Groveport Messenger - June 25th, 2023

Messenger 

Groveport 

June 24 - July 8, 2023 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XL, No. 25 

Soaring and Roaring 

Messenger photo by Theresa Garee 

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels soar above the crowd during the Columbus Air Show 

held June 16-18 at Rickenbacker Airport. 

Hometown Realtor 

Marylee Bendig 

580 Main St., Groveport, OH 43125 

(614) 218-1097 

marylee@maryleebendig.com 

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Ban remains on the use 

of personal fireworks 

By Rick Palsgrove 

Groveport Editor 

Groveport City Council snuffed out the 

fuse on citizens’ use of personal fireworks 

within the city limits. 

At its June 12 meeting, council voted 4- 

3 to reject legislation that would have 

allowed citizens to launch personal fireworks 

only on the Fourth of July. Council 

members Jean Ann Hilbert, Jack Rupp, 

and Shawn Cleary voted to reject the legislation 

while Scott Lockett, Ed Dildine, and 

Becky Hutson favored it. Mayor Lance 

Westcamp cast the deciding vote to reject 

the legislation. 

Because this legislation failed, the city’s 

existing law that completely bans the use 

of personal fireworks at any time within 

the city remains in effect. 

Council’s action means Groveport’s local 

law is different than current state law that 

allows individuals to possess consumer 

grade fireworks and to discharge them on 

their own property or on another person’s 

property with permission on 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. 

Lockett felt the proposed legislation, 

which he sponsored, was “a good compromise” 

in that it would have allowed personal 

fireworks on at least one day of the year 

instead of the many that are allowed under 

state law. He said approval of the legislation 

would have shown that council is “flexible” 

and that it would have allowed police 

to fulfill other necessary duties on the 

Fourth of July rather than chasing down 

people firing off backyard fireworks. But 

Lockett added the issue was not just about 

fireworks. 

“Our job (as council) is to protect the liberties 

and privileges of the residents,” said 

Lockett. “It’s legal across the state, but 

we’ve banned it before it’s a problem. It’s 

an over reach by council. It’s like we’re 

telling the residents we know better than 

them. We have to scratch and claw for our 

freedoms or they’re taken away. It’s ironic 

that on the Fourth of July, on a day we celebrate 

our freedoms, we (council) curtail 

them.” 

Hilbert maintained it is a safety issue. 

“I don’t want to take freedoms away,” 

said Hilbert. “It’s a health, safety, and welfare 

issue for me.” 

She noted several residents expressed to 

her that they wanted the personal fireworks 

ban to remain in place because of 

the noise and potential danger. She added 

that the city provides residents with a fine 

fireworks display on the Fourth of July. 

Rupp also said it is a safety issue and 

that council often has to make regulations 

in this regard in the best interests of the 

community. He felt resident Greg Keller 

made good points about the personal fireworks 

issue at a recent council meeting. 

Keller said that personal fireworks are 

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a dangerous safety hazard - particularly in an urban 

setting with nearby neighbors - and a noise problem. 

Keller said the loud noise of fireworks is harmful to 

military veterans suffering from post traumatic stress 

syndrome and to people’s pets. 

Dildine, like Lockett, thought allowing personal 

fireworks one day a year would have been a good compromise. 

By rejecting the legislation he said the city 

missed an opportunity to relay proper safety information 

on the use of fireworks to the citizenry. 

In casting the deciding vote to reject the legislation, 

Westcamp said several factors impacted his decision, 

including safety issues, the noise impact on pets and 

people, and the dangerous potential for personal fireworks 

to ignite grass and house fires. 

Other Groveport news 

•Council authorized Groveport City Administrator 

www.columbusmessenger.com 

Groveport Madison places levy on ballot 



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On June 14, the Groveport Madison Board of Education voted 

4-1 on a resolution to proceed to place a 6.68 mill continuing operating 

levy on the Nov. 7 ballot. 

Board member Kathleen Walsh was the lone dissenting vote. At 

a previous board meeting she stated district officials must commit 

to having a written 10 to 15 year strategic plan with goals and 

how the district will accomplish those goals. 

At the board’s June 14 meeting, Walsh questioned why a continuing 

levy was being placed on the ballot instead of a “true 

renewal,” which would be for five years. 

