Groveport Messenger - May 7th, 2023

Messenger
Groveport
May 7-20, 2023 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XL, No. 22
Hometown Realtor
Marylee Bendig
580 Main St., Groveport, OH 43125
(614) 218-1097
marylee@maryleebendig.com
A name you KNOW,
the name you TRUST
Fuse lit again on
personal fireworks
Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove
On April 24, Groveport Madison Schools officials toured the district’s recently purchased building at
4500 S. Hamilton Road that will serve as the home of the Cruiser Accel program as well as the bus garage
facility. Pictured here, from left to right, are: Treasurer Felicia Drummey, Communications Director Jeff
Warner, Board President LaToya Dowdell-Burger, Board Vice-President Seth Bower, Superintendent
Jamie Grube, and Director of Business Services Chris Reed.
Building offers possibilities
By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
Groveport Madison Schools officials recently
toured the district’s newly purchased building at
4500 S. Hamilton Road.
The first thing one notices when entering the
building is its sheer size.
“There’s room to grow here,” said Groveport
Madison Treasurer Felicia Drummey.
In March, the Groveport Madison Board of
Education authorized the $3 million purchase, from
Broadstone OP Ohio LLC, of approximately 11 acres
that includes a 58,324 square foot building (built in
1979 with an addition in 1994) and parking areas,
located at 4500 S. Hamilton Road. The property, previously
used by American Electric Power, is across
the road from Groveport Madison High School.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief
Fund (ESSER) federal stimulus funds were used to
purchase the building.
“It’s a bargain for the amount of land and building
involved,” said Drummey. “And we all love a bargain.”
“It’s a beautiful building with exciting possibilities
for the district,” added Groveport Madison
Board of Education President LaToya Dowdell-
Burger. “There is space to expand to suit the needs
of our students.”
The intention is to make the site the new home of
the district’s bus garage as well as its Cruiser Accel
program. (According to Groveport Madison Schools,
Cruiser Accel is an alternative pathway to college
and career readiness. It is designed for students for
whom the traditional high school pathway is not
working. Students who are disengaged, distracted,
and/or deficient in the skills needed to succeed and
struggle to succeed in what has been known as the
traditional school setting.)
Groveport Madison Superintendent Jamie Grube
said the cost to remodel the bus garage portion of the
building will also be paid out of ESSER funding. The
cost to remodel the section housing Cruiser Accel
will be paid out of the district’s general fund.
“We hope to do a lot of the work on the Cruiser
Accel portion internally,” said Grube.
The remodeling costs for both the bus garage and
Cruiser Accel are still to be determined. Grube said
the plan is to open Cruiser Accel in the building in
August 2023 and the bus garage in August 2024.
See BUILDING, page 2
By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
The issue regarding the personal use of fireworks was again
launched at Groveport City Council.
Under this new proposed legislation, which had its first reading
at the April 24 council meeting, the city would allow the personal
use of fireworks on the third, fourth, and fifth days of July.
Last November, council rejected legislation, by a 4-3 vote, that
would have allowed the use of personal fireworks within the city
limits. Because of that action, the city’s existing law banning the
use of personal fireworks within the city remained in effect. Mayor
Lance Westcamp and council members Jean Ann Hilbert, Shawn
Cleary, and Jack Rupp opposed the measure while Scott Lockett,
Ed Dildine, and Becky Huston voted in favor of it.
The legislation defeated in November would have made the city
consistent with a state law that allows the use of personal fireworks
on designated days. It would have allowed individuals to
possess consumer grade fireworks and to discharge them on their
own property or on another person’s property with permission the
following days: New Year’s Day; Chinese New Year; Cinco de
Mayo; Memorial Day weekend; Juneteenth; July 3, 4, and 5 and
the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays preceding and following;
Labor Day weekend, Diwali; and New Year’s Eve.
State law permits local governments to restrict the dates and
times when individuals may discharge consumer grade fireworks
or to impose a complete ban on the use of consumer grade fireworks.
Council will hear the second reading of the new proposed legislation
at its May 8 meeting, discuss it at its May 15 committee of
the whole meeting, and possibly vote on it at its May 22 meeting.
Council meetings are held at 655 Blacklick St.
Other Groveport news
•Elmont Place resident Jeffrey Ruehle asked council to consider
extending the Foor bike/walking path, or adding a sidewalk, to
the short stretch of road from the path’s ending point at Ebright
Road south to Front Street near the railroad tracks. He described
this area as a “no man’s land” with narrow berms that also has a
blind corner at Ebright Road. He said Elmont Place residents use
the Foor path to
access the historic
part of Groveport as
pedestrians or by
bicycle. Groveport
City Administrator
B.J. King said the
stretch of Front
Street from the railroad
tracks to
Ebright Road is not
in the city limits and
is in Madison
Township. King said
city officials will discuss
the issue with
See FUSE, page 3
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PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
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Free tire collection
Residents of Madison Township are invited to a free
tire collection event. Franklin County Public Health,
in conjunction with Columbus Public Health, will hold
the tire collection from 9 a.m. to noon on May 13 at
Brobst Park, 5321 Winchester Pike, Canal Winchester.
The event is open to all residents of Franklin
County, as well as Canal Winchester residents residing
in Fairfield County. Individuals may bring up to 10
rimless tires per household to the event for proper disposal
at no cost to them. Only passenger vehicle tires
without rims will be accepted.
Tires pose a public health risk if left unattended or
disposed of improperly. Tires provide the perfect location
for standing water to form, creating a habitat for
mosquitoes. It is on the water that the mosquito larvae
grow and hatch. By properly disposing of any junk
tires, potential hot spots are avoided.
BUILDING
Continued from page 1
www.columbusmessenger.com
During the 2022 tire drive at Brobst Park, 860 tires
were collected and properly disposed of through the
partnering public health agencies. The event will also
have free larvicide tablets for residents to take home
and put in rain barrels, decorative water fixtures, and
any other place with standing water to prevent mosquitoes
from hatching. Residents do not need to turn in
tires in order to receive the larvicide tablets.
To report problem areas for mosquitoes or to
request service, visit mosquito.myfcph.org/request-forservice/
or call (614) 525-BITE (2483).
