Westside Messenger - November 19th, 2023

Messenger
Happy Thanksgiving!
Westside
November 19 - December 9, 2023 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. L, No. 9
4220 W. Broad St.
(Across from Westland Mall)
614 272-6485 open 7 days a week
Featuring
our
famous
STEAK
COMBO!!
Serving up a slice
of pie in Prairie
Messenger photos Pat Donahue
The first Prairie Township Community Center Thanksgiving Pie
Bake-Off was held on Nov. 11. Contestants submitted pies in
two categories - fruit pies and non-fruit pies. Here, 7-year-old
Charlie Patrick (top right) poses in front of her old-fashioned
southern pecan pie that won her top honors in the non-fruit
category. The winner of the fruit category was Maria Wolfe.
Sandy Green (below) serves up a piece of her buckeye pie to
4-year-old Beatrice Wolfe during the Prairie Township
Community Center Thanksgiving Pie Bake-Off. Green’s pie
entry would take second place in the non-fruit category.
The contestants, (bottom right) as well as staff and visitors to
the event, were given the task of tasting and judging the pies
entered in the event.
Hilltop Commission
OKs election results
By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
The Greater Hilltop Area Commission
will welcome three new community advocates
to the local advisory board next year.
At its meeting on Nov. 14, the commission
announced the results of the election
that took place last month. It saw a record
number of candidates submit petitions to
vie for one of the four open seats on the
board, and it also saw a record number of
citizens participate in the election process.
According to Leah Brudno, chair of the
government and legislation committee,
these are the results of the Oct. 7 election.
•Candidate Nick Bates received 133
votes.
•Candidate Dean Smith received 120
votes.
•Candidate Jennie Keplar received 111
votes.
•Candidate Keith Neal received 91
votes.
•Candidate Jason Cornell received 61
votes.
•Candidate Ricky Kitchen received 56
votes.
•Candidate Terry Roofe received 41
votes.
With the exception of the incumbent
Keplar, all of the candidates who ran for a
seat in the 2023 election were vying to
become first time area commissioners.
Commissioner-elect Nick Bates has
been a resident of the westside since 2007.
He said in that time, he has seen “so many
great assets here in the Hilltop - most
notably the people.” He added that he will
combine his love of volunteerism and his
professional expertise on policy to try to
make positive changes on the lives of the
people who live in the community.
“I have spent my career advocating for
more affordable housing, more food security,
and more equity and adequacy in our
public schools,” he wrote in an email. “I
believe we can achieve long-term, mean-
See HILLTOP COMMISSION page 2
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PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - November 19, 2023
HILLTOP COMMISSION
Continued from page 1
ingful progress on these issues by lifting up the stories that
often go unheard in our communities. As a commissioner,
I hope to connect the stories to meaningful policy solutions.”
Commissioner-elect Dean Smith said he wanted to run
for a seat on the commission to make a difference in the
community.
“My campaign slogan was “Every Street. Every
Resident.,” meaning that I want to ensure that I empower
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every street and every resident to reach their full potential,”
he wrote in an email. “Now that the campaign season
is over, I want to imbed this slogan as a guiding principle
in how I operate as a commissioner.”
He said in his first term, he will “aim to work with his
fellow commissioners to build upon the work they’ve done
to increase voter turnout in our elections, improve our system
for advocating for capital improvements, and improve
the Hilltop’s overall image.”
“I am extremely optimistic about our community’s
future and am excited to help others be a part
of it.”
Incumbent commissioner Jennie Keplar has
served on the commission a total of four years —
including a previous time in the early 2000s — and
said she wanted to continue being a part of the
advisory board because she sees a new level of
engagement that was not present two decades ago.
“I feel so much more invigorated, not only by the
current and soon-to-be members of the commission,
but by how much more engaged Hilltoppers seem to
be this time around,” she wrote. “The GHAC is 42
years old, and in that time, we’ve had peaks and
valleys in terms of community participation. I’m
seeing more people attending the meetings voluntarily
and asking really good questions. The more
residents we can get to join us, participate in our
committees, and really take part in our civil discourse,
the more I want to be a part of that.”
