Guest Blogger: A Triple Scoop of Cool

By Angela Payne

In a word, the last few weeks have been HOT! With temperatures soaring into the mid-90s almost daily, now’s the perfect time to treat your palate to some fun-flavored frozen desserts (say that three times). Luckily, Gahanna has its fair share of cool-treat eateries around town, and I felt it was my civic duty to try a few! From frozen yogurt to creamy custard, here are some must-haves:

Whit’s Frozen Custard -- 121 S. Stygler Rd

This is our personal fave! Simple in its selections, Whit’s only offers vanilla, chocolate and a special weekly flavor. BUT, don’t be fooled by the simplicity. Any combination of custard and fruit, nut or candy topping creates something pretty special…and tasty.  The strawberry cheesecake Whitser is a dream!

Spoon Me -- 4691 Morse Rd

This unique establishment serves up frozen yogurt in a fun and eco-friendly way. With six self-service machines, Spoon Me rotates 50 different flavors, including best sellers Natural Tart, Vanilla, and Birthday Cake – a flavor explosion of epic proportion. Careful not to get carried away piling on any of the 36 toppings, as size does matter; patrons pay $.45 per ounce for their selection…and might I say, it’s worth every penny!

Rita’s -- 200 Granville Street

How can you not love a place where the mantra is: ice. custard. happiness .In addition to the obvious Italian Ice and custard, Rita’s also offers blended treats like a Gelati, Misto and Blendini to satisfy those who like the best of both worlds.  Grab your treat to go or stick around and relax on the patio. Either way, you’ll be glad you stopped!

Or, take your pick from 31 flavors at Baskin Robbins; get serenaded by the Cold Stone Creamery crew when you leave a tip;  stick with an enduring favorite, Dairy Queen; or, buy local at Graeters.

Leave a comment with your favorites!

Till next time…

About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela will be blogging this summer about all things Gahanna – restaurants, parks, festivals and more.

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Editor’s Note: Angela Payne is a Gahanna resident who offered to submit pieces for the City blog and we are excited that she did.  From time to time Angela will offer her insights and experiences as a Gahanna resident, wife and mom.  If you would like to submit a photo, story or idea for the City blog, please email us at information@gahanna.gov

Guest Blogger: Happy Trails

By Angela Payne

My goal for the year: to become a runner. Yep, an aspiring runner.  Jackie Joyner-Kersee I’ll never be, but I’ll settle for being able to complete a 5K with enough energy leftover to do a toe-touching jump for joy at the end.  

  

One of Gahanna’s greatest draws is its natural beauty. After a hectic workday, I took to the trails of Academy Park to contrast the day’s commotion. My first step hit the pavement and I was off for two miles of freedom.  The winding, tree-lined path took me up inclines, down tiny hills and pass nature in its purest form of beauty.  Again I was reminded of why I press forward in my journey to become a runner.

Trails have personalities, you know?  Contemporary and lively like Creekside Park.  Quiet and composed like Academy Park. Playful and charming like Woodside Green Park.  Gahanna has quite a few, and I intend to traipse along as many as I can. 

Be it a subtle stroll or a swift sprint, I invite you to do the same. 

Till next time…

About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela will be blogging this summer about all things Gahanna – restaurants, parks, festivals and more.

______________________

Editor’s Note: Angela Payne is a Gahanna resident who offered to submit pieces for the City blog and we are excited that she did.  From time to time Angela will offer her insights and experiences as a Gahanna resident, wife and mom.  If you would like to submit a photo, story or idea for the City blog, please email us at information@gahanna.gov

Guest Blogger: ‘Blues & Jazz Fest’ didn’t miss a beat

By Angela Payne

Despite the sweltering temperatures and periodic drizzles, the family and I ventured over to Olde Gahanna for the Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest – so glad we did!  After all, nothing beats a funnel cake nice family outing close to home (gimme a break, I changed it).

Jeni’s ice cream truck – yum!

In the quaint setting of Creekside, where contemporary architecture meets picturesque nature, festival-goers strolled up and down Mill St. greeting familiar faces, browsing the goods at vendor tables and snapping their fingers to music heard in the distance.



Schmidt’s of German Village



We started our day where any true festival enthusiasts would – the food vendors!  Better than your typical festival fare, some of Columbus’ most popular spots were in the mix – Schmidt’s of German Village, Jeni’s and J. Gumbo’s to name a few. 



After we filled our bellies, it was time to check out the vendors. Goodies were aplenty, but one of the most novel was a business called “The Dudes” Pant-Planters, where the owner “dresses” pots in pants, shoes and a belt (visit the website for photos). Love it!

Brats and sausage at Giant Concessions

We rounded the day out with some heartfelt blues and soulful jazz. Ranging from rising stars to seasoned musicians, the talent was amazing. Sorry, no pics. Note to self: Arrive early for a seat up front.

The serene setting, delicious vittles and quality entertainment secured our attendance at next year’s festival. For you music lovers still needing a fix, pack a picnic basket and check out the ‘Music in the Park’ series every Friday at Friendship Park.

Till next time…

About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela will be blogging this summer about all things Gahanna – restaurants, parks, festivals and more.

