Westside Messenger - February 11th, 2024

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February 11 - 24, 2024 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. L, No. 14 

A musical 

‘petting zoo’ 

Messenger photos by Dedra Cordle 

Dozens of musically curious adults and 

children visited the Westland Area 

Library last week to participate in an 

educational and entertaining program 

called Instrument Petting Zoo. Hosted by 

The Columbus Symphony, the hour-long 

jam session offered guests the opportunity 

to have a hands-on experience with 

a variety of instruments that are typically 

found in an orchestra. Shown here 

having lots of fun during that hands-on 

experience is Diana Walton and her 19- 

month-old grandson, Draco. The Grove 

City resident said she and her daughter 

wanted Draco to be in attendance for the 

program because he has a love for 

music and they wanted to expose him to 

more instruments than just the piano 

that resides in her house. She joked that 

he liked the xylophone so much that 

they just might have to go out and buy 

one for him. 

Maureen Driscoll, (below) the operations 

coordinator at The Columbus 

Symphony, performs “Hedwig’s Theme” 

during a demonstration on how to play 

the violin. The piece was composed by 

John Williams and was featured 

throughout the “Harry Potter” film 

series. 

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Prairie Township 

plans to remove 

Galloway Village 

By Andrea Cordle 

Westside Editor 

On Jan. 25, the Prairie Township Board 

of Trustees held a special hearing where 

they decided to move forward with the 

removal of the Galloway Village 

Apartments. 

Last month, the Franklin County Board 

of Health declared the apartments, located 

on North Murray Hill Road, a public nuisance 

and designated all the buildings on 

the property as unfit for human habitation. 

During the hearing, representatives 

from the township’s zoning and fire department 

testified about the ongoing issues at 

the apartment complex. Officials from the 

health department and the sheriff’s office 

also spoke about the conditions at the complex. 

Inspectors found mold, bed bugs, rats, 

needles, feces, and numerous fire code violations. 

The sheriff’s office has been called 

to the complex hundreds of times in the 

past year. 

An attorney representing the Chetrit 

See PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP page 2 

Inside 

Mason Welch, 3, tries to master the violin. 

Pets of the Week .................. 9 

The Reel Deal ........................ 12 

School Staffing 

Staffing levels are still a concern in the 

South-Western Schools District Page 4 

Principal Investigation 

School board reinstates principal after 

district conducts investigation Page 7

SAVE THE 

DATES 

PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - February 11, 2024 

www.columbusmessenger.com 

 

 

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Continued from page 1 

Group out of New York, who owns the property, 

attended the hearing, and asked the trustees for more 

time to find a satisfactory resolution. 

The trustees were hesitant to grant that request 

because township officials had been trying to get in 

touch with the property owners for the past year to 

help in dealing with the issues. 

“We would be pushing it, to come up with a reason 

why we should not go ahead with the proposed resolution 

and secure and demolish the buildings,” said 

trustee Doug Stormont. 

Michael Stimler, who was on hand representing 

Rockcrest Holdings, a potential buyer of Galloway 

Village Apartments, asked the trustees for patience 

and to give them time to review the state of the property 

and come back with a timeline for renovations. 

“We wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t think the 

property could be fixed,” he said. 

The trustees decided to approve the resolution to 

proceed with the demolition of the apartment buildings 

but said if an agreement could be reached within 

the next few weeks, they would revisit the legislation. 

Photo courtesy of South-Western City Schools 

Franklin Heights High School boys basketball coach Ray Miller notched his 500th career win recently in a 

Falcons’ 52-49 win over Canal Winchester. This is Miller’s second year at Franklin Heights. He grew up in 

Grandview, attending Grandview Heights High School. He was the head coach of Grove City from 1980- 

1987 and 1994-2001 where he also served as the assistant athletic director from 1979-2002. In 2002, he 

served Central Crossing in the Career Based Intervention Program. 

According to Prairie Township, Galloway Village 

Apartments were built between 1962 and 1964. There 

are 36 buildings that include more than 350 apartments 

and 96 town homes. About 90 tenants were living 

in the complex when it was deemed unfit for occupation. 

The Franklin County Public Health Care 

Coordination team held several meetings in the township 

to help provide support and resources to tenants 

of the complex. These resources included relocation 

assistance, transportation assistance, and health care. 

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners set 

aside $1 million in funding to provide this support for 

the Galloway Village residents. 

“Franklin County Public Health will continue to 

work with the Franklin County Board of 

Commissioners, Prairie Township, and other local officials 

and community partners to ensure the Galloway 

Village tenants find a safe and healthy place to reside,” 

said Joe Mazzola, Franklin County Public Health commissioner.


February 11, 2024 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3 

Westside Running Club recognized 

for its Camp Chase cleanup efforts 

On Jan. 27, Keep Columbus Beautiful hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Day 

where the organization recognized the Columbus Westside Running Club as a 

Partner of the Year for the group’s continued efforts and impact made through their 

Camp Chase cleanups. Pictured here at the event are (from left to right) City 

Councilman Christopher Wyche, Columbus Westside Running Club member Heidi 

Baxter, Department of Public Service Interim Director Kelly Scocco, Run Club Vice 

President Becca Rohner, and City Councilman Emmanuel Remy. 

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Story of a Bill, 

Part I 

I recently introduced House Bill 364, a measure to 

allow the noncommercial distribution of milkweed 

seeds to promote monarch butterfly population 

growth, in the Ohio House of Representatives. Periodically 

I will report on the progress of this proposal 

as it winds its way through the legislative process, 

which is intended to help our readers learn how the 

Ohio Legislature operates. 

Bills can originate with current legislators (new ideas 

that warrant earnest consideration), past legislators 

(when a proposal has merit, but does not become 

law because it either didn’t navigate the legislative 

process or it needed alteration to earn enough support—remember, 

less than one bill out of ten ultimately 

become law), or with a constituent. The latter 

is the case with HB364. David Donofrio, who served 

our community ably as a member of the South- 

Western City Schools Board of Education, currently 

serves as the vice president of the Ohio Prairie Association 

(OPA), a non-profit volunteer organization 

that promotes the conservation of Ohio’s prairies. 

The group has wanted to distribute milkweed seeds 

among its membership and to other interested individuals 

to increase potential habitats for monarch 

butterflies when they reach Ohio during their annual 

migration from Mexico. Unfortunately, current state 

law prohibits any such distribution of milkweed 

seeds. This bill addresses and corrects the situation. 