“I don’t know why we’re doing that,” said Walsh. 

When asked if a continuing levy is essentially a permanent levy 

since it does not have a fixed term, Groveport Madison 

Communications Director Jeff Warner said, 

“While there are differences in the legal terminology, 

it is essentially a permanent 

levy.” 

Groveport Madison Treasurer Felicia 

Drummey said the levy would be a “no new 

taxes” renewal of the existing levy and that 

its passage is “crucial to get the financial 

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support to maintain our programming for 

our students.” 

District resident Ernest Lee told the 

board at its June 14 meeting the levy would 

be a hardship for seniors and individuals. 

“You say it (the levy) is not new, but it is 

because it’s permanent, so accountability 

goes away,” said Lee. “You think residents 

have money just to give to the board to do 

whatever it wants.” 

Board President LaToya Dowdell-Burger 

noted there is a senior citizens home exemption 

available that has been expanded in the 

new state budget and state law. 

The district has not received any new 

money since the current expiring 6.68 mill 

expense levy was first approved by voters in 

2014. That “no new taxes” levy was renewed 

by 67 percent of voters in 2019. 

If the levy is approved in November, the 

district would receive half the funds it generates 

in 2025 and the remainder in 2026. 

Drummey said inflation is causing 

expenses to outpace flat revenues. 

According to the five year forecast, this 

revenue gap could grow to $4.8 million next 

year and $9 million the following year. 

In fiscal year 2023, the five year forecast 

shows expenditures are expected to be 

greater than revenue by $1 million. By fiscal year 2027, expenditures 

are projected to be greater than revenue by $18.2 million. 

The district would need to cut its fiscal year 2027 projected 

expenses by 16.2 percent to balance its budget without additional 

revenue. The district’s cash balance is positive at year‐end in fiscal 

year 2023 and is projected to worsen by fiscal year 2027. 

According to Drummey, a worsening cash balance can erode the 

district’s financial stability over time. 

To ensure the district has the necessary resources to keep up its 

services to students and provide additional safety measures, 

Drummey 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. 

When asked if there are there plans to consider an additional 

levy in 2024 on top of the one on the November 2023 ballot, 

Warner said, “There’s nothing definite about anything beyond the 

fall levy renewal. The big uncertainty is whether the state will 

fully fund the school funding formula. If they don’t, there’s a 

strong likelihood that we would need to request additional funds 

through another operating levy.” 

Drummey said the board could consider $4 million to $6 million 

in spending reductions to balance the operating budget, depending 

on the board’s comfort level in reducing services. 

According the district’s most recent five year forecast released, 

42 percent of its total revenue comes from property taxes, 39 percent 

from state funding, and about 20 percent from other sources. 

Salaries make up 52 percent of expenditures, benefits are 23 percent, 

purchased services are 17 percent, and supplies/materials 

are 3.5 percent. 

School resource officers 

The board approved a three-year memorandum of understanding 

with Madison Township for two Madison Township Police officers 

to serve as school resource officers. One officer will primarily 

work at the high school and the other requested officer could work 

in the district’s other schools in the north side of the district. The 

school district will cover 70 percent of salary and benefit costs, 

along with other costs. The township will cover the remaining 30 

percent of the officer’s salary. 

Groveport Madison previously contracted for one Madison 

Township officer and one city of Groveport officer to serve as 

school resource officers. 

Groveport City Council is considering legislation for a three 

year contract with Groveport Madison for the city to provide a 

Groveport Police officer as a school resource officer for the district. 

Under the contract the city would provide one officer to serve as 

a full time school resource officer at the high school and potentially 

an additional officer to perform duties at the schools on the south 

side of the district as well as helping at the high school. 

The school district would provide 70 percent of the cost of the 

yearly salary, benefits, retirement, and additional costs. The 

remaining 30 percent is covered by the city. 

B. J. King to sell the city-owned property, which consists 

of a block garage and vacant land, at 384 

Westport Drive for $33,000. The sale price is from the 

highest bidder. 

There was once a house on the property, but it 

burned down years ago and had to be demolished. The 

city ended up with the property under a land trust. 

After the sale the city will no longer have to maintain 

the property. 

