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South & Canal Winchester Messenger - May 7th, 2023

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<strong>Messenger</strong><br />

<strong>South</strong> & <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

<strong>May</strong> 7-20, <strong>2023</strong> www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XLIV, No. 6<br />

Heavenly Treats Bakery<br />

10% off Mother's Day or<br />

Memorial Day Special Orders.<br />

Expires 5/31/23<br />

100 <strong>Winchester</strong> Cemetery (614) 524-1183<br />

www.heavenlytreatsohio.com<br />

Spring on the farm<br />

<strong>Messenger</strong> photos by Rick Palsgrove<br />

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

to preparing fields, planting and harvesting crops, maintaining equipment,<br />

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

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

the farmhouse gardens to prepare the gardens for spring planting. Once the gardens<br />

are smooth, the drag can be flipped over and used to make rows for planting.<br />

Slate Run Living Historical Farm, which recreates Ohio farm life as it was in the<br />

1880s, is located at 1375 State Route 674 North, near <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>. Visit<br />

metroparks.net for information.<br />

A sheep<br />

grazing<br />

in the<br />

field on<br />

a find<br />

spring<br />

day at<br />

Slate<br />

Run<br />

Living<br />

Historic<br />

al Farm.<br />

What to do about the<br />

CW mayor position?<br />

By Linda Dillman<br />

Staff Writer<br />

Determining the worth of the mayor,<br />

now that a city administrator position is<br />

part of the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> city hierarchy,<br />

continues to dominate council discussion.<br />

First tabled and then untabled for discussion<br />

purposes during the <strong>May</strong> 1 <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> City Council work session,<br />

council then again tabled the resolution<br />

establishing salary and benefit compensation<br />

for the mayor’s position.<br />

A decision must be made before a July 1<br />

deadline.<br />

The estimated salary range for the city<br />

administrator is between $104,000 and<br />

$146,000. The current base salary for the<br />

mayor–not including benefits such as a<br />

$500 a month car allowance and insurance<br />

coverage–is $100,842.<br />

Previously, council discussed potential<br />

salary reduction ranges, but did not settle<br />

on a specific number until the city administrator<br />

position was adopted.<br />

Suggestions included reducing the<br />

salary down to $40,000 to as high as maintaining<br />

the current base for two years until<br />

the charter commission meets and makes<br />

recommendations for potential changes.<br />

“You’re paying that person for being the<br />

executive leader of the city,” said<br />

Councilwoman Laurie Amick.<br />

She suggested reducing the mayor’s<br />

auto allowance by half and only offering<br />

single insurance coverage.<br />

“Public sector benefits are generous and<br />

expensive,” said Councilman Patrick Shea.<br />

“I think you need to include that as part of<br />

the package. It’s surprising how much<br />

those benefit packages are.”<br />

Councilwoman Jill Amos asked if it is<br />

fiscally responsible to have two salary top<br />

heavy positions.<br />

“I think it is fiscally responsible not to<br />

have two top heavy positions for 9,000 people,”<br />

said Amos.<br />

Council President Chuck Milliken<br />

thought the current $100,000-plus salary<br />

should still be the floor compensation for<br />

the mayor.<br />

“The residents approved the city manager’s<br />

position,” said Milliken. “What we’re<br />

here to do is to determine the salary. We’re<br />

here to deliberate what is best.”<br />

Councilman Steve Buskirk said he felt<br />

like council was attempting to make a<br />

charter change that needs to be decided by<br />

constituents.<br />

“The change we’re trying to push forward<br />

should be made by our constituents<br />

and not this council,” said Buskirk. “I think<br />

it gives the appearance we are going<br />

toward a weak mayor by this decision.”<br />

See CW, page 21<br />

<strong>South</strong>ern Gallery<br />

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“A name you know, Experience you can trust”<br />

Office: (614) 834-1750<br />

Facsimile: (614) 834-9480<br />

25 E. Waterloo St.<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>, Ohio 43110


PAGE 2 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

Dr. Hobbs<br />

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Columbus, OH 43207<br />

New Patients & Emergencies Always Welcome<br />

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DENTURE CHECKUPS<br />

If you wear a full upper denture,<br />

does that mean that your<br />

dental problems are over in that<br />

geographic area? Not if you value<br />

your health and future comfort.<br />

Regular appointments with your<br />

dentist are as important for denture-wearers<br />

as for people with<br />

natural teeth. The mouth tissue,<br />

bony ridges and gums that support<br />

dentures are constantly undergoing<br />

changes and may<br />

impair the denture’s proper function.<br />

Even such general health ailments<br />

as vitamin deficiencies,<br />

extended illness, drug therapy,<br />

weight loss, diabetes or high<br />

blood pressure can change the<br />

Dr. Kelly<br />

way dentures fit.<br />

Ill-fitting dentures can seriously<br />

damage the mouth, causing abrasions,<br />

bruises, inflammation and<br />

rapid destruction of the supporting<br />

bone. Prolonged irritation of<br />

this kind may result in the development<br />

of tumors. It is important<br />

to have a dental checkup at least<br />

once a year to insure that your<br />

dentures are properly adjusted<br />

and that your mouth is in good<br />

health.<br />

Prepared as a public service to<br />

promote better dental health.<br />

From the office of:<br />

SCOTT A. KELLY, D.D.S.<br />

Phone 614-491-5511<br />

www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

CW’s<br />

Palsgrove<br />

honored<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Middle School<br />

Assistant Principal<br />

and Athletic<br />

Director Brent<br />

Palsgrove has been<br />

recognized as the<br />

Middle School<br />

Athletic Director of<br />

the Year by the<br />

Central Ohio<br />

Interscholastic<br />

Athletic<br />

Administrators<br />

Association. He<br />

was recognized for<br />

his service, leadership,<br />

and involvement<br />

with interscholastic<br />

athletics<br />

at the local and<br />

district levels.<br />

Wagnalls<br />

Wagnalls Memorial<br />

Library, 150 E.<br />

Columbus St.,<br />

Lithopolis. Call<br />

(614) 837-4765 or<br />

visit www.wagnalls.org.<br />

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Obetz Spring Clean-up<br />

Obetz’s annual Spring Clean-up will be<br />

held <strong>May</strong> 12. Waste Management will<br />

send extra trucks to pick up additional<br />

household waste. Tire disposal will be held<br />

<strong>May</strong> 12 from 4-6 p.m. and <strong>May</strong> 13 from 9-<br />

11 a.m. Tire disposal will take place in the<br />

dumpster at the Obetz Street Department<br />

building at 4100 Orchard Lane.<br />

O.P. Chaney Grain<br />

Elevator ceremony<br />

The <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Area Historical<br />

Society will hold a ceremony on <strong>May</strong> 6 at<br />

5:45 p.m. to commemorate the groundbreaking<br />

of the $4 million restoration and<br />

preservation project for the 130-year-old O.<br />

P. Chaney Grain Elevator, located at 40 W.<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 3<br />

Oak St. in <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>.<br />

leaders.<br />

The event is part of the <strong>Canal</strong> After the groundbreaking ceremony,<br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Area Historical Society’s annual<br />

take a tour of the Grain Elevator, led by<br />

fundraising Gala, which will be from 6-9 those from Archall Architects, to learn<br />

p.m.<br />

more about the comprehensive plan to<br />

The Grain Elevator is listed in the U.S. restore it into a Cultural Heritage Center<br />

National Register of Historic Places. and space for educational and community<br />

The ceremony will include elected officials,<br />

events.<br />

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Hann Farm's Market<br />

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Mid to late <strong>May</strong><br />

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Hello! It’s Nice to Meet You!<br />

We are neighbors! I am a lifelong resident of<br />

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through. I attended St. Ladislas School. After<br />

graduating Father Wehrle High School, I married<br />

a Marion Franklin Devil and we chose to<br />

stay in the <strong>South</strong> End and raise our kids,<br />

Matthew & Sarah who attended Cedarwood Elementary and<br />

Buckeye Middle School. Jeff and I currently share our home with<br />

our dogs, Diamond and Mishka and our cat, Lil'Bit. If you happen<br />

to see me walking the neighborhood, shopping at Great <strong>South</strong>ern<br />

or enjoying a coffee at McDonalds, please introduce yourself.<br />

I'd love to get to know you better.<br />

If you’re looking for an expert to point you<br />

in the right direction, give me a call.<br />

• Miliary Relocation Professional • First Time Home Buyers<br />

• 55+ Senior Real Estate Specialist<br />

Mortgage Services also Available<br />

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(614) 570-0803<br />

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The Marylee Bendig Team


PAGE 4 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

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<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 5<br />

Obetz Police officer saves suicidal man<br />

By Katelyn Sattler<br />

Staff Writer<br />

Memorial Day in CW<br />

In remembrance of fallen veterans,<br />

VFW Post #10523 will host <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong>’s annual Memorial Day ceremony<br />

on <strong>May</strong> 29 at Union Grove Cemetery,<br />

400 <strong>Winchester</strong> Cemetery Road, beginning<br />

at 10:30 a.m.<br />

The ceremony will feature keynote<br />

speaker Air Force Chief Master Sgt.Troy<br />

R. Taylor, the Command Chief Master<br />

Sergeant for the Ohio Air National Guard.<br />

Other ceremony participants will include<br />

Boy Scouts Troop 103, Cub Scouts Troop<br />

103, and the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> High<br />

School Band.<br />

Immediately following the <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Memorial Day Ceremony, the<br />