Mr. Donofrio brought this issue to my attention. In 

talking with officials of the Ohio Department of Agriculture 

(ODA), we learned that they were concerned 

about widespread, unregulated, commercial distribution 

of various plant seeds and how this could 

alter ecosystems throughout the state. We helped 

bring together representatives from OPA and ODA 

to determine what language could be rewritten that 

would simultaneously address the concerns of both 

groups. They were able to agree on Ohio Revised 

Code wording that allowed for limited noncommercial 

seed sharing that promotes habitats for endangered 

or threatened species, while continuing to 

prohibit widespread commercial practices that 

might have unintended consequences. 

HB364 was filed with the House Clerk’s office in January. 

The House Rules and Reference Committee, 

which determines which of the 27 House standing 

committees is best equipped to consider the measure, 

assigned it to the House Agriculture Committee. 

The bill will need to undergo three hearings (one 

each for sponsor, proponent, and opponent testimony) 

in that committee before its members vote to 

have it considered by the entire House of Representatives. 

Sponsor testimony is scheduled for early 

February. 

Stay tuned for periodic updates on the progress of 

HB364. 

(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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By Dedra Cordle 

Staff Writer 

The supervisors with the transportation department and the 

food services department recently presented the South-Western 

City Schools Board of Education with its annual report. The officials 

said that while the full-time staffing levels are stable, they 

continue to struggle to find individuals who can fill in on an asneeded 

basis. 

At the Jan. 22 board meeting, transportation supervisor Tim 

Cox reported that there are 179 bus drivers currently on staff — 

enough for every school bus within the department’s vast fleet. 

“They are all fantastic and they do a great job for us,” he said. 

There are also more than four dozen bus aides on hand, a slight 

increase from the annual report that was released last year. 

Cox said the number of full-time bus drivers and the number of 

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Staffing levels still a concern in SWCS 

bus aides give him some level of comfort when it comes to the daily 

operations of the transportation department, but what continues 

to cause concern is the number of substitute bus drivers available. 

“Currently we have 18 substitute drivers,” he said. 

While that amount of available substitute drivers is more than 

most districts in the state and throughout the country have, Cox 

said the official number is “a little skewed.” 

“Of those 18 substitute bus drivers we have, eight of them are 

just field trip drivers,” he said. “Since they are just available to 

come in for field trips, that leaves us with about 10 who can come 

in and cover regular routes for us. 

“That is just not enough for a district of our size, especially 

since we are averaging 20 call outs a day (during the cold and flu 

season),” he said. 

Cox said the district continues to recruit substitute drivers — 

most of whom he hopes will transition to full-time bus driver status 

— but admitted it has been “slow going” thus far. 

“It can be a long process to get them out on the road,” he said. 

“For the vast majority of them, they can’t just apply to a position, 

be hired, and then be put behind the wheel of a bus within a day 

or two.” 

He said what has helped the district recruit substitute drivers 

has been covering the expenses incurred as they go through the 

process to obtain their Commercial Drivers License and increasing 

wages and lump sum benefits. 

The district currently pays full-time bus drivers $21.39 per 

hour. Substitute bus drivers receive $19.32 per hour with lump 

sum bonuses of $500, $750, and $1,000 if they are on the job for 50 

days, 100 days, and 150 days, respectively. 

Cox encouraged those who have an interest in driving a school 

bus — or even those with a flexible work schedule who are trying 

to make extra money — to reach out to the district through their 

website for job opportunities. 

“It is not an easy job but it is a rewarding one,” he said. 

Lisa Hamrick, the supervisor of the food services department, 

also shared their current staffing levels at the board meeting. 

According to Hamrick, the staffing situation at the food services 

department has rebounded from three years ago when they had 

more than 30 open positions. 

“Staffing is doing much better, I am so glad to say,” she said. 

The food services department has 189 employees, including a 

head cook stationed at each school and at least 5 to 10 cooks at 

each of the elementary, intermediate, middle and high schools. 

But where they continue to see a gap is at the substitute level. 

“I would say that our recruiting is going well, but it’s just about 

finding the right people,” she said. 

Like the transportation department, the food services department 

prefers to hire people at the substitute level first and then 

transition them to a permanent role. Hamrick said by doing so, 

they are giving their potential full-time employees a glimpse at 

what it takes to serve meals to thousands of students each day. 

“It gives them that one-on-one experience,” she said. 

Some discover that it is harder than initially thought, she said, 

while others find the flexible schedule to be a benefit. 

“Our schedules are much like the schedules for our students 

here,” she said. “Our staff is in school while the kids are in school, 

our staff is off when the kids are off. That is a real draw for many 

of the employees here at the food services department.” 

Hamrick said there is not a specific number of substitutes they 

are looking to hire — “our motto is the more we have, the better it 

is for everyone,” she quipped — but added that they are recruiting 

for the remainder of this calendar year and the next calendar year 

as well. 

“It’s hard work but it can be a lot of fun,” she said. 

The district currently pays substitute cooks $14 per hour. There 

is no state requirement to take a civic service test for these positions. 

Individuals who are interested in applying for an open position 

in the food services department can also reach out to the district 

for employment opportunities through its website, swcsd.us.

www.columbusmessenger.com February 11, 2024 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5 

South-Western City Schools to release students early for solar eclipse 

The South-Western City School District 

will hold a scheduled early-release on 

Monday, April 8 due to the total solar 

eclipse set to take place that afternoon. 

As a result of the early release, all 

evening activities to include rehearsals, 

practices, and athletics/extra-curricular 

contests will also be canceled. 

The April 8 date had been previously 

earmarked as a full day of learning on the 

2023-2024 academic calendar. 

In an effort for families to plan accordingly, 

transportation and building schedules 

have been amended for this day and 

early release times are as follows: 

● Elementary Schools: 12:15 p.m. 

● Intermediate Schools: 1:15 p.m. 

● Middle Schools: 1:15 p.m. 

● High Schools: 11:30 a.m. 

Although the direct centerline of total 

eclipse viewing falls north of the district’s 

attendance boundaries, district officials 

arrived at the decision to proceed with an 

early release out of an abundance of caution 

for student safety who otherwise 

would be in transit home on a regularly 

scheduled school day at that time. 

Students and staff to 

receive protective eyewear 

Recognizing the educational importance 

of this rare scientific event, every student 

(at parent discretion) in the district will 

have the opportunity to take home solar 

eclipse glasses in advance of April 8 that 

are compliant with the international safety 

standard for protective eyewear. 

The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse offers students 

and families an educational opportunity 

to observe this incredibly rare astrological 

event - the first of its kind within 

view in Ohio since 1806. 

