Groveport Messenger - April 4th, 2021

April 4-17, 2021 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XXXVIII, No. 21 

Hometown Realtor 

Marylee Bendig 

 

580 Main St., Groveport, OH 43125 

(614) 218-1097 

marylee@maryleebendig.com 

A name you KNOW, 

the name you TRUST 

Disc golfers 

Messenger photo by Pat Donahue 

Flying objects were spotted at Area 51 Disc Golf Course in Obetz as Dylan Knecht of Groveport nails the 

putt while his fellow Cruiser to his left, Noah Graham, and Seth Collins of Obetz, look on. The three avid 

disc golfers were found at Area 51 taking advantage of the nice March weather. Knecht has been enjoying 

the sport for less than a year, but he plays often. Graham has played for a dozen years, and Collins, 

twice that long. They play year round and usually come armed with a variety of discs, sometimes as many 

as 20 to 30, for various situations and multiple shots. 

Property values’ 

impact on schools 

By Rick Palsgrove 

Groveport Editor 

Property valuations in Franklin County have increased, which 

has an impact on school systems’ revenues. 

“We expected values would grow, but, wow, did property values 

grow,” said Groveport Madison Schools Treasurer Felicia 

Drummey. 

Drummey told the Groveport Madison Board of Education at 

its March 23 meeting that countywide, according to Franklin 

County officials, there is a 20 percent median increase in residential 

values and 15 percent median increase in commercial property 

values. 

“That is a large increase,” said Drummey. 

Drummey reported that, within the Groveport Madison district 

boundaries, total residential property values are at $630 million 

and industrial property values are at $243 million. Overall the 

taxable property values in the district are at $1.1 billion. 

However, Drummey noted that the voted millage on the district’s 

existing operating levy is 60.26 mills, while the effective 

millage that is actually collected for residential/agricultural is at 

31.33 mills and 38.75 mills for commercial properties. 

“We only collect about half of the voted millage due to House 

Bill 920 that reduces voted mills to eliminate inflationary 

growth,” said Drummey. 

Voted millage is any millage outside what is provided by the Ohio 

Constitution. This is millage is voted in by the public. Effective millage 

is the millage rate that is actually levied on property. 

“New construction is good for jobs, good for the community, and 

it’s one the main areas of growth the school district can get aside 

from inflationary adjustments the county auditor establishes for 

See SCHOOLS, page 3 

Financing for Main Street plan; council members comment on project 



Groveport City Council took another 

step into making the 1847 Main Street 

project a reality with the passage of legislation 

to fund the project. 

On March 22, council voted 5-1 on two 

bond issuance ordinances to fund the construction, 

furnishing, equipping, and 

improving the proposed Rarey’s Port and 

Wert’s Grove buildings on Main Street. 

Councilman Shawn Cleary voted against 

both ordinances. 

By the numbers 

One ordinance was for $3.8 million in 

non-tax revenue bonds and the other is for 

$3.8 million in tax revenue bonds. 

According to Groveport Finance Director 

Jason Carr, non-tax revenue bonds equal 

taxable bonds and tax revenue bonds equal 

tax-exempt bonds. He said the project will 

be funded by general obligation bonds, 

which are bonds from the bond market and 

are not property tax bond issues that would 

be voted on by the residents. 

“The debt interest paid on tax-exempt 

bonds issued by state and local governments 

is generally tax-exempt at the federal 

level, unless more than 10 percent of the 

proceeds are used for a trade or business 

(taxable bonds),” said Carr. “A local government 

will generally issue taxable bonds 

to finance projects that do not meet IRS tax 

exemption requirements and in the case of 

the city of Groveport, space devoted to tenants 

where a trade or business will be conducted.” 

Carr said tax-exempt bond principal and 

interest may be paid from income taxes collected 

by the city, which beginning in 

December 2021 will be from the city’s debt 

service fund. 

“Taxable bond principal and interest 

cannot be repaid from income taxes and the 

city must use non-tax revenue sources, 

such as fees, licenses and permits, interest 

earnings, charges for services or other revenues 

received,” said Carr. “Generally, the 

debt service interest paid by the city on 

tax-exempt bonds will be lower than taxable 

interest based on risks involved/repayment 

source.” 

Carr said the city devoting the first floor 

of each building to commercial use is why 

taxable bonds are required to be issued. 

“Currently, second floor space will be for 

government use which allows the city to 

issue tax-exempt bonds” said Carr. 

The bond issuances indicate that the 

estimated cost for the two structures combined 

will be approximately $7.6 million, 

which is up from the previous estimate of 

$6 million. 

“The original $3 million (for each building) 

was a preliminary number based on a 

shell building,” said City Administrator 

See MAIN STREET, page 2 

Sain Insurance Agency Inc. 

Lisa Sain, Agent 

Groveport, OH 43125 

www.lisasain.com 

Bus: 614-830-0450 

Being there 

is why I’m here. 

Total average savings of 

$ 

761 

when you combine home and auto. 

Call my office for a quote 24/7. 

*average annual household savings based on national 2015 survey of new 

policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm. 

State Farm Murual Automotive Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, 

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, 

State Farm General Insurance, Bloomington, IL 

P097136.1

PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - April 4, 2021 

MAIN STREET 

Continued from page 1 

B.J. King. “As finishes, including plumbing, HVAC equipment, 

etc., became more defined, the cost increased. 

Additionally, the $3.8 million per encompasses costs associated 

with the issuance of the debt to fund the project.” 

When asked if the increase in cost jeopardize the project 

considering the city’s income tax revenues are down, King 

said, “The debt payment will be split between tax revenue 

(income tax) and non-tax revenue (money collected by the 

city that is not a tax). So income tax will be used to pay 

half of the debt issuance. We continue to monitor our 

income tax collections and anticipate they will rebound. 

God Bless Everyone 

& Stay Safe at Home 

Malek & 

ATTORNEYS AT LAW 

Malek 

WORK INJURIES 

WORKERS’ 

COMPENSATION 

SAFETY VIOLATIONS 

WRONGFUL DEATH 

PERSONAL INJURY 

SLIP & FALL INJURY 

DOG BITE INJURY 

Douglas, Ed, Jim 

and Kip Malek 

Ben Churchhill 

“Hablamos Español” 

FREE Initial Consultation 

www.maleklawfirm.com 

614-444-7440 

1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 

We feel that through the annual budget creation process, 

we will be able to dedicate income tax revenue for the construction 

of these two buildings.” 

Economic Development Director Jeff Green said the starting 

construction and completion dates are not yet determined. 

“We’re still negotiating the contract and there are some 

variables we need to pin down, like the availability of 

steel,” said Green. 

Regarding potential occupants for the buildings Green 

said, “Right now we have verbal commitments from, and 

floorplans drawn up, for three businesses: two restaurants 

and a bakery/café.” 

About the 1847 Main project 

The 1847 Main project involves the construction 

of two new, two-story brick, mixed-use commercial 

buildings: one to be built at the northeast corner of 

Front and Main streets (674-716 Main St. and 

known as the Rarey’s Port building); and the second 

at the northwest corner of College and Main streets 

(480-490 Main St. and known as the Wert’s Grove 

building). The city is the developer for both sites. 

The Wert’s Grove building will be about 12,184 

square feet. The first floor will have five separate 

storefronts with the interior space divisible according 

to space requirements for potential new businesses. 

Second floor space for now will be open. 

The Rarey’s Port building is tentatively planned 

to be 14,145 square feet, with 7,017 square feet of 

space on the first floor and 7,128 square feet on the 

second floor. The second floor space will be open for 

now and the first floor have six individual storefronts 

facing Main Street and the interior space 

divisible as required. 

Council and mayor viewpoints 

The Messenger asked Mayor Lance Westcamp and 

Groveport City Council members if they favor constructing 

both 1847 Main Street project buildings now, 

building just one building now, or waiting to tackle the 

entire project later when the economy improves, and 

also what they think the city’s prospects are of attracting 

businesses to the buildings. 

•Jean Ann Hilbert: “We purchased the property 

for development. We are bringing to Groveport 

businesses the community has requested in several 

surveys over several years. Three viable businesses 

are extremely interested in locating in Groveport. 

We have talked about this for years and it’s time we 

do what the residents want. Groveport has been 

blessed to have a multi-million dollar annual budget. 

This would cost a very small portion of the budget 

annually for the next 20 years. The recreation 

center will be paid for next year. That will release 

some debt monies. If we don’t think to the future, 

we become stagnant. 

•Becky Hutson: “This may be an expensive project, 

but now is the time for what we have promised 

our residents.We can afford it and maintain what we 

have. It is time for our employees to step up. The rec 

center is almost paid off, however the rec center and 

golf course both need subsidized each year? To me 

that is not paid off and we need to look at how we can 

improve. The city has been stagnant for years. I’m 

tired of that and so are the residents, so I feel now is 

the time to make things happen. It is a solid plan 

and we have people wanting to set up business here. 

There is nothing signed on the dotted line, but I feel 

they will soon, it is exciting we have some great 

opportunities to make our little city a place to be.” 

•Shawn Cleary: “I think building one building now 

at Main and College streets is the way to go due to 

our financial situation. We’ve never been in economic 

times like this. We can learn from the first build, this 

way the second building will be better than the first. 

www.columbusmessenger.com 

My biggest concern is the city would get in a financial situation 

where we might have to cut some city services. I don’t 

want to gamble with city services and employee benefits.” 