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will host a flag<br />

retirement ceremony on the cemetery<br />

grounds.<br />

The public is invited to attend both ceremonies.<br />

Lawn chairs or blankets are<br />

encouraged for seating.<br />

County Mitigation Plan<br />

Franklin County is updating its Hazard<br />

Mitigation Plan and wants a better understanding<br />

of the preparedness needs and<br />

risk perceptions of those who live and work<br />

in Franklin County. In this regard, county<br />

officials created an online survey and each<br />

resident of Franklin County is encouraged<br />

to participate. The feedback will help<br />

county officials better serve the community<br />

as they update the Hazard Mitigation<br />

Plan. The survey can be found online at<br />

www.surveymonkey.com/r/FranklinOHH<br />

MPPublic<br />

Alum Creek Drive project<br />

Brad Foster, chief deputy of operations<br />

for the Franklin County Engineer’s office,<br />

Obetz Police Officer Carl Higgenbotham<br />

recently saved the life of a suicidal man.<br />

Higgenbotham pulled the suicidal man<br />

from the barrier of the Parsons Avenue<br />

over I-270 bridge as the man was climbing<br />

to jump from the bridge on to I-270.<br />

“It's outstanding work,” said Obetz City<br />

Administrator Rod Davisson. “You see<br />

what officers have to deal with on a day-today<br />

basis. And it’s basically traumatic and<br />

scary things all the time. And occasionally<br />

they’re lucky enough to save somebody who<br />

needs help. It’s important, and we’re<br />

extremely proud of him. We have good officers.”<br />

In his letter of commendation to<br />

Higgenbotham, Obetz Police Chief Mike<br />

Confer wrote, “Higgenbotham’s calm and<br />

professional demeanor helped to establish<br />

a rapport with the distraught individual.<br />

He was able to charge and gain control of<br />

the individual as he was climbing over the<br />

barrier wall to jump onto I-270. His actions<br />

ultimately prevented a tragedy from occurring.”<br />

Confer noted Higgenbotham demonstrated<br />

exceptional teamwork and coordination<br />

with other first responders on the<br />

scene.<br />

“He effectively communicated with dispatch<br />

and coordinated the efforts of the<br />

Columbus Fire Department and Ohio State<br />

Highway Patrol to ensure the safety of all<br />

involved,” wrote Confer. “His actions on<br />

March 16 exemplify the highest standards<br />

of professionalism and dedication to public<br />

service. His quick thinking and compassionate<br />

approach to a difficult situation<br />

undoubtedly saved a life and prevented a<br />

tragedy from occurring. He is a credit to<br />

the Obetz Police Department and an inspiration<br />

to all who serve in law enforcement.”<br />

Obetz <strong>May</strong>or Angela Kirk said, “As you<br />

can tell, he rushed after the man to prevent<br />

him from going over that bridge. My God,<br />

what if our officer would’ve flipped over<br />

that bridge with the man? That’s the kind<br />

of dangerous stuff that people don’t think<br />

about. But that’s their job and they take it<br />

very seriously.”<br />

said a proposed project improving Alum<br />

Creek Drive from State Route 317 to<br />

Groveport Road, has a projected construction<br />

time frame of 2028 to 2029.<br />

The estimated cost is $58.5 million,<br />

with 80 percent covered by federal dollars<br />

and the remaining 20 percent from $11.5<br />

million in local money, including public<br />

and private funds.<br />

Replacing the bridge crossing Big<br />

Walnut Creek and adding additional lanes<br />

to Alum Creek Drive without major interruptions<br />

to traffic are key pieces of the<br />

project. Foster said many of the shipments<br />

heading to the new Intel facility in Licking<br />

County will pass in and out of the<br />

Rickenbacker airport.<br />

“Alum Creek Drive is a major thoroughfare,”<br />

said Foster. “We need all stakeholders<br />

(Columbus, Groveport, Obetz and Madison<br />

and Hamilton townships) on board.”<br />

Special Olympics<br />

The mission of Special Olympics Ohio<br />

and its Groveport and <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Special Olympics chapter is to provide year<br />

round sports training and competition in a<br />

variety of Olympic type sports for intellectually<br />

disabled individuals. For information<br />

contact Penny and Cassandra Hilty at<br />

groveportspecialolympics@gmail.com or at<br />

(614) 395-8992 or 395-6640. Donations may<br />

be sent to Groveport Special Olympics, P.O.<br />

Box 296, Groveport, OH 43125.<br />

Garden Club plant auction<br />

The Groveport Garden Club will hold its<br />

annual plant auction sale on <strong>May</strong> 9 at<br />

Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014<br />

Groveport Road (across from Kroger).<br />

Refreshments at 6 p.m. with the plant auction<br />

starting at 6:30 p.m. Come see the<br />

variety of plants available!<br />

<strong>Messenger</strong> photo by Katelyn Sattler<br />

Obetz Police Officer C.J Higgenbotham (center) recently prevented a suicidal man<br />

from jumping off a bridge by grabbing the man as he tried to jump. Higgenbotham<br />

was honored for his efforts at the April 24 Obetz City Council meeting. Pictured with<br />

him are Obetz Police Chief Mike Confer and Obetz <strong>May</strong>or Angela Kirk.<br />

<strong>South</strong>east Library<br />

The <strong>South</strong>east Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is located at 3980 S.<br />

Hamilton Road, Groveport. For information visit www.columbuslibrary.org or call 614-<br />

645-2275.<br />

BETHANY LUTHERAN<br />

CHURCH, LCMS<br />

1000 Noe-Bixby Rd. Columbus, OH 43213<br />

Telephone: 614-866-7755<br />

WEBSITE: bethanylutherancolumbus.com<br />

E-MAIL: bethanycolumbus@sbcglobal.net<br />

NEW SUMMER HOURS<br />

Beginning Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 7: 10:00 AM<br />

Beginning Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 14, and continuing through<br />

the Summer, the 2nd Sunday of every month<br />

will be a “DRIVE-IN Service.<br />

Bring lawn chairs to sit on the lawn or remain in your car<br />

Be a Part of Our Local Worship Guide<br />

Our Worship Guide is geared toward celebrating faith and helping readers connect<br />

with religious resources in our community. Make sure these readers know<br />

how you can help with a presence in this very special section distributed to more<br />

than 19,000 households in the <strong>South</strong> area.<br />

Contact us today to secure your spot in our Worship Guide.<br />

614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com<br />

<strong>Messenger</strong><br />

<strong>South</strong><br />

Please visit the<br />

<strong>South</strong>/<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Church of your choice.<br />

List your Worship<br />

Services here.<br />

For info. call 614-272-5422


PAGE 6 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

Lockbourne Memorial Day<br />

Lockbourne’s annual Memorial Day Parade and<br />

Celebrationwill be held <strong>May</strong> 29, to honor veterans and to celebrate<br />

the history of Lockbourne / Rickenbacker Air Force Base.<br />

This special even begins at noon with a parade through the village<br />

followed by a ceremony at Lockbourne Veterans Park.<br />

“We anticipate a strong presence of veterans from the area,”<br />

said Lockbourne <strong>May</strong>or Christie Ward. “This event is a central<br />

part of the village, Hamilton Township, and the surrounding communities.”<br />

If you would like to participate in the parade, contact Kendall<br />

Collins at deputy.admin@lockbourneohio.us or (614) 491-3161.<br />

Obetz Farmers Market<br />

The Obetz Farmers Market will take place on the second<br />

Wednesday of each month from June to September between 4-7<br />

p.m. It will be held across from the Obetz Hardware Store located<br />

at 4256 Groveport Road, Obetz.<br />

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Rowing his way to success<br />