Looking ahead to April 8, district officials 

ask families to reinforce safe viewing 

practices with their students by reminding 

them that they should never look directly 

at the sun once home for the day without 

the proper eyewear, according to the State 

of Ohio Eclipse Task Force. 

For more information and educational 

resources, visit eclipse.ohio.gov. 

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Healthcare equity addressed by county commissioners 

The Franklin County Commissioners 

announced grants of more than $1.6 million 

to community partner organizations 

for the purpose of promoting equity in 

healthcare for Franklin County residents. 

The nine grant recipients and their initiatives 

were chosen because of their focus 

on reducing disparities in health outcomes 

primarily for populations that have been 

historically underserved by high-quality 

healthcare and health services. 

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“Our community is thriving in many 

ways but not always in an equitable way,” 

said Board of Commissioners President, 

Kevin Boyce. “For many of our neighbors, 

the quality of healthcare that is available 

to them is dependent on their income or zip 

code, and there are unacceptable disparities 

for immigrants and people of color. 

Healthcare and mental health care need to 

be thought of as human rights, but affecting 

that change takes purposeful, intentional 

effort, and these nine agencies are 

working hard to that end.” 

The grants are administered by the commissioners’ 

Community Partnership 

agency which has made similar grants 

since 2021, and which oversaw more than 

$25 million in total grant funding last year. 

Recipient organizations include Children’s 

Hunger which is expanding its nutritional 

support for at-risk youth, and the Cancer 

Support Community of Central Ohio and 

Physicians CareConnection, which are 

working to reduce barriers to care, including 

by providing education and other culturally 

appropriate services. In addition, 

Catholic Social Services will use the funding 

to provide a variety of health and social 

services aimed at central Ohio’s Hispanic 

population, Lutheran Social Services will 

use it to provide medical, dental, behavioral 

health, and vision care for residents 

experiencing homelessness, and 

OhioHealth’s grant will go to maternal 

health and infant mortality efforts. 

“As a heart patient, I know something 

about the miracles of modern medicine, but 

I can also see that those miracles are conditional 

and that there are disparities that 

are holding some of our residents back from 

getting the care or preventative care that 

they deserve,” said Commissioner John 

O’Grady. “These health equity grants are 

an acknowledgment that there is much 

work to be done and a step in the right 

direction for the recipient agencies.” 

Recipients of this year’s health equity 

grants are required to not only show that 

they are providing healthcare to residents 

in need, but that they are also focused on 

long-term improvements in health outcomes, 

and also on moving health equity 

forward within the organization and with 

its partners. The commissioners’ 2019 Rise 

Together Blueprint for Addressing Poverty 

in Franklin County identified disparate 

health outcomes as both a symptom and 

cause of poverty in our community. 

“Many of our neighbors are struggling 

already, and disparate access to healthcare 

and health resources only makes it harder 

for working families to get ahead,” said 

Commissioner Erica Crawley. “We at the 

Franklin County Board of Commissioners 

strive to serve every one of our residents 

each day, and working toward more equitable 

healthcare availability is one of the 

ways that we’re helping families thrive and 

not just survive.” 

Additional information about the commissioners’ 

Community Partnerships 

Program and future funding opportunities 

can be found at budget.franklincountyohio.gov. 

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) 

is over for 2024, but maybe you still have 

 

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meet with a local representative, and review 

more than 2 or 3 plan options. 

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area, Year-round enrollment is available. 

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

after I turn 65, and want to keep my group plan? 

- I need help in paying my Rx copays, any 

assistance available? 

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently 

we represent 7 organizations which offer 42 plans in your area. 

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School board reinstates principal 

By Dedra Cordle 

Staff Writer 

The South-Western City Schools Board 

of Education will not terminate the contract 

of an elementary school principal who 

was investigated for violating district policies. 

At a special meeting held on Feb. 5, the 

board announced it had entered into a settlement 

agreement with Jenniffer 

Kauffeld, principal at Buckeye Woods 

Elementary School, which enables her to 

return to her administrative position. The 

action taken by the board will go into effect 

immediately. 

Kauffeld has been on administrative 

leave since mid-November. 

“Over the course of the past few months, 

the district administration and two different 

boards of education have spent significant 

time engaged in this personnel matter,” 

said Chris Boso, board president. 

“While the road leading up to tonight’s 

decision to reinstate the principal has been 

lengthy and emotional for all parties, as a 

board, we wanted to leave no stone 

unturned in terms of a timeline when it 

comes to matters impacting both employees 

and student supervision and welfare. 

Moving forward we intend to further define 

and clarify expectations for employees as 

we support student and family partnerships. 

We welcome back Mrs. Kauffeld to 

Buckeye Woods Elementary School starting 

tomorrow (Feb. 6).” 

In November, an investigation into the 

conduct of Kauffeld, who has been the principal 

at the elementary school since 2011, 

was launched by the district after it 

learned of an incident that took place during 

school hours. 

According to the investigative report 

that was provided by the district after a 

public records request was made, an educator 

at the school reported to Kauffeld their 

concerns about the welfare of a 5-year-old 

student. 

The report stated that Kauffeld contacted 

the school nurse — who has not been 

publicly named by the district — and she 

performed a visual inspection of the student 

in the school health clinic with 

Kauffeld present in the room. Neither 

Kauffeld nor the school nurse obtained the 

consent of the parents before the visual 

inspection took place. The parents were 

only notified that the visual inspection had 

occurred after the fact and by the school 

nurse. 

The investigative report also stated that 

neither Kauffeld nor the school nurse contacted 

county children services or law 

enforcement agencies with their concerns. 

A provision in the Ohio Revised Code legally 

requires some professionals to report 

known or suspected child abuse or neglect 

to a public children services agency or law 

enforcement agency — even with no physical 

proof or other ways to validate the 

abuse. 

The parents of the student filed a police 

report with the Grove City Division of 

Police. A press release sent out by the division 

said that the investigator referred all 

case information to the Franklin County 

Prosecutor’s Office. No charges have been 

filed. 

The police department also notified the 

Ohio Board of Nursing and made a referral 

to the Ohio Department of Education and 

Franklin County Children Services. 

The investigative report conducted by 

the district concluded that Kauffeld had 

“acted inconsistent with her job duties and 

training and her role as the principal of the 

building.” It also stated she did not follow 

board and district policies when she facilitated 

a “visual inspection” of the student 

“all without a guardian’s direct consent 

and in the absence of a medical emergency 

or necessity,” and when neither she nor the 

school nurse “contacted Children’s 

Services.” 