Any new construction of the property must conform 

with the city’s current construction laws. 

•The Groveport Farmers Market will be held on 

Thursdays from July 13 to Sept. 7 from 4-6 p.m. in 

Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road. For information call 

614-836-3333 or visit groveport.org/565/Farmers- 

Market.


How will Area C be developed? 



How will the city of Groveport grow in 

the future? 

A key to this growth puzzle is vast 

acreage known as “Area C,” located from 

Pontius Road east to Richardson Road, 

and south to London-Lancaster Road. 

It also includes parcels immediately 

north of and bounded by Hayes Road and 

Richardson Road. 

Currently this land is a mix of residential 

and agricultural uses. 

Groveport City Council is currently considering 

legislation to solicit proposals and 

to contract with a company that would provide 

planning services for the development 

of Area C. 

When asked why the city is planning on 

hiring a planning services firm in regards 

to Area C, Groveport City Administrator B. 

J. King said, “Because the city lacks the 

resources or expertise in-house to perform 

such a complex process.” 

The cost of contracting with this planning 

services firm is not yet known. 

“That’s the purpose of the request for 

proposals,” said King. 

King said the only parts of Area C that 

are currently within the city limits are the 

Air East industrial park (including Faro 

Logistics, FedEx and Honeywell) and the 

Sunshine development on the south side of 

Hayes Road. 

When asked what the current zoning is 

for the undeveloped parts of Area C, King 

said, “Because the area is not currently in 

the city, it has not been zoned. Upon 

annexation it would automatically be 

zoned rural until it is rezoned for other 

uses.” 

He added that currently none of the 

property owners in the parts of Area C outside 

of the city limits have expressed interest 

in annexing into the city. 

When asked what types of potential 

developments can be considered for Area 

C, King said, “That’s a good question and 

one of the reasons we are undertaking this 

planning process. To determine what, if 

any, types of development the city could or 

should pursue. It will also study whether 

the development costs for infrastructure 

will be adequately offset of potential revenue, 

especially once revenue-sharing 

requirements or considered.” 

He added the presence of the 

Rickenbacker Airport noise corridor does 

not affect potential development in Area C 

and that Columbus would provide water 

and sewer services to Area C once it is 

developed. 

“Area C is one of three areas referred in 

the Groveport’s sanitary service agreement 

with the city of Columbus,” said King. 

“Area A is the portion of the city served by 

Groveport’s own water system but 

Columbus’ sewer. Area B is the area that 

the city was able to annex without restrictions 

and is comprised primarily of the 

city’s industrial parks and residential subdivisions. 

Area C is the area that requires 

approval by the Public Service Director for 

the city of Columbus before services can be 

extended as part of an annexation.” 

So, when does the city anticipate development 

occurring in Area C? 

“No official timeline,” said King. “Again, 

this is part of the intent of the study. At 

this stage, we’re not yet sure development 

is even worth pursuing. If it’s determined 

there is sufficient economic and other benefits 

for the city without negative impact to 

our residents, and if we have an opportunity 

to diversify our existing commercial, 

industrial and residential base, we could 

consider it. Availability and cost of land 

will also be critical factors.” 

Groveport Police statistics 

May crime statistics, according to the 

Groveport Police: 16 arrests, 13 accidents, 1 

assault, 1 burglary, 4 domestic disputes, 1 

domestic violence, 2 OVI and alcohol, 8 

thefts/robberies, 4 missing persons, 3 

weapon related calls, 2 threats, 1 vandalism, 

2 juvenile complaints, 61 traffic citations, 1 

sex related crime, 16 school related calls, 29 

suspicious vehicles/persons, 2 suicide 

attempts/mental health calls. 

Township Police statistics 

May crime statistics from the Madison 

Township Police: 3 assaults, 9 auto accidents 

with injuries, 15 auto accidents noninjuries, 

13 animal complaints, 64 Brobst 

Park security checks, 1 burglary, 2 burgla- 

June 25, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3 

ries in progress, 28 domestic complaints, 1 

drunk, 5 fights, 26 juvenile complaints, 11 

larceny/theft, 3 missing persons, 1 narcotics 

complaint, 13 parking violations, 9 

persons with gun, 6 persons with knife, 1 

sex offenses, 9 shots fired in area, 3 stolen 

vehicles, 4 suicide attempts, 58 suspicious 

persons/vehicles, 14 threats or harassment, 

242 traffic stops, 6 vandalism. 

