Groveport Messenger - April 23rd, 2023

Messenger 

Groveport 

April 23 - May 6, 2023 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XL, No. 21 

Groveport Madison 

considers levy options 

By Rick Palsgrove 

Groveport Editor 

The Groveport Madison Board of 

Education is considering its options for 

placing an operating levy on the ballot 

because inflation is causing the district’s 

expenses to outpace flat revenues. 

At the April 10 board of education meeting, 

Treasurer Felicia Drummey said “the 

cost of the services we are providing to our 

students is greater than the revenue being 

provided.” She said this revenue gap will 

grow to $6.9 million next year and $9.6 

million the following year. 

She said to ensure the district has the 

necessary resources to keep up its services 

to students and provide additional safety 

measures the district needs to close the 

revenue gap, which includes: spending 

reductions, renewing the expiring levy, 

and passing a new additional levy, or a 

combination of these actions. 

“Current revenue cannot sustain the 

services that our parents and community 

expect for students” said Drummey. “The 

earlier we impact spending and revenue 

patterns, the less impactful other corrective 

remedies would have on students, 

whether its spending reductions or new 

levies. We have been judicious in our historical 

spending by fully utilizing federal 

grants.” 

She said the board could consider $4 

million to $6 million in spending reductions 

to balance the operating budget, 

depending on the board’s comfort level in 

reducing services. 

Earlier this year Drummey noted that 

the state legislature has discussed various 

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bills that could dramatically impact school 

funding in Ohio and that the district “does 

its best” to plan by anticipating the most 

probable outcomes of new laws when 

reviewing the overall financial picture. 

The district hasn’t received any new 

money since the expiring 6.68 mill current 

expense levy was first approved by voters 

nearly 10 years ago in 2014. This “no new 

taxes” levy was renewed by 67.35 percent 

of voters in 2019. 

The earliest the district’s existing fiveyear 

renewal general operating levy, which 

will expire in 2024, can be placed on the 

ballot is November 2023. If it is approved, 

the district would receive half the funds it 

generates in 2025 and the remainder in 

2026. 

According to information provided by 

the Bricker and Eckler law firm to the district, 

Groveport Madison has the second 

lowest effective millage rate out of 17 

Franklin County school districts. 

Effective millage is the rate actually 

levied on a property. Once a levy is 

approved, a district cannot collect any 

additional money due to a valuation 

increase from reappraisals or triennial 

update on that levy. Residents of the district 

benefit from the high commercial tax 

base by sharing the tax burden almost 

equally. 

As of fiscal year 2022, the district 

receives 46.5 percent of its revenue from 

property taxes, 40.7 percent from state 

funding, and 12.8 percent from other 

sources. 

As a service business, salaries make up 

52 percent of expenditures, benefits are 23 

percent, and contracted services are 17 

percent. 

According to Drummey, salary expenses 

may increase an average of 7 percent annually. 

Benefits costs are also rising an average 

of 8.5 percent. 

This increase is driven by the return of 

previously held positions, such as teachers, 

nurses and counselors, to the general fund 

upon expiration of grant funding that sustain 

instructional services levels throughout 

the pandemic. 

The board and district officials are planning 

to hold work sessions to consider the 

type of levy or levies to present to voters, 

financial options, and ballot timing. 

Hometown Realtor 

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580 Main St., Groveport, OH 43125 

(614) 218-1097 

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Photos courtesy of the city of Groveport 

The Groveport Municipal Building, 655 Blacklick St., is getting new landscaping 

and greenery this spring. Public Service Department workers are shown here 

preparing the soil. 

New greenery at city offices 



The Groveport Municipal Building is 

getting a fresh new spring time look. 

Public Service Department workers 

removed the old landscaping and are putting 

in a new variety of plants. 

“The previous landscape had matured 

and was in need of revitalization,” said 

Groveport Public Service Director Brian 

Strayer. “One intent with the redesign 

was to provide enough year round appeal 

with the shrubbery while framing the 

areas that are highlighted every year 

with annuals. You may remember how 

lush the landscape was in the summer 

and how bare it was thru the winter. Now 

we hope to provide a little more balance 

throughout the year. We were able to repurpose 

some of the former landscape 

material at the Aquatic Center and also 

at the Wert’s Grove building.” 

Strayer said, since the building faces 

north, they wanted to take advantage of 

a morning sun/afternoon shade climate. 

“The front of the building will feature 

‘Bloomstruck’ and ‘Pistachio’ reblooming 

Hydrangea,” said Strayer. “‘Mr. Bowling 

Ball’ Arborvitae and ‘Boxwood’ will frame 

the middle of the landscape. The wind 

protected area adjacent to the entry 

doors should provide an ideal climate for 

Workers remove a sign posts to make 

room for new plants. 

‘Rhododendron’ and ‘Azalea.’ At the corner 

of Front and Blacklick streets we 

planted a ‘Kousa Dogwood’ surrounded 

by ‘Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire.’” 

City workers just started the plug 

trays recently in the city’s greenhouse. 

“The annuals should be ready around 

mid-May for planting at the municipal 

building as well as the rest of our landscape 

beds,” said Strayer. “The shrubbery 

(for the municipal building project) came 

from area nurseries. Shrub material will 

be completed soon and the annuals will 

be planted in mid-May.” 

According to Strayer, the landscape 

material for this project cost approximately 

$3,500. The project was budgeted 

in late 2022 as part of the Groveport 

Parks operating budget.

PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - April 23, 2023 

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Time to shear the sheep 



Spring means it’s time to shear the sheep. 

At Slate Run Living Historical Farm, located at 

1375 State Route 674 North near Canal Winchester, 

they do this rite of spring 1880s style. 

In the 19th century, most farmers used hand shears 

to do the job. But many also used a hand powered 

shearing machine, which would quickly pay for itself if 

wool prices were high. Plus, a hand powered shearing 

machine was faster and removed more wool than hand 

shears. However, both methods were time consuming. 

Today, a skilled shearer using electric clippers can 

shear a sheep in around five minutes. 

At Slate Run Living Historical Farm, the farmers 

use a hand powered shearing machine where one person 

turns the crank to power the clippers while another 

does the shearing. 

Dave Trotter, a farmer at Slate Run Living 

Historical Farm, gave a sheep shearing demonstration 

to a large crowd at the farm on April 13. He brought a 

ewe from the barn and held it firmly. It proved to be a 

bit of a wrestling match, but Trotter was in control. 

“Imagine trying to give a haircut to someone who is 

squirming around,” Trotter told the crowd. 

Another farmer turned the crank and Trotter went 

to his task. 

“We’ll first take a little off the top,” he joked as he 

sheared the ewe’s head. 

He noted the wool is a little more matted around the 

sheep’s legs than on other areas of its body. He added 

that this ewe had recently given birth, so she was 

already partially sheared around her belly so her 

udders would be more easily accessible to the newborn 

lambs. 

As he sheared off the wool, small bits of blood 

appeared on the ewe. He said small nicks from the clippers 

are unavoidable because the sheep squirms as it 

is being sheared. 

“Sheep produce lanolin (wool grease) naturally, 

which helps these nicks heal,” said Trotter. 

Trotter did his work swiftly and efficiently with 

most of the eight to 10 pounds of wool from the ewe 

being sheared off in one piece, which makes it more 

valuable to buyers. Slate Run Living Historical Farm 

then sells the wool. 

Trotter said the farm raises Merino sheep, which 

produce a fine, soft wool that is usually used in clothing. 

“Merino wool has small fibers and it is not itchy, 

which is very desirable,” said Trotter. “Wool has barbs 

on it and a thick wool can feel itchy.” 