The school nurse, who has been with the 

district since 2000, was also found by the 

district in the report to be in violation of 

the same policies. The school nurse sent 

the district a letter of resignation in 

December but revoked that resignation in 

January. The district could not provide a 

comment on any pending action regarding 

their employment. 

After the investigative report had concluded, 

the superintendent recommended 

Preci 

sion 

last month that the board consider the termination 

of Kauffeld’s new five-year contract 

that began on July 27, 2023. The 

board unanimously approved a motion to 

rescind the consideration of termination at 

the special meeting which allowed Kauffeld 

to resume her role at the school. 

Under the terms of the settlement 

agreement that was reached between the 

board and Kauffeld, the board will deduct 

the gross total amount of $5,000 from 

Kauffeld’s annual compensation for the 

2023-2024 contract year only. She will also 

be issued payment for the salary she would 

have earned when she was placed on 

unpaid administrative leave on Jan. 8 

through the date of the rescission. 

The board has also agreed that any public 

records regarding the resolution and 

supporting investigative records will not be 

kept in Kauffeld’s personnel file. 

After the vote took place to reinstate 

Kauffeld to her position as principal of 

Buckeye Woods, the board said it will now 

shift its focus to explore whether current 

policies related to the reporting of suspected 

cases of child abuse or neglect should be 

clarified. State law considers school personnel 

to be mandated reporters. 

The board will also explore the policies 

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2024 Select Housing 

Committee Insights 

Dear Neighbor, 

As the Chair of the first Senate Select Committee 

on Housing, I’ve traveled across our 

great state and engaged with Ohioans from 

all walks of life to take a deep dive into the 

housing crisis and gain a better understanding 

of the challenges people face on a personal 

level. The committee’s collective 

efforts are geared towards unraveling the 

complexities and paving the way for more 

Ohioans to attain available, accessible and 

affordable housing. Recently, the committee 

convened in Cleveland, where we had the 

invaluable opportunity to listen to the concerns 

of local elected officials, housing advocates, 

community stakeholders, and 

residents regarding the current state of 

housing in Northeast Ohio. 

I am excited to announce that our next hearing 

is scheduled for January 31, 2024 at the 

Ohio Statehouse, where all local elected officials 

are invited to testify. Please subscribe 

for updates to stay informed about the 

meeting's specifics, including location and 

time. Your participation is crucial as we embark 

on this journey together. 

Looking ahead, we are consolidating the 

feedback gathered from our statewide hearings 

into a comprehensive report slated for 

completion this spring. This report will serve 

as the foundation for our recommendations 

and actionable steps in 2024. I extend my 

heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has 

played a role in helping my colleagues and I 

comprehend the gravity of the present 

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Fairy Goodmothers open a Pop-Up 

Prom Shop for three weekends 

Central Ohio high school students are 

invited to visit the free pop-up boutique for 

all their prom needs. 

Local non-profit, Fairy Goodmothers, 

will open the doors of Cinderella’s Closet 

Boutique for three weekends this year 

including February 17-18, March 2-3, and 

March 9-10. The pop-up prom shop is 

stocked with high-quality prom gowns and 

accessories that are available free of charge 

to central Ohio high school students who do 

not have the means to purchase these 

items for themselves. The Boutique inventory 

includes approximately 3,000 new and 

gently worn prom gowns, ranging in size 

from 0 to 36. Attendees may also choose 

accessories and will receive a goody bag 

featuring beauty and prom-themed items. 

A personal shopper is made available to 

each attendee to assist in finding the perfect 

dress. 

“Prom can be very expensive between 

the cost of an outfit, ticket, and hair and 

FREE 

WESTSIDE MESSENGER 

Pick-Up At These Locations: 

Hilltop Library - 511 S. Hague Ave. 

United Dairy Farmers - Hague & Sullivant Ave. 

Alex Carry-Out - Binns & Sullivant Ave. 

Dollar General - Kingsford & Sullivant 

United Dairy Farmers - Clime & Demorest Rd. 

Walgreens - Clime & Demorest Rd. 

Certified Gas Station - Briggs & Demorest Rd. 

Kroger - Eakin Rd. & Harrisburg Pike 

Certified Gas Station - W. Broad St. & Orel 

Walgreens - Hague Ave. & Broad St. 

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 - W. Broad St. & Galloway Rd. 

Kroger - W. Broad St. & Galloway Rd. 

CVS Pharmacy - Norton & Hall Rd. 

Circle K Gas Station - Norton & Hall Rd. 

Speedway Gas Station - W. Broad St. & Freeway 

Sheetz Gas Station - Westland Mall 

Speedway Gas Station 

W. Broad St. & Wilson Rd. 

Kroger - Consumer Square Shopping Center 

United Dairy Farmers 

Georgesville & Parkwick by Freeway 

nails. We help defray the cost of prom for 

the students we serve,” said Katie Persico, 

Fairy Goodmothers board president. 

“However, even more important than the 

items themselves are the way the students 

feel when they are shopping and wearing 

their gown and accessories. When a student 

finds the perfect dress that fits and 

flatters them, their posture changes completely 

and they light up in excitement. 

Our goal is to bolster and support the selfesteem 

of each student we help. Every student 

deserves to look and feel special on 

their prom night.” 

Cinderella’s Closet Boutique will be in 

the Shops at Worthington Place, 7227 N. 

High Street in Worthington. 

Students should pre-book their personal 

shopping appointments on the fairygoodmothers.org 

website. 

Since 2005, Fairy Goodmothers has gifted 

more than 18,000 prom gowns to high 

school students in central Ohio. 

Thorton’s Gas Station 

Georgesville & Norton Rd. 


Briggs & Harrisburg Pike 

Heartland Bank 

Great Western Shopping Center 

Marathon Gas Station 

Georgesville & Industrial Rd. 

Marathon Gas Station 

W. Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd. 


W. Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd. 

Dollar Tree - W. Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd. 

Dollar General - Georgesville & Atlanta 

M & S Carry-Out - Georgesville & Atlanta 

Shell Gas Station - Georgesville & Norton Rd. 

Kroger - Georgesville Square 

Turkey Hill - Georgesville & Clime Rd. 

Shell Gas Station - Eakin & Harrisburg Pike 

Prairie Twp. Rec. Center 

W. Broad St. & Galloway Rd. 

Dollar General - Norton & Hall Rd. 

Roosters - W. Broad St. 

The Greater Columbus Arts Council 

(GCAC) opened Art of Bangladesh, curated 

by Dina Zaman, in GCAC’s Loann Crane 

Gallery on Feb. 2 and will be on view 

through April 30. 