•Ed Dildine: “I am optimistic the economy will rebound 

and we will come out stronger than before. I am in favor of 

doing both buildings now. The cost of the project is not going 

to go down and will only increase as time goes on. If we can’t 

invest in ourselves, who can we expect to do it for us. We as 

a city have taken chances before - the recreation center, 

aquatic center, golf course - and we always find a way to 

make it work. We are in talks with tenants and hopefully 

that brings investors who will bring unique options to our 

city not found anywhere close. We have done study after 

study, survey after survey and they all say the same thing: 

our residents want more options. Our goal is to garner 

renewed interest into our downtown for not only the new 

buildings, but also our current businesses. Any increase in 

foot traffic will enhance their businesses. Our current businesses 

are fantastic and provide an awesome service to the 

community. One trip in to them and I’m sure they will gain 

new customers. It’s now up to our administration to get to 

work and hit the ground running to fill these buildings and 

I have the utmost faith in them to accomplish this goal.” 

•Chad Grashel: “We listened to the feedback from the 

residents and saw a desire for development such as these to 

improve the downtown and enhance the experience of living 

in Groveport. The city has invested so much into these 

exciting projects to this point, and as we are seeing, the cost 

of completion isn’t going to go down by waiting. Groveport 

is primed to attract small business. We have a growing 

community, which also brings many people into the city for 

work on daily basis from around Central Ohio. This should 

create a lot of interest in the market and is especially true 

when we have the infrastructure in place to promote.” 

•Scott Lockett: “Pre-COVID, our income was solid, the 

economy was good, and everyone felt optimistic. I favored 

going with both buildings. Once COVID hit, our income 

stream came in below what was budgeted. Our administrator 

and finance director met with council to discuss possible 

budget deficits and implications. When it came time 

to vote initially whether to go with two buildings or one, I 

felt we should develop only one property at a time. 

However, my mind was changed and I supported developing 

both properties. The businesses presented to us would 

be well received and fit nicely in our community. Our 

administrator and finance director again reached out providing 

us with financial information. My thinking changed 

and my preference was to build on the Main and Front site 

first, get that property leased and up and running. With 

that success, we could move on to the second building. My 

fear was, although there were a number of possible tenants 

for both buildings, none had been secured, as a result, 

we would be in a situation where we could possibly have 

unleased space sitting vacant. It became clear the majority 

of council felt developing two buildings was the preferred 

choice. Because we needed to pass the ordinance as emergency 

legislation, a super majority was needed requiring 

my vote. I respect the other members of council and their 

choices. So, I voted yes so we could pass the legislation 

because, with building costs and other factors, time is of 

the essence. My desire is, once these buildings are occupied 

with market rate leases they will become marketable and 

attractive to a potential developer, we sell them. I don’t 

think the city needs to be in the development for business 

long-term. We have a professional staff that addresses economic 

development. The task of filling the spaces will fall 

on them and the resources they access. My hope is we have 

all the spaces under lease before the end of construction.” 

•Mayor Lance Westcamp: “I am in favor of both buildings 

now. I am afraid if we only construct one, the other 

may not be constructed. I believe this is what we promised 

our residents. I am confident that the city will attract at 

least two well know businesses.”


SCHOOLS 

Continued from page 1 

property values or a levy,” said Drummey. 

She said the challenge when formulating the 

district’s financial forecast is to make the best 

prediction on what will happen with property 

values in the future - will they go up, go down, 

or stay the same. 

“Two key factors impacting future revenue 

projections are inflation and new construction,” 

said Drummey. 

Modular at Groveport Elementary 

Groveport Madison Assistant 

Superintendent Jamie Grube informed the 

board of plans to replace the aging modular, two 

classroom unit at Groveport Elementary. 

He said the modular is 12-to 14-years-old, in 

poor condition, and is leased by the district for 

$1,200 a month. 

“It’s the only modular we do not own,” said 

Grube, who noted the district does own the 

modulars set up at Asbury, Dunloe, and Sedalia 

elementaries. 

Grube said the goal is to purchase and install 

a modular four classroom unit, that includes 

restrooms and a covered walkway, to replace 

the old one at Groveport Elementary this summer. 

He said the district is looking at possibly 

purchasing a two-year-old unit for $200,000 and 

that it would cost another $200,000 to install it. 

“This is half the purchase cost of a buying a 

new modular unit,” said Grube. 

Grube said he will check with vendors 

regarding appropriate pricing and bring the 

proposal to the board for a decision at its April 

13 meeting. 

around Groveport and Madison Township 

Tax filing deadline extended 

The Ohio Department of Taxation extended the deadline to 

file and pay Ohio individual income tax for tax year 2020, from 

April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. As a result, the municipal 

income tax filing deadline for individual taxpayers has been 

automatically extended to May 17, 2021 as well. 

Late filing penalties and late payment penalties and interest 

will not be imposed for the period of April 15, 2021 through May 

17, 2021 for these extended filings and payments. 

The payment due date for the tax year 2021 first quarter 

estimated tax payment, and the filing and payment due dates 

for business net profit taxpayers, are not impacted by this 

extension. However, RITA will not impose late filing penalties, 

or late payment penalties and interest for the period of April 15, 

2021 through May 17, 2021 for first quarter 2021 estimated tax 

payments or business net profit filings and payments. 

Township opposes natural gas hike 

Residents of Madison Township participating in the 

Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. natural gas aggregation program 

may see increased rates on their February and March natural 

gas bills. 

The Madison Township Trustees believe the rate increases 

are unfair and are not permitted by the contract. The trustees 

are working with the township’s attorneys and its gas aggregation 

consultant, Scott Belcastro at Trebel Energy, LLC to 

ensure that residents are treated fairly and their rights under 

the aggregation contract with VESI are protected. 

There will be a special meeting of the Madison Township 

Trustees on April 6 at 7 p.m. via Zoom for anyone who wishes to 

learn more. There will be a presentation by natural gas aggregation 

consultant, Trebel Energy, LLC, followed by a question 

and answer period. Details on the Zoom link will be posted on 

the Madison Township website. 

April 4, 2021 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3 

Legacy of Love 5K 

COVID-compliant and in-person this year, the Legacy of 

Love 5K will be held at the Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 

Groveport Road, on April 18 at 2 p.m. Register at 

www.alex5k.org/alex5k. 

The Legacy of Love 5K is the primary fundraiser for the 

Alexandria Leigh Goodwin Angel Foundation, an organization 

committed to creating a more positive, loving world through random 

acts of kindness. It was created in memory of Alexandria 

“Alex” Goodwin, a 2014 graduate of Groveport Madison High 

School, who had just finished her sophomore year at Capital 

University at the time of her unexpected passing in 2016. 

Nearly everyone who encountered Alex felt her warmth and 

benefited from her kindness and joy. Her family and friends recognized 

the energy she created in the world is still needed, and 

created the ALGA Foundation in 2017 to continue her spirit of 

kindness and to encourage others to create their own legacy of 

love by performing random acts of kindness whenever possible. 

To date, the Foundation has given over $6,000 in scholarships 

to Groveport Madison graduates and Capital University 

students and thousands more to organizations and causes 

throughout central Ohio. The Legacy of Love 5K features music, 

finisher medals, awards, goodies, and raffle prizes. You can participate 

by running, walking, cheering and/or donating; and by 

sponsoring. 

The Virtual 5K is back also. Walk or run at a time and location 

of your convenience, and the ALGA Team will deliver or 

mail your packet directly to you. Visit www.alex5k.org/alex5k. 

CW Blues and Ribfest cancelled 

Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest officials recently 

announced on Facebook that the event, scheduled for the summer 

of 2021, has been cancelled due to circumstances surrounding 

the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They plan for the festival 

to return on July 29-30, 2022. 

FRANK’S 

MARKET 

FISH AND SEAFOOD 

NEW 2 ND LOCATION 

2410 Hilliard-Rome Road 

OPENING MID - APRIL 

• 5x’s Bigger Than Original Location 

• Double Wine Selection 

• More Items to Choose from 

Frank’s Fish and Seafood 

Market to open 

second superstore 

If you like seafood, you will love this news! 

Frank’s Fish and Seafood Market, 5251 

Trabue Road, is known for its frozen lobster 

tails, King Crab legs, Snow Crab clusters, 

orange roughy, lake smelts, fresh chopped 

clams, squid tubes and tentacles, caviar, salted 

baklava, fresh cod, fresh eel, octopus, fresh 

lump crabmeat (non-pasteurized), Florida stone 

crab claws, snow crab cocktail claws, and 

special order only live lobsters. 

Now owner Frank Gonzalez is opening a 

second retail superstore at 2410 Hilliard-Rome 

Road in mid-April that will give customers more 

opportunities to purchase and enjoy great 

seafood. 

According to Gonzalez, the new superstore 

(which will not include a restaurant) will be five 

times bigger than the original store. 

“We will be able to serve customers better 

and offer more items. Plus we will have double 

the wine selection,” said Gonzalez, who added 

the business also supplies 250 stores and 

restaurants. 

The new superstore is open seven days a 

week. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 

p.m. 

The existing store hours are Monday 8 a.m. 

to 5 p.m. and Tuesday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 

p.m., closed Sunday. 

Visit both locations to enjoy the finest in 

fresh fish and seafood to be found in Central 

Ohio. 

For information call 614-878-3474 or visit 

franksfishandseafoodmarket.com.

PAGE 4 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - April 4, 2021 

JOIN OUR TEAM! 

Apply Online At 

FLYERSPIZZA.COM/JOBS 

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AT: 

GROVEPORT • BLACKLICK • HILLARD 

and our NEW Location at 6542 Hayden Run Rd. 

$ 

100 DRIVER 

*SIGN ON BONUS* 

Lucrative Tips • Commissions Paid Nightly • Flexible Hours 

Hiring Seniors • College/High School Students (18 yrs +) 


column 

The phantom track 

Sometimes history hides in plain sight. 

Tucked away under the grass near the 

baseball/softball fields at Groveport 

Elementary is a former athletic facility that 

in its heyday was state of the art. 

