Groveport Messenger - August 27th, 2023

Messenger 

Groveport 

August 27 - September 9, 2023 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XLI, No. 3 

Crash on SR 317 

Photo courtesy of the Groveport Police 

According to Groveport Police Lt. Josh Short, a vehicle crash occurred on Aug. 16 

at about 10:48 a.m. on State Route 317 at Groveport Road. An SUV was struck as 

it turned left into the path of a southbound vehicle and was knocked onto its side. 

The driver of the SUV, who was mechanically removed from the vehicle by the 

Madison Township Fire Department, was transported to the hospital in stable condition. 

Portions of State Route 317 and Groveport Road were shut down for about 

45 minutes. 

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Trouble at football game 

Guns found, arrests made 

By Rick Palsgrove 

Groveport Editor 

Guns were confiscated and arrests made 

at the Groveport Madison vs. Canal 

Winchester football game on Aug. 18 in 

Canal Winchester. 

At the game, Madison Township Police 

officers intervened when a fight among 

three juvenile spectators broke out leading 

to the recovery of three modified firearms 

and four individuals charged. 

Madison Township Police Chief Gary 

York said, “The fight started in the stands 

by pushing, not punching.” 

Groveport Police Chief Casey Adams 

said it is his understanding that the fight 

began on the Groveport Madison side of the 

stadium. 

A 17-year-old was charged with menacing 

and disorderly conduct; two 17-yearolds 

and an 18-year-old were charged with 

carrying a concealed weapon and conveyance 

or possession of a deadly weapon 

in a school safety zone. 

According to York, none of the suspects 

are current Canal Winchester or Groveport 

Madison high school students and were 

from the Columbus area. 

York said all the confiscated firearms 

had switches on them that allowed them to 

become fully automatic. None of the guns 

were fired and there were no injuries. 

“MTPD had eight officers assigned for 

the security detail on this event, and 

because of their swift response, there were 

no shots fired and no injuries sustained,” 

said York. “What could have ended in 

tragedy, was redirected to peace and justice 

because of the efforts of these law 

enforcement professionals working in unison 

with school staff, with the support of 

neighboring agencies who responded to the 

officer in trouble call including Franklin 

County Sheriff’s Office, Groveport Police, 

and Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, with 

follow up investigatory efforts made by 

ANDREW 

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Franklin County Detective Bureau. Our 

primary focus through our partnerships 

with other law enforcement agencies, first 

responders, and our collaborations with 

both school districts is to provide a safe 

environment for students, staff, and spectators.” 

The guns 

York said the following guns were confiscated 

from the suspects: 

•A Glock 19 was removed with one 

round in the chamber and a fully loaded 

extended 33 round magazine. 

“A school administrator notified School 

Resource Officer Mallory and School 

Resource Officer Schwotzer once the suspect 

was in custody and after the fight that 

he may have a firearm,” said York. 

“Officers located it in the pants leg. the 

suspect was attempting to hold his legs 

together.” 


round in the chamber with a fully loaded 

magazine. 

“A school administrator notified School 

Resource Officer Schwotzer of the suspect’s 

involvement,” said York. “He was carrying 

a shoulder bag. Schwotzer attempted to 

take control of the suspect and the shoulder 

bag, the suspect dropped the shoulder 

bag and ran. Inside the bag was the 

firearm. the suspect was caught by Officer 

Jackson and a school administrator.” 


round in the chamber with a fully loaded 

magazine 

“A school administrator advised of one 

suspect’s association with one another,” 

said York. “The suspect was patted down 

and inside his waistband was the firearm.” 

Future safety 

When asked why the fight occurred, 

York said the matter is under investigation. 

York said there is not a “simple, 

straightforward answer as to why people 

choose to engage in violence” nor why these 

kinds of disturbances continue to happen 

at Groveport Madison school events. 

See TROUBLE, page 2

PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - August 27, 2023 

Madison Township tire drive 

Madison Township will hold a tire drive 

on Sept. 13 from 1-7 p.m. in Brobst Park, 

5321 Winchester Pike, where residents of 

Madison Township (including Canal 

Winchester and Groveport) can recycle 

rimless junk tires. No commercial vehicle 

tires will be taken. Maximum of 10 tires 

per household. Bring your driver’s license 

and utility bill for identification of residence. 

Call 614-836-5308 or visit madisontownship.org 

for information. 

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Groveport Police statistics 

July crime statistics, according to the 

Groveport Police: 9 arrests, 9 accidents, 0 

assaults, 4 burglaries, 3 domestic disputes, 

4 domestic violence, 2 OVI and alcohol, 2 

thefts/robberies, 2 stolen/unauthorized 

use, 3 missing persons, 3 weapon related 

calls, 3 narcotic related offenses, 2 threats, 

1 vandalism, 5 juvenile complaints, 40 

traffic citations, 2 sex related crimes, 0 

school related calls, 24 suspicious vehicles/persons, 

6 suicide attempts/mental 

health calls. 

Township Police statistics 

July crime statistics from the Madison 

Township Police: 2 assaults, 11 auto accidents 

with injuries, 17 auto accidents noninjuries, 

15 animal complaints, 55 Brobst 

Park security checks, 1 burglary, 2 burglaries 

in progress, 16 domestic complaints, 2 

drunk, 3 fights, 9 impaired driving arrest, 

16 juvenile complaints, 14 larceny/theft, 6 

missing persons, 2 narcotics, 10 parking 

violations, 1 person with gun, 2 sex offenses, 

4 shots fired in area, 0 shootings, 3 

stolen vehicles, 3 

suicide attempts, 77 

suspicious persons/vehicles, 

9 

threats or harassment, 

189 traffic 

stops, 7 vandalism. 

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TROUBLE 

Continued from page 1 

“It is disappointing that people are 

choosing to engage in these acts as spectators 

of high school athletic events,” said 

York. “While rivalry games such as 

Groveport Madison vs. Canal Winchester 

brings a lot of adrenaline to the athletes 

and fans, these events are meant to highlight 

the students and not be a place for 

violence.” 

When asked what steps can be taken at 

future Groveport Madison school events to 

ensure safety, York said, “The Groveport 

Madison School District recently implemented 

weapon detection systems at the 

high school which will also be used during 

home sporting events.” 

York said this is the second year of 

Madison Township Police handling the 

security for the Canal Winchester High 

School home sporting events. 

“Part of the security planning for this 

year’s Groveport Madison game was to 

move the start time to 6 p.m., in addition, 

extra officers were added including two 

from Groveport Police, the Groveport 

Madison High School SRO and his supervisor, 

to compliment the six Madison 

Township Police officers. The idea was that 

they would be able to assist Madison 

Township Police in identifying current or 

former Groveport Madison students that 

could potentially become an issue at the 

game.” 

He said there was a response plan in 

place that included two Groveport Police 

officers and six Madison Township officers. 

“On Thursday just before the game, I 

was informed that GPD officers would not 

be able to participate due to bureaucratic 

concerns,” said York. “Hopefully, we can 

work to resolve this and better work across 

agency lines. Groveport Police officers did 

respond when an officer in trouble call 

went out.” 

