Madison Messenger - February 18th, 2024

madison
February 18, 2024 www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XXXIX No. 7
Paid for by Friends of Cory Coburn
Expansion project will triple size of food pantry
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
The Mount Sterling Community Center’s
food pantry will triple in size this year,
thanks to an anonymous donor. Organizers
expect to break ground on the 30x40 squarefoot
expansion in late March or early April.
“The donor came to us in August last
year. They knew our numbers were growing
and we needed more space,” said Megan
Barker Witteman, the center’s director.
In 2023, the food pantry had 10,207 individual
visits, an increase of 2,200 visits over
2022. The numbers have been climbing for
several years, Witteman said.
The pantry serves income eligible households
in the Madison-Plains, Miami Trace,
and Westfall school districts. Pre-packed
food boxes are distributed in a drivethrough
format every Tuesday and the first
Thursday of each month.
To stock the pantry shelves, the center
works with Mid-Ohio Food Bank, which
supplies items at no cost or at a steep discount.
Additionally, Kroger in London donates
fresh meat each week, and individuals
and groups donate non-perishable items
and money to purchase items.
Last year, the pantry took delivery of a
total of 52,990 pounds of miscellaneous pro-
duce and 96,191 pounds of other food items
from Mid-Ohio Food Bank, along with 9,164
pounds of chosen produce for Thanksgiving
and Christmas distributions. The 2023 food
intake also included 10,074 pounds of meat
from Kroger. All of these numbers are up by
thousands over 2022.
The pantry needs more room to store the
food that goes out each week and to stockpile
free items from Mid-Ohio that have
long expiration dates.
“We are just busting at the seams,” Witteman
said.
The expansion will connect directly to
the existing food pantry space. The center
plans to replace its existing walk-in
cooler/freezer with a larger one and will continue
to use its existing free-standing
cooler/freezers.
The pantry will continue to operate during
construction which is expected to take a
few months to complete once ground is broken.
Hours are 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays and 10
a.m.-noon the first Thursday of the month.
Clients are asked to provide proof of residence
at their first visit and identification
at every visit.
Witteman welcomes monetary donations
and donations of food and other necessities.
See PANTRY page 2
Messenger photo by Kristy Zurbrick
Megan Barker Witteman, director of the Mount Sterling Community Center, stands inside
the center’s food pantry. Thanks to an anonymous donor, an expansion is planned for
the food pantry this year.
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POSTAL PATRON
Night To Shine offers prom-like experience
By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
Seated at a table near the dance floor at Madison
County Vineyard Church in London, Gayla Heckel watched
the action unfold with tears in her eyes and a soft smile
spread across her face.
In her direct line of sight was her younger brother, Mike
Zbleski, her son, Fred, and her daughter-in-law, Fritzi, all
dancing up a storm and having the time of their lives as
part of a jubilant crowd.
“I feel like my heart might burst from happiness right
now,” she said.
Heckel and her family members were among the guests
taking part in Night To Shine on Feb. 9, an event designed
to give an unforgettable prom night experience to individuals
with special needs.
Growing up in Wisconsin in the 1950s, Heckel said there
were no social functions designed for differently abled people
such as her brother, Mike.
“I don’t think society really thought of things like that
back then,” she stated. “I don’t remember any places where
he could go to interact with other people like
him, and I don’t remember any places where
he could go so others could discover how
much of a sweetheart he is.”
She said she believes that lack of connection
made life a little harder on her “baby
brother.”
“He has always been so social, always
wanting to get out there and make friends,”
she added. “But sometimes people were not so
willing to be as nice to him as he was to them.”
What makes Heckel feel optimistic about
the world today, she said, is that it seems as
if cultural attitudes toward individuals with
See SHINE page 2
Messenger photo by Dedra Cordle
Janet Messer and Mike Zbleski share a dance at Night To
Shine, held Feb. 9 at Madison County Vineyard Church.

PAGE 2 - MADISON MESSENGER - February 18, 2024
SHINE
Continued from page 1
special needs are evolving for the better.
“There seems to be more acceptance of people like my brother
which is a good thing,” she said.
She also said her family could not have landed in a better spot
when they relocated to Madison County.
“They are so supportive of the special needs community here,”
she said. “The local board [for developmental disabilities] is very active,
and they have Special Olympics which allows people like Mike
to get out there and have fun with his crowd.”
Heckel said she would like to see more social gatherings like
Night To Shine.
“It means so much to be here, to see this,” she said, as she
watched her 74-year-old brother dance with new friends while
dressed to the nines. “I hope it will be back next year, too.”
The local residents who organized the prom night experience
said the event was so well received, their intention is to repeat it.
“I think we have to at this point,” quipped Melinda Scott, a member
of London First United Methodist Church, who co-organized the
event with Madison County Vineyard Missions and Outreach Pastor
Cindy Taylor. “We might be the most hated people in the county
if we didn’t try to do it again!”