Madison Township Police Chief Gary York, 

said there were nine OVI arrests in May. 

“One was a felony OVI out of a crash 

and was elevated to a felony due to it being 

the defendant’s third OVI arrest,” said 

York. “Another unrelated OVI arrest 

involved an individual who was charged 

with child endangerment in addition to 

speed and no operator’s license, who had 

two children in the vehicle.” 

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Photo courtesy of the Groveport Heritage Museum 

This is the Groveport Madison High School (when the high school was located on 

Main Street) stage as it looked in the 1960s. Beneath the stage is a compartment that 

stored metal folding chairs on racks that could be pulled out and set up to serve as 

the audience seating area for the stage. The school is now Middle School Central. 

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Groveport, OH 43125 614-836-0500 

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By Sarah Slayman 

Staff Writer 


Fifty years of 4H 

By Theresa Garee 

Staff Writer 

The Groveport Garden Club’s Garden 

Tour has bloomed again! 

The 2023 Garden Tour will be held June 

25 from noon to 5 p.m. It will be held rain 

or shine. To receive your ticket, register at: 

https://forms.gle/x7mcc8NKUQATFpCQ8 

or email groveportgardenclub@gmail.com. 

There are six stops on this year’s tour at 

garden club members’ residences in and 

around Groveport. Information on the locations 

and descriptions of the gardens are 

provided with your ticket. 

“There is a vegetable garden that’s just 

phenomenal,” said Lacy Cooper of the 

Groveport Garden Club. “Another specializes 

in succulents and cacti. My focus is 

establishing butterfly and pollinator habitats 

with an emphasis on native planting 

and there is also an arboretum which is 

well known in the area.” 

Other highlights of this year’s garden 

tour include: gardens that foster a home 

for bees and butterflies; a cottage type garden 

with many varieties of flowers; gardens 

with art features; and a garden with 

whimsical touches and hidden treasures. 

This is the Groveport Garden Club’s 

first garden tour since 2016. 

The Groveport Buttoneers 4H Club celebrates 

its 50th anniversary this summer. 

Gerry Zwayer of Groveport believes the 

4H organization is the best program for 

children to grow up with. 

The development foundation focuses on 

enriching the lives of children through a 

variety of activity-based clubs ranging 

from animal care to science education. All 

five of Zwayer’s children, 10 of her grandchildren, 

and now some of her great-grandchildren 

have been raised within it. 

Until the early 1970s, the only clubs 

available involved raising livestock. That 

doesn’t peak every child’s interest, but the 

appeal to a social club was strong especially 

considering the nature of rural families 

having their houses far apart from one 

another. 

Zwayer’s daughter expressed her interest 

in learning to sew and cook, as well as 

many of her neighbor’s daughters. Zwayer 

saw this as an opportunity, and in 1973, 

headed up the Groveport Buttoneers Club, 

a group that made a community around 

home economics. This led to a 44 year long 

streak of her being a 4H advisor where 

Zwayer watched the group evolve from 

sewing elastic waist skirts and baking to 

now including welding projects and photography 

education. She has recently retired 

from this position, but still attends the fair 

every year. 

The group has met in a various homes 

and churches over the decades and has 

crafted a rooted community that spans generations, 

sometimes 

grouping over 30 kids 

in a given year. 

Throughout all her 

years, Zwayer said, 

“The biggest blessing 

has just been getting 

to know so many 

kids.” 

She recalls the 

weeks they would 

camp out at the fair 

each summer and 

cherishes memories 

made with other families. 

Messenger photo by 

Sarah Slayman 

ZWAYER 

These clubs have been fun for kids, but 

offer many transferable skills within independence 

and work ethic as well. Zwayer 

enjoyed pouring into the community in this 

way watching them grow into the adults 

they’ve become today. 

“I got much more from 4H than I ever 

gave to any of those children,” said Zwayer. 