Groveport Police Chief Casey Adams 

said the game took place outside of the 

Groveport Police jurisdiction and its officers 

would have had to have been specially 

sworn in to do special duty. He said his 

department had to be make sure it was 

legally covered to take enforcement action 

if necessary and those issues could not be 

worked out before the game. He said 

Groveport Police officers did respond when 

needed as mutual aid when the officer in 

trouble call went out. 

York said Madison Township was able 

to cover those two positions with other 

Madison officers, Madison Township had a 

total of eight officers assigned to the detail. 

Fairfield County had one deputy from their 

Community Watch. 

“Our primary focus through our partnerships 

with other law enforcement agencies, 

first responders, and our collaborations 

with both school districts is to provide 

a safe environment for students, staff, and 

spectators,” said York. “I want to thank the 

www.columbusmessenger.com 

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the 

Groveport Police, and the Fairfield County 

Sheriff’s Office for their response to our 

request for assistance under mutual aid 

with an officer in trouble call that was 

aired by the Franklin County Sheriff’s 

Office Radio Room. I also want to thank 

Chief Deputy Minard and the Detective 

Bureau with the Franklin County Sheriff’s 

Office for their assistance with the investigation.” 

Groveport Madison response 

“The individuals arrested are not students 

at either school,” said Groveport 

Madison Schools Superintendent Jamie 

Grube. “It is both unacceptable and alarming 

for anyone to bring weapons to a high 

school football game; the safety of the students, 

staff, and spectators is our top priority. 

Additional officers quickly responded 

to the stadium and determined it would be 

safe to finish the game and then make sure 

all attendees left the stadium immediately 

when the game was over. Administrators 

from both schools and officers from 

Madison Township Police Department, 

Groveport Police Department, and the 

Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office ensured 

the safety of all in attendance as crowds 

left the game.” 

Grube said the incident is “both scary 

and frustrating.” 

“Our students deserve to attend games 

with their friends and make memories 

without fearing for their safety,” said 

Grube. “Groveport Madison Schools and 

Canal Winchester Schools condemn the 

actions of the few individuals who created 

this disturbance and showed incomprehensible 

disregard for the safety of our school 

communities.” 

Grube thanked the police for their assistance, 

bravery, and response to ensure the 

safety of students, families, staff, and communities. 

“Over the past month, officers from 

Madison Township Police, Groveport 

Police, and Fairfield County Sheriff’s 

Office have collaborated with Canal 

Winchester and Groveport Madison 

administrators to proactively plan for the 

safety of our teams and fans at tonight’s 

game,” said Grube. “Their commitment to 

putting safety measures in place before the 

game and quick execution of the safety 

response plan ensured that no one was 

injured during tonight’s game.” 

He said safety is a top priority. 

“Just as we have over the last year, we 

plan to continue to work together to make 

sure our students have the opportunity to 

safely enjoy their high school experiences 

like football games,” said Grube. “We will 

share more information soon about our 

safety plans for the rest of the season and 

will continue to keep you updated about 

important safety matters at our schools.” 

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August 27, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3 

Photos courtesy of Chris Downing 

Alumni return 

Groveport Madison Cruiser varsity 

softball alumna Jessie Rock (above) 

shows off her familiar power hitter 

stance in the batter’s box at the 

Groveport Madison Cruiser Softball 

Alumni Slow Pitch Event held on Aug. 

13 at Groveport Madison High 

School. According to Cruiser softball 

coach Chris Downing, every ex-player 

was invited to participate and to celebrate 

the history, winning, losing, 

players, and coaches of the softball 

program. Cruiser alumna Emilee 

Downing (right) takes her turn at bat 

while other past Cruiser softball players 

take defensive positions in the 

field.


Groveport history films 

Two documentary films on the history of 

Groveport, produced by the Groveport 

Heritage Society and Midnet Media, are 

now available for viewing online on 

YouTube.The films are: “Groveport: A 

Town and Its People” and “The Story of 

John S. Rarey and Cruiser.” 

Letters policy 

The Groveport Messenger welcomes letters 

to the editor. Letters cannot be libelous. 

Letters that do not have a signature, address, 

and telephone number, or are signed with a 

pseudonym, will be rejected. PLEASE BE 

BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. The 

Messenger reserves the right to edit or 

refuse publication of any letter for any reason. 

Opinions expressed in the letters are not necessarily 

the views of the Messenger. Mail letters 

to: Groveport Messenger, 3500 Sullivant 

Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204; or by email to 

southeast@columbusmessenger.com. 

Keep tabs on the latest news in 

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southeast 


(Distribution: 8,000) 

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

southeast@columbusmessenger.com 

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The geography of youth 

The universe of my early youth consisted of a backyard, a sidewalk, 

and a neighborhood. 

My family and I inhabited this universe on Groveport’s Clark 

Court during the first five years of my life. 

The homes in the 

Editor’s Notebook 

Rick 

Palsgrove 

Clark Court neighborhood 

were constructed 

during the housing and 

baby boom of the early 1950s. Our house sat on 

the southeast curve of the court’s bulb and the 

property had the distinction of a sidewalk running 

along its edge leading to a gravel path 

through a grassy field that connected to Main 

Street. 

The sidewalks currently in place on Clark 

Court were installed in the recent past and so 

were not there back in the 1950s and 1960s. 

The lone sidewalk was the connector mentioned 

above. This stretch of concrete beckoned 

my young self to explore, especially after my 

parents bought me a shiny green tricycle from 

Bolenbaugh Hardware. 

I wheeled up and down that sidewalk frequently. 

The sidewalk was on flat terrain as it extended from Clark 

Court, but quickly descended on a hill that featured a tight “dead 

man’s curve” with a wooden utility pole stuck in the sidewalk at the 

base of the hill. This pole had to be deftly negotiated with keen control 

of the handlebars as one turned so as not to crash into it as one sped 

down the hill on a tricycle or bicycle. 

After the turn, the sidewalk extended flat along the edge of the 

backyard until it ended at the straight, narrow gravel path that cut 

through the neighboring grassy vacant lot to Main Street. This gravel 

path was the remnants of a right-of-way of Frank Alley and it gave 

Candidates file for election 

These local candidates filed (pending certification) 

with the Franklin County Board of 

Elections to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot. 

•Canal Winchester School Board (two 

to be elected): Kevin Butler, Scott 

Ferguson, Chloe Green, Matt Krueger, 

Adam Twiss; 

•Canal Winchester City Council (three 

to be elected): Will Bennett, Alec 

McLaughlin, Chuck Milliken, Richard 

Moore, Tina Welch; (unexpired term ending 

12-31-25, one to be elected): Steve Buskirk, 

Scott Connor; 

•Canal Winchester Mayor (one to be 

elected): Mike Ebert, Joe Steager, Mike 

Walker; 

•Groveport Madison School Board 

(two to be elected): Larry Carey, Benjamin 

Joof, John Kershner, Kathleen Walsh 

•Groveport City Council (two to be 

elected): Shawn Cleary, Jean Ann Hilbert, 

John Hougland, Cheryl Irving; 

•Groveport Mayor (one to be elected): 

Lance Westcamp; 

•Hamilton Township School Board 

(two to be elected): James Dommer, Walley 

Obert, Arthur Short; 

•Hamilton Township Trustee (one to be 

elected): Belinda Anderson, Gary 

Armstrong; 

•Madison Township Trustee (one to be 

elected): Bruce Jarvis, Andrew Nimely; 

•Obetz City Council (two to be elected): 

Michael Flaherty, Derek Varney; 

•Obetz Mayor (one to be elected): 

Angela Kirk, Bonnie Wiley. 