This marked the first time churches in Madison County have
hosted Night To Shine, a movement sponsored by the Tim Tebow
Foundation. Founder Tim Tebow, a former collegiate and profes-
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sional quarterback and a devout Christian,
started the event in 2014 as a way to show
children and other individuals with special
needs that they are cherished and loved.
Since then, hundreds of churches around
the world have hosted Night To Shine, honoring
more than 7,000 “kings and queens”
who have attended the events.
Scott said she and Taylor had always
wanted to see Night To Shine come to Madison
County and decided to take matters into
their own hands.
“Cindy and I had been talking about it
for years, and we finally decided to bite the
bullet,” Scott said.
Planning started to take shape last year in
the hallways of London Elementary School.
Scott, a second-grade teacher at the school,
struck up a conversation about the topic with
Taylor, a substitute teacher for the district.
The discussion revolved around the news
that the Tim Tebow Foundation had just
opened up grant opportunities for religious
organizations to host Night To Shine.
“I had this wild idea that the church
where I am a member—London First United
Methodist Church—should team up with
Madison County Vineyard to throw this
prom night experience for our beloved special
needs community,” Scott explained. “I
didn’t know if it would work out, but I
thought it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
With the approval of the two local
churches, Scott and Taylor submitted an application
to the foundation with a request to
host the county’s very first Night To Shine
on Feb. 9, 2024. Within weeks, they received
an email stating they were the recipients of
a $6,500 grant to host the inclusive event.
“We were beyond thrilled,” said Scott.
“And then came the nerves.”
Although the Tim Tebow Foundation
provides each host church with an official
Night To Shine planning manual and personalized
guidance and support from a Tim
Tebow Foundation staff member, Scott said
she had no idea how stressful it would be to
plan an event like this.
“I think I was more nervous for this prom
than my own,” she joked.
She said she worried that local businesses
would not donate time to provide
hair and makeup services or goods for the
swag bags. She worried that individuals
who were more adept at decorating event
centers and light staging and DJ planning
would vanish off the face of the Earth. She
worried the community would not volunteer
to be chaperones and dates and the cheering
section. She worried the special needs community
would not want to come.
As it turned out, she had no reason to
worry. More than 10 local businesses donated
food, prizes, and hair and makeup
services, and more than 10 local residents
stepped forward to help with decorating,
light staging, and DJ services.
PANTRY
Continued from page 1
High priority items include skillet meals, toilet
paper, laundry detergent, and personal
care supplies, such as shampoo and deodorant.
She also welcomes volunteers to pack
www.madisonmessengernews.com
Messenger photos by Dedra Cordle
Ben Allour of London and Olivia Dickey of Lancaster were among
the kings and queens honored at Night To Shine, a prom experience
hosted by Madison County Vineyard and London First
United Methodist Church. Allour and Dickey are longtime friends
but have not been able to meet in person for several years. They
both said they were excited to be at the event and experience the
festivities together.
Night To Shine’s honored guests were greeted by cheers from the
“paparazzi” as they entered the gymnasium.
When it came to the three-hour main event on Feb. 9 in the gymnasium
at Madison County Vineyard, more than 50 volunteers were
on hand to cheer on the special guests, as well as volunteer as chaperones,
dates, and dance partners. More than 20 individuals ages
14 and older with special needs and different abilities tore up the
dance floor and made new friends in the process.
The kings and queens in attendance said they felt adored and
supported.
“This has been such a wonderful night, a wonderful experience,”
said Kendra Chapman as she took a short break from dancing the
night away with her boyfriend, Brandon North.
food boxes, sort and pack produce deliveries the second and fourth
Tuesdays of the month, and serve clients during pantry hours.
The Mount Sterling Community Center is a non-profit organization
funded solely by donations. It is located at 164 E. Main St. and
offers a wide variety of programs, recreational opportunities, and
space rental. For more information, call (740) 869-2453.

www.madisonmessengernews.com February 18, 2024 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 3
Nest and Bloom opens on Main Street
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
Nest and Bloom, a locally owned retail
store offering furniture, home decor, gifts,
and live plants, opened at 70 S. Main St.,
London. A soft opening took place on Feb. 6
followed by a grand opening on Feb. 10.
The business is co-owned by London residents
Kyleen and Luis Garcia and Kyleen’s
mother, Christi Frea.
“Kyleen wants to bring nice businesses
and options to London. She’s very interested
in investing in London,” Frea said.
Kyleen also owns the Union Street Salon
next door. The Nest and Bloom location was
formerly home to an H&R Block office.
Furniture offerings at Nest and Bloom are
ever changing and consist primarily of new
items, such as sofas, end tables, kitchen tables,
and desks. New and refurbished home
decor items are available, running from mirrors
and wall hangings to rugs. The store also
is a good place to visit for gifts, from tumblers
and mugs to books and devotionals.
Indoor plants are another part of the
store’s inventory. Frea said customers can
shop for pothos, snake plants, rubber plants,
spider plants, and the like.
