In today's episode, we will be listening in on two separate conversations. Both are with members of our community who have been investing tremendous time and energy into spreading information about the upcoming Earned Income Tax Issue. This issue is being proposed by Westerville Schools for a vote on November 4th, 2025. As voting day approaches, they want you to hear what they have to say before you vote.

The catch? They land on opposite sides of this important issue.

In the first part of this two-part series, you will hear from both sides of this issue as they make their case to you, the voter.

Next time, we will regroup to hear their response to the opposing view, their answers to resident questions, and their closing arguments.

We hope you find this project information and helpful as you prepare to make a decision on how to vote this Fall.

On today’s episode, I share with you a conversation that I had with Pam Allen and Don Foster about a project they have been working on to restore the Olde Methodist Cemetery in Uptown.

Pam serves as the volunteer historian at Church of the Messiah, where she researches the 200-year history of the church and its relationship with the community.

Don is a longtime Westerville resident who has been researching and writing about Otterbein and Westerville history for many years.

These two were brought together for a project to restore Olde Methodist Cemetery, an often forgotten burial ground. Within this cemetery lie the remains of over 200 individuals dating back to the 1830s, including individuals significant to the founding of both Westerville and Otterbein University.

This is a wide-reaching conversation during which Pam and Don share several stories from their research and time on this project, including stories about Westerville’s involvement in the Abolitionist movement, among others. We top it off with discussion about the process and value of preserving history to our community.

I found this conversation to be fascinating dive into our community’s history, and I’m excited to share it with others. Enjoy.

Today’s conversation is with Megan Ada and Joshua Cook, owners and operators of Asterisk Supper and the recently opened Ampersand Asian Supper Club, both located in the heart of Uptown Westerville.

During our conversation, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to open and operate a restaurant. They share with us their experience with developing a concept, creating a vision, and training staff to carry the vision to their clients. We also talk about the importance of small businesses like theirs and others to a community like Westerville.

I had a great time getting to know these two and hearing their passion for this industry and their work. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Megan Ada and Joshua Cook.

Today’s conversation is with Dave Read and Dave Krebs - otherwise known as “Dave Squared.” This duo has been teaming up for nearly 10 years to lead the Fourth of July planning committee with the Westerville Noon Rotary Club. As we enter the summer season, the Fourth of July festivities serve as a signature event for both Rotary and the Westerville community. Dave Squared have been hard at work alongside many other rotarians and community members to get ready for another successful year of bringing this event to our community on Friday, July 4th.

During our time together, Dave Squared share stories from years past and ways the tradition has changed - even as recently as this year. We learn of opportunities for the community to be involved and a bit about how Rotary serves our community.

We hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the Westerville Fourth of July as we look forward to another year of this special event.

Today’s conversation is with Michael Heyeck. Mike currently serves as the Chair of Westerville City Council, a board on which he has served since 1993. Mike is scheduled to retire at the end of his current term, after nearly 40 years of public service to our community.

Outside of his public service, Mike is a retired executive from the electrical utility industry and is a long-time parishioner of Saint Paul Catholic Church.

During our time together, Mike shares from his experience what he believes is the role and function of local government. We talk Westerville history, day-to-day operations, and ways that local residents can learn and get involved with our city.

I learned a lot from our conversation and hope that you do, too. Enjoy.

Today’s conversation is with Rob McCabe. Rob has served with Lifeline Christian Mission for a total of 10 years, the last year of which he has served as Manager of Generosity and Engagement. During our conversation, Rob and I discuss the origin of Lifeline and its connection to the Westerville community. We discuss the scope of the organization, operational details and ways that community members can support them. Finally, we touch on the intersection of faith and service that lies at the heart of Lifeline.

What defines a community? Is it its boundaries, its budget, its buildings? Or is it the tradition, the history, the stories, the people? You are invited to join us in Discovering Westerville