Music makers 

Clark Court residents a shorter way to get to Main Street. It was primarily 

used by kids heading to and from school, including my two 

older siblings. 

I often pedaled my tricycle down this stretch of sidewalk, past the 

dead man’s curve, to the gravel path. I can recall seeing butterflies 

flitting about in the vacant lot. After a heavy rain, when I felt adventurous, 

I would pedal a little ways along the gravel path to a big puddle 

that would form in a depression in the ground along the path. This 

“hole” appeared big to me at the time, but it was only a few feet long 

and less than a foot deep. Though it was more or less a puddle, it 

seemed like a small pond to my little kid mind. I floated sticks and 

leaves on the water, watched bugs dance on the water surface, 

splashed the water with my hands, and scooped out water to see what 

I could find. 

I only lived at the Clark Court house for about five years. I started 

attending kindergarten and that rite of academic passage cut into the 

time spent on youthful tricycle explorations. I soon entered first grade 

and by then my family had moved to a larger nearby house on Main 

Street, still close to the vacant lot and my Clark Court roots. 

As kids we never knew who owned the vacant lot that bordered our 

Clark Court yard or who kept it mowed. During our time living at the 

Main Street hous, when we and the neighborhood kids got older, we 

used the old vacant lot for football and baseball games. No one ever 

stopped us playing there. We just did it. 

Time moved on. I grew. The town grew. A fine home with a beautiful 

yard now fills the ground where the gravel path, old vacant lot, 

and puddle pond once were. The sidewalk that was my tricycle highway 

that lead me to young explorations was broken up and removed 

a long time ago. 

Time is an eraser. 

But I remember it all. 

Rick Palsgrove is editor of the Groveport Messenger. 

Our Pictorial Past by Rick Palsgrove 

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Sallee 

These are members of a Groveport School student band, from a photo possibly 

from the 1940s, getting ready to perform on the front lawn of what is now 

Groveport Elementary. Groveport School on Main Street housed all 12 grades from 

1923 until the 1950s. Note the fountain behind the band that is still in use today. 

We are the BEST community newspaper! Need advertising? Call 614-272-5422.


Council ponders annexation 



Groveport City Council is considering 

an annexation request for a small parcel 

along west Groveport Road. 

According to Groveport Development 

Director Jeff Green, the 1.94 acre property 

is located on the north side of Groveport 

Road just west of Saltzgaber Road. There is 

currently a residence on the property. 

“A development plan has not yet been 

submitted (for the property), but based on 

discussions staff has had with the developers, 

the plan may call for smaller multiunit 

‘flex’ (commercial/industrial) spaces as 

well as a possible cold storage facility,” said 

Green. “The plan will likely also include an 

outparcel fronting Groveport Road to be 

marketed as a site for a restaurant or 

another retail commercial use. The property 

will be part of a larger proposed development 

on surrounding land currently owned 

by Roger Studley.” 

The Groveport Road corridor west of 

State Route 317 is currently a mix of warehouses, 

small businesses, churches, and 

residences. 

A couple of years ago, the city contracted 

with the IBI Group to create a 

Groveport Road Corridor Study to review 

west Groveport Road between Groveport 

and Obetz from State Route 317 to Bixby 

Road. 

The report noted that the western portion 

of the road located in Obetz is primarily 

residential while the eastern portion 

located in Groveport is mostly 

commercial/industrial. 

The study also stated the average daily 

traffic count for west Groveport Road in 

2020 was 11,000 to 12,000 vehicles, but 

that number will rise by 55 percent to 

17,000 by 2040. 

Income tax revenue 

The city of Groveport’s income tax revenue 

year-to-date as of July 31 was $13.7 

million, which is about 14 percent higher 

than the same time in 2022, according to 

Groveport Finance Director Jason Carr. 

Carr noted the general fund balance was 

$12.8 million as of July 31, which is $5.9 

million higher than the same time last 

year. 

Income tax revenues year-to-date comprised 

59 percent of all city revenues, the 

largest part of all the city’s revenues. 

City council meetings 

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. 

 

 

 

 

August 27, 2023 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 5


CW celebrates 101 years 

of Labor Day festivities 

The 101st annual Canal Winchester Labor Day 

Festival, presented by Diley Ridge Medical Center, 

will fill the streets of historic downtown Canal 

Winchester over Labor Day weekend. 

Opening ceremonies will take place on the festival 

main stage on Sept. 2 at noon. The fun continues Sept. 

2 until 11 p.m., Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and 

Sept. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

“The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival is celebrating 

over a century of family-friendly activities in 

our downtown during the Labor Day weekend,” said 

Carolyn Ebert, Labor Day Festival Board President. 

“With so many food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, 

rides, games, free entertainment, a car show, and our 

renowned parade, there is something sure to please 

everyone in the family.” 

The Labor Day Festival Committee promises to 

deliver the fun, family-friendly festival that the community 

has grown to love. Midway rides and games 

return to the historic downtown all weekend long, and 

kids will ride for free from noon to 4 p.m. as part of 

Free Ride Saturday, courtesy of Wright-Patt Credit 

Union, Inc. 

Free festival entertainment will fill the streets with 

sounds all weekend long. American country singersongwriter 

and Ohio native Rayne Johnson will headline 

the main stage Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. Silver Springs, 

the Sept. 3 night headliner, will have guests doing 

double-takes as the band covers over four decades of 

the best Fleetwood Mac songs. 

For those over 21, the Ugly Mug Beer Pavilion will 

be located near Stradley Park. This is the first year 

that the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area 

(DORA) will be in place, so visitors may sip, stroll, 

shop, and explore the festival grounds from noon to 

close as well. 

The Labor Day Festival will again become a showplace 

for some of the finest hot-rods and classic cars in 

central Ohio on Sept. 3. In past years, over 200 

antique, muscle, and classic cars have been on display. 

The cruise-in, hosted by C-Town Cruisers, will start at 

10 a.m. and will wrap up at 4 p.m. with trophy presentations. 

Registration is just $15 per car and begins 

downtown at 9 a.m. on West Waterloo Street. 

On Sept. 4, enjoy the festival’s annual Canal 

Winchester Labor Day Parade, presented by Kelly 

Abbott & the “A” Team, Howard Hanna Realtors. The 

parade steps off from Canal Winchester High School at 

1 p.m. and makes its way through the city’s historic 

downtown. 

