Southeast Messenger - October 7, 2018

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PAGE 6 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - October 7, 2018 www.columbusmessenger.com Paint brushes and tights: wrestling with their art By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer It was minutes before the first, and possibly last, match of the Artists Wrestling League when founder W. Ralph Walters Franklin Heating Cooling & Refrigeration, Inc. Tune Up NOW or Bundle Up LATER! 24 Hour Service 614-836-9119 Financing Available OH License #20692 www.franklinheating.com took the stage for introductions. As he explained to the crowd what they were about to witness, he noticed an uptick in furrowed brows, taut lips and raised eyebrows; he imagined thought bubbles wondering why they paid a cover charge. To reel them back in, he started with the jokes. It did not go over so well. “I bombed,” he said. Though the majority of the crowd were family and friends, he pleaded with them to trust him, and watch what would unfold. As this self-proclaimed introductory mishap was occurring, a red tights-clad Randal Pearson stood nervously backstage with demon makeup on, wondering what he had signed up for. “I looked at Brent Elam (his opponent for that night) and asked ‘Are we really doing this?’” he said with a laugh. The answer was yes, absolutely. It was shortly after Walters came up with the idea for the AWL when he told Pearson, a 2001 graduate of Groveport Madison High School, of his visionary concept. “Basically, its two grown costumed adults creating timed pieces of art and smacking each other around in the ring if they want,” said Pearson. Walters sees it slightly different. “It’s one of the largest open source art projects,” he said. “It’s live art with a nostalgic twist.” Pearson knew he had to be a part of it. “I tend to gravitate toward things that sound weird.” With the help of Walters, he crafted a backstory for his wrestling alter ego, El Diablo Blanco, a not-so-talented artist who sold his soul to the devil for a chance to make great art. Pearson said it somewhat fits with how he sees himself as an artist. “I’m not a great live painter though I try when I’m up there (in the ring),” said the noted sculptor. For the past three-and-a-half years, Pearson and his alter ego have been stalking makeshift rings throughout the city and state, and much like his alter ego he has even recruited others into the dark side. “Actually, my wife is mostly responsible for all of this but she might resent that statement,” said Rob Lamka, a 2004 graduate of Grove City High School. Pearson, Lamka explained, was a member of their wedding party and was initially the one who told him about the AWL. “I had to see for myself what on earth this was all about,” he said. Upon viewing a match, he said he saw something that was new, exciting, chaotic and absolutely spectacular. “It was nuts,” he said. “I loved it.” Unlike Pearson, Lamka didn’t immediately sign up for some art and wrestling action but it was a prompt from his friend that pushed him into the ring. “I saw on a Facebook post that Randy was looking for a manager or a mouthpiece to hype up his events. “Randy’s a quiet guy so he wanted someone who could be this loud, obnoxious mouthpiece and I thought to myself, ‘I can be that loud, obnoxious mouthpiece.’” Within weeks, Mr. Muerte was created from the depths of the underworld, though he is rather helpful in and out of the ring. “They’ve been partners for many years but there has been some division lately,” Lamka said. Though not a regular wrestler (yet), Lamka has filled in from time-to-time. “I’ve worn a chimp costume when Chimp Endale was needed and I’ve worn a suit made out of bubble wrap to prevent myself from being hurt,” he said. “That had the reverse effect as some of my opponents took that as an opportunity to hit a bit harder.” Walters and partner Beth Yoder-Balla said injuries are not typically a part of the act though lately the wrestling artists have been pushing the limits. “They’ve thrown each other into tables on occasion, but we absolutely draw the line at allowing them to set themselves on fire as some have requested,” said Yoder- Balla, the president and CEO of the Akron AWL. “We’re not looking to be sued.” Admittedly, timed drawings, past grudges and rabid crowds can make for a tumultuous time in the ring, which would ideally be reined in by good officiating. The referees, however, are known for their lack of attention. Photo courtesy of Jacquelyn Miller Fans know this character as El Diablo Blanco, one of the most feared warriors in the Artists Wrestling League. Friends and family, however, know him as Randal Pearson, who graduated from Groveport Madison High School in 2001. Pearson has been performing in the AWL since its inception in 2015. “They’re the worst in the league,” said Walters. The head ref is Thomas Refferson, the self-proclaimed greatest referee in the world. “I’m the greatest,” said Refferson, who is known outside of the ring as James Kindler. Kindler never considered himself much of an artist, though he was a fan of the iconic wrestlers. “I wrestled in middle school but by high school I had stopped,” said the 1991 graduate of Franklin Heights. Like Pearson, he knew of the AWL though his friendship with Walters and liked the scene so much that he volunteered to assist with stage production. “I was doing that for about a year when they needed someone to step in as a referee,” said Kindler. “I always considered myself a behind the scenes person but once I was put into the spotlight I kind of grew into the performance. It’s been great fun portraying this clueless ref. He naps during the action, takes selfies with the crowd and does not pay one bit of attention.” His time as head ref may be cut short as a rival ref stole his whistle, stop watch and ripped his shirt at the latest event. “We’ll have to see what happens,” he said. “I might just get into that ring.” Walters said when he first thought of the idea years ago, he had no thought that it would last, let alone be so popular. “We were sure it would just be one or two shows at the most, but here we are nearly four years later and we’re still going with no plans to stop.” He said that fact was a true testament to the artist wrestlers who give their time and talent to this slapstick world, and to the recurring fans and new fans who believe in this occasionally physical live art show. For AWL information, go to their website at www.artistswrestlingleague.com. Walters said they are always looking for talented artists who like to perform in front a crowd, so if you’re interested, contact him or Yoder-Balla through those platforms.
