Home is where the heart is - January | February 2020 - Alisha Gaddis and Lucky Diaz welcome us into their house - The Republic
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January | February 2020
Home is
where the
heart is
Alisha Gaddis
and Lucky Diaz
welcome us into
their house
Best Date Night Spots // Jim and Diana Roberts // Local Performers on the Big Stage
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contents
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2020
18 January | February 2020
Education Excellence
PROFILE
Home is
where the
heart is
Alisha Gaddis
and Lucky Diaz
welcome us into
their house
Diana and Jim Roberts get high marks
for their devotion to children Best Date Night Spots // Jim and Diana Roberts // Local Performers on the Big Stage
On the cover
Alisha Gaddis and Lucky Diaz
photographed by Angela Jackson
4 Columbus Magazine
MEdley
6 editor’s note
8 What do you think?
10 BOOK NOOK
12
12
taste
Date night
destinations
26 HOME & FAMILY
At home with
Alisha Gaddis
and Lucky Diaz
34
COMMUNITY
Columbus performers
hit the road
IN EVERY ISSUE
42 Wedding
44 our side of town
26
46 The Big Picture
Columbus Magazine 5
medley editor’s note
Hello, Columbus Friends!
I hope 2020 is off to a fantastic start for you. As
the editor of Columbus magazine, I thought the
new year would be a good time to introduce my-
self. My name is Emilee Miller, and my husband
and I have lived in Bartholomew County our
entire lives. We have two children and reside on
the west side of Columbus.
My magazine career, which began in 2005, has
focused primarily on layout design and artistic
direction. Last year, I was given the opportunity
to add editor of Columbus magazine to my title. It has been exciting to come up with story ideas
and collaborate with our talented writers and photographers, while still continuing to design the
layouts.
Recently someone was talking about one of our featured couples, and he said that they are the
kind of people who choose to live in Columbus, not because they have to but because they want to.
It might sound like a simple concept, but as a lifelong local, it shifted my perspective. My par-
ents originally made the decision for me to grow up in Columbus, but now I live here because I
choose to. I love Columbus, and I want to surround myself and my children with people who love
it, too.
There are many things I appreciate about Columbus as an adult that I didn’t notice as a child:
the world-renowned architecture, the diversity of its citizens, the people who are passionate about
their careers and our city, the restaurants (especially the ones that have my order memorized),
the beautiful homes with their unique styles, the churches that welcome all with open arms, the
schools that push our kids to their full potential, and the organizations that encourage us to be part
of something bigger than ourselves. These are the people, places and groups that I want to share
with you in Columbus magazine.
In this issue, I hope you enjoy getting to know Jim and Diana Roberts, taking a look inside the
home of Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis, finding the best restaurants for a fancy date night, and
seeing what five young performers from Columbus are up to these days.
Wishing all of you the best year yet. Happy reading!
Emilee Miller
emiller@aimmediaindiana.com
6 Columbus Magazine
January 22, 2020
Publisher Advertising Reader Services
Bud Hunt Advertising Art Director Mailing Address
AIM Media Indiana Amanda Waltz P.O. Box 3011
Columbus, IN 47202
Advertising Design
Editorial
Erin Caplinger, Ashley Curry, Advertising Inquiries
Editor and Senior Graphic Designer Julie Daiker, Jessica Dell, (812) 379-5655
Emilee Miller Kassi Hattabaugh, Josh Meyer,
Jessicah Powers, Tina Ray, Back Issues
Senior Copy Editor Robert Wilson To order back issues of Columbus
Katharine Smith magazine, please send $5 per
Advertising Operations Manager issue (includes S&H) to the
Contributors Lara Hunt mailing address above or call
Samuel Castelan, Carla Clark, (800) 435-5601. Please include the
Angela Jackson, Jana Jones, Advertising Operations Coordinator address to which your copies should
Sara McAninch, Jon Shoulders, Cat Cooper be sent. PDF files are available
Glenda Winders for a fee of $20 per page and are
Account Executives permitted for personal use only.
Rhonda Day, Jon Franz,
Taylor Schrink, Joy Woodcock ©2020 by AIM Media Indiana
All rights reserved. Reproduction of stories,
photographs and advertisements without
permission is prohibited.
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Columbus Magazine 7
medley What Do You Think?
In each issue of Columbus, we ask people for their opinions on a variety of topics. This month’s question:
What resolutions have you made
for the new year?
My goal for 2020 is to be In 2020 I would rather like My goal is to enjoy my time
more present in the now to come and live with my in Australia while studying
and not on my phone. boyfriend, either here in abroad.
Columbus or somewhere
— Alana Stagnolia else in the states. I am from — Jahna Smiley
London originally.
[Editor’s note: Steen
married Jacob Waltermire
Dec. 23 in Columbus.]
— Olivia Steen
One of my resolutions is My goal for 2020 is to
to raise my child without keep on doing the same
thinking too much about what as I am now, only better.
is right and wrong, and to
trust myself in his education. — Tom Pickett
— Delphine Seguy and Liam Odfy
One of my goals for 2020 is
to get caught up on home
projects.
— Jim Clouse
8 Columbus Magazine
Compiled By Carla Clark
My goal is to stay healthy, My resolution for 2020, on My goal for 2020 is to take
see family more and do a career level, is I would a nice, long and relaxing
productive things. like to advance into a full- vacation, because I babysit
time administrative role, or great-grandkids every day.
even possibly get back into
— Bob Pitman
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— Wilma Hayden
country coaching full time.
