may_2018

May 2018
Bringing about a vibrant community where people lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions.
While many of us spent the extremely long winter binge-watching tv
shows , Zach Harris, 30, of Fairfield County was busy with his two entrepreneurial
start-ups.
“I’m the CEO,” Zach said as he pointed to the shiny food truck in his driveway.
I also make duck calls.”
The food truck is also the company headquarters of Zachariah’s Redeye
Bar-B-Que, a full-time food truck owned and operated by his family.
“I’m the head French fryer and I’m the dishwasher,” Zach added. “People
know who I am.”
Mother Kimberley said she and her husband, Larry, were looking for a way
for their son to get out into the community but also a way to help him finance
his eventual independence.
“We had come to a point in our lives where our careers were ending,” she
said. “We took our life savings and purchased this truck. My husband had
been cooking his whole life and was really good at anything having to do
with barbeque.”
The family spent over a year outfitting the truck while perfecting their recipes
before hitting the road. Everything on the menu is made from scratch—ribs, brisket, pulled pork and tacos, as
well as mac n ’cheese and baked beans. Of course, Zach is partial to the hand-cut French fries, though he isn’t sure
which way he prefers them.
“It’s just hard to say,” he said with a shrug.
The truck has become a common fixture in downtown Columbus and can be found three
or four days a week serving up their mouth-watering lunches to the hungry downtown workforce.
Their busy season begins when area festivals begin and they also are booking for private
events, such as parties and Pam weddings. Whiteley
But barbeque isn’t Zach’s only passion. An avid outdoorsman, like his father and brother,
he loves to accompany the men in the family on hunting and fishing
excursions,
Vickie Rzanski
specifically duck hunting—made all the more fun
when using his own, handmade duck calls.
“I have my own workshop,” he said. “I have my own lathe and
drill press too. I basically taught myself. I was watching the show
Duck Dynasty and thought the duck calls looked like fun.”
Zach has made quite a few of the hand-turned duck calls and
has sold them in small shops, as well as given them to friends.
“They work too,” he said. “We got a duck from using my duck call. We dressed it and
ate it too.”
As if Zach wasn’t busy enough, he and his mother volunteer to clean their church every
week and he also spends time with his siblings’ children.
“The next step is for us to find a way to build him something like a tiny house on our
property,” his mom said. “He needs to have his own space and be independent. He’d
love to have a separate workshop too.”
In the meantime, Zach said he enjoys everything he does and loves spending time with his family.
“Oh!” he added. “I also know how to sew.”

Uhl Named to 40 Under 40
While the official first day of summer
isn’t until June 21 this year, soon the
school year will end and local kids and
their families will find their schedules
turned upside down.
It’s an interesting time of year for
young people with developmental disabilities and their
families. For many of these children, they spend the school
year in relatively structured environments. Some may be in
mainstream classrooms while others may receive more
tailored educational instruction. Still some students may
even spend their schoolyear in a specialized school not
catering to children without disabilities.
But summer is the great equalizer. Every child looks forward
to three months free of teachers, curriculum, and
schoolwork. Instead, they shift their focus to things like ball
games, summer camp, swimming pools and, let’s face it,
video games.
Many years ago, kids with developmental disabilities
had few choices when it came to how they would spend
their summers. I’m happy to say, however, that the options
available today are much more vast.
While Fairfield DD does not offer direct service, the people
employed here are resourceful. If an opportunity exists,
they will find it. And if it doesn’t exist, they will find a way to
get it created.
As you read through the pages of this month’s newsletter,
I hope you will be encouraged to see the many things
available to the children we support.
Our staff has worked closely with the camps in the area
to help them to be more accessible to all children. They
have scoured the county looking for events and activities
for the entire family to enjoy. Our transition and employment
teams are assisting older kids to find internships or
employment education programs. And our resource management
team is helping families find the funding they
need to take advantage of any summer experience a kid
may want to try.
This is what “it takes a village” really looks like. County
Boards working in tandem with community organizations,
churches and agencies to find a perfect fit for every child.