Since 1920, the Canal Winchester Labor Day 

Festival has proudly partnered with the local government 

and nearby businesses to host the festival. Labor 

Day Festival organizers recognize all festival supporters, 

with special thanks to the city of Canal 

Winchester and the festival’s presenting sponsor, 

Diley Ridge Medical Center. For all Labor Day 

Festival details, including those to come, visit 

www.cwlaborday.org. 

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. 

One cool pup 


Photo courtesy of the city of Groveport 

Stella the dog chills out while wearing her cool shades as 

her mom signs her in for the dog show at the city of 

Groveport’s First Thursday event on Aug. 3 in Cruiser Park. 

Never to early to start thinking of the benefits you 

want or need for the upcoming year 2024! 

 

- will I have to pay a penalty if I keep working 

after I turn 65, and want to keep my group 

plan? 

- 

meet with a local representative, and review 

more than 2 or 3 plan options. 

- I need help in paying my Rx copays, any 

assistance available? 

Call Me Your Local Ohio Licensed 

Independent Medicare Agent 

Ralph Curcio 614-603-0852 

$0 fee or $0 Consultation cost 

Be confident in your plan selection, 

keep your doctors and find the lowest 

copays for your medications. 

- What are the various Medicare Advantage or 

Medicare Supplement plans available to me in 

my area? 

We do not offer every plan available in your area. 

Currently we represent 7 organizations which offer 42 plans 

in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800- 

MEDICARE to get information on all of


School levy on ballot 




Voters in the Groveport Madison school 

district will decide on a 6.68 mill continuing 

operating levy that will appear on the 

Nov. 7 ballot. 

The levy is for current operating 

expenses. 

When asked earlier this year if a continuing 

levy is essentially a permanent levy 

since it does not have a fixed term, former 

Groveport Madison Communications 

Director Jeff Warner said, “While there are 

differences in the legal terminology, it is 

essentially a permanent levy.” 

School officials said the levy is a “no 

new taxes” renewal of the existing levy and 

that its passage is “crucial to get the financial 

support to maintain our programming 

for our students.” 

District resident Ernest Lee told the 

Groveport Madison Board of Education at 

its June 14 meeting that 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 said 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. 

District officials said that inflation is 

causing expenses to outpace flat revenues. 

Cruisers on the air 

The Groveport Sports Network will provide 

live play-by-play coverage of 20 

Groveport Madison High School athletic 

contests in football, boys basketball, girls 

basketball, and softball in 2023-24. Rick 

Cooper begins his 32nd season as a playby-play 

announcer and his 12th at 

Groveport Madison High School. 

The broadcast coverage will include 

high definition video as well as live audio. 

Each broadcast begins 25 minutes prior to 

the scheduled start time with the pre-game 

show. The pre-game show will feature 

interviews with the head coach, a detailed 

scouting report of the opponent, the starting 

line-ups, and more. After the game 

there will be interviews with players and 

the head coach, along with a look at the 

final stats. The free broadcasts can be 

accessed on your computer or handheld 

device. All 20 broadcasts will also be available 

to view on demand for free as well. 

Watch at: www.facebook.com/groveportsportsnetwork. 

The broadcast schedule: (football) Aug. 

According to the district’s most recent 

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 district officials, 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, 

officials 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. 

During the April board meeting, former 

treasurer Felicia Drummey said the district 

could consider $4 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. 

18, 6 p.m. at Canal Winchester; Sept. 15, 7 

p.m. vs. Upper Arlington; and Oct. 6, 7 

p.m. at Pickerington Central; (boys basketball) 

Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. at Reynoldsburg; 

Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. at Canal Winchester; 

Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. vs. Lancaster; Jan. 5, 

7:30 p.m. at Pickerington Central; Jan. 9, 

7:30 p.m. vs. Newark; Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m. at 

Hilliard Bradley; Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. vs. 

Reynoldsburg; Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m. vs. 

Pickerington Central; and Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. 

at Newark; (girls basketball) Jan. 19, 7 

p.m. vs. Central Crossing; Jan. 27, 2:30 

p.m. vs. Logan; (softball) April 4, 5:15 p.m. 

at Reynoldsburg; April 8, 5:15 p.m. vs. 

Lancaster; April 11, 5:15 p.m. vs. Newark; 

April 17, 5:15 p.m. vs. Reynoldsburg; April 

22, 5:15 p.m. vs. Pickerington Central; and 

April 24, 5:15 p.m. at Newark. 

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. 

ENR 

ROLL NOW 

FOR THE 2023-2024 SCH HOOL YEAR 

DON’T WAIT! 

Register your child for school today using our online 

system, Speedy yStart. Begin the process by visiting our 

website at gocr 

uisers.org/enrollment.aspx. .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 school 

year for your child – and you! 

HAVE YOU RECENTLY MOVED? 

Even if your chi ld is already enrolled 

in Groveport M adison Schools, but you’ve 

moved to anoth her 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

Elect 

ANDREW 

FOR MADISON TO 

WHO I AM 

I am Andrew B. Nimely, and I am running 

for Madison Township Trustee this November 

7th. I have lived in the township for over 

13 years. 

I am married to my beautiful wife Lombeh 

D. Nimely. We are committed to honoring 

God and are blessed with seven children 

(Andrew Jr., Ancelia; Faith; Bishop; Ayoub; 

Camilla; and Margaretta). 

The four adult children (Andrew Jr., Ancelia, Faith, and Bishop) are all 

graduates of Groveport Madison High School with one of our children, 

Bishop, serving in the Army Reserve. 

I was born on November 3rd, 1970, in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, 

a country that stands with the United States of America during 

world wars and on all issues no matter the situation since its independence 

on July 26, 1847. 

Its capital city, Monrovia, is the name in honor of James Monroe, 

the United States’ fifth President. 

My father, the late Bishop N. Nimely, was a firefighter, a kind man, 

and a Christian who was baptized at an early age. 

My 86-year-old mother, Esther G. Wesseh, a single, and devoted 

Christian, taught me to see every person in the image of Jesus 

Christ. She instilled in me hard work, humbleness, respect, and gratitude 

for EVERYONE. 

I own and operate two small businesses for over a decade now, 

namely: Andrew Developmental Disabilities Services, LLC which 

provides healthcare services for developmentally challenged individuals 

in Ohio, and Damawa Tax & Accounting Services, LLC, an 

accountant firm that provides accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation 

and planning, payroll management, and consultant services 

throughout the United States. 

I have been an adjunct faculty since January 2015 at Columbus 

State Community College in the Information Technology Department. 

I have over 2 decades of practical working experience using 

Windows, Microsoft Office Applications, IT & Database Fundamentals, 

QuickBooks, and Tax Applications software. 

My background focuses on managerial development, accounting, 

and healthcare experience that reflects a philosophy through coaching 

via detail-oriented interpersonal personnel strategy. Consistently, 

I have brought about the latest ideas, suggestions, and 

problem-solving techniques that have produced successful results 

in my previous and current professions. 

I am proficient in strategic planning through accountability, internal 

control system design, and client retention from a broad perspective, 

especially in a customer relationship era where business tasks 

involve inspiring people to willingly attain organizational goals, not 

to mention retaining patrons. 