— Alex Engelbert
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Columbus Magazine 9
medley BOOK NOOK
2019 National book award winner
“Author in Chief: “A Long Petal of “Disney’s Land: “Trust Exercise”
The Untold Story the Sea” Walt Disney and By Susan Choi
of Our Presidents By Isabel Allende the Invention of Her fifth novel, “Trust Exer-
cise” is an ingenious blend-
and the Books Historical fiction is one of the Amusement ing of voices of truth and
my favorite genres, and this
They Wrote” beautifully written novel does
Park that Changed un-truth, youthful inexperi-
By Craig Fehrman not disappoint. Spanning the World” ence and wizened cynicism,
privilege and disadvantage,
This is a book for historians decades and continents, the By Richard Snow
all within the walls of a highly
and readers who demand relationship of Victor and
Scores of books have been competitive performing arts
well-researched, factual infor- Roser unfolds. Fleeing per-
written on Walt Disney and high school. Expect twists
mation about the leaders who secution during the Spanish
the entertainment colossus he and turns along the way. This
shape our country. Fehrman’s Civil War, Victor enters a
created, but Snow finds some is a book you’ll want to dis-
decade of journalistic inquiry loveless marriage with his
new running room, delivering cuss with others; as NPR said,
informs a well-documented deceased brother’s pregnant
an elegantly written chroni- “Book groups, meet your next
history of the presidents’ wife, Roser, to save her and
cle focusing on how Disney selection.”
books. her unborn child’s life.
created and funded the famed
At the same time, “Au- The two begin their jour- — Beth Stroh
park that bears his name.
thor in Chief” will appeal to ney as refugees with hope
Disney knew the importance
those who often find the and longing to return home
of characters in storytelling
past — and books about it — at some point in the future.
and so does Snow, examin-
stale or irrelevant. Fehrman Through many ups and
ing many of the people who
reveals the humanity of the downs, the two discover that
helped Disney on his passage
men who’ve achieved the home may not be what they
from idea to game-changing
presidency through scores of imagined after all.
park.
previously unknown stories, The book suggests lessons
— Theresa Wilson
often shared in their own that extend to today: Passion
words. for an idea and a plan are
Their writing offers important, but so is research.
valuable insights into their Disney’s focus and self-confi-
dreams and frustrations, suc- dence allowed him to push on
cesses and disappointments, despite family and friends who
and definition of the role of told him that an amusement
president. park was folly.
He leveraged everything he
— John Stroh
owned to build an amusement
park the likes of which the
world had never seen.
10 Columbus Magazine — Jeff Rowe, Associated PressReviews by Viewpoint Books & associated press
2019 National book award winner 2019 National book award winner
PROTECTION YOU
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“The Yellow House”
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Columbus Magazine 11Taste Henry Social Club 12 Columbus Magazine
Date Night
Decisions
Where to go in Columbus
for upscale dining
You’ve scheduled a date night
but are struggling with one
important detail: Where to eat?
You want something a little
fancier than grab-and-go fare.
Whether you’re out with a spe-
cial friend or a significant other,
here are four upscale options in
Columbus to try.
By SARA MCANINCH // Photography by jana jones
Columbus Magazine 13taste
New York Strip & Chicken Carbonara
at Upland Columbus Pump House
148 Lindsey St. | 812-799-3587 | uplandbeer.com/locations/columbus-pump-house
Thai Connection
»
If you’re looking for the best view in
527 Washington St., the city, according to Tabitha Lewis,
812-657-3790 general manager at Upland Columbus
thaiconnection.biz Pump House, then visit the restaurant
on the river. With its brick interior
and exterior, plus a wealth of windows
that provide natural lighting, Upland
For something refreshing and healthy yet has a lot of architectural appeal.
substantial and comforting, Thai Connec- In addition to atmosphere, the
tion manager Om Shanyapuk recommends restaurant offers a seasonal food
her Tom Yum soup, a spicy lemongrass menu, beer brewed by the company,
soup chock-full of herbs, mushrooms, wine and, more recently, a few cock-
onions and tomatoes. tails. For a date night, Lewis recom-
“The Tom Yum is popular, and it can mends the 14-ounce New York strip
be served vegetarian or with chicken or steak. Sourced from Fischer Farms
shrimp,” says Shanyapuk, adding that her in Jasper, the steak is cooked to order
Tom Ka, a coconut milk soup with veggies and topped with garlic butter. Sides
and herbs, is another constant customer include Brussels sprouts and sweet
favorite. “The Tom Yum is medium spicy, potato puree.
so it’s OK for someone if they don’t like If you or your date aren’t red meat
too much spice. It has the right balance.” eaters, the chicken carbonara is
another great choice. The house-made
fettucine is topped with a cream-based
white sauce, bacon, prosciutto, a fresh
grilled sliced chicken breast, onion
and Parmesan cheese. The result is a
“nice hearty meal,” says Lewis.
With its extensive beer menu,
Upland has a lot to offer by way of
beverage options. She proposes that
the Teddy Bear Kisses is the perfect
pairing for the steak. The Russian
Imperial Stout has notes of chocolate
and coffee and a “dark roasty malt”
flavor. For the carbonara, she says a
“red wine would go really well with it.”
Out of the three the restaurant offers,
she suggests the cabernet.