www.columbusmessenger.com October 7, 2018 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - PAGE 7 Apple Butter Day is a celebration of community By Rick Palsgrove Southeast Editor Summer has bid us farewell and that means Apple Butter Day is coming! Groveport’s 45th annual Apple Butter Day will be held in Groveport’s Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road, near and around the historic log house on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Apple Butter Day is an event rich in tradition featuring historical demonstrations, crafters, and great food - especially the piping hot, freshly stirred apple butter slathered on homemade bread. There’s nothing like the taste of homemade apple butter cooked over a wood fire to make one embrace autumn. Apples played a vital role in 19th century Ohio’s and Groveport’s pioneer agricultural economy and daily life. Apples could be stored year round and travelled well when shipped over the rough roads or the slow moving freight boats on the Ohio and Erie Canal. Apples, in addition to being a refreshing treat picked right off the tree, could be used in many products used by the pioneers like dried apples, apple butter, cider, apple brandy, apple chips, and vinegar. They were even fed to hogs, which were important livestock to the Ohio pioneer. The Groveport Heritage Society created Apple Butter Day as a way to pay tribute to the town’s pioneer past and to educate people about what life was once like in Groveport and nearby farms in the 19th and 20th centuries. The festival strives to remain true to the area’s historic roots. Apple Butter Day has a relaxed atmosphere and every year one can get a hearty bowl of bean soup and warm cornbread and then follow that up with an ample slice of homemade bread topped with warm, sweet apple butter. It’s a day to be spent outdoors reveling in what fall has to offer before gray, cold November drives everyone indoors. Apple Butter Day is a day when people who have long moved away stop by the old town again to see family and friends. It is a day for those who have remained in town to reacquaint themselves with their neighbors. It is a day that encourages us to slow down. It is a day to enjoy the pleasures of simple foods. It is a day that reinforces our link to those who have gone before us and to those who will follow. Volunteers needed There are volunteer opportunities available to help on Apple Butter Day. Volunteer to: stir and jar apple butter in Heritage Park, four stirrers needed at all times and there is a need for as many people as possible; slicing bread in the shelter house by the log house in Heritage Park; working in booths (two hour shifts, beginning at 10 a.m.) selling apple butter in jars or on slices, helping stir and jar the apple butter, and selling quilt tickets. Bean/cornbread dinner changes The Groveport Seniors will no longer be serving the traditional bean soup and cornbread in Crooked Alley KidSpace on Apple Butter Day on Oct. 13. Instead, the Kiwanis Club of Groveport Madison will serve cornbread and beans on site on Apple Butter Day in Heritage Park. Free shuttle service The Groveport Transportation Department will provide a free shuttle service to and from Crooked Alley KidSpace on Wirt road near the Apple Butter Day festival on Oct. 13. Shuttles will leave from the Groveport Recreation Center parking lot, 7370 Groveport Road, every half hour at the top and bottom of the hour beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. The shuttle will leave the corner of Wirt Road and Cherry Street every half hour at the quarter hour starting at 9:15 a.m. and ending at 5:15 p.m. Groveport Heritage Museum Interested in Groveport’s history? Visit the Groveport Heritage Museum, located in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. The museum features photographs, newspapers, maps and historical artifacts of Groveport’s history. No dogs allowed Per city ordinance, people are prohibited from bringing animals to city sponsored event and festival areas, which includes Apple Butter Day. The law does not apply to guide or service dogs, police dogs, animal exhibits at the events, or pets on residential properties within the event area. Music and entertainment Music will grace the main stage in Heritage Park as well as in and around the log house. See the complete music and entertainment schedule below. City of Groveport 45th Annual Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10am - 6pm Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road ALL DAY - Craft Demonstrators - Hayride - Homemade Crafts located at Heritage Park and by Palm Pond. Antique Tractor Show - Food Vendors Free Pony Rides 10:00am Welcome - Mayor Lance Westcamp 10:00 - 12:00pm Berachal Valley - Main Stage 10:00am Sign up for Derby at Palm Pond. First 50 Children get to fish with a cane pole. Bait provided. Ages 0-5, 5-10, & 10-15 10:30 - 11:30am Annual Groveport Cane Pole Fishing 12:15 - 2:00pm TNT Bluegrass - Main Stage 12:00 - 12:15pm Madison Christian Band - In front of Log House Entertainment Schedule 6th Annual Apple Butter Day 5K, For more information call 614-836-1000 ext. 1513 Sharps Landing Canal Building - 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 12:00 - 2:00 pm Delightful Sounds - In front of Log House 2:15 - 4:00pm Tom Ewing & The Bluegrass Ramblers - Main Stage 2:00 - 4:00pm Ellen Ford, Story Teller - Palm Pond 4:15 - 5:45pm Kauffman Road - Main Stage 5:45pm Announcement of Quilt Raffle Winner ALL CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES/OLD FASHIONED TRACTORS LOCATED AT PALM POND - FREE Co-Sponsored by the City of Groveport and the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society. For information, please call 614-830-2055.
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Southeast Messenger - October 7, 2018

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