the-square-at-latham

Get to Know Hilliard

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 01:57:40 GMT

Get to Know Hilliard

Hilliard is a city of 36,000 people with a size of 13.34 square miles. According to Niche.com, Hilliard, with its sparse suburban feel, is one of the best places to live in Ohio. In fact, Niche gives Hilliard an overall rating of A+ with public schools and job opportunities receiving an A rating. The Hilliard City School District has superior academic, athletic and arts programs. Niche also says Hilliard gets an A+ on being a good place for families. The crime rate is 71% lower than the national average, and it is safer than 83% of the cities in the country.

Hilliard is the only place in the U.S. where you can find an Early Television Museum. We also have the second largest park in the country dedicated to first responders. Our community boasts 27 parks and 41 miles of multipurpose trails. There are about 20 coffee shops in Hilliard and over 100 restaurants with everything from traditional American fare at family friendly spots and sports pubs to places with international flair like Lebanese, Mexican, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Cuban, Creole, Italian and Mediterranean.

The city of Hilliard expanded around what was a railway station, Hilliard’s Station, on the Piqua and Indiana Railroad. Ten acres of farmland between the Scioto River and Big Darby Creek were purchased by John Reed Hilliard in 1852, and by 1854 the town’s name was shortened to Hilliard when a post office was established. Just five years later, the Village of Hilliard incorporated. At that time, there were just 280 residents.

In the 50s, tremendous residential growth took place. In the 60s, connection to Columbus water and sewer systems allowed for even more development, and another explosive expansion took place in the 70s after I-270 was built. The city has hosted the Franklin County Fair for over 100 years. Besides the fair, notable community events include Freedom Fest in July, Old Hilliardfest Art and Street Fair in September and the Celebration at the Station summer concert series. Unfortunately, all these events except the Old Hilliardfest have been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Historic Clifton Mill and Clifton Gorge

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Sun, 31 May 2020 22:17:28 GMT

Historic Clifton Mill and Clifton Gorge

The Historic Clifton Mill, originally built in 1802, the year before Ohio became a state, is less than an hour away from Hilliard. The mill is one of the largest water-powered grist mills still around. At one time, the Little Miami River’s power was harnessed by six mills all within a mile of one another. The Clifton Mill (the only one in the area that is still standing) is a grist mill; the others were a saw mill, a paper mill, a woolen mill, a barrel mill and another grist mill. They were built to take advantage of the way the Little Miami rushes down into the Clifton Gorge, which is now a state nature preserve.

The area comprises many things to enjoy including a quaint restaurant and gift shop, a country store, a 90’ wooden covered bridge overlooking the waterfall, tours of the working mill and “gorgeous” hiking! Right next to the mill is the 1940s Gas Station Museum which is stocked with original products and signs.

From the mill, beautiful Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is a four minute walk. Here hikers can enjoy a 2.6 mile hike on an out-and-back trail. The river can be seen 40-60 feet below the top of the gorge, which is a 20-40 foot wide chasm between walls of limestone bedrock at the narrows. From there, the trail widens out and down into the gorge along paths of rapids. It connects with trails from John Bryan State Park, or hikers can return by the way they came.

Clifton Mill is open from 9-4 Monday through Friday and 8-5 Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a pancake breakfast or homemade pie overlooking the falls, then browse the gift shop, tour the Gas Station Museum and cross the covered bridge. After a hike at the gorge, enjoy quaint shops, quirky art and fun restaurants in downtown Yellow Springs, just a six-mile drive away. Consider visiting during the month of December to see the legendary lights of Clifton Mill, named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2019 Travel Awards.

Public Servants in Local, State and Federal Government

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Sat, 30 May 2020 00:42:14 GMT

Public Servants in Local, State and Federal Government

Are you curious about your representation in the local, state and federal government? Do you know who your representative and senator in the Ohio legislature are? What about in the U.S. congress?

The city of Hilliard is run by its very first city manager, Michelle Crandall, and the city council. The president of city council, Andy Teater, also serves as the mayor, now a largely ceremonial role. Michelle Crandall was sworn in on January 2, 2020 and is the former assistant city manager of Dublin. She has a master’s degree from The Ohio State University in Public Administration. Hilliard voted to change its city charter from a mayor/council plan to a council/city manager plan in 2018.

The current Governor of Ohio is Mike (Richard Michael) DeWine. He is the 70th governor for the state of Ohio. He was elected in 2018, inaugurated in January 2019, and his term ends in January 2023; the Lieutenant Governor is Jon Husted; the Attorney General is Dave Yost.

The Ohio General Assembly is the name of the state legislature of Ohio. It consists of the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives and the 33-member Ohio State Senate. Both houses of the General Assembly meet at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus.

Our representative in District 24 is C. Allison Russo (democrat) who has an office at: 77 S. High St.,10th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Her phone is (614) 466-8012. Our senator is Stephanie Kunze (republican)whose office is: Senate Building, 1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Her phone is (614) 466-5981.

Ohio’s two senators serve staggered 6-year terms in Washington, D.C..

Sherrod Brown is the senior senator for Ohio and has been serving in that role since January, 2007. He is a democrat and is up for election next in 2024. His local office is: 200 North High St., Room 614, Columbus, OH 43215. His phone is (614) 469-2083.

Robert “Rob” Portman is the junior senator for Ohio and has been serving in that role since January 2011. He is a republican and is up for election in 2022. His local office is: 37 W Broad St #300, Columbus, OH 43215. His phone is (614) 469-6774.

The US is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 people. Each district elects a representative to the U.S. House of Representatives for a two-year term.

Steve Stivers is the representative for Ohio’s 15th congressional district. He has served in the house of representatives since January 2011. He is a republican and is up for election in 2020. His local office is: 3790 Municipal Way, Hilliard, OH 43026. His phone is (614) 771-4968.

Where to Vote and How to Register

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Fri, 29 May 2020 22:33:41 GMT

Where to Vote and How to Register

You may have questions when it comes to voting. For example, do you know where and how to register to vote? Do you know where you can go to vote on election day? If you recently moved here and you’re already registered to vote in another location, you’ll need to update your voter registration with your new address. You can do this online at: https://www.usa.gov/change-voter-registration.