If you’re taking your sweetie out
for Valentine’s Day, Lewis says there
will probably be some sort of special
menu option, although Upland hasn’t
finalized its menu yet. Closer to the
date, you can view the menu online
at the company’s website or call the
restaurant directly for information.
14 Columbus MagazineSea and Land Combination & American Dream Roll
at Taku Steakhouse
305 Fourth St. | 812-799-7956 | takusteakhouse.com
The interior of Taku Steak- more popular rolls is the dry and in a large or small size.
house has three separate seat- American Dream. This chef’s If eating a fish-only dish on
ing areas: hibachi tables, main specialty is generously sized a date doesn’t appeal to you,
dining and the bar. While the and easily shareable. Rock Lay says the Sea and Land
hibachi tables include a fun shrimp tempura is wrapped Combination is the perfect
show put on by the chef who inside a seaweed paper called meal for two. This hibachi spe-
prepares and makes the food, nori and then sticky rice. It’s cialty includes New York strip
that space can be loud. Instead, topped with spicy lobster salad steak, chicken, shrimp and
restaurant manager Kevin and crab meat, then the heat is scallops. You and your date
Lay recommends that you and turned up when a spicy cream will also get soup, salad and
your date sit in main dining, sauce is poured over all of it. To noodles or fried rice. With My-
where it’s quieter and you can cool things down a little, Lay ers’s rum, strawberry liqueur,
order anything on the menu, suggests one of the restaurant’s peach liqueur and tropical
including the hibachi. many sake offerings. Served fruit juice, the Taku punch is a
The restaurant is known hot or cold, this fermented rice sweet beverage that goes well
for its sushi, and one of the drink can be ordered sweet or with this dish.
Columbus Magazine 15taste
Now in its fifth year of busi-
ness, Henry Social Club is
known for its lively atmosphere
and a “very diverse clientele
that matches our very diverse
community,” says Director of
Operations Amy Holmes. As
a destination spot for special
occasions, the restaurant often
has “a celebratory air” with
music playing and a lot of
social activity. Don’t let that
deter you from your date night
dining, though; the staff can
try to seat you away from the
main traffic and noise if you
call ahead of time with the
request.
Since the menu changes
frequently, Holmes recom-
mends checking the restau-
rant’s Facebook page for the
daily options. For sure there
will always be a wide selection
of starters that are great for
sharing. There will also be sea-
sonal salads, seafood, pasta, a
higher-end steak (think ribeye
and filet mignon) and a special
chocolate dessert. If you’re
unsure about what to order
from the extensive menu, ask
for suggestions.
In addition to its cocktails
with homemade shrubs (also
known as drinking vinegars),
Henry Social Club offers wine
and champagne options. “The
alcohol selection, the wine
list — all of those afford you
the opportunity to try things
that you haven’t tried before,”
Holmes says. For a date night,
she suggests starting with
champagne or wine.
The restaurant is open
Tuesday through Saturday
nights for dinner only. Due
to its popularity, Holmes says
that “reservations are recom-
Seafood, Pasta & Steak mended” but not required. If
you’re planning a Valentine’s
at Henry Social Club Day date night, the specialty
menu that will be offered
requires you to call ahead to
423 Washington St. | 812-799-1371 | henrysocialclub.com guarantee your spot.
16 Columbus MagazineJohnny’s Favorite Pizza & Grilled
Chicken Festival Bowtie Pasta at Johnny Carino’s
870 Creekview Drive | 812-372-2266 | carinos.com
At Johnny Carino’s “there’s some-
thing for everybody,” according to
Manager Michael Stroh. Since all
the food is made to order, custom-
izations or dietary restrictions aren’t
an issue, and the menu is varied
enough that you and your date are
sure to find something that tickles
your taste buds.
If you’re undecided about good
date night fare, Stroh says a short
noodle dish is perfect so “you’re
not slurping anything.” He recom-
mends the Grilled Chicken Bowtie
Festival Pasta. The mix of sliced
chicken, bacon, red onion, asiago
cream sauce, garlic, tomatoes and, of
course, bowtie pasta marries in your
mouth for a smoky, creamy, pungent
combination of flavors. A good
beverage complement is a glass of
the Twisted brand Moscato, which
has the right amount of bubbles and
finishes on a berry note. According
to Stroh, it “hits the palate cleanly.”
The turtle cheesecake is the perfect
finish to the meal with its layers of
rich cheesecake, chocolate, caramel,
candied pecans and a dollop of
whipped cream on top.
For a shareable dish, Stroh
suggests Johnny’s Favorite Pizza.
Topped with pepperoni, sausage,
bacon, black olives, mushrooms,
green peppers, red onions, toma-
toes and cheese, the supreme pie
is cooked in a wood fire to give it a
unique flavor. The smoky and earthy
flavors of the pizza go well with the it gets a light dusting of powdered The 21-and-older bar area is adjacent
Amalfi strawberry lemonade, which sugar. to the family-friendly fireplace room
is a combination of Captain Morgan Johnny Carino’s offers multiple that offers other places to sit. You
rum, strawberry puree, lemon juice options for your date night dining. If can even request candles on the
and lemonade. If you want to end you crave a quieter setting, there are table if you call ahead. “The best part
this date on a sweet note, order one intimate alcoves with dimmer light- is, when you think of a date night,
or two cannoli. The crispy shell is ing. For a livelier mealtime, the fam- you think of great food, a great
dipped in chocolate, then stuffed ily side has open views to the kitchen atmosphere, maybe some wine. We
with a mixture of sweetened ricotta where you can interact with the staff have all that and some great prices,
cheese and chocolate chips before and watch the food being prepared. too,” says Stroh.