Breeds, such as Leicester, produce thicker, coarser 

wool that is used for things like worsted materials or 

as batting or for flannels. The South-Down breed produces 

a middle wool that can be used in things such as 

flannels and carpets. 

Groveport Police statistics 

March crime statistics, according to the Groveport 

Police: 27 arrests, 8 accidents, 6 assaults, 2 burglaries, 

4 domestic disputes, 5 domestic violence, 1 OVI and 

alcohol, 10 thefts/robberies, 1 stolen/unauthorized use, 

2 missing persons, 2 weapon related calls, 3 narcotic 

related offenses, 5 threats, 3 vandalism, 9 juvenile 

complaints, 141 traffic citations, 1 sex related crime, 

24 school related calls, 1 suspicious vehicles/persons, 

6 suicide attempts/mental health calls. 

police statistics 

Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove 

Slate Run Living Historical Farm’s Dave Trotter 

shears a sheep 1880s style using a hand powered 

shearing machine. Trotter works the clippers while 

another farm worker turns the crank to power the 

machine. 

Champion sheep shearer 

Grant Watkins, born in 1883 in his parents’ log 

cabin in Madison Township, was renowned for his 

skills as a cowboy and sheep shearer. He went to 

California at a young age where he worked herding 

cattle and busting broncos. While in Nevada in 1903, 

he developed an interest in sheep shearing, which led 

to a long career as a champion sheep shearer. He 

once sheared 307 sheep in one day. In 1928 he 

sheared 10,049 sheep and throughout his lifetime he 

is believed to have sheared more than 600,000 

sheep. Though his work as a sheep shearer took him 

throughout the United States and the world, he maintained 

a home in Groveport and a farm in Madison 

Township. He lived to be 81 years old passing away in 

1964. 

(Information courtesy of the Groveport Heritage 

Museum.) 

Visit metroparks.net for information on Slate Run 

Living Historical Farm and other parks. 

Township Police statistics 

March crime statistics from the Madison Township 

Police: 3 assaults, 8 auto accidents with injuries, 19 

auto accidents non-injuries, 9 animal complaints, 99 

Brobst Park security checks, 2 burglaries, 3 burglaries 

in progress, 18 domestic complaints, 7 fights, 2 

impaired driving arrest, 26 juvenile complaints, 5 larceny/theft, 

4 missing persons, 2 narcotics complaints, 

33 parking violations, 4 person with gun, 8 shots fired 

in area, 2 stolen vehicles, 5 suicide attempts, 64 suspicious 

persons/vehicles 11 threats or harassment, 62 

tickets issued, 3 vandalism.


City and Heritage Society 



team up for signage 

The city of Groveport and the Groveport 

Heritage Society plan to work together to 

promote the city’s history. 

“We’d like to provide a simple means for 

visitors and residents to learn about 

Groveport’s history,” said Carla Cramer of 

the Groveport Heritage Society at 

Groveport City Council’s April 10 meeting. 

The heritage society wants to see special 

signage at the city’s main entrance 

roads denoting Groveport as an “historic 

canal town.” The group hopes to erect historical 

description features signage about 

the town at five different sites including 

Blacklick Park, the Sharp’s Landing building 

near Heritage Park, Ohio and Erie 

Canal Lock 22, the proposed pocket park at 

Main and Front streets, and in the parking 

lot behind Ace Hardware. Other sites could 

also be determined in the future. 

These historical description features 

signs would include a map, photos, and 

concise, easy to absorb historical text. The 

features signage could highlight the town’s 

history as a port on the Ohio and Erie 

Canal and other historical topics. 

Cramer said additional directional signage 

could be installed to show visitors 

how to reach Lock 22 down the path from 

Blacklick Park or from Groveport Park. 

Groveport Law Director Kevin Shannon 

said legislation could be brought forth at 

council’s April 24 meeting authorizing City 

Administrator B.J. King to enter into a 

licensing agreement with the Groveport 

Heritage Society to allow the placing of the 

historical feature signage on city properties. 

Once the licensing agreement is in 

place, then the size and the costs of the signage 

can be determined. 

Canal driving trail 

Groveport is a stop on the 114 mile driving 

trail of the The Ohio & Erie Canal 

Southern Descent Historic District that 

begins at the southern edge of Buckeye 

Lake in Fairfield County. It includes Bibler 

lock 8 in Baltimore; locks 11, 12, and 13 in 

Lockville; lock 22 in Groveport; locks 26, 

27, 29, and 30 in and near Lockbourne; and 

remnants of the Columbus Feeder just 

west of Lockbourne in Franklin County. 

In Pickaway County the trail passes 

lock 31 in Millport and includes Canal 

Park in Circleville. In Scioto County the 

trail continues south through Rushtown at 

lock 48 and lock 50 in West Portsmouth 

and ends at lock 55, west of downtown 

Portsmouth at the Ohio River. 

The locks’ function was to raise and 

lower water levels for canal boats to meet 

the changing level of terrain. 

Cramer said the historical signage will 

help residents and visitors learn the story 

of this important 19th century transportation 

route as they follow the driving trail. 

Signage provides continuity and connectivity 

along the trail for visitors. 

Canal history 

The Ohio and Erie Canal was completed 

between 1827-32 and wound 308 miles 

through Ohio connecting Lake Erie at 

Cleveland to the Ohio River in Portsmouth. 

The canal, a man-made waterway that was 

an engineering marvel, was built to 

enhance transportation and shipping in 

the state. The canal system operated until 

the early 20th century. 

Lock 22 in Groveport 

Lock 22 in Groveport is about 192- 

years-old and is made of sandstone block. 

Its overall length is 117 feet and its chamber 

is 90 feet long and 16 feet wide. 

The lock is owned and maintained by 

the city of Groveport and is located in the 

northern part of Groveport Park. It is 

accessible from Groveport Park and 

Blacklick Park. 

The canal channel is still visible near 

Lock 22 as well as in Groveport’s Blacklick 

Park. Additionally, a dry dock and canal 

boatyard operated in the 1800s in what is 

now Blacklick Park. The canal operated in 

Groveport from 1831 to the early 1900s 

and the transportation opportunities it 

offered for shipping and travel were a significant 

factor in the economic development 

and growth of the city. 

Cruiser track highlights 

Groveport Madison High School senior 

track athlete Sean Callahan is currently 

rated first in the state of Ohio in the boys 

200 meters. 

He has posted a time of 21.56 seconds 

which is the fastest posted time in the 

state thus far. Callahan is also one of the 

top track athletes in the state in the 100 

meters. He posted a time of 10.82 seconds 

at the New Albany invitational. 

The Groveport Madison boys 4x100 

meters relay team is currently rated number 

four in the state of Ohio posting an official 

time of 42.28 seconds. 

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Police history exhibit 

This heritage of the Groveport Police is 

being celebrated with “The History of 

Groveport Police” exhibit at Groveport 

Town Hall, 648 Main St. The exhibit, 

which is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. 

to 4 p.m, is on display throughout April 

and May. The exhibit features photos, uniforms, 

equipment, artifacts, documents, 

and more. 

Arbor Day in Groveport 

The city of Groveport will hold Arbor 

Day events on April 28 at 1:30 p.m. at 

Glendening Elementary and at 2:30 p.m. 

at Groveport Elementary. 

Garden Club plant auction 

The Groveport Garden Club will hold its 

annual plant auction sale on May 9 at 

Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 

Groveport Road (across from Kroger). 

Refreshments at 6 p.m. with the plant auction 

starting at 6:30 p.m. Come see the 

variety of plants available! 

Tea and symphony 

Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., will 

host Tea Tasting with the Columbus 

Symphony Orchestra on May 6 from 10:30 

a.m. to noon. RSVP by May 1 at 614-836- 

3333.