The store also has what the owners call
a Bloom Room, a space where they plan to
hold plant-related classes, like how-to’s on
fairy garden assembly. The space will be
available for birthday parties, team-building
activities, and other events, as well.
Hours are: Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Wednesday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday, 10
a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Saturday,
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
NOTICE TO
MOBILE HOME TAXPAYERS
• The last day to pay first-half 2024 Mobile Home
Taxes in Madison County is Friday, March 1, 2024.
• Payments must be made in person at the Madison
County Treasurer’s Office until 4:00 P.M. Friday,
March 1, 2024.
• Mailed payments must be postmarked by the Post
Office by midnight Friday, March 1, 2024.
• By law, first-half taxes paid after March 1st, will
incur 5% penalty for the first ten days and after ten
days; a 10% penalty will incur regardless of
whether the taxpayer has received a bill.
• If you have not received a first-half 2024 Mobile
Home tax bill, call the Treasurer’s Office
immediately at 740-852-1936 or 1-877-454-3309.
Stacey L. McKenzie
Madison County Treasurer
MM FEBRUARY 18 & 25, 2024
MM2024148
Messenger photo by Jeff Pfeil
Nest and Bloom, 70 S. Main St., London, held their grand opening on Feb. 10. Co-owners
Kyleen and Luis Garcia and Christi Frea are joined here by members of their families
and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
Help with language barrier
By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
The Jefferson Local School District board
of education is taking steps to help the local
international community, approving testing
assistance for Ukrainian students.
At their Feb. 13 meeting, board members
approved an as-needed contract with Marta
Shishio to serve as a bilingual end-of-course
translator for the high school/middle school
at a rate of $90 per test section.
The four students are taking proficiency
level tests. The state is reimbursing the district
for translation costs.
“This doesn’t happen too often,” reported
Superintendent William Mullett.
In other action, the board accepted the
following donations:
• $850 worth of basketballs and footballs
from Toys for Tots;
• $2,800 from the music boosters for
stand carts and chair carts for the middle
school/high school band;
• $500 from the family of Jake Forrest to
the class of 2024 for senior scholarships;
• $150 in clothing from Lauren Holbert
and family; and
• winter coats valued at $800 to Norwood
Elementary from Ron Mast.
On April 8, the district is closing school
buildings and using a calamity day due to
the total solar eclipse occurring on that day.
Mullett said the closure is in anticipation of
a large volume of traffic in the area.
“All school activities will be cancelled, including
athletic events,” he said. “The district
will provide students with solar eclipse
glasses to take home with them on April 5.”
Norwood Elementary second-graders are
holding a donation drive Feb. 26-March 1 to
benefit the Humane Society of Madison
County. Students are collecting original
Clorox bleach, puppy pads, towels, treats,
toys, dog/puppy food, and cat/kitten food.
Purina brand is preferred.
A new scholarship at the high school is
helping marching band students pursue
higher education. The Bidwell-Hall scholarship,
named for Frederick and Sharon (Bidwell)
Hall, is for graduating seniors to assist
them with college costs. One $7,500 scholarship
will be awarded on an annual basis and
is non-renewable.

PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - February 18, 2024
Al-Anon meetings in West Jefferson
Al-Anon meetings are taking place at 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at
West Jefferson United Methodist Church, 36 S. Center St. (Room 4
on the second floor). Parking and the entrance are located on the
side of the church. Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends
of alcoholics who share their experiences, strength, and hope.
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Casey Michael Murphy, Sr.
(71) passed away unexpectedly on
Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Casey was
a lifelong resident of Madison County
since his birth on February 13, 1952. He
was the son of Donald W. and Mary
Catherine (Lanigan) Murphy. He was
preceded in death by his parents. Casey
is survived by the love of his life of 50+
years, Richi (Naeder) Murphy; His children, Casey Jr. and wife Chrissy
Murphy, Donald and his wife Kristina Murphy and Elizabeth Murphy;
his grandson, Carter Michael Murphy; sister-in-law Cheryl Naeder
along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Casey was a 1971 graduate of London High School. After graduation,
he began his lifelong career of farming and excavating. He was
proud to be a lifetime member of the F.F.A. and belonged to the local
Farm Bureau. He was also a member at St. Simon and Jude Catholic
Church. Throughout his lifetime he was a devoted dog owner as
well. Two notable companions were Fluffy and Willy. For many he
was a faithful friend who in his later years could be found casually
checking in on them to see if they needed anything, engaging in
conversation, or telling a story or two. One of his favorite pastimes
was spending time with his grandson Carter "C-Man" Murphy, whom
he adored. You may also find him out in the shop, tinkering with his
antique tractors or supervising his 2 sons and special nephew Bruce
Daily Jr. The legacy of love and caring that Casey has left behind will
ring throughout eternity with his family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm on THURSDAY, February 15,
2024, at the RADER-McDONALD-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 1355 W.