Zwayer was the first to make a way for 

kids who wanted to be a part of the larger 

4H community that did not necessarily 

show interest in raising livestock, which 

widened opportunities significantly. Her 

initiative continues to enrich generations 

of families through education and community. 

The Groveport Fourth of July parade 

will have a float celebrating the 

Buttoneers’ 50th anniversary. 

For information about 4H programs, 

visit https://ohio4h.org/about/join-4-h. 

The Groveport Garden Tour returns 

“In late 2016 the main organizer of the 

tour (which was then a home and garden 

tour) had surgery and a long recovery,” 

said Cooper. “A few years later, the pandemic 

lockdowns were enforced and not 

only did the tour not revive but the garden 

club nearly dissolved. Last year the club 

tried to revive the tour, but there weren’t 

enough people interested in showing their 

gardens to have one. Prior to 2015, the tour 

used to be a combined effort between 

Groveport Town Hall and the Groveport 

Garden Club (as well as the Groveport 

Heritage Society). We’re hoping to reestablish 

our relationship with Town Hall 

and the surrounding Groveport community. 

This year we had enough garden club 

members who were interested in showing 

their gardens to have a small tour.” 

However, Cooper added the tour is not 

meant to be exclusively for garden club 

member participation. 

“Going forward we hope to get more 

involvement from Groveport residents 

with gardens they’d like to include as part 

of the tour,” said Cooper. 

The Groveport Garden Club, which 

formed in 1961, meets the first Tuesday 

each month at Groveport Zion Lutheran 

Church, 6014 Groveport Road.


Commemorative bricks 

Honor a veteran or active military 

member with a personalized brick paver in 

Groveport’s Veterans Park or Log House 

Memory Walk. Commemorative bricks 

may be purchased by calling Groveport 

Town Hall at 614-836-3333. Deadline to 

order is Sept. 1. 

Community band concert 

Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 

Groveport Road, will host the 

Reynoldsburg Community Band for a free 

concert, rain or shine, on the lawn on July 

9 at 6 p.m. There will be ice cream. Bring 

a lawn chair. 

Keep tabs on the latest news in 

Groveport & Madison Township 

Look for Groveport Messenger on 

Become a fan! 

southeast 


(Distribution: 8,000) 

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

southeast@columbusmessenger.com 

Published every other Sunday by 

The Columbus Messenger Co. 

3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887 

(614) 272-5422 

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

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What Ohio Families 

Need to Know About the 

2023 Legislative Budget 

The proposed Ohio legislative budget for 

2023 has recently been unveiled, and it is 

crucial for families across the state to understand 

how it may impact their lives if the 

budget is passed. 

Education is a top priority in the 2023 legislative 

budget. It includes a significant increase 

in funding for K-12 schools, ensuring 

that Ohio's students have access to quality 

education. The budget also allocates resources 

to support early childhood education 

programs, aiming to give children a 

strong foundation for their academic journey. 

Additionally, there are provisions for increased 

investment in vocational training 

and college affordability, empowering students 

with diverse pathways to success. 

The budget prioritizes healthcare initiatives, 

aiming to improve access and affordability 

for Ohio families. It includes measures to expand 

Medicaid coverage, ensuring more individuals 

and families have access to 

essential healthcare services. Furthermore, 

funding has been allocated to address mental 

health needs, emphasizing prevention, 

treatment, and support. The budget also 

aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure, 

particularly in rural areas, to ensure equitable 

access to quality care across the state. 

The 2023 legislative budget places a strong 

emphasis on infrastructure and economic 

development. It includes substantial investments 

in transportation infrastructure, such 

as roads, bridges, and public transit, to improve 

connectivity and support economic 

growth. The budget also allocates resources 

to spur job creation, promote entrepreneurship, 

and attract businesses to Ohio. Additionally, 

there are provisions to support 

renewable energy initiatives, emphasizing 

the state's commitment to sustainable development 

and environmental stewardship. 

Results matter, so let’s work together. Subscribe 

and follow me on social media for 

updates. 

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ENR 

ROLL NOW 

FOR THE 2023-2024 SCH HOOL YEAR 

DON’T WAIT! 

Register your child for school today using our online 

system, SpeedyStart. Begin the process by visiting our 

website at gocruisers.org/enrollment.aspx. org/enrollment.aspx. It’s as easy 

as 1, 2, 3. 