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.” 

Letters policy 

The Groveport 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 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: Groveport Messenger, 3500 Sullivant 

Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204; or by email to 

southeast@columbusmessenger.com. 

Keep tabs on the latest news in 

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southeast 


(Distribution: 8,000) 

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

southeast@columbusmessenger.com 

Published every other Sunday by 

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Life a century ago in Groveport 

So, what was Groveport like in 1923? 

According to Census figures, Groveport was a village of around 671 

people in 1923, which was only up from 643 in 1910. (Groveport’s population 

would not reach 1,000 residents until 1940. Today there are 

about 6,000 residents in Groveport.) 

Groveport’s mayor 

Editor’s Notebook 

Rick 

Palsgrove 

was Milo Harrison, 

who was in his second 

term in 1923. The 

town’s borders were compact in 1923 with the 

western border being just beyond West Street, 

Wirt/Rohr Road as the southern border, the 

eastern border just east of the school, and the 

railroad as the northern border. 

The town remained primarily a farming 

community with many businesses geared to the 

agrarian economy. People in town kept livestock 

such as horses, chickens, pigs, sheep, 

cows, ducks, and geese in their backyard stables, 

barns, and coops. Some people still used 

horse drawn carriages or wagons to get around, 

but cars and buses were becoming a common as 

were businesses that sold and maintained automobiles. 

The rattle of cars quickly drowned out 

the sounds of creaking wagons and clomping hooves. 

For most of Groveport’s history up to that time, residents worked 

in town or on neighboring farms because distance and slow transportation 

dictated it. However, in the 1920s that isolation was being 

overcome as more and more people began to become commuters to 

jobs in Columbus and elsewhere by hopping in their cars or riding the 

Scioto Valley Traction Line, the third rail electric interurban railway 

that passed through town on Blacklick Street. 

Only Front Street, Main Street, and College Street were paved. 

The side streets and alleys were dirt paths. A big project in 1923 was 

paving Blacklick Street with brick. 

The town had no water system yet, so people used wells for drinking 

water. Outhouses were in use since there was no sewer system. 

Other technologies took hold as electricity and telephones were available. 

The beginnings of commercial radio gave Groveport residents an 

instant ear to the world. 

The Ohio and Erie Canal, which helped Groveport prosper in the 

19th century, was eclipsed by modern transportation. The canal fell 

into disuse and was drained of water about a decade earlier and the 

Photo courtesy of the 

Groveport Heritage Museum 

e old 

high school 

Our Pictorial Past by Rick Palsgrove 

iron bridges on Main Street and College Street dismantled. Most of 

the canal channel south of Main Street was filled with dirt and trash 

by 1923. 

A significant change in the town’s landscape was the construction 

of Groveport School (now Groveport Elementary), which began in 

1923 and was completed in 1924. The $225,000, three story, brick 

school was built on the eastern edge of Groveport’s downtown on pasture 

land just west of the Elmont Hotel, which sat where Groveport 

Madison Middle School Central now stands. 

Groveport School replaced the school that was built in 1884 and 

was located on College Street near what is now Naomi Court. The last 

class to graduate from the College Street school was the class of 1924. 

The new Groveport School opened in the fall of 1924 and its first graduating 

class was the class of 1925. 

The new Groveport School featured its own auditorium and gymnasium, 

which meant school plays and basketball games now longer 

had to be held in the second floor ballroom of Groveport Town Hall. 

The Elmont Hotel was still in its heyday in the 1920s as a showplace 

that attracted visitors from around Central Ohio and beyond as 

a place to stay and to hold events. 

Groveport in the 21st century is a town blessed with many public 

parks, but in 1923 there were no public parks yet in town. 

Groveport in 1923 had a variety of businesses, including: North 

Brothers Grain; Williams Hardware; Oasis Restaurant; The 

Groveport Bank (which advertised that it held $45,000 in capital and 

surplus); Meuser and Imhoff Grocery; B.L. Peer Insurance; Groveport 

Lumber Company; B.F. Dildine General Merchandise and Grocery; 

H.J. Rostofer Fancy Groceries and General Merchandise; C.A. Rager 

Garage (featuring Buick Laboratory and Service, batteries, gas, oil, 

tires, etc.); W.K. Black, physician and surgeon; Claude Mills Farm 

Market; T.E. Redman and Sons (roofing, furnaces); Groveport 

Creamery and Ice; Groveport Drug Store; Weber Brothers Garage 

(dealing in Hudson, Essex, Dodge cars and trucks as well as tires, 

etc.); A.E. Raver Groceries , featuring “Ice Cream, and Fresh and 

Cured Meats of All Kinds”; William Leyshon selling grain, feeds, 

seeds, tile, fence posts, lime, salt, and coal; and Jenkins Motor Sales 

(Lincoln and Ford autos). 

Groveport in 1923 appears, like many Ohio small towns of the era, 

to have been a quiet farming town poised to tap into the coming world 

of modern communications and transportation and the growth that 

would come with change and impact the culture. 

Rick Palsgrove is editor of the Groveport Messenger. 

This is how the old 

Groveport Madison High 

School on South Hamilton 

Road looked in 1974. The 

then more than 50-yearold 

building was demolished 

in 2018 to make way 

for the new, current high 

school. The school in its 

first few years, while it 

was being constructed, 

served as a junior high 

school. It became the high school in the 1970-71 school year and served as such until its demolition. The school had its quirks. 

The parallel, two “main” hallways in the sprawling building were quite long. The gym was smaller than the massive gym in the 

previous high school on Groveport’s Main Street. The auditorium was not finished until well into the 1970s. But academics, the 

arts, and athletics flourished there. In the end, a school is just a place. But it is a place that provides the common shared experience 

and bonds upon which people build their lives and community.


Boy Scout Troop 71 

Groveport area scouts of Boy Scout 

Troop 71 meet at Groveport United 

Methodist Church, 512 Main St. Cub 

Scouts, boys and girls in grades K-5, meet 

on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. 

Boy Scouts ages 11-18 meet Tuesdays at 

7 p.m. The Girls Troop ages 11-18 meets 

Tuesdays at 7 p.m. 


For information visit Beascout.org or 

contact Tina Dillman at christinadillman@aol.com. 

Glendening Art Show 

Glendening Elementary, 4200 

Glendening Drive, Groveport, will hold its 

art show on May 4 from 5:30-7 p.m. 

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New charter group for Scouts 

On April 3, Groveport Boy Scouts presented the 2023 annual charter to Groveport 

Madison Human Needs (GMHN). GMHN is the new charter organization for Troop 

71 and Pack 3071 in Groveport, Ohio. Troop 71 has a 93-year history of helping in 

the Groveport community. Partnering with Groveport Madison Human Needs will 

benefit both organizations with service to the youth in the community. Pictured 

here are: Caden West - Troop 71; Seth Bower of GMHN; Nicole Smalls, organization 

representative for GMHN; and Darin Gearhart - Troop 71. For information about 

Scouting, visit beascout.scouting.org/. 

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Intel Is Coming. What It 

Means for You 

Not one day has passed since I took office in January 

that I have not heard conversations about 

the impact that Intel will have on Ohio. Many 

have contacted my office, looking for ways to get 

involved. Intel has publicly expressed interest in 

building a talent pipeline to put Ohio on the map 

for the tech industry. Intel brings the largest investment 

in Ohio history with 20 billion dollars 

to build two fabrication centers to make semiconductor 

chips. Once operational, there will be 

3000 jobs on-site and up to 7000 construction 

jobs over the course of the next 3-4 years. 

