News from the Eastside

Financial assistance
Catholic Social Services' Senior Program has applications for the Home Energy Assistance program, Percentage of Income payment plan and AT&T Life Line. These programs one-time financial assisstance or ongoing financial assistance to low-income seniors and low-income disabled individuals. If you or someone you know could benefit from receiving this assistance, call Kim Conley at (614) 274-0095, ext. 15.

Patrol to discontinue weather/road hotline
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be discontinuing its 1-888-2-OH-ROAD weather/road condition hotline starting March 1 due to the lengthy update process for dispatchers and the lack of use by the public. The discontinuance of this service will also result in cost savings.
Motorist are urged to instead use the Ohio Department of Transportation's, www.BuckeyeTraffic.org Web site, call 1-877-7PATROL or contact their local post directly to get updates on traffic/road conditions. A listing of contact information for each post is available at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/counties.html.

Rotary Club holding pancake breakfast March 15
Do you have an appetite for pancakes? Then you'll want to come to the annual Whitehall-Bexley Rotary Club all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 15.
Sausages, coffee and orange juice also will be served. Cost is $6; children age 5 and younger are admitted free.
The event is being held at the Whitehall Community Park Activities Building, 402 N. Hamilton Road, in Whitehall. Tickets can be purchased from Club members or at the door. For more information, contact Alan Belasco at (614) 778-3269.
The Whitehall-Bexley Rotary Club supports community projects such as neighborhood parks in Bexley, Whitehall and east Columbus; scholarships for high school students entering college; seminars to promote awareness of personal and business ethics among students; Christmas food baskets; Meals on Wheels; and vocational achievement awards.
The Club also supports medical missions, including the Polio Plus immunization program, missions in developing countries such as Operation Smile to surgically repair cleft palates, and organ donation.

Civic Club to meet
Reynoldsburg Civic Club will meet at noon March 3 at the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, 1636 Graham Road. The club's annual fundraising Silent Auction will be held. Jean Dieckmann will serve as hostess, assisted by Jean Connell, Irene Godfrey, JoAnn James and Donna Marcum. Fran McNew will provide devotions.

Bridal Show set for March 1
The Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual Bridal Show from noon to 5 p.m. March 1 at the Oswego Lodge at Hickory Lakes, 12495 Ault Road, Pickerington.
The event will feature local merchants catering to future brides, as well as fashion shows by a New York designer, giveaways and samples.
Cost is $5. For more information, call (614) 837-1958 or go to www.pickeringtonchamber.com.

Kindergarten registration
Kindergarten registration for children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 and reside in Reynoldsburg will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 1 through June 30.
Registration will be hendled by the Central Registration Department at the Reynoldsburg City School District Central Office, 7244 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg.
Only the custodial parent or guardian awarded residential custody for school enrollment purposes may enroll the child. The child does not need to be present at the time of registration.
The following documentation is required:
• A completed enrollment packet (available at the Central Office or home school)
• Student's original birth certificate
• Immunization records
• Parent's driver's license or picture ID
• Custody order or decree from divorce or separation papers, and shared parenting plan, if applicable (regardless of when custody was granted)
• Proof of residency - For renting or leasing, a signed rental agreement listing all occupants including children and a piece of official mail such as a utility bill; for home ownership, a settlement statement or purchase contract or a property tax statement showing Reynoldsburg taxes being piad, and a piece of official mail such as a utility bill.
For more information, go to www.reyn.org, access the "enrollment" link and click on the "street guide" link.

Geldis named to Dean's List
Kaliope Christina Geldis of Bexley is among 700 DePauw University students who have been recognized for outstanding academic performance and named to the Dean's List for the 2008 fall semester. Geldis is a senior at DePauw University. To be eligible for the Dean's List at DePauw, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Autism support group to present gear 'show and tell'
The Fairfield County Autism Resource/Support Group is presenting an Autism Gear "Show and Tell" March 12. This event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Early Childhood Center, 1592 Granville Pike, Lancaster.
If you know a child with autism, come and see what equipment is available to make your child's life (and you own) easier. If you have a particularly helpful item, bring it along to share. Vendors are welcome.
For more information, or to RSVP, call Andrea Stoner at (740) 862-4599, or Chris Carrico at (740) 862-6171 or e-mail FCARGNews@aol.com.

