Grove City Messenger - February 12th, 2023

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PAGE 6 - GROVE CITY MESSENGER - February 12, 2023 Dave Dobos STATE REPRESENTATIVE Committee Assignments Announced The Ohio House of Representatives legislative committees for the 135th General Assembly were named this past week. I am excited to share that I have been named Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee. Additionally, I will serve on the following committees: Finance Subcommittee for Primary & Secondary Education, Economic & Workforce Development, Technology & Innovation, and Insurance. Eagerly stepping into these roles, these committees will enable me to both contribute in areas I have experience and some expertise and position me well to advocate for our district’s communities as we work to bring more and better jobs to the area. As Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee and member of the Finance Subcommittee for Primary and Secondary Education, I am determined to improve access to quality education at all levels for our young people here in District 10, as well as throughout Ohio. Beyond committee appointments, I also have been busy meeting with constituents from District 10 as well as recognizing some of them for their accomplishments. In late January, I had the opportunity to attend Congressman Mike Carey’s official Military Academy Nomination Reception at the Grove City City Hall, where five of our finest students from Ohio’s 10th District received nominations to prestigious military academies. The students, their nominations, and current high schools are as follows: Isaac Carter, Naval Academy, Grove City High School; Brian Fitzsimmons, Naval Academy, Bishop Ready High School; Luke McCoy, Air Force Academy and Naval Academy, Grove City Christian School; Samantha Paduchik, Air Force Academy, Grove City High School; Zachary Swierz, West Point, Bishop Ready High School. Pictured below is a photo of West Point appointee Zachary Swierz. To the left is Grove City Mayor Ike Stage; I am on the right. Mr. Swierz is a senior at Bishop Ready High School and will head to West Point in late June to begin summer orientation and preparation for his plebe (freshman) year. (Dave Dobos represents the 10th District in the Ohio House of Representatives, which consists of parts of West, Southwest, and South Columbus, Grove City, and Urbancrest. He reports regularly on his activities in this position and his campaign has paid for this communication with you.) Paid Advertisement Opinion Page www.columbusmessenger.com Demolition news brings back memories of mall Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that the state would demolish 599 blighted and vacant structures throughout Ohio. One of the properties that will be torn down is the former Westland Mall shopping center on the westside of Columbus. “By ridding our state of eyesores that are hindering development and impacting property values, we can revitalize our communities and attract new investments, businesses, jobs, and housing opportunities,” said DeWine. “Many of our communities have truly transformative ideas for these properties, and I’m pleased that we’re able to help remove these barriers to development.” Westland Mall opened in the late 1960s as an open-aired shopping center. It was enclosed in the early 1980s and featured anchor stores like Lazarus (which later became Macy’s), Sears, and JC Penney. Eventually, JC Penney left to relocate at Tuttle Mall, and many retail outlets followed. Sears was the last anchor store remaining and most businesses were gone by 2012. Although I see the need for it, the news of the demolition brought back many memories of my time spent at Westland Mall. When I was a kid, my mom would take my sister and I out to eat at the restaurant that was located on the upper floor of Lazarus. After dinner, my mom would shop, my sister would hide in the clothes racks in the store, and I would have to find her. I remember my mom taking my sister and I to get our pictures taken with Santa It arose in former farm fields along South Hamilton Road like a crop of bricks, concrete, and asphalt that bloomed into a shopping destination. Eastland Mall opened in 1968 and brought large retailers like Lazarus, Sears, and J.C. Penney’s to the southeastern corner of Franklin County. Prior to that, one had to drive to downtown Columbus to shop at Lazarus, or, before I-270 was built, motor down Williams Road to the Great Southern Shopping Center strip mall on South High Street to visit the Woolco there among other stores. But, in 1968 with Eastland Mall’s arrival, it was bright lights, big city minutes away from your front door. Within its enclosed confines one could find big anchor stores like J.C. Penney, Sears, and Lazarus as well as other stores such as Woolworth’s, Radio Shack, and Spencer’s. There was even a movie theater in the