Community calendar for Eastside Messenger

Bexley students interviewing former students for video project
Students at Bexley High School and Bexley Middle School are collaborating with community members to create a short video piece, "Going to School in Bexley," to mark the city's 100th anniversary this year.  

Bexley residents of any age who have stories to tell about growing up in Bexley and what it was like to be a student in the community's schools are invited to be interviewed by a student video production team.  

According to Joan Fishel, Bexley Board of Education representative to the city's Centennial Commission, students' questions are certain to prompt memories and anecdotes that will be enjoyed by everyone in the community through the video:  

Former Bexley students may arrange for a video interview by contacting Fishel at mfishel@columbus.rr.com or 237-7402.

The project is being led by Bexley High School technology teacher David Valentine, who is garnering school resources such as video recording equipment to guide Bexley High School students in collecting residents' oral histories.  The interviews will eventually be transcribed to keep in the Bexley Historical Society's archives.  

Students in Bexley Middle School's leadership program are gathering historical photographs and memorabilia to edit together with the oral histories, and create the video piece, which will be screened at a public event this year.  The video production team is also tapping historic archives preserved by staffers at Montrose and Maryland Elementary Schools.

Students led by theatre director Rebecca Rhinehart plan to turn collected interviews and oral histories into one of the first productions for their new Storytelling Troupe.  The student readers' theatre production should be ready for a public audience later this year.

The City of Bexley plans an ongoing party through 2008 to mark the occasion and the Bexley Historical Society is publishing a book about the community's first one hundred years.  Special events are planned during Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July activities.

For information about the Centennial Project, contact Amy Thompson, Bexley Schools public information c oordinator, at keycomnet@bexley.k12.oh.us or 238-6663.

Whitehall Historical Society to meet
The Whitehall Historical Society will hold its annual dinner meeting, May 21 at MCL Cafeteria on East Main Street. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting and elections at 6:30.  

Regular meetings are the second Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Buckeye Building at Community Park.

Holocaust speaker to focus on impact of memories
Bexley Schools will present a program by its third Holocaust scholar, Dr. Robert N. Kraft, on May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Bexley High School Library at 326 S. Cassingham Road.

Kraft, professor of cognitive psychology at Otterbein College, will speak about "Defining Memories: Oral Testimony and the Holocaust."  

His courses explore brain physiology and perception and his research programs at Otterbein focus on enduring memory, emotion, and victims and perpetrators.  

Kraft's  book Memory Perceived:  Recalling the Holocaust is the result of years of research in the area of Holocaust memory and its after-effects.

Kraft's appearance at Bexley High School is part of a course on the Holocaust initiated in 2005 by BHS faculty member, Ben Trotter.  

Jack Roth Rock'nRun fundraiser June 8
Nationally renowned Emmy award winning news anchor and journalist, Andrea Cambern, has been named the honorary chairperson of the 3rd Annual Jack Roth Rock'n'Run, to be held June 8,  at 9 a.m.

The Jack Roth Rock'n'Run has become a highly anticipated event for families and friends in Columbus, and beyond.  

The Rock'n'Run has raised more than $135,000 for lung cancer research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard Solove Research Center at The Ohio State University and Camp Netaim, a camp for children with special needs in Israel.

Jack Roth, a Bexley High School alumni and longtime resident of Bexley, was diagnosed with lung cancer in March, 2004.  After waging a valiant nine-month battle against the disease, he lost his fight December 17th, 2004 at the age of 57.

The 5K run/walk will start and finish at Bexley High School (348 S. Cassingham Road).   Participants can pre-register at http:/www.premierraces.com/Races/Roth.html.

Also, new this year we are offering all race participants an opportunity to set up a personal sponsorship page through   http://www.firstgiving.com/jackrothrun.

Corporate and Personal donations can also be made through the Firstgiving site http://www.firstgiving.com/jackrothrun, as well as through the Columbus Jewish Foundation: The Jack Roth Fund, c/o the Columbus Jewish Foundation 1175 College Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209.
 
AARP opens WorkSearch office  for seniors in Whitehall
In order to serve the needs of a growing number of individuals 55 years and older, AARP Foundation WorkSearch has opened a second office at 5300 E. Main Street, Whitehall, in the second floor conference room.  

The AARP Foundation WorkSearch is AARP's affiliated charity operating under a federal grant to assist older workers on low incomes with their job search.  This funding provides AARP Foundation WorkSearch with the ability to provide temporary on the job experience, and training for qualified older workers.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from the AARP Foundation WorkSearch program, contact  Janet Aselin at 322-0600.

Reynoldsburg Lions Club turkey shoot benefits charities
The Reynoldsburg Lions Club will host their annual spring turkey shoot every Sunday now through May 18 at 13685 Basil Road.   The event will be held from 10 am until 2 pm.  Shots are $2.50 each with prizes of bacon, turkeys or ham.  Special shoots are available for $ 4-$7 with prizes of special cut of meats such as rib eye steaks.   

