avoiding scammers

Continues next page

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The community is invited to celebrate the heritage and his-tory of Pickerington with two very special events that are a part of the City’s yearlong Bicentennial Birthday party.

On April 18, Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray and past mayors will open the City’s time capsule in front of City Hall and participate in the annual Arbor Day festivities that include honoring Pickerington with the distinction of “Tree City USA.”

“For more than 20 years, the City of Pickerington has en-joyed its well-earned National Arbor Day Foundation recogni-tion as a Tree City USA, which publicly communicates this City’s dedication to quality of life enhancing tree planting, protection and maintenance activities,” said City Manager Bill Vance. “These ac-tivities complement our City’s other active and very visible beautification efforts.”

Festivities will include a flag pre-sentation by a local Cub Scout group, music from the Pickerington Community Chorus, the announcement of the win-ners of the third grade writing contest, the planting of a red maple tree in the grassy area on the north end of City Hall and the opening of the time capsule.

“We want the community to get involved in adding contents to the next

time capsule, so attending this event will provide them that opportunity. It’s our mark for future generations,” said Tammy Sawyer, executive assistant to the mayor.

Pickerington residents will also be able to step back in time and enjoy an old-fashioned tea party from 2-3:30 p.m. on May 9 at the Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr. The Bicentennial Tea is hosted by the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society. Tea time will also feature live music, free commemorative photos, a gift basket raffle and an opportunity to meet the Bicentennial Queen and her princesses.

News and information from the City of Pickerington

citydirectoryPickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)

Building Services ....................833-2221

City Clerk/Council ....................837-3974

City Manager ..........................837-3974

Development Services .............833-2204

Engineering Services ..............833-2221

Finance Services .....................837-3974

Human Resources ...................837-3974

Income Tax Division .................837-4116

Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray) ...........................837-3974

Mayor’s Court .........................837-3974

Parks and Recreation ..............833-2211

Police Services ........................575-6911

Service Department

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Utility Billing ............................833-2289

Utility Maintenance ..................833-2292

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Waste Water Plant ...................837-6490

Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470

crying, so it was hard to understand her,” Taylor said.

Since the victim was not a Pickering-ton resident, the City Police Department urged the victim to file an incident report with the Fairfield County Sheriff. The vic-tim provided the caller with the gift card numbers totaling $7,000.

“The reason for using the gift cards is they are almost impossible to trace back because the caller will call back on a non-traceable phone, and the victim is required to read off the serial number on the back of the cards. Then, the caller uses the gift cards to make purchases,

and he or she maybe returns them to receive the cash back,” Taylor said.

In addition to requesting payments in gift cards, there are times con artists issue checks to their targets, but require the individuals to send them money back in the form of a money order. Later, the victims discover the checks they were issued were bad checks.

A new popular scam involves a con artist claiming that he or she works for the IRS and that money needs to be sent to the IRS immediately, Taylor said.

The Police Department also recom-mends that residents watch what they

post on Facebook. Scam specialists research victims as much as possible so that they sound believable when they call.

Scam victims should contact the Pickerington Police Department. Re-sources also exist within Fairfield Coun-ty. Fairfield County also has a dedicated person specializing in elderly abuse and exploitation who works through the prosecutor’s office. For more informa-tion on avoiding scammers, visit www.protectingtheelderly.com. Report scams at www.ftc.gov and www.ic3.gov.

Springing ForwardBicentennial celebrates city’s past, present and future

Participants in last year’s Arbor Day celebration in Pickerington help plant a tree.

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News and Information From

Violet Township

In the spirit of spring cleaning, the Drug Collection and Electronics Recy-cling Event will be held 9 a.m.-noon on April 25 at the Violet Township Service Center, 490 N. Center St.

Participants are asked to enter the event from the North Center Street entrance.

The Fairfield Soil and Water Conser-vation District – in cooperation with Vio-let Township; Fairfield County Sheriff’s office; Lancaster-Fairfield County Recy-cling & Litter Prevention; Family, Adult & Children First Council and Prevention Works for a Drug Free Fairfield County – will be participating in the event.

This event marks an ongoing effort to rid the Pickerington community’s medicine cabinets of potentially dan-gerous drugs, particularly controlled substances.