Garden Club plant auction
The Groveport Garden Club will hold its annual
plant auction sale on May 9 at Groveport Zion
Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road (across from
Kroger). Refreshments at 6 p.m. with the plant auction
starting at 6:30 p.m. Come see the variety of plants
available!
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Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Madison Schools representatives tour one of the many rooms in the 58,324 square foot building.
The bus garage, to be located in the southeast portion
of the building, will take up around 6,000 square
feet of the structure (this excludes an existing metal
building for shop/mechanics.) It has access to the large
parking lot for the buses. This parking lot is asphalt
paved over 12 inches of concrete, according the
Groveport Madison Director of Business Services
Chris Reed. There is also room to expand the bus lot if
necessary.
Cruiser Accel, to be located in the northeast part of
the building, will use about 5,000 square feet for open
classroom space. A cafeteria will use approximately
1,000 square feet. Restroom and conference/office
space will fill about 800 square feet and the lobby will
be around 1,300 square feet.
The remaining roughly 45,900 square feet in the
western part of the building will be unused for now
while district officials determine its future use. This
area includes many rooms of various shapes and sizes
- some quite large and some office sized - that are
adaptable for different uses. Many of the building’s
rooms have wiring and features that make them flexible
for a variety of technological uses. This part of the
building features 12 inch thick walls and blast doors.
There are also kitchen areas.
Grube said this remaining space could be used in
the future for “new programs, new partnerships, and
other things we could not do before. There is so much
potential and so much flexibility.”
“There are not yet specific plans for using the
remainder of the building,” added Groveport Madison
Communications Director Jeff Warner. “However, its
flexible layout and abundance of technology upgrades
give us the ability to consider an array of future uses.
While not on the immediate horizon, we’re excited to
explore how the space could be used to support additional
partnerships with the community, businesses,
other educational institutions, etc.”
However, according to district officials, the space
available at this building does not solve the problems
with the district’s overcrowded classroom space.
“Based on our initial assessment of the new building,
it would not appear to provide academically appropriate
space to serve as an elementary school or middle
school,” said Warner. “We expect to continue discussions
with the community with respect to addressing
overcrowding and replacing outdated schools.”

www.columbusmessenger.com
Groveport Madison board
weighs its levy options
By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
The Groveport Madison Board of
Education plans to discuss, and possibly
decide on, potential operating levy options
at its May 10 meeting.
The board could take action to place the
levy on the November 2023 ballot.
Groveport Madison Treasurer Felicia
Drummey said the levy would be a “no new
taxes” renewal of the existing levy.
Whether the levy would have a set term,
such as five years or be a continuing levy,
is still to be decided.
“It’s crucial to get the financial support
to maintain our programming for our students,”
said Drummey.
“It’s critical to our operations,” added
Groveport Madison Communications
Director Jeff Warner.
District officials said inflation is causing
the district’s expenses to outpace flat revenues.
“The cost of the services we are providing
to our students is greater than the revenue
being provided,” said Drummey.
She said this revenue gap will grow to
$6.9 million next year and $9.6 million the
following year.
To ensure the district has the necessary
resources to keep up its services to students
and provide additional safety measures,
she said the district needs to close the
revenue gap, which includes: spending
reductions, renewing the expiring levy, and
passing a new additional levy, or a combination
of these actions.
“Current revenue cannot sustain the
services that our parents and community
expect for students,” said Drummey. “The
earlier we impact spending and revenue
patterns, the less impactful other corrective
remedies would have on students,
whether its spending reductions or new
levies. We have been judicious in our historical
spending by fully utilizing federal
grants.”
She said the board could consider $4
million to $6 million in spending reductions
to balance the operating budget,
depending on the board’s comfort level in
County Mitigation Plan
Franklin County is updating its Hazard
Mitigation Plan and wants a better understanding
of the preparedness needs and
risk perceptions of those who live and work
in Franklin County. In this regard, county
officials created an online survey and each
resident of Franklin County is encouraged
to participate. The feedback will help
county officials better serve the community
as they update the Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
The survey can be found online at
www.surveymonk
reducing services.
Warner said district officials are still
reviewing potential reductions.
Drummey noted the state legislature
has discussed bills that could impact school
funding in Ohio and that the district “does
its best” to plan by anticipating the most
probable outcomes of new laws when
reviewing the overall financial picture.
The district hasn’t received any new
money since the expiring 6.68 mill current
expense levy was first approved by voters
in 2014. That “no new taxes” levy was
renewed by 67 percent of voters in 2019.
The earliest the district’s existing fiveyear
renewal general operating levy, which
will expire in 2024, can be placed on the
ballot is November 2023. If it is approved,
the district would receive half the funds it
generates in 2025 and the remainder in
2026.
According to information provided by
the Bricker and Eckler law firm to the district,
Groveport Madison has the second
lowest effective millage rate out of 17
Franklin County school districts. Effective
millage is the rate actually levied on a
property. Once a levy is approved, a district
cannot collect any additional money due to
a valuation increase from reappraisals or
triennial update on that levy. Residents of
the district benefit from the high commercial
tax base by sharing the tax burden
almost equally.
As of fiscal year 2022, the district
receives 46.5 percent of its revenue from
property taxes, 40.7 percent from state
funding, and 12.8 percent from other
sources.
Salaries make up 52 percent of expenditures,
benefits are 23 percent, and contracted
services are 17 percent.
According to Drummey, salary expenses
may increase an average of 7 percent annually.
Benefits costs are also rising an average
of 8.5 percent. This increase is driven
by the return of previously held positions,
such as teachers, nurses and counselors, to
the general fund upon expiration of grant
funding that sustain instructional services
levels throughout the pandemic.
Groveport Madison
Alumni Banquet
Groveport Madison High School will
host the 129th annual Alumni Banquet on
May 20 at Groveport Madison High School,
4475 S. Hamilton Road.
Dinners are $25 each and will be served
at 5 p.m. Reservations must be made by
May 12.
Make checks payable to and send to:
Groveport Madison Alumni Association,
P.O. Box 382, Groveport, OH 43125.