Whatever you and your family decide to do this summer,
I hope it is enriching, memorable and exactly what you
hoped it would be.
Every child deserves the chance to enjoy life and to just
be a kid.
John Pekar, Superintendent
Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Director of Business Development and Government
Relations David Uhl has been selected by Columbus
Business First to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2018.
In its 26 th year, the central Ohio business journal received
more than 300 nominations from around central
Ohio. Uhl was selected from that pool for his dedication
to the Fairfield County Board, the local business
community and for his numerous community affiliations.
Uhl will join his 2018 classmates on May 24 at a gala
in their honor at the Hollywood Casino. A special edition
of Business First will elaborate on all the winners
and be published on May 25.
Kane to Speak at OACB
OACB is pleased to announce
that the keynote address
for the 2018 Spring Conference
will be delivered by
James Kane, a behavioral scientist
and consultant specializing
in the study of loyalty and
relationships. His keynote address
will open the OACB 2018
Spring Conference in the morning
of Thursday, May
10. Drawing on more than 40
years of research, Kane will make the case that human
beings have an innate need to be loyal and
actively seek out specific clues from others that tell
them when they can and should be. In his presentation,
he will explain how leaders at county boards of
DD can understand and demonstrate these loyaltybuilding
behaviors to develop lifelong relationships
and generate lasting public support.

Lasting Impressions
The following letter was received last month
from Tiffany Flowers, mother of Cruz who was
enrolled in Forest Rose’s Integrated Preschool
as a typical student/peer model.
“I have a story to share with you. After I got the
call, I thought of you and Forest Rose.
I was at the hospital today working when I got a
call from [my] boys’ school. I was in a patient’s
room and apologized because I needed to answer
at the bedside, but my heart skipped a beat because
it was the school. It was the principal and it
was about Cruz.
She told me who she was and then told me that
Cruz walked into her office today to “share his
thought “with her and to give her a letter that he
had written.
There are a few kids at the school with handicaps
and Cruz has noticed that a lot of the kids stare at
them. He told her in his letter and in her office, that
it’s not ok that kids stare at these kids with handicaps
and not only did he point out that it’s an issue,
but he gave her some ideas on what he thinks
should be done about it and how she needs to
address it. He also asked her to make an announcement
over the speakers to let everyone
know that it’s not nice to stare at people just because
they look differently than us. It probably hurts
their feelings and we need to be nice to everyone,
regardless of how they look.
She told me that I should be very proud, and he is
mature beyond his years and she wishes just half of
her kids were as empathetic and kind and thoughtful
as he is. She is also proud of the fact that not
only does he think it’s wrong to treat these kids differently,
but that he wants to put something into
action to change it, and that he had no problem
going directly to her to speak up about how he
feels.
I couldn’t help but think of Forest Rose and of you
and I am certain that the reason he is so thoughtful,
and caring is because of you and the two years he
spent there. And I shared that with the principal as
well. So THANK YOU for everything you do and for
instilling that into children at such a young age.
When they learn that young, I think it lasts a lifetime.
Everyone there should know what an amazing job
you guys do and how it truly does impact and
change lives. “
For information about enrollment in the Forest
Rose Preschool, call 740.652.7225.
Fairfield County Athletics
Special Olympics will host
an equestrian invitational at
the Lancaster Fairgrounds
on May 19. Come out and
support our athletes!

Now is the time to think about what you’d like your summer to look like. This month many pools opens, many
camp registrations are due and many activities are announced. Take a moment to soak in the list of possibilities
in Fairfield County and prepare to fill your extra hours with the things you most love to do!
All Abilities Camp @
Ally Park, Lancaster
A day camp for children 6-14 years old
of all abilities.
Join the camp staff for nature classes,
games, crafts, zany songs, outdoor
activities and so much more!