Keplar said she wants to help younger generations
of Hilltoppers find the courage to speak up for
their community during her second term on the
commission, “even when the forces they’re speaking
to seem daunting.”
In the biography he submitted to the public for
consideration as a candidate, Commissioner-elect
Keith Neal said he wanted to use his passion for
community activism and youth advocacy to enrich
the neighborhoods in Columbus.
Neal had spent more than three decades at the
J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center, beginning as a janitor
and retiring as its executive director. While
employed at the center, Neal instituted the Great
Expectation Program as a “model of excellence in
character, building, emotional growth, sports activities,
healthy nutrition, and creative outlets.”
The Columbus Messenger reached out to Neal to ask
about his decision to run for a seat on the commission and
what he hoped to accomplish during his three-year term
but did not receive a response as of press time.
Commissioner Brudno — who did not run for re-election
this year — said she was “excited” for the future of the commission.
“We have some really great people who will be seated
next year and we had some really great candidates for the
voters to consider,” she said. “I am excited to see what
comes next.”
More than 200 voters participated in the 2023 election.
The process, however, was not without issue.
As the chair of the committee that oversees the election,
Brudno said her auto-correct program incorrectly removed
the ‘e’ on the last name of candidate Terry Roofe when she
was writing the ballots. Typically, a co-chair of the committee
would look over the names on the ballot to check for
mistakes but there was no co-chair this year.
“It was a total oversight and that error should have
been caught before it went out before voters,” she said.
To correct the error at some polling locations, either a
commissioner or a voter tried to add the missing ‘e’ on
some of the ballots. Candidate Roofe filed a complaint to
the city’s department of neighborhoods as he believed the
integrity of the area commission’s election process was in
question.
During the Nov. 14 meeting, he said the commission
should have reprinted the ballot prior to the election
rather than “deface” the official ballot that was before voters.
“You have to have election integrity,” he said.
After he contested the election, the commission sent an
inquiry to the department of neighborhoods and had the
city attorney that oversees area commissions review the
matter. According to neighborhoods program coordinator
David Hooie, the city attorney did not feel it was necessary
for the commission to hold another election despite the
“irregularities” that occurred.
The city officials ultimately left the decision to the commission,
which decided to certify the results as is due to
the fact that voters at the polls were given candidate bios
with the correctly spelled last names prior to casting their
votes.
Vice-chair Victoria Bates-Frye said the
commission will use this incident as an
opportunity to improve upon future elections
and ensure there are no questions
related to the integrity of the process.
“There’s an opportunity here and I think
we should grab a hold of it,” she said.
Roofe said that is ultimately all he wanted
— for the election to be fair to all candidates.
In related news, the commission has an
appointed seat available next year. In order
to be considered, one must be over the age
of 18, and live, work, or own property within
the GHAC boundaries.
Those interested in the three-year
appointed seat can reach out to the commissioners
via Facebook or via their website,
cbusareacommissions.org/greater-hilltop
to request consideration. The commission
will discuss the nominees at their
December meeting and likely vote for the
individuals at their first meeting of 2024.
The next full commission meeting will
be held on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Columbus Metropolitan Library: Hilltop
Branch, 511 S. Hague Ave.

www.columbusmessenger.com
By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
Interior and exterior upgrades are slated
for multiple buildings in the South-
Western City Schools District.
At its meeting on Oct. 23, the board of
education unanimously approved two
items for action that will allow the district
to start planning for infrastructure
improvements and renovations at its district
service center and its transportation
service center next year.
The first item for action that was
approved was an agreement with Schorr
Architects to provide professional design
services for the project. Under the terms of
the contract, the district will pay $255,000
to the architectural firm for the design, bidding
and construction administration phases,
with an additional allocation of $33,000
for permitting and plan reproduction costs.