FUSE
Continued from page 1
Madison Township representatives.
•Council authorized King to purchase
16 body cameras for the Groveport Police
under the Sourcewell Cooperative
Purchase Plan. King said the purchase is
“100 percent grant funded” from the Ohio
Department of Public Safety.
Police history exhibit
This heritage of the Groveport Police is
being celebrated with “The History of
Groveport Police” exhibit at Groveport
Town Hall, 648 Main St. The exhibit,
which is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m, is on display through May. The
exhibit features photos, uniforms, equipment,
artifacts, documents, and more.
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May 7, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3
Coffee With A Cop
Visit with members of the Groveport
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held every Friday in May from 8-10 a.m. at
Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. Coffee
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PAGE 4 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
Groveport history films
Two documentary films on the history
of Groveport, produced by the Groveport
Heritage Society and Midnet Media, are
now available for viewing online on
YouTube.The films are: “Groveport: A
Town and Its People” and “The Story of
John S. Rarey and Cruiser.”
Letters policy
The Groveport Messenger welcomes letters
to the editor. Letters cannot be libelous.
Letters that do not have a signature, address,
and telephone number, or are signed with a
pseudonym, will be rejected. PLEASE BE
BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. The
Messenger reserves the right to edit or
refuse publication of any letter for any reason.
Opinions expressed in the letters are not necessarily
the views of the Messenger. Mail letters
to: Groveport Messenger, 3500 Sullivant
Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204; or by email to
southeast@columbusmessenger.com.
Keep tabs on the latest news in
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Rick Palsgrove ...................................Groveport Editor
southeast@columbusmessenger.com
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A church remembers a fallen veteran
Editor’s Notebook
Rick
Palsgrove
A piece of history was recently discovered at Hopewell United
Methodist Church.
“During spring cleaning
April 15 at my church (located
at 4348 London-
Lancaster Road) we found a
plaque (honoring a World
War I veteran),” said Marylee Bendig.
The plaque reads, “In memory of
Frederick J. Bunn, U.S. Marine, who died in
France, July 21, 1918.”
“No one knew of this gentleman from our
church. I want to find out more about him,”
said Bendig, who has the plaque and is considering
donating it to Motts Military
Museum.
According to www.navalh
i s t o r y . n e t / W W 1 N a v y U S M C -
CasualtiesAlpha1.htm, Private Frederick J.
Bunn of the 6th Regiment, 2nd Div., died of
his wounds on July 21, 1918, and is buried in
the Aisne-Marne Cemetery in France.
“So far from home and so young,” said
Bendig. “It’s sad. Such a brave soldier to give his life for his country.”
According to 6thmarines.marines.mil, the 6th Marine
Regiment (known as the “Fightin’ Sixth”) “has a rich history
steeped in courage and honor.” The regiment was activated at
Quantico, Va., on July 11, 1917 and entered active combat in
March 1918 in the Toulon sector, Verdun. It took part in the Aisne-
Marne Offensive (Soissons) in northern France on July 18-19,
1918. It was during the Battle of Soissons, fought on the Western
Front between the French (with American and British assistance)
and the German army, where Bunn received his mortal wound.
The battle ended with the allied forces recapturing much of the
ground lost to the Germans in May 1918.
Who was Frederick J. Bunn and what was his connection to
Hopewell United Methodist Church?
Bendig researched the Bunn family name in the area by consulting
George Bareis book, “The History of Madison Township
Including Groveport and Canal Winchester, Ohio.”
She said Bareis’ book shows that a Frederick Bunn is buried in
the Hopewell Cemetery, but he died in 1871 at age 58.
“This could have been Frederick J. Bunn’s father or grandfather,”
said Bendig.
Photo courtesy of Marylee Bendig
This plaque honoring U.S. Marine and World War I veteran
Frederick J. Bunn was found at Hopewell United Methodist,
4348 London-Lancaster Road, during spring cleaning on April
15.
Also buried in the Hopewell Cemetery are Charlotte (Rarey)
Bunn, who died in 1888 at age 71, and Jefferson Bunn, who died
in 1883 at age 35.
According to a map of Madison Township in the “Atlas of
Franklin County 1872,” by J.A. Caldwell and H. T. Gould, the
Bunn family owned acreage in Section 8 of Madison Township
northwest of Hopewell United Methodist Church. The map shows
182 acres under the name J. L. Bunn and another 164 acres under
the name N. H. Bunn.
According to findagrave.com, Nelson H. Bunn was the father of
Frederick J. Bunn. This website also indicates Frederick J. Bunn
was born in 1887.
“I wish we could find out more about the Bunn family,” said
Bendig. “Local veterans who died serving their country and who
were from our community serving in other wars are not forgotten.
When we give them recognition, even in a few words, they are honored.”
Bunn was remembered by his church and community in those
long ago days of World War I. Over the decades, memory fades.
But now, once again, far from the sound of the guns of that far
away war, his church in quiet, rural southern Madison Township
has remembered him once again.
Rick Palsgrove is editor of the Groveport Messenger.
Our Pictorial Past by Rick Palsgrove
BIRTHDAY • ENGAGEMENT • WEDDING • ANNIVERSARY
• GRADUATION • RETIREMENT
IN MEMORIUM • ARMED FORCES
Say it with an announcement ad in
the Messenger and spread the word.
You can download the appropriate form from
our Web site or stop by our office
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Columbus Messenger
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Photo courtesy of the Groveport Heritage Museum
Alumni banquet
Groveport Madison High School holds
an a alumni banquet annually. Pictured
here is the 1913 banquet that was held
a century ago in the Elmont Hotel. The
Elmont once stood on Groveport’s Main
Street where Middle School Central now
stands. In 1913, the Groveport Madison
Alumni Association had 250 members.
Groveport Madison High School will
host the 129th annual Alumni Banquet
on May 20 at Groveport Madison High
School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road. Dinners
are $25 each and will be served at 5
p.m. Reservations must be made by May
12. Make checks payable to and send to:
Groveport Madison Alumni Association,
P.O. Box 382, Groveport, OH 43125.