June 12-14
Tuesday - Thursday (9:00am - 3:00pm)
Lancaster resident fee: $110
Non-resident fee: $120
740.687.6651
All Abilities Camp @
Geneva Hills, Lancaster
Aides are to be provided by parent if
needed
Day Camp is $200.00
Ages: 7-13 (Children outside of this age
range are welcome please inquire)
Campers entering grades: K-4 & 5-8
All camps run from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
June 4 - June 8
June 18 - June 22
July 23 - July 27
July 30 - Aug 3
June 25 - June 29
Campers entering grades: 5-8
All camps run from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
July 9 - July 13
Campers entering grades: 2-4
All camps run from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
740.746.8439
Creative Adventures @
Art & Clay on Main
Camps, classes, coffee and more! The
possibilities are endless. Now offering
wet clay classes! For details visit
artandclayonmain.com.
Recreation Unlimited
Day Camps
Camps for youth and teens (ages 5-22)
with a disability, physical or developmental,
as well as their typically-developing
friends and siblings. This inclusive experience
allows friends and typical siblings to
attend camp together and promotes personal
growth in a fun and challenging environment.
Visitwww.recreationunlimited.org.
No Limits Basketball
Day Camp
Dates: 6/26/18. 6/27/18, 6/28/18
Time:- Session 1 Ages 5-12 years of
age 5pm-6:30pm
Session 2 Ages 13-Adult (Special needs)
and wheelchair Athletes 6:40-8pm
Both sessions will be combined on the last
day, Thursday from 5-7pm
Where:-OUL Gymnasium
Cost- $15 740.687.6651
FREE Day at AHA!
Use your Fairfield County Library card to
check out four free passes to AHA!, the
children’s museum. Pick up passes at the
library and, within seven days, return
them at the museum.
Take a FREE Class
The Fairfield County Library offers over
300, instructor-led courses entirely
online. Free to card holders. Visit
www.fcdlibrary.org and click on Gale
Courses.
Hit the Road
Take advantage of mini trips with
Fun Bus Adventures. Join them
for the Columbus Arts Festival
June 9. For $42 you can take the
bus into downtown Columbus and
spend the day! Visit funbus.com
for a complete list of area trips,
in and out of state.
Free Movie Nights
Destination Downtown Lancaster
presents the Saturday Cinema
movie series in Downtown Lancaster!
Saturday Cinema is a free outdoor
movie! Bring your blankets,
chairs and snacks to the Bandstand
at Broad & Main Street in
Downtown Lancaster. A space is
reserved in the front for blanketonly
seating.
Snack and drink concessions will
be available for purchase. There
will be pre-movie activities 1 hour
before the movie starts!!
This is a FREE community event.
Call 740.277.6607 for movie information.
Free Concerts
Bring a chair and take in a free
concert at the Lancaster Bandstand
on Broad Street every Friday
night, 7 to 9 pm. Come out
June 1 and see Fairfield DD Board
member Bob Competti’s band Bad
Influence.

Tiki Pool & Miller
Pool
Tiki Pool will open Memorial Day
Weekend and Miller Pool will open
June 4. Admission to Tiki is $4.50
and to Miller, $3.50. Both pools
offer a $2 admission after 5 pm.
Tiki features a zero entry pool!
Olivedale Wellness
Center
The Wellness Center is now open
to people ages 35 and up and that
includes the use of the warm water
pool. Membership is just $24 a
year. Applications are available at
olivedale.com
Lancaster
Campground Pool
The Campground will open their
pool Memorial Day weekend. Passes
are just $3.50 a day and family/
bulk passes are available. Call 740
-654-2119
Make a Splash
Visit the accessible splash pad at
Pickerington Pool, 11333 Stonecreek
Drive. They are adding new
features this is summer! $8 day
pass, Includes pool entry. Noon to
8 pm.
Baltimore Pool
This pool features a hydraulic lift,
zero-entry and water sprays.
Daily admission ranges from $3 to
$7 and memberships are available.
Visit baltimoreohio.org.
WahKeena Preserve
Wahkeena is open Wednesday—
Sunday and offers a wide-array
of free programming, nature
tours and events. They also maintain
a website with a wildflower
bloom list and footage from their
trail camera. Tours can be booked
by calling 740-681-7249. Be sure
to visit their bookstore!