By Linda Dillman<br />

Staff Writer<br />

Indoor rowing was not part of Tyson<br />

Whitt’s exercise regime five years ago, but<br />

the world class athlete accepted a challenge<br />

by a workout partner to join a competition<br />

that has taken him virtually and<br />

in person across the ocean.<br />

Earlier this year, he traveled to Paris,<br />

France, and raced in the <strong>2023</strong> European<br />

Rowing Indoor Championships.<br />

“The arena was electric and the adrenaline<br />

rush from it was like nothing else<br />

I’ve ever experienced in indoor rowing,”<br />

said Whitt, of <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>.<br />

When Whitt was first introduced to the<br />

sport at age 40, he said he never rowed<br />

with any serious effort.<br />

“After rowing 500m as hard as I could<br />

go, I’m surprised I ever got back on a rowing<br />

machine. It completely wiped me out<br />

for the rest of the afternoon,” admitted<br />

Whitt.<br />

Since the competition spanned a twoweek<br />

period, he tried the 500m two more<br />

times. Each time, he got a little faster and<br />

it hurt a little less. By the end of the competition,<br />

Whitt was hooked and purchased<br />

a rowing machine for home.<br />

The top five finishers in the challenge<br />

were rewarded by having their name and<br />

result posted on the gym’s whiteboard.<br />

The winner of the competition was awarded a gym bag.<br />

“I really wanted to be on that whiteboard, but I finished<br />

just outside of the top five at the end of the twoweek<br />

competition,” said Whitt.<br />

He did not pursue competitive indoor rowing until<br />

early-2021, and by that time, competitions transitioned<br />

to virtual due to COVID. He found it amazing<br />

that the sport had the capability to hold world championship<br />

events virtually with very little equipment<br />

requirements.<br />

According to Whitt, a competitor basically only<br />

needs access to a Concept2 rowing machine, a computer<br />

and an internet connection. The 2022 World Rowing<br />

Indoor Championships were completely virtual.<br />

Competitors from 66 countries competed in the event,<br />

some of which were former Olympians and professional<br />

athletes from other sports.<br />

“Competing during COVID was a great experience<br />

and virtual events do have their advantages,” said<br />

Whitt. “For example, athletes that may not have the<br />

means to travel long distances to compete are able to<br />

race from home or their local gym. The larger events<br />

are typically broadcast live, so anyone can watch them<br />

in real time. In my opinion, the viewing experience is<br />

better for virtual events due to the viewing format and<br />

presentation.”<br />

Whitt feels racing organizations are now in a transitional<br />

phase where they are trying to determine what<br />

works best. Some events are in-person only, some are<br />

virtual only, and his most recent event–the <strong>2023</strong><br />

World Rowing Indoor Championship–was hybrid.<br />

Prior to COVID, all races were in-person only.<br />

Over the past two and a half years, Whitt raced in<br />

11 events, winning seven gold medals and two silver<br />

medals. He won a gold medal in the 2022 World<br />

Championships for the age 40-49 lightweight men’s<br />

division for five hundred meters. He was a silver<br />

medalist in the <strong>2023</strong> World Championships for the<br />

same event.<br />

Races (virtual or in-person) are managed by racing<br />

Tyson Whitt is shown here in his home gym with the gold medal he<br />

won in the 2022 World Rowing Indoor Championships which was a<br />

virtual event held in February 2022. He won the Lightweight Men’s<br />

Age 40-49 500m race and was considered the world champion in<br />

2022 for this event.<br />

software that collects data from each of the rowing<br />

machines in real-time. During the race, competitors<br />

can see their current standing and how many meters<br />

ahead or behind they are in the race.<br />

Whitt typically trains one and a half to two hours<br />

per day six days a week. His regime consists of aerobic<br />

base building, strength training and high intensity<br />

workouts.<br />

“My goals and my inner competitiveness are what<br />

keeps me rowing,” said Whitt. “They give me a purpose,<br />

which is vital in order to stick with it and not get<br />

burned out. I also want to be a good role model for my<br />

kids. I want them to see first-hand that if you put your<br />

mind to something and put in the work, good results<br />

will come of it. I have a mentor that helps me plan my<br />

workouts. He has been instrumental in my success in<br />

the sport. With his instruction and wealth of knowledge,<br />

I’ve been able to obtain results I never would<br />

have thought were possible a few years ago.”<br />

Outside of the gym, he plays recreational sports<br />

including baseball, softball, and basketball. Whitt<br />

recently acquired local sponsorships for indoor rowing<br />

and said their generosity helped make it possible for<br />

him to travel to Paris earlier this year to compete.<br />

He plans to travel to Prague, Czech Republic, for<br />

the 2024 World Rowing Indoor Championships.<br />

So far, no one in Whitt’s family followed him in taking<br />

up the sport, but he said his wife’s support is vital<br />

to his success and he is hopeful one day his children<br />

will take an interest in indoor rowing.<br />

“Even if they don’t pursue competing, indoor rowing<br />

is a great training tool to help improve fitness as well<br />

as creating mental toughness,” said Whitt. “These<br />

skills are a great addition to any sport they may pursue.<br />

I would highly encourage indoor rowing to anyone<br />

to improve their fitness and health. It is a great, lowimpact,<br />

exercise that works almost the entire body.<br />

Even if you don’t pursue competing, there are enormous<br />

benefits from consistently using a rowing<br />

machine.”


www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Increasing awareness of human trafficking<br />

By Linda Dillman<br />

Staff Writer<br />

CW selects athletic director<br />

The <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Board of Education will vote<br />

on <strong>May</strong> 15 on a recommendation to hire Jacob Ramsey,<br />

currently Assistant Director of Student Life at Upper<br />

Arlington High School, as the district’s athletic director.<br />

“Mr. Ramsey’s experience with cultivating studentcentered<br />

athletic programs and enthusiasm for supporting<br />

student-athletes in their academic and athletic<br />

journeys made him the top choice for this role,” sai<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Schools Superintendent Kiya Hunt.<br />

“His vision for the future of <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Athletics aligns to our district mission of Empowering<br />

All Students for Success and we are excited about the<br />

future of our programs under his direction.”<br />

Ramsey joined Upper Arlington High School as the<br />

Assistant Director of Student Life in 2021. Prior to<br />

that, he was the athletic director of Independence and<br />

Marion-Franklin high schools for six years. He began<br />

his career in education in 2011 and has served as a fitness<br />

instructor, coach, and teacher’s assistant.<br />

“I am honored to be joining the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

family and excited to bring a fresh perspective and new<br />

ideas that will help create a culture of success, respect,<br />

and support for our student-athletes, coaches, and<br />

community,” said Ramsey.<br />

Students, coaches, community members, and staff<br />

were included on the interview committee to select the<br />

new athletic director.<br />

Ramsey holds a bachelor's degree in communications<br />

from the University of Cincinnati, where he was<br />

also a student-athlete. He will fill the role of retiring<br />

athletic director Pat Durbin, beginning his new role on<br />

Aug. 1, pending board approval.<br />

Kris Sims Relay For Life Dinner<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>’s elected officials will wait tables<br />

to earn tips for Relay for Life.<br />

On <strong>May</strong> 17 from 5—7:30 p.m., <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

<strong>May</strong>or Michael Ebert and city council members will<br />

serve dinner at the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Community<br />

Missing children and human trafficking impact<br />

communities everywhere, including <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>.<br />

Cornelius McGrady, the founder of a youth trafficking<br />

coalition in Reynoldsburg, is bringing awareness of<br />

the situation to the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> community<br />

through the creation of a local club and a <strong>May</strong> 13 missing<br />

children awareness event in the Oley Speaks auditorium,<br />

100 Washington St., <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>, from 9<br />

a.m. to 1 p.m.<br />

Presenters include the Ohio Attorney General’s<br />

office, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, FBI, and the<br />

mayor’s office.<br />

Outside exhibits feature the BCI’s crime vehicle and<br />

a Fairfield County sheriff’s department cruiser.<br />

Informational displays, giveaways and a facial recognition<br />

exhibit will be located inside the auditorium.<br />

McGrady, an Army veteran, presented his proposal<br />

to form a coalition club for students to the local school<br />

board in October and the program began in December.<br />

“Like Jesus told his disciples, go out and spread the<br />

gospel,” said McGrady. “I have made educating our<br />

most valuable resource my mission. The average age of<br />

a child abducted and murdered is 11 years old. In<br />

2022, 15,555 children were reported missing in Ohio<br />

and more than 800,000 are missing throughout the<br />

United States annually.”<br />

According to McGrady, the majority of missing children<br />

are found. In Ohio in 2022, 96 percent were<br />

returned safely. However, the four percent that do not<br />

make it home can be parent’s worst nightmare.<br />

“These cases have a huge impact on local communities<br />

and our schools,” said McGrady, who said when<br />

the Reynoldsburg Youth Human Trafficking coalition<br />

first began its awareness campaign in 2009, some<br />

questioned why organizers were bringing negative<br />

attention and problems to the city.<br />

“We are bringing awareness to an underground<br />

existing problem,” said McGrady. “The Brice and<br />

Livingston corridor–a quarter mile away from<br />

Reynoldsburg High School–is in the top five spots for<br />

sex trafficking. To some it was merely coincidence that<br />

the number of hotel raids, brothel busts, and the<br />

largest human trafficking took place in Franklin<br />

County in Reynoldsburg in 2016.”<br />

According to the Ohio Attorney General’s office, it is<br />

estimated that 1,078 Ohio children are sex-trafficked<br />

every year. Thirteen is the most common age for children<br />

to be victims of sex trafficking.<br />

The signs of human trafficking in youth include:<br />

poor mental health or abnormal nervous behavior; the<br />

child appears fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive,<br />

tense or nervous/paranoid; they exhibit unusual fearful<br />

or anxious behavior after being around law enforcement;<br />

avoid eye contact; appear malnourished or<br />

show signs of physical and/sexual abuse, physical<br />

restraint, confinement or torture.<br />

Center, located at 45 E. Waterloo St. The three-course<br />

meal will include a house salad and bread, spaghetti<br />

and meatballs, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and a<br />

dessert. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child (10<br />

and under). Tickets can be purchased at the door the<br />

night of the event while supplies last. Cash, check, or<br />

credit cards will be accepted and parties will be seated<br />

on a first-come, first-served basis. Carry-out will be<br />

available.<br />

The event is a charity fundraiser for the city’s Relay<br />

for Life team, The Village People 4 A Cure. The dinner<br />

is named in honor of the late Kristen Sims, who<br />

worked to bring Relay for Life to <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>.<br />

All tips and dinner proceeds will benefit Relay for Life,<br />

American Cancer Society. Donations are tax<br />

deductible and receipts will be available upon request.<br />

In addition to the dinner, visitors can purchase raffle<br />

tickets for a variety of prizes, including a season<br />

pass to the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Municipal Pool. Tickets<br />

for the raffle will also be sold at the American Cancer<br />

Society’s Relay for Life event on June 24 at the <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> High School, where the winners will be<br />

announced.<br />

CW school board meetings<br />

The <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Board of Education meets on<br />

the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Education Center, 100 Washington St. on<br />

the second floor in room 204/206. The public is welcome<br />

to attend.<br />

GMHS Alumni Banquet<br />

Groveport Madison High School will host the 129th<br />

annual Alumni Banquet on <strong>May</strong> 20 at Groveport<br />

Madison High School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road. Dinners<br />

are $25 each and will be served at 5 p.m. Reservations<br />

must be made by <strong>May</strong> 12. Make checks payable to and<br />

send to: Groveport Madison Alumni Association, P.O.<br />

Box 382, Groveport, OH 43125.<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 7<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

<strong>Messenger</strong><br />

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BP Gas Station - Gender Rd. & Freeway<br />

Aldi - Gender Rd. & Freeway (behind BP Station)<br />

Kroger - <strong>Winchester</strong> Square<br />

The Wigwam Restaurant - 4 <strong>South</strong> High St.<br />

Marie Scramblers - 6402 <strong>Winchester</strong> Blvd.<br />

Shade on the <strong>Canal</strong> - 19 <strong>South</strong> High St.<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Library - 115 Franklin St.<br />

CW City Hall and Community Center – 45 E. Waterloo St.<br />

Harvest Moon - 7 N. High St.<br />

Rex Barber Shop - 1 W. Waterloo<br />

Sunoco Gas Station - 501 W. Waterloo St.<br />

Panera - 685 W. Waterloo St.<br />

Save & Smoke - 6211 <strong>Winchester</strong> Blvd.<br />

Firestone - 38 W. Waterloo St.<br />

Kroger - 3588 Gender Rd.<br />

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Columbus Library - High St. & Highview<br />

CVS Pharmacy - High St. & Williams Rd.<br />

Walgreen’s - High St. & Williams Rd.<br />

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K & M Market - 4305 Andy Groom Blvd.<br />

Stoney’s Market - 3517 Lockbourne Rd.<br />

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READ US ONLINE: www.columbusmessenger.com


PAGE 8 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

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Blume’s book brought to the screen with care<br />

