Around Groveport

The Groveport Senior Center, located in the Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road, offers the following:

•Mondays -play bridge at 11:30 a.m. or progressive euchre at 12:30 p.m.

•Tuesdays – double deck pinochle at 12:30 p.m.

•Wednesdays – all – noon: poker, quilting;  5 p.m.: double deck pinochle; fourth Wednesday – 10 a.m. – Super Game Day.

•Thursdays – all – 9:30 a.m. – crafts; 11:45 a.m. – lunch; first Thursday, 10 a.m. – Game Day; 12:30 p.m. – hand & foot; second Thursday – 9 a.m. to noon – county nurse; 12:30 p.m. – business meeting; 1 p.m. – hand & foot; third Thursday, 12:30 p.m. – cash bingo, hand & foot following bingo; fourth Thursday, 12:30 p.m. – euchre, hand & foot.

•Fridays offer bowling at Eastland Lanes at  9 a.m. and poker at 6 p.m.

•Saturdays progressive euchre at 6 p.m.

•Sundays are to just come in and relax.

For information call 836-4599. Annual memberships to the Senior Center are $6.

Heritage Nature Center

The following programs are offered at the Heritage Nature Center at the log house in Heritage Park on Wirt Road in Groveport. Programs are free and open to children of all ages unless otherwise specified. For information call 836-3333.  

•Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. – "What’s Bugging’ You." Learn about insects, make a bug catcher and go on an insect hunt.

•Aug. 4 at 8:45 p.m. – "Going Batty." Use a bat detector to get a closer look at these flying mammals.

•Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. – "Nature’s Olympics." Discover predator/prey relationships, food webs, animal adaptations and more through nature games. Ages 5-12.

•Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. – "Gone Fishing." Get fishing and casting tips from the naturalist, and then try to catch a big one in Palm Pond. Limited poles and bait provided. Ages 15 and under.

•Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. – "Under the Stars." Astronomy and a campfire come together on this summer evening. Refreshment provided.

•Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. – "Butterfly Flutter." Learn about butterflies and try to catch some to take a closer look.

•Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. – "Ice Cream Social." Make ice cream and enjoy old fashion sundaes.

•Aug. 22 from 7 p.m. to Aug. 23 at noon – "Community Camp Out." Pitch your tent, bring your gear and overnight with the naturalist. Evening snacks provided. Reservations (614) 836-3333.

•Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. – "Pizza Party." Enjoy the bounty from the pizza garden at KidSpace. Make and enjoy pizzas. Meet at KidSpace at Wirt Road and Cherry Street.

•Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. – "Summer at Palm Pond." Use nets and viewers to explore the pond.

Groveport Garden Club

The Groveport Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road, Groveport. The club welcomes anyone interested in gardening. For information call Virginia Myers, 836-5456.

Photo Forum

Photo Forum is a photography group that meets the first Thursday each month at 7 p.m. at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. Learn tips from other photographers, enjoy monthly lectures and photo shoots. Group open to adults and is free. Call Jennifer at (614) 836-3333.  

Groveport Farmers Market

Groveport Farmers’ Market will run every Thursday through August, from 5-7 p.m. in its new location on the front lawn of Groveport Elementary School.

Music in the Park

The village of Groveport will hold its free annual "Music in the Park" summer concert series at 7 p.m. in Heritage Park on Wirt Road on the following dates (rain location: Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St.):

•Aug. 10 – John Schwab (Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Buffett to James Taylor to James Brown)

•Aug. 24 – Bill Foley Band (’50s, ’60s, ’70s)

For information call (614) 836-3333.

GMHS class of ’68 reunion

The Groveport Madison High School class of 1968 will hold its 40 year reunion on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at Heimat Haus, in Grove City. All class members are being sought. Contact Gayle Brobst Lewis at (614) 582-0650 or glewis0650@yahoo.com

New children’s book

A Christian children’s picture book, "The Wall They Could Not See," by author Karen Seelenbinder of Madison Township, is for sale at the Christian Armory in the Eastland Mall.  The story is about a stubborn housefly and the power of God. To receive personalized, autographed copies, contact Karen by e-mail: karenseelenbinder@sbcglobal.net or call (614) 837-3943. The book is also available at Go Groveport, 607 Main St.; Ferne’s Attic, 24 N.High St., Canal Winchester; B. Dalton, Eastland Mall; and Moments with Majesty, Pickerington.

GMHS reunion

The Groveport Madison High School class of 1988 will hold its 20 year reunion on Sept. 6 from 6:30-11:30 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 4900 Sinclair Road, Columbus. For information go to www.gocruisers.org and go to "alumni."

Get fit

Water aerobics every Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road. Work at your own pace, all are welcome.  Cost is $5/$6 per class or save money with a freedom pass purchased at the Recreation Center. Classes offered year round. Call Kathy Frank at 836-5800.