Until recently, unused drugs and expired medication were commonly discarded in the trash or flushed down the sink or toilet, leading to the poten-tial contamination of ground water and wastewater treatment plants and caus-ing harm to aquatic life and the human water supply.

Only prescription pills and capsules will be collected. No aerosols, inhalers,

liquids, creams, gels, ointments, pow-ders, patches, suppositories, syringes or IVs will be accepted. Please black out all personal information or remove labels before bringing containers to the disposal site.

Electronics disposal is also avail-able. The following electronic items may be dropped off at no cost: computers, laptops, printers, cables, mouses, key-boards, discs, electronic clocks, VHS and DVD players, radios and cell phones.

No items containing chlorofluorocar-bons (CFCs), commonly utilized as a refrigerant or as a propellant in aerosol cans, will be accepted. A certified facil-ity, such as the Lancaster Transfer Sta-tion on Ewing Street in Lancaster, must handle the disposal of this compound.

Computer monitors will be accepted at no additional cost if they are included as part of an entire computer system. However, there will be a $3 disposal fee for computer monitors delivered without

a processor or tower. Televisions will be accepted at the event at a cost of $1 per diagonal inch.

Call the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District office at 740-653-8154 or the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office at 740-652-7900 for more infor-mation about prescription drug disposal. Call Patty Bratton with Litter Prevention and Recycling at 740-681-4423 with any electronics questions. Only cash and checks will be accepted as pay-ment for disposal fees.

Throw-out BlowoutDrug collection and electronics recycling event helps community protect its environment

By Chad Lucht, CPESC, Senior Urban Specialist, Fairfield SWCD

For those unable to attend, Family, Adult & Children First Council, through Prevention Works for a Drug Free Fairfield County, has placed a drug drop-off box for prescription drugs at the Pickerington Police Department located at 1311 Refugee Rd. Needles and liquids are not permitted for disposal.

Getting SchooledEducation is integral to providing comprehensive fire and emergency services

From the Violet Township Fire Department

By Jim Paxton, Assistant Fire Chief Photos courtesy of the Violet Township Fire Department


As 2015 continues to gain momentum, I realize that I am on the verge of completing 28 years of service with the Violet Township Fire Department.

I graduated from Pick-erington High School in 1985. Back then, there was only one Pickerington High School. I knew in my heart that I wanted to be a career firefighter-paramedic, but my family was convinced that I should go to college.

In those dark and desolate pre-Internet days, I was un-aware of any institutions that offered a bachelor’s degree in fire science. So, like many uninformed and all-knowing 18 year olds, off to college I went, studying criminal jus-tice. I was fortunate enough to spend two education-filled years at Bowling Green State University. I learned a lot about people and life. I dis-covered my parents had been right about many things. I also realized I was not getting any closer to my dream of becoming a career firefighter-paramedic.

In the spring of 1987, convinced that I was sick of attending school, I ended my collegiate career at BGSU and be-came a volunteer member of the Violet Township Fire Department. Although many of the courses I took in college failed to fully capture my attention, my interests were fully activated during my initial fire and EMS studies. Since 1989, I have enjoyed the opportunity and privilege of becoming a career member of the VTFD. Each step, each promotion and each experience has been bol-stered by education.

Today, the Fire and EMS professions are demanding. Those seeking to be-come EMT-paramedics are required to complete approximately 70 credit hours of course work. Upon obtaining their certifications, the EMT-Ps must continu-ally acquire 86 continuing education hours over the course of a three-year recertification cycle. These hours are broken down to include specific training in pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiac emer-gencies and trauma.

To become a full-time professional firefighter in the state of Ohio, one must complete a Firefighter II (FF II) course of no less than 240 hours. Upon obtaining

their FF II certification, firefighters must complete 54 continuing education hours over the course of a three-year recertifi-cation cycle.

These certifications are entry points in the fire and EMS professions. Each organization or department has stan-dards, principles, protocols and compe-tencies that each member must master in an effort to retain proficiency. Many department members go on to obtain advanced or specialized training in areas such as rescue technician, HazMat, fire investigation, Fire/EMS instruction and fire/safety inspection.

Each new truck and every new piece of equipment requires updated

A VTFD firefighter uses the cutoff saw during Rescue Training.

Violet Township Administrative Offices

12970 Rustic Dr.Pickerington, OH 43147

614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us

Violet Township Fire StationsPhone 614-837-4123

Fire Chief: Michael Little#592: 8700 Refugee Rd.#591: 21 Lockville Rd.