WITHIN THE COMMUNITY 

I attend Groveport United Methodist Church, serving as Co-Chair of 

the finance committee. I served as a Board of Director member of 

the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church on the 

Board of Pension and Health. I am a Lay Speaker within the West 

Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as a supplementary 

pastor. 

I currently serve as a Board of Director member at Greater Groveport 

Food Pantry. 

I enjoy spending time with family in various forms (dinner, parties, 

vacations, and celebrations); going to church; watching movies at 

home and theater; and watching a variety of sports notably The 

Ohio State University football games. 

I am a former community President for all Liberians in Central Ohio. 

EDUCATION 

I graduated from Columbus State Community College with an Ass 

A 

I w 

m 

i 

v 

I w 

I a 

I a 

I S 

I S 

PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF A

NIMELY 

OWNSHIP TRUSTEE 

Vote 

sociate of Applied Science degree in accounting in 2005; Franklin 

University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Forensic 

Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, in 2007; and Ohio University with 

a Master of Business Administration in 2011. 

WHY I AM RUNNING 

• As an outsider and business owner, I would like to craft a private 

sector business strategic plan in finding answers to the most critical 

issues facing the township and residents now and in the future. 

• As a Business Executive {I have created more than 150 jobs} with 

more than 12 years of professional experience hiring and managing 

personnel within the healthcare and finance industry. 

• I would like to see the trustee meeting modified instead of the 3 

minutes allotted to residents for public speaking without interactions. 

In short, I would like to see residents have a VOICE during 

meetings that include interactions. 

• I would like to take the meeting to the residents of the township 

in the form of a “Meet & Greet” with Andrew event on a quarterly 

basis to create a sense of BELONGING and knowing your neighbors. 

• I am Trustworthy and confidential record keeping is part of my 

value as a business proprietor; I STRONGLY BELIEVE in accountability, 

especially as a practicing accountant. 

• I am accountable to my customers, students as an Accountant, 

Administrator, and College Instructor; therefore, I will be accountable 

to the residents of the township when you give me the privilege 

to serve. In short, Results and Productivity Matters!!! 

• I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN SUPPORTING OUR FIRST RESPONDER 

{Police & Firefighter} including our Road Crew within the township. 

• I STRONGLY BELIEVE in the First Amendment such as Religious 

Freedom. 

• I STRONGLY BELIEVE in the Second Amendment such as the 

Right to own a Firearm (I am a concealed handgun carrier.) 

I am abundantly grateful to our township and city for the level of 

opportunity with a safe community or neighborhood that my family 

continues to enjoy since making Groveport, Ohio, my hometown 

especially coming from Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, without a college 

education, by achieving the American dream 23 years ago plus 

with ONLY a high school diploma. 

I am the fourth child out of eight kids, with only three siblings including 

me with a high school and college education. With God’s 

grace and my mother’s guidance, I greet everyone that I have ever 

come across with a simple word called GRATEFUL. 

I lost my father in his prime at 55 years in 1990, due to High Blood 

Pressure. He was a great firefighter. 

Fellow residents of Madison Township, Franklin County, Ohio, 

when elected as your Trustee, you will have an individual who is very 

humble and grateful to God for all His blessings. 

I promise, when I am elected with your VOTE; I will work extremely 

hard to achieve those points outlined in Why I Am Running!! 

I Care. I Listen. I Act. 

I ask for your financial support, endorsement, volunteer effort, and 

placing of signs in yard Now or right after Labor Day! 

Below are contact media to reach the campaign: 

Phone: (614) 446-8324 

Email: animelycandidate@gmail.com 

Facebook: facebook.com/NimelyUS2 

Twitter: @NimelyUS1 

DS OF ANDREW NIMELY


DestinationOutlets.com 

800-213-9083 

8000 Factory Shops Blvd. 

Jeffersonville, OH 43128 

Aqua Ohio Proposes 

Another Rate Increase 

Less than a year after its last rate increase, water utility Aqua Ohio is again 

asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to increase water 

and sewer rates for more than 80,000 of its residential consumers in Ohio. 

If the PUCO approves Aqua’s request, its residential consumers will see 

another increase in their monthly bills from Aqua starting in 2024. 

Get involved by making your voice heard at the PUCO: 

In Person: Monday, August 28, 2023, at 6 p.m. - Ohio History Connection, 

Cardinal Classroom, 800 East 17th Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43211 

Online: Click on “File a Public Comment” at bit.ly/aqua-rate-case-23 and 

bit.ly/aqua-ww-rate-case-23 

By Mail: Send a letter referencing Aqua Ohio and PUCO Case 22-1094 and 

22-1096 to: 

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio 

180 E. Broad Street, 11th Floor 

Columbus, OH 43215 

For more information visit: occ.ohio.gov/aqua-ohio-2023 

OFFICE OF THE OHIO CONSUMERS' COUNSEL 

Office of the Ohio 

Consumers’ Counsel 

www.occ.ohio.gov 

DOWNLOAD OUR 

MEMBERSHIP APP 

AD-AQUA-081523 


Visit historic cemetery 



Step into the past and visit the historic 

Hendren Cemetery as the Groveport 

Cemetery Committee will open the gate to 

the cemetery for visitors on Sept. 9 from 10 

a.m. to noon. 

Hendren Cemetery is located in 

Groveport on the west side of State Route 

317, about a half mile north of Main 

Street/Groveport Road and about a quarter 

mile south of the railroad tracks. Its gravel 

driveway on State Route 317 is protected 

by a locked gate most of the time because 

of the cemetery’s isolated nature. 

To enter Hendren Cemetery go southbound 

on State Route 317 and turn right at 

the cemetery’s gate. Do not turn left from 

northbound State Route 317. 

Groveport Cemetery Committee members 

will be on hand on Sept. 9 to answer 

questions about Hendren Cemetery. 

“We wanted to open up the cemetery so 

people can see the improvements made 

there,” said Groveport Cemetery 

Committee member and city councilman 

Shawn Cleary. 

Those buried in the Hendren Cemetery 

were early pioneers in Madison Township 

and Groveport. Their familiar last names 

are reflected in the area roads such as 

Hendron and Swisher roads. 

“They are the namesakes of Groveport,” 

said Cleary. “This is where it all started. 

There’s a lot of history in this beautiful 

cemetery.” 

Hendren Cemetery history 

We can only imagine what it was like 

the day in 1801 when loved ones held the 

funeral and burial of Joseph Flemington in 

what was the first grave in what would 

become the Hendren Cemetery. 

The mourners must have picked the 

spot because at that time it was serene and 

beautiful - a grassy knoll surrounded by 

trees and meadows in pastoral Madison 

Township. 

According to the historian George 

Bareis, Flemington’s grave is believed to 

be the oldest marked and recorded grave in 

Madison Township. 

Hendren Cemetery fell into disrepair 

over its more than 200-year-old history 

with many of its 35 gravestones scattered 

in the nearby brush, some of them broken 

and others eroded by time. Some of the 

graves showed signs of collapsing. 