Art of Bangladesh is a group exhibition 

of nine artists curated by artist Dina 

Zaman. Artists in the exhibition include: 

Zakia Sultana, Sabhat Abedin, Razia 

Suroor, Mosharrat Shams, Sylvia Pandit, 

Tania Nur Siddique, Mahbuba Yeasmin, 

Manha Shams, and Dina Zaman. 

“Everybody in this exhibition has one 

thing in common,” said Zaman. “We are 

immigrants, and we share one love: 

Bangladesh. Although some of us are 

homemakers, students, accountants or 

working in cybersecurity, we collectively 

came together to express our deep-rooted 

love for Bangladesh’s rich culture through 

art. 

“As a curator I invited immigrant 

women of Bangladesh to express and show 

Bangladeshi culture through their paintings 

so our community here in Columbus 

can get an idea about the rich culture of the 

country. Art over in Bangladesh is very colorful 

and story based. Women are highly 

Free tax preparation 

Glenwood United Methodist Church 

Tax Ministry is now taking appointments 

for free tax preparation. The Tax Ministry 

will take place in the Church Parlor every 

Saturday, from through April 6 from 9 a.m. 

to -3 p.m., and every Monday through April 

8 from 12 to 6 p.m. The church is located at 


Art of Bangladesh exhibit 



MAILED TO YOU EVERY 

OTHER FRIDAY 

26 ISSUES 

(12 MONTHS) 

ONLY $65.00 

Call 

614-272-5422 

Email: 

svacolas@gmail.com 

Mail to: 

Columbus 


4139 W. Broad St. 

Columbus, OH 43228 

around the westside 

involved in arts and culture. I tried to show 

a little glimpse of that through this exhibition 

and also how our diverse community 

here in Columbus can welcome 

Bangladeshi culture as a part of Ohioan 

culture.” 

Loann Crane Gallery hours are 

Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 

Thursday-Friday by appointment. The 

gallery is also a meeting space and subject 

to availability for drop-in visits; visitors 

who are planning a visit are encouraged to 

contact GCAC at gallery@gcac.org to 

ensure availability. 

The featured artwork will be available 

virtually on the gallery website at gcacgallery.org. 

The Loann Crane Gallery is located in 

GCAC’s office building at 182 E. Long St. 

Exhibitions in the gallery are focused on 

showcasing work by artists from historically 

marginalized communities. 

The Greater Columbus Arts Council 

receives major financial support from the 

city of Columbus, Franklin County 

Commissioners, the Ohio Arts Council and 

The Ohio State University. 

For more information, visit gcac.org. 

2833 Valleyview Drive in Columbus. To 

schedule an appointment, call 614-274- 

8469. 

Pay what you can 

glass blowing classes 

Glass Axis, an art center in Franklinton 

(610 W Town St.), is offering “pay what you 

can” classes on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 

p.m., when schools are closed for 

President’s Day. To learn more and register, 

visit glassaxis.org. 

Battery recycling at 

Westland Area Library 

The Westland Area Library will host a 

battery recycling drop-off event from 11 

a.m. to 1 p.m. March 23 at 4740 West 

Broad St. All disposable and rechargeable 

batteries will be accepted. No vehicle (leadacid) 

batteries. For more information, contact 

the library at 614-878-1301. 

PRINCIPAL 

Continued from page 7 

at surrounding school districts as it relates 

to a nurse’s scope of work and the handling 

of abuse and/or neglect cases when there is 

a medical concern. The board recommended 

that the superintendent, Dr. Bill Wise, 

be given time to review and research policies. 

They initially recommended that 

potential policy amendments be presented 

to the board within the next month. Wise 

said he could not make that commitment 

for the following month but believed it 

could be discussed in April.

DS 

DS 



Career Academy 

Preview Night 

Messenger photos by Dedra Cordle 

Throughout the week of Jan. 29, more 

than 200 sophomores and their families 

visited the South-Western Career 

Academy to determine which of the programs 

offered may be best suited for 

their career goals. In addition to speaking 

with the juniors and seniors who are 

currently studying their preferred trade 

at the career academy, the prospective 

applicants were also treated to demonstrations 

that offered a glimpse of what 

they could be doing in the near future 

should they express an interest in any of 

the programs prior to the Feb. 7 deadline. 

Among the current career academy 

students who spoke with the sophomores 

and their parents about the cosmetology 

program was junior Kaniya 

Blissett, pictured here curling the hair 

on a mannequin. One of the most popular 

programs at the SWCA is pre-nursing, 

which will be expanded to meet the 

demand from prospective applicants. 

Here, junior Lilliana Santoyo checks the 

blood pressure of senior Akquira 

McGraw. McGraw said she was drawn to 

the program because she wants to be a 

surgical technologist while Santoyo said 

she had an interest in the program 

because she wants to work in obstetrics. 

Pets of the week 

Cosmo, the enchanting 

tuxedo cat whose 

beauty rivals that of 

the most vibrant cosmos 

in the night sky. 

This fluffy feline is 

more than just a pretty 

face. Cosmo was a 

stray but was rescued from life on the streets. 

Now, at Colony Cats Adoption Center, Cosmo 

is ready to embark on a new chapter, one 

filled with love, comfort, and companionship. 

She loves to chase after toys and engage in 

delightful games that will bring a sparkle to 

your day. 

FYI: colonycats.org 

Dodger is one cool 

hound dog. He is 

smart and sweet but 

sassy and stubborn. 

This 9-month-old pup 

is slowly learning 

commands but just 

wants to play and be 

goofy all the time. He 

would probably love to be a running partner 

with all his energy. He is housebroken and 

gets along with everyone - people, dogs, and 

cats. Adopt Dodger from Colony Cats and 

Dogs. 


These furry friends are available 

for adoption at local 

rescues and shelters 

Lilo is a 1-year-old 

enchanting feline. 

Born to take it easy, 

Lilo’s favorite pastime 

involves indulging in 

long, luxurious naps 

and lounging in cozy 

spots. Her laid-back 

demeanor makes her 

the ultimate companion 

for those who appreciate the art of chilling 

out. If you’re looking for a cat who understands 

the value of a good nap and appreciates 

the simple joys of life, Lilo will be the perfect 

addition to your home. Adopt her from 

Colony Cats. 


Angel first came to 

the shelter with an 

infection on her neck. 

Now, the 7-year-old is 

all better and looking 

for her furever family. 