#593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. (behind hhgregg)

Violet Township Service CenterPhone: 614-382-5979

490 Center St.Pickerington, OH 43147

How to Reach Us

and additional training for department members. Science, technology and advancements in tactics continually enhance how patient care and fire sup-pression is carried out.

Throughout the country, the fire and EMS professions are emphasiz-ing higher education. Many agencies require associate degrees in order to be eligible for promotional exams. Some larger entities require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for Battalion Chief and a master’s degree as a requirement to become Chief.

Ironically for me, from the time that I took my initial oath as a volunteer firefighter, I have never stopped going to school. Over the years, I have real-ized the importance of education and the part it has played in my career. The Fire and EMS service of today is much more than Johnny and Roy of Emer-gency fame. Education has become and will continue to be an integral aspect for all fire and EMS members.

The Violet Township Fire Department encourages members to attend confer-ences and seminars and attain college

degrees. Our goal is to provide the best service possible with the most educated individuals.

VTFD Firefighters train to extinguish car fires at the Ohio Fire Academy training facility.

Individuals participate in afternoon training in Ice/Cold Water Rescue.

From the Violet Township Fire Department


Firefighter/EMT-P Paul Meares works with the simulation mannequin as part of Airway Training during Paramedic Recertification Class.


Come fall, a local superhero will retire from fighting crime.

Pickerington Police Of-ficer Dan Simcox, known to many as Officer Batman, will

retire from the police force in October after more than 25 years of service. Like most superheroes, his legacy is marked by compassion, bravery and a bit of luck.

Simcox, 63, might be best known to Pickerington residents through his work in the city’s local D.A.R.E. program. He started participating in the program in 2000 and has graduated more than 20,000 fifth- and sixth-graders.

After Pickerington Local Schools’ re-placement levy failed in 2010, funding for D.A.R.E. evaporated.

“I didn’t want to let that go. I had too many kids involved,” Simcox says.

He began teaching the two-week programs at the schools before classes started. Even then, quite a few signed up. About 250 students attend each class. The T-shirts Simcox designed for the program feature a police officer holding hands with a family.

“I want them to understand that it’s not an ‘us and them’ thing with the po-lice,” he says.

One of Simcox’s favorite things about the D.A.R.E. program is his prac-tice of letting the kids ask anonymous questions as an ice breaker. He also en-joys the alcohol education portion of the class, in which kids wear special goggles

End of an EraCommunity crusader hangs up his cape

faces By Sarah Sole

Simcox’s desk is decorated with memorabilia from his D.A.R.E. classes.

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that simulate a .08 blood alcohol level. Simcox has the children weave through a line of cones.

“They love doing that part,” he says. This fall, the police chief’s son and

one of Simcox’s own grandchildren will get to meet Officer Batman.

Working with children is important to Simcox. In addition to his D.A.R.E. program, he has worked with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, showing them around the station or helping them earn merit badges. He also trains kids in bicycle safety and has participated in block watch and crime prevention programs.

In the early 2000s, fully embracing his superhero alter ego, Simcox began dress-ing up as Batman at community events. But every Christmas, Simcox sports the red suit and white beard of one Jolly Old Saint Nick.

“I’m all over the place as Santa, as a volunteer,” he says.

This past year, a record 327 children visited Simcox at the Pickerington Public Library for candy and a donated toy.

Simcox’s own childhood was marked by frequent relocations across the country. Part of a family that struggled financially, Simcox lived in 19 states plus Canada be-fore finally settling down in Ohio.

His mother could play any stringed instrument, Simcox says. When he was 6 years old, the family visited the Grand Ole Opry so that his mother could audition.

“She got halfway through this song that she wrote and stopped and looked out at everybody, dropped the guitar, and she was never the same again,” Simcox says.

Unable to recognize her family, Sim-cox’s mother was institutionalized and died at 40 years old.

“She never knew us again,” Simcox says. The eldest of two brothers and two

sisters, Simcox realized he and his sib-lings were in danger of being split up by the government. Soon, however, he came up with an idea. What if they were to try and sell the bread his father made from scratch? He and his brother started going

Simcox dresses up as Batman during the Tots Trick or Treat event at Pickerington City Hall.

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house to house, carrying the bread and rolls in a bas-ket. The small business venture took off.