The Reel Deal<br />

Dedra<br />

Cordle<br />

Judy Blume was long resistant to a film adaptation of her<br />

beloved novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”<br />

According to numerous interviews<br />

the prolific children’s and<br />

young adult author has given<br />

throughout her career, it was her<br />

fear that the story would be mishandled and<br />

that the 11-year-old girl at its center would be<br />

misunderstood that kept her from granting<br />

any and all requests to bring this world to life<br />

on the big screen.<br />

It was a concern that was likely well founded.<br />

Since its debut in 1970, the award-winning<br />

novel has been right near the top of the<br />

list of books that some individuals would like<br />

to see censored, if not outright banned, for its<br />

frank exploration of puberty and the questions<br />

it raises on whether there is a higher power who looks after<br />

all of us from above and beyond.<br />

Blume has never once shied away from debating the critics of<br />

her work but she is also a bit of a realist; she knew that any film<br />

studio would have had no issue with sanitizing the content of her<br />

book to make it more palatable to a wider general audience, completely<br />

bypassing the fact that over 90 million copies of her novel<br />

have been sold internationally.<br />

In 2016, she came across a little gem of a movie called “The<br />

Edge of Seventeen”, which is kind of like a more adult version of<br />

her most known book and fell in love with its realistic depiction of<br />

teenage angst. Although she did not reach out to the writer-director<br />

Kelly Fremon Craig and veteran producer James L. Brooks to<br />

tell them of her admiration for the film, she did agree to meet with<br />

the duo two years later to hear their pitch to bring “Are You There<br />

God? It’s Me, Margaret” to the silver screen for the first time.<br />

I don’t think the sky opened up or anything during the meeting,<br />

but something awesome must have happened because the everreluctant<br />

Blume finally saw a vision worth greenlighting and<br />

allowed Fremon Craig and Brooks to adapt her novel. Although<br />

the final product is not quite heaven sent, it is everything a fan of<br />

the novel could ask for — and everything a genuine lover of sweet<br />

movies that have just the right amount of kick would enjoy as well.<br />

This classic story of girlhood, puberty, and religious belonging<br />

begins with the titular character Margaret Simon (played by Abby<br />

Ryder Fortson) finding out that she and her parents, Barbara<br />

(Rachel McAdams) and Herb (Benny Safdie), are relocating from<br />

New York City to a New Jersey suburb. Margaret is unhappy with<br />

the news, to say the least, and is sure it will be an outright disaster.<br />

Much to her surprise, it’s not quite as disastrous as she was<br />

fearing as she makes new friends, largely enjoys the new school,<br />

and is still able to see her much-loved Grandma Sylvia (Kathy<br />

Bates, a scene stealer) on a semi-regular basis, but doubts about<br />

her looks and personality start creeping in as her new group of<br />

pals focus on things like the size of their boobs (or lack thereof),<br />

garnering the attention of the cutest boy in school, and rushing to<br />

be the first to get their period.<br />

Because there is so much turmoil going on in her life, Margaret<br />

turns to God for comfort but finds herself woefully lacking in that<br />

department as well. You see, a big plot point in this book and<br />

adaptation is Margaret struggling to believe. She’ll talk to God,<br />

sure, especially when she wants to get that leg up in the bra<br />

department, but she was raised secular by her Christian mother<br />

and Jewish father and isn’t sure there is anyone listening to her<br />

pleas for help and understanding.<br />

Much of the film alternates between these two threads — her<br />

attempts of self-discovery and her attempts to discover (or disavow)<br />

religion — and it never falls into that trap of being too soft<br />

or too hard about either. Like our titular heroine, it flows with her<br />

and is never in judgment of her decisions.<br />

Part of what makes this adaptation work as well as it does is<br />

the pre-teen at the center of the action. Fortson, who was 12 or 13<br />

when filming began, gracefully captures the prepubescent agony<br />

of waiting for life to begin. You feel the urgency, shame, and wonder<br />

that Margaret does and it makes you so unbelievably glad that<br />

you have moved beyond that state of being. If you are still in that<br />

state of being, my condolences. (Life spoiler alert: It doesn’t get<br />

better. It just gets different.)<br />

The movie takes an expanded approach with the other women<br />

in Margaret’s life and the story is all the more richer for it.<br />

Although I would have liked to see Bates’ role more developed,<br />

McAdams has more to work with as her character struggles too<br />

with this new change in their lives.<br />

The theatrical adaptation of “Are You There God? It’s Me,<br />

Margaret” may take a slightly different course than the novel on<br />

which it is based, but the magic of the material is all over this film.<br />

This is a film that cares for its characters, that cares to handle its<br />

themes with care, and it is infused with that humorous spirit and<br />

relatability that are the cornerstones of Blume’s work.<br />

Grade: B+<br />

Dedra Cordle is a <strong>Messenger</strong> staff writer and columnist.<br />

pets of the week<br />

BIRTHDAY • ENGAGEMENT • WEDDING • ANNIVERSARY<br />

• GRADUATION • RETIREMENT<br />

IN MEMORIUM • ARMED FORCES<br />

Say it with an announcement ad in<br />

the <strong>Messenger</strong> and spread the word.<br />

You can download the appropriate form from<br />

our Web site or stop by our office<br />

Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.<br />

Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.<br />

Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong><br />

3500 Sullivant Ave.<br />

614-272-5422<br />

www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Panda Bear is a sweet 1-year-old boy. He<br />

enjoys everything the world has to offer -<br />

playing, running, cuddling, eating, sleeping,<br />

and sun bathing. He loves both people and<br />

cats, and even likes the dogs that walk up to<br />

the window. Panda Bear would love a home<br />

that has a lot of windows and people with a<br />

lot of love. Meet him at the Colony Cats cagefree<br />

adoption center.<br />

FYI: colonycats.org<br />

Blackbird, the short-haired black cat with<br />

one eye was found as a stray. With her sleek<br />

black fur, she blends in perfectly with the<br />

night sky, just like a blackbird soaring through<br />

the air. Her singular eye is sharp and focused,<br />

always on the lookout for any feathered<br />

friends that may be nearby. Blackbird is a<br />

gentle, unique, and charming cat who is sure<br />

to keep you on your toes. So if you’re looking<br />

for a feline companion who is as fierce and<br />

independent as a bird of prey, yet as gentle<br />

and loving as a little songbird, then Blackbird might be perfect for you.<br />

FYI: colonycats.org<br />

Winnie is 12 years old. She is very social and<br />

enjoys to be around people. She will even let<br />

people (and kids) pick her up for some cuddles.<br />

She likes to play with her toys and would<br />

love a forever family who will play with her<br />

and lavish her with attention. Winnie is up for<br />

adoption through Friends for Life Animal<br />

Haven.<br />

FYI: fflah.org<br />

Dee Dee is 12 years old and is the sister of<br />

Winnie. She is shy at first but will warm up<br />

quickly with a can of food. Dee Dee has no<br />

teeth, so she will need wet food or very small<br />

bites of kibble. She is a sweet girl who will sit<br />

on your lap and hang out. Adopt her from<br />

Friends for Life Animal Haven.<br />

FYI: fflah.org<br />

These furry friends are available for adoption at<br />

local rescues and shelters.


ActiveLifestyles<br />

www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 9<br />

A bi-monthly feature celebrating our community’s senior citizens<br />

Fun ways to stay active<br />

Physical activity is<br />

an important component<br />

of overall health.<br />

Health experts advise<br />

that exercise can<br />

increase lean body<br />

mass, prevent conditions<br />

like diabetes<br />

and cardiovascular<br />

disease, improve balance,<br />

and positively<br />

affect mental<br />

h e a l t h / c o g n i t i o n .<br />

Exercise also can foster<br />

socialization with<br />

others, helping people<br />

overcome boredom<br />

and isolation.<br />

As individuals get<br />

older, they may not<br />

be able to participate in all of the activities<br />

they enjoyed as youths, but that doesn’t<br />

mean older adults must resign themselves<br />

to sedentary lifestyles. There are plenty of<br />

entertaining ways to remain physically<br />

active that can accommodate any limitations<br />

a person may have. Explore these<br />

methods for staying active.<br />

Explore senior center offerings<br />

Community senior centers often fill calendars<br />

with a vast array of activities, some<br />

of which can include physical activities.<br />

Hikes, walking tours, dances, and other<br />

activities all serve as entertaining ways to<br />

get out and about while meeting some fitness<br />

goals.<br />

Garden or do yard work<br />

The Office of Disease Prevention and<br />

Health Promotions says adults should get<br />

150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.<br />

Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, digging in<br />

flower beds, trimming bushes, and other<br />

outdoor tasks could help a person meet this<br />

quota in a way that doesn’t seem like exercise<br />

at all.<br />

Play games with grandchildren<br />

Little kids may inspire older adults to be<br />

more active, as it can be difficult to keep up<br />

with those youngsters. Take infants or toddlers<br />

for walks or push them in strollers.<br />

Attach a child seat or towing carriage to a<br />

bicycle and ride around the neighborhood.<br />

Play games that require movement, such as<br />

hide-and-seek or Marco Polo in the pool. If<br />

it’s snowing, have a snowball fight or make<br />

a snowman in the yard.<br />

Take up a new hobby<br />

Find hobbies that incorporate physical<br />

activity. Perhaps learning to salsa dance or<br />

taking Zumba will be fun? Pickleball has<br />

caught on across the nation. The sport is a<br />

mix of tennis, racquetball and badminton<br />

that caters to all ages. Joining a bowling<br />

team is another way to get active and meet<br />

new people.<br />

Physical activity is important at any<br />

age. Seniors can explore fun ways to stay in<br />

shape and be active to reap all the benefits<br />

of exercise.<br />

Veterans Hall of Fame nominations<br />

The deadline for submitting nominations<br />

for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is<br />

fast approaching. The Hall of Fame recognizes<br />

those who served in the U.S. Armed<br />

Forces and continue to contribute to their<br />

communities, state, and nation through<br />

exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy,<br />

professional distinction, public service, or<br />

philanthropy.The deadline to submit nomination<br />

forms for consideration for the <strong>2023</strong><br />

class of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is<br />

June 1. The veteran must meet the following<br />

criteria: Be a past or current Ohio resident;<br />

Have received an honorable discharge;<br />

Be of good moral character.This<br />

Hall of Fame sets the standard for recognizing<br />

Ohio’s veterans for accomplishments<br />

beyond their military service.<br />

Visit dvs.ohio.gov/hall-of-fame for information.<br />

Photo courtesy of the Columbus Clippers<br />

Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers.<br />

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 TH @ 12:05 PM<br />

<br />

<br />

CLIPPERS VS. LOUISVILLE BATS<br />

<br />

Tickets are $6 RESERVED and $5 BLEACHER SEATING<br />

LUNCH PROVIDED FOR FANS 60 AND OVER WITH TICKET PURCHASE<br />

<br />

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

<br />

<br />

Columbus Clippers Aenon: Spencer Harrison<br />

330 <br />

Hunngton Park Lane, Columbus, OH 43215<br />

Orders <br />

can be emailed to sharrison@clippersbaseball.com<br />

For cket quesons, call (614) 462­5250<br />

Ticket orders must be received by the Clippers before June 1st, <strong>2023</strong><br />