Ohio Wesleyan University announces Dean's List
Ohio Wesleyan University has announced that 574 students were named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2008 semester.
To qualify students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale in at least three unit courses.
Local students included Brendan Peder Ross of Pickerington, Tara A. Sestito of Reynoldsburg and Lauren Elizabeth Spavelko of Pickerington.

Baldwin-Wallace College announces Dean's List
The following students have been named to the Dean's List for Fall Semester at Baldwin-Wallace College: Joseph Luchsinger of Bexley and Sarah Agnor, Daniel Paterline and Julia Young, all of Reynoldsburg.
Students who receive at least a 3.5 GPA for seven or more graded hours in a single semester are named to the Dean's List.

Boy Scouts celebrating 100
The Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.
The local Boy Scout Council, Simon Kenton Council, is looking to re-connect with Boy Scouts. From now through December 2010 Simon Kenton Council is holding a major alumni search across central and southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.
The Simon Kenton Council plans to present Scouting alumni with a special lapel pin to commemorate this historic time in Scouting's history.
For more information, go to www.BSAalumni.org.

Literacy Council seeking tutors, volunteers
The Columbus Literacy Council is holding information sessions about tutoring and other volunteer opportunities from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 18 and April 2. The sessions will be held at the CLC office, 195 N. Grant Ave. Register at www.columbusliteracy.org or call Norma Wetzel at (614) 221-5013.

Military Wives to meet
The Columbus Area Military Wives Club will meet for lunch March 11 at Kensington Place, Lutheran Village, 1001 Parkview Blvd., Bexley. A social time will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at noon. Entertainment will follow. For reservations call (614) 231-0915 or (614) 527-9529 before March 6. New or prospective members are welcome.

Bridge has come to Bexley
The Bexley-Eastmoor area now has its own ongoing Bridge game. Players gather at the JCC at 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday afternoon.
The game is open to all bridge players. If a partner is not available, players will be matched up with other players.
Duplicate Bridge rules apply and each game is scored separately, unlike scoring in Rubber Bridge.
Cost of the game is $1. Walk-ins are welcome, but advance notice is appreciated. Call Fran Kehr at (614) 251-0538. Lunch is available at the JCC for $1.50.

Reynoldsburg native swims for Ashland Univ.
Emily Hilgert of Reynoldsburg is a member of the women's swim team at Ashland University. Hilgert swims the backstroke for the team. She is the daughter of Robert and Pamela Hilgert and is majoring in physical education.

Civic club accepting applications for scholarship
The Reynoldsburg Civic Club is accepting applications for the Jessie Weiburg Scholarship. This scholarship, in the amount of $500, is presented each June to a Reynoldsburg School District resident to help further that person's education.
The scholarship may be used toward a GED program or any other accredited program that leads to state licensure or a degree.
The 2008 Reynoldsburg Civic Club Scholarship winner was Grace Park, the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Sangheon Park. The Rev. Park is the pastor of a mission church in Reynoldsburg.
Grace, a 2008 graduate of Reynoldsburg High School, is planning to become a pharmacist and began her studies Fall Quarter 2008 at The Ohio State University.
For application forms or more information, contact The Reynoldsburg Civic Club at (614) 866-4990 or e-mail babauer@insight.rr.com or any member of the club.
The deadline for completed applications is April 1.

Vineyard Community Church holding free clinics
Vineyard Community Church, 15187 Palmer Road, Reynoldsburg, is opening five new free clinics from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month.
The clinics will be first come, first serve, and include computer consulting, chiropractor, vision care, legal clinic and tax preparation.
For more information, call (740) 927-7729 or go to www.vineyard05.com.