MAIN STREET, WEST JEFFERSON, OH, 43162. Funeral Services will
be held at the Funeral Home on FRIDAY, February 16, 2024, at 11:00
AM, with a 1 hour Visitation prior to service. Casey will be laid to rest
at the Dennison Chapel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to be
made to Madison Plains FFA or St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.
www.madisonmessengernews.com
Village administrator resigns
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
Tom Byrne is resigning as village administrator for
the village of Mount Sterling, effective Feb. 29.
Byrne was hired to fill the seat in August 2022. He
is retiring to spend more time with family, especially
his grandchildren.
“I think we got a lot done here in Mount Sterling,”
he said about his time with the village. “I think we have
a lot of potential. There are a lot of good things going
on. I’ve enjoyed all of it. It’s just time for me to move
on.”
As for filling the administrator’s position, Mayor
Andy Drake said he is taking a few days to evaluate the
role and talk with village staff before making a recommendation
to council on next steps.
“Once council has had time to consider and make
changes to the role, we would then post a position with
their approval,” he said.
About Byrne’s service to the village, Drake commented,
“He leaves on a very high note, with the village
significantly better than when he found it. Tom’s ongoing
contributions will be greatly missed, and we hope
he will stop by once in a while to share some of his famous
Irish cheer.”
Council accepted Byrne’s resignation in a 6-0 vote.
Potholes
Resident Jacob Keever attended the Feb. 12 village
council meeting to express concerns about potholes.
“People want an action plan,” he said, regarding not
just pothole fixes for the short term but also fresh
paving of roads for the long term.
Drake agreed the village needs a plan. He noted that
funding is the challenge when it comes to paving, explaining
that the village only gets so much from the
state for such projects. He said the village borrowed
$400,000 for repaving High Street, the last full paving
project the village tackled.
“We are still repaying that loan. We need to be careful
about borrowing more money,” Drake said.
In the short-term, Drake said the village’s goal is to
patch potholes within 24 hours of discovering them.
Byrne noted that the village’s two streets employees
filled over 400 potholes last year.
Arbor Day/Clean-Up Days/Trees
The village’s tree/beautification committee will hold
Streets of Plain City
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two Arbor Day events. The first is set for April 19 at
Mason Park. Organizers hope to have third-graders
from Madison-Plains Local Schools plant a couple of
trees at the event, as has been done in past years.
The second Arbor Day event is set for 10 a.m.-noon
April 20 during which the committee plans to give away
tree saplings to the community at the town gazebo and
on the town hall lawn.
The village will hold its annual spring Community
Clean-Up Days May 3-5. Details will be shared as the
dates get closer.
The tree/beautification committee plans to participate
in the spring Clean-Up Days, helping with tree
trimming projects and planting another six trees at
Mason Park. They also plan to clear out brush and other
natural growth around Mount Sterling’s oldest tree
which stands near the water plant and Mason Park.
The committee’s work over the past year has earned
the village the designation of a Tree City USA. Members
will attend the Tree City USA conference in Worthington
on May 9 to accept the designation.
Committees
Council unanimously approved the appointment of
several community members to village committees:
• Linda Blankenship and Phil Starr to the zoning
committee;
• Alice Hix to the planning committee (council member
Craig Hix abstained on this vote); and
• Jacob Keever and Joann Schobeloch to the
tree/beautification committee.
Council held a first reading on a proposal to expand
the tree/beautification committee from five members to
eight members. Becky Martin, committee chair, said
she has received a lot of interest from community members
who want to serve.
Martin also serves as chair of the nuisance and
abatement committee. She reported that the committee
has openings for two community members. Anyone interested
in filling the seats can contact Courtney
Bricker, village clerk, by sending a message via email
to cbricker@mtsterling.org.
Council member Ross Anderson reported that Mike
Miller is a new member of the Tri-County Joint Fire
District committee. Darrell Champer is the committee’s
new chairperson. Anderson serves as council’s representative
on the committee.
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www.madisonmessengernews.com February 18, 2024 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 5
Road closures approved for Mt. Sterling special events
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
On Feb. 12, Mount Sterling village council
members unanimously approved temporary
road closures for several Mount
Sterling Chamber of Commerce events
slated for 2024, along with American Legion
Post 417’s Veterans Day ceremony.
Council member Becky Martin, also a
Chamber member, originally requested the
road closures at the Jan. 22 meeting. Council
deferred a vote on the request at that time,
instead sending the matter to the street committee
which met later that week. At issue
were concerns about traffic control and safety.
Representatives from the Ohio Department
of Transportation (ODOT) and Madison
County Sheriff’s Office provided input
at the committee meeting. This year, there
will be more traffic pattern signage, better
placement of the signage, and improved
bracing so the signage doesn’t blow over.
During the events, the village will close off
an alleyway that has caused issues with
CRUM
Sharon Lee Crum, 79, of Pataskala, Ohio, died on Feb. 5, 2024,
in Licking Memorial Hospital, Newark. Born on Feb. 3, 1945, in
Blacklick, she was a daughter of William Daugherty and Nellie
Frances (Crabbe) Daugherty.