To get a voter registration form, you may ask a county board of elections or the Secretary of State’s office to mail a form to you, or you may obtain a form and may register to vote at the following locations:

The office of the Secretary of State; the office of any of the 88 county boards of elections; the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles; public libraries; public high schools or vocational schools; county treasurers’ offices; or offices of designated agencies, including: the Department of Job and Family Services; the Department of Health (including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program); the Department of Mental Health; the Department of Developmental Disabilities; Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities; or the office of any state-assisted college or university responsible for providing assistance to students with disabilities.

The polling place for residents of the Square at Latham Park is:

Hoffman Trails Elementary School located at 4301 Hoffman Farms Dr.

If you prefer to vote by absentee ballot, you can request one at: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot/ohio/

We are in the Hilliard City School District in Norwich Township. The general election day is 11/3/2020 with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The deadline for voter registration for the general election is 10/5/2020.

Puppy Play — Nearby Dog Parks

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Fri, 01 May 2020 05:10:46 GMT

Puppy Play — Nearby Dog Parks

In addition to the paths around the apartment complex, there are several dog parks in close proximity to the Square at Latham Park where our pets can get the exercise they need. Each one offers different attractions for our furry friends.

Spindler Dog Park on Spindler Road is less than three miles away and has parking available. There are two sections of fenced area: one for smaller breeds, and one for larger breeds. The park also features a water fountain, portable restrooms and picnic tables.

Nando’s Dog Park at Darree Fields on Cosgray Road has a fenced play section with a separation between large and small dog areas. This park also offers some agility features for added interest. For the people, there are benches, picnic tables and a trail.

Heritage Trail Park includes a four-acre off-leash dog area in addition to a paved six-mile trail where people can walk dogs on a leash. The park also offers a doggie splash pad, obstacle course equipment and a shelter house with picnic tables. This park is less than two miles away at the trailhead on Hayden Run Road.

Prairie Oaks Dog Beach on Amity Road is a part of the metro park where canine friends can swim and fetch in the water after their runs. The Doggie Beach can be found in the Darby Bend Lakes area. It even has a doggie dock from which pooches can jump into the water. There are specific trails in the 500-acre Prairie Oaks park that are pet-friendly. Dogs and cats are also permitted in picnic areas, parking lots and on roadways.

Most dog parks will have posted rules, but a few rules are universal:

Pick up and properly dispose of dog waste right away.

Fill in any holes your dog digs.

Be sure your dog has the proper dog license and vaccination tags on.

Don’t bring dogs that are aggressive, sick or in heat.

Remove chokers and spiked collars from your dog in the fenced area.

Remove your dog at the first sign of aggressive behavior.

Hilliard Parks

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Fri, 01 May 2020 03:57:45 GMT

Hilliard Parks

One of the things residents of the Square at Latham Park like best about our community is the peaceful, park-like setting with the nature trail and walking paths. We all know that Latham Park, for which this complex is named, adjoins this property, but did you know that there are at least 27 parks within five miles of the Square?

Just a little over a mile away in downtown Hilliard are several parks, including First Responders Park, Hilliard’s Station Park, Weaver Park and Bandstand Park.

First Responders Park on Center Street was built in remembrance of those who died on 9/11. There is a sculpture made of seven tons of steel recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, a reflecting pool, fountains and granite walls etched with the names of those who died in the tragedy. The park pays tribute to the 403 first responders who lost their lives trying to save others.

Across the street is Hilliard’s Station Park with its splash pad, café tables and amphitheater. It is the location of the Celebration at the Station concert series on Thursdays in the summer.

A short distance west on Center Street is Heritage Trail Park, an 87-acre park which includes a 4-acre dog park with separate areas for big and small dogs. This is the location of the trailhead of the six-mile Heritage Rail Trail that ends at Cemetery Pike near Plain City. The Rail Trail also includes a four-mile bridle trail.

A short walk to Norwich Street is where Bandstand Park — another location for summer concerts — can be found. Hilliard’s 4th of July parade route passes in front of the bandstand.

Just down Main Street from the center of town, Weaver Park can be found showcasing Hilliard’s Historic Village. The village allows visitors to be transported to the 1850s through restored buildings and a museum with period antiques. The new Norwich Pavilion at Weaver Park is an ideal location for parties and celebrations.

Homestead Park on Cosgray Road has 44 acres of attractions including a covered bridge, a train station replica, two barns, picnic shelters, a fishing pond, playground equipment and sand volleyball and basketball courts. Homestead Park connects to the Heritage Rail Trail.

A multi-use park with attractions for everyone is less than a mile away on Scioto Darby Road. The Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park is the location of the Hilliard Family Aquatic Center, featuring a large pool with two 30-foot water slides, a kiddie pool, a lazy river and a competition pool. There are also soccer, baseball and lacrosse fields, tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts, 9-hole disc golf and many beautiful trails. This park is the location of Hilliard’s 4th of July Freedom Fest.

New Brewery and Market in Hilliard

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 01:48:44 GMT

Crooked Can Brewery and Center Street Market

An exciting new space is set to open soon in downtown Hilliard — Crooked Can Brewery and Center Street Market. It will include a 3,000 square foot event space and places for eleven vendors, including the anchor, Crooked Can Brewery. The brewery started in Winter Garden, Florida and features hand-crafted and original brews. Crooked Can will have 16 taps for beers and ciders. Visitors can enjoy innovative, hand-crafted India Pale Ale like High Stepper in the taproom, in the large outdoor beer garden, or even as they take a stroll through the market. The idea behind Center Street Market is to serve the Hilliard community and beyond with a family-friendly experience like a mini-Short North according to co-owner Robert Frye.