I launched a new podcast called D3 Live to share 

resources I learned about that positively impact 

District 3 residents. My first guest was Kevin Hoggatt, 

Intel’s Director of State Government Affairs 

for Ohio sat down and answered frequently 

asked questions that address what is happening 

now and how you can get involved. 

It’s important to know that Intel is investing 50 

million in workforce education centers statewide 

to increase the talent pipeline. I was impressed 

when I learned that Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger 

started as a community college graduate, and 

Intel is creating great opportunities for others 

with similar educational backgrounds. Kevin expressed 

that “70% of the workers will only need 

a two-year degree or less.” He talked a great deal 

about meeting people where they are and how 

Intel is excited to work with Columbus State and 

other schools to develop a curriculum that prepares 

students to grow with the company. 

In addition to the jobs, our small businesses need 

to be aware of the movement happening and 

how to plug it into the system. Intel has also devoted 

an entire team to ensuring the business 

opportunities are diverse and is engaging small 

business development agencies to prepare minority-owned 

businesses with the necessary 

qualifications. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce 

will provide virtual opportunities to learn about 

3rd party certification. Intel has been in Ohio for 

decades and already works with around 100 suppliers 

statewide, and expects suppliers to grow 

as Intel is growing from building materials to operations 

for the Fab Centers. If you want to do 

business with Intel, visit Intel.com/ohio for the 

supplier intake portal to get into the pipeline. 

Results Matter, so act now to get prepared. Stay 

tuned for the next episode, and follow my official 

Facebook page to subscribe. 

Paid Advertisement 


Police respond to large fight at high school 



County Mitigation Plan 

Franklin County is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan and 

wants a better understanding of the preparedness needs and risk 

perceptions of those who live and work in Franklin County. In this 

regard, county officials created an online survey and each resident 

of Franklin County is encouraged to participate. The feedback will 

help county officials better serve the community as they update 

the Hazard Mitigation Plan.The survey can be found online at 

www.surveymonkey.com/r/FranklinOHHMPPublic 

Seventeen police officers from different law enforcement agencies 

responded to fights involving about a dozen students at 

Groveport Madison High School March 31. 

Groveport Police view 

According to Groveport Police Lt. Josh Short, the incident 

began with three girl students fighting in the bus loading area at 

the end of the school day. School staff and resource officers broke 

up that fight and, as they were walking the students to the office, 

another larger fight, consisting of mostly male students, broke out 

only a few feet away. The Madison Township resource officer was 

punched by a female student. The officer called for support on the 

police radio. 

“At least 12 (students) were actively involved in fighting and 

dozens more were in and around the area recording and encouraging 

the participants,” said Short. “What people often discount is 

that an incident like this also requires involvement from dozens of 

school staff, not just to break up the fight, but to try to maintain 

order afterwards. School staff then has to babysit rather than 

teach, counsel, assist, coach, etc.” 

Short said multiple officers remained on the scene for over an 

hour to keep students separated while staff struggled to contact 

parents. 

“In a lot of these incidents, when the school is able to get a parent 

to show up to pick up their student, the parent becomes confrontational 

as well,” said Short. 

Some students were checked by medics for minor cuts and 

bruises, but no significant injuries were reported. 

Short said 17 officers from Groveport Police and Madison 

Township Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded 

to the scene. 

“When the officer called for help on the radio, it sounded like a 

chaotic, violent mess in the background,” said Short. “It has gotten 

to the point that, whenever one of our resource officers calls for 

help at the high school, nearly every available car in the zone will 

respond because the incidents there have been so volatile.” 

Short could confirm that one female student was charged with 

assault on a police officer and taken to juvenile detention. 

“We are still reviewing video and interviewing staff and students 

about the incident,” said Short. “At this time, we have at 

least nine other students that face criminal charges, which could 

be disorderly conduct or potentially something more severe.” 

However, Short said police are having difficulties in communication 

with the Franklin County Juvenile Court system as to the 

most appropriate charges. 

“We had recently filed charges, for a previous incident, that we 

felt were appropriate but were summarily dismissed by the juvenile 

court,” said Short. “We have not been able to get a return call 

or email, despite multiple attempts, for clarification as to why the 

charges were dismissed. Unfortunately, it seems over the past 

year or so that Franklin County’s Juvenile Court system’s definition 

of justice is vastly different than ours on the enforcement 

end.” 

When asked, besides the school district’s ongoing efforts to curtail 

such incidents, what else can be done to solve these problems, 

Short said, “This keeps happening because there is no fear of consequences 

by the student. There is often no fear of consequences at 

home, school, in criminal court or a combination of those.” 

He said, to affect any real change, the district would need to 

commit to serious and consistent enforcement of its code of conduct 

and simple school rules and decorum. 

“It all starts with the little things,” said Short. “If students 

refuse to follow basic rules they are not going to care about civility. 

If the district, in being handcuffed in that regard by state laws, 

then perhaps those need to be revisited as well. This would need 

to be backed up by a juvenile court system that holds offenders 

accountable with serious penalties and not an overwhelming 

desire to plea down or dismiss so many cases. It’s difficult to cure 

a fight culture in the school when students that fight are allowed 

back in the school.” 

Madison Township officer was struck 

According to Madison Township Police Chief Gary York, 

Madison Township School Resource Officer Brian Schwotzer was 

punched in the head during the incident while he and school staff 

members attempted “to break up multiple pre-planned fights that 

occurred near the buses during dismissal.” 

According to York, Schwotzer grabbed one of the females who 

were involved in the fight and started taking her back to the 

school office when another fight broke out in front of the buses. 

“Multiple staff members were attempting to restrain the second 

fight,” said York. “Officer Schwotzer let go of the first female and 

attempted to block anyone else from getting involved when he was 

hit on the left side of his head with a fist by one of the students 

involved in the second fight because she was upset she was being 

restrained from fighting.” 

York said the juvenile was arrested and charged with assault. 

Schwotzer’s injury was treated on the scene. 

Madison Township Police Chief’s view 

York said, compared to the overall population at the high 

school, only a small percentage of students are making bad choices. 

“The vast majority of the young adults are there to learn, unfortunately, 

they are being lumped into the stigma of the ongoing 

incidents at the school,” said York. “If you think it is okay to display 

socially unacceptable behavior, fail to respect others, and 

their property, and refuse to obey staff and administrators, then 

you’ve made a bad choice with consequences that could include 

removal, suspension, expulsion, or permanent exclusion from 

school. If you think it is okay to physically assault a police officer, 

then you’ve made a really bad choice with immediate consequences, 

and those consequences will include being arrested, 

charged with a felony, and locked up.” 

York said the school district has monthly First Responder 

Safety and District Safety Committee meetings. 

“I can assure you that the Groveport Madison School District, 

as well as the first responders, take the safety of both students and 

staff seriously. Solving these problems starts at home with 

parental interaction and guidance throughout their personal 

lives.” 

Groveport Madison response 

Groveport Madison Schools officials sent this message to parents 

and guardians following the March 31 incident: 

“We want to make you aware that at least 10 Groveport 

Madison High School students were involved in fights as students 

were being dismissed this afternoon (March 31). Police responded 

to the school and assisted in quelling the situation. There were no 

injuries. We will pursue appropriate disciplinary actions against 

those involved and it’s likely police charges will be filed. We will 

keep you informed of any additional developments as we conclude 

our investigation.” 

Alumni Banquet 

Groveport Madison High School will host the 129th annual 

Alumni Banquet on May 20 at Groveport Madison High School, 

4475 S. Hamilton Road. 

Dinners are $25 each and will be served at 5 p.m. Reservations 

must be made by May 12. 

Make checks payable to and send to: Groveport Madison 

Alumni Association, P.O. Box 382, Groveport, OH 43125.