The second item for action that was
approved was a resolution authorizing the
district to advertise for bids for the infrastructure
improvement and renovation
project at the two service centers.
According to Monte Detterman, the district’s
director of business services, the
scope of the project at the district service
center on Marlane Drive includes upgrades
throughout the facility.
“Among the items set for bid within this
project are windows, HVAC, roofing
improvements, and structural issues with
the exterior,” he said in an email. “Many of
these improvements will enhance the
DSC’s heating and cooling capabilities and
reduce utility costs long term.”
The scope of the project at the transportation
service center on Southwest
Boulevard are “mostly cosmetic,” said
Detterman.
“There are some doors that need to be
replaced and the exterior of the building
will be painted,” he said. “A new heating
system will be installed in the mechanics
bay as well as replacing some ventilation
units.
He added that lighting will be upgraded
throughout the facility with energy efficient
LED fixtures and restrooms and
break areas will be renovated to provide
better facilities for staff. The office will also
be renovated to provide a “more functional
work space for scheduling and routing students
each day.”
The current estimate for the district
service center project is budgeted at $1.5
million. The current estimate for the transportation
service center project is budgeted
at $500,000.
Detterman said that ideally the district
service center project would start this winter,
but most of the work would be in the
spring and summer. The transportation
service center project could begin this fall.
He said that it is the district’s hope that
both projects will be completed in August
and/or September of 2024.
Unlike a majority of the infrastructure
improvement and renovation projects that
have been approved by the board within
the past several years, this project will be
funded by permanent improvement dollars
and not federal dollars that have been allocated
through the American Rescue Plan
and The Elementary and Secondary School
Emergency Relief Fund (APR-ESSER).
Some of the district infrastructure projects
that have been approved utilizing
those funds include the construction of a
new Stiles Family Resource Center, HVAC
throughout the school buildings, a new
addition to Hayes Intermediate School, roof
repair and renovation at the recreation
centers, and an event center expansion at
the South-Western Career Academy.
The ARP-ESSER dollars have also been
utilized for learning loss initiatives caused
by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the
district has spent more than $15 million to
November 19, 2023 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3
In Education
Renovations planned in South-Western City Schools District
combat learning loss by hiring additional
counselors, intervention specialists, social
workers, and student support liaisons;
offering online tutoring services; building a
more robust summer school program; providing
Chromebooks to all students; and
partnering with organizations such as the
YMCA of Central Ohio to provide social
and emotional support for the students.
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PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - November 19, 2023
Central Crossing
graduate writes
book on bullying
By Sarah Slayman
Staff Writer
www.columbusmessenger.com
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Heather Hammel, a 2007 graduate of
Central Crossing High School, experiences
a handful of disabilities. Some would call
her different. Those differences isolated
Hammel as a child, but she has turned
that pain into an opportunity to author a
book that she hopes will help kids like her
not feel so alone.
Hammel’s differences were not always
understood by classmates growing up,
specifically her experience with Tourette
Syndrome. This condition of the nervous
system triggers sporadic sounds and
motions that could be particularly difficult
for children to make sense of. Hammel said
because of her condition, she was bullied
for several years unbeknownst to her family,
leaving her feeling isolated.
Her mother, Janice Hammel, remembers
feeling shocked upon learning that
her daughter’s experience was so painful.
She recalled all the times they were in
public and friends came running to say
hello to her daughter. It wasn’t until years
after graduation that Janice learned not
everyone treated Hammel this way. She
encourages unsuspecting parents to check
in with their child and how they’re being
treated at school. This book is a hopeful
conversation starter in that regard.
In recounting the bullying with her
mother, Hammel had the idea to author a
story of a little girl with similar struggles,
but with an ending that she herself longed
for as a child. Janice encouraged her to
write out a storyline, and thus began the
creative process.
“Angel’s Special Day” addresses the
challenges of experiencing a struggle that
is not well understood by following the
experience of a little girl with Tourette
Syndrome through her days at school.