Other establishments that will be filling slots in the market include:

*Coffee Connections — a local Hilliard original with a strong community vibe

*Al’s Delicious Popcorn — featuring dozens of both sweet and savory flavors of popcorn

*Dumplings of Fury — a Seattle-based dumpling spot serving handmade, fresh dumplings, noodles, bao and rice bowls

*Meatball Mafia — serving Ohio-made sausage subs, meatball subs, meatball bowls and Italian grilled cheeses

*Legacy Station Wings and Tacos — an outgrowth of Legacy Smokehouse down the street

*The Cheesecake Girl — featuring full-size and mini cheesecakes, cheesecake shooters and push-pops and cookies with gluten-free options

*Bakes by Lo — featuring gorgeous handmade and hand-decorated personalized cookies and other treats

*Rime Time — serving popsicle flavors like: Strawberry Angostura, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Watermelon Habanero, Avocado, Blood Orange and Lime and White Nectarine Rosé

*Serendipity — a home décor and gift shop featuring new, vintage and repurposed items

Several of the vendors have popular food trucks in the area and will be launching their first brick-and-mortar stores. Watch for other exciting vendors and for a full opening soon!

Working From Home With Kids

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 23:56:46 GMT

Working From Home With Kids

Many of us have the good fortune of having work we can do from home. Some of us are now working from home for the first time because of the coronavirus. If you are working from home with children, you are facing a multiplied challenge.

Boundaries between work and home may be even harder to maintain since they’re both in the same place, but you may have some non-negotiables you can put into your schedule. Consider using an “out-of-office” email during family meal time and coming back to work afterward if you need to.

Young children love to imitate whatever their parents do, so give your son or daughter “work” to do with coloring pages or educational software on an iPad while you work on a computer.

Maximize your productivity by using available distractions for kids at the time you are most sharp. If you’re a morning person, consider getting up before the children do. If you’re typically on a roll in the early afternoon, consider making that time nap time, quiet play time or movie time for the kids.

Teaching children to entertain themselves without electronics is doable with a little planning and patience. Start with a small period of time like 15 minutes and increase the time gradually every few days. Set a timer for your child that he or she can see and hear. Consider providing music and quiet toys or books. Offering praise for the accomplishment is a great way to encourage the development of a skill that has value for a lifetime.

Keeping kids busy with meaningful activities can be helpful. Dividing kids’ toys into baskets or boxes and rotating which ones you pull out every week or two can keep their interest level higher. The toys will seem new, and a bonus is that your living area might be easier to tidy up!

Older kids might write a story or research a topic they’re interested in and share their findings with the family at dinner.

Remember to give everyone a break from the four walls as often as you can. A walk outside on nice days or a drive in the country can provide a welcome change of scenery.

Visit Lake Erie

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 02:30:41 GMT

Visit Lake Erie

Lake Erie is only about two hours away from Columbus, and the shores and islands of Lake Erie offer many opportunities for entertainment. Jill Bauer, public relations manager for Lake Erie Shores & Islands says that visitors will feel they have “left Ohio for a truly different locale. I often hear visitors from central Ohio marvel about the distinct feeling that hits when they see Lake Erie or cross the Sandusky Bay Bridge en route to the islands.”

Whether visitors are nature lovers, thrill seekers, history buffs, beach bums or hydrophiles (people who love being in the water), they will all find what they’re looking for at the lake. Cedar Point in Sandusky will be opening this year for its 150th season, and with more rides than any other amusement park in the world (including 17 roller coasters), it’s a destination of its own. But the Lake Erie area offers so much more.

Kelleys Island is the largest of Ohio’s Lake Erie islands, and it offers kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, hiking and camping. There are several nature preserves, a sculpture garden and the Glacial Grooves State Memorial with a 400-foot section of grooves cut out of limestone by glacial movement across the state. The memorial is a National Natural Landmark. Visitors to Kelleys Island can bike quiet streets, visit great restaurants or enjoy wines made right on the island.

South Bass Island is a short ferry ride from Kelleys Island. The best known spot on South Bass Island is the village of Put-in-Bay with its nightlife and live entertainment. It boasts a brewery and several wineries, including Heineman’s Winery with nearby Crystal Cave, the world’s largest celestite geode which people can walk into. Put-in-Bay has a tour train with stops at the Doller Mansion/Put-in-Bay Winery, the Aquatic Visitor Center, Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center and Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial with its 352-foot National Park Monument.

Gibraltar Island’s limestone cliffs are a short paddle away from South Bass Island by kayak, and the Marblehead Peninsula features the Marblehead Lighthouse, one of the most photographed landmarks on the lake. Consider a visit to Lake Erie’s shores and islands this summer to experience what Jill Bauer calls “coasting on island time.”

Hot Head Burritos

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 04:17:03 GMT

Hot Head Burritos

Hot Head Burritos is located five miles from Latham Park on Hilliard Rome Road near Meijer. It is part of a chain of fast food restaurants that started in Dayton, Ohio in 2007 and now has 78 locations in nine states.

Hot Head differentiates itself from Chipotle by offering twelve sauces in addition to five kinds of salsa (pico, corn, verde, roja and wild), ranging from mild to hot. The sauces include sweet habanero, teriyaki, BBQ, ranch, taco, Hot Head sauce, southwest ranch, jalapeno ranch, cholula, smoky Tabasco, mango habanero and straight habanero, with a new sauce being offered each month for a temporary time.

According to Omar, the shift leader I spoke with on my recent visit, the sauces that are the most popular are the sweet habanero (described as all sweet, no heat) and the signature Hot Head sauce, a zesty garlic ranch.

In case these don’t offer you enough saucing options, there is also a spicy sauce for meats and an available queso sauce.

The weekly specials include two burritos for $12 all day Sunday and Monday after 5:00 pm, and Taco Tuesdays featuring $2.00 tacos. In addition to burritos and tacos, nachos and quesadillas are also served.

You can enjoy Hot Head Burritos menu favorites delivered through DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats. You can also order ahead online and pay online, or order online and pay in store at pick up.

Mexican Street Food Down the Street

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 03:37:42 GMT

Mexican Street Food Down the Street

Oaxaca (pronounced wa HA ka) is one of the southernmost of Mexico’s 32 states. It is a region known for its culinary arts, its cheese and its coffee. Javier Adrianna-Ruben, owner and manager of Habaneros Fresh Mexican Grill on Main Street in Hilliard hails from the Oaxaca region. He and his family have been fulfilling their dream of running a restaurant serving authentic Oaxacan street food since 2016.