mall. My first high school date was at that movie theater. I remember how beautiful and fun the girl was who accompanied me on the date, but I don’t remember what the movie was, probably because I was so mesmerized by her! I do remember many other things about Eastland Mall from those days of the late 1960s into the 1970s. There was an eye catching art work in the center of the mall that consisted of strings extending from the ceiling to the floor. The odd part about it was there was some kind of goop that slowly dripped along the strings to the base of the art work. Never really understood if it meant anything, but it was interesting to look at. In my youth I used to mow about a dozen lawns to earn my spending money. Often that money went to purchases of rock and roll records from J.C. Penney’s. In those days I did not know about the cool record stores that existed near the Ohio State University campus, but I did realize someone in the JC Penney purchasing department was in the know about stocking records because that store always had a good supply of what was then cutting edge music 50 years ago. I bought Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited” there along with The Who’s “Who’s Next” and “Live at Leeds,” as well as a Ramones album among many others. Eastland Mall’s J.C. Penney’s was where as a kid I made what at the time I felt was my Cordle’s Corner Andrea Cordle or with the Easter bunny. When I was maybe 7 or 8, I got my ears pierced at Claire’s. When I was a teenager, Westland Mall became the place to hang out with my friends. (I’m sure the other shoppers and retail workers loved to have teens loitering around all day!) My mom would drop me off at the mall then give me a few hours to just run around. I would get those soft pretzel sticks from Hot Sam’s and dip them in the cheese sauce, then I would get a chocolate chip or M&M cookie from Original Cookie. (Not healthy — I know!) I remember going into Wilson’s Leather and always wanting those cool leather jackets. I finally persuaded my parents to buy me one. I got a green suede jacket that I ruined almost immediately because I was not aware at the time that the material was not waterproof. Once, I went shopping with my dad. This was something monumental as my dad never went shopping. He was going to the mall to buy my mom a birthday gift and he let me tag along. We were in the Limited, which was a big deal for me. At that age, I thought the Limited was a very high-end outlet, way out of my price range. (Of course, everything was out of my price range as I did not make any money at the age of 14.) As my dad was looking for a gift for my mom, he told me I could pick out one item for myself. I was so excited! I was going to get something to wear from the Limited! I picked out this pea soup green, angora haired sweater. When I wore the sweater the following day, I quickly realized that I did not like angora and green was a terrible color on me. I felt like it was such a wasted opportunity. I tried to wear the sweater a few more times, with an undershirt that would help the itching, but parts inevitably would touch my skin, causing irritation. I had my first police experience at Westland Mall. I was just hanging out with a group of friends when a police officer walked by. Trying to show off, I said, “I smell bacon. Does anyone else smell bacon?” (This was when the movie “Wayne’s World” was popular and I loved that film.) I thought the interaction would be similar to the one in the movie. I was wrong. The officer did not appreciate the comment and he promptly put me in my place. I’m sure most people from the westside and southwest part of the city have many memories of Westland Mall as I do. I hope the property will be redeveloped so generations to come can make new memories. Westland Mall is scheduled to be demolished this year. Andrea Cordle is editor of the Westside and Grove City Messenger. Shopping centers come and go but the memories remain Editor’s Notebook Rick Palsgrove first “grown up” purchase - a pair of nice binoculars for $30. I still have those binoculars. During my high school years I bought several books at the book store at Eastland Mall (I think it was a Borders store) that were required reading in some of my English classes. Books like Hemingway’s “Farewell to Arms” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The House of the Seven Gables.” I admit I was tempted to buy the “Cliff’s Notes” version of what I perceived to be a dreadful Hawthorne book, but I withstood the desire for a short cut and plowed through “The House of the Seven Gables” and was a better person for the experience. Eastland Mall, like many other businesses, suffered through some tough economic times. Retail goes in cycles, stores and shopping centers come and go, but memories of places remain. Rick Palsgrove is the managing editor of the Columbus Messenger Newspapers.