It would be unfair to say that all of the 

romantic comedies released in the past few 

years have been bad, but it would also be 

inaccurate to say that a majority of those 

movies have that special quality that 

makes them become a staple in the 

rewatch rotation. 

In the case of the latest addition to this 

genre, “Rye Lane” has that special quality 

and it will surely shoot up to the top of 

those pick-me-up comfort lists for those 

who have the chance to see it on Hulu. 

To be clear, there is nothing wildly outof-the-ordinary 

about the plot in “Rye 

Lane” — after all, it still follows that wellworn 

path of opposites meetings, opposites 

attracting, and then opposites being pulled 

apart through complications of their own 

making — but the story of those two opposites 

unfolds in such a vibrant and joyous 

way that you cannot help but fall in love 

with the duo and the movie despite how little 

the action veers from the tried and true 

formula of its predecessors in the genre. 

At the center of this romantic comedy is 

Dom (David Jonsson), a semi-successful 

twenty-something who is still reeling from 

the sudden end of his six-year relationship 

with his “dream woman.” Since the split — 

which involved a betrayal with his best 

friend since childhood — Dom has done little 

with his life other than go to work and 

gorge on sausage rolls from his favorite 

diner in South London, but an art exhibit 

that showcases the importance of the 

mouth - “it’s the Stonehenge of the face,” 

says his exhibitor friend — finally gets him 

out of his parent’s house. 

As he is browsing the pictures of a 

stranger’s teeth, he checks his phone and 

sees that his ex-girlfriend Gia (Karene 

Peter) and his ex-best friend Eric 

(Benjamin Sarpong-Broni) have repainted 

the walls that he spent months “breaking 

his back” doing. 

The evidence of them moving on, essentially 

erasing his presence from the flat, 

sends him to the bathroom so he can have 

a private moment. 

His private moment — which involves 

him sobbing hysterically — is interrupted 

by the sound of someone peeing in the unisex 

stall next to his. Profoundly apologetic 

for the awkwardness, Yas (Vivian Oparah) 

asks him if he needs help with anything 

but Dom essentially tells her to finish up 

and move on. 

A bit later, Yas strikes up a conversation 

with the more collected Dom and the 

two have such an easy rapport that they 

decide to keep it going outside of the 

mouth-filled walls. 

This action takes the audience to the 

places in London we rarely get to see in the 

cinema, and director Raine Allen-Miller 

makes all of these charming and romantic 

nooks that are prevalent in South London 

secondary characters in the movie. These 

places are as colorful and vibrant as Dom 

entertainment 

Not an ordinary rom-com 

The Reel Deal 

Dedra 

Cordle 

Not so surprising given the 

tone in the rest of the movie, their 

conflict also feels real and is easily 

something any one of us could 

get caught up in as we try to make 

a positive impression on others. 

and Yas, both opening 

up and sharing their 

tales of woe with their 

most recent relationships 

and bonding over 

their love for all of 

these spots throughout 

Peckham and 

Brixton. 

There are multiple 

factors that make 

these scenes so special. 

There are the conversations, which 

seems so real and modern — a true credit to 

writers Nathan Byron and Tom Melia; 

there are the locations that I mentioned, so 

expertly brought to life by Allen-Miller; 

and then there is the chemistry between 

the characters Dom and Yas and the actors 

who portray them. 

It has long been said that romantic 

comedies live or die by the chemistry 

between the main leads and these two 

have it in spades. It will truly put a smile 

on your face to see them taking those quick 

little glances at the other when they think 

they are not being observed. 

Although we are treated to so many 

cute moments between these opposites — 

Dom is quiet and sensitive and wears his 

heart on his sleeve while Yas is a bit more 

guarded in every facet of her life — any 

romantic comedy fan knows that there is 

the inevitable conflict that could keep 

them apart. 

Not so surprising given the tone in the 

rest of the movie, their conflict also feels 

real and is easily something any one of us 

could get caught up in as we try to make a 

positive impression on others. 

While there are some gripes to be had 

with the film, such as the underdevelopment 

of the secondary characters, “Rye 

Lane” is a wonderful and uplifting film 

that will pretty much make you laugh and 

smile throughout its scant 82 minute runtime. 

It is not as over the top or as fantastical 

as other romantic comedies, but it is real 

and magical all at the same time. 

Grade: A- 

Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer 

and columnist. 

Culinary students prepare 

for state competition 

The 2023 FCCLA regional competitions 

have been completed and students from 

the Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical 

Schools Culinary Arts program represented 

well. Sixteen EFCTS students have 

advanced to the FCCLA state competition, 

which will be held on April 23. 

The regional competition was held at 

Eastland Career Center on March 11 and 

welcomed additional career technical centers 

from around the area to compete. 

Students from the Eastland-Fairfield 

Culinary Arts program accounted for 16 

state qualifiers and 20 who claimed Gold, 

Silver, or Bronze status. 

State qualifiers in Culinary events com- 


peted on April 22 at Columbus State 

Community College. Those engaging in 

Career Development events will compete 

April 27-28 during the state leadership 

conference at the Ohio Expo Center. 

A list of local state qualifiers and Gold, 

Silver, or Bronze finishers is below. 

Culinary Math Management: Bethany 

Engle (Sr., Canal Winchester) - Silver; 

Garde Manger: Ryan Traylor (Jr., 

Groveport Madison) - Gold; Product 

Development: Brittany Tolentino Galvin 

(Sr., Groveport Madison) - Gold; Ian 

Tolbert (Jr., Canal Winchester) - Gold; 

Hospitality, Tourism, Recreation: 

Emaleigh Arcand (Jr., Groveport Madison) 

- Silver; Culinary Arts: Marvin Figueroa 

(Jr., Groveport Madison) - Bronze. 

Website:Expert-hvac.com 

Phone:614-946-8461 

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How to drive more efficiently 

Drivers who want to drive more efficiently 

can implement a variety of strategies 

to do just that. 

•Obey the speed limits. The EPA notes 

that miles per gallon begins to dip dramatically 

when vehicles travel above 55 miles 

per hour. 

•Do not idle a vehicle. The 

Environmental Defense Fund notes that 

electronic engines do not need to warm up, 

even in winter when temperatures are 

especially cold. Vehicles that are idling can 

produce as much pollution as vehicles that 

are in motion, and idling for as little as 10 

seconds wastes more gas than restarting 

the engine. 

PAID ADVERTISING 

Eastland-Fairfield 

Information Night 

Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical 

Schools will host its annual Adult Workforce 

Development Information Night on April 27, giving 

area residents the opportunity to explore programs 

that prepare adult students for careers in 

the medical field, the trades, and law enforcement. 

The Adult Workforce Information Night will 

be held at Eastland Career Center and Fairfield 

Career Center at 6:30 p.m. on April 27. Those 

attending the event will have the opportunity to 

learn about the programs Eastland-Fairfield offers 

to adult students, tour the campus and training 

facilities, meet instructors and staff, and ask any 

questions. Interested individuals are encouraged 

to visit the campus where your program or programs 

of interest are located. 

Programs offered at Eastland Career Center in 

Groveport include: Welding, HVAC, Plumbing, 

Facilities Maintenance, Basic Police Officer 

Training *, State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA), 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN, upon approval), 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 

^, High School Equivalency ^, Coding & Game 

•Use cruise control wisely. While that is 

an effective and fuel-efficient way to maintain 

steady speeds, turn cruise control off 

when traversing roads with steep hills. On 

such roads, fuel efficiency can be lost 

because the vehicle engine is working 

harder to maintain steady speeds. 

•Tighten the gas cap. When gas caps 

are loose, fuel evaporates. The Car Care 

Council notes that loose, missing or damaged 

gas caps contribute to the evaporation 

of roughly 147 million gallons of gas per 

year. That’s both wasteful and costly. 