Walking into the strip mall restaurant near the Scioto Darby roundabout on a winter night with sub-freezing temperatures, I didn’t expect it to be very busy. But we could hardly find a table. We made our way to the back counter where we placed our order, and behind which a large group of employees wearing black Habaneros t-shirts busily prepared the food.

One of the first things we saw in the food prep area was a spit with a huge hunk of meat grilling on it. Adrianna-Ruben says this is the meat for the pastor tacos, and it weighs around 200 pounds. Al pastor (meaning “shepherd style” in Spanish) is pork marinated in a red sauce and is sliced off the spit for the pastor tacos. The red sauce is made of dried chilies, spices, pineapple, and typically achiote paste, then slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie called a trompo. Guajillo chile, garlic, cumin, clove, bay leaf, and vinegar are common ingredients, with cinnamon, dried Mexican oregano, coriander, and black peppercorns found in many recipes. When it comes to tacos, Habaneros serves varieties not found at your run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant. We had to try the pastor tacos, and we decided to sample several other menu items that were new to us like lengua (beef tongue), tripa (tripe) and fish tacos along with mixed nachos. After paying for our food, we took a number on a stand to our table, where our meal was delivered quickly.

Owner Adrianna-Ruben says, “We don’t have a huge menu, but we serve a variety of authentic Mexican street food at good prices.” He says their best selling items are their tacos, nachos and tortas. Tortas are gaining popularity now, but Habaneros was one of the first restaurants to bring the grilled and pressed Mexican-style, warm and crispy sub sandwiches to the area.

The tacos were made with small, soft corn tortillas topped with diced onion and cilantro, and served with lime wedges and slices of fresh cucumber and radish. Our server also brought bottles of green salsa verde and a spicier red salsa to our table. We tried Oaxaca coffee (a regional favorite that is sweetened and heavily flavored with cinnamon) and Horchata, a sweetened, cinnamon-flavored rice milk drink. The Horchata was effective in counteracting the spiciness of the jalapenos in the nachos.

Habaneros has a full-service bar, homemade desserts and great weekly specials. Taco Tuesdays feature $1 tacos along with drink specials. Happy hour is from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Monday — Friday with $6.99 margaritas ($7.99 for flavored margaritas), $1 off draft beers and $1 off chips with queso or guacamole and other food specials. On weekends, homemade pozole and menudo soups and tamales are available.

Now this is REAL Mexican food that’s just around the corner.

Starliner Diner

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:07:58 GMT

Galactic Gem in the Heart of Hilliard

A Galactic Gem in the Heart of Hilliard

Starliner Diner has operated in Hilliard since the mid 90s. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the diner has an eclectic, laid back 50s diner feel with a Cuban flair. The name actually comes from a car. The Studebaker company came out with the Starliner in the early 50s, and Ford came out with another Starliner in the early 60s. The Starliner Diner is modeled after the Galaxy Café in Los Angeles. The original owner of the local version of the diner came from the former Galaxy Cafe in Powell.

Brightly-colored murals notwithstanding, Starliner Diner has a cozy, downhome feeling. The specials arrive in a transparent sleeve of hand-written notations while 80s music wafts from the speakers. The friendly hostess and servers are like neighbors, and the food is just good, flavorful and filling.

So what makes this place worth a visit?

First, it’s unique — this isn’t a chain, but a locally-owned piece of Hilliard history. The original location was on Cemetery Road where Landmark Lofts is currently located. That building had indoor and outdoor murals of galactic themes. The great news is that the indoor murals and wainscoting were moved right into the new location on Main Street in 2016. The rest of the decor includes a variety of vintage games, car placards and LOTS of vintage clocks. General Manager Ronnie Phillips, who has worked at Starliner for 20 years, describes the vibe as “fun and funky. It has a ‘mi casa es su casa’ (my house is your house), laid back, comfortable feel.”

A second reason to check out Starliner Diner is that they serve a great variety of Cuban- and Creole-inspired foods. Any run-of-the-mill diner will serve American comfort food, but Starliner puts their own twist on traditional Southwestern dishes. Some of their best-sellers are the Creole Mac, Cuban Sandwich, Ropa Vieja and their famous Cuban French Toast. Our server, Joyce, says, “The Mofongo Omelet is hands-down my favorite.” This is an omelet filled with plantains, bacon, ham and Jack cheese topped with smoked chile sauce and green onion mayo and served with toast and homefries. They also have a full bar featuring many local brands of beer and spirits.

We tried a variety of breakfast offerings when we were there, including Chiliquiles (scrambled eggs with peppers, onions, corn, zucchini and tortilla chips tossed with a smoked chile sauce, jack cheese and cilantro), Huevos Rancheros (eggs any style on corn tortillas stuffed with jack cheese and cilantro, covered with a spicy ranchero sauce served with home fries or black beans), Machaca (shredded beef brisket, onion, peppers, tomato and scrambled eggs tossed in ranchero sauce and topped with queso fresco served with toast and black beans) and Cuban French Toast (hand cut chunks of homemade Cuban bread dipped in French toast batter and fried then dusted in powdered sugar and served with fresh fruit on top).

Another reason to visit is that your neighbors are. Ronnie says, “Breakfast is what we do best,” and Joyce says, “On Saturdays and Sundays, the line is out the door.” Most of the breakfast offerings are gluten-free, or can be served gluten-free. If the Yelp reviews are any indication, you’re missing out if you don’t check out this little gem in the heart of Old Hilliard.

Keep Appliances Looking Great

Sun, 16 Feb 2020 23:32:19 GMT

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I f you’re wondering how to keep your stainless steel appliances shiny or your glass stovetop clean, you’ve come to the right place. In all cases, avoid using harsh, abrasive cleansers or scrubbers. Steel wool, bleach and ammonia can damage the stainless steel finish on your appliances, and harsh cleansers can scratch glass stovetops.