ActiveLifestyles
www.columbusmessenger.com
May 7, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 5
A bi-monthly feature celebrating our community’s senior citizens
Fun ways to stay active
Physical activity is
an important component
of overall health.
Health experts advise
that exercise can
increase lean body
mass, prevent conditions
like diabetes
and cardiovascular
disease, improve balance,
and positively
affect mental
h e a l t h / c o g n i t i o n .
Exercise also can foster
socialization with
others, helping people
overcome boredom
and isolation.
As individuals get
older, they may not
be able to participate in all of the activities
they enjoyed as youths, but that doesn’t
mean older adults must resign themselves
to sedentary lifestyles. There are plenty of
entertaining ways to remain physically
active that can accommodate any limitations
a person may have. Explore these
methods for staying active.
Explore senior center offerings
Community senior centers often fill calendars
with a vast array of activities, some
of which can include physical activities.
Hikes, walking tours, dances, and other
activities all serve as entertaining ways to
get out and about while meeting some fitness
goals.
Garden or do yard work
The Office of Disease Prevention and
Health Promotions says adults should get
150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, digging in
flower beds, trimming bushes, and other
outdoor tasks could help a person meet this
quota in a way that doesn’t seem like exercise
at all.
Play games with grandchildren
Little kids may inspire older adults to be
more active, as it can be difficult to keep up
with those youngsters. Take infants or toddlers
for walks or push them in strollers.
Attach a child seat or towing carriage to a
bicycle and ride around the neighborhood.
Play games that require movement, such as
hide-and-seek or Marco Polo in the pool. If
it’s snowing, have a snowball fight or make
a snowman in the yard.
Take up a new hobby
Find hobbies that incorporate physical
activity. Perhaps learning to salsa dance or
taking Zumba will be fun? Pickleball has
caught on across the nation. The sport is a
mix of tennis, racquetball and badminton
that caters to all ages. Joining a bowling
team is another way to get active and meet
new people.
Physical activity is important at any
age. Seniors can explore fun ways to stay in
shape and be active to reap all the benefits
of exercise.
Veterans Hall of Fame nominations
The deadline for submitting nominations
for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is
fast approaching. The Hall of Fame recognizes
those who served in the U.S. Armed
Forces and continue to contribute to their
communities, state, and nation through
exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy,
professional distinction, public service, or
philanthropy.The deadline to submit nomination
forms for consideration for the 2023
class of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is
June 1. The veteran must meet the following
criteria: Be a past or current Ohio resident;
Have received an honorable discharge;
Be of good moral character.
This Hall of Fame sets the standard for
recognizing Ohio’s veterans for accomplishments
beyond their military service.
Visit dvs.ohio.gov/hall-of-fame for information.
Photo courtesy of the Columbus Clippers
Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers.
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PAGE 6 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
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Active Lifestyles
Losing a loved one is a crushing experience. It
knocks the wind out of you so much it’s hard to
think. It’s ironic that when we are grief stricken
and overwhelmed, we must make some of the
most difficult decisions like how to honor our
loved one, one final time.
Writing an obituary, planning a service, and
choosing a monument can seem unwieldy in those
moments. What if you never discussed those
things? What if you are not sure what they’d like,
or your family members disagree? What if the
costs are not within your budget? These challenges
could be eliminated by preplanning.
According to the National Funeral Directors
Association, the median cost of a traditional
funeral today is $7,640, before cemetery and
headstone costs. Inclusive of them, it can be a
$10,000 investment or more.
www.columbusmessenger.com
Tips to make baking more healthy
Baking sessions are a beloved family
tradition in many households. But
such sessions may not be as revered by
family physicians, as baked goods are
often prepared with ingredients, like
sugar and butter, that aren’t necessarily
sound additions to a person’s diet.
Though baked goods may never rival
vegetables in nutritional value, there
are ways for amateur bakers to make
these beloved foods a little more healthy.
• Replace sugar with a fig puree.
Figs are nutrition-rich fruits that serve
as significant sources of calcium,
potassium and iron. WebMD notes
that figs also are excellent sources of
fiber. Soaking eight ounces of figs in
water can soften them before they’re
pureed with water. The resulting fig
puree can serve as a sugar substitute.
• Make it a ‘dates’ night. Much like
figs, dates can be pureed and serve as a
sugar substitute. However, WebMD
notes that pureed dates will not be able
to replace all of the sugar in a recipe.
One cup of pureed pitted dates with
one cup of water can replace as much
as half of the sugar a recipe calls for.
• Replace butter with avocados. It’s
not just sugar that can make baked
goods so unhealthy. Many baking
recipes call for a substantial amount of
butter. California Avocados notes that
avocados can replace butter at a 1:1
ratio when baking. So if a recipe calls
for one cup of butter, bakers can
replace that with one cup of pureed
avocados. WebMD warns that avocados
have more water than butter, so bakers
may want to reduce the temperature in
their ovens by 25 percent and bake the
foods a little longer.
• Replace white flour with whole wheat
flour. White flour is often the go-to for amateur
and even professional bakers. But
white flour is processed, which removes the
bran and germ of the grain, thus stripping
white flour of much of its nutritional value.
Whole wheat flour is not processed, so it
retains its nutritional value. Baking with
whole wheat flour may require a learning
curve, and some bakers prefer to use a mix
of whole-wheat and white flour to preserve
the flavors they’ve grown accustomed to.
Baked goods may never pack the most
nutritious punch, but there are ways for
amateur bakers to make such foods a little
more healthy.
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Active Lifestyles
May 7, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 7
Proud to welcome Central Ohio Primary Care
to our Medicare Advantage plan network
Get even more for your Medicare dollar. If you're turning 65, new to Medicare, recently moved, have limited income,
or qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be able to take advantage of a plan that includes medical,
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Medicare Advantage plans from
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Use your UnitedHealthcare UCard
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Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. Other providers are available in our network. Network size varies by market. If your plan offers out-of-network dental
coverage and you see an out-of-network dentist, you might be billed more. Network size varies by local market. Other providers are available in our network. Network size varies by market. OTC benefits have
expiration timeframes. Call your plan or review your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for more information. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare
Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare.