<br />

www.clippersbaseball.com


PAGE 10 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

SUMMER BLAST!<br />

ELVIS<br />

featuring<br />

Mike Albert<br />

and the Big E Band<br />

Saturday<br />

June 10, <strong>2023</strong><br />

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Tickets by Phone: 614-792-3135<br />

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Losing a loved one is a crushing experience. It<br />

knocks the wind out of you so much it’s hard to<br />

think. It’s ironic that when we are grief stricken<br />

and overwhelmed, we must make some of the<br />

most difficult decisions like how to honor our<br />

loved one, one final time.<br />

Writing an obituary, planning a service, and<br />

choosing a monument can seem unwieldy in those<br />

moments. What if you never discussed those<br />

things? What if you are not sure what they’d like,<br />

or your family members disagree? What if the<br />

costs are not within your budget? These challenges<br />

could be eliminated by preplanning.<br />

According to the National Funeral Directors<br />

Association, the median cost of a traditional<br />

funeral today is $7,640, before cemetery and<br />

headstone costs. Inclusive of them, it can be a<br />

$10,000 investment or more.<br />

www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Tips to make baking more healthy<br />

Baking sessions are a beloved family<br />

tradition in many households. But<br />

such sessions may not be as revered by<br />

family physicians, as baked goods are<br />

often prepared with ingredients, like<br />

sugar and butter, that aren’t necessarily<br />

sound additions to a person’s diet.<br />

Though baked goods may never<br />

rival vegetables in nutritional value,<br />

there are ways for amateur bakers to<br />

make these beloved foods a little more<br />

healthy.<br />

• Replace sugar with a fig puree.<br />

Figs are nutrition-rich fruits that serve<br />

as significant sources of calcium,<br />

potassium and iron. WebMD notes<br />

that figs also are excellent sources of<br />

fiber. Soaking eight ounces of figs in<br />

water can soften them before they’re<br />

pureed with water. The resulting fig<br />

puree can serve as a sugar substitute.<br />

• Make it a ‘dates’ night. Much like<br />

figs, dates can be pureed and serve as<br />

a sugar substitute. However, WebMD<br />

notes that pureed dates will not be<br />

able to replace all of the sugar in a<br />

recipe. One cup of pureed pitted dates<br />

with one cup of water can replace as<br />

much as half of the sugar a recipe calls<br />

for.<br />

• Replace butter with avocados. It’s<br />

not just sugar that can make baked<br />

goods so unhealthy. Many baking<br />

recipes call for a substantial amount of<br />

butter. California Avocados notes that<br />

avocados can replace butter at a 1:1<br />

ratio when baking. So if a recipe calls for<br />

one cup of butter, bakers can replace that<br />

with one cup of pureed avocados. WebMD<br />

warns that avocados have more water than<br />

butter, so bakers may want to reduce the<br />

temperature in their ovens by 25 percent<br />

and bake the foods a little longer.<br />

• Replace white flour with whole wheat<br />

flour. White flour is often the go-to for amateur<br />

and even professional bakers. But<br />

white flour is processed, which removes the<br />

bran and germ of the grain, thus stripping<br />

white flour of much of its nutritional value.<br />

Whole wheat flour is not processed, so it<br />

retains its nutritional value. Baking with<br />

whole wheat flour may require a learning<br />

curve, and some bakers prefer to use a mix<br />

of whole-wheat and white flour to preserve<br />

the flavors they’ve grown accustomed to.<br />

Baked goods may never pack the most<br />

nutritious punch, but there are ways for<br />

amateur bakers to make such foods a little<br />

more healthy.<br />

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Active Lifestyles<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 11<br />

Proud to welcome Central Ohio Primary Care<br />

to our Medicare Advantage plan network<br />

Get even more for your Medicare dollar. If you're turning 65, new to Medicare, recently moved, have limited income,<br />

or qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be able to take advantage of a plan that includes medical,<br />

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Or visit exploreuhc.com<br />

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<br />

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<br />

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<br />

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.<br />

© <strong>2023</strong> United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br />

60155098 H5253-109-002<br />

Y0066_220722_025325_M<br />

SPRJ80903


PAGE 12 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

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Why it pays for seniors to have good credit<br />

The benefits of maintaining<br />

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• Home buying and borrowing: Buying a home is<br />

often considered a big financial step forward for<br />

young people, but that doesn’t mean aging men and<br />

women are completely out of the real estate market.<br />

In its 2020 State of the Nation’s Housing<br />

report, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of<br />

Harvard University reported that the share of<br />

homeowners age 65 and over with housing debt<br />

doubled to 42 percent between 1989 and 2019. In<br />

addition, 27 percent of homeowners age 80 and<br />

over were carrying mortgage debt in 2019.<br />

Maintaining strong credit after retirement can help<br />

homeowners who still have mortgage debt get better<br />

terms if they choose to refinance their mortgages.<br />

Even seniors who have paid off their mortgages<br />

can benefit from maintaining good credit if<br />

they decide to downsize to a smaller home but cannot<br />

afford to simply buy the new<br />

home outright.<br />

• Rewards: Retirement is often<br />

associated with travel, recreation<br />

and leisure. Such pursuits can be<br />

more affordable when seniors utilize<br />

rewards-based credit cards<br />

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weekend getaways and other<br />

expenses associated with traveling.<br />

Seniors who maintain strong credit<br />

ratings into their golden years may have more<br />

access to the best travel-based rewards cards than<br />

those whose credit scores dip in retirement.<br />

• Unforeseen expenses: No one knows what’s<br />

around the corner, but savvy seniors recognize the<br />

importance of planning for the unknown. The<br />

COVID-19 pandemic seemingly came out of<br />

nowhere, and among its many ripple effects was<br />

the sudden job loss experienced by seniors. The<br />

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income related to the pandemic. Unforeseen medical<br />

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financial uncertainty more smoothly. Such a strategy<br />

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Active Lifestyles<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 13<br />

<br />

<br />

Franklin County Board of Commissioners: President John O’Grady • Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce, and Commissioner Erica C. Crawley<br />

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and The Franklin County Office on Aging join with the <strong>Messenger</strong> Newspaper in providing this update on aging issues in Franklin County.<br />

Play Ball! Office on Aging Day with the<br />

Columbus Clippers Scheduled for June 8<br />

For the past 21 years, the Franklin County Office on Aging has partnered<br />

with the Columbus Clippers to host their annual Office on Aging Day at<br />

the award-winning Huntington Park. Office on Aging Day with the<br />

Columbus Clippers provides seniors aged 60 and older a chance to gather<br />

with their family and friends for a fun-filled day at the ballpark through<br />

discounted ticket prices.<br />

This year’s Office on Aging Day with the Columbus Clippers is scheduled<br />

for Thursday, June 8, <strong>2023</strong> at 12:05 p.m. in which the Columbus Clippers<br />

will go head-to-head with the Louisville Bats. Ticket prices for seniors<br />

will be $5.00 for bleacher seating and $6.00 for reserved seating, and the<br />

ticket price also includes a boxed lunch as well as a chance to win a variety<br />

of raffle prizes. Seniors who have a group of 10 or more can also<br />

request free transportation through the Office on Aging by calling (614)<br />

525-8832 by no later than Monday, <strong>May</strong> 8.<br />

This event also provides seniors the chance to connect with community<br />

organizations that provide resources to older adults. In the past, seniors<br />

have been able to get connected to resources regarding tax preparation,<br />

kinship support, mental health and other valuable services that make<br />

aging in place possible. This year seniors and their families will once<br />

again be able to connect to a variety of resources from community providers<br />

that help support aging in place, including Mid-Ohio Food Collective,<br />

the Franklin County Auditor’s Office, and the Veterans Service Commission<br />

among others. Franklin County’s Health & Human Services mobile<br />

unit will also be in attendance, which includes representatives from the<br />

Office on Aging, Job and Family Services, Justice Policy & Programs, and<br />

Child Support Enforcement Agency. The mobile unit helps residents get<br />

the assistance they need all in one place, including help with food assistance,<br />

Medicaid, rental assistance, employment opportunities, child<br />

support, re-entry support and more.<br />

Lastly, the day will also include pre-ceremonial activities including a<br />

warm welcome from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ President,<br />

John O’Grady, as well as a ceremonial first pitch. Past local celebrities<br />

for the first pitch include former 10TV Anchor, Jerry Revish, Professional<br />

Baseball Player, Allan Lee Anderson, and Community Leader and<br />

Civil Rights Activist, Don Elder. This year fans can expect to see the<br />

Office on Aging’s first African American female director, Chanda Wingo,<br />

to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.<br />

Franklin County seniors who are interested in attending the game can<br />

purchase tickets several ways. They can mail the order form found in the<br />

Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong> to:<br />

Columbus Clippers<br />

ATTN: Spencer Harrison<br />

330 Huntington Park Lane<br />

Columbus, OH 43215<br />

Seniors can also order tickets by calling the Columbus Clippers at (614)<br />

462-5250. To request transportation for groups of 10 or more, call the<br />

Office on Aging at (614) 525-8832 by no later than Monday, <strong>May</strong> 8.