Many people want to use natural cleaners, rather than using harsh chemicals, and there are many that will do the trick. For stainless steel appliances, most spots and fingerprints can easily be removed with simple dish soap and water, a one-to-one ratio of vinegar and water, or rubbing alcohol. The trick is to clean from top to bottom rubbing in an S pattern. Finish by drying in the same pattern with a dry microfiber cloth. Good microfiber cleaning cloths are readily available at grocery stores, department stores and discount stores. They are great for removing streaks from shiny appliances. If you prefer to purchase a commercially available cleaner, a couple of good products for shining stainless appliances are Sprayway stainless steel cleaner and Pledge furniture polish.

One of the quickest ways to make a kitchen sparkle is to clean and polish the stovetop, but the key is to avoid scratching the surface. First, allow the cooktop to cool to avoid getting burned. Second, sprinkle baking soda over cooked-on stains. Next, either spray with vinegar or cover the stovetop with dishcloths wet with hot, soapy water. The most important step comes next: WAIT. Allow either the vinegar or the soapy water to work with the baking soda to soften stubborn stains for at least 15 minutes. Difficult stains may require 20-30 minutes. After this, scrub with an old toothbrush and wipe the stovetop with a soft sponge, washcloth or paper towel to remove residue. Finally, buff with a dry microfiber cloth. A commercially available cleaner is Weiman glass stovetop cleaner and polish, and there are specially-designed scrubbers that are made for glass cooktops which will not cause scratches.

With a few minutes and a few common household items, you can make your appliances sparkle and shine.

How to Avoid Maintenance Issues

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 03:42:01 GMT

How to Avoid Maintenance Issues

A call for maintenance means there’s a problem. No one wants that, and in this case, the adage is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Thankfully, some of the most common maintenance issues are also some of the most preventable. Two of the most frequently reported problems are leaking showers and clogged disposals.

Many people have experienced a leaking shower door. A simple way to prevent this problem is to make sure that both doors fit snugly into the V-shaped slots on each side of the shower door frame. If a door doesn’t fit into the slot snugly, it may be because it is the opposite door that should be on that side of the door frame.

There are several do’s and don’ts to follow to help your disposal do its job for you.

*DO use cold water while running your disposal, and run it for a few seconds after turning off the disposal.

*DO use a disposal cleaner every now and then.

*DO put a few citrus peels in the disposal on occasion to keep it fresh and to cut down on the growth of bacteria and odor.

*DON’T run the hot water while using the disposal.

*DON’T put grease or fat in the disposal. This will cause a clog in the drain. Try pouring cooled grease into a can to solidify and be thrown in the trash can.

*DON’T put large amounts of fruit or vegetable peels in the disposal at one time. They should be put into the grinder a little at a time with a lot of cold water.

Here's a list of things that should not go in the disposal :

coffee grounds

egg shells

bones and seafood shells (these are too hard for the blades to grind)

nuts (when ground, they become paste-like)

pasta or oatmeal (they expand with water and could cause a clog)

chicken skin

onion skins, potato peels and banana peels

paper or plastic

vegetables with long strands like raw pumpkin, celery or rhubarb that isn't cut into small pieces

corn husks

paint

Following these simple suggestions can prevent the inconvenience of having to make a maintenance call.

Beef O'Brady's

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 03:16:10 GMT

Beef O'Brady's

Beef O’Brady’s is a family-style casual sports restaurant and pub, and it’s within walking distance of The Square at Latham Park. Residents of Latham Park receive a 10% discount on orders simply by presenting their key chains. On Thursday, January 30, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Beef O’Brady’s is hosting a wine tasting event featuring Gnarly Head, Robert Mondavi, Beringer and Charles Smith wines. The event is open to the public, but it is free to residents of Latham Park apartments.

Though Beef O’Brady’s started in Florida, there are now over 150 restaurants in 21 states. The nearby location is a franchise recently purchased by Jan Hoschek, a Hilliard resident who demonstrates a real commitment to the community. Jan feeds firefighters, police officers and local sports teams in addition to sponsoring a baseball team and hosting team fundraisers.

Manager Amber Nolty has been working at Beef’s for 15 years and describes it as her “Cheers.” “We have regulars who’ve been coming here for years and kids who worked here in high school, went away to college and came back,” she says. “It’s a happy, safe, family-friendly place that has a bar, but not a loud, obnoxious bar.” Amber has worked in the same place for so long because she loves the clientele (mostly hometown families) and the people she works with. She says the Amarillo Firecracker Burger is her absolute favorite menu item, but they also have signature items like the O’Brady Burger and the Prime Rib Garlic Melt and Reuben sandwiches.

Beef O’Brady’s has many gluten-free items and daily specials, the most popular of which is Taco Tuesday. Parents love Tuesdays because kids’ meals are only $1.99 all day. With 19 televisions around the room, Beef’s is the perfect place to enjoy NFL Sundays, and the covered patio is a perfect place to relax on a pleasant evening. And don’t forget to consider Beef O’Brady’s for your catering needs. Their award-winning traditional and boneless wings are frequently on the menu for retirement and graduation parties.

Hilliard Food Pantry

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 00:17:34 GMT

Hilliard Food Pantry

A wonderful resource for emergency needs in our community is the Hilliard Food Pantry. It has been serving our neighbors since 1963. The food pantry provides three days of food per month for families in need. Help with utility bills is also available once every 12 months. It is open Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Thursdays 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and is located at 4410 Cemetery Road in the back of the Life Community Church building.

All that is needed to receive assistance is a photo ID and proof of residency in the Hilliard City School District, such as a piece of mail delivered to the home, a utility bill or a lease. The Hilliard Food Pantry provides families with canned and boxed food, meat, bread, produce, eggs and personal care items.

Matt Austin has served as the director of the food pantry for three years, but he has years of prior experience. Matt grew up in Hilliard and attended Hilliard schools, so he knows this community. He earned his MBA from Miami University. When asked why he chose this line of work, Matt says he doesn’t want his story to be, “I could have helped, but I didn’t.” His philosophy is that "if you fail, at least you can say you tried."

The food pantry is currently serving 400-450 families a month. Three years ago when Matt started, it served half as many. Each year he has been at the food pantry it has grown by 25%, and the growth hasn’t leveled off yet. Critical areas for community help include employment, housing, healthcare, food and counseling. According to Matt, “Eighty-one percent of suburbs lack two of these charities.”