The city of Groveport annexed the land 

that included the Hendren Cemetery in 

1987. Then, beginning in 1998, city public 

works employees retrieved the gravestones, 

spread topsoil over the collapsing 

graves, seeded it with grass, and regularly 

mowed the site. 

In a 2005 interview, former Public 

Works Director Dennis Moore said the 

cemetery was originally marked by four 

oak trees at its corners and the 35 graves 

were arranged in three rows. The dates on 

the gravestones range from 1801 to 1876. 

Other restoration efforts at Hendren 

Cemetery included: the addition of a boul- 

Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove 

Hendren Cemetery in Groveport. 

der with a bronze plaque containing all 35 

names of those who are buried there, resetting 

some of the gravestones, and fencing. 

Today warehouses and State Route 317 

border the small, rural Hendren Cemetery, 

but the cemetery is not diminished by 

these developments and it remains a place 

of peace and honor as trees and fields 

buffer the site from the modern world. 

(Note that the spelling of the name of the 

cemetery, “Hendren,” is based on references 

in Bareis’ book, “A History of 

Madison Township: Including Groveport 

and Canal Winchester, Franklin County, 

Ohio.” The cemetery has also been referred 

to as the Hendren-Barnhart Cemetery.) 

Groveport Cemetery 

A similar “open house” will be held at 

Groveport Cemetery, located on Wirt Road 

adjacent to Heritage Park and established 

in 1809, later this fall, according to Cleary. 

Last March a car crashed through this 

cemetery’s wrought iron fence and damaged 

several gravestones. Cleary said new 

replacement gravestones will be put in 

place in the spring of 2024. 

“The damaged gravestones will not be 

destroyed or discarded,” said Cleary. “We 

gathered up as many of the pieces and 

fragments of the broken gravestones as we 

could and they will be respectfully and 

honorably buried in the cemetery.” 

The Groveport Cemetery Committee 

also put forth before Groveport City 

Council a proposed ordinance to legislatively 

codify the cemetery rules. The committee 

wishes to strictly enforce the rules 

governing grave decorations in the historic 

cemetery. 

“The rules have been in place for many 

years, but some people are not following 

them,” said Cleary. “We need everybody to 

abide by the rules so the cemetery can be 

properly maintained. We want to maintain 

the integrity of the cemetery and keep it as 

nice as we can. 

Cemetery rules are posted at the cemetery 

gates and throughout the cemetery. 

The rules are also online at www.groveport.org/452/Cemetery. 

Earlier this year, the Groveport 

Cemetery Committee purchased software 

to create a digital map of grave locations in 

the Groveport Cemetery. Cleary said the 

project is about 75 percent complete. The 

digital map will make it easier for people 

to find burial sites and to explore history. 

“We encourage people to visit and walk 

around the Groveport Cemetery,” said 

Cleary. “It’s a beautiful place full of history.”


Another suggestion for Wirt & Main 

Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove 

The angled intersection of where Wirt Road meets Main Street 

near Groveport Elementary School has raised safety concerns. 



The angular intersection of Main Street and Wirt Road continues 

to be a puzzle that both city of Groveport officials and residents 

are trying to solve regarding the safety issues there for 

pedestrians and traffic. 

Citizens have expressed concerns about the safety of students 

passing through the intersection’s crosswalk on their way to and 

from Groveport Elementary and Middle School Central. Others 

have noted that the busy intersection’s unique shape is believed to 

contribute to driver visibility problems as Wirt Road connects with 

Main Street at about a 40 degree angle. 

The most recent recommendation for improving the intersection 

came from Front Street resident Joellen Stebelton, who spoke at 

Groveport City Council’s Aug. 14 meeting. She suggested the traffic 

signal at Main and Front streets be removed and replaced with a 

stop sign only on Front Street at Main Street. Then, she suggested 

that a traffic signal be placed at the Main and Wirt intersection 

and a new crosswalk extended across Main Street to the east side 

of Wirt Road. She believes her idea fixes several issues. 

“Front Street has become a thru street,” said Stebelton. “People 

ignore the ‘no right turn on red’ signs on Front Street at Main and 

speed on Front Street. There is a serious uptick in cars flying by 

trying to beat the red light.” 

Stebelton added that recently she was almost hit by a vehicle 

while in the crosswalk at Front and Main streets and on the 

Fourth of July she saw a family of three almost struck by vehicle 

while in the crosswalk. 

“That is thinking outside the box,” Councilwoman Jean Ann 

Hilbert said of Stebelton’s suggestion. 

Groveport City Administrator B.J. King took a copy of 

Stebelton’s proposal and said city officials would review it. He 

added that currently there are no plans for a redesign of the intersection 

and that officials continue to discuss the possible shortterm 

and long-term fixes for the unique intersection. 

Past ideas for Main and Wirt 

Hilbert previously suggested the city institute a ‘no left turn’ 

from Wirt Road on to Main Street because it is difficult to maneuver 

a left turn there. 

Last year Groveport City Engineer Steve Farst noted that eliminating 

left turns from Wirt to Main and Main to Wirt should be 

studied carefully because its consequences could cause traffic 

problems elsewhere at other intersections in the area as drivers 

try to find a way around such a restriction. 

There is a building on the southwest corner of the intersection 

that makes it difficult for drivers on Wirt Road to see oncoming 

traffic on Main Street, so vehicles pull into the crosswalk on Wirt 

Road so they can see to make right or left turns on to Main Street. 

Years ago, city officials once considered redesigning the angled 

intersection of Main and Wirt. That proposal was to close Wirt at 

Main and instead create a right angle intersection of Wirt Road and 

Front Street. However, the idea was dropped for various reasons. 

Wirt Road was created after the Ohio and Erie Canal ceased 

operations in the early 20th century. The canal came through 

downtown Groveport at an angle from the northeast to the southwest. 

When the canal was abandoned, buildings were built on 

Main Street west of the canal route. Wirt Road sits where the 

canal towpath ran along side the canal and, because of this, the 

road maintains the same angled junction with Main Street as the 

canal route once did. 

Franklin County hopes to widen Rohr Road 

By Linda Dillman 

Staff Writer 

The Franklin County Engineers Office is hoping widening Rohr 

Road to three lanes from Bixby Road to a curve near Shook Road 

will bring the road into alignment with previous improvements. 

Following a 2019 study connected with new warehouse development, 

an eastbound left turn lane onto Creekside Parkway was 

deemed necessary. The new turn lane, along with subsequent road 

improvements west of a bridge crossing the railroad added to a 

growing list of improvements. 

A 2021 study of the entire Rohr Road corridor could result in 

more changes to the landscape if the county engineer’s office is 

successful in securing Ohio Public Works Commission funding for 

the majority of the $4.5 million project. 

The city of Obetz plans to participate in the project, along with 

a $1.3 million contribution from a developer. If funding is secured 

during the upcoming round of OPWC grants, construction could 

begin as early as April 2026. 

Franklin County Engineer’s Office Communications Director 

Carla Marable said the 2021 study evaluated the corridor as a 

whole and recommended corridor-wide improvements rather than 

rely on piece meal improvements on a development by development 

basis. 

