“What Isn’t Remembered”: A Courtyard Chat on Life and Writing What do you remember about the photo on the cover of your book?“I don’t really recall anything from it — I was too young. It was part of a collection of old photos that my mother had that I recently unearthed that I thought would be perfedt for the book. It was in Germany. I would have been about 2, maybe 3. I think my mother told me...
Why is Christmas a season for giving? “We know that Jesus Christ was given as a gift to the world. The Bible says, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.’ In return, what we do as believers is give gifts, as well, to the people we love and to the world at large.” What can you tell us about the Gas on God fundraiser and what inspired Christ Deliverance Temple to organize...
Executive Director, Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity “It used to be that Habitat just built new houses,” the local Habitat leader says of their efforts. Working closely with the city and corporate partners with a $1 million capital campaign underway, the Columbus affiliate’s goal now is “to show the community what we do and to have a bigger impact. The ultimate goal is...
President & CEO, Columbus Housing Authority (retired); President, Columbus Affordable Housing Services What led you to a career as a public servant?“The real truth is I was in college and I was a political science major, taking a lot of public-administration courses. I had actually planned on going to law school but worked my way through school and got to a point as a senior when I...
In the last year, the Greater Columbus Sports & Events Council was honored as national Commission of the Year for its economic impact and home of Team USA Softball’s Complex of the Year. Two weeks ago, Executive Director Merri Sherman was awarded National Contributor for her leadership in the Sports Council’s annual hosting of the Georgia high-school softball championships. Three...
“My biggest belief is that you already have on the inside all you need,” says Renata Buckner Dowdell. “You have it in you; it’s my job to help you to see that. Help you tap into your greatness.”Learn more about the regional social worker, educator, and Founder / CEO of Infinity Plus, LLC , who works with many court-mandated clients. What all services does Infinity Plus...
By Andy Carpenter My son, who just turned four, loves the book The Invisible String.It’s a story of reassurance and connection between people — no matter what the circumstance or distance or time. As my son works through separation anxiety, potentially heightened by the persistence of COVID and the fears and uncertainty surrounding it, I can see his mind churning...
Author, Illustrator, Mystic After decades in New York City working with some of the publishing world’s biggest and brightest, Elaine Clayton recently returned home to Columbus. Even at this point in an already accomplished career, her creative output continues to ascend: Clayton’s book A Little Bit of Angels was recently reprinted and translated into French, while forthcoming The Way...
Prodigal Son / Acclaimed Chef Landon Thompson returned home to open a new restaurant and with a new concept — Animal Farm. His latest venture is a hip spot for sharing plates and enjoying in-house butchered meats on 12th Srreet downtown in former Bare Roots space. Why invest your time, talent and money in opening a restaurant in Columbus right now? “I grew up here, so that means I grew up...
Acclaimed writer on finding fascination in Columbus, developing the local literary scene, crafting fiction more true than truth, and awakening the genius in us all. Plus, which work she is most proud of in her stellar career — and why. How would you describe the art and science of teaching someone to write? “I didn’t start out as a teacher. I just kind of fell into it out of necessity...