Funding for the Hilliard Food Pantry comes from a variety of sources including businesses, church groups, fundraisers, individual donors, and 20% from the city of Hilliard. One third of donations of food come from leftovers from direct retailers, one third comes from food drives and collection boxes, and one third is purchased through food pantry funds.

If you would like to contribute to the food pantry, you can bring non-perishable food, toiletries, empty egg cartons and grocery bags to the collection box right in our office. If you are interested in volunteering, visit https://www.hilliardfoodpantry.org.

Local Restaurant Under New Management

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 17:00:31 GMT

The Olive Tree — Lebanese and Mediterranean Café

The Olive Tree restaurant has been serving up Mediterranean fare in Hilliard for the past decade, but under its new ownership, there is also a Lebanese twist.

Lara Maleh grew up in Lebanon and has a background in law and education, but over the past 13 years she has been heavily involved in the local community through volunteering. Her family lives in Hilliard where she has met many other residents through volunteering at her children’s schools, chairing events, playing the organ at her church and serving as the chartered organization representative for Cub Scouts.

Lara says that hospitality is very important in Lebanese culture, where it is a common occurrence to have people over to share a good meal. Because of her love of food and hospitality, her involvement in the community, and the fact that she lives near the restaurant, it seemed like a logical idea to purchase it when it became available last summer. “If you give to your community, your community will give back,” Lara says.

Even though this is Lara’s first foray into the food service industry, she has the distinct advantage of having a great crew to work with, some of whom have been with the restaurant since it opened in 2009.

Best sellers at The Olive Tree include shawarma, gyros and fire fries, but there are also brand-new menu items including seafood, vegetarian and vegan dishes and desserts. Daily specials will be including home-cooked Lebanese meals. Almost every menu item is prepared daily in house. The appeal of this family-owned and family-run restaurant is the freshly prepared, authentic Mediterranean food in a comfortable atmosphere at a reasonable price.

There is little wonder why The Olive Tree Mediterranean Café has been ranked as the 2nd most popular restaurant in Hilliard and the 10th most popular in Columbus, receiving four stars from The Columbus Dispatch.

Daylight Donuts

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 02:38:22 GMT

Coffee and Donuts Nearby

Nearby Daylight Donuts and Cafe is the family-owned and operated franchise of a donut chain that originated in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1950s. The local franchise gets its supplies from Daylight Donuts’ headquarters and uses the same donut recipe as other franchises around the country and around the world.

Located at 5228 Cemetery Road on the first floor of the Landmark Lofts apartment complex, Daylight Donuts offers more than just breakfast pastries. Of course they serve coffee (because donuts almost demand that!), but here you can also find Turkish coffee, hot chocolate and the unique baklava cappuccino. I tried the baklava cappuccino and found it to have the familiar honey and nut flavors of the tasty Mediterranean treat by the same name. It was hot, frothy, sweet and nutty — delicious!

In addition to seasonal donuts, there are popular favorites like blueberry, chocolate, buckeye donuts and long johns. Some of the hottest selling varieties offered are Fruity Pebbles® donuts and cherry fritters. Since they are open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every day, lunch items are also available.

Midday offerings include subs like the Philly Steak; flatbreads with meat, chicken cheese or spinach; cheese panini and falafel wraps. They also serve a hummus plate with pita chips.

Donuts are made fresh every single day, so you might be wondering what happens to the leftovers. That’s a great question! In order to prevent food waste, Daylight Donuts donates leftovers to local churches, mosques, hospitals and shelters. Check out their Facebook page at DaylightHilliard and stop in for a visit.

Paint & Sip Event

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

"I've Never Done Anything Like that Before"

"I've never done anything like that before," Carole Beerbower told me. Carole, a resident at The Square at Latham Park apartments invited her daughter, Wendy and her granddaughter, Bekah to join her at the clubhouse recently for Paint & Sip, an event put on by Midwest Makery. Each participant created a handmade painted sign.

Laurie Haver is the owner of Midwest Makery. She and her team provide easy, detailed instruction for creative workshops such as the one held at the clubhouse. Attendees can make things like unique wooden signs, door hangers, wooden trays, succulent planters, ornaments and wreaths — all personalized. They make great gifts, but you might like your creation too much to part with it!

About two dozen people participated in the "no-experience-necessary" event where they enjoyed wine provided by One Hope. Proceeds from the wine sales support various causes such as meals for children, aid for veterans, women, education and health issues.

The motto of the One Hope company is: Every bottle makes an impact. Carole says, "They sponsor different causes with each bottle, and we loved that. We bought some of the wine for Christmas gifts."

Everyone who attended the inaugural event at The Square really enjoyed the experience and the original, one-of-a-kind creations they made. If you missed it, don't worry. There will be another event on Saturday, January 25th at the clubhouse from 12:00 - 3:00 P.M. Contact the office if you'd like to attend.

Vin, Fin, Win Coming Again

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 03:43:34 GMT

Enjoy Wine, Learn about Financial Trends and Win Prizes!

Last month 21st Century Financial presented an event called Vin, Fin, and Win at The Square at Latham Park in partnership with The Twisted Vine and Offredo Selections. They plan to do another event here either late January or early February. Rich Galzarano, George McCloy and Travis Knight of 21st Century strive to teach clients how their money can work harder for them, and they offer a full array of financial products and services to help clients achieve their individual financial goals.

The reason 21st Century wanted to partner with The Square at Latham was to provide an experience that showed appreciation for the residents of the apartment community. They felt that p airing the wine tasting with the financial trivia would be both fun and informative. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy great conversation with each other and to learn about some key retirement and financial challenges that many Americans are facing.

In between questions in a financial trivia game, Trevor Pedersen, from Offredo Selections shared some geographical background and interesting information about each of the five wines that we tasted. The wines were selected by Robin Christopherson from The Twisted Vine, and Offredo Selections was the distributor of the wines. Robin specifically selected wines that would complement holiday meals well. Participants had the opportunity to show off and to gain financial knowledge. Winners received bottles of Trevor's featured wines.

Watch our Facebook page or the information board in the office for details on the date and time of 21st Century’s repeat performance.