Angel, the title character, gets teased
for her disability on her walk to school,
inside the classroom, and everywhere in
between. She tells her parents how sad she
is, something Hammel wishes she would
have done sooner.
“I wrote this for other kids and adults
who are like me and need help,” said
Hammel.
Once the story was complete, a copy was
sent to Covenant Books Publishing for
review. After minor edits and added illus-
anksgiving meal
at Hilltop United Methodist
The Hilltop United Methodist Church
will host a free Thanksgiving day dinner
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 23 at 99 S.
Highland Ave.
community events
Messenger photo by Sarah Slayman
Heather Hammel is the author of “Angel’s
Special Day,” a book that teaches children
how to cope with their own differences
and bullying by their peers.
trations selected by Hammel, the book was
officially published last year.
Janice regards the book as an educational
tool for teachers as one way to prevent
bullying. She said teachers could tailor
this storyline to help explain what is
going on with a certain child in their classroom
that mirrors Angel’s experience.
“She is so much farther along than they
ever thought she would be when she was
born, and I give God all the glory for it,”
Janice said of her daughter. “I am so proud
of her for all that she’s done.”
Hammel encourages all who are experiencing
bullying and having a hard time
standing up for themselves to go to an
adult they trust and ask for help.
“Everything is truly going to be okay,”
said Hammel. “You can get through it like
I did.”
Elementary schools within the South-
Western City Schools District have agreed
to carry the book in their libraries. “Angel’s
Special Day” is also available on Amazon,
Barnes & Noble, & iTunes.
anksgiving dinner
at St. Aloysius
St. Aloysius Catholic Church will host a
free Thanksgiving Day dinner from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at 2165 West Broad St.
All are welcome.

www.columbusmessenger.com November 19, 2023 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5
Columbus officials shut down
suspected drug house on the Hilltop
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein
announced on Nov. 8 that the city of
Columbus obtained a preliminary injunction
to shut down a drug house in the
Hilltop, located at 673 S. Richardson Ave.
The Columbus Police Department
(CPD) has received more than 40 calls for
service to the premises since February
2021, including multiple reports of shots
fired and drug activity at the premises.
CPD executed an order to board up the
property.
“Hilltop residents deserve a neighborhood
free from drugs and violence, a safe
place they can call home, start a business
or raise a family,” said Klein. “By shutting
this drug house down, we’re disrupting the
flow of narcotics into our streets and making
the Hilltop safer for residents. I continue
to encourage neighbors who see something
to say something and contact 311 or
law enforcement to get these problem properties
shut down.”
According to court documents, the property
came to the attention of CPD in 2021,
and since then, the property has been the
scene of more than 40 calls for service.
In February 2023, CPD received a complaint
of 10 gunshots at the premises, and
later in March 2023, CPD received a complaint
of five shots heard at the premises.
In April 2023, officers responded to a
death at the premises from a potential
drug overdose.
Multiple reports of shots fired at the
home were reported in May 2023, and in
August, police received a report of narcotics
activity inside the premises. A concerned
neighbor indicated that they
observed multiple people coming and leaving
from the premises, as well as drug
paraphernalia and possible prostitution
occurring around the property.
Later in August, Columbus detectives
made several controlled purchases of crack
cocaine from the premises. Police also
received a theft report, with the caller stating
that $12,000 in property was missing.
In October, CPD received noise complaints
and reports of a domestic dispute at
the premises.
“Residents alerted us to this dangerous
property and we were able to take action,
shut this drug house down and improve the
quality of life in the neighborhood,” said
Assistant City Attorney Zach Gwin. “We
continue to send the message that if you
own or operate a violent or dangerous property,
the City is going to step in and hold
you accountable. It’s what residents and
families in neighborhoods like the Hilltop
and all across Columbus deserve.”
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PAGE 6 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - November 19, 2023
Time2Dance
will be having an Open House
on Sunday, December 10, 2023
Starting at 2:00
Prairie Township Community Center
5955 W. Broad St. Galloway 43119
For more information 740-412-3288
Time2DanceMDC@gmail.com
Mark D. Cohen
Find out more about the exciting
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Gift Certificates available
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WESTGATE UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
61 S. Powell Ave., Columbus,OH 43204
Come - Let’s Worship Together!