Columbus Magazine 17Profile 18 Columbus Magazine
classACTS
Jim and Diana Roberts couldn’t help falling
in love with each other and teaching
By glenda winders // PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA JACKSON
T To say that Jim and Diana
Roberts have devoted their
lives to education doesn’t even
begin to tell the story of their
commitment to the students
whose lives they touch. Today
Jim is the superintendent of
Bartholomew Consolidated
School Corp., and Diana is a
second-grade teacher at CSA
Lincoln Elementary School,
but their dedication to learn-
in Brown County. Jim started
at a disadvantage because he
hadn’t gone to kindergarten,
but once he learned to read he
began to excel. Diana recalls
that he was soon in a reading
group by himself because he
read so much better than any-
one else, and he remembers
the day he got his first library
card.
“That was my golden
ing started many years ago in ticket,” he said.
… well, school. The pair didn’t start dating
They met in first grade at until their senior year at
Nashville Elementary School Brown County High School,
Columbus Magazine 19profile
and I thought it would be a
cool place to live,” he said,
“and we wanted to live close
to our parents and where we
grew up.”
On the road
Over the next six years he
and Diana earned master’s
degrees, and when he took the
job of assistant principal in
Batesville, they decided not to
leave their Columbus home.
He commuted an hour each
way for five years, and Diana
drove half an hour to her job
at South Decatur Elementary
School. But when he became
principal and Diana got a job
in Batesville, too, it was time
to move.
“I knew it was important to
be in the community,” he said.
“You want to be seen at the
grocery store by the students
and their parents that you
serve.”
By this time Jim had com-
Diana and Jim
at their senior pleted a doctoral degree in
prom in 1983. educational leadership, writ-
ing his dissertation on ISTEP,
the Indiana standardized test
but they have been together that was new at the time. His
ever since. They graduated research was some of the first
from Indiana University in done in that area.
1987 — he with a degree in “I had a belief that socio-
secondary education, physi- economics might be respon-
cal education and math; she sible for passing the test,”
with a degree in elementary he said, “and my research
education. They married indicated that was indeed the
that Labor Day weekend and case. Even now I look at kids
went to work on that Tuesday. and wonder what it is like at
Jim had received three job home. What supports do they
offers and decided on Hauser have, how much sleep do they
High School in Hope, so they get, how solid is their foun-
moved to Columbus. dation, how many books are
“I had grown up playing available to read, what’s their
basketball against Columbus vocabulary like before they
East and Columbus North, start school?”
20 Columbus MagazineBack to Columbus
In 2016 he accepted the job of
BCSC superintendent.
“Dr. Roberts was a good fit
for us in a number of ways,”
said Jill Shedd, president of
the BCSC school board. “We
valued that he was from the
area. Also, he values highly
that a school corporation is
an integral part of a com-
munity, and he is committed
personally to be a part of
our community. Batesville is
similar to Columbus in terms
of the makeup of the commu-
nity with the mix of large and
small businesses, which we
believed was advantageous.
“When we interviewed him,
he stated his respect for the
work and team in BCSC and
a commitment to continue
the work with our leadership
to get even better. He is a true
professional, and he continues
to be a great fit for BCSC and
for Columbus.”
The family was glad to
come back to Columbus, a city
they say feels like home.
“Columbus is an outstand-
ing community,” Jim said.
“I love the diversity, and I
love the collaborative spirit
of ‘Let’s get things done the
right way.’ There are always
challenges and opportuni-
ties, but we have people who
care about each other, and
that makes this a pretty good
place.”
The two agree that the kids
here are great, too. Jim said “Columbus is an outstanding community. I love the
the problems for which chil-
diversity, and I love the collaborative spirit of ‘Let’s
dren are often blamed usually
aren’t their fault. get things done the right way.’ There are always
“It’s the adults who have challenges and opportunities, but we have people
who care about each other, and that makes this a
pretty good place.” — Jim Roberts
Columbus Magazine 21profile
Diana with some of her second grade students at CSA Lincoln Elementary School.
created all of these chal- pensation for teachers and to Brett Findley, principal at
lenges,” he said. “We created decrease the growing amount CSA Lincoln, said Diana is
the technology and put it in of stress that comes with their definitely a teacher who cares
their hands and said, ‘Go keep jobs. While Diana acknowl- about her students.
yourself busy.’ … Whatever edges these issues are serious, “Students are drawn to her
societal ills go on across our she still loves what she does. because of the relationships
country, we are a reflection of “The job is challenging, but she builds with them,” he said.
that. If there’s a drug problem I love the kids the same as I “She holds them to very high
within the community, then did when I began teaching,” expectations and demands
you’ve got to assume that our she said. “The kids haven’t that they push themselves fur-
kids might delve into that changed that much in the ther than they think they are
arena, too.” classroom. Most of them want capable of. She is committed
to learn and come to school. to putting the time and effort
Support for teachers They’re happy to be with into making sure they are suc-
The district is working to friends and the teachers who cessful, and when a student
determine appropriate com- care for them.” achieves something new, she
22 Columbus Magazine“Students are drawn to her because of the relationships she builds
with them. She holds them to very high expectations and demands
that they push themselves further than they think they are capable of.