When filling up at the gas station, turn the 

cap until your hear it click. 

Development ^. 

Programs offered at Fairfield Career Center in 

Carroll include: Dental Assisting, Medical 

Assisting. 

There is no cost to attend Information Night. 

Registration is encouraged, but not required. To 

register or for more information, please visit 

www.EastlandFairfield.com/AWDinfo. 

Any person that enrolls in a program at 

Information Night will have their $75 registration 

fee waived. 

Individuals that reside in any of the 16 school 

districts served by Eastland-Fairfield will receive 

a $250 tuition discount towards tuition upon 

enrollment into a program. 

Alumni of Eastland-Fairfield high school programming 

that enroll in an adult program will be 

awarded a $500 tuition discount to be used 

toward tuition. 

Financial Aid opportunities are available, 

including the use of veteran benefits. 

* indicates must be 21 years or older to enroll 

| ^ indicates the program is offered at no cost 

How to reduce maintenance costs 

Major repairs to a vehicle can be expensive. 

When unanticipated repairs are necessary, 

drivers’ budgets can be thrown out 

of whack, potentially causing a domino 

effect that compromises their ability to pay 

their bills on time. 

Whether your vehicle is brand new, a 

few years old or reaching milestones on its 

odometer, there are ways to care for the 

vehicle so you aren’t caught off guard by 

costly repairs down the road. 

•Read your owner’s manual. A vehicle 

owner’s manual is a great resource that 

can help drivers keep their cars and trucks 

running strong for years. 

Every vehicle, whether it’s purchased 

brand new from a dealership or preowned 

from a preowned dealer or private citizen, 

should come with an owner’s manual. 

Don’t worry if you purchased a preowned 

vehicle from a private citizen who lost the 

manual, as many manufacturers have 

manuals available for free on their websites. 

Print manuals may cost some money. 

Drivers may be able to find their manuals 

elsewhere online. 

Once you have the manual in hand or on 

your computer, visit the maintenance section 

to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s 

recommended maintenance 

guidelines. Adhering to those guidelines is 

a great way to keep your car running 

strong for years on end, and it might just 

save you from the hassle of sudden expensive 

repairs. 

•Protect the engine. The engine is 

arguably the most expensive part of your 

vehicle to replace, so protecting it should 

PAID ADVERTISING 

Biratsis named 

vice president 

Telhio Credit Union recently announced the 

appointment of Nick Biratsis to the role of Vice 

President of Marketing. 

Biratsis brings to this position over 20 years of 

marketing and client relationship management 

experience, primarily in financial services. His 

knowledge of the industry, combined with an 

understanding of effectively communicating with 

existing and future credit union members will 

move the mission of Telhio forward while ensuring 

a high level of customer service. 

Biratsis spent 17 years at Alliance Data Card 

Services (now Bread Financial) leading teams 

that developed successful marketing strategies for 

several large credit card portfolios. An experienced 

leader, he has built and led teams of talented 

marketers and worked with a variety of partners 

throughout central Ohio. 

be a priority. Routine oil changes and oil 

filter replacements is a great way to protect 

the engine. 

Manufacturer guidelines vary in regard 

to oil change and oil filter replacement 

intervals, but such recommendations can 

be found in your manual. 

•Hone your DIY skills. Drivers also can 

save money on maintenance by doing some 

of their own minor vehicle repairs. 

YouTube is home to many DIY tutorials 

that can teach drivers how to change their 

own oil and replace the filters on their 

vehicles. 

Routine repairs are relatively easy, and 

many tutorials can walk you through them 

step-by-step. Depending on how much you 

drive, learning to do your own minor vehicle 

repairs may save you hundreds of dollars 

per year. 

•Perform routine inspections. Older 

vehicles may or may not alert drivers via 

noises or leaks that they’re in need of 

repair. Routine inspections of hoses, 

brakes and tires, which should always be 

properly inflated, can let drivers know if 

their vehicles are experiencing problems 

before those problems grow and become 

something costly. 

Vehicle maintenance costs tend to be 

most expensive when drivers ignore routine 

maintenance or miss signs that their 

cars and trucks might be struggling. 

By adhering to manufacturer maintenance 

guidelines and paying attention to 

their vehicles, drivers can reduce the cost 

of keeping their cars on the road. 

“Nick has a valuable 

blend of both B2C 

and B2B marketing 

knowledge,“ said 

Telhio Chief 

Experience Officer 

Jessica Bing. “His 

industry knowledge, 

s o l u t i o n - o r i e n t e d 

approach, and customer-first 

mentality Biratsis 

will help grow the marketing 

function at Telhio.” 

A Columbus native, Biratsis earned a bachelor’s 

degree from The Ohio State University 

Fisher College of Business, where he specialized 

in marketing. He resides in Columbus with his 

family.


Spring Car Care 


76 Years of Quality Collision 

Repairs by People You Know 

601 Commerce Drive 

Pickerington, Ohio 43147 

6148370902 

MondayFriday 8am5pm 

Rutherford Auto Body was founded on May 6, 1947, by Montrose 

and Donald Rutherford, father, and son. The business operated 

out of the former mechanical shop at Gender Road and 

Winchester Pike. Grandsons, Tom, and Terry were raised in the 

shop sweeping, washing cars, and learning the trade. Montrose 

passed away in 1959 and Donald connued the business. In 

1962, following graduaon from high school, Tom Rutherford 

joined his father and two employees in operang the business. 

In 1964 Terry Rutherford joined the business. 

Tom and Terry purchased the business from their father in 1977. 

Soon aer, they established a locaon at 601 Commerce Drive, 

Pickerington. 

Today, Rutherford Auto Body employs twentythree people and 

is a market leader in Central Ohio. Our mission is to provide the 

highest quality repairs in a mely manner with outstanding customer 

service. Being in an accident is a stressful me. Our goal 

is to make this process as stress free as possible. Communicaon 

is the key to achieving this goal. Our staff and management team 

will work with you, your insurance company, and our venders to 

accomplish this. 

The future is looking bright for Rutherford Auto Body as we are 

now a cerfied repair facility for Honda, Ford, GM, Nissan, Infini, 

Dodge, Chrysler, Hyundai, and Kia. We are constantly working 

on new technology and new ways to assist our customers. 

We appreciate all our faithful and future customers.


Free tire collection 

Residents of Madison Township are 

invited to a free tire collection event. 

Franklin County Public Health, in conjunction 

with Columbus Public Health, will 

hold the tire collection from 9 a.m. to noon 

on May 13 at Brobst Park, 5321 

Winchester Pike, Canal Winchester. 

The event is open to all residents of 

Franklin County, as well as Canal 

Winchester residents residing in Fairfield 

County. Individuals may bring up to 10 

rimless tires per household to the event for 

proper disposal at no cost to them. Only 

passenger vehicle tires without rims will 

be accepted. 

Tires pose a public health risk if left 

unattended or disposed of improperly. 

Tires provide the perfect location for standing 

water to form, creating a habitat for 

mosquitoes. It is on the water that the mosquito 

larvae grow and hatch. By properly 

disposing of any junk tires, potential hot 

spots are avoided. 

During the 2022 tire drive at Brobst 

Park, 860 tires were collected and properly 

disposed of through the partnering public 

health agencies. 

The event will also have free larvicide 

tablets for residents to take home and put 

in rain barrels, decorative water fixtures, 

and any other place with standing water to 

prevent mosquitoes from hatching. 

Residents do not need to turn in tires in 

order to receive the larvicide tablets. 

To report problem areas for mosquitoes 

or to request service, visit 

mosquito.myfcph.org/request-for-service/ 

or call (614) 525-BITE (2483). 