Angel walks on a 

loose leash, loves 

attention and eating 

treats, and she does 

well with other dogs. One of her favorite things 

is laying her head in your lap so you can pet 

her. Angel is up for adoption at the Franklin 

County Dog Shelter. 

FYI: franklincountydogs.com 

Garden Planning Workshop 

The Hilltop Branch Library, in partnership 

with Hippiebilly Homestead, will host 

a garden planning workshop from 4 to 5 

p.m. Feb. 12 at the library, located at 511 

S. Hague Ave. in Meeting Room 1. 

Participants will receive guidance for 

seven simple steps to garden planning. For 

more information, visit 

columbuslibrary.org. 

February 

WESTSIDE 

11, 

MESSENGER 

2024 - WESTSIDE 

- February 

MESSENGER 

11, 2024 

- PAGE 

PAGE 

9 

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Breakfast at the Lodge 

to benefit Special Olympics 

The West Gate Masonic Lodge #623 is 

preparing breakfast once a month to benefit 

the Special Olympics. The public is 

invited to have breakfast the second 

Saturday of each month at 2925 West 

Broad St. Adults eat for a donation of $7 

and kids can have a meal for $3. Serving is 

from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, 

email westgate623@gmail.com. 

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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West & Madison editions -Tuesdays at 5 p.m. 

xEmployment 

MATHEMATICS TEACHER 

(COLUMBUS, OH) 

Dsgn, write & use lesson plans; teach Maths to 

middle school students; prep students for standardized 

tests & math related competitions; produce 

formal & informal testing; provide input on 

book, eqpmt, & material selection; gather, manage, 

& maintain all reports, records, & other reqd 

docs. Bach's deg in Maths Edu, Maths, or Statistics, 

24 months F/T exp in the job, & OH State 

teaching (at least 5 yrs long-term substitute) 

license in Math reqd. M-F, 40 hrs./wk. 

Send resume (by mail only) to Jamie Gibson 

Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle 

School, 2350 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 

Software Developers - Senior Developers 

sought by Unicon International, Inc. 

in Columbus, OH 

to design and implement software solutions 

using C/C++ and Java. Also, develops and 

optimizes SQL queries for database operations. 

Must have relevant education & experience. 

Send 2 resumes & cover letter to: 

Jenifer McCann, 241 Outerbelt St. 

Columbus, OH 43213 

REF#7310.331. 

Management Accountants 

sought by 

Woda Cooper Companies Inc. 

in Columbus, OH 

to compile monthly property financial statement 

packets including reviews of the bank reconciliations 

performed by Staff Accountants. Also perform 

various corporate financial statement duties as assigned. 

Must have relevant education. 

Send 2 resumes & cover letter to Paige Woda 

500 S Front St, Flr 10, Columbus, OH 43215 

REF#8773.016. 

IT Professionals: 

Ent. Lvl to Sen. Lvl (multiple positions) 

Sftwr Dvlprs, QA Anlysts, DBAs & 

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to set up systems to various clients at 

unanticipated locations across the nation. 

Pls send resume, Cvr Ltr., & Sal. 

Req. to SVATS, Inc. at 589 Carle Ave, 

Lewis Center, OH 43035 

DHDC Engineering Consulting 

Services, Inc. 

a Columbus, OH based Engineering Consulting 

Services Firm has multiple openings for JOB ID 

11093: Civil Engineering Project Coordinator. Education 

and Experience requirements along with Remuneration 

as provided on the website. Travel/ 

relocation may be required. Details at 

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READER 

ADVISORY 

The National Trade Association 

we belong to has 

purchased the following 

classifieds. Determining 

the value of their service 

or product is advised by 

this publication. In order 

to avoid misunderstandings, 

some advertisers do 

not offer “employment” 

but rather supply the 

readers with manuals, directories 

and other materials 

designed to help 

their clients establish mail 

order selling and other 

businesses at home. Under 

NO circumstance 

should you send any 

money in advance or give 

the client your checking, 

license ID or credit card 

numbers. Also beware of 

ads that claim to guarantee 

loans regardless of 

credit and note that if a 

credit repair company 

does business only over 

the phone it’s illegal to request 

any money before 

delivering its service. All 

funds are based in US 

dollars. Toll Free numbers 

may or may not 

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check with the Better 

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614-466-4986 for more 

information on the company 

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xCome & Get It! 

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HELP WANTED 

Bold Penguin Inc. seeks 

Data Engineer in 

Columbus,OH 

to devlp 

micrsrvce archtctre. Dom 

tvl & reloc reqd. Snd CV & 

Cvr Ltr to 

careers@amfam.com. 

Ref#SE23 

Kings Kids Daycare 

in Grove City is hiring Fun, 

Loving Teachers for PT & 

FT shifts. Please email 

sarragc@outlook.com or 

call 614-539-0349 

INFORMATION 

See... 

You Looked! 

Newspaper 

Ads Catch 

The Eye! 

Call 

272-5422 

For Info. & 

Pricing 

CHILD CARE 

OFFERED 

Depend. Quality Child care 

in loving hm. Exp. Mom, n- 

smkr, hot meals, sncks, 

playroom, fncd yd. Reas. 

rates. Laurie at 853-2472 

PETS 

Pure Bred AKC Lab Puppies 

Ready 3/14/24. 740-310-9162 

Great Dane Puppies 

Shots/dewormed. Ready 

to go - 614-639-1235 

WANT TO BUY 

WE BUY JUNK CARS 

Call anytime 614-774-6797 

ANTIQUES 

WANTED 

Antiques * Coins 

Victrolas * Watches 

Clocks * Bookcases 

Jeff 614-262-0676 

or 614-783-2629 

We Buy Junk Cars & 

Trucks. Highest Prices 

Paid. 614-395-8775 

MISCELLANEOUS 

FOR SALE 

Portable Generator for 

sale. Brand new & never 

used. Gasoline engine 

with 12 Hr. run time. 120V 

AC 60 Hz, 33.3 A, 1 

Phase generator. Asking 

price is $575.00. Call or 

text 614-205-1286 

AUTO PARTS 

Nissan 2019 Pathfinder 

running boards, mountings 

& brackets. New 2022 - 

$789.00. Only on car 

August -September 2022. 

Brand new condition. Now 

$389.00 or best offer. 

pfd1d@aol.com 

RENTALS 

Eakin-1 Br Apt, crpt, appls. 

No Pets 614-560-3050 

VACATION RENTALS 

Palm Manor Condos 

in Englewood, FL. 

Upper 2 bedroom/2 bath, 

living & dining rms, kitchen 

dishes, bedding & towels, 

etc. included. 