She is committed to putting the time and effort into making sure they
are successful, and when a student achieves something new, she will
be beaming as she says, ‘I knew he could do it.’” — Brett Findley
will be beaming as she says, ‘I
knew he could do it.’”
Diana said one of the things
she likes best about teaching
at a project-based-learning
school like CSA Lincoln is the
challenge of coming up with
fun, engaging projects.
“I strive to make each
school day meaningful and
exciting so students like
school and want to come each
day,” she said. “If they feel
special and loved, and they
truly know you care about
them, they don’t want to
disappoint you, so they work
hard, behave well and give it
their all every day.
“I wholeheartedly believe
the quote by Carl W. Buech-
ner, ‘They may forget what you
said, but they will never forget
how you made them feel.’ I try
my best to make each child
feel special and loved.” in school unless it’s for a con- state, writes the budget, hires
ference or education-related new faculty and staff, ensures
Little downtime travel. He has visited schools that buildings are in good
With two busy careers, Jim in Zhejiang Province in China condition and makes changes
and Diana haven’t taken a va- and Miyoshi, Japan — one of in technology. His job also
cation since they moved back Columbus’ sister cities. involves serving on about a
to Columbus. Jim doesn’t like In the summertime he dozen boards in the com-
to be away when students are completes reports for the munity, and he is active in
Columbus Magazine 23profile
Turning Point, which seeks to His favorite artist is Elvis rented several houses together
prevent domestic and dating Presley, and he can perform a on the beach or went to the
abuse. rousing impersonation of him Disney parks. Now those girls
They do find time to relax on stage. Diana also enjoys are grown up, and all three are
and enjoy their grandchildren. reading but said she is often IU grads, too.
Still a voracious reader, Jim too tired at the end of the day Rylie is a nurse at Colum-
typically reads nonfiction, to pick up a book. Her other bus Regional Health, and she
much of it education-related, love is bicycling. and her husband have two
and his favorite fiction author She said that when their children, Easton and Ivy, and
is Stephen King. He said mu- three daughters were growing live in Columbus. Regan is
sic is also important to him, up, they took annual spring a behavioral therapist who
and he often uses song lyrics break holidays to Florida with works with autistic children
in the many speeches he gives. other families where they in the Milwaukee area, and
Above: Johnny Radtke, Regan Roberts, Rashel Roberts, Rylie Thornsberry, Ivy Thornsberry, Bobby Thornsberry, Easton Thornsberry,
Diana and Jim Roberts. Opposite page: Jim Roberts, as Elvis, with backup singers, Gina Pleak, Laura Hack and Suzi Bruin, performing
during Crooners For CASA, presented by Advocates for Children, at The Commons in 2019.
24 Columbus Magazinephoto by
Carla Clark
TR-35029885
Rashel works with children And Jim says that’s what
who have speech and language he misses most now that he’s When
difficulties. a superintendent. “We both
“They didn’t go into
teaching,” Jim said, “but we’re
got into teaching to be around
kids and people and just do
Quality
proud of the fact that they
went into helping professions.”
that,” he said, “but my career
took me to a different place.”
Matters!
As for their own jobs, Jim He does get into classrooms
and Diana say their greatest occasionally, and he enjoys be-
fulfillment is working with ing a part of the Book Buddies
people. program that pairs adults and
“What I love the most is children for reading. He says
being in the classroom teach- one of his favorite memories
ing and having conversations is of a little girl running up to
with the kids,” Diana said. him in a store to hug his leg
“When I think about retiring, and crying, “Jim! Jim!” He
I think I could do without the had to explain to her startled
long hours and working on mother that he was her Book
weekends, but I don’t know if Buddy and, in fact, the super-
I could do without the kids.” intendent of schools.
Only local body shop in the area that is I-car gold!
www.voelzbodyshop.com
3471 Market Street, Columbus IN 47201
TR-35029862
812-376-8868
Columbus Magazine 25Home & Family 26 Columbus Magazine
Making themselves
at home
Nationally renowned music
artists bring creativity
to their Columbus house
By JON SHOULDERS
Photography by ANGELA JACKSON
Columbus Magazine 27home & family
A Alisha Gaddis and Lucky
Diaz consider their house on
Lafayette Avenue to be more
than just a place to live (well,
for part of the year anyway,
but more on that later). They
see it as an opportunity for
the kind of artistic expression
that is so integral to their lives
and careers.
Alisha and Lucky tour
extensively as Latin Grammy-
and Emmy Award-winning
music act The Lucky Band,
previously known as Lucky
Diaz and the Family Jam
Band, which they formed 11
years ago in California. The
group, which has released
several successful albums of
catchy kids tunes, has been
covered by CNN, PBS, Bill-
board, The Washington Post
and People magazine, among
other media outlets. Touring
takes them all over the United
States and abroad to Japan,
China and Mexico.