© 2023 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
60155098 H5253-109-002
Y0066_220722_025325_M
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PAGE 8 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
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Why it pays for seniors to have good credit
The benefits of maintaining
good credit include looking more
reliable in the eyes of prospective
employers and securing lower
mortgage interest rates when
buying a home. Those rewards
can benefit anyone, but they’re
especially enticing to young people.
But what about seniors? Do
individuals stand to benefit significantly
from maintaining good
credit into their golden years?
According to the credit reporting agency
Experian, senior citizens tend to have the best
credit scores of any consumer demographic. That
could be a byproduct of years of financial discipline,
and there are many benefits to maintaining that
discipline into retirement.
• Home buying and borrowing: Buying a home is
often considered a big financial step forward for
young people, but that doesn’t mean aging men and
women are completely out of the real estate market.
In its 2020 State of the Nation’s Housing
report, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of
Harvard University reported that the share of
homeowners age 65 and over with housing debt
doubled to 42 percent between 1989 and 2019. In
addition, 27 percent of homeowners age 80 and
over were carrying mortgage debt in 2019.
Maintaining strong credit after retirement can help
homeowners who still have mortgage debt get better
terms if they choose to refinance their mortgages.
Even seniors who have paid off their mortgages
can benefit from maintaining good credit if
they decide to downsize to a smaller home but cannot
afford to simply buy the new
home outright.
• Rewards: Retirement is often
associated with travel, recreation
and leisure. Such pursuits can be
more affordable when seniors utilize
rewards-based credit cards
that help them finance vacations,
weekend getaways and other
expenses associated with traveling.
Seniors who maintain strong credit
ratings into their golden years may have more
access to the best travel-based rewards cards than
those whose credit scores dip in retirement.
• Unforeseen expenses: No one knows what’s
around the corner, but savvy seniors recognize the
importance of planning for the unknown. The
COVID-19 pandemic seemingly came out of
nowhere, and among its many ripple effects was
the sudden job loss experienced by seniors. The
JCHS report found that 21 percent of homeowners
age 65 and over had reported loss of employment
income related to the pandemic. Unforeseen medical
expenses also can compromise seniors’ financial
freedom. Maintaining a strong credit rating
into older adulthood can help seniors navigate such
financial uncertainty more smoothly. Such a strategy
can help seniors secure low-interest loans or
credit cards that can help them pay down sudden,
unforeseen expenses without getting into significant
debt.
The importance of a strong credit rating is often
emphasized to young people. However, a strong
credit rating can be equally beneficial for seniors.
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Active Lifestyles
May 7, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 9
Franklin County Board of Commissioners: President John O’Grady • Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce, and Commissioner Erica C. Crawley
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and The Franklin County Office on Aging join with the Messenger Newspaper in providing this update on aging issues in Franklin County.
Play Ball! Office on Aging Day with the
Columbus Clippers Scheduled for June 8
For the past 21 years, the Franklin County Office on Aging has partnered
with the Columbus Clippers to host their annual Office on Aging Day at
the award-winning Huntington Park. Office on Aging Day with the
Columbus Clippers provides seniors aged 60 and older a chance to gather
with their family and friends for a fun-filled day at the ballpark through
discounted ticket prices.
This year’s Office on Aging Day with the Columbus Clippers is scheduled
for Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 12:05 p.m. in which the Columbus Clippers
will go head-to-head with the Louisville Bats. Ticket prices for seniors
will be $5.00 for bleacher seating and $6.00 for reserved seating, and the
ticket price also includes a boxed lunch as well as a chance to win a variety
of raffle prizes. Seniors who have a group of 10 or more can also
request free transportation through the Office on Aging by calling (614)
525-8832 by no later than Monday, May 8.
This event also provides seniors the chance to connect with community
organizations that provide resources to older adults. In the past, seniors
have been able to get connected to resources regarding tax preparation,
kinship support, mental health and other valuable services that make
aging in place possible. This year seniors and their families will once
again be able to connect to a variety of resources from community providers
that help support aging in place, including Mid-Ohio Food Collective,
the Franklin County Auditor’s Office, and the Veterans Service Commission
among others. Franklin County’s Health & Human Services mobile
unit will also be in attendance, which includes representatives from the
Office on Aging, Job and Family Services, Justice Policy & Programs, and
Child Support Enforcement Agency. The mobile unit helps residents get
the assistance they need all in one place, including help with food assistance,
Medicaid, rental assistance, employment opportunities, child
support, re-entry support and more.
Lastly, the day will also include pre-ceremonial activities including a
warm welcome from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ President,
John O’Grady, as well as a ceremonial first pitch. Past local celebrities
for the first pitch include former 10TV Anchor, Jerry Revish, Professional
Baseball Player, Allan Lee Anderson, and Community Leader and
Civil Rights Activist, Don Elder. This year fans can expect to see the
Office on Aging’s first African American female director, Chanda Wingo,
to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Franklin County seniors who are interested in attending the game can
purchase tickets several ways. They can mail the order form found in the
Columbus Messenger to:
Columbus Clippers
ATTN: Spencer Harrison
330 Huntington Park Lane
Columbus, OH 43215
Seniors can also order tickets by calling the Columbus Clippers at (614)
462-5250. To request transportation for groups of 10 or more, call the
Office on Aging at (614) 525-8832 by no later than Monday, May 8.

PAGE 10 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
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What to do after being diagnosed with high blood pressure
Hypertension, a condition marked by abnormally with high blood pressure who are unaccustomed to
high blood pressure, is more common than many people
physical activity should work with their physicians
may recognize.
and a personal trainer to design an exercise regimen
Hypertension is not normal, nor is it something to that’s within their abilities. As their bodies get used to
take lightly. The American Heart Association notes increased physical activity, people can then work with
that, if left undetected or uncontrolled, hypertension the same individuals to tweak their routines so they
can lead to serious, and potentially deadly, conditions, can keep making progress toward their fitness goals.
including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney
Routine exercise also helps to reduce stress, which the
disease. The AHA notes that individuals diagnosed AHA notes is another step people with hypertension
with hypertension can try various strategies to get should take to lower their blood pressure.
their number down to a normal, healthy range.