Pastor Nancy Day-Achauer
Worship Service 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
westgateumc@sbcglobal.net
614-274-4271
GALLOWAY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
6191 Hall Road
Galloway, OH 43119
(614) 878-5015
Worship @10:45 a.m.
Where every single one of
God's children is welcome!
Be a Part of Our Local Worship Guide
Our upcoming 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 25,000 households in the Westside area.
Contact us today to secure your spot in our Worship Guide.
614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com
Messenger
Westside
The Huntington Holiday Train includes
multiple miniature trains running on more
than 280 feet of track surrounded by
more than 50 pounds of snowflakes.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS UMC
775 Galloway Rd., Galloway
Telephone: 614-878-4530
www.wherefriendsaremade.org
9:00am - Contemporary Worship
10:30am - Traditional Worship
Breakfast with Santa Dec. 16th, 9am-12pm
email admin@columbiaheightsumc.com
or call 614-208-8399
by Dec. 2nd to make reservations
GLENWOOD UM CHURCH
2833 Valleyview Dr.
(Corner of Valleyview & Hague Ave.)
Rev. Dr. Kevin Orr
Join us for In-Person or Online
Glenwood UMC YouTube
http://tinyurl.com/GlenwoodUMC
Come Join in the Celebration!
130th Church Anniversary on
Sunday, November 19th, 2023
at 10:45 A.M.
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML)
is hosting a free holiday open house on
Wednesday, Nov. 29 at its Main Library.
From 6 to 8 p.m., families can enjoy
activities, sing-along carols and refreshments,
plus a visit from live reindeer and a
special guest. But perhaps the biggest
draw of the evening will be the return of
the Huntington Holiday Train. A ceremonial
switch will be flipped on for the train,
which will delight library customers
through Jan. 7, 2024. Parking for the event
in the Main Library’s attached garage will
be free.
The 600-square-foot Huntington
Holiday Train includes multiple miniature
trains running on more than 280 feet of
track surrounded by more than 50 pounds
of snowflakes. The miniature buildings —
which are all made from leaves, bark,
seeds, pinecones, fungus and moss — are
modeled after actual structures in
Germany.
This marks the 31st year of the holiday
Pet Corner
Pets of the week
Wookie is a 1-yearold
boy who was
found trying to survive
on the streets.
He is as sweet as he
is handsome. Wookie
is neutered, microchipped,
FL/FIV negative
and up to date
on vaccines. Come
visit him in the
Colony Cats’ cage-free adoption center.
FYI: colonycats.org
Nesta is a uniquely
spotted tuxedo lady
who looks like a lovely
little cow. A good
samaritan rescued
her from an apartment
complex and
now she’s ready to
find her forever home
after almost a year
with Colony Cats. She is more reserved, and
often not comfortable being touched. This just
means she is a very independent lady that
appreciates her alone time. Nesta is perfect if
you are looking for a cat that won’t try to lay
across your keyboard as you try to work from
home. Adopt her from Colony Cats.
FYI: colonycats.org
www.columbusmessenger.com
Huntington Holiday Train back
on track at CML’s Main Library
Blood drive at Glenwood UMC
The American Red Cross has partnered
with the Glenwood United Methodist
Church, 2833 Valleyview Drive, to host a
community events
attraction, which was built in 1992 by
Applied Imagination founder Paul Busse.
The train was originally displayed in the
lobby of the historic Huntington building at
Broad and High streets. In 2009,
Huntington loaned the train to CML. This
year will be its 13th on display in Main
Library’s atrium.
Highlights include a six-foot-tall cathedral,
an eight-foot-tall castle and a waterfall
that pumps 600 gallons of water an
hour. Each building in the display took
between one and three weeks to create.
The castle and waterfall took more than
three months to complete; it took more
than 10 months to build the cathedral. The
entire display takes two days to set up.