www.columbusmessenger.com February 12, 2023 - GROVE CITY LIVING - PAGE 7 Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce To create a positive environment for the development and success of business GCACC annual meeting award winners SUE ROSS Ambassador of the Year: Sue Ross Franklin County Banking Center A true representative of the Grove City Chamber of Commerce, and the Grove City community as a whole, Sue Ross’s dedication to the community and the Chamber Ambassador program is evident to all who meet her. The current Senior Business Banker of Franklin County Banking Center, Sue has been an active member and a familiar face to the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce for more than three decades. As an ambassador, her specific role to the Chamber is to be an extension of the Chamber by visiting current members, listening to what’s happening in their business, and sharing Chamber opportunities they may not be aware of. These visits spread awareness of Chamber programming and foster unity among members and their various businesses. “Every interaction with a local business is an opportunity to talk about our Chamber activities, benefits of membership and our Foundation scholarships,” Sue said of her ambassador duties. “Being an Ambassador is consistently talking to business owners about ways they can better their business for themselves, their employees and their families.” And while ambassadors have ‘official’ visits they make to the members on their rosters, Sue is still an ambassador ‘off the clock’, or when not making her official stops. “She makes it a point to be an Ambassador wherever she goes and to whoever she is talking to,” said Shawn Conrad, GCACC Executive Director. “Her passion for Grove City and for the Chamber are evident all day every day.” At the heart of Sue’s love of her involvement with the Chamber and the ambassador program is her enjoyment in meeting new people. Shawn mentioned how quickly Sue meets new people and makes new friends, but Sue also sums it up for herself, too: “I love meeting new people, forming business relationships and having those develop into friendships.” BARB MOGREN Volunteer of the Year: Barb Mogren Barb was left speechless when told she would be recognized as the Volunteer of the Year at the 2023 GCACC Annual Meeting. However, she’s hardly speechless when it comes to the Farmers’ Market, interacting with attendees both new and regular. Barb was once a newcomer to the Grove City community herself and that’s when she and her husband first discovered the Market and became ‘regulars.’ She shared that some Saturday mornings she and her husband would enjoy breakfast in Grove City’s Town Center and then walk over to explore and enjoy the Market. Her love of the Market spans the full spectrum of what the Market offers, from enjoying the local products, meeting new people, and the many additional aspects the Chamber includes in the Market, such as the Chief’s Challenge cook-off. “The market has lots of great produce and other goodies and the market can be a social event,” Barb said. For as much as Barb interacts with the ‘real’ world, the realization to volunteer at the Farmers’ Market actually started in the digital world. She saw a Facebook post seeking volunteers for the season and has continued every market Saturday beginning at 6:30 a.m. “I thought, I can do that!” she said. “I always shop at the Market and this is a way to help sustain the market and help my community.” In addition to a friendly face, the Chamber team said Barb also brings a strong work ethic and can-do attitude. Every Saturday morning of the Market season you can find her marking spaces, placing signs, assisting vendors with their tents and finding their spaces. It’s reassuring to the team to know that Barb is on hand to make sure things get done. Like many who are regular volunteers of an organization, or return year after year to a seasonal opportunity, it comes back to the people and the social interaction. Barb is always amazed by the people one can ‘bump into’ at the Market. “I return year after year because it is important to give back, it is a simple gig, and most importantly, I have met some incredibly nice people.” Spirit of the Chamber Award: Wayne Coakley Grenade Marketing It takes a certain spirit to navigate and prevail in the face of challenges, which Wayne Coakley carried through his 2020 GCACC Board President term and continues to carry with him as any new challenge arises. “Our board pushed through the challenging 2020 Covid year with a relentless desire to help the community businesses keep their doors open and remain profitable,” he said. 2020 made for hard times, but Wayne’s positive attitude as noted by the Chamber team kept everyone moving forward and looking ahead. “He brings joy to any job that he does as well as to all those around him,” said Shawn Conrad, Chamber Executive Director. Wayne first became a member of the WAYNE COAKLEY Chamber about 15 years ago and shortly after felt the need and desire to become involved beyond holding membership, which he has now done for over eight years. Wayne has served for many years on the Chamber board and also spent a few years with the Chamber Ambassador program. As Wayne sees it, “being involved is what really makes a local Chamber thrive.” And as he is involved, he is also witness to the involvement of others and what they bring to the table. “I have seen countless people volunteer their time and talent to help us make our events come to life.” He was also certain to mention the involvement of the Chamber staff themselves and making note of the passion Shawn, Marilyn, and Heather have brought over the years and continue to bring. Just as he felt called to and was encouraged to become involved with the Chamber, Wayne also encourages others to find their place within the GCACC community and show support for fellow business owners. “Besides having a finger on the pulse of what is going on with development of our city and the issues our community faces, you get to welcome new business owners to our town and show them the support we all have needed with our own business.” See AWARDS, page 8
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Grove City Messenger - February 12th, 2023

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