It can be a bit of a historical scavenger 

hunt, but if one looks closely, one can see 

remnants and shadows there of the old cinder 

running track and field event areas that 

once were the home of the Groveport 

Madison High School Cruiser track and field 

teams. 

Constructed in the early 1930s when 

Groveport Elementary was Groveport 

Madison High School, the track facility was a 

gift to the school from the classes of 1929 

through 1933 and was used by the Cruiser 

track teams until the 1970s. It featured a 

quarter mile cinder running track along with 

high jump, pole vault, and broad jump runways 

and pits as well as areas for shotput 

and discus. 

The track is now covered in grass (and in 

places with gravel), but its faint oval outline 

can still be seen encircling the baseball/softball 

fields. The track featured low wooden 

rails a few inches tall that defined its inner 

and outer borders. Some of these low wooden 

rails can still be seen poking up out of the 

grass and mud, especially near the southernmost 

baseball/softball diamond and the larger 

diamond east of the former track. 

There also once were small wooden blocks 

positioned at areas along side the track showing 

where races, such as the 220-yard dash, 

would start. I’ve looked for these blocks, but I 

have not been able to find them these days as 

they either weathered away or are just 

buried too far under the dirt and grass. 

The circular concrete pad for the discus 

throwers is still in place and visible near the 

third base/left field side of the southernmost 

baseball/softball diamond. 

The shotput area once sat between Cron 

Drive and the track near the southernmost 

baseball/softball field’s left field area. 

Shotputters would heave the shotput into a 

Editor’s Notebook 

rectangular flat pit of 

cinders. 

The pole vault, high 

jump, and broad jump 

areas, now grass covered, 

were along the 

west side straight portion 

of the track and 

near Wirt Road. In the 

early days of the track, 

the jumpers did not 

land in foam pads like 

are used today. 

Instead, they landed in 

a pile of sawdust! 

In my youth in the 

Rick 

Palsgrove 

1960s, I looked upon it as one of the first 

signs of spring when I would come out at 

recess at Groveport Elementary and see the 

freshly white chalked running lanes marked 

on the black cinder base of the track for the 

Cruiser track team to use. White chalk measurements 

were also marked in arcs in the 

track’s infield grass so officials could measure 

how far an athlete threw the discus. 

The late Ed Rarey, who ran track for the 

Cruisers in the 1940s, once told me he liked 

running on the track. 

“When well cared for, the old cinder tracks 

were good running surfaces,” Rarey told me a 

few years ago. “But, if a hurdler tripped going 

over a hurdle and hit those cinders, he’d have 

to pick the cinder bits out of his wounds.” 

Rarey also said that, after a heavy rain, 

puddles would form in places on the track. 

“You just ran and splashed through 

them,” Rarey said. 

Next time you are at a baseball or softball 

game at Groveport Elementary, take a look 

around and see if you, too, and can spot the 

remnants of the phantom track of Cruiser 

athletic history. 

Rick Palsgrove is editor of the Groveport 

Messenger. 

PRODUCTION & CUSTOMER SERVICE 

POSITIONS ALSO AVAILABLE 

Letters policy 

The Southeast Messenger welcomes 

letters to the editor. Letters cannot be 

libelous. Letters that do not have a signature, 

address, and telephone number, or 

are signed with a pseudonym, will be rejected. 

PLEASE BE BRIEF AND TO THE 

columbusmessenger.com 

Keep tabs on the latest news in 

Groveport & Madison Township 

Look for Groveport Messenger on 

Become a fan! 

POINT. The Messenger reserves the right 

to edit or refuse publication of any letter for 

any reason. Opinions expressed in the letters 

are not necessarily the views of the 

Messenger. Mail letters to: Southeast 

Messenger, 3500 Sullivant Avenue, 

Columbus, OH 43204; or by email to southeast@columbusmessenger.com. 

southeast 

Messenger 

(Distribution: 20,634) 

Rick Palsgrove ...................................Groveport Editor 

southeast@columbusmessenger.com 

Published every other Sunday by 

The Columbus Messenger Co. 

3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887 

(614) 272-5422 

The Columbus Messenger Co. reserves the right to edit, reject or cancel 

any advertisement or editorial copy at any time. The company is not 

responsible for checking accuracy of items submitted for publication. 

Errors in advertising copy must be called to the attention of the company 

after first insertion and prior to a second insertion of the same advertising 

copy.


Rivers help tell the story of the Ohio frontier 

Janet Shailer, author of the new 

book,“Trouble on Scioto’s Waters – 

Soldiers, Frontiersmen & Native 

Americans: 1725-1815.” 

The tranquil waters of the Scioto River 

were once anything but placid. 

The Scioto River and its tributaries, 

such as Big Darby Creek, Big Walnut 

Creek, and the Olentangy River were once 

hot beds of activity as Prehistoric and 

Woodland Native Americans used them as 

major transportation routes. 

A new book by Janet Shailer, “Trouble 

on Scioto’s Waters — Soldiers, 

Frontiersmen & Native Americans: 1725- 

1815,” explores the Native American history 

surrounding these waterways. 

“From 1754 — 1814 fighting raged within 

the state between Native Americans and 

their adversaries,” Shailer said. “Those 

years are vital to understanding the history 

of Ohio. By 1843, the last of the Native 

Americans left the state after the signing 

of the Treaty with the Wyandots. A mere 

18 years later the Civil War would start.” 

The importance of the Scioto River 

watershed to Ohio’s early history cannot be 

underestimated. 

This river was a transportation artery 

for the Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware, 

Ottawa, Seneca, and Miami on their way to 

camps in the Pickaway Plains and beyond. 

The area between the Scioto River and 

the Big Darby Creek was once a cradle of 

Prehistoric and Woodland activity. 

This area alone has artifacts from the 

Paleo-Indian, Adena, Hopewell, and Fort 

Ancient cultures. Battelle Darby Metro 

Park along Big Darby Creek, for one, is 

continuously being studied by archaeologists 

for its numerous mounds and Native 

American artifacts that are still being discovered 

there. 

Later the European fur trappers and 

frontiersmen understood their significance, 

followed by soldiers from three different 

countries. 

“I have included chapters on five men 

who were important figures in central 

Ohio’s early history,” Shailer said. “They 

include Col. William Crawford, Simon 

Girty, and Jonathan Alder plus Native 

Americans Blue Jacket and Tecumseh. The 

Indian Removal Act of 1830 began to drive 

the Native Americans out of Ohio permanently.” 

Shailer said the Native Americans 

knew the Ohio country was a special place 

and they helped to make it so. 

“I believe that to understand the history 

of a great people, we must thoroughly 

study them, including walking the ground 

where they once lived,” said Shailer. “Part 

of this book is a guide to visiting some of 

those sites. Native Americans entered 

what is now central Ohio about 9,000 - 

10,000 years ago.” 

For people interested in both 

Prehistoric and Eastern Woodland 

Indians, the Middle Ohio Valley is an 

archaeologist’s gold mine. 

“The Ohio Historical & Archaeological 

Society estimated in the 1880s there were 

once 10,000 mounds and earthworks in 

Ohio alone,” said Shailer. “Unfortunately, 

urban development has left us with few 

remaining sites to see and explore.” 

The Ohio History Connection has documented 

dozens of Prehistoric and Eastern 

Woodland sites all along the edges of the 

Scioto River. 

“In Jackson Township/Franklin County, 

archaeological maps show dozens of Native 

American sites along the edges of this 

waterway,” said Shailer. “Other creeks in 

the Scioto River basin were also important 

for development. On the western side of 

Franklin County lies Big Darby Creek, 

another important transportation artery 

for several tribes. In the eastern part of 

Franklin County, Alum Creek runs south 

from Mount Gilead and joins Big Walnut 

and Blacklick creeks in (now) Three Creeks 

Metro Park. The Adena built at least seven 

mounds in the Alum Creek Valley.” 

The book includes a guide to those who 

would like to visit sites once occupied by 

these First Ohioans. Books may be ordered 

online from the publisher Orange Frazer 

Press at www.orangefrazer.com or via 

Amazon.com. 

“Janet Shailer has captured a long-overlooked 

portion of Ohio’s history, a past era 

that we are still feeling the effects of 

today,” said Rick Palsgrove, managing editor 

of the Columbus Messenger 

Newspapers and director of the Groveport 

Heritage Museum. “The stories she tells of 

the Native Americans, military, and frontiersmen 

who helped shape Ohio are fascinating. 

Her listing of pertinent historical 

sites that help tell the story of those times 

is helpful to those who wish to see the 

places where this history took shape.” 

Janet Shailer is a former editor with the 

Columbus Messenger Newspapers and has 

written two other history books including 

“Images of Grove City,” and “Images of 

Modern America: Grove City.” 

She also wrote the novel, “The Austerlitz 

Bugle-Telegraph: A King, A Goddess and a 

Chronicle of Deception,” as well as three children’s 

books. 

Farmers’ Market 

The 2021 Groveport Farmers’ Market is 

tentatively scheduled to be open on 

Tuesdays from June 29 through Sept. 14 

from 4-7 p.m., according to cit of Groveport 

officials. 

Groveport city council 

Groveport City Council holds its regular 

meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second 

and fourth Mondays of the month. 

Council holds its committee of the 

whole meeting on the third Monday each 

month at 5:30 p.m. 

Meetings are held in the municipal 

building, 655 Blacklick St., Groveport. 

Our Family Caring For Yours 


AUTO HOME 

OPEN ENROLLMENT 

Beplerinsurance.com 

614.837.4379 

staff@beplerinsurance.com 

3246 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43232 

Dr. Sacheen Garrison 

5055 S. Hamilton Road 

Groveport, OH 43125 614-836-0500 

www.groveportsmiles.com



After the flood: church returns following community effort 

Asbury UMC South 

recovering from 

devastating flood damage 



It was a flood unlike any other in the 

history of Asbury United Methodist Church 

South, a congregation that first formed in 

1806. 