“We made our living that way,” Simcox says.

One particu-larly cold winter, Simcox was out delivering bread in below-zero temper-atures. He couldn’t even put his hands in his pock-ets to give change. As he stopped in a restaurant to warm his hands, an older man bought him a hot chocolate with his last quarter.

“I could feel the warmth going through me,” Simcox says.

As a boy that day, Simcox promised to pay the man back for his drink. Upon returning from the Vietnam War, he tried to find him and ended up visit-ing the cemetery where the old man was buried.

“It became a tradition. Ev-ery year, I’d go there and put a quarter on that tombstone,” Simcox says.

Another winter nearly proved deadly for Simcox.

Out delivering bread, a 1 0 - y e a r -old Sim-cox decid-ed to take a shortcut across a f r o z e n l a k e . Halfway a c ro s s ,

the ice gave way. Hold-

ing himself up by his arms, Sim-cox told his dog, Boy, to go home. He didn’t want the dog to see him drown.

Boy did run home, but Simcox’s brother knew the dog was act-ing strangely. Boy ended up leading Simcox’s fa-ther and brother to the ice, grabbing Simcox by his shirt collar when he slipped from the ice. He woke up to his dog lick-ing his face.

“Ever since then, I’ve always liked dogs,”

Simcox says. At 18 and against his

father’s wishes, Simcox joined the army, spending two years in Vietnam, 16 years in Germany and two

years in Virginia. He would end his mili-tary career with the rank of staff sergeant.

Simcox’s military service led him to his wife, Ulrike, whom he met while on duty in Germany. Married in 1972, the Reynoldsburg couple now have three sons and 11 grandchildren.

Simcox was highly decorated for his Vietnam service, and as a military police-man in Germany, he was awarded the highest peace time medal for saving two people from a burning car. Eventually working his way up to the Criminal In-vestigation Division, Simcox worked cold case files and solved them, too. He had an 80 percent solve record as a criminal investigator.

“It wasn’t because I was so smart or anything, but I was lucky,” he says.

These performances birthed his Bat-man persona. The nickname followed him to his career with the Pickerington Police Department, thanks to Simcox’s habit of successfully apprehending crimi-nals. A capture of a prison escapee in the early 1990s even led to a re-enactment on America’s Most Wanted.

With television shows behind him, Officer Batman remains popular with the local youth. A stack of letters from DARE students sits on his desk. Once in a while, former students come back to visit him.

“That’s why I know the program worked: is the impact from the kids,” he says.

Sarah Sole is an assistant editor. Send feedback to [email protected].

Simcox was in the military for 20 years, and he received medals and awards for his ser-vice in the Vietnam War and while stationed in Germany.

Simcox’s batmobile, the D.A.R.E. car, was donated by Lindsay Honda after one of the family’s daughters went through the drugs and alcohol resistance program.

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Photo courtesy of the City of Pickerington

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in focus

In the fall of 2000, the Pickerington Center, part of Ohio University’s Lan-caster campus, opened for classes,

providing traditional and nontraditional students alike the opportunity to receive a higher education without traveling too far from home.

In that first year, it offered only 11 classes. Now, there are more than 100.

Before the purchase of the 10 acres the satellite center sits on today, the dean of Lancaster’s campus held classes at Pick-erington High School Central for about 10 years. The Lancaster campus enrolls more than 2,500 students. Students at the Pickerington Center make up about 300 of that number.

“I think our students fall into a couple different areas,” says Pickerington Center Director Leigh Atkinson. “Some fall into regular adults; they’re working and they have families. You get that Ohio Univer-sity education, and you can stay at home and you have a balance. You get to raise your kids and keep your job.”

Atkinson adds that some students may have started their college degree fol-lowing high school, but dropped out. The Pickerington Center gives them a chance to go back.

For more traditional students, Atkin-son says the center gives them the ability to stay at home and save money. And if they were not initially accepted to Ohio University’s Athens campus, they can relo-cate after improving their grades.

“We can be a pretty great safety net,” Atkinson says.

And it’s an affordable safety net at about $2,500 a semester, including room and board. It’s a quarter of what a student would pay in Athens, Atkinson says.

The average class size at the Pickering-ton Center is 25. It’s a nice contrast to large lecture halls at traditional universities.