Holiday Happenings in Hilliard

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 21:10:01 GMT

Holiday Happenings in Hilliard

There are many ways to get into the spirit of the season, both here at The Square at Latham Park and in nearby Hilliard.

The city of Hilliard presents the 30th Annual Tree Lighting which will take place on Sunday, December 1st from 4:00 - 6:30 PM at Hilliard's Station Park. But tree lighting is only one of the many fun and free activities available at the park, on Main Street and at the Historical Village. Other activities include cookie decorating, choirs and carolers, holiday train rides, horse and carriage rides, live reindeer, hot chocolate, ice carving and much more.

Participants are invited to "Cram the Cruiser" by bringing new winter clothing to donate for needy local children. Free parking is available at the fairgrounds, the Makoy Center and at the lot at Madison and Wayne Streets. A trolley will be available from Chase Bank to the Historical Village.

Don't miss Holiday Shopping @ The Square at Latham Park. Holiday Fair at The Square will take place on Saturday, December 7th from 12:00 - 3:00 PM at The Square at Latham Park. There will be food trucks and local vendors, so you can get your holiday shopping done right here while supporting local businesses.

The 37th Annual Hollyfest Arts & Crafts Show will be presented by the Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, December 7th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Hilliard Davidson High School, 5100 Davidson Road. More than 5,500 people attended last year to find unique hand-crafted gifts and decorations made by local crafters. There will be food and drinks, pet pictures with Santa, and an hourly raffle. Over 100 crafters from all over Ohio and a few neighboring states will be featuring their toys, jewelry, candles, soap, pottery, glass and wood crafts and OSU gear. Easter Seals will be providing a gift-wrapping station.

Parking is free. Admission is $5.00 (children 12 and under free), $3.00 for students and seniors.

Landscaping Updates

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 01:32:39 GMT

What's Happening at The Square?

The landscape is changing at The Square at Latham Park — literally! Over the past several weeks you have undoubtedly seen large trucks and workers taking down trees and bushes, grinding out tree trunks and bringing in fill dirt. Perhaps you have wondered what they are doing and what the plans for the space will include.

Many changes are coming to the greenspace. Along the walking path behind some of the buildings, workers have been regrading and adding topsoil. Next they will plant grass seed from the path to where the new tree line is, near the creek. In the next few months, you’ll see the space dotted with picnic tables and benches, and there will be an additional walking trail installed from behind building #4 to the bridge over the creek.

Just beyond the bridge and behind building #13 a labyrinth will be constructed. It will be an 85-foot circle with 1,800 feet of a stone walking path puzzle to get to the other side. The labyrinth will be low to the ground with grass between the stone paths so that a mower can go over it. It should be in with grass by the spring, and it should provide challenge and entertainment for children as they get exercise.

Another development will be a dog run. This will be located behind building #21, closest to the greenhouses at Darby Creek Nursery. The dog park will be a 50-foot square enclosure with a 4-foot-high fence and with no lock on the gate so that it is available for use at any time. Soon the dogs in the complex will have a great place to go off-leash and run around with their canine friends.

Nearby Grocery Options

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:25:44 GMT

Gotta Go Shopping; Here Are Options

Hey, are you new here? If you're new to town, one of the first things you'll need to do is shop for groceries and other necessities. But where do you go?

Less than two miles away, the nearest grocery store to The Square at Latham Park apartments is the Giant Eagle Supermarket at 6700 Hayden Run Road. The next nearest store is Kroger at 4656 Cemetery Road. Both these stores have pharmacies, state liquor agencies, bakeries, fresh meats and fish, floral shops and even banks! These full-service grocery stores are pretty comparable, though Giant Eagle is probably slightly more expensive overall.

Very near Kroger on Cemetery Road is the discount retail shop, Aldi. Though Aldi is one of the largest grocery store chains in the world, the individual stores are smaller than an average store with mostly store-brand items. Aldi carries a more limited selection of meats, seafood and fresh flowers, but it does not have separate departments for those items like larger stores do. Another discount retailer nearby is the Walmart Supercenter on Britton Parkway. They carry everything, including tires. All four of these major retailers offer home delivery of groceries.

We are fortunate to have many ethnic grocers nearby. Some examples within about three miles of The Square at Latham Park include: Santiago Market on Roberts Road, which carries Latin groceries; CAM (Chinese American Market) on Park Mill Run Drive, which has a large selection of Asian foods; Marrakesh Market on Hilliard Rome Road, which carries Arabic, Mediterranean, Turkish and Indian groceries; and Casablanca Market on Roberts Road, which carries Middle Eastern foods.

Understand Your Thermostat

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:15:04 GMT

Heat Pumps? E-Heat? Understand Your Thermostat

Now that the weather is cooler and we are turning the thermostat to heat, have you wondered what the setting “Em. Heat” on your thermostat means?

The apartments at The Square at Latham Park have condensing units outside that are heat pumps. These work for both heating and air conditioning. In the summer, the heat pump takes heat from inside an apartment and pushes it outside. In winter, a heat pump takes heat from the outside air and sends it inside. The heat pump works when there’s enough heat in the outside air — to around zero degrees Fahrenheit.

If it is colder than that, circuitry in the furnace turns on the heat strip. All furnaces have a straight electric resistance heat coil that operates like the heating coil in a toaster. The furnace will turn the heat strip on as needed in order to warm the air to your desired temperature.

The only time someone should need to set the furnace to “Em. Heat” (or emergency heat) is if there is a malfunction in the circuitry. If the furnace won’t heat the apartment at all, turn on E-heat and call for service because there is something wrong.

The heat pumps are very efficient systems, and they are better than what you’ll find in the average apartment, according to Steve Turner, president of construction at The Square at Latham Park. The temperature may be different from room to room because of the number of windows and the amount of sunlight, and the thermostat can only reflect the temperature of the interior hallway. Steve says, “Set the thermostat for your comfort level, regardless of what the temperature on the thermostat says.” Gas furnaces take moisture out of the air, but heat pumps don’t.

Steve explains that there are numerous energy-saving features to these apartment units. The insulation in the ceilings is rated at R 32 — R stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power and resistance to heat loss. In addition, all the side walls are 6” thick and are packed with insulation. Even the concrete slabs are insulated around the perimeter. The units are equipped with good quality windows and high efficiency appliances.