Available March 2024 - 

$4218/mo. Contact 

pfd1d@aol.com 


xClassified Services 

CLEANING 

WALL WASHING 

CLEANOUTS 

Call Judy 614-746-0273 

CONCRETE 

GALLION 

CUSTOM CONCRETE LLC 

Specializing in Custom Colors & 

Custom Designs of Concrete. 

Including Remove & Replace 

46 yrs exp & Free Est. 

Licensed & Insured 

Reputation Built 

On Quality 

614-875-8364 

614-419-7721 

See Us On Facebook 

www.gallioncustom 

concrete.com 

EDDIE MOORE 

CONSTRUCTION 

Quality Concrete Work 

Lt. Hauling & Room Add., 

Driveways & Excavation 

Stamp Patios, 

Bsmt. Wall Restoration 

36 Yrs Exp - Lic & Ins. 

Free Ests. 614-871-3834 

AJ’s Concrete, 

Masonry 

Good Work - Fair Prices 

Block Foundations 

Driveways • Sidewalks 

Bobcat Grading 

Bonded-Ins. • Free Ests. 

614-419-9932 

DRYWALL 

DRYW 

YWALL & 

PLASTER 

3/15 

A&M 

REPAIR 

Textured Ceilings 

614-551-6963 

Residential/Commercial 

BIA 

FENCING 

EAZY FENCE 

Chain Link - Wood 

No Job Too Big or Small 

All Repairs ~ Free Est. 

Insured. 614-670-2292 

GUTTERS 

Dave’s Gutter Serv. 

Cleaned, Repaired, Installed, 

Gutter Covers & Drains. 

614-875-9361/614-205-9057 

10/1 W/SW 

3/4 A 

HAULING 

DEAN’S HAULING 

614-276-1958 

HEATING & COOLING 

HVAC & A/C 

Fast Service - Licensed 

614-633-9694 

HOME 

IMPROVEMENTS 

C&JHandyman 

Services LLC 

Minor Plumbing & Electric 

Install Hot Water Tanks, 

Dishwashers & Disposals 

All Interior Remodels 

Also Fencing & 

Interior/Exterior Painting 

Free Est. ~ 18 Yrs. Exp. 

CDC/EPA Approved Guidelines 

614-284-2100 

KLAUSMAN HOME 

IMPROVEMENT 

Siding-Windows- 

Doors-Roofing-Soffit- 

Fascia-Gutters-Trim 

Earn FREE Seamless 

Gutters with Siding Over 

1000 Sq. Ft. 

FREE Shutters with 

Soffit & Trim 

EPA Certified 

Member of BBB 

Financing Available 

Over 20 yrs exp. • Free Est. 

Licensed-Bonded-Insured 

Owner & Operator 

James 614-419-7500 

SLAGLE 

HOME REMODELING 

Baths, Kitchen, 

Plumbing and Electrical. 

All your Handyman needs 

No Job too Big or Small 

Over 30 Yrs. Exp. Lic.-Bond-Ins. 

Jerry 

614-332-3320 

HOME 

MAINTENANCE 

10/1 A 

1/7 A 

2/18 

SW/W 

SINCE 1973 

Phil Bolon Contr. 

Windows & Siding 

Decks, Kitchens, Baths 

Room Additions, 

Flooring, Roofing 

Bsmt Waterproofing 

Deal With Small Non-Pressure Co. 

47 Yrs. Exp. - Refs. Avail. 

Lic.-Bond-Ins. 

10/15 

A/M 

Free Est. - Financing Avail. 

Member BBB Of Cent. OH 

O.C.I.E.B. ID #24273 

614-419-3977 

or 614-863-9912 

HANDYMAN SERVICES 

614-235-1819 

INFORMATION 

LOOK TO 

THE PROFESSIONALS 

IN OUR 

SERVICE DIRECTORY 

For Service 

“That Is Out Of This World” 

HOME 

REMODELING 

BATH REMODELS 

Expert Craftsmanship 

20 yrs exp - Sr. Discount 

614-633-9695 

LAWN CARE 

LET US MAINTAIN 

YOUR LAWN & GARDEN 

FOR YOU 

Summer, Spring, 

Winter or Fall 

WE DO IT ALL!!!! 

Lawn Cuts, Edging, 

Trees & Shrubs, Garden, 

Mulching, Hauling, 

Garden Pond & 

Home Maint. 

Free Ests. Low Rates 

$20 & Up 

Kevin - 614-905-3117 

PAINTING 

BESTQUALITY 

40 yrs exp. I do the Work! 

Daniel - 614-226-4221 

PLUMBING 

All About Drains & Plumb. 

Will snake any small drain 

$145. 614-778-2584 

MYERS 

PLUMBING 

Licensed Expert Plumbing 

New Const. & Fast Repairs 

Water * Sewer * Gas 

614-633-9694 

CHRIS’ 

PLUMBING 

“Plumbing & Drain Professional 

That You Can Count On” 

24 Hrs., 7 Days/Week 

No Overtime Charges 

24 Yrs. Exp. in Plumbing & 

Drain Cleaning Field 

Call For A Free Phone Estimate 

$100.00 For Any Small Drain 

614-622-4482 

30% OFF with AD 

PLASTERING 

Plaster & Stucco 

NEW AND 

REPAIR 

Established 1917 

Geo. F. Neff & Co. 

614-274-5629 

Classified Services 

1/7 A 

INFORMATION 

POOL/SPA 

MAINTENANCE 

K&L Spa Cleaning 

Hot Tub Cleaning and 

Weekly Maintenance 

Keith 614-316-9809 

POWERWASHING 

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 

SNOW BLOWER 

REPAIR 

TREMONT 

MOWER REPAIR 

1/7 

We service 

W/GC 

Electric & Gas Powered 

Snow Blowers 

& Lawn Equipment 

614-357-6204 

TREE SERVICES 

Warren Brewer Tree Service 

• Tree Removal 

• Tree Trimming 

• Stump Grinding 

1/7 

A&M 

• Bucket Truck Services 

Best Prices • Same Day Service 

614-878-2568


In Entertainment 

“Orion and the Dark” is charming and eccentric 

WESTGATE UNITED 

METHODIST CHURCH 

61 S. Powell Ave., Columbus,OH 43204 

Rev. Dr. Don Wallick 

Let’s Worship Together! 

Worship Service - 9:00 a.m. 

Sunday School - 10:00 a.m. 