On March 20, 2020, more than 3 inches 

of torrential rain poured down in a short 

period of time, flooding nearby creeks, 

streams, fields, homes, and yards throughout 

the area. The water surrounded the 

church and its parking lot, located at 4760 

Winchester Pike in Madison Township, and 

flowed into and swamped the building. 

Flood waters a foot deep or more reached 

inside the 55-year-old church’s sanctuary 

severely damaging the chancel/altar, wooden 

pews, flooring, carpeting, and more. 

Volunteers swiftly arrived at the church 

following the flood to salvage what could be 

saved from the waters and to clean up the 

mess it left behind. But it would take several 

months to complete the structural renovations 

to repair the flood damage. 

Now, a year later - through the efforts of 

community volunteers, community groups, 

members of the congregation, the 

Methodist Church district, neighboring 

churches, the Boy Scouts, and many more - 

the church has been resurrected from the 

flood damage as repairs are nearly complete. 

Asbury United Methodist Church South 

Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove 

Asbury United Methodist Church South Pastor Sherri Blackwell stands in the renovated 

sanctuary of the church, which now features a larger chancel area. 

Photo courtesy of Asbury United Methodist Church 

Flood waters a foot deep or more 

swamped the Asbury United Methodist 

Church South’s sanctuary in March 2020. 

Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove 

The church pews and sanctuary following 

restoration after the flood. 

Pastor Sherri Blackwell, who started her 

position at the church last Nov. 1, is 

impressed by the outpouring of community 

support. 

“It’s the definition of community,” said 

Blackwell. 

Added Asbury United Methodist Church 

South Staff Parish Chair Diana Sexton, 

“It’s amazing how people come together to 

help during a tragedy. It was a huge community 

effort.” 

Sexton estimated the amount of flood 

damage at about $75,000, which includes 

the costs of renovations and removing mold 

caused by the standing water. The repair 

costs were funded by donations. 

“Everything is cleaned and sanitized,” 

said Sexton. “There’s new carpeting, new 

electric, concrete 

poured under the 

sanctuary floor, new 

drywall, the pews 

were taken out and 

sanded and re-coated 

and put back in 

place, and the organ 

is being worked on 

as its controls under 

the floor were damaged 

by the flood.” 

Blackwell said 

the original hope 

was to have the 

repairs fully completed 

and to hold a 

rededication service 

on Easter. 

“But we’re not 

there yet,” said 

Blackwell. “We are 

hoping to have our 

rededication service 

in May.” 

In the mean time, 

services are being 

held in the church’s 

Fellowship Hall and outdoors in the parking 

lot. Services may also be viewed online 

on YouTube. 

Blackwell said a hidden blessing from 

the flood damage is that it enabled the 

church to include updates to its technology 

and sound systems, as well as expand the 

chancel area as part of the renovations. 

“The chancel area is expanded and a 

ramp added,” said Blackwell. “Buildings 

evolve and now the church is even more 

welcoming.” 

Sexton said adding the ramp to the 

chancel area helps make the church more 

inclusive for members of the congregation 

who have trouble using steps. 

“Also the expanded chancel will allow 

everyone to be able to see and hear things 

better during services, such as with our 

‘children’s moment.’ The piano can now be 

placed up on the chancel, too.” 

Blackwell said the ongoing coronavirus 

pandemic also presented the church with 

opportunities “to rethink how we do 

church.” 

“We can use technology for recordings 

and livestreaming to reach different and 

more people in new ways,” said Blackwell. 

“It’s exciting to see. We live in a technological 

age and we can use technology to help 

people fully participate when they cannot 

be physically at church for some reason.” 

Though renovations are not quite complete, 

the hope is that they will be soon. 

“It’s coming,” said Blackwell as she 

looked around the quiet church. “It’s a gorgeous 

sanctuary.” 

Information 

For information about Asbury United 

Methodist Church South or to find out how 

to donate to help the church fund its flood 

damage repairs, visit asburysouthumc.org, 

call 614-837-4601, or email 

office@asburysouth.org.



Factors to consider when choosing 

and applying mulch 

Homeowners associate mulch with springtime lawn and garden 

care. 

Mulch protects roots against extreme temperatures. 

Mulch is often connected with its ability to help soil retain 

moisture during especially warm times of the year, when mulch 

promotes strong roots that can help lawns and plants survive 

periods of extreme heat. 

Applying mulch in spring can be beneficial to lawns. 

Homeowners should first consider a few factors. 

•Timing: Know when the average day of the last frost is in 

your area. 

•Texture: Try medium-textured mulch. Fine particles may 

pack down and retain moisture that will evaporate before it 

reaches the plant roots. Materials that are too coarse may be incapable 

of holding sufficient amounts of water to benefit the soil. 

•Nutrients: Humus is an organic component of soil that forms 

when leaves and other plant materials decompose. Organic 

mulches provide humus and decompose over time, adding nutrients 

into the soil. 

•Application: Correct application of the mulch is essential. 

Applying too much mulch can adversely affect lawns, plants and 

soil. In addition, excessive application can cause decay and make 

lawns and plants more vulnerable to disease. Homeowners uncertain 

about when and how to apply mulch in the spring can consult 

with a lawn care professional to devise a plan that ensures their 

lawns and gardens hold up against summer weather. 

PAID ADVERTISING 

2021 is the time to buy 

or refinance your home 

By Alexandra Hager 

Team Lead of Residential Mortgage Lending 

at Telhio Credit Union 

Whether you’re looking to relocate, buy your first home or refinance, 

there is no better time than now. 

Our advice for buyers is to go in with an aggressive offer. You are competing 

with a lot of other buyers, and if you like the home you’re looking at 

make a really strong offer because the price will be even higher on the next 

one. 

The current housing market is also good for homeowners who want to 

refinance. These record-low interest rates may save you thousands of dollars 

over the lifetime of your loan - or put cash in your pocket now. So if you’re 

looking to refinance, do so in 2021. 

So if you have not yet looked into refinancing, what are you waiting for? 

Rates won’t go much lower since the Federal Funds Rate is already nearly 

0%, and while we don’t believe rates will go up any time soon, once they 

go up, they will go up quickly. 

At Telhio, we’re happy to help you understand your options and find the 

right rate and term for you. 

Contact me today to learn more about loan and refinancing options at 

614-221-3233 ext. 8149. 

columbusmessenger.com 

OH License #20692



entertainment 

Odenkirk saves film from being unwatchable 

What does it take to be a believable action star? 

Well, if we’re looking at cinematic examples of the 

past, all it really took was being a male with a mountain 

of muscle and a spot-on oil game to highlight the 

tan or that strategically shorn tuft of hair on an otherwise 

smooth chest. 

Throughout the years, however, those characteristics 

of a believable action star have changed, allowing 

a new wave of people (women, even!) with less buffed 

and bronzed physiques to share a place on that mantle. 

That evolution had been met by resistance by some 

— I guess watching a lean human who was not chosen 

by a higher power or bitten by a radioactive spider 

take down a mob of people is not as believable as if 

they were more massed — but I have been enjoying this 

change as it allows more actors to play against type. 

The latest example of an actor playing against type 

and donning the glistening cape of a potentially new 

action star is the great and underappreciated Bob 

Odenkirk. With his background in comedy and his 

most known role being the morally dubious attorney 

Saul Goodman in the “Breaking Bad” universe, 

Odenkirk has never been given many opportunities to 

be a man of physical action. After all, with his slight 

frame and sweet face that seems like it would break 

out into a sweat if he lied, he doesn’t exactly scream “I 

can mess you up.” But he was given that chance with 

“Nobody” and you can tell he really relished the opportunity. 

Taken as a whole, “Nobody” is not a great film. 

There is little substance and the secondary characters 

are paper thin, but the presence of Odenkirk is what 

makes it watchable. He plays his role with vulnerability, 

gravitas and slyness, giving the audience a wink 

that while he is serious about this role, he knows 

you’re watching him and thinking “this is the guy they 

chose for this role?” But that is what makes the film 

somewhat compelling — he plays it so well that if any 

other actor, especially a known action star with muscles, 

had said yes it would be largely unbearable. 

In this film, Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, an 

ordinary man living an ordinary existence. A montage 

shows that every day is exactly the same — he wakes 

up, jogs, passively aggressively does chin-ups near a 

billboard with his wife’s face on it, rides a bus to work, 

and stares at spreadsheets for multiple hours while 

working alongside his father-in-law and obnoxious 

brother-in-law. It’s a normal life, minus the chin-up 

thing, and he is mostly OK with how quiet and simple 

it is. 

But all of that changes one night when Hutch interrupts 

a home invasion. After startling the two robbers, 

one man and one woman who seem nervous and 

unsure of themselves, he calmly tells them to take 

The Reel Deal 

what they want and leave. In their 

mad dash, they take a handful of 

loose cash and items in a fruit bowl 

and his watch, but as they are 

demanding his ring his teenage son 

(Gage Munroe) tackles one to the 

ground and chaos ensues. Rather 

than unleash a smack down that 

you know is bubbling under the 

surface, Hutch allows them to 

escape, drawing the scorn of his 

son, his wife, his neighbor, and 

the police officer who responded 

Dedra 

Cordle 

to the scene. “If that was my family…” he states. 

Knowing that his actions, or lack thereof, were correct 

for the situation at hand, he soaks in the ridicule 

from his wife’s family and accepts it at face value. “I 

did the right thing.” But then, when his daughter indicates 

that the robbers stole her beloved Kitty Cat 

bracelet, he snaps and goes looking for trouble. 