Movie Under the
Stars
The SkyView Drive-In is now open.
Enjoy HD movies on an 80-foot
screen. Tickets range in price
from $4 to $8. Visit skyviewdrivein.com
for a current list of
movies.
Sycamore Creek
Movies & Concerts
Enjoy free movies in Sycamore
Park on Hereford Drive in Pickerington
every Friday night this
summer through July. Bring a
blanket or chairs. Visit Pickerington.net
for a list of movies. Then
come back out to the park every
Sunday evening for a free concert
in the amphitheater. Concerts
also run through July.
Get Happy!
Pickerington Community Chorus
will present its spring concert on
May 12 at 3 pm in Peace United
Methodist Church, 235 Diley Road.
Old Car Show
The 55th Annual Lancaster Old Car
Show will be June 2 and 3, 8 am to
4 pm at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
Admission is free but
parking is $5.
Free Summer Lunch
Program
Lancaster offers free lunches all
summer to children up to the age
of 18. Lunch sites are Mt. Pleasant
Elementary, Hunterwood Apartments,
Tallmadge Elementary, St.
Paul’s Lutheran Church, Knights
of Columbus, Robert K. Fox YMCA
and Afterschool Programs of
Lancaster. Lunch must be eaten
on premises. Call 740-653-5678.
Lake Logan
Lake Logan is a fishing lake with a
wheelchair accessible ramp that
boasts pike, bass, bluegill, crappie,
catfish and saugeye. It’s a
day-use park with picnic areas
and secluded walking paths. You
can even rent a boat by calling
740-380-2956.
Local Plays
Garrett Players will perform
Terms of Endearment May 18—20,
(directed by John Pekar) at the
Fairfield County Main Library.
Ohio University Lancaster will
present Hello Dolly July 22—
August 5. The Lancaster Playhouse
will open Glorious May 4—
6. Stay tuned for information
about Victoria Players Children’s
Theatre in Baltimore which will
present The Lion King this summer.
Free Fishing
Kids Who Hunt and Fish will offer
free fishing lessons every Monday
and Tuesday , 4 pm to dark, at
Cheers Chalet. Begins May 14 and
runs through July 20. Call Mike
Bell, 740-407-3092.

‘Sesame Street’ Expands Autism Focus
On television, online and at their theme park, the people behind “Sesame Street” say they are adding
more resources and increasing efforts to include kids on the spectrum.
Sesame Workshop said this week that it will air a special “Sesame Street” episode focused on Julia, the first
muppet with autism, and it’s launching a host of new online materials aimed at educating youngsters about
the developmental disorder.
Meanwhile, Sesame Place — a theme park based on “Sesame Street” — said that it is the first such attraction
to be designated a Certified Autism Center meaning that staff are specially trained to accommodate
those with ASD.
The developments come more than two years after “Sesame Street” introduced Julia online and a year
after she first appeared on the venerable television show.
“Seeing the difference that Julia has made since her debut on Sesame Street has been heartwarming, and
we’re thrilled to expand our commitment to the autism community with new resources that can make a real
difference in the lives of children and families,” said Sherrie Westin, executive vice president for global impact
and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop. “Sesame has long celebrated the uniqueness of every child as well
as what all children share in common. Julia has shown that all children, autistic and neurotypical alike, are
amazing in their own ways.”
As part of the ongoing “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children” initiative, Sesame Workshop
said its website will feature a storybook about Julia and her family, four videos starring Julia and her
friends and digital routine cards with step-by-step instructions showing Julia and other muppets getting a haircut,
going to a birthday party and participating in other potentially challenging activities.
In addition, a “Sesame Street” episode airing April 9 on HBO and PBS KIDS will focus on Julia’s unique perspective
as she and her friends hunt for shapes in everyday objects.
At Sesame Place outside of Philadelphia, visitors can meet Julia and there are two quiet rooms for guests
with special needs to take breaks. The park also said it’s adding a sensory guide and other resources to its
website to help families of those with autism plan their visit.