We are the BEST 

community newspaper! 

Need advertising? Call 614-272-5422. 


ASBURY 

SOUTH UMC 

4760 Winchester Pike 

Columbus, Ohio 43232 

Telephone: 614-837-4601 

Rev. Sherri Upchurch Blackwell 

Sunday Worship 10 a.m. 

Inside and Parking Lot 

Sunday School 9 a.m. 

BETHANY LUTHERAN 

CHURCH, LCMS 

1000 Noe-Bixby Rd. Columbus, OH 43213 

Telephone: 614-866-7755 

WEBSITE: bethanylutherancolumbus.com 

E-MAIL: bethanycolumbus@sbcglobal.net 

NEW SUMMER HOURS 

Beginning Sunday, May 7: 10:00 AM 

Beginning Sunday, May 14, and continuing through 

the Summer, the 2nd Sunday of every month 

will be a “DRIVE-IN Service. 

Bring lawn chairs to sit on the lawn or remain in your car 

Be a Part of Our Local Worship Guide 

Our Worship Guide is geared toward celebrating faith and helping readers 

connect with religious resources in our community. Make sure these readers 

know how you can help with a presence in this very special section distributed to 

more than 19,000 households in the Groveport area. 

Contact us today to secure your spot in our Worship Guide. 

614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com 



GROVEPORT ZION 

LUTHERAN, NALC 

Christ Centered, Mission Driven 

Traditionally Grounded 

6014 Groveport Rd., Groveport, OH 43125 

(Across from Kroger, main parking in the back) 

PHONE: 614-836-5611 

PASTOR BRIAN MCGEE 

Sunday Worship 11 A.M. 

In person service in sanctuary, or in 

parking lot via radio (92.7) 

Please visit the 

Groveport Church 

of your choice. 

List your Worship 

Services here. 

For info. call 614-272-5422 

Easter Bunny on duty 

Photo courtesy of the city of Groveport 

The Easter Bunny, with some assistance from Groveport Police Lt. Josh Short, 

helped direct traffic on Main Street near Groveport Elementary when the school 

district let out for spring break. 

Altman to be new principal 

at GM High School 

Groveport Madison Schools 

Superintendent Jamie Grube announced 

Jeff Altman will serve as the new principal 

at Groveport Madison High School beginning 

this summer, pending board of education 

approval. 

“I have been impressed with Jeff's 

unwavering commitment to students’ academic 

needs, social-emotional development, 

and their overall health and wellbeing,” 

said Grube. “He is equally committed 

to the GMHS staff. He promotes collaboration 

and personal accountability and 

helps staff members seek creative solutions 

to complex situations. Jeff’s focus, 

determination, and welcoming nature 

blend perfectly to create the right environment 

for high school students to grow and 

thrive.” 

Altman holds a bachelor’s degree in 

education from Capital University and a 

master’s degree in educational leadership 

from Muskingum University. 

He’s served as assistant principal at 

GMHS since August of 2021 and was a 

teacher at GMHS for 12 years. 

“I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity," 

said Altman. “I have been a lifelong 

Cruiser and graduated from GMHS in 

2003. I have learned much in my 14 years 

of professionally serving this community. I 

look forward to continuing to work with 

this excellent staff. Building relationships 

and rapport with our students, families, 

and stakeholders will be at the forefront of 

my leadership. Creating a culture at 

GMHS that staff and students can be 

proud of is vital to our success. I look forward 

to embracing this role and will be 

passionate about developing, fostering, 

and implementing positive changes in our 

school. I look forward to leading the staff 

and will give you all my very best daily.” 

Altman will succeed Duane Bland, who 

has served as interim principal at GMHS 

since August 2022. 

Golden Cruiser Club 

Groveport Madison Schools invites senior 

residents of the district to attend athletic 

and performing arts programs showcasing 

the talents of its students. 

The Golden Cruiser Club is a free program 

for residents of the Groveport 

Madison School District who are age 60 

and older. 

Membership provides free access to all 

school and district sponsored athletic contests, 

plays, concerts, and other events. 

To become a member of the Golden 

Cruiser Club, obtain an application at 

www.gocruisers.org, at any of the school 

offices, or call (614) 492-2520. 

The requirements for membership are 

that applicants be age 60 or older and be a 

resident of Groveport Madison Schools. 

columbusmessenger.com



Proud to welcome Central Ohio Primary Care 

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Medicare Advantage plans from 

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Use your UnitedHealthcare UCard 

when you visit your provider, 

fill a prescription, check in at 

the gym and buy healthy food or 

OTC products. 

Up to $50 a quarter for OTC products 

$0 prescription drug deductible 

$0 copay for preventive care 

Expanded 

Network 

Turning 65 or new to Medicare? 

Call UnitedHealthcare or go online today. 

1-855-263-1852, TTY 711 

8 a.m.–8 p.m., 7 days a week. Se habla español. 

Or visit exploreuhc.com 

Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. Other providers are available in our network. Network size varies by market. If your plan offers out-of-network dental 

coverage and you see an out-of-network dentist, you might be billed more. Network size varies by local market. Other providers are available in our network. Network size varies by market. OTC benefits have 

expiration timeframes. Call your plan or review your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for more information. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare 

Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare. 

© 2023 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

60155098 H5253-109-002 

Y0066_220722_025325_M 

SPRJ80903


ONLY $65.00 

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. 

OBITUARY NOTICES 

Your Affordable Alternative 

Messenger Newspapers 

On-line & In Print 

Your notice will be published on-line Monday through Friday 

the day after we receive them. We will provide you with your 

low on-line and print costs: 

SAMPLE 

On-Line $ 45.00 

1-Paper Print 2x5=10 @12.90/in $129.00 

$174.00 

Tell your funeral director to send your notices to 

pdmessenger5422@gmail.com 

or Call 

Columbus Messenger at 614-272-5422 



BEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER in Groveport 

FREE 

Pick-Up At These 

Locations: 

Groveport Senior Village - 5124 Hendron 

Madison Township Office - 4575 Madison Lane 

Paddock Pub/Groveport Golf Ctr. - 1005 Richardson Rd. 

Southeast Library - 3980 S. Hamilton Rd. 

Asbury Methodist Church - 4760 Winchester Pike 

Groveport Municipal Building - 655 Blacklick St. 

Groveport Town Hall - 648 Main St. 

Flyers PIzza/Groveport - 296 Main St. 

Ace Hardware - 726 Main St. 

Little Italy Pizza - 619 Main St. 

Huntington Bank/Groveport - 556 Main St. 

Groveport Recreation Center - 7370 Groveport Rd. 

Krogers - Main St. 

Groveport Methodist Church - 512 Main St. 

Delaney's Diner - 674 Main St. 

READ US ONLINE: www.columbusmessenger.com 

Students at DECA 


Four students from the Eastland- 

Fairfield Career & Technical Schools 

Marketing & Logistics Management satellite 

program will head to Orlando, Fla., to 

compete at the DECA International 

Conference in April. 

The DECA state conference was held on 

March 10-11 at the Hyatt Regency 

Columbus, where nearly a dozen students 

represented Eastland-Fairfield and the 

Marketing & Logistics satellite program. 

Of those competing in individual events, 

senior Richie Saelim (Groveport Madison) 

emerged as the top placer after taking 

fourth place in the Principles of Finance 

category. He will advance to the DECA 

International Conference. 

Joining him in Orlando will be a team of 

three Groveport Madison students who 

built and delivered an award-worthy presentation 

about its operation of the 

Groveport Madison High School spirit 

store - The Cruiser Shop. Seniors Braylan 

James, Jonya Russell, and Marisa Jones 

earned top-5 placement in the School- 

Based Enterprise category. 