When the couple and
their children, Ella, 16, and
Indiana, 3, aren’t out on the
road or at their home in Los
Angeles, they’re likely to be
found enjoying their Colum-
bus home with friends and
family. They began looking
for a home in Columbus after
their youngest daughter was nection brought them here, “We both come from cre-
born to be closer to Alisha’s Lucky and Alisha say their ative backgrounds and were
parents, Bob and Karen love of the community, art always the ones getting the
Gaddis. The Gaddises reside and architecture in Columbus neighborhood kids together
on the west side of Columbus, drew them in even more. They to put on a play and charging
and Bob is approaching his consider their residential sur- a quarter for admission,” says
20th year as Columbus East roundings here in town to be Alisha, who also works as a
High School’s head football as optimal a place for creativ- stand-up comic, published
coach. ity as any stage or recording author and columnist. “So,
While the family con- studio. of course, we wanted to be
28 Columbus Magazine“A guy we know describes the style of our house as Marfa, Texas, meets big-city
living. We love mid-century modern, Americana and all different styles, but a house
has to kind of dictate what design you do and what kinds of furniture you put in.”
— Lucky Diaz
creative in how we did our
home here and decorate it in a
meaningful way.”
A style of their own
Such TLC for their home is
readily apparent. The walls
and shelves are adorned with
artwork from flea markets,
set pieces from past TV shows
and photo shoots the couple
have done together, antique
shops and elsewhere.
“A guy we know describes
the style of our house as
Marfa, Texas, meets big-city
living,” Lucky says. “We
love mid-century modern,
Americana and all different
styles, but a house has to kind
of dictate what design you do
and what kinds of furniture
you put in.”
Alisha says she and Lucky
have been working on the
three-bedroom, one-bath-
room home in one capacity or
another since they acquired
it three years ago, and Lucky,
whose father was a contrac-
tor, implemented many of
the home design and repair
skills he learned over the
years without the need to hire
outside help. They strove to
strike a balance between re-
storing the original character
of the home, which was built
in the 1880s, and adding their
personal design touches.
Alisha and Lucky under-
took a three-month restora-
tion and design journey, and
one of the biggest jobs during
Columbus Magazine 29home & family
that period involved ripping
out the existing carpet to sand
and paint the original 1880s
poplar flooring in the front
living area.
“We couldn’t find a good
belt sander anywhere, so I
did it by hand and painted it,”
Lucky says. Over the course
of a month, he covered the
freshly sanded floor with
three coats of paint. “It was which the couple decided The kitchen also got a face-
hard work, but it’s been a should be matte black for a lift that included new counters
labor of love.” bold yet understated look. and shelves, repainted cabi-
Another extensive job Gold-leaf address numbers on netry and new tile flooring. A
consisted of tearing out the the front door transom win- free-standing garage behind
home’s vinyl siding to expose dow and bright-hued porch the home now serves as a
the structure’s original siding furniture contribute colorful, combination guest house and
and then applying fresh paint, stylistic pops to the exterior. creativity space, with a new
30 Columbus Magazineroof and a glass garage door smaller spaces and appreci- to their home are two murals
that opens onto a paved patio ate the honesty of a dwelling they commissioned by Lizzie
with chairs and a large trough that’s not huge,” Lucky ex- Bilbrey from Indianapolis.
planter procured from a seller plains. “There’s something fun One is in their bedroom, and
in Ohio. about getting the most you the other is on the outside
“With being city dwellers can out of every square inch of the fence that faces First
most of our adult lives, we’ve of your space.” Presbyterian Church. Lucky
learned to make the most of The most recent updates says they found Bilbrey’s work
Columbus Magazine 31home & family
on Instagram and knew her
style would be a perfect fit for
their home.
Drawn to Columbus
Lucky, a northern California
native and former session
musician, met Alisha, a native
of Evansville, 12 years ago at
the famed Comedy Store in
Los Angeles where Alisha was
headlining, and they married
five years later. Alisha says her
background in musical theater
and acting is an ideal fit with
Lucky’s musical chops for the
various kids music projects
and additional artistic en-
deavors they have undertaken
through the years.
According to Lucky, they
and their kids currently split
their time into thirds between
touring with The Lucky Band,
residing in southern Califor-
nia and living in Columbus.
“I’m California through
and through, but I’m also
a design fanboy, so when
I started learning about
Columbus and the monu-
mental architecture here, I
32 Columbus Magazine“We love the whole downtown, and there are people doing cool
things everywhere here. As far as the home, we feel like the
best way to pay homage to the art and architecture that’s here
is to continue creating.”
— Alisha Gaddis
got excited fast,” Lucky says.
“Being so used to warmer
weather back out West, it’s
sometimes a shock to walk
outside and suddenly you find
it’s 25 degrees, but that’s not
the biggest deal in the world.
We’ve totally grown fond of
Columbus.”
Alisha says she and Lucky
have come to appreciate the
walkability and sense of com-
munity that they feel pervade
Columbus.
“It’s such a unique area,
and we try to spend as much
time as we can here, even
though it’s hard with touring
and constant meetings on the
West Coast,” says Alisha, who
says Jill’s Diner on Seventh
Street is her favorite place in
the world to write. “We love
the whole downtown, and
there are people doing cool
things everywhere here. As
far as the home, we feel like
the best way to pay homage to
the art and architecture that’s
here is to continue creating.”
Lucky adds that the couple’s
plans for their house aren’t
necessarily finished yet, and
they’ve thoroughly enjoyed
each step of their design
journey while honoring the
home’s history and character.
“We have some ideas in the
future to make some more
radical changes to the house
and maybe knock down a wall
or two but keeping its integ-
rity,” he says. “We like how it’s
taken shape, and now it feels
like it’s really ours.”