• Shed extra weight. The AHA notes that losing as
•Eat a healthy, low-salt diet. A diet that’s rich in few as 10 pounds can help to manage high blood pressure.
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products,
Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces strain
skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and nontropical
on the heart, thus lowering the risk for high blood pres-
vegetable oils ensures people are getting sure and the conditions that can arise from it.
ample nutrition from healthy sources.
More than 1.2 billion people across the globe are
•Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
currently living with high blood pressure. Taking steps
•Exercise regularly. Routine exercise benefits the to reduce hypertension is a great way to promote longterm
heart in many ways, including helping people control
health and overcome this often silent killer.
high blood pressure. Individuals recently diagnosed
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RWCurcio@gmail.com. An item to review now is the cost of
your medications, and to check if any assistance is available to
help reduce your co-pays. Medicare provides a Low-Income
Assistance (LIS) program for individuals according to their
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www.columbusmessenger.com
False alarms costly
By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Alarm drops are costing Madison Township money and Police
Chief Gary York is looking at ways to curb costs while protecting
the public.
During the April 25 Madison Township trustees’ meeting, York
said there were 131 false alarms in a two month reporting period
for residential and commercial calls for service. The township is
charged approximately $16 per call by their dispatching service.
“Now, with added costs for dispatching, it adds up,” said York.
“Two months in and we’re already at $2,000 (false alarm calls).
There is a provision in the Ohio Revised Code for charging for
false alarms.”
There are many reasons for alarm drops, such as faulty alarms
and human error. False alarms trigger a response by law enforcement,
but chronic incidents are the primary focus for York.
While still in the discussion phase, York said the process would
begin with a letter notifying a property owner or business there is
a problem with repeated false alarms. If the problem continues,
the next step could include assessing a fee.
Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst said the fire
department has similar, albeit smaller, issues with alarm drops as
well.
“This is just a discussion,” said York.
Other township news
•Residents with vocal canines are being put on notice if their
dog’s barking becomes excessive and disturbs neighbors.
“We’ve had a lot more calls than anticipated,” said Brobst, who
said a noise resolution passed in 2010 addresses barking dogs.
“Our resolution does already allow them (law enforcement) to
enforce excessive barking. The chief is going to monitor that over
the next couple of months. We wanted to get that out there with
the nicer weather.”
Although there was a request to amend the noise resolution to
specifically list barking dogs, York said the prosecutor said there
is sufficient language in the current resolution to enforce violations.
•The success of a fire cadet partnership with Eastland-
Fairfield is reaping benefits two years after it started, according
to Fire Chief Derek Robinson. The senior-only program started
small, but now has a pair of full time instructors and blossomed to
40 students.
“Out of the first class we hired a cadet,” said Robinson. “The
program has become so popular, we have 60 applicants for next
year.”
Elementary Career Day
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools will hold its
first Elementary Career Day on May 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at Ohio University Lancaster, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster.
Elementary school students from up to six Fairfield and
Franklin County schools will be attending. This event is designed
to introduce students between grades 4-6 to jobs and careers that
may interest them in an interactive and fun way. Through a series
of activities, local elementary students will engage with Eastland
Career Center and Fairfield Career Center students from more
than 14 EFCTS programs, giving them a chance to not just see but
engage in the opportunities that are available in their futures.
One local fire department is also scheduled to be in attendance
with an in-service vehicle.
Boy Scout Troop 71
Groveport area scouts of Boy Scout Troop 71 meet at Groveport
United Methodist Church, 512 Main St. Cub Scouts, boys and
girls in grades K-5, meet on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts ages
11-18 meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The Girls Troop ages 11-18 meets
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. For information visit Beascout.org or contact
Tina Dillman at christinadillman@aol.com.
Photo courtesy of the city of Groveport
Celebrating Arbor Day
City of Groveport workers planted trees at Glendening
Elementary and Groveport Elementary in honor of Arbor Day.
Arbor Day ceremonies were held at both schools on April 28
as Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp read a proclamation
regarding the importance of trees. This is Groveport’s 30th
year of being named a Tree City USA. Communities achieve
Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of urban
forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department,
having a tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on
urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day.
Robert Gene (Bob) Campbell 83 of
Groveport, Ohio passed away on April 21, 2023 after
a brief battle with cancer. Bob was a devoted father,
grandfather, loving husband and forever cared for
his family and friends. He was blessed with an infectious
laugh, the warmest of hearts, and never did he
meet a stranger. He will be deeply missed by his
friends and family and all who loved him.
Robert was born in Thurman, Ohio on July 29, 1939. Bob was married to Elizabeth
(Liz) Campbell on February 26, 1960; they were married for 63 wonderful
years. Robert is survived by his wife Liz Campbell, his grandchildren Tyler
Mitchell, Tanner Mitchell, and Tasha Mitchell; his children Katrina Campbell,
Tonya Mitchell (Tom) of Canal Winchester, and Nicole Pongonis (Jeffrey) of
Columbus, along with countless family members that meant the world to
him. Bob is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Margret Campbell;
siblings Lynville, Curtis, Paul and Tom Campbell, Audrey Obal, Trinne Davis.
He was an avid car collector and if you were lucky enough to take a tour of
his barn, he’d proudly talk for hours about his treasures and hobbies, his cars
and tractors, and the colorful stories that lived on with each. Along with his
love of miniature cars, he was the best dog dad to his beloved Teacup Yorkie,
Brutus. His love for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bengals and
Reds was unparalleled. Robert worked as a truck driver for Roadway for over
30 years and was a distinguished 3-million-mile Safe-Driving Award recipient
although he would tell you with past jobs, he was well over 4-million-miles
driven.
The memorial service will be held at 2PM Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the World
Outreach Ministries, 6533 State Route 327, Jackson, OH 45640, with his
nephew Doug Campbell of Crossroads Church of Christ in Christian Union officiating.