The Huntington Holiday Train will be
on display Nov. 22 through Jan. 7 during
regular library hours — Monday through
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday
from 1 to 5 p.m. The first hour of parking in
the library garage is free.
blood drive. The drive is set for Wednesday,
Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule
an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or
call 1-800-red-cross.
These furry friends are available
for adoption at local
rescues and shelters
Earl is a senior
sweetie with eight
years of experience
in cuddles and taking
hearty naps. He loves
going for walks and
like to take his time
while sidewalk perusing,
watching people
walk by and smelling
the pleasant air. After
a good walk, he will look to take a snooze. Earl
is the gentlest couch potato you’ll ever meet.
Adopt this gentle boy from the Franklin
County shelter.
FYI: franklincountydogs.com
Rose is a 10-year-old
who could be your
perfect match if you
like the easy life. She
is a relaxed, laid back
kind of dog who
enjoys long naps,
watching movies,
curling up on laps,
and walking very
short distances from
the couch to the food bowl and back. Stop by
the county shelter to meet sweet Rose.
FYI: franklincountydogs.com

www.columbusmessenger.com
November 19, 2023 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 7
Email story ideas to
westside@columbusmessenger.com
Messenger photo by Dedra Cordle
Honoring alumni who have served
The Franklin Heights High School NJROTC unit hosted a special presentation for alumni who served in the
Vietnam War as a part of the Veteran Day festivities that took place throughout the district on Nov. 10. At
the ceremony, a plaque inscribed with the names of the Golden Falcons who are known to have served in
the war was unveiled, including the three alumni who were confirmed killed in action: Joseph Rees (Army),
Larry Herbert (Army), and Andrew Hinderman (Marines). Army veteran John Georgiton, Class of 1964,
kick-started the plaque dedication project as a way to honor all of those who walked the hallways of the
school and served in one of the deadliest wars in modern history. “We all want them to be recognized for
their service and sacrifice,” he said. Pictured here at the location where the plaque will be prominently displayed
are (from left to right) Christian Olinger, Ashton Phaunef, John Georgiton, Dick Grambo (Class of
1967), Lexie Pack, and Joleyne Hernandez.
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organizations which offer 42 plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-
800-MEDICARE to get information on all of

PAGE 8 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - November 19, 2023
Ohio House
Nonvoting
Session
A little-known anecdote about the Ohio
House of Representatives is that, during each
General Assembly (the two-year term of the
Legislature), the House must convene at least
once a week—even during a recess or a holiday
period. As a result, if the House is not
scheduled to meet as an entire body, a small
subset of members must convene in a nonvoting
or “shadow” session.
The agenda for the nonvoting session consists
of noncontroversial business such as first readings
of proposed bills (by title only and so they
become eligible for assignment to and consideration
by one of the House standing committees),
nonpolicy resolutions (congratulatory
kudos for noteworthy achievements in respective
House members’ districts), communications
from the Ohio Senate, and
announcements of appointments of members
and the public to standing House committees
and state-mandated councils. All votes taken
are procedural ones with no objections. The
entire meeting lasts only about five to ten
minutes and is scripted for participating
House members by the House Clerk’s office
staff.
Two members from the majority party (Republican,
currently) are required to complete
the agenda. One acts as temporary Speaker
of the House; the other makes the procedural
motions. The motioning member makes the
scripted motions; the temporary Speaker declares
acceptance without objection. Living
relatively close to the State House, I get called
on frequently for this activity—and have
played each role at various times.
The business accomplished in the shadow sessions
serves to speed the work of the House
and minimizes the time spent on process-related
items when we meet as an entire body,
saving time then for essential votes and deliberation
on the true business of the day. If the
nonvoting sessions are missed, the House
technically would have to adjourn for the biennium.
At that point, only Governor DeWine
then could call us back into session, which
would prove to be an unnecessary use of his
time and attention.