Columbus Magazine 33Community
‘ There’s no business like
show business’
34 Columbus MagazineColumbus roots helped nurture musical careers
of these accomplished women
m
By glenda winders // Photography submitted
Mary Claire King performs on Broad- she was a child in the Mill Race Players.
way. Marja Harmon sings and dances The women also credit other local
in San Francisco. Chasten Harmon, her teachers, Sarah Kittle and Julianna
sister, is in a new movie. Chaley Rose Jerome-Drerup, as well as John Johnson
Jackson is on TV. Madelyn Claire Lego and Julie Hult, drama coaches at North.
is onstage in Ohio. “Getting different expertise from
Pretty impressive accomplishments different teachers is invaluable and
for five women who started out in important,” Gordon said. “All of the
Columbus, and they all say growing up voice teachers here in town tend to
here contributed to their successes. work together.”
“The sense of appreciation that our She said all of these teachers have
community has for all of the arts is an reason to be extremely proud of the
important piece,” said Janie Gordon, talent they have helped produce.
who taught vocal music at Columbus “It’s really awesome to see these kids
North High School for 17 years and doing so well in following their dreams
continues to teach from her studio and their passions and not giving up,”
and perform. She coached or directed Gordon said. “It’s a tough profession.
all five of these singer-actors. “There’s There are a lot of knock-downs, and
always something in our community you’ve got to pick yourself up and keep
that people can tap into that has to do going. So many times the world around
with performing. We’ve all grown up us tends to squash a lot of those hopes
in a community where the arts have and dreams, and I’m super-proud
been supported and nurtured and of those kids who just keep pushing
rewarded.” through it.”
Gordon worked one-on-one with We talked to these performers re-
Marja Harmon and occasionally with cently to find out what’s been happen-
Chasten. At North, King and Lego were ing since they left Columbus and what
in the choir. She directed Jackson when they miss about home.
Columbus Magazine 35community
“There’s something about
Columbus and being black in
Columbus,” she said. “We are a
minority by a lot, but we were
very supported by our commu-
nity. It was a safe space to be a
creative kid, and especially a
creative kid of color.”
She said this was the first
place she ever saw color-blind
casting. “They just cast the best
person for the role,” she said.
“I remember a play when a
white girl played the younger
version of the character and
Marja played the older, with no
explanation.”
Her parents, Cheryl Owsley
Jackson and Charles Jackson,
as well as her brother have all
moved away, but she is still in
touch with Kittle.
“She was the first person to
nurture me and tell me I had
a gift, and when I couldn’t
afford voice lessons she told me
to come for free. I love Sarah
for that. I credit her for being
CHALEY ROSE
we would all go to Applebee’s, where I am today.”
and for away games we’d go to For relaxation now she
JACKSON
McDonald’s. These were very gets together with a group of
simple, small-town Indiana, girlfriends one night a week for
traditional things that don’t dinner and wine, “to get away
exist in my life now.” from the hustle and bustle.”
Jackson majored in interna- She also likes hiking.
tional studies at Indiana Uni- “There are beautiful places
If you can’t resist holiday “I loved ‘Saturday Night versity after her mom talked to hike in L.A.,” she said. “I
movies, you probably watched Live,’ and my mom gave me her out of musical theater, but like to go by myself, and at a
Jackson in 2019’s “A Christmas free rein with the camcorder,” she found an outlet for her certain point when you’re com-
Duet” and “Holiday Heist.” she said. “My friends and I passion with groups such as ing down, all you can hear is
She also played Zoe in the TV mimicked the ‘SNL’ sketches Ladies First a cappella and IU the wind. I turn off my music
series “Nashville,” and she has and did stop-motion and Soul Review. and just breathe.”
made guest appearances on magic tricks. I also used to pre- “I got an incredible vocal But her main focus is always
several TV series. She dropped tend I was in commercials.” education because the vocal on work.
her last name professionally She lives in Hollywood now, coaches were often doctoral “At one point it seemed like
and now goes by “Chaley but she looks back nostalgi- students of music,” she said. “I all of this opportunity was out
Rose,” in part a nod to the cally at her days at Central learned a lot about harmonies of reach,” she said, “but now
grandmother for whom she Middle School and Columbus and being able to hear and I’ve come to a point where it’s
was named. East High School, where she fine-tune my ear. I thought all possible if I’m willing to do
“I have a rose tattoo on my was the first African American maybe I’d be a backup singer the work, keep my head down,
arm,” she said, “and I incorpo- homecoming queen. She was or dancer. I tried to put myself stay focused, stay creative and
rated this year and named my also on the track team and was in a smaller box, but it just keep working on my craft.”
company after her.” a gymnast and a cheerleader. didn’t work out. This was the Jackson’s next roles are
Jackson said she always “Some of my fondest mem- dream.” in “The Pledge” on the CW
knew she would be an actor ories are of Friday nights,” she She said Columbus was a network and an episode of
and singer. said. “If we had a home game, great place to grow up. “Lucifer” on Netflix.
36 Columbus MagazineMARY CLAIRE
KING
“It was easily the best day excited to try out for “Won-
of my life,” King said of her derful Town.” When the
Broadway debut, when she results were posted, she had
played two roles in “War been cast for a more difficult
Paint.” The stars of the show role than the one for which
were Patti LuPone and Chris- she had auditioned.
tine Ebersole, who, King said, “I was terrified as I didn’t
“made me feel like I had my think I could pull off the
own Tony Awards at home as quirky lead,” she said. “But
opposed to being the rookie playing this role transported
that I was.” me. For the first time I actu-
Currently King is the un- ally felt like a different person
derstudy for the role of Velma onstage, and it was the best
Kelly in “Chicago,” also on time I’d had in my whole life.