SCHOOL STARTS ON AUG. 16 

Don’t wait until August to register 

your child. Enrolling early helps to 

ensure a smooth start to the schoo 

year for your child – and you! 

HAVE YOU RECENTLY MOVED? 

Even if your chi ld is already enrolled 

in Groveport Madison Schools, but you’ve 

moved to another address within the District, 

you must log into your FinalForms account, count, found at 

gocruisers.org/FinalForms.aspx, to update your address 

 

 

 

GROVEPORT MADISON 

SCHOOLS 

Welcome Center 

4400 Marketing Place, Suite B 

Groveport, OH 43125 

(614) 491-8288



Music, Crafts & more! 

Children's Program entitled 

“Sharing is Caring" 

July 18,19, 20 

from 6:30 to 8:00 

Registration starts at 

6 p.m. For ages 4-12. 

Asbury UMC South Fellowship Hall 

4760 Winchester PIke, Columbus, Ohio 43232 

614-837-4601 

Groveport Garden Club 

The Groveport Garden Club meets the 

first Tuesday each month at Groveport Zion 

Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road. 

Call Marylee Bendig at (614) 218-1097. 

Special Olympics 

The Groveport Special Olympics chapter 

provides year round sports training 

and competition 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. 

West 50 year reunion 

The West High School class of 1973 will 

host its 50 year reunion. Alumni are invited 

to tour West High School from 4-5:45 

p.m. on July 21 then meet at Bella’s Pizza 

from 6-10 p.m. On July 22, alumni will 

gather in the Hollywood Casino Ballroom 

from 6-11 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. For 

information, contact Wanda Estepp Ross 

at 614-570-9899. 

PAID ADVERTISING 

Crow, Grammer headline 

Lancaster Festival 

The Lancaster Festival Board of Directors has 

announced that Sheryl Crow and Andy Grammer 

will be this year’s signature acts appearing on the 

Wendel Concert Stage. Tickets for these and other 

events taking place during the 10-day celebration 

of music, art and community are on sale now. 

The July 29 Grand Finale concert will feature 

Sheryl Crow with the Lancaster Festival 

Orchestra. 

She has won nine Grammy Awards, as well as 

Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal 

Performance for “All I Wanna Do.” Her first nine 

studio albums have sold 35 million copies worldwide; 

seven charted in the Top 10, and five were 

certified for Multi-Platinum sales. 

The July 22 concert will feature Andy 

Grammer with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra. 

A multiplatinum troubadour, he continues to 

engage, energize, and empower audiences with 

stomping stadium-size pop anthems meant to be 

shared at full volume. His catalog consists of 

numerous hits, including the quadruple-platinum 

“Honey, I’m Good,” platinum singles “Keep Your 

Head Up,” “Fine By Me,” “Don’t Give Up On 

Me,” “Fresh Eyes,” “Good To Be Alive 

(Hallelujah),” gold single “I Found You,” and the 

gold albums Andy Grammer and Magazines Or 

Novels. He has quietly generated billions of 

streams and lent his music to films such as Five 

Feet Apart. When “Don’t Give Up On Me” 

soundtracked ESPN’s 13th Annual V Week for 

Cancer Reach, he garnered a Sports Emmy for 

Outstanding Music Direction and a Clio Award. 

The Lancaster Festival Orchestra will open 

each evening, with dazzling fireworks ending 

each Saturday evening performance. 

The ever-popular Wednesday night tribute 

band will be The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. 

(https://rhcp.scot) 

A full schedule of events is available at 

www.lancasterfestival.org. 

TH HE 39TH ANNUAL 

DIREC FROM 

SCO



Groveport’s First ursday 

Groveport will hold its First Thursday 

events this summer in Cruiser Park, 4677 

Bixby Road, on July 6 and Aug. 3 from 

4:30-7 p.m. First Thursday features live 

music, food trucks, more than 40 vendors, 

giveaways, face painting and bounce 

house, a petting zoo, and more. The Aug. 3 

event will include a dog show. The event 

and parking are free. Musical performers 

are; July 6 - Willie Nelson Mandela Jr.; 

and Aug. 3 - Wade Dow and Dar Kovacs. 