To reach the grounds, take Route 40 East nine miles east of Reynoldsburg and turn south on York Road and travel two miles.

The Lions Club will also be providing food and beverages on site so come hungry and enjoy the day.  Bring your shot gun, but no sleeved guns are allowed.  

This is one of the largest fundraiser of the year for the Lions Club.  The Reynoldsburg Lions Club is a non-profit organization that raises money for local charities including Reynoldsburg Special Olympics, Reynoldsburg Helping Hands and to assist with the prevention of blindness.  Proceeds from these event will benefit local charities.  
For information, please contact Bob Martin,  at 861-8811.

Bexley's Relay for Life collecting cell phones, donations
Bexley's Relay for Life is collecting old cell phones to recycle and raising funds for the American Cancer Society.  Drop old phones at any Bexley school. Relay for Life is set for June 6-7at the Bexley High School track.  For information, contact Jennifer Lee at blee23@columbus.rr.com.
 
Knights of Columbus Armed Forces Day cook-out
The Knights of Columbus Council 5253 will have their 3rd Annual Armed Forces Day Parish Cook-Out on May 10,  from 6 to 7 p.m. in the St Pius X School cafeteria, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg.  

Dinner will include brats, hamburgers and hotdogs with bake beans, potato salad, chips, cookies and beverage.  Price is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and $2.00 for children.  All proceeds to benefit religious vocations. If you are in the military, just show your ID or come in uniform and you can eat for free.    
 
Reynoldsburg Reach public meeting schedule
The Reynoldsburg school district has scheduled a series of public meetings to gather input on the configuration of new buildings following the passage of a bond issue in March.

Officials are considering four options for a second high school and a seventh elementary school.
•A traditional high school for grades 9-12.
•One high school building for grades 9-10, and the other for grades 11-12.
•Small "schools of choice" within the high school buildings focusing on different academic areas.
•A traditional elementary school or a magnet "school of choice."

All meetings will take place at 7 p.m. Locations and dates are:
•May 6, Rose Hill
•May 8, Baldwin Road JH
•May 13, Taylor Road
•May 15, Slate Ridge
•May 22, French Run
•May 29, Reynoldsburg High

Fraternal Order of Police has scholarship fundraiser, raffle
The Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary Capital City No. 5 is planning its annual fundraising dinner, silent auction and presentation of the Sgt. Marc Muncy Scholarship May 7 at the Columbus Police Academy, 1000 North Hague Ave. Dinner will be served from 5:30-8 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit the FOP Auxiliary, which supports law enforcement officers throughout Franklin County through their fundraising efforts, political involvement and support of officers and their families during a time of crisis.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, or $35 for a family of four or more. To purchase tickets, contact Becky Muncy at 614-580-4574 or e-mail SgtMuncyScholarship@yahoo.com.

The Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary Capital City No. 5 is raffling off a 2008 Honda Civic LX, provided by Roush Honda, in conjunction with the Sgt. Marc Muncy Memorial Scholarship Program.

The cost is $20 for one raffle ticket or $50 for three raffle tickets. A minimum of 1,500 tickets must be sold or it will become a 50/50 drawing, and a maximum of 2,000 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be conducted May 7, and you need not be present to win.

All proceeds benefit the Sgt. Marc Muncy Memorial Scholarship Fund. Muncy was a Columbus Police officer who died in the line of duty in 1995.

To purchase raffle tickets, contact Becky Muncy at 614-580-4574 or e-mail SgtMuncyScholarship@yahoo.com.
 
Bexley Women's Club House & Garden Tour, Gala
The Bexley Women's Club will host its first Bexley House & Garden Tour and Gala celebrating Bexley's centennial year.   The invitation-only Gala on Saturday, June 21, will begin at 4 p.m. at the Governor's Residence with a welcoming by Ohio's First Lady, Frances Strickland.  

Gala guests will have an opportunity to tour the residence and grounds before moving on to other residences and gardens on the tour.  Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Bexley Gateway complex, and will wrap up at 8:30 p.m.  Gala reservations can be purchased for $75 per person and will be limited in availability (first-come-first-served).

On Sunday, June 22, a ticketed House & Garden Tour will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Special hourly guided tours of the Governor's Heritage Gardens will be available, although the mansion itself will not be open for the public tour on Sunday.  Additional tour tickets are $15 in advance ($20 on the day of tour) and are available on-line at www. bexleywomen.org and at select retail locations beginning May 10.

The proceeds from this landmark event will provide scholarships to high school seniors who reside in Bexley and undergraduate students nationwide.  Over the past 70 years, the Bexley Women's Club has supported more than 700 students with over $300,000 in scholarships.  

For information, visit www.bexleywomen.org.  

JCC events

The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements. Information is available at www.columbusjcc.org.