Unlike most characters in similar movies, Hutch 

isn’t a man with a past who is pulled back into the mix 

after a series of unfortunate events. Instead, Hutch is 

a man with a past who willingly goes back into the mix 

after a series of unfortunate events. And despite however 

ridiculous his motives are, the movie is all the better 

for it because it allows Odenkirk to shine — and give 

shiners, among other things. 

But despite however much enjoyment is taken from 

watching Odenkirk get his action game on (no oil here 

though he does break out into an attractive sweat after 

dispatching some baddies), the movie itself does not 

live up to the potential of his presence. The writers and 

the director have a genuinely great actor on their 

hands, one willing to go just about anyplace they want 

(even the close quarters of a bus for a tense and prolonged 

fight sequence) but the material itself with its 

odd Russian drug lord side plot and paper-thin building 

of the Mansell family does him a disservice. 

Overall, “Nobody” is not a film that takes itself too 

seriously, which is always a bonus in relation to action 

films, and it does feature some excellent fight choreography. 

But if the creators (who also created “John 

Wick”) want to make the transition into a franchise, 

they’re going to have to get material better suited to fit 

the talent of the actors and the audience starved for an 

action film that is not completely convoluted. 

Grade: C 

Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist. 

“Working: A Musical” at CATCO virtually April 29-May 9 

CATCO focuses on work and the people behind the 

jobs in its upcoming production of, “Working: A 

Musical,” April 29-May 9. 

Based upon Studs Terkel’s 1974 bestseller, 

“Working: People Talk About What They Do all Day 

and How They Feel About What They Do,” the musical 

shares actual workers’ words from the book and gives 

voice to their hopes and aspirations. 

Truckers, waitresses, stay-at-home moms, hedge 

fund managers, laborers, millworkers, project managers, 

delivery people and other workers tell their stories 

through music written by songwriters Craig 

Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary 

Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz and 

James Taylor. 

The musical has undergone several revisions since 

its premiere in 1977 and on Broadway in 1978. 

CATCO will present the 2012 version. 

Directing “Working: A Music,” is Daniella Wheelock 

and the music director is Jeremy Ramey. 

Tickets (one per device) are $20 each, and are available 

at www.catco.org/working/ 

Visit catcoistheatre.org for information.


Tree program underway 



Inspectors are now evaluating the cityowned 

trees along Groveport’s streets. 

“Our tree inspection program is underway,” 

said Groveport City Councilman Ed 

Dildine, who is also council’s representative 

on the city’s trees and decorations 

committee. “The inspectors are checking 

species, age, potential danger, and how the 

trees are growing. 

Dildine said, if it is determined a tree 

must be taken down, city representatives 

will have a conversation with the nearby 

homeowner prior to the removal of the 

tree. 

“If a tree is taken down, it will be 

replaced,” said Dildine. “It may not be the 

same kind of tree, but it would be tree that 

would be good for a particular area. You 

don’t want to put in a large tree that could 

grow into power lines, for example.” 

Groveport has consistently been named 

a Tree City USA and city officials want to 

maintain that tradition with its annual 

tree inspection and maintenance program 

to protect the town’s city-owned historic 

trees, as well as younger ones, that line its 

streets. 

The city has a large number of old, tall 

trees that enhance the beauty of its 

streetscape. But older trees also can get 

sick as they age and present a danger, such 

as last May when a spring storm uprooted 

a big tree along Front Street that crushed 

a Groveport Police cruiser (the police officer 

was unhurt). After that incident, city 

officials and an arborist examined old trees 

on Front Street, and other surrounding 

streets, and targeted the weaker trees for 

removal. 

The goal of the tree program is to conduct 

regularly scheduled inspections and 

maintenance of city-owned trees to mitigate 

any potential hazards. The program is 

funded from the city’s street fund budget, 

which is funded from income tax collections. 

Groveport City Administrator B.J. King 

said last December, “Additionally, the city 

has a tree fund in the budget. The tree 

fund can only be used to replace street 

trees located in subdivisions. In the street 

fund there is $16,000 budgeted for this program 

in 2021.” 

The tree inspection and maintenance 

program’s goals are to: maintain the health 

of all city-owned trees; plant or replant the 

largest suitable tree for the site selected; 

and maintain a fully stocked urban forest. 

The plan includes: performing health 

and hazard assessments of all city-owned 

trees; removing or pruning for safety all 

dead and hazardous trees each year; quick 

response to requests for service; planting a 

diverse population of trees and replant 

removed trees each planting season; plant 

species and placement of trees with aesthetic 

properties such as summer and fall 

color and shape; ongoing routine inventory 

and evaluation of all city-owned trees; routine 

hazard assessment; conducting Arbor 

Day activities; and coordinating with the 

city’s tree and decorations committee. 

According to the plan, maintenance 

reduces costs and helps keep trees healthy. 

Large trees provide more benefits than 

small trees and are prioritized when space 

allows. 

MORPC proposes new transportation projects 

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning 

Commission now has available a list of 12 

proposed, new transportation projects set to 

receive more than $77 million in federal 

funds during state fiscal years 2022 to 2027. 

Among the 12 projects from around central 

Ohio, two are local and include: 

•Brice Road, from Chantry Drive to 

south of Channingway Boulevard, $15 million; 

and 

•Rickenbacker Area Mobility Center, 

$3.37 million. 

“MORPC received more than $220 million 

in requests for funding of new transportation 

projects from throughout our 

transportation planning area,” said Thea 

Ewing, MORPC director of transportation 

& infrastructure development. “Our 

Attributable Funds Committee worked to 

identify the projects that would have the 

greatest regional impact despite the limited 

financial resources available.” 

Every two years, MORPC solicits projects 

to receive federal transportation funding 

in the MORPC transportation planning 

area of: Franklin County; Delaware 

County, Bloom and Violet townships in 

Fairfield County; New Albany, Pataskala 

and Etna Township in Licking County; and 

Jerome Township in Union County. 

Examples of the types of transportation 

improvements eligible for funding include 

highways, public transit, bikeways, pedestrian 

facilities, bridges and traffic signal upgrades. 

MORPC’s Attributable Funds Committee 

is also proposing to recommend continued 

funding for 27 projects and programs to 

which MORPC had previously committed 

funds. More than $211 million in future 

funding commitments is being proposed. 

The draft list of all projects recommended 

for funding is available on the MORPC- 

Attributable Funding for Transportation 

webpage. Printed copies of the draft listing 

are available upon request by calling 

MORPC at 614-228-2663. 

MORPC will consider final approval of the 

funding commitments on May 13 and they 

will be incorporated into the Transportation 

Improvement Program for the appropriate 

fiscal year. The Transportation Improvement 

Program is a financially balanced listing of 

federal, state and locally funded projects that 

are scheduled for some phase of implementation 

or development in a fouryear period. 

COTA and Delaware County Transit 

Program of Projects are part of its public 

involvement process. 


CLASSIFIED ADS 

Deadlines: Groveport and West editions, Wednesdays at 5 p.m., • South/Canal Winchester, Grove City, Madison editions, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. 

All editions by phone, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. • Service Directory, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. 

xPublic Notices 

Notice of Availability of a 

Draft Environmental Assessment for the 

Proposed Cargo Campus Development at the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park 

and Notice of Public Hearing 

ACTION: The Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to 

address the Proposed Cargo Campus Development at the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park (RGLP) and 

associated improvements south of Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK). The EA is being prepared to 

comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 

PUBLIC HEARING: The CRAA will conduct a Virtual Public Workshop and Public Hearing related to the EA for 

the proposed improvements at the RGLP. Due to the recommended precautions to stop the spread of 

COVID-19, this Public Workshop/Hearing will be conducted online. The Workshop/Hearing will be held from 

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on April 20, 2021. Pre-registration is required to attend the Virtual Public Workshop/ 

Hearing. Register in advance and submit comments at www.airportprojects.net/lck-campus-ea. 

Comments received at the Public Hearing will become part of the final EA document to be submitted to the 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review. 

The CRAA has published a Draft EA document and copies will be available for public review beginning March 

22, 2021 at the following locations: 

Columbus Regional Airport Authority 

John Glenn Columbus International Airport 

Administrative Offices 

4600 International Gateway 

Columbus, OH 43219 

Please call (513) 818-0617 to set up an appointment. 

Columbus Metropolitan Library Southeast Branch 

3980 S. Hamilton Road 

Groveport, OH 43125 

Phone: (614) 645-2275 

Rickenbacker International Airport 

Administration Building 

Operations Department 

7250 Starcheck Drive, Suite 100 


Please call (513) 818-0617 to set up an appointment. 

Pickaway County Library 

Floyd E. Younkin Branch 

51 Long Street 

Ashville, Ohio 43103 

Phone: (740) 983-8856 

Website: 

www.airportprojects.net/lck-campus-ea 

Comments on the Draft EA may be submitted to: Chris Sandfoss, 4445 Lake Forest Drive, Suite 700, Cincinnati, 

OH 45242; or by email to: LCK EA@landrumbrown.com. All comments must be received by May 5, 2021. 

If special accommodations, such as audio or visual assistance, are required to participate in the online meeting, 

or if internet access is not available, please contact (513) 818-0617 by April 16, 2021. 

Attention: Cities & Townships 

ADVERTISE 

YOUR LEGAL/ 

PUBLIC NOTICES 

The Eastside Messenger is 

now serving Canal Winchester. 

CALL KATHY at the 

COLUMBUS 

MESSENGER 

NEWSPAPERS 

614-272-5422 

Public Legal Notice 

The Madison Township Police Department is 

currently in possession of property collected from 

2000 to the present. The property includes 

bicycles, electronics, sporting goods, jewelry, and 

tools. 