(Dave Dobos represents the 10th District in the
Ohio House of Representatives, which consists of
parts of West, Southwest, and South Columbus,
Grove City, Urbancrest, and portions of Franklin
and Jackson Townships. He reports regularly on
his activities in this position and his campaign
has paid for this communication with you.)
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killing rampage to get more
and the latter has a group of
stray dogs go on a journey to
get revenge on the human
who dumped one of their
canine pals.
If none of those are appealing to your comedic senses, may I
present “Quiz Lady”, the latest comedy that could potentially
make you laugh and smile with its silly premise. With a plot that
revolves around two estranged sisters who team up after a beloved
canine companion is held for ransom because of their flighty mother,
this film takes a softer approach in the naughty department
and goes a bit harder on the heartfelt. Although it may not elicit
as many laugh-out-loud moments because it is more subdued than
other 2023 comedic offerings, its overall sweetness could bring
forth those elusive feelings of joy throughout its 95 minute running
time.
In the Jessica Yu directed film that is now streaming on Hulu,
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh work against type by playing Anne
and Jenny, respectively, two sisters who could not be more opposite.
As the youngest, Anne is an extreme introvert, preferring to
spend all of her time outside of work alone on the couch, indulging
in bags of Smartfood popcorn and watching her favorite game
show, “Can’t Stop the Quiz” with her adorable and aging pug, Mr.
Linguine (played by Crosby Cookie), by her side. As the oldest,
Jenny is an extreme extrovert, preferring to spend all of her time
amongst new groups of people as she tries to find the perfect job,
the perfect passion, and the perfect life that has always eluded
her.
Since the sisters are roughly 10 years apart in age, they have
never been particularly close, going long stretches of time without
speaking to one another unless Jenny needs to borrow money from
her steady sister or has to find a place to crash for the night — or
the week or the month. While annoyed at having to be a bank or a
hotel for her sister, Anne always gives her what she needs because
it is the fastest way to get Jenny out of her life.
While at work one day, Anne receives a call from the nursing
facility where their mother resides, informing her that her mother
is “gone.” To be clear, gone does not mean dead. It just means that
she flew off to Macau with her new boyfriend and that one of her
daughters has to come to the facility to clean out her room because
she is permanently banned from the premises.
It is this news that brings Jenny back into her orbit. At first,
Anne thinks they will only have to interact for a few days as they
figure out what to do with their wayward mother. But then the sisters
learn that the matriarch owes a local gangster $80,000 and it
is now up to them to pay him back. Having no way to repay the
debt, the gangster takes Mr. Linguine for ransom and allows the
sisters a “two-week grace period” to cough up the dough or else
something bad might happen to the aging pug.
This action prompts Jenny to suggest that Anne try out for
“Can’t Stop the Quiz” because she is quite skilled at trivia — a real
genius at it, even. Despite Anne’s initial reluctance, the introvert
who doesn’t like to be looked at finds herself faced with no other
choice. As the two go on a road trip to the audition, they begin to
bond amongst their sisterly squabbling, finding common ground
and discovering a new way to look at each other — and themselves.
The script, written by Jen D’Angelo, could use a bit more consistency
when it comes to the laughs, but the physical comedy of
and the chemistry between Awkwafina and Oh more than make
up for the lack. The actresses make Anne and Jenny feel like real
sisters who have drifted apart: You can feel the pain and hurt in
the arguments they have, and you can also feel the hope and the
love they have for each other. On paper, they seem like an oddball
duo who wouldn’t quite work together, but on the screen they are
fun and dynamic, playing so well off of each other that it makes
this movie a delight to watch.
Grade: B+
www.columbusmessenger.com
“Quiz Lady” will have viewers laughing
The Reel Deal
Dedra Cordle
Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist.

Annual Holiday
Craft Bazaar
Sponsored by by the the Franklin Hts. Music Band Boosters, Inc.