The Marketing & Logistics 

Management program is housed at 

Groveport Madison High School and is one 

of eight satellite programs that Eastland- 

Fairfield offers to 11th and 12th-grade students. 

The program is also the only one 

that belongs to the national DECA careertechnical 

student organization. 

DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of 

America) is a global high school and collegiate 

student organization that prepares 

emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for 

careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, 

and management. DECA is a not-for-profit 

Career and Technical Student 

Organization with more than 215,000 

members in nearly all 50 United States, 

Canada, Puerto Rico, and Germany. 

Artist’s work wins award 

A ceramic sculpture, titled, “Have,” by 

Groveport artist Juliellen Byrne, was 

awarded the Brian Lonsway Memorial 

Award for Humor in Craft in the Best of 

2023 Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s 40th 

annual juried members exhibition, on view 

May 7 to July 8 at the Ohio Craft Museum. 

The “Best of 2023” showcases contemporary 

fine craft by 70 artists. Juror Steve 

Smith, professor of art at Defiance College 

(1980—2011), selected 78 works in clay, 

glass, metal, wood, fiber, and mixed media 

from over 300 entries. Seventeen artists 

received awards of excellence. 

The exhibition opens with a May 7 

reception honoring award winners at the 

Ohio Craft Museum, 1665 West Fifth 

Avenue, Columbus, from 1-4 p.m. After 

closing at the museum on July 8, the exhibition 

travels to the Wassenberg Art 

Center in Van Wert, Ohio, where it opens 

Aug. 31. 

Ohio Craft Museum hours are: 

Monday—Friday, 10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Saturday, 

11 a.m.—4 p.m. Admission and parking are 

free. Telephone (614) 486-4402, or visit 

www.ohiocraft.org for information.


GFOA honors Groveport 

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States 

and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement 

for Excellence in Financial Reporting to City of Groveport for its 

annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended 

Dec. 31, 2021. The report was judged by an impartial panel to 

meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating 

a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate 

its financial story and motivate potential users and user 

groups to read the report. 

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition 

in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, 

and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment 

by a government and its management. 


p , SS G GE 13 

Veterans Hall of Fame 

The deadline for submitting nominations for the Ohio Veterans 

Hall of Fame is fast approaching and the organization would like 

to hear from those who know former service members who are 

excelling and making a difference in society. 

The Hall of Fame recognizes those who served in the U.S. 

Armed Forces and continue to contribute to their communities, 

state, and nation through exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy, 

professional distinction, public service, or philanthropy. 

Each year, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame inducts up to 20 

veterans based on recommendations from an executive committee 

of veterans from throughout the state and approval from the governor 

of Ohio. 

The deadline to submit nomination forms for consideration for 

the 2023 class of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is June 1. 

To be considered, the veteran must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a past or current Ohio resident 

• Have received an honorable discharge 

• Be of good moral character 

This Hall of Fame sets the standard for recognizing Ohio’s veterans 

for accomplishments beyond their military service. In addition, 

it is a fitting way to say “thank you for your service to our 

nation and thank you for your continued service to our communities.” 

Guidelines, a sample nomination, and more information are 

available at dvs.ohio.gov/hall-of-fame. 

Obetz Zucchinifest 

The Obetz Zucchinifest will be held Sept. 1 to Sept. 4 at 

Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz. 

The event features the Zucchini Parade, Zucchini Car Show, 

and free concerts showcasing live music from both local and 

national artists. All this while indulging in delicious zucchiniinspired 

dishes offered by our diverse food vendors. There will also 

be rides and games throughout the event. 

Friday’s hours will be 5-11 p.m. The car show registration is 

Friday when the gates open, with the car show and awards finishing 

up before the concert gates open. 

Saturday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. 

Concert gates open at 6 p.m. and Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, and All 4 

One will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. 

Sunday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. 

The parade will begin shortly after opening. There will be other 

entertainment before concert gates open at 6 p.m. TikTok-famous 

Matt Schuster will take the stage at 7 p.m. and American country 

rock singer and songwriter Brantley Gilbert will perform at 8:30 

p.m. 

Monday’s Zucchinifest hours will be noon through 6 p.m. More 

activities and entertainment and will be announced at a later 

date. Admission is free and no tickets are required. 

For information following the Zucchinifest on social media at 

@obetzzucchinifest and the website at obetzzucchinifest.com. 

Groveport Heritage Museum 

The Groveport Heritage Museum contains photographs, artifacts, 

and documents about Groveport’s history. The museum is 

located in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., and is open during 

Groveport Town Hall’s operating hours. Call 614-836-3333.

LOVE DOGS? 

LOVE THE 

OUTDOORS? 

THIS JOB IS IDEAL FOR YOU. 

We are looking for animal lovers to work part 

time to help us humanely manage geese 

populations using our border collies. 

EMAIL CONTACT INFO/RESUME TO 

JOBS@OHIOGEESECONTROL.COM 

“HELP WANTED” 

Sign Not Working? 

TO ADVERTISE 

Call Kathy at 

The Columbus Messenger 

614-272-5422 

For More Info

Kingston Landscaping 

Donovan Wade 

Cell: 614-364-0536 

Office: 740-642-8051 

kingstonlandscapellc@gmail.com 

Landscapes, Hardscapes & 

Lawn Care 

TERMITE & 

PEST CONTROL 

614-367-9000 

TORCO® 

TERMINATES 

TERMITES 

Locally Owned & Operated. Any Pest. Anytime. 

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Free Termite Inspection 

Affordable 

Plumbing 

Locally Owned & Operated 

Residential & Commercial 

35 Years Exp. • Senior Discounts 

• Hot Water Tanks • Disposals 

• Drains 

614-348-2500


Spring on the farm 


THURSDAY, JUNE 8 TH @ 12:05 PM 

 

 

CLIPPERS VS. LOUISVILLE BATS 

 

Tickets are $6 RESERVED and $5 BLEACHER SEATING 

LUNCH PROVIDED FOR FANS 60 AND OVER WITH TICKET PURCHASE 

 

Make checks/money orders payable to Columbus Clippers and mail to: 

 

 

Columbus Clippers Aenon: Spencer Harrison 

330 

Hunngton Park Lane, Columbus, OH 43215 

Orders 

can be emailed to sharrison@clippersbaseball.com 

For cket quesons, call (614) 4625250 

Ticket orders must be received by the Clippers before June 1st, 2023 

 

www.clippersbaseball.com 

Messenger photos by Rick Palsgrove 

When you are a farmer you have to know how to do many tasks, from handling livestock 

to preparing fields, planting and harvesting crops, maintaining equipment, 

and more. Dave Trotter, a farmer at Slate Run Living Historical Farm, is shown here 

preparing a horse drawn drag that will be used to smooth out the dirt clumps in the 

farmhouse gardens to prepare the gardens for spring planting. Once the gardens 

are smooth, the drag can be flipped over and used to make rows for planting. Slate 

Run Living Historical Farm, which recreates Ohio farm life as it was in the 1880s, is 

located at 1375 State Route 674 North, near Canal Winchester. Visit metroparks.net 

for information. 

SUMMER BLAST! 

ELVIS 

featuring 

Mike Albert 

and the Big E Band 

Saturday 

June 10, 2023 

VILLA MILANO 

1630 Schrock Rd. 

Dinner/Show Tickets $ 58.00 

Tickets by Phone: 614-792-3135 

Visa • Mastercard • Discover 

NO REFUNDS 

About a dozen piglets bunch together to keep warm on a recent chilly spring 

morning at Slate Run Living Historical Farm.

Groveport Messenger - April 23rd, 2023

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