Broadway, and she is part of That’s when I knew.”
an ensemble that is onstage For her successes she cred-
for every performance. its Jerome-Drerup, Gordon,
“Playing this role and being Johnson and Hult, along
a part of this show have truly with the staff at Christie’s
been a dream of mine since Dance Studio and teacher Ed
I was 17 years old,” she said. Niespodziani, who created
“This is the most significant “American Pie.”
role I’ve played thus far.” “I am beyond grateful for
She lives on the Upper the rich arts community in
West Side of Manhattan near Columbus,” she said, “and I
Lincoln Center now, but she was blessed with the most in-
grew up on Washington Street credible teachers who believed
with parents, Peter and Cathy that I could be on Broadway
King, and two older siblings. long before I did. The best
“While I essentially came team prepared me for this
out of the womb singing,” she career from a young age. All
said, “I loved to try everything of these wonderful teaching live experience that you share With her family still in Co-
and found myself following artists gave me the tools that I with the audience and is dif- lumbus, King comes back to
in my brother’s footsteps with still rely on today.” ferent every time you tell the visit, and she has performed
soccer, basketball and track. She went on to study at same story — and, of course, with the Columbus Indiana
Our parents instilled a solid Syracuse University, where the freedom to burst into song Philharmonic three times.
work ethic within us, truly she earned a Bachelor of Fine and dance at any moment.” “Columbus will always
leading by example.” Arts in musical theater. That And sing she does. In be my home,” she said, “and
She sang in the Columbus led to several roles in regional addition to her theater work I still have relationships
Indiana Children’s Choir theater that she said were King is part of a group called with all of my teachers and
for five years and began pivotal for her. She said her RANGE a cappella. “Many friends, many of whom travel
taking voice lessons in the favorite part of what she does members are friends from around the country to see me
seventh grade, but she didn’t is the storytelling. Syracuse, and it’s truly my ar- perform. I miss Indiana fall,
realize she wanted to be an “I love stepping into an- tistic family here in Manhat- holidays, our neighborhood,
actor until her junior year at other person, often in another tan,” she said. “We’ve released riding my bike to my cousins’
Columbus North. She had a time, and learning what a full album and have lots of house and the Judson Erne
principal role the year before makes them tick,” she said. songs on all music platforms Auditorium. I miss my family
in “Bye Birdie,” and she was “I love that the theater is a and videos on YouTube.” the most.”
Columbus Magazine 37community
love for choreography and
improv/comedy while I was
there. And out of all the roles
I have had in my life, I feel
that the most significant was
when I was cast in the college
production of “Wild Party”
as Queenie. I put a ton of
work into the audition, and
it paid off. I felt I was finally
performing in a way that felt
professional and mature. The
role was super challenging
and gave me an opportunity
to really hone in on all the
aspects of musical theater that
I feel I do really well.”
Next it was on to New York
City, where she has worked
in many aspects of musical
theater. Currently she is
writing scripts, filming shorts
with her friends, performing
in concerts and musicals, and
choreographing for other
theater companies.
“My favorite thing about
MADELYN CLAIRE LEGO
my career is that it has no end
destination; there is no finish
line in sight,” she said. “I am
constantly evolving what I
want to create. I get to do
“Some people are just born important to my growth as an She credits Kittle for her anything and everything. I
with this desire to perform artist. I had so many oppor- singing voice; Gordon, John- love to make people laugh and
and be onstage, and I think tunities to be involved in the son and Hult for introducing getting to create things that
I am genuinely one of those arts growing up. The people her to theater; and Beth’s pull people in.”
people,” Lego said. “I don’t re- and groups I worked with Dance Studio, Elite Perfor- Lego said her best memo-
member the specific moment there truly are what pushed mance and Christie’s for ries of growing up here were
that I decided ‘This is for me,’ me to be the performer I am teaching her to dance. the Ethnic Expo parade, the
but I also don’t remember a today.” “I found a love for the the- 4-H fair, the playground
time when I didn’t want it to She was in the Columbus ater and performance in a way and movie theater in the old
be my career.” Indiana Children’s Choir that was supportive, but they Commons, American Pie and
Lego is based in New York and performed with the Mill never babied me,” she said. pool parties at the Holiday
and is currently performing Race Theatre Co. She at- “I was held to high standards Inn. She comes home now
in “Saturday Night Fever” in tended Columbus Christian and had high expectations to for the occasional Columbus
Ohio, but she got her start in School, Central Middle School meet.” “fix,” and she performed with
Indiana. and Columbus North High After high school she the philharmonic in the 2019
“The first time I stepped School, where she was also a headed to Western Illinois holiday concert. Her parents,
onstage was at 3 or 4 years volleyball player. University, where she earned a Tom and Pam Lego, her two
old,” she said. “I did church “I was a really busy kid,” Bachelor of Fine Arts. sisters and their families, and
choir when I was really she said, “and it taught me “At WIU I was given insane her grandparents still live in
little, and my parents knew how to manage my time and amounts of opportunity to Columbus.
immediately that I had the balance the things I love with mold my own identity as an “My roots run deep in the
bug. Columbus was incredibly the not-so-fun parts.” artist,” she said. “I found my 812,” she said. “Go Blue!”
38 Columbus MagazineYou can also read