Giveaways are: July 6 - baseball hat; and 

Aug. 3 - pet waste bag dispenser. For information 

call 614-836-3333. 

Dr. Bender 5K Classic 

The 16th annual Dr. Bender 5K Classic 

will be held on July 22 at Canal Winchester 

High School, 300 Washington St., Canal 

Winchester. The in-person 5K race begins 

at 8:30 a.m. The 1-mile Fun Run for children 

precedes the 5K and begins at 8 a.m. 

A virtual 5K event will be available for 

those who are not able or choose not to participate 

in the in-person race. 

Proceeds from registration and sponsorships 

from this year’s races will directly 

benefit the boys and girls cross country 

teams at Canal Winchester High School. 

Cost is: in-person race, $30; virtual race, 

$30; and Fun Run, $10. 

There will be an Alumni/Team challenge 

competition for the in-person race. 

Provide your team name/members(minimum 

of 4) to the Race Director the morning 

of the 5K. 

Visit www.drbender5k.com to register 

or for information. 

Famous Fortress Fireworks 

Obetz’s Famous Fortress Fireworks 

event will be held on July 3 from 6-10 p.m. 

at the Fortress, 2015 Recreation Trail in 

Obetz. The event features food trucks, 

inflatables, and a fireworks show. 

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. 

PAID ADVERTISING 

Ohio’s only Blues & 

Ribfest set for 12th year 

Destination: Canal Winchester and the City of 

Canal Winchester invite you to enjoy their annual 

Blues & Ribfest on July 28 and 29 in historic 

downtown Canal Winchester. 

The air will again be filled with the wonderful 

scent of barbeque and the timeless beat of 

authentic American Blues at Ohio’s only Blues & 

Rib Festival! 

The two-day summer street celebration features 

live blues music, world-class ribs, a variety 

of quality non-rib food options, children's activities, 

shaded dining areas, and a beer garden. 

From solid rockin’ electric blues to traditional 

acoustic performances, there’s something sure to 

satisfy even the most discriminating blues fan 

continuously flowing from two stages throughout 

the two-day event. 

Bring your friends, your families, your 

appetite, and a couple of lawn chairs for one of 

the best parties of the summer! New this year is 

DORA, so visitors will be able to enjoy adult 

beverages in front of both stages. 

Admission is free. 

Destination: Canal Winchester’s Director 

explains, “This year marks another fantastic 

blues line-up. On the BBQ side, we’re honored to 

welcome several rib masters from the national 

barbeque circuit back to Canal Winchester. They 

will be competing against each other for trophies 

and bragging rights. 

And if ribs aren’t your thing, there is a solid 

roster of over 18 other specialty food vendors, 

including the famous Schmidt’s Sausage truck 

and a Canal Winchester favorite, Amish Donuts. 

We did not forget the kids and are very pleased to 

be able to bring back the popular pony rides, craft 

tables and free inflatables. 

Maybe the best part of our event is that there 

is no charge to experience some of the finest live 

blues and barbecue to be found anywhere at any 

price.” 

Visit www.bluesandribfest.com for information.


Groveport’s Fourth of 

July celebration 




It will be another fun filled 

Fourth of July in Groveport 

this year. 

“I enjoy families gathering, 

alumni returning, and the community 

coming together,” said 

Groveport Mayor Lance 

Westcamp. 

This year’s celebration features the traditional 

Main Street parade, a kids’ 

parade, music, food vendors, family activities, 

and fireworks on July 4. 

'New to the event this year will be an 

entertainment tent so the audience will 

have a cooler, shaded area to enjoy the 

bands,” said Groveport Community Affairs 

Director Jessica Wyke. “The kids activities 

have been extended until 7 p.m., which is 

three hours longer than last year. Also, 

this will be our music headliner’s first time 

performing in Groveport, The Sensational 

Soul Brothers.” 

The Main Street parade will start at 11 

a.m. on July 4. Staging for the parade will 

be at the Groveport Recreation Center. The 

parade will start at Richardson Road and 

travel west on Main Street, then turn right 

onto Hendron Road and end at Glendening 

Elementary. 

This year’s parade grand marshals recognizes 

the city’s 100-year-old residents. 