Sharon went on to pursue a career in welding, where she worked
for J-I-C for over 20 years. She married the love of her life, Oscar,
on Dec. 14, 1972, and they enjoyed 47 years together until his passing
in 2019. Sharon was an avid bowler in her younger days. She
enjoyed fishing, watching westerns, playing the lottery, and listening
to country music. She was a big Buckeye and Reds fan. Also,
she made the best peanut butter fudge around!
She leaves behind grandson, Daniel (Brandy) Stinson, and four
stepchildren and their family. Sharon was preceded in death by her
parents, husband Oscar Crum, and daughter Cecelia Leann Knott.
Private interment will be completed at the convenience of the
family. Memorials in Sharon’s name may be sent to benefit the
American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
The family is being served by Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and
Crematory, London. Condolences may be shared at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.
DARLINGTON
Daniel “Danny” Dean Darlington, 53, of Greenfield, Ohio, died
on Feb. 7, 2024, in Riverside Methodist Hospital. Born on June 15,
1970, in Columbus, he was a son of John Ivan and Judith Ann
(Brubaker) Darlington.
Danny loved hunting and fishing. He would hunt almost anything
that was in season and traveled far and wide to scout out the
best fishing locations. Some of his favorite finds included Louisiana
and the southern part of the country.
He is survived by: two sons, Dylan (Heather) Darlington and
Nathan (Chelsea) Darlington; grandchildren, Uriah Darlington,
Trazara Darlington, Jasiah Darlington, and Arianna Darlington;
siblings, John Darlington, Kim (Rudy) Deschler, and Darrel
Williams; mother of his children, Connie Darlington; many nieces,
nephews, and cousins.
Danny was preceded in death by: his parents; brothers, Lewis
Williams, Bryan Darlington, and Scott Darlington; and grandson,
Eli Darlington.
Private graveside services will be held at the convenience of the
family. Interment will be completed in Kirkwood Cemetery.
traffic flow in the past. The Sheriff’s Office
will have more deputies on duty to enforce
the traffic flow changes, and ODOT is working
on Google map designations with the
goal of diverting traffic around the village
during special events.
Josh Narwald, a High Street resident, attended
the Feb. 12 council meeting. He said
his children often play on the sidewalk outside
their home. He worries for their safety
when traffic increases during special events.
After hearing the traffic safety measures
planned for this year’s events, Narwald
said, “That doesn’t completely allay my concerns,
but I appreciate the effort.”
Gerald Spradlin, another High Street
resident, said the Chamber does a great job
of providing entertaining events for the community.
However, he said he took exception
to Martin’s comments from the Jan. 22
meeting in which she referred to residents
with safety concerns as “complainers.”
“Just try to envision yourself living there
with the tsunami of traffic and big semi
obituaries
Memorials donations in Danny’s name may be sent to the American
Heart Association at www.heart.org.
The family is being served by Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and
Crematory, London. Condolences may be shared online at
www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.
ANDERS
Hester M. Anders, 95, of London, Ohio, died on Feb. 9, 2024, at
the Madison House, London, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 10, 1928, in Fayette, County, Ohio, the
daughter of Albert and Louie (Estep) Alltop. Hester was a hard
worker all of her life. She and her husband owned the Matador
Restaurant. She retired from Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
After retirement, Hester worked and volunteered at Madison
County Senior Center. She loved to go to bingo and auctions. She
loved to cook and probably gave away more
food than she kept. She loved helping and
doing things for others.
Hester is survived by: her daughters,
Mary Anders Smith, Carolyn Farish, and
Sharon (Jack) Kerns; grandchildren, Michelle
Powers, Scott Farish, and Jason (Patty)
Kerns; great-grandchildren, Stephanie
(John) DeFalco, Samuel Kerns, and Daniel
Kerns; great-great-grandchildren, Emma
Hass and Luke Hass; grand-daughter-in-law,
Elizabeth Finchum; and special neighbors,
Pat and Mary Davis and family.
Hester was preceded in death by: her
husband of 59 years, Harold Anders; granddaughter,
Lara K. Finchum; grandson, Gregory
Eric Finchum; sisters, Louise Gordon,
Barbara Butcher, Lucille White, and Alberta
Buchanan; and special family member,
Rod Ryan.
Calling hours were set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Feb. 17 at Lynch Family Funeral Home &
Cremation Services, London, with a funeral
service to follow and an interment service
at Oak Hill Cemetery, London.
Condolences may be shared at
www.lynchfamilyfuneralhome.com.
trucks, parking issues, and all that,” he
said. “People have their own concerns, and
they should be able to express those concerns
without being referred to as ‘complainers.’”
Martin apologized for her choice of
words, saying she uttered them in a heated
moment. She assured Spradlin that she
takes all complaints seriously.