Join us on Facebook 

for live online worship 

westgateumc@sbcglobal.net 

614-274-4271 

ALKIRE ROAD 

CHURCH OF CHRIST 

2779 Alkire Road, Grove City, OH 43123 

614-875-1028 

Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 AM 

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 AM 

Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00 PM 

Wednesday Evening Bible Class: 7:00 PM 

www.alkirechurchofchrist.org 

In 2014, author and illustrator Emma 

Yarlett released her second children’s picture 

book, “Orion and the Dark.” A quick 

skim over the summary on the back would 

lead you to believe that it was the standard 

fare of the genre: it centers around a little 

boy who is scared of the dark, which then 

comes to life and shows him the wonders of 

the night, thus teaching him how to overcome 

his fears. 

Opening the pages of the book would 

quickly dispel any notion that it was the 

standard fare as the content therein is so 

immersive. Employing the use of mixed 

media artwork, Yarlett takes the reader 

into the mind of the anxiety-ridden protagonist 

where every corner, every glance, 

every interaction is a threat to his very 

existence. 

For a book that is geared toward children 

— the younger ages, in particular — 

“Orion and the Dark” is off-beat and trippy, 

which could be why it did not make a big 

splash upon its initial release here in the 

states. It did, however, garner the interest 

from the entertainment industry who saw 

the potential of the material. 

Around two years ago, DreamWorks 

Animation announced it was collaborating 

with Netflix to adapt and distribute “Orion 

and the Dark.” In an effort to bring the 

beautiful bizarreness of the book to the big 

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 



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! 

GLENWOOD UM CHURCH 

2833 Valleyview Dr. 

(Corner of Valleyview & Hague Ave.) 

(614) 274-8469 

Rev. Dr. Kevin Orr 

Join us for In-Person 

Sunday Worship at 10:45 a.m. or 

Join us for Online Worship at 

Glenwood UMC YouTube 

http://tinyurl.com/GlenwoodUMC 

screen — and also in an effort to make it 

stand out from the crowd — the studios 

hired Charlie Kaufman (“Adaptation,” 

“Being John Malkovich” and “Eternal 

Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) to pen the 

script. 

The idea of Charlie Kaufman writing a 

movie for children may sound absurd but 

“Orion and the Dark” proves that his signature 

brand of existential dread and off-kilter 

humor works perfectly for a story about 

a child learning to face their fears. To be 

clear, Kaufman tones down some of his 

trademark weirdness to make the movie 

accessible to children, but he retains the 

complexity, nervousness, self-awareness, 

and vulnerability that his work is known 

for. The end result is a bizarre and beautiful 

and humorous animated feature that 

works at every level — and for every age. 

In the book on which the movie is based, 

the titular character is a young child 

around the age of 6 or 7. To make his character 

a bit more relatable to the viewing 

audience, he has been aged up to 11 — right 

around the time when puberty is about to 

hit. While still blissfully unaware of that 

impending stage of his life, Orion (voiced by 

Jacob Tremblay) has other horrors to occupy 

his mind such as bees, dogs, falling from 

skyscrapers, talking to his crush, using the 

toilet at school, being called on in the classroom, 

and sewers which may harbor killer 

clowns. These are just a few of the things 

that run through his mind during the day. 

At night, much scarier thoughts lay waiting 

such as the bleak nothingness that 

awaits him when he dies and also the dark 

— especially the dark. 

Every night before he goes to bed, he 

curses the inky blackness that engulfs his 

room and the sky outside his window. One 

evening, his anxiety over the usual turning 

of the day gets so bad that the personification 

of darkness (aptly called Dark and 

voiced by Paul Walter Hauser) appears to 

him and swears he’ll help Orion get over 

his fear so he can be at peace when the 

night falls. 

Dark’s grand plan includes introducing 

him to the other nighttime deities: Dreams 

(Angela Bassett), Insomnia (Nat Faxon), 

Sleep (Natasia Demetriou), Quiet (Aparna 

Nancherla) and Unexplained Noises (Golda 

Rosheuvel). All of these characters have 

fun, individualistic designs that really 

hammer home their natures and purpose. 

For instance, Insomnia is a mosquito-like 

creature that whispers sweet terrors in 

your ear to keep you awake, while 

Unexplained Noises is a creepy robot-like 

creature that likes to find objects to bang 

together to give would-be sleepers a little 

scare. None of them are included in the 

book — Kaufman and director Sean 

Charmatz had to stretch a 40-page book 

into a feature-length film somehow — but 

they fit the wonderfully odd and vibrant 

style of Yarlett’s. 

The Reel Deal 

Dedra Cordle 

Discovering that 

some of the deities 

use chloroform and 

pillows to render 

humans to sleep, 

Orion is not at all 

excited about spending 

more time with 

beings that scare him silly. Likewise, the 

nighttime deities are not at all excited 

about his presence as they believe his fear 

could upset the balance of existence itself. 

They have good reason to believe that too 

as his anxieties and phobias start to eat 

away at the group’s eternal friendship, the 

confidence they have in themselves, and 

the steadfast trust they have in their 

(apparent) fearless leader, Dark. 

The movie starts off following the path 

of a straightforward fairy tale about entities 

that help humans cope with life’s perils 

— until it doesn’t. About a quarter of the 

way through, Kaufman flips the script and 

introduces a new framing device that is 

similar to that of “The Princess Bride.” The 

viewer learns that “Orion and the Dark” is 

being told by an older Orion (Colin Hanks) 

to his daughter Hypatia (Mia Akemi 

Brown) who is trying to face her fears. It’s 

a cute twist that works, especially when we 

learn that the grown-up Orion still harbors 

doubts and fears of his own. 

If there is a flaw to this movie, it is that 

it spends a bit too much time with young 

Orion, especially when it seems he has 

solved his problems about halfway through 

the story. In order to raise the stakes and 

fill time, Kaufman and the team introduces 

a new and contrived hiccup that almost 

grinds the movie and the character development 

that has taken place to a halt. But 

thankfully, the ship is righted as adult 

Orion and his young daughter work together 

to bring the film and the story within a 

story back to its fullest potential. 

I have to admit that I do not often get to 

see many animated features throughout 

the year so I cannot say if the art direction 

and design is wholly original from the other 

animated features that are out there today. 

But what I can say is that there is a funny 

and warm center to “Orion and the Dark” 

with layers of beauty, charm and eccentricities 

wrapped around it. It might not be for 

everyone, but it is definitely relatable to 

individuals of all ages and worthy of a 

watch. 

“Orion and the Dark” is now streaming 

on Netflix. 

Grade: B+ 


Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer 

and columnist.

Westside Messenger - February 11th, 2024

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