PAGE 14 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

Care<br />

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What to do after being diagnosed with high blood pressure<br />

Hypertension, a condition marked by abnormally with high blood pressure who are unaccustomed to<br />

high blood pressure, is more common than many people<br />

physical activity should work with their physicians<br />

may recognize.<br />

and a personal trainer to design an exercise regimen<br />

Hypertension is not normal, nor is it something to that’s within their abilities. As their bodies get used to<br />

take lightly. The American Heart Association notes increased physical activity, people can then work with<br />

that, if left undetected or uncontrolled, hypertension the same individuals to tweak their routines so they<br />

can lead to serious, and potentially deadly, conditions, can keep making progress toward their fitness goals.<br />

including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney<br />

Routine exercise also helps to reduce stress, which the<br />

disease. The AHA notes that individuals diagnosed AHA notes is another step people with hypertension<br />

with hypertension can try various strategies to get should take to lower their blood pressure.<br />

their number down to a normal, healthy range.<br />

• Shed extra weight. The AHA notes that losing as<br />

•Eat a healthy, low-salt diet. A diet that’s rich in few as 10 pounds can help to manage high blood pressure.<br />

fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products,<br />

Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces strain<br />

skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and nontropical<br />

on the heart, thus lowering the risk for high blood pres-<br />

vegetable oils ensures people are getting sure and the conditions that can arise from it.<br />

ample nutrition from healthy sources.<br />

More than 1.2 billion people across the globe are<br />

•Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.<br />

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high blood pressure. Individuals recently diagnosed<br />

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www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 15<br />

TRYOUTS<br />

CULTURE AND CORE VALUES TO<br />

DEVELOP PLAYERS TO THEIR FULLEST<br />

POTENTIAL IN SOCCER AND LIFE!<br />

HIGHLY EDUCATED & QUALIFIED COACHING STAFF<br />

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ALL PLAYERS need to be registered for <strong>2023</strong>-2024 tryouts<br />

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Non-PCS players should attend open sessions<br />

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Executive Directer: Jeff Krigbaum<br />

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(614) 738-4169


PAGE 16 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

www.columbusmessenger.com


www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Centerpoint 7 development progressing<br />

Plus other Obetz news<br />

By Katelyn Sattler<br />

Staff Writer<br />

Obetz City Council approved the final development plan of<br />

Centerpoint 7.<br />

According to Obetz Community Services Director/Council Clerk<br />

Stacey Boumis, Centerpoint 7 has been zoned Planned Industrial<br />

District and is the last developable parcel in the Centerpoint<br />

Business Park.<br />

The building will be the smallest building of the park at approximately<br />

100,000 square feet on 8.23 acres. The process began last<br />

year and was vetted through Planning and Zoning. It required several<br />

variances and received approval from the Madison Township<br />

Fire Department due to the gravel fire lane. The primary access is<br />

on Bixby Road.<br />

The building is centered on the lot, with the existing landscape<br />

buffer along Bixby Road and along the residential to the north,<br />

which is Big Walnut Run, whose retention pond is adjacent. The<br />

houses are not immediately adjacent to it.<br />

The dock doors will face the pond. Some dock doors will also<br />

face the road, but they’re face-shielded from the road with landscaping.<br />

It will look like the other buildings there.<br />

The developer will put in a minimal spec building now and putting<br />

in a minimum amount of parking. If needed over time, there<br />

The building will have the traditional signage package that<br />

exists in the park.<br />

Obetz mayor’s report<br />

•<strong>May</strong>or Angela Kirk said <strong>May</strong> 5 is the opening day for baseball,<br />

softball and tee-ball season. Gates open at 6 pm.<br />

“We’re throwing out of the first pitch and there will be fireworks<br />

afterward,” said Kirk.<br />

•The first ever “Mother-Son Glow Dance: A Night to<br />

Remember” will be at Stewart Hall on <strong>May</strong> 12 from 6:30-8 p.m.<br />

•The annual Obetz Spring Clean Up is scheduled for <strong>May</strong> 12.<br />

This is the normal trash collection day; however, Waste<br />

Management will send extra trucks to pick up additional household<br />

waste.<br />

“Remember to wrap any mattresses or couches you have that<br />

you want to dispose of,” said Kirk.<br />

•There is also a tire disposal on Friday, <strong>May</strong> 12 from 4-6 p.m.<br />

and <strong>May</strong> 13 from 9- to 11 a.m. Disposal will take place in the<br />

dumpster at the Street Department building located at 4100<br />

Orchard Lane.<br />

•The Farmer’s Market is taking vendor applications for <strong>2023</strong>.<br />

The market takes place on the second Wednesday of each month,<br />

from June to September, between 4-7 p.m. The event will be held<br />

across from the Obetz Hardware Store at 4256 Groveport Road.<br />

Obetz Police<br />

•“We’ve had a lot of speeding complaints down at Butler<br />

Farms,” said Obetz Police Chief Mike Confer. “I had guys go down<br />

and spend the last couple of weeks running random traffic down<br />

there. They clocked several hundred cars. So hopefully we curb<br />

that issue, for a while anyway.”<br />

•Since April 10, Obetz Police have had 967 calls for service;<br />

patrolled 4,004 miles; 32 moving violations, three for speeding;<br />

two parking citations; three misdemeanor arrests; 23 offense<br />

reports; and four crash reports.<br />

Hamilton Township Fire Department<br />

Hamilton Township Fire Chief Ralph Shillingburg said that for<br />

the month of March the department had 70 EMS runs and 17 fire<br />

runs.<br />

Obetz delays decision on daycare facility<br />

By Katelyn Sattler<br />

Staff Writer<br />

The Obetz Planning and Zoning Commission has tabled a decision<br />

on plans for a proposed daycare facility until <strong>May</strong>.<br />

Kurtis Wolgast, Director of Design for SHYFT Collective and<br />

Garrett Baker, Project Manager with American Structurepoint,<br />

presented changes to the daycare plan at the April 12 planning<br />

and zoning meeting. attended the Obetz P&Z meeting April 12 to<br />

The proposed Fountain of Knowledge Daycare is slated for the<br />

southwest corner of the intersection of Bixby and Groveport roads.<br />

The property is zoned commercial and needs to be rezoned to support<br />

the proposed daycare.<br />

The Obetz city engineer is recommending one curb cut, but the<br />

Madison Township Fire Department wants two curb cuts. The city<br />

will follow up with the fire chief to discuss options.<br />

“We submitted the traffic study in February, then we didn’t get<br />

comments back until yesterday,” said Wolgast. “In my experience,<br />

the traffic feedback should have been in time to get feedback for<br />

any traffic and site impacts that it would have impacted.”<br />

Obetz Community Services Director Stacey Boumis said officials<br />

just received the traffic study and they appreciate Wolgast’s<br />

patience.<br />

“It would be easier if it wasn’t a rezoning, but it is a rezoning<br />

and the traffic study is a component of that,” said Boumis.<br />

Wolgast said that the turnaround time is uncommonly long.<br />

Boumis said, “We need an approved traffic impact study so the<br />

engineers can sign off on that. Our engineer has to sign off on the<br />

curb cuts. So that’s going to mean talking to Madison Township<br />

Fire Department.”<br />

Swimming pools<br />

Boumis mentioned that the state of Ohio controls residential<br />

“We’ve had a lot of speeding complaints down at Butler<br />

Farms. I had guys go down and spend the last couple of weeks<br />

running random traffic down there. They clocked several hundred<br />

cars.”<br />

- Obetz Police Chief Mike Confer<br />

pools.<br />

“The state of Ohio passed a residential building code years ago<br />

- back in 2005 or 2006,” said Boumis. “And according to the code,<br />

there are a variety of things within that. And there’s also state<br />

level code requirements for swimming pools. So, we have our own<br />

building department that enforces the Residential Code of Ohio,”<br />

said Boumis.<br />

If Obetz didn’t have a building department, enforcement would<br />

default to the county.<br />

The state of Ohio requires that all swimming pools with over 18<br />

inches of water must get a pool permit. Obetz’s water depth for a<br />

pool is also 18 inches, whereas the city of Columbus defines a pool<br />

as an artificial construction with 30 inches of water. Dublin also<br />

requires a swimming pool to have 18 inches of water. Pickerington<br />

says a swimming pool has at least 24 inches of water. Fairfield<br />

County requires a swimming pool to have 24 inches or more of<br />

water. Hamilton Township considers a pool to have 24 inches of<br />

water.<br />

The same is true for other pool requirements. An in-ground pool<br />

owner must have a fence around the pool, but the height varies<br />

depending upon the city or county. In Fairfield County, all inground<br />

pools must have a fence between four feet and six feet in<br />

height. Obetz requires a fence of at least 42 inches in height and<br />

be of sufficient design as to prohibit children from passing<br />

through. Columbus requires all pools to have a fence of at least 48<br />

inches in height. Pickerington requires fencing of at least 48 inches<br />

in height. Hamilton Township requires enclosures around pools<br />

to be 48 inches in height.<br />

Other requirements for pools that may vary are setback from<br />

the property line, location on the property, design criteria, and<br />

kinds of lights, among others.<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 17<br />

Guaranteeing<br />

Religious Freedom<br />

In March, I reported the progress made on<br />

Senate Bill 49. It was the first bill I sponsored<br />

as my first priority as a new Senator. My legislative<br />

staff and I worked very hard to deliver<br />

on promises to remove any barriers that<br />

are not respectful to religious freedom. I am<br />

pleased to report that the R.E.D. Bill (Senate<br />

Bill 49) was unanimously passed on April 26<br />

and will now move to the Ohio House of<br />

Representatives for their vote.<br />

Today, many students of diverse religious<br />

backgrounds in our K-12 public schools<br />

have to choose between attending school<br />

and practicing their faith. Those who are absent<br />

due to religious commitments are often<br />

marked as unexcused or otherwise academically<br />

penalized. However, Senate Bill 49<br />

would encourage fairness and protect religious<br />

freedom. Under this bill, students who<br />

participate in a religious expression day,<br />

would be excused for that specific day and<br />

provided accommodation for any missed assignments<br />

including tests. In addition to<br />

making up any missed examinations or academic<br />

work for using a religious expression<br />

day, students will also be eligible to compete<br />

in interscholastic sports without<br />

penalty.<br />

The First Amendment of the United States<br />

Constitution guarantees freedom of religion<br />

and religious expression, and no student<br />

should be penalized or have grades suffer<br />

due to practicing their religion.<br />

Results matter, so let’s work together. Subscribe<br />

and follow me on social media for updates.<br />

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PAGE 18- SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