Anyone having a legal right or can show proof of 

ownership should contact Madison Township 

Police department, Officer K. Mallory, by calling 

614-836-5355 or in person at 4567 Madison Lane, 

Groveport, Ohio 43125. 

Further, anyone claiming rights to these items 

should produce proper identification and identifying 

characteristics of these items, including but not 

limited to, serial number, the manner in which it 

was found, any identifying marks, and the condition 

of the property. Should it be determined by 

the Court that these items are abandoned, ownership 

to the property will then transfer to The 

Madison Township Police Department. The last 

day to claim property is May 4, 2021, at 3:00 p.m.



CLASSIFIED ADS 

Deadlines: Groveport and West editions, Wednesdays at 5 p.m., • South/Canal Winchester, Grove City, Madison editions, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. 

All editions by phone, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. • Service Directory, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. 

xEmployment 

DO YOU NEED 

SEASONAL EMPLOYEES? 

Call KATHY to ADVERTISE 

and reach over 35,000 homes in the 

South/Canal Winchester & Groveport Messengers 

614-272-5422 

kathy@columbusmessenger.com 

INFORMATION 

How can you increase 

your mind’s potential? 

Find out. BUY AND READ 

Dianetics The Modern 

Science of Mental Health 

by L. Ron Hubbard. $25. 

Call 614-401-0664 or 

come to 1266 Dublin 

Road, Columbus, Ohio 

Want to Make Millions 

in Selling? 

Want to Make People Really 

WANT 

Your Product? 

Learn human 

communication secrets 

at the 

Personal Efficency Seminar 

614-221-5024 

1266 Dublin Rd. 


ASSOCIATION ADS 

DISH TV $64.99 FOR 190 

Channels + $14.95 High 

Speed Internet. Free Installation, 

Smart HD DVR 

Included, Free Voice Remote. 

Some restrictions 

apply. Promo expires 

7/21/21. 1-855-270-5098 

ATTENTION DIABETICS! 

Save money on diabetic 

supplies! Convenient 

home shipping for 

monitors, test strips, 

insulin pumps, catheters & 

more! To learn more, call 

now! 877-810-0063 

HOME BREAK-INS take 

less than 60 SECONDS. 

Don’t wait! Protect your 

family, your home, your 

assets NOW for as little as 

70¢ a day! Call 866-409- 

0308 

INDEPENDENT 

CONTRACTORS 

NEEDED: 

Deliver The Columbus Dispatch in the 

surrounding areas. 

Requires early hours, ability to work on 

your own. Dedication and 

dependable transportation needed. 

Make up to $200-$350 weekly 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Call, text (614-715-7002) or 

email sroush@dispatch.com 


SELL YOUR ANTIQUE 

OR CLASSIC CAR. 

Advertise with us. You 

choose where you want 

to advertise. 800-450- 

6631 visit macnetonline. 

com for details. 

Wesley Financial Group, 

LLC Timeshare Cancellation 

Experts Over 

$50,000,000 in timeshare 

debt & fees cancelled in 

2019. Get free info 

package & learn how to 

get rid of your timeshare! 

Free consultations. Over 

450 positive reviews. Call 

844-909-3339 

Eliminate gutter cleaning 

forever! LeafFilter, the 

most advanced debrisblocking 

gutter protection. 

Schedule a FREE LeafFilter 

estimate today. 15% off 

Entire Purchase. 10% Senior 

& Military Discounts. 

Call 1-855-791-1626 

Looking for auto insurance? 

Find great deals 

on the right auto insurance 

to suit your needs. 

Call today for a free 

quote! 866-924-2397 

Want Faster & Affordable 

Internet? Get internet 

service today with 

Earthlink. Best internet & 

WiFi Plans. Call us Today 

to Get Started. Ask 

about our specials! 866- 

396-0515 

Elminate gutter cleaning 

forever! LeafFilter, most 

advanced debris-blocking 

protection. Schedule 

Free Estimate. 15% off 

Purchase. 10% Senior 

& Military Discounts. Call 

1-855-995-2490 


READER 

ADVISORY 

The National Trade Association 

we belong to has 

purchased the following 

classifieds. Determining 

the value of their service 

or product is advised by 

this publication. In order 

to avoid misunderstandings, 

some advertisers do 

not offer “employment” 

but rather supply the 

readers with manuals, directories 

and other materials 

designed to help 

their clients establish mail 

order selling and other 

businesses at home. Under 

NO circumstance 

should you send any 

money in advance or give 

the client your checking, 

license ID or credit card 

numbers. Also beware of 

ads that claim to guarantee 

loans regardless of 

credit and note that if a 

credit repair company 

does business only over 

the phone it’s illegal to request 

any money before 

delivering its service. All 

funds are based in US 

dollars. Toll Free numbers 

may or may not 

reach Canada. Please 

check with the Better 

Business Bureau 614- 

486-6336 or the Ohio Attorney 

General’s Consumer 

Protection Section 

614-466-4986 for more 

information on the company 

you are seeking to 

do business with. 

NEED IRS RELIEF 

$10K-$125K+ Get Fresh 

Start or Forgiveness. 

Call 1-844-431-4716 

Monday through Friday 

7am-5pm PST 


The Generac PWRcell, a 

solar plus battery storage 

system. SAVE money, 

reduce your reliance on 

the grid, prepare for power 

outages and power 

your home. Full installation 

services available. $0 

Down Financing Option. 

Request a FREE, no obligation, 

quote today. Call 

1-855-900-2894 

Attention: If you or aloved 

one worked around the 

pesticide Roundup 

(glyphosate) for at least 2 

years and has been diagnosed 

with non-Hodgkin’s 

lymphoma, you may be 

entitled to compensation. 

855-341-5793 

The Generac PWRcell 

solar plus battery storage 

system. Save money, 

reduce reliance on 

grid, prepare for outages 

& power your home. Full 

installation services. $0 

down financing option. 

Request free no obligation 

quote. Call 1-855- 

270-3785 

IMPORTANT 

NOTICE 

The following states: CA, 

CT, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, 

LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, 

NE, NC, NH, OH, OK, 

SC, SD, TX, VT and WA 

requires seller of certain 

business opportunities to 

register with each state 

before selling. Call to 

verify lawful registration 

before you buy. 

AT&T Internet. Starting 

at $40/month w/12-mo 

agmt. 1 TB of data/mo. 

Ask how to bundle & 

SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions 

apply. 1-888-796- 

8850 

Employment 

Local New Construction 

Plumbing Contractor 

seeking experienced 

Rough & Finish Plumbers. 

Please visit our website for more information 

and to apply on line at: 

http://plumbingsolutionscolumbus.com/employment/ 

or call, 614.235.6007 


BATH & SHOWER UP- 

DATES in as little as 

ONE DAY! Affordable 

prices - No payments for 

18 months! Lifetime warranty 

& professional installs. 

Senior & Military 

Discounts available. Call 

855-761-1725 

Life Alert. One press of a 

button sends help fast 

24/7! At home and on 

the go. Mobile Pendant 

with GPS. Free first aid 

kit (with subscription). 

877-537-8817 Free brochure 

Train online to do medical 

billing! Become a 

Medical Office Professional 

at CTI! Get trained 

and certified to work in 

months! 888-572-6790. 

(M-F 8-6 ET) 

HEARING AIDS!! Bogo 

free! High-quality rechargeable 

Nano hearing 

aids priced 90% less 

than competitors. Nearly 

invisible! 45-day money 

back guarantee! 833- 

669-5806 

DENTAL INSURANCE- 

Physicians Mutual Insurance 

Company. Covers 

350 procedures. Real 

insurance - not a discount 

plan. Get your free 

dental Info kit! 1-888- 

623-3036 . www.dental50plus.com/58 

#6258 

GENERAC Standby Generators 

provide backup 

power during utility power 

outages, so your home 

and family stay safe and 

comfortable. Prepare 

now. Free 7-year extended 

warranty ($695 value!). 

Request a free 

quote today! Call for additional 

terms and conditions. 

1-855-465-7624 

WANTED 

SW CITY SCHOOLS 

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS 

The South-Western City School 

District is currently hiring drivers 

for the 2020-2021 school year 

$16.55/HR 

Available positions are for substitute drivers 

that can develop into “Regular” positions with 

benefits. Interested individuals should submit 

an application on our website at swcsd.us. 

Follow the employment link. Applicants should 

have an excellent driving record and must 

submit to drug, alcohol, and background 

screening. A high school diploma or equivalent 

is required. 

EOE 

BE YOUR OWN BOSS! 

INDEPENDENT 

CONTRACTORS 

WANTED 

If you have a reliable car and would like to 

earn extra money, then why not deliver? 

• Deliver 1 or 2 days a week 

• Flexible delivery hours 

• Work close to home - often in or 

near your neighborhood 

CONTACT US 

1-888-837-4342 

www.thebag.com 


Protect your home w/home 

security monitored by 

ADT. Starting at $27.99/ 

mo. Get free equipment 

bundle including keypad, 

motion sensor, wireless 

door & windows sensors. 

833-719-1073 

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 

pills for $99. 100 pills for 

$150 FREE shipping. 

Money back guaranteed! 

1-844-596-4376 

New authors wanted! 

Page Publishing will help 

self-publish your book. 

Free author submission 

kit! Limited offer! 866- 

951-7214 

DISH TV $64.99 190 

Channels + $14.95 high 

speed internet. FREE installation, 

Smart HD DVR 

included. Free Voice Remote. 

Some Restrictions 

apply. Promo Expires 

7/21/21. 1-833-872-2545 

• Deliver 7 days a week 

• Delivery before dawn 

• Work close to home - often in or 

near your neighborhood 

CONTACT US 

614-461-8585 

www.dispatch.com/delivery 


READY TO BUY, SELL 

OR RENT YOUR 

VACATION HOME OR 

HUNTING CAMP? 