Martin thanked council for approving the
road closures. She also thanked the community
members and business owners who expressed
frustration to her over council’s lack
of a vote on the matter at the previous meeting.
She noted that the Chamber has met
with ODOT and the Sheriff’s Office in previous
years to work out traffic issues.
“No one at any time was flying by the
seat of their pants in the Chamber of Commerce,
I’ll tell you that. We’ve done this for
years,” she said, regarding consultation
with authorities and village representatives
regarding traffic safety.
The Chamber events planned for 2024 include:
Summer Jam, June 13-15; Independence
Day parade, July 4; Downtown Street
Market and Car Show, Sept. 21; and Christmas
in the Village, Dec. 7. The Legion Post’s
Veterans Day ceremony is set for Nov. 11.
madison
Messenger
Distribution: 8,400 • Published Sundays
Denise Hill ................Advertising Manager
Kristy Zurbrick .................................Editor
Becky Barker....................Office Assistant
78 S. Main St., London, Ohio 43140
(740) 852-0809
67 Cherry Street, London
• Monuments & Markers
• Mausoleums, Bronze Memorials
• Custom Sandblasting
A Family Trade for over 60 years
CALL TIM
740-852-5674
PRESIDENT'S DAY
2024
This coming Monday, February 19, 2024 is
President's Day here in America—a day set aside to
honor two of our most famous Presidents: George
Washington, “The Father of Our Country,” and Abraham
Lincoln, “The Great Emancipator.” Let’s take time on
that day to be thankful not only for these two truly great
Americans, but for all of our leaders who have helped to
make our Nation what it is today.
E F
Since 1908
Eberle-Fisher
Funeral Home/Crematory
www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com
ROBY’S
MEMORIAL
DESIGN AND
LETTERING
1-888-858-8607
Mon.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm • Sat. 9 am-12 pm
Madison County’s
Most Experienced
Monument Company
Dana Fisher
103 North Main Street
London, Ohio
43140-1144
(740) 852-2345

PAGE 6 - MADISON MESSENGER - February 18, 2024
www.madisonmessengernews.com
Taxpayer Bill of Rights covers 10 important points
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is the 10 rights all taxpayers have
any time they interact with the IRS. These rights cover a wide
range of topics and issues, and they explain what taxpayers can expect
if they need to work with the IRS on a tax matter. This includes
when a taxpayer files a return, pays taxes, responds to a letter or
notice, goes through an audit, or appeals an IRS decision.
Taxpayers have a right to:
Be Informed. The right to know what to do to comply with the
tax laws.
Quality Service. The right to receive prompt, courteous, and professional
assistance when working with the IRS.
Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax. The right to pay
and to have the IRS apply all tax payments properly.
Challenge the IRS's Position and Be Heard. The right to raise
objections and provide additional documentation in response to formal
IRS actions or proposed actions.
Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum. The right to
a fair and impartial administrative appeal of most IRS decisions.
Finality. The right to know when the IRS has finished an audit.
Privacy. The right to expect that any IRS inquiry, examination,
or enforcement action will comply with the law and be no more intrusive
than necessary.
Confidentiality. The right to expect that any information taxpayers
provide to the IRS will not be disclosed unless authorized by the
Retain Representation. The right to retain
an authorized representative of the taxpayer’s
choice to represent them when
working with the IRS. Taxpayers have the
right to seek assistance from a Low Income
Taxpayer Clinic if they cannot afford representation.
A Fair and Just Tax System. The right to
expect the tax system to consider facts and
circumstances that might affect their underlying
liabilities, ability to pay, or ability to
provide information in a timely manner.
only the amount of tax legally due, including interest and penalties, taxpayer or by law.
Follow IRS checklist to make filing taxes easier
The Internal Revenue Service offers the following checklist to
help taxpayers as they prepare to file their 2023 tax returns during
filing season. These easy tips will help make tax preparation
smoother in 2024. Much of this information is also available on a
special IRS.gov free help page:
1. Gather all necessary tax paperwork and records for accuracy
to avoid missing a deduction or credit. Taxpayers should have all
their important and necessary documents before preparing their return.
This will help file a complete and accurate tax return. Errors
and omissions slow down tax processing, including refund times.
Before beginning, taxpayers should have:
• Social Security numbers for everyone listed on the tax return
• Bank account and routing numbers
• Various tax forms such as W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and other income
documents or records of digital asset transactions
• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace statement
• Any IRS letters citing an amount received for a certain tax deduction
or credit.
2. Remember to report all types of income on the tax return.
Taxes By
Jeff
Johnson
54 S. MAIN ST.
LONDON, OH 43140
740-852-6500
Cell: 740-837-0858
This is important to avoid receiving a notice or a bill from the IRS.
Don’t forget to include income from:
• Goods created and sold on online platforms
• Investment income
• Part-time or seasonal work
• Self-employment or other business activities.
online filing services; or hire a tax professional.