<strong>Messenger</strong><br />

<strong>South</strong> & <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

ONLY $65.00<br />

False alarms costly<br />

By Linda Dillman<br />

Staff Writer<br />

Alarm drops are costing Madison Township money and Police<br />

Chief Gary York is looking at ways to curb costs while protecting<br />

the public.<br />

During the April 25 Madison Township trustees’ meeting, York<br />

said there were 131 false alarms in a two month reporting period<br />

for residential and commercial calls for service. The township is<br />

charged approximately $16 per call by their dispatching service.<br />

“Now, with added costs for dispatching, it adds up,” said York.<br />

“Two months in and we’re already at $2,000 (false alarm calls).<br />

There is a provision in the Ohio Revised Code for charging for<br />

false alarms.”<br />

There are many reasons for alarm drops, such as faulty alarms<br />

and human error. False alarms trigger a response by law enforcement,<br />

but chronic incidents are the primary focus for York.<br />

While still in the discussion phase, York said the process would<br />

begin with a letter notifying a property owner or business there is<br />

a problem with repeated false alarms. If the problem continues,<br />

the next step could include assessing a fee.<br />

Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst said the fire<br />

department has similar, albeit smaller, issues with alarm drops as<br />

well.<br />

“This is just a discussion,” said York.<br />

Other township news<br />

•Residents with vocal canines are being put on notice if their<br />

dog’s barking becomes excessive and disturbs neighbors.<br />

“We’ve had a lot more calls than anticipated,” said Brobst, who<br />

said a noise resolution passed in 2010 addresses barking dogs.<br />

“Our resolution does already allow them (law enforcement) to<br />

enforce excessive barking. The chief is going to monitor that over<br />

the next couple of months. We wanted to get that out there with<br />

the nicer weather.”<br />

Although there was a request to amend the noise resolution to<br />

specifically list barking dogs, York said the prosecutor said there<br />

is sufficient language in the current resolution to enforce violations.<br />

•The success of a fire cadet partnership with Eastland-<br />

Fairfield is reaping benefits two years after it started, according<br />

to Fire Chief Derek Robinson. The senior-only program started<br />

small, but now has a pair of full time instructors and blossomed to<br />

40 students.<br />

“Out of the first class we hired a cadet,” said Robinson. “The<br />

program has become so popular, we have 60 applicants for next<br />

year.”<br />

Hamilton Township Purple Star School<br />

The Ohio Department of Education informed the Hamilton<br />

Local School District that Hamilton Middle School received its<br />

designation as a Purple Star School, valid for three years, for its<br />

unwavering commitment to serving military-connected students<br />

and families.<br />

Hamilton Middle School joins the other district buildings in<br />

receiving this designation, making Hamilton Local School District<br />

a Purple Star District.<br />

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CW’s Purple Star schools<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> High School and<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Middle School were recognized<br />

by the Ohio Department of<br />

Education for their support of military<br />

children and families.<br />

“At <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Schools, it’s<br />

important to us to support our students<br />

and their families so children in our community<br />

can be successful at school and<br />

beyond,” said <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Schools<br />

Superintendent Kiya Hunt. “The Purple<br />

Star designation recognizes our staff’s<br />

commitment to understanding the unique<br />

challenges military students and families<br />

face and supporting them in making the<br />

most of the educational opportunities we<br />

offer.”<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Middle School earned<br />

the Purple Star designation for the first<br />

time while <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> High<br />

School’s Purple Star status was renewed.<br />

Both schools earned the Purple Star designation<br />

through 2026.<br />

“Demonstrating our commitment to our<br />

military students and families is an important<br />

example to set for our students as<br />

they are learning more about themselves,<br />

the world around them, and their options<br />

for the future,” said Brian Moore, <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Middle School principal. “As<br />

we work to support all students in developing<br />

the skills of the <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Portrait of a Graduate, this is one way we<br />

are helping our middle school students<br />

become respectful citizens who act with<br />

integrity and show empathy, compassion<br />

and kindness.”<br />

To earn the designation, schools are<br />

required to identify employees who have<br />

completed training on military children and<br />

families as family liaisons and to host a<br />

page of resource for military families on the<br />

school website. The school must also complete<br />

one optional activity, such as hosting<br />

a military recognition event, celebrating<br />

Month of the Military Child in April, or<br />

offering staff professional development<br />

related to military children and families.<br />

“At <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> High School, we<br />

are helping all of our students explore the<br />

3Es — Employment in the workforce,<br />

Enrollment in post-secondary education, or<br />

Enlistment in the military — and identify<br />

which path is right for them,” said Amy<br />

Warren, principal. “As a Purple Star<br />

school, we are reinforcing for our students<br />

that each of these paths plays an important<br />

and valuable role in our communities and<br />

leads to a fulfilling and successful future.”<br />

In addition to <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> Middle<br />

School and <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> High School,<br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Trail Elementary is also a<br />

Purple Star designated school.<br />

Hamilton school board<br />

Hamilton Local Board of Education<br />

meetings are held at 6 p.m. on Mondays<br />

(unless otherwise noted) at the Hamilton<br />

Local Education Center, 775 Rathmell<br />

Road, Columbus. For information on meeting<br />

dates visit www.hamiltonlocal.k12.oh.us.<br />

Board meeting dates for<br />

<strong>2023</strong>: June 26, Aug. 7, Sept. 11, Oct. 9,<br />

Nov. 13, and Dec. 11.


www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Free tire collection<br />

Residents of <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> and Madison<br />

Township are invited to a free tire collection event.<br />

Franklin County Public Health, in conjunction with<br />

Columbus Public Health, will hold the tire collection<br />

from 9 a.m. to noon on <strong>May</strong> 13 at Brobst Park, 5321<br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Pike, <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong>.<br />

The event is open to all residents of Franklin<br />

County, as well as <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> residents residing<br />

in Fairfield County. Individuals may bring up to 10<br />

rimless tires per household to the event for proper disposal<br />

at no cost to them. Only passenger vehicle tires<br />

without rims will be accepted.<br />

Tires pose a public health risk if left unattended or<br />

disposed of improperly. Tires provide the perfect location<br />

for standing water to form, creating a habitat for<br />

mosquitoes. It is on the water that the mosquito larvae<br />

grow and hatch. By properly disposing of any junk<br />

tires, potential hot spots are avoided.<br />

During the 2022 tire drive at Brobst Park, 860 tires<br />

were collected and properly disposed of through the<br />

partnering public health agencies.<br />

The event will also have free larvicide tablets for<br />

residents to take home and put in rain barrels, decorative<br />

water fixtures, and any other place with standing<br />

water to prevent mosquitoes from hatching. Residents<br />

do not need to turn in tires in order to receive the larvicide<br />

tablets.<br />

To report problem areas for mosquitoes or to<br />

request service, visit mosquito.myfcph.org/request-forservice/<br />

or call (614) 525-BITE (2483).<br />

Obetz Zucchinifest<br />

The Obetz Zucchinifest will be held Sept. 1 to Sept.<br />

4 at Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz.<br />

The event features the Zucchini Parade, Zucchini<br />

Car Show, and free concerts showcasing live music<br />

from both local and national artists. All this while<br />

indulging in delicious zucchini-inspired dishes offered<br />

by our diverse food vendors. There will also be rides<br />

and games throughout the event.<br />

Friday’s hours will be 5-11 p.m. The car show registration<br />

is Friday when the gates open, with the car<br />

show and awards finishing up before the concert gates<br />

open.<br />

Saturday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 11 a.m.<br />

through 11 p.m. Concert gates open at 6 p.m. and<br />

Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, and All 4 One will take the stage<br />

at 8:30 p.m.<br />

Sunday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 11 a.m. through<br />

11 p.m. The parade will begin shortly after opening.<br />

There will be other entertainment before concert gates<br />

open at 6 p.m. TikTok-famous Matt Schuster will take<br />

the stage at 7 p.m. and American country rock singer<br />

and songwriter Brantley Gilbert will perform at 8:30<br />

p.m.<br />

Monday’s Zucchinifest hours will be noon through 6<br />

p.m. More activities and entertainment and will be<br />

announced at a later date. Admission is free and no<br />

tickets are required.<br />

For information following the Zucchinifest on social<br />

media at @obetzzucchinifest and the website at obetzzucchinifest.com.<br />

Elementary Career Day<br />

Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools will<br />

hold its first Elementary Career Day on <strong>May</strong> 16 from<br />

9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ohio University Lancaster, 1570<br />

Granville Pike, Lancaster.<br />

Elementary school students from up to six Fairfield<br />

and Franklin County schools will be attending. This<br />

event is designed to introduce students between<br />

grades 4-6 to jobs and careers that may interest them<br />

in an interactive and fun way. Through a series of<br />

activities, local elementary students will engage with<br />

Eastland Career Center and Fairfield Career Center<br />

students from more than 14 EFCTS programs, giving<br />

them a chance to not just see but engage in the opportunities<br />

that are available in their futures. One local<br />

fire department is also scheduled to be in attendance<br />

with an in-service vehicle.<br />

Obetz City Council<br />

The Obetz Council meets the second and fourth<br />

Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council<br />

Chambers at 4175 Alum Creek Drive, Obetz, to review<br />

and pass legislation and hear concerns from the residents.<br />

If the meeting date occurs on a holiday, the regular<br />

meeting is held on the next Tuesday following the<br />

holiday. Call (614) 491-1080.<br />

Lockbourne Council<br />

Lockbourne Village Council meets the second and<br />

fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at the<br />

Lockbourne Municipal Building, 85 Commerce St.,<br />

Lockbourne.<br />

CW City Council meetings<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> City Council meetings are held<br />

on the first and third Monday of every month.<br />

Meetings begin at 7 p.m. The meetings are open to the<br />

public.<br />

Council meets in work session at 6 p.m. prior to<br />

each city council meeting to discuss legislative items<br />

and other issues of the city prior to being included on<br />

a city council agenda. The first work session of the<br />

month focuses on finance/economic development items<br />

and the second monthly work session focuses on service/safety<br />

items. While each<br />

work session includes specific<br />

areas of focus, other items may<br />

be brought before council as<br />

needed.<br />

CW Library Branch<br />

The <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Branch of the Columbus<br />

