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.

•Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. – "Preschoolers, Wake Up." Learn about hibernation and find out when animals will wake up for spring through a story, hike, and activities.

•Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. – "Candle Class." Make a pair of dip candles and explore other candle making techniques.

•Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. – "Three Creeks Past." Discover the history of Three Creeks Park and the surrounding area with a slideshow.

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.

New children’s book  

A children’s picture book, "The Wall They Could Not See," by author Karen Seelenbinder of Madison Township is available at Go Groveport, 607 Main St. This engaging story about three insects trapped in a dangerous, dark place sells for $8.99.  To pre-order your copy, e-mail the author at:  karenseelenbinder@sbcglobal.net.

Asbury’s family library night

Groveport Madison Schools’ Asbury Elementary will hold third grade family library night at the Southeast Branch of the Columbus Public Library, located on S. Hamilton Road just north of U.S. 33, on March 18 from 6-8 p.m. Students will view a brief presentation given by Chrissy Spade, children’s librarian, about the library and then select books.  Members of Asbury’s staff will also be present to help families choose books.    

Arthritis aquatic program

Every Monday and Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. an arthritis aquatic program is offered at the Groveport Recreation Center 7370 Groveport Road. One hour classes, drop in rate $5/$6 or save money with a Fitness Freedom Pass purchased at the front desk. Need to wear bathing suit, bring towel, water bottle and carry in water shoes. Certificated instructor through the National Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program. You do not need to be a member of the Groveport Recreation Center to take classes. Call Kathy Frank at 836-5800.

Kids Night Out

The Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road, hosts "Kids Night Out" where kids ages 6-11 can play games, swim, and more under the supervision of the rec center staff. Cost is $8 for Groveport residents and $10 for all others. Kids Night Out is held from 6-9 p.m. on the following dates: March 7 & 21; and April 11 & 25. For information call (614) 836-1000.

Mile Climbers Club

The Groveport Recreation Center’s, 7370 Groveport Road, 30 foot climbing wall is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 2-5 p.m. Track your climbing for fun, fitness, and prizes. For ages 6 and up (those under 18 must have a signed waiver from their parents). For information call (614) 836-1000.

Stay & Play

The Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road, hosts "Stay & Play" from 6-8 p.m. on March 8, and April 12 for kids ages 3-6. The rec center staff will provide activities and games for your child while parents gets some for themselves. Cost is $6 for Groveport residents and $8 for all others. For information call (614) 836-1000.

Youth Fun & Fit

The Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road, hosts "Youth Fun & Fit" for ages 5-10 from 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 19. It features traditional exercises, games, and music to get your child moving toward a healthy lifestyle. Cost is $30 for residents and $35 for all others. Call (614) 836-1000.

Fish fry

The Knights of Columbus, Council #11188, will hold five All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fries on Feb. 22, 29, & March 7 from 5-7 p.m. at the Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 5225 Refugee Road, Columbus. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 3-12, with kids under age 3 free.  Proceeds will be used by the Knights to support their charity programs.   

Photo Forum

Photo Forum is a newly formed photography group that meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St.  This group is for anyone who has an interest or passion for taking photos. Learn tips from other photographers, enjoy monthly lectures and photo shoots. This group is open to adults and is free. For  information call Jennifer at (614) 836-3333.  

GM community human needs summit

On Feb. 26, Groveport Madison Schools will facilitate a "Human Needs Summit" for the Groveport village and Madison Township community at the Groveport Madison Schools Central Office, 5940 Clyde Moore Drive, Groveport at 6:30 p.m.

The need for such a summit became apparent with the number of families who were referred to or requested help from the Groveport Madison Adopt-a-Family this year – 107 families with over 350 students received gifts of toys, clothes and food.    Realizing that this need for assistance goes beyond the holiday season, Go Groveport’s Christine Boucher approached Groveport Madison Schools Superintendent Scott McKenzie, and others with a proposal for the GoGroveport organization to expand services to provide leadership to align services with many agencies and churches in the area that offer emergency relief.   

The objectives of the summit would be:

•To accumulate information on what current structure(s) are doing and what is viewed as necessary and beneficial going forward.

•To introduce a social services option to and for the Groveport Madison community that can align services currently offered from area agencies and organizations.

Jewelry making class

A polymer jewelry making class will be held Feb.19 at 6:30 p.m. at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. Learn how to make  polymer jewelry. Cost is $32 for residents and $35 for non-residents. To register call (614) 836-3333.

Wild and backyard birds

The Audubon Society will give a free lecture and slide show of birds in the wild and at the backyard feeder on Feb. 21 a 7 p.m. at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. Register by calling (614) 836-3333.  

Groveport Madison art show

Artistic creations by students from every school in the Groveport Madison Local School District will be on display at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., through Feb. 26. Both the first floor art gallery and the second floor auditorium of Town Hall will showcase the students’ works. For information call 836-3333.

Sketch wildlife

Do you love wildlife? Want to learn how to sketch birds and learn more about their anatomy? Then come to Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. for a free class that focuses on learning to draw and sketch wildlife. Open to children ages 8-15. To register call (614) 836-3333.

 
SE Democrats to meet

The Southeast Democratic Club will meet Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Southeast Branch Columbus public library at 3980 S. Hamilton Road. For information contact Sharon at 260-6718 or e-mail Southeastdems@aol.com

Lenten dinners

Obetz Zion Lutheran Church, 1080 Obetz Road, will host dinner and worship on Wednesdays during Lent. A light dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with worship at  7 p.m. Feb. 20 & 27 and March 5 & 12, for information call 614 491 3261 or www.zlchurch.net

Campaign finance update

In the story, "How much did the candidates raise," published in the Jan. 7 Southeast Messenger, it was reported that a campaign finance report for Groveport mayoral candidate Dan Knode could not be located at the Franklin County Board of Elections. Knode maintained that he sent the report to the board of elections on Dec. 12, but it apparently was never received. On Feb. 1, Knode sent another copy of his campaign finance report to the board of elections and it is now on file there.

According to the report, Knode spent $1,519 of his own money on the campaign, of which $873 went to Target Business for signage, $389 to Ohio Dominican University for postage, labels, and printing, and $256 to the Columbus Messenger Newspaper for advertising.

Knode lost the election to incumbent Mayor Lance Westcamp.

Love to dance?

Hip Hop dance classes for kids will be offered at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., on March 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.  This four week series is $45 for residents and $50 for non-residents. To register call (614) 836-3333.

Slate painting classes