“There are some people who can’t succeed in that, but they can here,” Atkin-son says.

Students don’t just come from the Pickerington area, Atkinson says. There are some students who come from sur-rounding communities, such as Baltimore and Gahanna. The center also offers a post-secondary program for high school juniors and seniors. To be accepted into the program, students must be in the top

25 percent of their class and pass all sec-tions of the Ohio Graduation Test.

“We want to make sure students have the opportunity (to earn college credit), but for some, they’re just not ready,” At-kinson says.

Attending classes is free for qualified students, Atkinson says, as the school dis-trict will pay for books.

While not all of the bachelor’s and associate degrees offered at the Lancaster campus can be completed at the Picker-ington Center, there are still a handful to choose from, including bachelor’s degrees in communication studies, criminal jus-tice, specialized studies, technical and ap-plied studies, and associate degrees in law

Pickerington Center offers accessible, affordable education for a variety of students

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Small class sizes mean students at the Pickerington Center get individual attention. The average class size is 25.

By Hannah BealerPhotos courtesy of the Pickerington Center


enforcement technology and individual-ized studies. There are 11 baccalaureate and 15 associate degree options offered through the Lancaster campus and Picker-ington Center combined, as well as eight certificates.

While it may seem these options pale in comparison to Athens’ 220 baccalau-reate degrees, Atkinson says the intimate size of the Pickerington Center – which

consists of two buildings on 10 acres of land – is appealing to many students.

“We are a small staff, so we have a mindset that everybody (in the office) does everything,” Atkinson says. “Stu-dents see us as very approachable and very accessible. People will come up from class and come right through (the office), and it’s just fun. I think we connect with the students.”

Atkinson recalls Sept. 11, 2001, when students, faculty and staff came to-gether to mourn over the attack on New York City.

“We sat in front of the TV all day long and talked and cried. It was an environ-ment where that was comfortable. No-body gets nervous coming in here.”

Hannah Bealer is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at [email protected].

Lancaster campus and Pickerington Center at a glance• 72 percent of students receive financial aid

• 2,500+ students enrolled (300 at the Pickerington Center)

• 25 percent of Pickerington students are full-time students, 75 percent are part-time

• $261,000 in scholarship dollars awarded

• Ohio University has five regional campuses and three satellite centers

• At the Pickerington Center there are about 20 classrooms total, including a computer lab

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Comic book creator Molly Durst, au-thor and artist of the Symphony of the Universe series, began publishing

her own work in 2007. Her interest in art and storytelling, however, started much earlier.

“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing and drawing my own sto-ries,” Durst says. “I made stories to enter-tain myself and was making them to en-tertain others as early as middle school.”

One of the ways Durst brings her work to a broader audience as a profes-sional artist and writer is through local comic book events such as the Pickering-ton Public Library’s Big Comic Show, held 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 9.

At the show, fans and newcomers of all ages can attend to learn about the art of making comic books and find out more about the creators and their work on display.

Big Comic Show is organized by event coordinator Kenton Daniels, assistant di-rector of the library. Daniels was inspired by other shows hosted by comic book shops in the community and decided to bring the audience to Pickerington.

“A couple of us (at the library) have a strong interest in comics,” Daniels says.

After he began attending a local show called SPACE, presented by Columbus

publisher Back Porch Comics, Daniels became interested in find-ing a home in Pickerington for those interested in comics.

“I started attending SPACE as a patron or consumer of comics and got to know the people. I thought the library would be a great venue to promote these independent art-ists,” Daniels says.

Twenty-eight creators attend-ed 2014’s Big Comic Show, and the same number of participants is expected this year. Durst will again teach a workshop for teens to learn how to write and illus-trate their own original stories. But there will be plenty of artists present whose work is directed toward an adult audi-ence, and all ages are encouraged to join in the experience.

Attendees will have a chance to inter-act with artists and learn about their styles, techniques and how a creator makes it in the industry. Books will be available for purchase, and fans will have the chance to have their copies signed.

Zach Maiorana is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at [email protected].

Local comic book artists come together to share their craft

By Zach Maiorana

Different Strokes

Dozens of artists participated in last year’s show. Events such as this are instrumental in distributing their work to new audiences.

Comic book artist Molly Durst will be teaching a workshop for teens at the Big Comic Show. Her work is posted on her website, www.symphonyoftheuniverse.com.