“The results of this corridor study recommended a three-lane 

section was beneficial to allow for a two-way left-turn lane or dedicated 

left-turn lanes to facilitate safe access off and on this highspeed 

and high truck percentage roadway,” said Marable. 

A public meeting was held on Aug. 9 in the Hamilton Township 

Community Center to present details of the road widening project–850 

feet west of Bixby Road to 100 feet short of Shook Road– 

to public officials and property owners within the affected area. 

Plans include widening Rohr Road to three lanes at the Rohr 

Road and Bixby Road intersection then tapering the road back 

down to two lanes over the railroad bridge. 

The road widens back out to three lanes from Creekside 

Parkway east before tapering back down to two lanes to match the 

existing condition at the Rohr Road and Shook Road intersection. 

The existing roadway would be completely replaced. Turn 

lanes, sealing and patching the existing bridge deck, storm sewer 

replacement, installation of curbs and gutters, crosswalks and 

ADA curb ramps are also included in the project. 

Engineers propose to maintain one eastbound lane on Rohr 

Road during the majority of construction. 

While engineers hoped to include lighting, a shared use path 

and bridge widening to accommodate the path, the cost was 

deemed too high to earn a favorable OPWC grant rating. 

“Over the last several weeks, we have determined that the construction 

budget of the project was growing beyond the proposed 

grant funding criteria,” said Marable. “We are still proposing 

crosswalks and ADA curb ramps at Rohr Road/Bixby Road and 

Rohr Road/Creekside Parkway intersections in order to accommodate 

a future path connection in this area.” 

According to Marable, if the county is not successful with their 

OPWC application this fall, they will try again next year. If the 

application is turned down again in 2024, it will be put on hold 

until the engineer’s office can identify viable funding alternatives. 


180 Days of Success 

I am thrilled to report that my first 180 

days as your State Senator has tremendous 

momentum. My first sponsored bill 

SB21 was signed into law on June 30, 

2023, by Governor Mike DeWine. My other 

sponsored bills SB54 (New African Immigrant 

Commission), SB 79 (Highschool 

Dropout Prevention and Recovery), and 

SB93 (Doula Services), are other bills were 

also passed through the final version of 

the state's $86.1 billion operating budget 

(HB33) on the 4th of July. I advocated to 

prioritize education, health care, housing 

and food security by investing resources 

in Senate District 3 that will positively impact 

mothers and babies, immigrant communities, 

children, and racialand ethnic 

minorities. 

The Ohio General Assembly delivered a remarkable 

state budget that combined 

record tax cuts for Ohio families and businesses, 

a record increase in spending on k- 

12 public education, and expanded school 

options for Ohio families. This powerhouse 

package will promote increased prosperity 

and opportunities for all Ohioans. This 

180 days of success demonstrates my 

commitment to improving the quality of 

life for hard-working Ohioans in the 3rd 

Senate District and across the state. 

When it comes to public service-RESULTS 

MATTER! So let's work together. 

Subscribe and follow me on social media 

for updates. 

SB21 Joint Sponsors- Senator Michele 

Reynolds and Senator Rob McColley with 

Senate President Matt Huffman 

Paid Advertisement


GriefShare support group 

Groveport United Methodist Church, 512 Main St., sponsors a 

GriefShare group commencing Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.Register online at 

https://www.griefshare.org/groups/168784. If you have questions, 

send an email to groveportgriefsharegroup@gmail.com. 

Groveport Farmers Market 

The Groveport Farmers Market will be held on Thursdays 

through Sept. 7 from 4-6 p.m. in Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road. 

For information call 614-836-3333. 

OBITUARY NOTICES 

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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. 



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) 

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 

“Strays”, a live-action movie featuring a group of 

talking canines, feels as if it was written after someone 

had experienced a particularly wild dream. 

I can just imagine movie scribe Dan Perrault 

pulling out his notebook while in that waking twilight 

phase and jotting down broken thoughts such as: 

naughty sentimental dogs? Good filthy mouth ones? 

Talking dogs? Does mine speak? Am I still dreaming? 

I think I have a movie idea? Would anyone like this 

idea? I should pitch this idea to a studio. I should go 

back to sleep… 

Chances are if any screenwriter had walked into a 

movie studio to pitch a potty-mouth talking dog premise 

20 years ago, it would have been met with rowdy 

laughs, a stamp of approval and a blank check to bring 

this outlandish vision to life. 

After all, that was still the era of the gross out comedy, 

or even just the comedy, come to think of it. Over 

the years, however, movie studios have practically 

weaned these types of films out of existence in the theaters 

due to an aversion to make mid-budget films that 

they believe would not have mass appeal (read: bring 

in the big bucks to fatten their wallets). 

The one place where the movies have found a home 

are on streaming services and their popularity has 

made the traditional studios start to take notice once 

again. 

It should be noted that taking notice does not 

amount to taking a risk (see the lack of comedies that 

have been released in the theaters in the past decade) 

but somehow screenwriter Dan Perrault (of “American 

Vandal” television series acclaim) and director Josh 

Greenbaum (of cult-classic “Barb and Star Go to Vista 

Del Mar” fame) convinced Universal Pictures that 

funding a movie about pottymouth 

dogs who seek revenge on 

those who have forsaken them 

would be a good idea. 

It turned out to be the right 

one. 

Although this movie is not 

likely to tear up the box office, I 

have to say that it was kind of 

refreshing to see a comedy in a 

similar vein as those of yesteryear. 

To be sure, there are plenty 

of tired and sophomoric jokes 

that fill the screen but it has 

that sort of weird charm that 

makes you wince, makes you 

cry, and makes you believe that 

there is a beating heart buried 

somewhere in the filth. 

At the center of this 

immensely weird but oddly 

sweet movie is Reggie (voiced by 

Will Ferrell), a mangy albeit 

adorable border terrier who 

loves everything about his life. 

He loves getting to spend hours 

outside, alone with his beloved 

butterflies; he loves those few 

brief seconds he gets on the 

couch before being pushed off; 

he loves all of the human food he 

finds on the floor; and he 

absolutely loves his human 

Doug (played by Will Forte), 

who he believes can do no 

wrong. 

One of Reggie’s favorite 

things about Doug is his willingness 

to play games, especially the 

one called “Fetch and (Expletive)” 

where his companion drives him 

out to remote parts of the state, 

launches his favorite toy, drives off 

in his car, and is full of rage when 

the smart little pooch somehow 

makes his way back home. Sadly, 

Reggie is oblivious to the horribleness 

that is Doug but he cannot 

help but love that nasty 

human with his whole heart. 


Potty-mouthed pooches fun to watch 

One day, Doug finally manages to rid himself of the 

poor border terrier and Reggie is left all alone, scared 

in a strange city. Soon after, he meets up with a homeless 

Boston terrier named Bug (voiced by Jamie Foxx) 

and his two friends, Maggie the Australian shepherd 

(voiced by Isla Fisher) and Hunter the Great Dane 

(voiced by Randall Park) who take him under their 

wing. 

Not only do they show him how to live on the 

streets, but they also try to make Reggie see that the 

human he so desperately wants to get back to wants 

nothing to do with him. 