______________________

Editor’s Note: Angela Payne is a Gahanna resident who offered to submit pieces for the City blog and we are excited that she did.  From time to time Angela will offer her insights and experiences as a Gahanna resident, wife and mom.  If you would like to submit a photo, story or idea for the City blog, please email us at information@gahanna.gov

Newest Piece of Public Art to be Unveiled at “Friday After Five”

Gahanna Lincoln High School student pairing up with local artist to design piece

Student artist Staci Alatis and Artist Steve Bush
present her sculpture concept to the committee

The first piece of public art in Gahanna, Three Creeks, commissioned by the Gahanna Parks and Recreation Foundation (GPRF), is going to have a second piece joining it in Creekside Park.

The Foundation’s Public Art Steering Committee is once again working with Steve Bush, owner of SmART Works and the creator of Three Creeks, in order to build this year’s piece.  For 2012 the committee decided to take a new and innovative approach by partnering with Gahanna Lincoln High School student to design the piece.  Bush will then construct the winning piece based off the winning high school student’s designs.

Student artist Staci Alatsis was one of two students to present a proposal to the Committee and Blacklick artist Steve Bush in May. 

Assistant City Administrator and committee member
Brandi Braun stands with Director of  Parks &
Recreation Tony Collins to recognize Alatsis during
a City Council meeting. 

“I wanted something that everyone could enjoy, whether they’re a child or adult,” Alatsis said.

Alatsis’ piece, which features three fish, was chosen as the winning art piece and was recognized at a City Council meeting in early June.

This newest public art piece will debut at the 2012 Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation “Friday After Five” fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 21 in Creekside Park.

Guest Blogger: Summer, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways

By Angela Payne
The summer months are by far my favorite time of year (next to Christmas, of course). Basking in the warmth of the sun, spending long evenings on the patio, and enjoying the sweet aroma of backyard barbeque – summer days are here!

Fellow summer enthusiasts will probably agree that this time of year is reminiscent of your youth -- vibrant, carefree… curious, even.  Remember what that last day of school felt like? Watching the hands on the classroom clock tick by, eager for the final minutes of the school year to pass.  With the lyrics of Alice Cooper’s 1972 School’s Out playing through my head, summer officially began and the next three months were pure adventure.

I’ve now realized that life happens more and summer happens less. Without warning, the priority of leisure diminishes.  Not only am I determined to take back my summer, my “playground” will be right here in Gahanna!  I’ll be blogging about Gahanna’s tasty eats and treats, lively nights on the town, simple family fun and more.

With any luck, I’ll ignite the interest of visitors to come check-out Gahanna and reintroduce long-time residents to the forgotten gems of this great city.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince said it best in their 1991 hit, Summertime: “It’s summer, summer, summer time / Time to sit back and unwind.”

Till next time…

About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela will be blogging this summer about all things Gahanna – restaurants, parks, festivals and more.

______________________

Editor’s Note: Angela Payne is a Gahanna resident who offered to submit pieces for the City blog and we are excited that she did.  From time to tome Angela will offer her insights and experiences as a Gahanna resident, wife and mom.  If you would like to submit a photo, story or idea for the City blog, please email us at information@gahanna.gov

Help Select The Next Public Art Piece in Gahanna

"Three Creeks" by Steve Bush

By Brandi Braun
Assistant City Administrator

Last year, the Gahanna Parks and Recreation Foundation (GPRF) commissioned Gahanna’s first piece of public art, Three Creeks, which is now located by the lagoon at Creekside Park.  The art was funded by a private donation received in 2010 specifically to fund public art in the Creekside District.

The Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation has commissioned a second public art piece that will be unveiled at the 2012 “Friday After Five” Fundraiser, on Friday, September 21.  The Committee is once again working with area artist, Steve Bush to build the piece.  However, the committee took a new and innovative approach by partnering with Gahanna Lincoln High School students to design the piece.   

Steve has worked with the students to design appropriate public art

pieces and on April 18^th, Steve presented seven designs to members of

the Public Art Steering Committee and residents, who were in attendance.  The pieces for consideration were narrowed to two.

Join the Public Art Steering Committee as the two student finalists l present their designs on location Wednesday, May 16.  We will meet on the Creekside Plaza by the water wall at 6 PM.  Give your opinion and be part of the process! 

We are very excited and would like this to be a community effort, of which we can ALL be very proud.  Come out and support the ARTs in Gahanna. We hope to see you there!

For more information, contact Brandi Braun at 342-4045 or via email at brandi.braun@gahanna.gov.

For more information about the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation, “Friday After Five” or the public art committee, visit http://www.gahannaparksandrecreationfoundation.org/

Mayor’s Visit To Library Highlights the Homework Help Center

GAHANNA, Ohio (March 12, 2012) – Gahanna Mayor Becky Stinchcomb toured the Gahanna location of the Columbus Metropolitan Library to learn more about their Homework Help Center. This free resource for the community offers tutoring, computers, resource books and welcoming spaces to study and learn.

Library manager Mary Campanili shows
Mayor Stinchcomb  theirHomework Help Center



During her tour, library manager Mary Campanili introduced Mayor Stinchcomb to some of the dedicated and friendly volunteers who assist students every day. She commented that this center is a great community resource that is really driven by volunteers and local residents who donate their knowledge and time.

Mayor Stinchcomb speaks with some of the dedicated
and friendly volunteers who assist students.

Mayor Stinchcomb said that she is always impressed by the library's resources and the role that it plays as a community builder for Gahanna.

The library system, which won the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, provides a variety of services ranging from activities, job center support, research tools and more.

The local Gahanna branch is located at 310 Granville Street and is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about the Homework Help Center and the Library, click here or call them at 614-645-2275.