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It’s not far-fetched to say that Picker-ington High School Central Drumline member Laveta Burke marches to her

own beat. In addition to pursuing music, the-

ater and modeling, 17-year-old senior Laveta Burke is also pursuing a career in neuroscience.

“I never really imagined myself being where I am now,” Burke says. “It’s kind of crazy to see how far I’ve grown. … (It’s) mind blowing to me.”

Burke holds the position of first fe-male African American starring section leader for Central’s drumline, and also as the lead of the school’s upcoming musi-cal, Aida. Though each of Burke’s various accomplishments has made an impact on her life, it is her time leading the band as Central’s drumline section leader that stands out to her the most.

“That’s not just my personal achieve-ment, it’s an achievement with the city,” she says. “If I were anywhere else, I don’t think I would have gotten the same op-portunities as I have now.”

Burke serves as a leader to her peers outside of band, too, and she tries to mo-tivate those around her to excel.

“I have gained a lot of friends over the years,” she says. “We all push each other to be better.”

In addition to her pursuits in theater and music, Burke is also an academically driven student. She is a member of the Na-tional Honor Society and was accepted this past December to the University of Cincin-

student spotlight By Elizabeth Tzagournis Photos courtesy of Laveta Burke

Student Spotlight is a new feature in Pickerington Magazine, featuring a student from a different area high school in every issue.

Boundless PotentialCentral senior is motivated by faith

“As long as you’re being yourself there’s nothing more you can

possibly do. No one likes when you think you’ve learned

who somebody is and then come to find out they’re

not the person you expected.”

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Burke had her first lead role in a show when she starred in Pickerington High School Central’s Novem-ber production of the three-act play Picnic. She’s pictured here with junior Dani Ritter, left.


nati’s neuroscience program. In addition to her plans of becoming a neuroscientist, she hopes to continue to pursue music.

“I want to do both music and sci-ence at the same time,” Burke says. “I want to be a neuroscientist … but I want to do gigs and keep the music side of me going.”

Having an array of passions has helped Burke realize what it means to have a positive perspective and stay true to herself.

“As long as you’re being yourself there’s nothing more you can possibly do,” she says. “No one likes when you think you’ve learned who somebody is and then come to find out they’re not the person you expected.”

This positive energy comes from dif-ficult circumstances and a strong faith. When Burke was 5 years old, her father died. Two years later, on her birthday, her brother also died. Although it was a

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tragic time for Burke, she found strength in her family and feels she only grew from the experience.

“I firmly believe everything happens for a reason,” Burke says. “I can’t imagine not going through what I’ve been through, because I don’t know who I’d be today.”

Burke’s strong faith also plays a large role in her life and has influenced her

goals. She says it has only grown stronger over the past few years.

“I’ve grown so far in my faith,” she says. “Seeing what God has planned for me … nothing can stop my impending success.”

Elizabeth Tzagournis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at [email protected].

Burke stars in Picnic, a play written by William Inge set in a small Kansas town.


ATHENA Awards celebrate women who lead

The Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate women in community leadership at the

area’s 13th ATHENA Awards Banquet on May 15.

In her role as office manager at the Chamber, award recipient Charlotte Ak-ers is intimately involved with leadership in the community. She emphasizes the significance of women leaders mentoring other women.

“That piece of it is so very impor-tant,” she says. “Are you bringing some-one, a woman, along with you and show-ing her what it takes?”

This year’s event is sponsored by OhioHealth and will be held at Ohio University’s Pickerington Center. The theme is “Inspiring YOU to Make a Dif-ference.” Two additional awards will be given: the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging ATHENA Award, for young women in professional lead-ership, and the Youth ATHENA Award.

Teachers and administrators from lo-cal schools nominate candidates for the youth award.

Criteria for award recipients re-volve around level of leadership and mentoring, says Chamber President Theresa Byers. The selection commit-tee is comprised of past recipients. Byers also sits on the committee.

“However,” she says, “I don’t know that I would vote. They are the ones who have received that honor, and they are the ones who have the honor of selecting the next recipient.”

Anyone in the community who exemplifies the ATHENA principles is eligible for the award, Byers says.

“The award winner is someone who is not just successful in business, but who gives back to the community,” says 2002 award recipient Marian Reitano. “She – or he, since men are now eligible, too – is someone who mentors women, who sees something special in a woman and shows her that she can do it; she can achieve.”