Burial will be held privately at the Fairmount Cemetery. Funeral
arrangements are under the direction of the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Jackson County Dog
shelter: PayPal jdcfriends2@aol.com
Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com
May 7, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 11
Guaranteeing
Religious Freedom
In March, I reported the progress made on
Senate Bill 49. It was the first bill I sponsored
as my first priority as a new Senator. My legislative
staff and I worked very hard to deliver
on promises to remove any barriers that
are not respectful to religious freedom. I am
pleased to report that the R.E.D. Bill (Senate
Bill 49) was unanimously passed on April 26
and will now move to the Ohio House of
Representatives for their vote.
Today, many students of diverse religious
backgrounds in our K-12 public schools
have to choose between attending school
and practicing their faith. Those who are absent
due to religious commitments are often
marked as unexcused or otherwise academically
penalized. However, Senate Bill 49
would encourage fairness and protect religious
freedom. Under this bill, students who
participate in a religious expression day,
would be excused for that specific day and
provided accommodation for any missed assignments
including tests. In addition to
making up any missed examinations or academic
work for using a religious expression
day, students will also be eligible to compete
in interscholastic sports without
penalty.
The First Amendment of the United States
Constitution guarantees freedom of religion
and religious expression, and no student
should be penalized or have grades suffer
due to practicing their religion.
Results matter, so let’s work together. Subscribe
and follow me on social media for updates.
Paid Advertisement

PAGE 12 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
Groveport Heritage Museum
The Groveport Heritage Museum contains
photographs, artifacts, and documents
about Groveport’s history. The
museum is located in Groveport Town
Hall, 648 Main St., and is open during
Groveport Town Hall’s operating hours.
Call 614-836-3333.
Groveport city council
Groveport City Council holds its regular
meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second and
fourth Mondays of the month. Council
holds its committee of the whole meeting
on the third Monday each month at 5:30
p.m. Meetings are held in the municipal
building, 655 Blacklick St., Groveport.
School board meetings
The Groveport Madison Board of
Education meets the second and fourth
Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the
District Service Center, 4400 Marketing
Place, Suite B, Groveport. The board may
also schedule special meetings, as needed.
Special Olympics
The Groveport Special Olympics chapter
provides year round sports training and
competition in a variety of Olympic type
sports for intellectually disabled individuals.
Contact Penny and Cassandra Hilty at
groveportspecialolympics@gmail.com or at
(614) 395-8992 or 395-6640. Donations may
be sent to Groveport Special Olympics, P.O.
Box 296, Groveport, OH 43125.
Southeast Library
The Southeast Branch of the Columbus
Metropolitan Library is at 3980 S.
Hamilton Road, Groveport. Visit
www.columbuslibrary.org or call 614-645-
2275.
Legacy of Love 5K
www.columbusmessenger.com
ASBURY
SOUTH UMC
4760 Winchester Pike
Columbus, Ohio 43232
Telephone: 614-837-4601
Rev. Sherri Upchurch Blackwell
Sunday Worship 10 a.m.
Inside and Parking Lot
Sunday School 9 a.m.
BETHANY LUTHERAN
CHURCH, LCMS
1000 Noe-Bixby Rd. Columbus, OH 43213
Telephone: 614-866-7755
WEBSITE: bethanylutherancolumbus.com
E-MAIL: bethanycolumbus@sbcglobal.net
NEW SUMMER HOURS
Beginning Sunday, May 7: 10:00 AM
Beginning Sunday, May 14, and continuing through
the Summer, the 2nd Sunday of every month
will be a “DRIVE-IN Service.
Bring lawn chairs to sit on the lawn or remain in your car
Be a Part of Our Local Worship Guide
Our Worship Guide is geared toward celebrating faith and helping readers
connect with religious resources in our community. Make sure these readers
know how you can help with a presence in this very special section distributed to
more than 19,000 households in the Groveport area.
Contact us today to secure your spot in our Worship Guide.
614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com
Groveport
Messenger
GROVEPORT ZION
LUTHERAN, NALC
Christ Centered, Mission Driven
Traditionally Grounded
6014 Groveport Rd., Groveport, OH 43125
(Across from Kroger, main parking in the back)
PHONE: 614-836-5611
PASTOR BRIAN MCGEE
Sunday Worship 11 A.M.
In person service in sanctuary, or in
parking lot via radio (92.7)
Please visit the
Groveport Church
of your choice.
List your Worship
Services here.
For info. call 614-272-5422
Messenger photos by Sarah Slayman
Participants of Alex’s Legacy of Love 5K finish their last lap at Groveport Recreation
Center on April 23. Runners came for the fundraiser of the Alexandria Leigh
Goodwin Angel Foundation, an organization committed to creating a positive, loving
world through random acts of kindness in memory of the late Alexandria
Goodwin. “Alex,” a 2014 Groveport Madison graduate, unexpectedly passed in
2016, and was known for her kindness. Her mother, Sara Sherman, hopes to
encourage the continuation of random acts of kindness through this organization.
Sara Sherman (left),
Alexandria’s mother,
and Dawn Overly, of
the Bexley Police
Department, celebrate
Overly’s medal
after her completion
of Alex’s Legacy of
Love 5K. Overly has
stood with the family
since Alex’s passing
and said, “It’s all
about coming out to
be with your community,
to do something,
and ultimately supporting
this family.”
She helped Sherman
organize her late
daughter’s first 5K
years ago and has
been a major supporter
of the family
ever since. “I have a child, and this is how I would hope people would support
her.” said Overly.
Participants
cross the finish
line with relief at
the Legacy of
Love 5K held at
Groveport
Recreation
Center. For information
visit
www.thealga.org
.

www.columbusmessenger.com
AI is already here
Are humans ready for artificial intelligence?
It doesn’t matter. It’s already here and while computer scientists
and software engineers are working on bringing it to the
masses on a global scale, are we ready?
Linda
Dillman
Like Humpty
Dumpty, it depends
on which side of the
wall you fall.
Does the idea of a
self-driving car or a sentient computer pique
your curiosity? Does the hunt for the newest
cellphone find you camping out for hours in
line to be one of the first to claim ownership?
Do you dream of smart houses, an android
companion, or a world where a few simple
keystrokes can result in a computer generated
“written” masterpiece in minutes, not
months or years?
Or do you approach the idea of artificial
intelligence cautiously, with a little trepidation
mixed with a healthy dose of curiosity?