“Mayor Lance Westcamp chose the 

parade grand marshals because he wants 

to, ‘Celebrate Groveport’s centenarians 

and their invaluable contributions to our 

community,’” said Wyke. 

The parade grand marshals are Lily 

Hanson named manager 

The Columbus Metropolitan Library 

has hired Keith Hanson of Groveport as 

manager of its Canal Winchester Branch. 

He officially began his new role June 11. 

Hanson’s CML career, which began in 

2001, has taken him throughout the 

library system. He started as a sorter at 

Main Library and held various roles at the 

Karl Road, Hilltop, Linden, South High 

and Parsons branches. For the last decade, 

Hanson has served as manager of CML’s 

Karl Road Branch. He graduated from The 

Ohio State University. 

“Keith knows this organization inside 

and out,” said CML Chief Customer 

Experience Officer Charlie Hansen. “He’s 

eager to introduce the Canal Winchester 

community to its new library when it opens 

within the next few years.” 

The previous manager of the Canal 

Winchester Branch, Cindy Cawley, had 

been splitting her time between managing 

CML’s Canal Winchester and Southeast 

branches. She has returned to the 

Southeast Branch full-time. 

Franks, Betty McNeal, and 

Dottie Dillman. 

“Each of these long-time 

Groveport residents are 100 

plus years young,” said Wyke. 

The fireworks will be 

launched at dusk on July 4 

from Palm Pond in Heritage 

Park on Wirt Road. Tune into 

radio frequency 88.3 to hear background 

music during the fireworks. 

Musical entertainment on July 4 begins 

on the main stage along Wirt Road with 

Krash Landing from 2-3:30 p.m.; Hang 

Time from 4-5:30 p.m.; Whiskey Ridge 

from 6-7:30 p.m.; and The Sensational Soul 

Brothers from 8-9:45 p.m. 

“A few things you won’t want to miss 

will be the kids’ parade kicking off the day, 

talented local entertainment starting at 2 

p.m., and a variety of delicious food trucks. 

There’s something for everyone,” said 

Wyke. 

Food vendors and family activities following 

the Main Street parade will be 

located along Wirt Road. 

The Red, White & Kids parade will take 

place July 4 with staging at 10 a.m. in the 

Middle School Central, 751 Main St., parking 

lot. Kids can decorate their bikes, wagons, 

and scooters in red, white, and blue. 

The kids’ parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at 

Middle School Central, then proceeds west 

on Main Street, south on Oak Street to 

Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road. 

Per a city ordinance, no animals are 

permitted in the festival event areas at any 

time during the city’s Fourth of July celebration. 

Historical signage 

Special signage will be put in place to 

help preserve Groveport’s history. 

On June 12, Groveport City Council 

authorized City Administrator B.J. King to 

enter into a licensing agreement with the 

Groveport Heritage and Preservation 

Society to erect historical information and 

description signage about the town at five 

different sites including: Blacklick Park, 

the Sharp’s Landing building near 

Heritage Park, Ohio and Erie Canal Lock 

22, the proposed pocket park at Main and 

Front streets, and near the intersection of 

Main and College streets. 

Other sites could also be determined in 

the future. 

The signage will include a map, photos, 

and concise, easy to absorb historical text 

highlighting the town’s history as a port on 

the Ohio and Erie Canal and other historical 

topics. 

“We want to provide a simple means for 

visitors and residents to learn about 

Groveport’s history,” said Carla Cramer of 

the Groveport Heritage Society.



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. 

CHILDREN’S EVENT 

Sharing & Caring 

July 18, 19, 20 - 6:30-8:00 pm 

Ages 4-12 - Music, Crafts & More 

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

614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com 



GROVEPORT ZION 

LUTHERAN, NALC 

Christ Centered, Mission Driven 

Traditionally Grounded 

6014 Groveport Rd., Groveport, OH 43125 

PHONE: 614-836-5611 

PASTOR BRIAN MCGEE 

Sunday Worship 11 A.M. 

Join us for an evening of music & ice cream 

Reynoldsburg Community Band Concert 

Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy. Rain or Shine 

SUNDAY, JULY 9th, 2023 - 6:00 PM 

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. 



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Groveport Messenger - June 25th, 2023

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