Twelve recipients have been hon-ored since 1998, when the Pickerington Chamber of Commerce received a license

A Strong SpiritBy Brenda Layman

Artist Barbara Hranilovich’s artwork incorporates both the mission and vision of ATHENA inter-national. Attributes of the ATHENA Leadership Model are clustered around the ATHENA Award sculpture.

Charlotte Akers, ATHENA award winner and Chamber office manager

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Be sure to check out our article at www.pickeringtonmagazine.com about Fairfield County’s Chapter

of 100+ Women Who Care: Creating a Caring Community.

http://www.pickeringtonmagazine.com/


for the event. Former Chamber President Helen Mayle was the first recipient. She was followed by Joyce Bushman in 1999, Akers in 2000, Barbara Freeman in 2001, Reitano in 2002, Debbie Marullo in 2003 and Leigh Atkinson in 2004.

No additional ATHENA Awards were given in Pickerington until 2010, when ATHENA International Founder Martha Mayhood Mertz, a Michigan business-woman, visited to speak. R.G. Barry sponsored workshops held at Ohio Uni-versity’s Pickerington Center and a din-ner at Hickory Lakes. Dr. Karen Matia re-ceived the award, and ATHENA returned to the community.

Since then, four more women have received the award. In 2011, Jodi Wil-son was recognized for her outstanding work as Diley Ridge Medical Center site administrator. Candice Thomas-Maddox – commu-nications professor, mentor and adviser at Ohio Univer-sity – received the award in 2012. Suellen Goldsberry was selected in 2013 for her contributions to the com-munity through her work at the Pickerington Public Library. Last year, former Pickerington Mayor Rita Ricketts was the ATHENA Award recipient.

The awards ceremony takes place at the ATHENA Banquet, which follows a morning of leadership de-velopment workshops. The recipient receives a trophy along with the honor of be-ing recognized for her lead-ership contributions.

ATHENA Awards are stated to be given to recipi-ents, not winners. This lan-guage is specifically used to emphasize the nature of ATHENA, which is co-operative rather than com-petitive. Mertz’s vision for ATHENA is one of women in leadership working to-

gether, not only lifting up one another, but also serv-ing businesses, charities and communities.

“It is one of the most inspiring events I have ever attended,” Byers says.

Mertz founded ATHE-NA International in 1982 when she was the only fe-male on her local chamber of commerce board of di-rectors. Her work led her to observe that women’s collab-orative, creative leadership styles enrich organizations and communities. She realized that wom-en have much that is valuable to bring to

the leadership commu-nity and that women in leadership roles needed to be recognized, encour-aged and commended.

Mertz created the ATHENA Award around the principles of the ATHENA Leadership Model: Live Authenti-cally, Learn Constantly, Advocate Fiercely, Act Courageously, Foster Collaboration, Build Re-lationships, Give Back and Celebrate.

In her book, Becoming ATHENA: Eight Principles of Enlightened Lead-ership, Mertz wrote, “Pressing into the 21st Century, the promise is so great. My generation of mothers, aunts and sisters have found our voices of leadership; we now recognize how effective our ways are, whether in the board room, the back room or the living room.”

Today, ATHENA has grown to in-clude recognition, training and men-toring programs in more than 500 U.S. cities and eight foreign countries. Local community members continue to nomi-nate candidates who excel in their fields, give back to the community and help raise up female leaders.

Men who demonstrate the ATHENA principles are also eligible, as this illus-trates ATHENA’s emphasis on collabo-ration and mutual assistance in leader-ship. Chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities present the annual award. ATHENA Award pro-grams are underwritten by ATHENA International, local businesses and indi-vidual sponsors.

Community members who wish to nominate candidates can do so by sub-mitting forms that are available from the Pickerington Area Chamber of Com-merce office or by contacting Byers at 614-837-1958 or theresa@pickering tonchamber.com.

Brenda Layman is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at [email protected].

Photo courtesy of ATHENA International

2002 award winner Marian Reitano

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mailto:[email protected]


on the table By Elizabeth Tzagournis

There may be no sweeter way to explore commu-nity businesses than the Olde Pickerington Village

Chocolate Hop. On May 1 from 6-8 p.m., the Olde

Pickerington Village Business Associa-tion’s fourth annual Chocolate Hop will give participants the opportunity to discover small businesses within Olde Pickerington Village while satisfying sugary cravings.