Advertise it here and in 

neighboring publications. 

We can help you. Contact 

MACnet MEDIA @ 

800-450-6631 or visit our 

site at MACnetOnline. 

com 

Directv Now. No Satellite. 

$40/mo 65 Channels. 

Stream news, live 

events, sports & on demand 

titles. No contract/ 

commitment. 1-866-825- 

6523 

Pest Control 

Find Pest Control Experts 

Near You! Don’t let 

pests overtake your 

home. Protect your loved 

ones! Call to find great 

deals on Pest Control 

Services - 833-872-0012


xCome & Get It! 


xClassified Services 

COME AND GET IT 

Deadlines are Tuesdays by 5 pm. 

Call For Publication Schedule 614-272-5422 

Need to Get Rid of Something Fast - Advertise It Here For FREE! 

FREE Garden Straw for gardens or bedding. Call for appointment for pickup. 

Circle S Farms, 9015 London-Groveport Road, Grove City, 43123 

Grove City - 614-878-7980 

. Come and Get It! is a bi-weekly column that offers readers an opportunity to pass 

along surplus building materials, furniture, electronic equipment, crafts, supplies, 

appliances, plants or household goods to anybody who will come and get them - as 

long as they’re FREE. NO PETS! Just send us a brief note describing what you want to 

get rid of, along with your name, address and phone number. Nonprofit organizations 

are welcome to submit requests for donations of items. 

Send information to The Columbus Messenger, Attention: Come and Get It, 3500 

Sullivant Ave., Columbus, OH43204. Deadline is Tuesdays by 5 pm for following 

Mondays publication. Messenger Newspapers is not responsible for any 

complications that may occur. Please contact us when items are gone. 272-5422 

Come & Get It! 

xEaster Greeting 

WISHING OUR READERS 

A VERY HAPPY EASTER!! 

We’d like to thank you for being 

such kind and generous customers. 

Please accept our warm and sincere wishes 

for a wonderful Easter holiday, 

decorated with peace, love, friendship and joy. 

FROM: 

The Classified Department of 

The Columbus Messenger 

Newspapers 

Easter Greeting 


Wants to purchase minerals 

and other oil and gas 

interests. Send details to 

P.O. Box 13557, Denver, 

CO. 80201 

Attention Active Duty & 

Military Veterans! Begin a 

new career & earn a 

Degree at CTI! Online 

Computer & Medical 

training available for 

Veterans & Families! To 

learn more, cal 888-449- 

1713. 

GENERAC Standby 

Generators. The weather 

is increasingly unpredictable. 

Be prepared for 

power outages. FREE 7- 

year extended warranty 

($695 value!) Schedule 

FREE in-home assessment. 

1-844-334-8353 

Special financing if qualified. 


Thinking about installing 

a new shower? American 

Standard makes it 

easy. FREE design consulation. 

Enjoy your 

shower again! Call 1- 

833-769-0995 today to 

see how you can save 

$1,000 on installation, or 

visit www.newshowerdeal.com/mac 

Attention oxygen therapy 

users! Inogen One G4 is 

capable of full 24/7 oxygen 

delivery. Only 2.8 

pounds. Free info kit. 

Call 877-929-9587 

HughesNet Satellite Internet 

- Finally, no hard 

data limits! Call today for 

speeds up to 25mbps as 

low as $59.99/mo! $75 

gift card, terms apply. 1- 

844-863-4478 


Donate your car to kids! 

Fast free pickup running 

or not - 24 hour response. 

Maximum tax 

donation. Help find missing 

kids! 877-831-1448 

VIAGRA and CIALIS 

USERS! 50 Generic pills 

SPECIAL $99.00 FREE 

Shipping! 100% guaranteed. 

24/7 CALL NOW! 

888-445-5928 Hablamos 

Espanol 

HEARING AIDS!! 

Buyone/get one FREE! 

Nearly invisible, fully rechargeable 

IN-EAR 

NANO hearing aids 

priced thousands less 

than competitors! 45-day 

trial! Call1-877-436-0234 

INSURANCE 

Low Cost Insurance 

lowcostburialsolutions.com 

WANT TO BUY 

We Buy Cars & Trucks 

$300-$3000.614-308-2626 

WE BUY JUNK CARS 

Call anytime 614-774-6797 

WANTS TO Purchase 

minerals and other oil & 

gas interests. Send details 

to: P.O. Box 13557, 

Denver, CO 80201 

We Buy Junk Cars & 

Trucks. Highest Prices 

Paid. 614-395-8775 

ANTIQUES 

WANTED 

Victrolas, Watches, 

Clocks, Bookcases 

Antiques, Furn. 

Jeff 614-262-0676 

or 614-783-2629 

VACATION RENTALS 

Englewood, Florida 

Palm Manor Resort 

Within minutes of white 

sand Gulf beaches, 

world famous Tarpon 

fishing, golf courses, restaurants/shopping, 

Bush 

Gardens. 2 BR 2 BA 

condos with all ammenities, 

weekly/monthly, visit 

www.palmmanor.com 

or call 1-800-848-8141 

AIR CONDITIONING 

AIR CONDITIONING 

Complete System 

Clean & Check 

$49.95 

Free Electronic Leak Testing 

All Makes • All Models 

45 Yrs. Exp. • Senior Discount 

614-351-9025 

APPLIANCE REPAIR 

Washer, Dryer, Stove & 

Refrig. Repair 875-7588 

BASEMENT 

WATERPROOFING 

Walker’s Basement 

Waterproofing. LLC 

614-359-4353 

BASEMENT 

REMODELING 

AFFORDABLE 

BASEMENT 

REMODELING 

Get the Quality 

you deserve 

at a price 

you can afford. 

Call Now 

3/28 A 

For a Free Est. 

614-302-4603 

BLACKTOP 

SANTIAGO’S 

Sealcoating & Services LLC 

Quality Materials Used 

SPRING IS HERE! 

Driveway Seal & Repair! 

Top Seal Cracks! 

Residential & Commercial 

Mulching, Edging & Clean-ups 

“Ask for whatever you need.” 

BBB Accredited-Fully Insured 

Call or text for Free Est. 

4/11 

A&M 

614-649-1200 

INFORMATION 

4/11 A 

NEED 

SOMETHING 

DONE THIS 

SPRING? 

CHECK OUT OUR 

CLASSIFIED 

SERVICES! 

FOR 

ADVERTISING 

INFO. CALL 

(614) 272-5422 

THE COLUMBUS 

MESSENGER 

CARPET CLEANING 

DIRT BUSTERS 

SPRING SPECIAL! 

Any 5 areas ONLY $75. 

614-805-1084 

Specializing in Pet Odors 

CLEANING 

Looking for Mrs. Clean? 

For excellent cleaning serv 

at reas. rates w/great refs, 

dependable. 10% Senior 

Disc. Free Est. Gwen 

614-226-5229 

CONCRETE 

AJ’s Concrete, 

Masonry 

Good Work - Fair Prices 

Block Foundations 

Driveways • Sidewalks 

Epoxy/Overlay Floors 

Bonded-Ins. • Free Ests. 

614-419-9932 

EDDIE MOORE 

CONSTRUCTION 

Quality Concrete Work 

Lt. Hauling & Room Add., 

Block Work & Excavation 

Stamp Patios, 

Bsmt. Wall Restoration 

35 Yrs Exp - Lic & Ins. 

Free Ests. 614-871-3834 

ALL-CITY CUSTOM 

CONCRETE 

All Types Concrete Work 

New or Tear Out-Replace 

39 Yrs. Exp. 

(614) 207-5430 

Owner is On The Job! 

Buckeye City 

Concrete & Excavating 

* Concrete * Foundations 

* Waterlines * Drains 

*Catch Basins 

614-749-2167 

buckeyecityconcreteand 

excavating@yahoo.com 

www.hastingsnsons.com 

Driveways & Extensions 

Patio & Walkways, 

Porches & Steps, 

Garage/Basement Floors 

Hot Tub/Shed Pads, 

Stamped/colored concrete 

Sealing of new & 

existing concrete. 

Contact Adam 

614-756-1754 

hastingsandsons. 

columbus @gmail.com 

GUTTERS 

Bates & Sons 

GUTTER CLEANING 

5 ★ Google Reviews 

614-586-3417 

HOME 

IMPROVEMENTS 

C&JHandyman 

Services LLC 

Minor Plumbing 

& Electric 

Install Hot Water Tanks, 

Dishwashers & Disposals 

Also Fencing & 

Interior/Exterior Painting 

Free Est. ~ 18 Yrs. Exp. 

CDC/EPA Approved Guidelines 

614-284-2100 

4/11 A 

4/11 A/M 

4/25 A 

HOME 

IMPROVEMENTS 

KLAUSMAN HOME 

IMPROVEMENT 

Siding-Windows- 

Doors-Roofing-Soffit- 

Fascia-Gutters-Trim 

Earn FREE Seamless 

Gutters with Siding Over 

1000 Sq. Ft. 

FREE Shutters with 

Soffit & Trim 

EPA Certified 

Member of BBB 

Financing Available 

Over 20 yrs exp. • Free Est. 

Licensed-Bonded-Insured 

Owner & Operator 

James 614-419-7500 

SINCE 1973 

Phil Bolon Contr. 

Windows & Siding 

Decks, Kitchens, Baths 

Room Additions, 

Flooring, Roofing 

Bsmt Waterproofing 

Deal With Small Non-Pressure Co. 

47 Yrs. Exp. - Refs. Avail. 

Lic.-Bond-Ins. 