4. Don’t wait on hold when calling the
IRS. Use online resources at IRS.gov to get
answers to tax questions, check a refund status,
or pay taxes. There’s no wait time or appointment
• Services provided through mobile apps.
needed. Online tools and
3. Consider which filing option to use; each one has its own
benefits. Taxpayers should decide based on their personal situation
and comfort level with tax preparation: personally file taxes; use
resources are available 24 hours a day. The
IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant tool and Let
Us Help You resources are especially helpful.
Childcare tax credit for business
The Internal Revenue Service announced the launch of a new
page on IRS.gov explaining the Employer-Provided Childcare Tax
Credit, an incentive for businesses to provide child care services to
their employees.
“This business tax credit helps employers provide their employees
with child-care services and facilities,” said IRS Commissioner Danny
Werfel. “We’ve heard that some employers may be overlooking this
important credit, so the IRS has created a new one-stop shop for information
on IRS.gov that provides an easy place to learn more.”
The information is available at IRS.gov/employerchildcare or by
searching “employer child care.”
Reminder!
Tax season
is approaching.
Income Tax Preparation
Martina Miller Walters
740-852-3656
mwalters@columbus.rr.com
Get the best pricing
on your personal or
small business tax returns
Make Your Appointment Today!
This tax credit is designed to help employers
cover some of the qualified child care
facility and resource and referral expenditures
associated with providing child care
services to their employees. A qualified child
care facility is one that meets the requirements
of all applicable laws and regulations
of the state or local government in which it
is located.
The credit is limited to $150,000 per year
to offset 25 percent of qualified child care facility
expenditures and 10 percent of qualified
child care resource and referral expenditures.
Employers should complete Form 8882,
Credit for Employer-Provided Child Care
Facilities and Services, to claim the credit
for qualified child care facility and resource
and referral expenditures. The credit is part
of the general business credit subject to the
carryback and carryforward rule. This
means employers may carryback unused
credit one year and then carryforward 20
years after the year of the credit. Taxpayers
whose only source for the credit is from
pass-through entities can report the credit
directly on Form 3800, General Business
Credit.
The Employer-Provided Childcare Tax
Credit homepage on IRS.gov has more information
about claiming the credit, including
the requirements for qualified child care expenditures
and qualified child care facilities.

www.madisonmessengernews.com February 18, 2024 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 7
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PAGE 8 - MADISON MESSENGER - February 18, 2024
Archaeology Society
The Darby Creek Chapter of the Archaeological
Society of Ohio will meet on Feb. 21
at the Madison County Historical Society
Museum, 260 E. High St., London. Doors
open at 5:30 p.m. The meeting starts at 6
p.m. The group will talk about artifacts of
North America’s Early Native Americans,
as well as metal detecting finds related to
Ohio pioneers. The public is welcome. Attendees
are encouraged to bring artifacts (arrowheads,
stone or bone tools, and/or metal
detecting finds) to show and talk about.
Health District and Advisory
Council Meetings
The Madison County London City Health
District Board will hold its next regular
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community calendar
meeting at 5 p.m. March 14 at Madison
County Public Health, 306 Lafayette St.,
London.
The Madison County District Advisory
Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. March 11 at
the Madison County Engineer’s Office, 825
U.S. Rte. 42, London.
Open Mic Night
American Legion Post 201, 9701 W.
Broad St., West Jefferson, is hosting an
open mic night at 7 p.m. Feb. 20. For details,
send email to music@thepenry.net.
Somerford Township Trustees
The date for the Somerford Township
trustees’ February meeting has moved to
Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at the township hall.
Alzheimer’s Family Support
The Alzheimer’s Family Support Group
meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each
month at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 380
Keny Blvd., London. For more information,
call Pat Baynes at (937) 269-3605. Everyone
is welcome.
Madison County Senior Center
280 W. High St., London, (740) 852-3001.
Feb. 19—Closed for Presidents Day
Feb. 20—9 a.m., quilting class, 10 a.m.,
bowling; 4-7 p.m., billiards, hand and foot
cards, workout room open
Feb. 21—8:30 a.m., indoor walking/exercise
class; 9 a.m., chair volleyball; 12 p.m.,
bridge
Feb. 22—9 a.m., chair volleyball; 9:30
a.m., museum trip departs; 1:30 p.m., Prime
Tour trip presentation
Feb. 23—8:30 a.m., indoor walking/exercise
class; 9 a.m., painting class; 1 p.m., free
movie for members.
London Public Library
20 E. First St., (740) 852-9543.
• Closed. The library will be closed on
Feb. 19 for Presidents Day.
• Blind Date with a Book. Let the library
set you up on a blind date this February.
Don't worry about the awkwardness of the
first date; the books are great conversationalists.
Stop by to pick out a book or two and
get a “Rate Your Date” card to go with it.
Each book is wrapped so you don’t know
what you’re getting. The only thing you will
be told is the book’s genre and first line.
Complete the book and fill out the rate card
to be entered into a prize drawing.