Because Hunter is a therapy dog by trade — his 

failed attempt at gaining entry to the police academy 

is a running joke throughout the film — he tries to dole 

out comfort to Reggie and work on his self-esteem so he 

knows that he is absolutely not the bad boy Doug has 

always said that he is. 

But repetitive negativity has taken a toll on Reggie 

and he soon comes to the conclusion that all this good 

boy at heart wants to do is get revenge on the human 

who could never manage to show him love — or even 

the slightest bit of care. 

If you have seen the trailers, then you’ve seen most 

of the best gags that “Strays” has to offer — the surprise 

twist on the sentimental narrator dog notwithstanding. 

But even though the plot is predictable, and the 

gags are sometimes obvious, the human and canine 

cast elevates the material and gives “Strays” a surprisingly 

huge amount of heart. 

In fact, its best attribute is a fresh and relevant 

take on abusive relationships as it has some genuinely 

good insight and outlooks on these subjects. It came as 

a shock that among all the chaos that happens in this 

film, “Strays” still manages to make its emotional 

story the centerpiece of the film. 

For those who may be wondering about this take, I 

should say that despite it being somewhat sad, 

“Strays” is not “Marley and Me.” Although heartstrings 

are pulled, it is not as emotionally manipulative 

as that one — or most of the other animal tale 

movies that are out there. Instead, it is a deeply silly 

movie that lightly touches upon the sad reality of 

unwanted or abandoned pets. 

If anything, it will move the audience to be as kind 

as they can to their pooches — and also serve as a 

reminder to give some love to those who are not so fortunate. 

After all, they may start to gang up on people and 

exact revenge for not doing so. 

Grade: B- 

Reel Deal 

Dedra 

Cordle 

Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist.



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K&L Spa Cleaning 

Hot Tub Cleaning and 

Weekly Maintenance 

Keith 614-316-9809 

POWERWASHING 

POWERWASHING 

at Reasonable Rates 

Gwen 614-226-5229 

MRS. POWERWASH 

Any house wash $149+tax 

Single deck $69+tax 

2 Tier deck $99+tax 

Best Wash in Town 

Over 45,000 washes 

Ashley 614-771-3892 

ABURTO 

PRESSURE WASHING 

•Homes •Roofs •Gutters 

•Driveways •Sidewalks 

•Parking Lots 

Quality • Free Estimates 

Competitive Prices 

614-927-8968 

ROOFING 

ROBINSON ROOFING 

&REPAIRS 

30 yrs exp. Lifetime Cols 

Resident. Reas. Rates. 

Dennis Robinson 

614-330-3087, 732-3100 

SEWING MACHINE 

REPAIR 

REPAIR all makes 24 hr. 

service. Clean, oil, adjust 

in your home. $49.95 all 

work gtd. 614-890-5296 

TREE SERVICES 

BURNS TREE SERVICE 

Trimming, Removal & 

Stump Grinding. 

614-584-2164 

Warren Brewer Tree Service 

• Tree Removal 

• Tree Trimming 

• Stump Grinding 

9/3 

A&M 

• Bucket Truck Services 

Best Prices • Same Day Service 

614-878-2568 

A-1 QUALITY 

TREE & LANDSCAPE 

Family Owned 


614-596-9504 

Insured - Free Est. 

7/16 A&M


ONLY $65.00 

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. 

YOUR BATHROOM. 

YOUR WAY. 

IN AS LITTLE AS 

ONE 

DAY 

CALL NOW 

866.753.9521 

Whether you are home or away, protect what 

matters most from unexpected power outages 

with a Generac Home Standby Generator. 

$0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS 

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE 

CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE 

(866) 643-0438 

*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator 

with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. 

SPECIAL 

OFFER 

Waiving All 

Installation 

Costs * 

*Add’l terms apply. Offer subject 

to change and vary by dealer. 

Ends 9/30/23. 

FREE 

7-Year Extended 

Warranty* 

A $735 Value! 



BEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER in Groveport 

FREE 

Pick-Up At These 

Locations: 

Groveport Senior Village - 5124 Hendron 

Madison Township Office - 4575 Madison Lane 

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

Southeast Library - 3980 S. Hamilton Rd. 

Asbury Methodist Church - 4760 Winchester Pike 

Groveport Municipal Building - 655 Blacklick St. 

Groveport Town Hall - 648 Main St. 

Flyers PIzza/Groveport - 296 Main St. 

Ace Hardware - 726 Main St. 

Little Italy Pizza - 619 Main St. 

Huntington Bank/Groveport - 556 Main St. 

Groveport Recreation Center - 7370 Groveport Rd. 

Krogers - Main St. 

Groveport Methodist Church - 512 Main St. 

Delaney's Diner - 674 Main St. 

READ US ONLINE: www.columbusmessenger.com 

Obetz Zucchinifest 


The Obetz Zucchinifest will be held 

Sept. 1 to Sept. 4 at Fortress Obetz, 2015 

Recreation Trail, Obetz. 

The event features the Zucchini Parade, 

Zucchini Car Show, and free concerts 

showcasing live music from both local and 

national artists. All this while indulging in 

delicious zucchini-inspired dishes offered 

by our diverse food vendors. There will also 

be rides and games throughout the event. 

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

show registration is Friday when the gates 

open, with the car show and awards finishing 

up before the concert gates open for the 

Spin Doctors. 

Saturday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 11 

a.m. through 11 p.m. Concert gates open at 

6 p.m. and Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, and All 4 

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

Sunday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 11 

a.m. through 11 p.m. The parade will begin 

shortly after opening. There will be other 

entertainment before concert gates open at 

6 p.m. TikTok-famous Matt Schuster will 

take the stage at 7 p.m. and American 

country rock singer and songwriter 

Brantley Gilbert will perform at 8:30 p.m. 

Monday’s Zucchinifest hours will be 

noon through 6 p.m. Admission is free and 

no tickets are required. 

For information follow the Zucchinifest 

on social media at @obetzzucchinifest and 

visit the website at obetzzucchinifest.com. 

Crime alert 

The Groveport Police Department is 

seeing an increase in stolen vehicles 

throughout the Elmont Place and Hickory 

Grove subdivisions in Groveport. 

According to the Groveport Police, the 

thefts are targeting Kia vehicles. 

The department recommends that 

everyone lock their car doors and secure 

their vehicles inside a garage if possible. If 

you own a Kia, consider installing a security 

device to the steering wheel. 

The Elmont Place Homeowners 

Association’s newly installed Flock cameras 

did detect a stolen vehicle recently 

entering the subdivision and Groveport 

Police units responded and located the suspects, 

but they fled the area at a high rate 

of speed. The vehicle the suspects were 

driving was a stolen Kia from a prior theft 

incident. 

According to the Groveport Police, the 

most stolen Kia models are the 2011 to 

2022 Forte, K5, Optima, Rio, Sedona, 

Seltos, Soul, and Sorento. 

Contact the Groveport Police for information 

at 614-830-2060. 

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.

Groveport Messenger - August 27th, 2023

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