Second floor corner apartments are equipped with heaters at the base of the stairs, partly because there would be no way to get a heating duct into that area from the furnace, and also to increase the comfort level of the entrance. Using this heater will add a negligible amount to your electric bill, but because heat rises, you won’t lose that heat, and it should increase your comfort level.

Scene 75 Indoor Entertainment Center

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 01:27:59 GMT

Largest Indoor Entertainment Center in the U.S.

Now that the weather is causing large-scale hibernation of Columbus residents, what can people do for entertainment? It’s either too cold, too wet or too dark to enjoy many of our favorite outdoor activities. To quote Dr. Seuss in The Cat in the Hat, “The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day.” So what IS there to do in northwest Columbus?

Just ten minutes away from The Square at Latham Park apartments at Tuttle Mall is the brand new Scene75 Entertainment Center. In March 2018, Scene75 purchased the former Macy’s department store for $3 million. After investing $12 - $15 million more, Scene75 opened the largest of its five locations in mid-October with 225,000 square feet of attractions for people of all ages. It is the largest indoor entertainment center in the country.

What activities are offered? A partial list includes: over 200 arcade games, go karts, a roller coaster, a 36-foot-tall drop tower, blacklight mini-golf, bumper cars, escape rooms, archery tag, karaoke, a 4D motion theater, a 7D motion simulator, batting cages, Bouncing Inflatapark (an inflated village), and one of the most popular attractions — 2-story laser tag. In case you think this is just for kids, think again! There are three full bars, a magic-themed full-service restaurant and a snack bar to cover all your noshing needs. And you can stay late because Scene 75 doesn’t close on Fridays and Saturdays until 1:00 a.m.

With nine private party rooms, Scene75 will serve as an amazing venue for birthday parties, company get-togethers and team-building activities. For sports fans, a field house will be opening soon. On OSU game days, super fans will enjoy the 100” TV in the center of the second floor. Look for public events to be hosted by Scene75 like speed dating and gaming tournaments.

Scene75 is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday and Tuesday they will be closed for private events.

Urban Meyer's Pint House

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 19:56:45 GMT

New Restaurant in the Area

Urban Meyer’s Pint House —

At the end of September, Buckeye fans were treated to a new game in town. It was the opening of Urban Meyer’s Pint House in the newly developed Bridge Park area of Dublin.

“As a native Ohioan and proud former coach of the greatest college football program in the country, I wanted to be a part of creating an experience worthy of Buckeye residents and fans all across the country,” Meyer said in a press release.

The two-story restaurant has a very open concept with TVs everywhere. There are horseshoe-shaped bars on both the lower and upper levels.The lower level bar has a 21-TV matrix above it, so you won’t miss a moment of the game.

There is a private event space called the 7-0 Room as a nod to Urban’s record against the team up north. And on the extensive drink menu is the brand new “7-0 Ale,” a Kölsch-style craft beer brewed specifically for the Pint House by Land-Grant Brewing Company.

Other drinks have been developed with input from Shelley Meyer, including

“Shelley’s Frosé,” a frozen cocktail made with frozen rosé, grapefruit Absolut vodka, fresh strawberries and lemon. It’s served with a pink flamingo straw, but if you can’t get enough flamingo, try “Shelley’s Punch Bowl,” a flamingo-shaped shareable for four to six people. Proceeds from the sale of the bowl benefit the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research. I tried the “Shelley’s Frosé” and found it to be light, very grapefruity and not too sweet.

Don’t think that just because this is a sports bar that they only serve standard pub fare! Urban Meyer partnered with Chris Corso of Corso Ventures — owner of Forno Kitchen + Bar, Short North Food Hall, Standard Hall, Goody Boy Diner and the Short North Pint House restaurants — to develop his menu. Urban’s personal favorite from Forno, linguine and clams, is available at the Pint house.

During my visit I tried the arancini (fried risotto balls with fontina cheese served with San Marzano sauce), avocado bruschetta, the ahi tuna taco and pasta Forno. I was least impressed with the pasta Forno, but the taco and the arancini were unique and very good. If you are interested in traditional sports bar food, Urban Meyer’s Pint House will not disappoint. Pizza, salads and sandwiches are always available along with homemade desserts like warm sticky toffee pudding and buckeye cheesecake.

Urban Meyer’s Pint House is a place to delight Buckeyes, sports fans and even foodies. The memorabilia from Urban’s coaching career can be found all over the room, and there’s even a Brutus Buckeye at the front door that guests can pose with! The Pint House is open from 3:00 PM - midnight Monday to Thursday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Friday and Saturday or 11:00 AM - midnight Sunday.

Neighborhood Networking

karen.rogers28@gmail.com (Karen Rogers) — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 23:43:31 GMT

Networking Opportunities Close to Home

Where could you go to meet a baby whisperer, a park developer, a website creator, a financial planner, a custom tailor and a practitioner of electromagnetic field technology all in the same place? The clubhouse @ The Square at Latham Park!

For the past several months, the brand new Northwest Community Connectors networking group has been meeting right here at the Square at Latham Park. With help from local networking guru Chris Borja, event coordinator Hala Zahreddine has started a networking opportunity for people in Hilliard and the surrounding areas. And it meets right here.

The purpose of networking groups is to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and interests in order to establish mutually beneficial friendships. Who comes to networking events? Business owners, job seekers, business professionals, retired people and others who want to experience more connectivity in their worlds.

We live in an increasingly technologically connected world, but a networking group facilitates real relationships with real people. After attending my first networking event, I was able to give someone helpful information I learned about Social Security benefits, I was able to pass on a potential job lead to another person, I met people from numerous other countries, and I learned about a drug-free pain relief technique. After attending a couple more meet-ups, I have developed friendships with several people by connecting personally outside the actual networking event. In the process, we learned about lots of things we share in common.

Would you like to meet and make friends with interesting people in your own community? What wealth of information and connections could you share with them? Join us the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and the 4th Thursday of the month from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at the clubhouse. See you there!

Be sure to join our Facebook group page: Northwest Community Connectors.