Be strong

A strength and tone class is held every Friday at 10 a.m. at the Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road.  Strengthen with weights,toning the core on mats and plenty of stretching. Cost is $5/$6 per class. Call Kathy Frank at 836-5800.

Cruisers at Crew Stadium

On Aug. 22, the Groveport Madison High School football game against Worthington Kilbourne will be held at Crew Stadium in Columbus at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 for students.  Parking is $5. Presale tickets are available at Groveport Madison High School in the athletic department.

Recess at the Rec

The Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road is offering a youth fitness course, Recess at the Rec,  that is designed to show children that exercise is not just about jumping on a piece of expensive equipment to reap the benefits of health. Exercise should be introduced to children as an enjoyable experience that keeps mind and body strong and healthy.  Recess at the Rec involves kickball, basketball, pin bombardment, dragon tag and more.  Registration began June 30. Class is for ages 8-12, is from 5-7 p.m. and starts July 29 and ends Aug. 8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $15 residents/members and $20 nonresidents. For information visit www.groveportrec.com or call 836-1000.

Movies in the park

The village of Groveport will present free summer movies in Heritage Park on Wirt Road at dark every  Saturday this summer.

The  film schedule is as follows: Aug. 2 – classic cartoons; Aug. 9 – "Nanny McPhee"; Aug. 16 – "Flipper"; Aug. 23 – "Enchanted"; and Aug. 30 – "High School Musical 2."

For information call (614) 836-3333.

Groveport Madison’s first day of school dates/times

The first day of school for Groveport Madison students in grades 1-9 is Wednesday, Aug. 20. School will dismiss 45 minutes early on that day. Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 will start on Thursday, Aug. 21. Kindergarten students follow a special staggered entry schedule.

Hazardous waste collection

Bring your unused hazardous waste to the K-Mart Distribution Center, 4400 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport, on Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Items accepted include flammables, paint thinners, old paint, fluorescent light bulbs, drain cleaner, pool chemicals and paint strippers.

Republicans to meet

The Southeast Franklin County Republican Club will meet July 29 at 7 p.m. at the Madison Township Community Center, 4575 Madison Lane, Groveport.

Senior wellness clinics

The Franklin County Board of Health will hold Senior Wellness Clinics offering health assessments and screenings for those age 50 and over at the following locations from 8:30 a.m. to noon:

•Canal Winchester Senior Center, 22 S. Trine St., on Aug. 5.

•Groveport Senior Center, 7370 Groveport Road (Groveport Recreation Center), on Aug. 14.

•Obetz Community Center, 1611 Chillicothe St., on Aug. 26.

For information call (614) 462-3719.

Touch a Truck

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit behind the wheel of a big dump truck or trash truck? What about exploring the interior of a fire truck? Then bring your family to "Touch a Truck" at the Groveport Recreation Center’s Groveport Park, 7370 Groveport Road, on Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon, to experience all of the big working trucks you see around town. Local businesses will bring their large work vehicles for you and your family to see and explore inside and out. The event is free. For information  call the Groveport Recreation Center (614) 836-1000.

Donate school supplies

The village of Groveport is accepting donations to assist needy Groveport Madison students with school supplies for the coming year. Most needed items include 24 and 48 count crayons, glue sticks & bottles, scissors, No. 2 pencils, pens, loose leaf paper, pocket folders, markers and backpacks. For a complete list, see the Web site at www.gocruisers.org and click on links and downloads. Donations may be dropped off at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St.  Call Chelle Coleman at 836-3333 for information.

GMHS 1983 reunion

The Groveport Madison High School class of 1983 will hold its 25 year reunion on Aug. 15 at from 7 p.m. to midnight at The Links at Groveport clubhouse. On Aug. 16 there will be an early morning golf outing and at 3 p.m. a family outing at the Groveport Aquatic Center. For information contact Paul Adkins at (614) 837-0907 or visit www.classmates.com or e-mail jpcaulking3@hotmail.com

A slideshow of England

A travel slideshow and lecture on the polictical and religious history, as well as landscape, of England will be held July  12 at 7 p.m. at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. This lecture is free. For information call (614) 836-3333.

   
Learn about Israel

A slideshow and lecture on the history, culture, and landscape of Israel will be presented at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. presented by Pastor Paul Barnes,  This event is free.  For information call (614) 836-3333.

 
Astronomy night

Learn about the night sky with Ohio State University instructor Matthias Dietrich on Aug. 15 at the Groveport Log House in Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road.  This event starts at dark and instructor will bring telescope for viewing attractions in the night sky. Participants can join the star party and bring a telescope for viewing, as well. In the event of cloudy weather, a Powerpoint presentation of the moon will be given inside the Log House. This event is free and for all ages.  For information call (614) 836-3333.

"Garden Gnome Home"

A "Just for Kids" craft will be held Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at Groveport’s Heritage Park shelter house, 551 Wirt Road. Create an enchanting "Garden Gnome Home." For ages 3-12. To register, call (614) 836-3333.

School supplies sought