Saturday, December 2, 1, 2023
2018
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at
FRANKLIN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
1001 DEMOREST ROAD, COLUMBUS, OH 43204
Admission: $2 $1 per person (children 12 & under free)
free)
Door Concession prizes, 50/50 Stand, drawing, Holiday concession Gift Auction
stand
and and entertainment provided by the
Franklin Heights Musical musical groups.
programs.
Come shop for your family, friends
or yourself and enjoy the sounds
of the holiday season.

PAGE 12 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - November 19, 2023
community events
White Christmas
Food Distribution
The White Christmas food distribution
program has been providing boxes of food
to those in need for more than 45 years.
Each box contains enough food to help
families make their Christmas season a
little brighter. Online registration for this
program begins Nov. 24 and runs through
Dec. 1. Those interested can register at
cognitoforms.com/JacksonTownship2/Whit
eChristmasRegistration2023. Those who
do not have access to a computer can go to
Jackson Township Fire station 202, 3650
Hoover Road from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1,
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., for in-person
registration.
The White Christmas food program is
open to any resident of 43119, 43123,
43126 and 43146 zip codes with a financial
need. Only one box per address.
Participating families must provide a valid
photo ID, proof of current residency, and
the reason for the request.
Distribution of food will take place on
Dec. 23 behind Our Lady of Perpetual
Help School, 3752 Broadway in Grove
City, from noon to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 614-875-
3322 ext: 309.
Free lunch at Hilltop Methodist
The United Hilltop Methodist Church
will host a free community lunch every
Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church
is located at 99 S. Highland Ave.
Hilltop Legal Clinic
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus will
host a Hilltop Legal Clinic every Monday
from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Columbus
Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch, 511
S. Hague Ave. in Columbus. A legal aid
attorney will be available to answer questions
regarding landlord and tenant
issues, public benefits, consumer debt, and
family law. To receive free advice, you
must have a gross household income below
200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
For more information, call Legal Aid at
614-241-2001.
Free legal advice at Westland
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus will
offer free legal advice the third Tuesday of
each month at the Westland Area Library,
4740 West Broad St. Representatives will
be on hand from 4 to 6 p.m. to discuss noncriminal
legal matters like health benefits,
medicare, and landlord issues. For more
information, call the library at 614-878-
1301.
Produce giveaway at YMCA
The Hilltop YMCA hosts a fresh produce
giveaway the third Wednesday of
each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2879
Valleyview Drive in Columbus. For more
information, call the YMCA at 614-276-
8224.
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Dollar General - Georgesville & Atlanta
M & S Carry-Out - Georgesville & Atlanta
United Dairy Farmers - Georgesville & Parwick by Freeway
Thorton’s Gas Station - Georgesville & Norton Rd.
Shell Gas Station - Georgesville & Norton Rd.
Kroger - Georgesville Square
Turkey Hill - Georgesville & Clime Rd.
United Dairy Farmers - Clime & Demorest Rd.
Walgreens - Clime & Demorest Rd.
Certified Gas Station - Briggs & Demorest Rd.
Kroger - Eakin Rd. & Harrisburg Pike
Speedway Gas Station - Eakin Rd. & Harrisburg Pike
Heartland Bank - Great Western Shopping Center
Walgreens - Harrusburg & Hopkins
Certified Gas Station - Broad St. & Orel
Walgreens - Hague Ave. & Broad St.
Marathon Gas Station - Georgesville & Industrial Rd.
La Plaza Tapatta - Georgesville & Hollywood Rd.
BP Gas Station - Georgesville Rd. & Broad St.
Westland Library - Lincoln Village Plaza
Giant Eagle - Lincoln Village Plaza
Thorton’s Gas Station - 4990 W. Broad St.
Walgreens - Broad St. & Galloway Rd.
Kroger - Broad St. & Galloway Rd.
CVS Pharmacy - Norton & Hall Rd.
Circle K Gas Station - Norton & Hall Rd.
Dollar General - Norton & Hall Rd.
Marathon Gas Station - Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd.
Speedway Gas Station - Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd.
Dollar Tree - Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd.
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Sheetz Gas Station - Westland Mall
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