Green Lawn winners are first-time entrants
Women from Reynoldsburg, Groveport and the Hilltop have won the top prizes in the annual photo contest at Green Lawn Cemetery.
Connie Mastenbrook of Reynoldsburg won first prize of $300, Lauren Long of Groveport won second place and $200 and Barb McGilvray of the Hilltop won third place and $100.
Mastenbrook's photo, "A Basket of Love," was taken the night of a high school play at Green Lawn and showed a girl with a basket of flowers about to place those flowers on a grave.
This was the first time all three had entered the annual contest that opened Jan. 1 and closes Dec. 31.
Photos can be of anything at Green Lawn, except funeral services. After the photos are judged in January and prizes awarded, photos are displayed throughout the community during the year, and used in a calendar which the Green Lawn volunteers sell as a fund-raiser. Calendars can be purchased at the Green Lawn office.
Photos will be on display in February at the Dodge Recreation Center, in March at the Franklinton Library, in April and May at the Columbus Historical Society, and in June at the Green Lawn office, 1000 Greenlawn Ave.

Register for flag football
Kids ages 4-17 now may sign up for NFL flag football. The sport is open to everyone no matter what school district the student lives in.
There are two age groups: ages 4-13 (co-ed) and ages 14-17 (girls or boys). The program provides young players a five on five fun and exciting opportunity to engage in non-contact, continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork and the fundamentals of football.
All practices and games will be held on the same day on either a Saturday or Sunday. All coaches will undergo background checks.
At the end of every season, children receive trophies and a certificate of excellence signed by Roger Goodell. The winner of the Super Bowl in each age division will receive a Super Bowl trophy.
Cost is $115 per player, which includes an official NFL jersey, flag belts, mouthpiece and trophy.
Season dates are April 4 or 5 through June 13 or 14.
Registration deadline is March 2. Matches will be played at Eastpointe Church, 745 N. Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg/Blacklick, as well as two other central Ohio locations.
To sign up, go to www.sports101.org or call (614) 348-1383.

Knights of Columbus holding Fish Fry dinners
The Knights of Columbus Council 5253 and St. Pius X's Annual Lenten Fish Fry Dinners will be held March 13 and 27. The dinners will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. in the School Cafeteria, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg.
Dinner will include adult portions of fried or baked Icelandic white cod, coleslaw, applesauce, fries, hush puppies, macaroni and cheese and hot or cold beverages. Price is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children. Desserts will be available at the K of C Women's Club/Youth Group Bake Sale. All proceeds benefit St. Pius X Parish.

RHS '84 class to reunite
Reynoldsburg High School 1984 graduates will have a class reunion July 25, 2009. Contact Christine Reel-Wilson at (614) 886-9747 or fortyniner@netwalk.com for more information.

Linden McKinley Class of 1959 to reunite
Linden McKinley High School Class of 59 will hold its 50-year class reunion Sept. 18-20 at North Pointe Conference Center, 9243 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center. Contact Jean Taylor Gruenbaum (614) 475-1131, jgruenbaum@att.net or Kelley Arthur (614) 890-3491, kellin777@aol.com.

Career center offers help
Need help getting a job? New Directions Career Center (NDCC), a non-profit, United Way agency, offers men and women assistance with professional transitions. Services include but are not limited to professional assessment, career development, networking, job search techniques, interviewing skills, financial literacy, individual counseling and placement services.
November classes are filling up fast. Don't miss out on an opportunity to get the expertise necessary in today's competitive job market. NDCC assists individuals regardless of their ability to pay. Bring in this newspaper announcement and attend a class for $5. Scholarship programs are also available.
For more information, or to register for one of three November classes - New Directions, Advanced Career Techniques, and Creating Career Options - call (219) 849-0028, ext. 100.

Short term radon kits
The city of Bexley, in conjunction with the Franklin County Board of Health, has free, short term radon testing kits available for residents to check radon levels in their homes.
Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, but it could be a problem in a home. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. According to to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and leading cause among non-smokers.
To pick up a free radon testing kit, visit the Bexley Muncipal Building, 2242 E. Main St., Monday through Friday during normal business hours. For information call the Franklin County Board of Health at (614) 462-3859 or visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.

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