Free Est. - Financing Avail. 

Member BBB Of Cent. OH 

O.C.I.E.B. ID #24273 

614-419-3977 

or 614-863-9912 

HOME 

MAINTENANCE 

JOE’S HOME MAINT. 

Home Repairs, Roofing, 

Siding, Gutters, Soffits, 

Misc. Int. Repairs 

Int. Painting 

Call Joe 614-778-1460 

37 Years Exp. 

HOME 

REMODELING 

Handyman Remodeling 

Over 35 yrs exp. 

Larry 614-376-7006 

LAWN CARE 

The Lawn Barber 

Cut, Trim, Blow away 

Hedge Trimming, Edging 

Garden Tilling 

614-935-1466 

Accepting New Clients 

Spring Cleanup, 

Lawn service, mulching, 

plant & shrub trimming & 

planting, fertilization, 

Free Estimates. Contact 

Patrick 614-301-3575 

Lawnmasters and 

Landscaping 

Give us a call for your 

yards that need mowing, 

Spring clean-up, weed 

control, paver patios, etc. 

Free Estimates 

614-378-1237 

Classified Services 

4/11 

A/M 

4/25 A 

PEST 

CONTROL 

TERMITE & PEST CONTROL 

3093 W. Broad St., Cols. 

614-367-9000 

TERMITES? PESTS? 

BED BUGS? 

$100 OFF New Termite Services! 

With This Ad 

Monthly & Quarterly Pest Services 

Great Prices!! 

Licensed & Insured 

Free Termite Inspection 

LAWN CARE 

GOOD NEIGHBORS 

LAWN CARE 

• Weekly Mowing starting at 

$25 for Residential Lot 

• Spring Clean-Ups 

start at $99 

• Gutter Cleaning - $75 

for Single Family Home 

Res. / Comm. 

Lic./Ins. BBB Member 

614-238-9237 

614-937-0658 

LET US MAINTAIN 

YOUR LAWN & GARDEN 

FOR YOU 

Summer, Spring, 

Winter or Fall 

WE DO IT ALL!!!! 

Lawn Cuts, Edging, 

Trees & Shrubs, Garden, 

Mulching, Hauling, 

Garden Pond & 

Home Maint. 

Free Ests. Low Rates 

$20 & Up 

Kevin - 614-905-3117 

MOVING 

Aaron Allen 

Moving 

Local Moving since 1956 

Bonded and Insured 

614-299-6683 

614-263-0649 

Celebrating 

over 60 yrs 

in business 

PAINTING 

A Job Well Done Again 

A lic. General Contractor 

Some Skilled Services 

Incl: Painting • Stucco, 

Repair•Carpentry•Exterior 

Drainage & Home Maint. 

Call Today! 614-235-1819 

Walker’s Interior Painting 

Free Est. 614-359-4353 

PLASTERING 

DRYW 

YWALL & 

PLASTER 

4/25 

A&M 

REPAIR 

Textured Ceilings 

614-551-6963 

Residential/Commercial 

BIA 

4/11 E/SE 

4/11 A&M 

PEST 

CONTROL 

PLUMBING 

ALL IN ONE 

PLUMBING LLC 

“One Call Does It All” 

$25 OFF LABOR 

4/25 

With This Ad A 

614-801-1508 

All Major Credit Cards Accepted 

All About Drains & Plumb. 

Will snake any sm drain 

$125 + tax. 614-778-2584 

CHRIS’ 

PLUMBING 

“Plumbing & Drain Professional 

That You Can Count On” 

24 Hrs., 7 Days/Week 

No Overtime Charges 

24 Yrs. Exp. in Plumbing & 

Drain Cleaning Field 

Call For A Free Phone Estimate 

$100.00 For Any Small Drain 

614-622-4482 

30% OFF with AD 

POWER WASHING 

Bates & Sons 

Soft Wash & Powerwash 

5 ★ Google Reviews 

614-586-3417 

ROOFING 

Robinson roofing & repairs 

30 yrs. exp. Lifetime Cols. 

resident. Lic./bonded/Ins. 

Reas rates. Member of 

BBB. Dennis Robinson 

614-330-3087, 732-3100 

ONLY 

$50.00 

For This Ad In Our 

South & Groveport 

For Info Call 

272-5422 

TREE SERVICES 

Brewer & Sons Tree Service 

• Tree Removal 

• Tree Trimming 4/25 

A&M 

• Stump Grinding 

• Bucket Truck Services 

Best Prices • Same Day Service 

614-878-2568 

BURNS TREE SERVICE 

Trimming, Removal & 

Stump Grinding. 

614-584-2164 

4/25 A/M


Historical Farm hours 

Metro Parks’ Slate Run Living 

Historical Farm, 1375 State Route 674 

North, Canal Winchester hours are: 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and 

Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and 

Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The farm is 

closed on Monday. 

Groveport history films 

Two documentary films on the history of 

Groveport, produced by the Groveport 

Heritage Society and Midnet Media, are 

now available for viewing online on 

YouTube. The films are: “Groveport: A 

Town and Its People” and “The Story of 

John S. Rarey and Cruiser.” The films were 

originally made about 15 years ago. 


Photo courtesy of the 

Groveport Heritage 

Museum 

The 

carry 

out 

Our Pictorial Past by Rick Palsgrove 

This is a photo of 

the B&J Carry 

Out, 618 Main St., 

Groveport, as it 

looked in 1962. 

The carry out 

occupied half of 

the building and 

the Harden Barber Shop operated out of the other half. The B&J Carry Out was a 

popular place for kids to buy pop, candy, and other treats and it was common to 

see kids’ bicycles parked in front of the store. The kids with their bicycles in this 

photo appear to be newspaper delivery boys filling their bikes’ side bags with 

newspapers to be delivered. The building is now used as a law office. 

SUMMER BLAST! 

ELVIS 

featuring 

Mike Albert 

and the Big E Band 

Saturday 

June 12, 2021 

VILLA MILANO 

1630 Schrock Rd. 

Dinner/Show Tickets $ 55.00 

Tables of 10 Available 

Tickets by Phone: 614-792-3135 

Still Good Seats Available 

Visa • Mastercard • Discover 

NO REFUNDS 

Aaron England with the Chevrolet Silverado race truck. 

Taking it to the track 



Aaron England is ready to get behind 

the wheel for his first professional truck 

race. 

“I’ve been a student of motor sports 

since 2000,” said England, a 2010 graduate 

of Groveport Madison High School. “I 

primarily follow NASCAR, but am wellread 

in most forms of motor sports 

throughout the world. I have wanted to 

race vehicles competitively my entire 

life. This is my first opportunity to do so 

with the CRS Truck Series Event in 

June.” 

England will drive a Chevrolet 

Silverado late model race truck, owned 

by Billy Streihle, in the 50 lap event in 

the CRS Truck Series on June 19 at the 

Shadybowl Speedway in Degraff, Ohio. 

“The vehicles’ bodies are fiberglass 

and aluminum and the truck weighs 

about 3,100 pounds,” said England. 

“Average speeds on track are over 80 

mph and top speeds well over 100 mph.” 

England is known online as AJ 

Appeal (Twitter.com/ajAPPEAL), where 

he hosts a motorsports syndicated podcast 

and he is editor of 

RacingRefresh.com. 

“I currently have over 15,000 followers 

on my social media accounts and host 

a weekly motorsports podcast called 

Racing Refresh,” said England. “We are 

attempting to crowd fund this effort. 

Donors can contact our show to get their 

name on the truck. We are eager to promote 

business sponsors who are interested 

in sponsoring the truck. Their 

branding and logos will be on our uniforms, 

website, and the racing vehicle, 

and they can contact me at info@racingrefresh.com 

with interest.” 

When asked why he enjoys racing, 

England said, “I find great things in racing. 

A race team is a sport, a hobby, and 

a business all at once. There is tremendous 

competition in motorsports, 

whether the race ends side-by-side or is 

dominated by a single competitor. Add to 

that the high speed and adrenaline, and 

you’ve got a perfect combination for fans 

of all ages.” 

England feels well prepared for his 

first race. 

“I have a lot of knowledge on the science 

behind racing,” said England. “I’ve 

spent hundreds of hours on motorsports 

simulators and watched every form of 

racing. I am not sure how I will contend 

against competition that has more experience 

than I have, but I am confident I 

will take great care of the vehicle that 

I’m driving. I’ll learn more that I hope I 

can apply to future events. The ultimate 

goal is to finish every lap, and, hey, If I 

can compete for the win, I’m sure I can 

make somebody really proud.” 

The race England will participate in 

is known as a short track race. He said 

short track racing refers to race tracks 

that are typically a half mile or less in 

length. 

“While speeds are faster than most 

everyday drivers operate their vehicles, 

they are not as fast as major events such 

as the INDY 500 or famed NASCAR 

races,” said England. “Due to the lower 

speeds, short track racing relies much 

less on the aerodynamics and horsepower 

of the vehicles and more on the talent 

set of the competitors in the field.” 

Motor racing has historical roots in 

the Groveport and Obetz areas as the 

Columbus Motor Speedway once flourished 

in Obetz for many years. 

“I was fortunate to live in Obetz growing 

up and attend events at Columbus 

Motor Speedway,” said England. “It wasn’t 

as often as I would have hoped. I 

recall attending ‘Night of Champions’ 

with my uncle Matt. I saw NASCAR legends 

Kenny Wallace, Jerry Nadeau, 

Matt Kenseth, and Kerry Earnhardt all 

in one event.” 

England said a goal of the June 19 

race is “to promote our podcast, learn to 

race, and emphasize the importance of 

grass-root racing to fans who are only 

aware of NASCAR or INDY car racing 

they see on television.”

Groveport Messenger - April 4th, 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?