• Toddler Time. Tuesdays, 10-10:30 a.m.,
for ages 0-3. Stories, songs, and finger-plays
revolve around a different theme each week.
Some weeks involve musical instruments,
balls, and a parachute.
• Preschool Storytime. Tuesdays, 11-
11:45 a.m., for ages 3-6. Books, songs, and
finger-plays revolve around a different
theme each week. Some weeks involve musical
instruments, balls, and a parachute.
Preschoolers can practice the alphabet with
a letter activity after the regular storytime
is over.
• Cookbook Club. The group will meet
at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 to share Cajun dishes and
recipes. Each month, the club picks a cookbook
or cookbook author, then members
make and share dishes the third Wednesday
of the month
• Kindergarten Club. On Feb. 22 from
6:30 to 7:15 p.m., children ages 3-6 can practice
the alphabet and motor skills to prepare
for kindergarten. Participants will practice
letter sounds and writing letters using multisensory
literacy activities. Children can
master important fine motor skills and gross
motor skills needed to start school. Participants
will work on numbers and counting,
scissors, sorting, patterns, and more.
HBMLibrary
270 Lilly Chapel Rd., West Jefferson,
(614) 879-8448.
• Storytime. Wednesdays and Friday at
10:30 a.m.
• Companions for Kids. Through February,
the library is collecting new stuffed animals
for first responders of Madison
County.
• Closed. The library will be closed Feb.
19 for Presidents Day.
• Friends of the Library. The group will
meet at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21. To learn more
about the group, contact library Director
Chris Siscoe at (614) 879-8448.
• Local Author Talk. The Madison
County Masters Gardener volunteers are
hosting this event featuring Madison
County resident Teresa Woodard. At 6 p.m.
Feb. 27, Woodard will talk about her travels
across the United States and will have
copies of her book, “American Roots: Lessons
and Inspiration from the Designers
Reimaging Our Home Gardens,” available
for purchase.
Mount Sterling Library
60 W. Columbus St., (740) 869-2430.
• Little Free Library Pantry. Anyone is
welcome to donate or take books, non-perishable
canned and boxed food items (unexpired
and undamaged), pet food, and
unopened hygiene items. The pantry is located
across from the library and accessible
around the clock, year-round.
• Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Mondays for
ages 2-5 years old.
• Closed. The library will be closed Feb.
19 in observance of Presidents Day.
• Ladies Night Out Movie. The next
night out is Feb. 26. The library will show
“Love Again” (PG-13) on its big screen; the
title will be announced soon. Doors open at
6:30 p.m. Ladies only are invited to RSVP
for this potluck event by calling the library
or texting Melissa at (614) 315-7939. Seating
is limited. The library provides popcorn,
cold drinks, and flavored coffees.
• Around Town Book Club. The group
will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 on the library’s
www.madisonmessengernews.com
Meetings for
new farmers
The Madison County and Franklin
County Extension offices are hosting
three beginning farmer informational
meetings. The series is designed to introduce
beginning farmers to important
topics and resources.
The series kicks off on Feb. 20 with
the USDA Beginning Farmer Team.
Numerous programs, resources, and financing
are available to beginning
farmers. Participants will connect with
staff managing these programs. The
session is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the
Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension
Building, 2548 Carmack Rd.,
Columbus.
Tim McDermott, OSU Extension educator
in Franklin County, will lead the
March 5 session which will focus on
marketing and alternative sales channels.
This session is set for 5:30-6:30
p.m. at Hurt-Battelle Memorial Library,
270 Lilly Chapel Rd., West Jefferson.
The series will wrap up on March 19
with business plan development and ag
lending. Amanda Douridas, OSU Extension
educator in Madison County, will
talk about the basics of a business plan,
and Hallie Hiser of Farm Credit will
talk about what lending through them
might look like for a beginning farmer.
This session is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at
the Prairie Township Community Center,
5955 W. Broad St., Galloway.
Participants attending one or all of
these sessions will gain information to
improve their farms and make connections
with resource providers. The sessions
are free to attend. Pre-registration
is advised in case of cancellations. Details
and registration are available at
go.osu.edu/24begfarmerseries.
Questions can be directed to Amanda
Douridas at Douridas.9@osu.edu.
main level. The theme for February is
“Blind Date with a Book.” Participants will
choose a wrapped book on display based on
a brief description, read it, then talk at the
meeting about whether they would recommend
it. Refreshments are served and a
game is played. Adult men and women are
welcome.
• Batters, Splatters, & Platters. Registration
is open for this kids’ cooking club for
ages 9-12. Classes will be held at 6 p.m.
March 4, March 18, April 1, April 15, and
April 22. Call the library for details.
• Bright Beats. Registration is open for
Bright Beats classes. Classes are free and
run for 30 minutes. They will be held
Wednesdays March 6-May 9 (no class
March 27 due to spring break) and are open
to children ages 1-4 years old.

PAGE 12 - MADISON MESSENGER - February 18, 2024
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