Gallery Players stages drama Brooklyn Boy
Gallery Players will present Brooklyn Boy from Saturday, May 17 through Sunday, June 1, in the Roth-Resler Theater of the JCC of Greater Columbus.  

Performances are set for Saturdays, May 17, 31 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, May 18, 25, June 1 at 2:30 p.m.; and Thursdays, May 22, 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Boy, a drama by Donald Margulies, is a story about what happens when the marginally successful writing career of middle-aged author Eric Weiss begins to take off with the publication of his novel, "Brooklyn Boy."

Whether or not Weiss' novel is based on his own life is one of the questions that fuels the play. Now he's facing temptations he's never known, while his wife and father are threatening to leave him - albeit in different ways.

Playing the part of Eric in the Gallery Players production is Dan Welsh, with veteran actor Charlie Sloin portraying his father, Manny. Rounding out the Gallery Players cast is Rick Napoli as Ira; Nancy Fox Spiler, Nina; Kristina Kopf, Melanie; Billy Ernhart, as Tyler, and Kate Murphy, as Alison. The production is being directed by veteran John Dranschak.

For information on the Gallery Players' production, visit the Gallery Players website at www.jccgalleryplayers.org, or call 559-6248.

Jewish teens can enter essay contest
for scholarships
JET (Jewish Experiences for Teens) of the Jewish Community Centerof Greater Columbus is offering a scholarship opportunity for students in 8th through 12th grades.

"We're asking students to answer the question, 'What does being a Jewish teen mean to you?' in essay, artwork, or YouTube form," said Samara Chodosh, JET director. "Each category will have three winners. First place will receive $200, second place, $100, and third place, $50."

Each student may submit one entry per category. Entries are due by Friday, May 16 to Chodosh in care of the JCC of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave., Columbus.

For information, contact Chodosh at 559-6255.

Gallery Players seeks photos for 60th anniversary album
Gallery Players, the oldest community theater group in central Ohio, will celebrate its 60th season this fall at the Jewish Community Centerof Greater Columbus.

Co-chairs of the celebration, Pam Scheer and Rena Vesler, are sorting through photographs and slides of productions for a keepsake program and display.

They are looking for help in identifying the people in the photos, and are also asking for additional photos.

If interested in assisting with the project, contact Scheer at 231-3401 or Vesler at Rena@columbus.rr.com.

Gallery Players staged its first production in May, 1948, as the first community theater in central Ohio to implement a casting policy that did not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or gender. Today, the group continues this inclusive tradition.

For information, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org or call 231-2731.

Rabbi-psychotherapist to talk about raising kids today
In partnership with the JCC of Greater Columbus and Nationwide Children's Hospital, noted psychotherapist Rabbi M. Gary Neuman will be presenting an audience interactive talk, "Raising Children in a Turbulent World," at the JCC on June 2, at 8 p.m.

His presentation is part of the LaDor VaDor ("Generation to Generation") Inaugural Educational Series, sponsored by the Columbus Jewish Foundation.

Rabbi Neuman is the creator of the internationally recognized Sandcastles Program for children of divorce, and author of "Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way" and "Emotional Infidelity, How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage and Other Secrets to a Great Marriage."

His work has received national media coverage, including multiple appearances on Oprah, the Today Show, the View, and NPR, as well as appearances on Dateline, NBC Nightly News, CBS Weekend News and Good Morning America.

His presentation at the JCC will be given in a talk show setting in order to enable the audience opportunities to ask questions and engage in a dynamic conversation. The public is invited to attend the event, after which Rabbi Neuman will be available to autograph copies of his books, which also will be for sale in the JCC lobby.

For information, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or call 231-2731.

JCC to commemorate 63rd
Victory Day
Musician Arkady Gips and emcee Tatyana Yassenov will lead the annual Victory Day commemoration event on May 7, at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus.

"We will never forget what the American soldiers did for us during World War II," said Raisa Patlashenko, director of the JCC's Russian Acculturation program. "This year, we celebrate the 63rd anniversary of Victory Day by remembering those who lost their lives during the war and rejoicing in the victory that freed Europe."

The event will include a memorial service with candle lighting ceremony and entertainment. Cost is $13 per person and the public is invited. RSVP by Friday, May 2, by contacting Patlashenko at 559-6215 or rpatlashenko@columbusjcc.org.

"Baby, What a Deal!" sale for new moms, kids
The Early Childhood Parent Committee of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus will hold its annual "Baby What a Deal!" sale on May 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JCC, 1125 College Ave., Bexley.

The event - designed especially for new mommies and kids - will have gently used items for kids, including clothing (size 7 and under), bedding, toys, maternity wear, books, and furniture for sale.

Proceeds will support the children and teachers of the JCC College Avenue's Early Childhood Program. To donate items or volunteer for the event, contact Taryn Terwilliger at 559-6295, or visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org.

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