While others around you perpetually
clutch an Apple iPhone 14 or Samsung
Galaxy, do you tuck your Apple 5e into your
pocket or purse or limp along with a Star
Places
Trek communicator-like flip phone?
Is the smartest thing in your home a five-year-old Dell computer?
Or an answering machine that was state-of-the-art eight years
ago? How about a collection of thumb drives tossed haphazardly in
a kitchen junk drawer?
You get the idea.
There are a lot of movies, albeit old ones, that warn against the
danger of artificial intelligence. Remember “WarGames?” A military
nightmare where a computer plays games like Global
Thermonuclear War with real world potential until it learns there
is no viable outcome.
Or the 1970 science fiction (perhaps closer to reality today than
more than 50 years ago) thriller “The Forbin Project” where a sentient
American government defense system, Colossus, links with a
Soviet counterpart. The computer system decides it is the best
arbiter of world order and gives humankind an ultimatum, join
Colossus in peace or face annihilation.
Give a computer an inch and they’ll take the world? I hope not.
Artificial intelligence can be an amazing tool, especially in the
fields of medicine, science and energy. It can accelerate research to
a point far surpassing the capability of the human mind.
Like any tool, it is best utilized under the control of its user or
creator. When it crosses the boundary of unfettered control, then I
start to worry. I hope the powers that be behind the push for sentient
artificial intelligence consider the philosophical and societal
impact of their creations.
Meanwhile, I think I’ll trust myself and not an Alexa to turn on
my own lights, lock my own doors, open the fridge myself to tell me
what is inside and leave the car driving to my hands on the wheel.
As for my old, still working cellphone, no Siri for me. I turned
off that function the minute I activated the phone. Some Luddites
never change.
Linda Dillman is a Messenger staff writer.
May 7, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 13
Golden Cruiser Club
Groveport Madison Schools invites senior residents of the district
to attend athletic and performing arts programs showcasing
the talents of its students. The Golden Cruiser Club is a free program
for residents of the Groveport Madison School District who
are age 60 and older. Membership provides free access to all school
and district sponsored athletic contests, plays, concerts, and other
events. To become a member of the Golden Cruiser Club, obtain
an application at www.gocruisers.org, at any of the school offices,
or call (614) 492-2520. The requirements for membership are that
applicants be age 60 or older and be a resident of Groveport
Madison Schools.

PAGE 16 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - May 7, 2023
www.columbusmessenger.com
Fifth graders discover the fun of gardening
“Kids! Go play outside!”
That’s what we were told...remember?
Andrew
Yurasek
Guest column
When we were kids
we used to run and
play for hours. We
would ride bikes, play
hide-and-seek, football,
Wiffle Ball, basketball, and we would
make slingshots or homemade bows and
arrows. We went fishing and looked for
critters. We would make tree forts. We did
this every day, all the way up until the
street lights came on. Then it was time to
head home. Oh yeah... one other thing...
Most of our parents had gardens.
But then something happened. The year
was 2007... and along came the first
iPhone. It seems that since then, kids have
spent less and less time running free outdoors.
So now what? How do we reconnect?
Well, the fifth graders at Groveport
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Photo courtesy of Andy Yurasek
Pictured here at their garden plots in the Groveport Community Garden are, from left
to right: Landon Yurasek, Avery Yurasek, Carson Waugh, Morgan Holbrook, Amber-
Leigh Shelly, and “Mr. Y” (teacher Andy Yurasek).
Elementary had the chance to get out last
May with the first ever Groveport
Elementary 5th Grade Garden Club.
I am the fifth grade science teacher and
I contacted the city of Groveport to ask
about the possibility of securing a plot of
garden space at the Groveport Community
Garden in Heritage Park on Wirt Road.
The city officials loved the idea. We ran the
idea by our principal, April Bray, and she
approved. And so it began!
An invitation was sent, kids got
approval and signed up! Soon, 22 fifth
graders, - along with myself and my two
kids and rookie fifth grade teacher Miss
Wolf - met after school. We brainstormed
ideas. We made lists of plants we’d like to
grow and we walked over to check out the
garden spot. (I can still hear one student
telling her pals, “This is so much fun!”)
We met twice a week after school.
Research was done. Plots were measured.
Plans were drawn out. Then it was time to
cultivate the soil. (Special thanks to Coast of
Maine for donating 10 pounds of organic soil.)
After that, it was time to plant. We
started with some seeds, but when Jerry
Dill of Dill’s Greenhouse heard what we
were doing, he wanted to help out as well.
Jerry donated several flats of vegetable
starters. So we planted those, too.
(Students chatted about learning where
our food actually comes from and said,
‘Wait, you mean carrots are roots? That
grow down in the dirt?”)
Things started growing! But one thing
happens at the end of every May, something
that even teachers can’t do a darn
thing about - school comes to an end. But
does that mean the garden stops growing?
Heck no! Over the summer, it was great
seeing the kids and their families out at the
garden. We went through a dry period in
late June, but luckily, we tended the garden
and made sure it didn’t dry up.
The other nice thing about the
Groveport Community Garden is making
new friends. The other folks with garden
plots loved seeing what we were doing and
what the kids were learning. They were
always eager to help water if we couldn’t
make it out for a few days.
The harvest continued all the way
through October with our pumpkins and
even the broccoli kept growing into
November.
But then, Old Man Winter showed his
face and the 2022 garden came to an end.
We had a freeze the week of Christmas, but
after that, the winter wasn’t too bad. Many
kids were disappointed by this. We only
had one snow day this year.)
And look where we are now. The city of
Groveport is donating two plots in the
Community Garden again this year. So it’s
time again to clear the land, condition the
soil, and decide what to grow. The
Groveport 5th Grade Garden Club is about
to start its second year.
But what about you? Will you play outside
this summer? Or maybe even grow a
garden? Hey, try it!
Andy Yurasek is a fifth grade science
teacher at Groveport Elementary. He grew up a
Boy Scout then went on to be the park naturalist
at Deer Creek State Park for over 20 summers.
He now lives with his two kids not too far
from the Groveport Community Garden. He still
likes to put his phone on airplane mode and
disappear into the forest to play.