- From Disability Scoop

Adaptive Clothing Line to Launch with Zappos
National PTSD Awareness Day is
observed annually on June
27. This is a day to recognize the
effects post-traumatic stress has
on the lives of those affected by
it. PTSD is a disorder that develops
in some people who have experienced
a shocking, scary, or dangerous
event.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
has a profound effect on the lives
of those who suffer from it. The
statistics alone are staggering, but
can only tell a portion of the story.
The trauma and anxiety associated
with PTSD is a constant burden,
inseparable from the sufferer.
It was once a condition that
was attributed only to returning
combat veterans, but more and
more the condition is diagnosed
in those who have experienced
violent crime or lived through catastrophic
events. According to
PTSD United, 20% of adults in the
United States who have experienced
a traumatic event suffer
from PTSD.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Reach out to someone you
know who suffers from PTSD. Let
them know you care and are
there to help. Use
#NationalPTSDAwarenessDay to
share on social media.
HISTORY
The United States Senate established
PTSD Awareness Day in
2010 following then-Sen. Kent
Conrad’s efforts to designate a
day of awareness as a tribute to
Army Staff Sgt. Joe Biel of the
North Dakota National Guard,
Davison said. Biel suffered from
PTSD and took his life in April 2007
after returning to North Dakota
following his second tour of duty
in the Iraq War.
Biel’s birthday, June 27, was
chosen to mark PTSD Awareness
Day and honor his memory.
For further information, visit
www.NIMH.gov.
PBS KIDS is working with Zappos to introduce a clothing line aimed at
meeting the unique sensory and adaptive needs of kids with disabilities
that will soon be available at Zappos.
Apparel in the line will include t-shirts and lounge pants showcasing dinosaurs,
rainforests, oceans and air travel, all designed to be sensory
friendly with no buttons, dissolvable tags and soft fabric.
The pieces are gender-neutral and reversible in order to allow for greater
independence in dressing, according to Zappos and PBS KIDS. Prices
will range from $26 to $32 and the clothing will be available in sizes 18m to
6x.
The online retailer added Zappos Adaptive — a special section to spotlight
disability-friendly clothing — on its website last year. At the same time,
the company also introduced a dedicated team of adaptive specialists
trained to help shoppers with special needs.
Event is $50 for professionals and FREE to adults with DD and family members.
Contact Jordan Wagner at 614-688-3155 for information.
SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP NOTICE
The deadline to submit Summer
Scholarship Program request
forms is on or before May 31.
Submit selections to Kathy Curry,
740-652-7220. Please ensure
you have formally registered for
the camp or activity.
Michelle Dexter will be talking
about funding sources available
to families with children with disabilities
during the Coffee, Tea and
Autism Support group meeting
May 17, 6:30-8:00pm at Trinity
Family Life Center in Pickerington.
Childcare will be provided by the
Pickerington High School Key
Club. You can register on the Facebook
page “Coffee, Tea and
Autism-Fairfield County,” or Sara
Walker at
swalker409@yahoo.com .

795 College Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Contact Us
Temple Custer Montanez, Editor
www.FairfieldDD.com
Administration ...................................................... 740-652-7220
Superintendent ..................................................... 740-652-7220
Services and Supports ......................................... 740-652-7220
Family Support Services ....................................... 740-652-7220
Department of Quality .......................................... 740-652-7235
Forest Rose School .............................................. 740-652-7225
Early Intervention/Birth to 3 ............................... 740-652-7225
Opportunity Center ............................................... 740-652-7230
Art & Clay on Main/Square 7 Coffeehouse ......... 740-653-1755
JobFusion ................................ 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Transportation ...................................................... 740-652-7228
Pickerington Regional Office .. 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Volunteer Opportunities ....................................... 740-652-7220
Our Mission
To bring about a vibrant community
where people lead fulfilling lives and
make meaningful contributions.
Superintendent
Board Members:
Mark Weedy, President
Theresa Nixon, VP
Linda Barber, Sec.
John R. Pekar
Robert Competti
Sharon Scruggs
Sharon Murphy
Elizabeth Burwell
The tans will fade, but
the memories will last
forever.