With a $5 donation, which goes this year to the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, each participant re-

ceives a map showing participating busi-nesses. These 10-15 businesses give out chocolate desserts to each visitor over the course of the two-hour event, says Choco-late Hop coordinator and Olde Pickering-ton Village Business Association member Peggy Portier.

“You hop from business to business, (and) you can shop if you want to or talk to (them),” says Portier. “The whole idea is to get people into businesses around the area.”

The event has grown since it began in 2011, with a few more businesses and a condensed area in which to walk from store to store. The past two years, all tickets have sold out, says Portier, who encourages interested readers to buy

Decadent DelightsBusinesses in Olde Pickerington Village offer tasty treats during annual Chocolate Hop

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For more information on Pickerington’s annual Chocolate Hop visit

www.pickeringtonvillage.com or call 614-321-8221. Tickets are

available starting April 1.

Volunteers at David Beckham Photography help pass out desserts.

Chocolate Hop participants sample some sweets.

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their maps earlier rather than later because of lim-ited supply.

David Beckham of David Beckham Photography has participated as a vendor for all four Chocolate Hops.

“(I like) seeing all the new faces come in, and they always tell me (my treat is) the best,” says Beckham.

Beckham is known for the chocolate fondue he offers visitors along with bananas, strawberries, marshmallows and other dipping treats. Beckham specializes in senior pictures, and during the Choco-late Hop, he invites some of these students to help col-lect tickets and keep the chocolate fondue filled up.

“Having the kids help (is my favorite thing),” says Beckham. “They have a blast.”

The event helps raise awareness for many of the small businesses within Olde Pickerington Village, Beckham says.

“It does bring attention to my business through the girls helping out and all the people coming in and seeing the photos on the wall,” says Beckham. “It’s not just eating (chocolate); it’s pretty visual too.”

Elizabeth Tzagournis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at [email protected].

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A $5 donation earns each attendee a map with participating businesses.


2015

Make your voice heard!

Vote for Columbus’ best arts, entertainment, food and events for CityScene Magazine’s fourth

annual Best of the ‘Bus!

Voting is open through April 15! Winners will be featured in the

July issue of CityScene.

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Wednesday, May 13, 2015Deadline for registration is April 21

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iPad for Seniors for Dummies By Nancy C. Muir

This book is written for mature people or those somewhat new to using a tablet device who have cho-sen to purchase an iPad. Us-ers will learn how to change settings and sync the device to the computer, iTunes or iCloud.

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You may never deliver a TED Talk, but most people do some form of presenta-tions or public speaking. This book contains secrets from many of the world’s best and most inspiring speakers. Learn how to choose, organize and deliver your subject effectively while seamlessly interject-ing humor. You’ll also learn how to dress and how props are important to your overall message.

Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book By Diane Muldrow

Nostalgia brings us back home to our favorite books with the colorful cardboard covers and gilt edges. Each one taught us valuable lessons about life. Author Diane Muldrow shares with us how in our

health-conscious, ecologi-cally aware age of information, many of us have “overbor-rowed, overspent, overeaten and generally overdosed” on bad habits.

Playaway Views are pre-loaded videos on an easy-to-use player. Turn on, press play and enjoy.

Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents – Playaway View

Includes four 15-20 minute videos on popu-lar U.S. presidents. The videos are delivered with action, humor and personality that will keep kids watching.

Special Kids Learning Series: The Alphabet & Spelling – Playaway View

This series has been demonstrated to help many visually receptive learners acquire the verbal, reading and writing skills they need.

bookmarks By Colleen C. Bauman, Pickerington Public Library Community Services Coordinator

Library Hours:Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Free Pickerington Public Library Databases: Available to anyone with an active Pickerington Public Library card

Treehouse offers 24/7 access to online classes and videos to teach you how to build websites, learn cod-ing languages, make apps, start a business and more.

Mango Languages helps you learn foreign languages at your own pace and in a fun and engaging way. Each lesson revisits previously learned material, but you have complete control over your learning experience.

SparkNotes is one of the most comprehensive online homework help centers and features online test prep books; subject guides to history, math and biol-ogy; and more than 500 guides for English literature. The service is free to use and accessible anywhere you have an Internet connection.


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