Metropolitan Library, 115<br />

Franklin St., is located in the<br />

rear portion of the former school<br />

at 100 Washington St. For information<br />

visit www.columbuslibrary.org<br />

or call 614-645-2275.<br />

Barber Museum<br />

The National Barber<br />

Museum in <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> is<br />

located at 135 Franklin St.<br />

(behind the former CW High<br />

School building). The museum,<br />

housed in approximately 5,000<br />

square feet, showcases art, artifacts,<br />

and memorabilia from<br />

decades of the barbering profession.<br />

For information call(614)<br />

837-8400.<br />

<strong>South</strong> High Library<br />

The Columbus Metropolitan<br />

Library’s <strong>South</strong> High Branch is<br />

located at 3540 S. High St.,<br />

Columbus. Visit www.columbuslibrary.org<br />

or call 614-645-<br />

2275.<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 19<br />

Railroad crossing project<br />

The Ohio Rail Development Commission, in cooperation with<br />

the city of Obetz and CSX Transportation (CSXT), is planning a<br />

railroad crossing reconstruction project at Alum Creek Drive. in<br />

Obetz. The purpose of the project is to improve the roadway surface<br />

of the railroad crossing for the benefit of the traveling public.<br />

The schedule is still being developed. The project is projected to<br />

take place as soon as fall of <strong>2023</strong>. Alum Creek Drive at the CSXT<br />

railroad crossing will be closed for up to 10 days while reconstruction<br />

work is completed. A detour has been developed for this project<br />

using Williams Road, <strong>South</strong> Hamilton Road, London-<br />

Groveport Road, and Groveport Road. Comments about the project<br />

may be sent to:Tim Brown, ORDC Environmental Coordinator timothy.brown@dot.ohio.gov;<br />

or Michael Corbitt, Obetz City Engineer<br />

mcorbitt@obetz.oh.us<br />

<strong>South</strong> & <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

<strong>Messenger</strong>


PAGE 20 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

The House<br />

Passes the<br />

Budget!<br />

On Wednesday, April 26, the Ohio House of Representatives<br />

approved an $88 billion biennium<br />

budget by a vote of 78 to 19. The bipartisan<br />

measure saw 32 Democrats join with 46 Republicans<br />

to pass the measure. The budget now goes<br />

to the Ohio Senate, which should approve its version<br />

by mid-June. A Conference Committee will<br />

work out any differences so that a final measure<br />

will get passed by both Houses by the June 30<br />

deadline. The fiscal year 2024-25 budget will take<br />

effect July 1 and will guide all state spending<br />

through June 30, 2025.<br />

I am pleased to report that the budget substantively<br />

addresses the state portion of public-school<br />

funding. The House version continues years 3 and<br />

4 of the implementation of the six-year phase-in<br />

of the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan,<br />

which raises the share of state funding for the cost<br />

of public education. Specifically, the House version<br />

of the budget will increase funding for the<br />

<strong>South</strong>-Western City Schools from $138 million in<br />

FY <strong>2023</strong> to $152 million in FY 2024 and $156 million<br />

in FY 2025. For the Columbus City schools,<br />

state funding will increase from $175 million in FY<br />

<strong>2023</strong> to $198 million in FY 2024 and $202 million<br />

in FY 2025. Other measures in the budget provide<br />

$200 million for additional facilities and equipment<br />

for our career technical schools, funding for<br />

meals for all students who qualify for reducedpriced<br />

school lunches, over $100 million for literacy<br />

initiatives, and additional funding for teacher<br />

training in mathematics and science, which was<br />

one of my individual proposals.<br />

In the Medicaid portion of the budget, additional<br />

funding is allocated to increase the reimbursement<br />

rate for Ohio’s 60,000+ direct service<br />

providers (DSPs) from $14 per hour to $17 per<br />

hour in FY 2024 and $18 per hour in FY 2025.<br />

DSPs are the folks who provide home health care<br />

services for the elderly, disabled, and those recovering<br />

from surgery. Their work often times allows<br />

folks to continue to live in their homes, as opposed<br />

to more expensive assisted care facilities.<br />

Finally, the new budget cuts the state income tax<br />

by an estimated $930 million for working- and<br />

middle-class families. Individuals earning between<br />

$25,000 and $92,000 will see their state income<br />

tax rate reduced to a flat 2.75% for income<br />

above $25,000. The State has seen a higher-thanexpected<br />

increase in tax collections; so, the House<br />

wants to return a significant portion of it to taxpayers.<br />

(Dave Dobos represents the 10th District in the<br />

Ohio House of Representatives, which consists of<br />

parts of West, <strong>South</strong>west, and <strong>South</strong> Columbus,<br />

Grove City, and Urbancrest. He reports regularly<br />

on his activities in this position and his campaign<br />

has paid for this communication with you.)<br />

Paid Advertisement<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> celebrates Arbor Day<br />

www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Photo courtesy of the<br />

city of <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

was named a 2022<br />

Tree City USA<br />

Community by the<br />

Arbor Day<br />

Foundation. The<br />

designation honors<br />

the city’s commitment<br />

to effective<br />

urban forest<br />

management.<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

has been recognized<br />

as a Tree City<br />

USA community<br />

for 30 consecutive<br />

years. Each Tree<br />

City USA community<br />

receives<br />

recognition by<br />

meeting the program’s<br />

four<br />

requirements: a<br />

tree board or<br />

department, a treecare<br />

ordinance, an<br />

annual community<br />

forestry budget of<br />

at least $2 per<br />

capita, and an<br />

Arbor Day observance and proclamation. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees provide many benefits to a community<br />

when properly planted and maintained. In addition to improving neighborhood aesthetics, trees generally increase property<br />

values, reduce home cooling costs, reduce air pollution, and provide an excellent natural habitat for wildlife. Pictured here are<br />

city of <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> representatives at the Tree City USA awards presentation in Groveport on April 19. From left to right:<br />

<strong>May</strong>or Mike Ebert; Carol Note, Street Tree Advisory Board member; Matt Peoples, Director of Public Service; Ben Terflinger,<br />

Urban Forestry team member; Austin Lynch, Urban Forestry team member; Patrick Burks, Street Tree Advisory Board member;<br />

and Dick Miller, Urban Forester.<br />

Photo courtesy of the city of<br />

<strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

The city of <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> and <strong>Canal</strong><br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Schools<br />

celebrated Arbor Day<br />

on April 28 at<br />

<strong>Winchester</strong> Trail<br />

Elementary, 6865<br />

Gender Road. A tree<br />

was planted on the<br />

school grounds and<br />

students learned about<br />

the history of Arbor<br />

Day, celebrated annually<br />

on the last Friday of<br />

April. <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

<strong>May</strong>or Michael Ebert<br />

presented an Arbor<br />

Day Proclamation to<br />

commemorate the celebration.<br />

Students<br />

learned about the<br />

importance of trees<br />

from Street Tree<br />

Advisory Board<br />

Chairman Patrick Burks<br />

and <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong><br />

Urban Forester Dick Miller. “We want to help teach everyone about the importance of tree canopy coverage. Trees create<br />

shade and cool temperatures, which is very important in urban areas,” said Miller. The city coordinates Arbor Day events<br />

through the Street Tree Advisory Board, a five-member panel of <strong>Canal</strong> <strong>Winchester</strong> residents who have worked to preserve, protect,<br />

and enhance trees and plants throughout the community since the early 1990s. Pictured here is Patrick Burks, Street Tree<br />

Advisory Board Chairman, as he spoke to the students about oxygen and the role trees play in keeping us alive.


www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

AI is already here<br />

Are humans ready for artificial intelligence?<br />

It doesn’t matter. It’s already here and while computer scientists<br />

and software engineers are working on bringing it to the<br />

masses on a global scale, are we ready?<br />

Linda<br />

Dillman<br />

CW<br />

Like Humpty<br />

Dumpty, it depends<br />

on which side of the<br />

wall you fall.<br />

Does the idea of a<br />

self-driving car or a sentient computer pique<br />

your curiosity? Does the hunt for the newest<br />

cellphone find you camping out for hours in<br />

line to be one of the first to claim ownership?<br />

Do you dream of smart houses, an android<br />

companion, or a world where a few simple<br />

keystrokes can result in a computer generated<br />

“written” masterpiece in minutes, not<br />

months or years?<br />

Or do you approach the idea of artificial<br />

intelligence cautiously, with a little trepidation<br />

mixed with a healthy dose of curiosity?<br />

While others around you perpetually<br />

clutch an Apple iPhone 14 or Samsung<br />

Galaxy, do you tuck your Apple 5e into your<br />

pocket or purse or limp along with a Star<br />

Places<br />

Trek communicator-like flip phone?<br />

Is the smartest thing in your home a five-year-old Dell computer?<br />

Or an answering machine that was state-of-the-art eight years<br />

ago? How about a collection of thumb drives tossed haphazardly in<br />

a kitchen junk drawer?<br />

You get the idea.<br />

There are a lot of movies, albeit old ones, that warn against the<br />

danger of artificial intelligence. Remember “WarGames?” A military<br />

nightmare where a computer plays games like Global<br />

Thermonuclear War with real world potential until it learns there<br />

is no viable outcome.<br />

Or the 1970 science fiction (perhaps closer to reality today than<br />

more than 50 years ago) thriller “The Forbin Project” where a sentient<br />

American government defense system, Colossus, links with a<br />

Soviet counterpart. The computer system decides it is the best<br />

arbiter of world order and gives humankind an ultimatum, join<br />

Colossus in peace or face annihilation.<br />

Give a computer an inch and they’ll take the world? I hope not.<br />

Artificial intelligence can be an amazing tool, especially in the<br />

fields of medicine, science and energy. It can accelerate research to<br />

a point far surpassing the capability of the human mind.<br />

Like any tool, it is best utilized under the control of its user or<br />

creator. When it crosses the boundary of unfettered control, then I<br />

start to worry. I hope the powers that be behind the push for sentient<br />

artificial intelligence consider the philosophical and societal<br />

impact of their creations.<br />

Meanwhile, I think I’ll trust myself and not an Alexa to turn on<br />

my own lights, lock my own doors, open the fridge myself to tell me<br />

what is inside and leave the car driving to my hands on the wheel.<br />

As for my old, still working cellphone, no Siri for me. I turned<br />

off that function the minute I activated the phone. Some Luddites<br />

never change.<br />

Linda Dillman is a <strong>Messenger</strong> staff writer.<br />

Continued from page 1<br />

Amos replied, “We’re not changing the charter at this point. We<br />

are being fiscally responsible for doing one thing while maintaining<br />

the other. We have to look at the salary for what it is.”<br />

During regular council action, an ordinance updating swimming<br />

pool admission rates was approved, along with an ordinance<br />

creating a seasonal aquatics supervisor.<br />

<strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong> - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - PAGE 21<br />

advertise<br />

YOUR DAY CARE<br />

OR PRESCHOOL<br />

Call Kathy at the<br />

Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong><br />

For More Info<br />

614-272-5422<br />

We are the BEST community newspaper!<br />

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PAGE 24 - SOUTH & CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

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April 20, <strong>2023</strong> • Quantity<br />

Rights Reserved •<br />

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