Groveport news briefs

Plant auction
The Groveport Garden Club will hold its annual plant auction on May 1 at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road. Refreshments at 6 p.m. with the auction at 6:30 p.m.

GM Schools paving project
The Groveport Madison Board of Education approved contracting with Darby Creek Excavating at a cost of $110,000 to do paving/resurfacing work at Sedalia, Dunloe, and Madison elementaries and at Middle School South. Interim Superintendent John Hurd said the work is expected to be completed between June 4-11.

Cruiser band making plans to perform at Peach Bowl
The Groveport Madison High School Marching Band was invited to perform at college football’s Peach Bowl and in the Peach Bowl parade in Atlanta, Ga. The band will be in Atlanta from Dec. 26-30. While in Atlanta, the band will also visit the CNN Center, the Georgia Aquarium, Martin Luther King’s birthplace, and the World of Coca-Cola. Band members will conduct fund raising efforts to pay for the trip.

“It is a huge honor to be invited and it is an amazing opportunity for the students and helps build our program,” said Groveport Madison Band Director Bart Pickenpaugh.

Women’s basketball
The Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road, wants to start a Women’s Basketball League this summer. If you are a female and at least age 18 (not in high school) and want to play hoops in an indoor facility, with officials, scorekeepers, etc., contact Amy Van Huffel at 614-836-1000 ext. 1505 or avanhuffel@groveport.org. All skill levels welcome. If you have a team and are looking for a place to play, call as well.

Groveport Farmer’s Market
The Groveport Farmer’s Market will be open on Tuesdays from May 29 to Sept. 25 from 5-8 p.m. on the green space located on Main Street between Ace Hardware and Groveport Town Hall. For information visit www.groveportmarket.

Movie in the Park
Groveport Parks and Recreation will present a free Movie in the Park on July 20 in the grass area in Groveport Park, 7370 Groveport Road, across from the Aquatic Center. Kids under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Children’s activities begin at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk. A family friendly film will be shown on a 33 foot inflatable screen.

Fallen 15 5K run
Fallen 15’s 5K run will be held May 12 at 8:30 a.m. in Groveport Park, 7370 Groveport Road. Runners must be age 12 and up. For information visit www.fallen15.org.

Groveport street paving
The city of Groveport has contracted with Strawser Paving to do street paving this summer, including pavement removal and resurfacing with spot curb repair. Other work will include crack sealing on various streets and reconstructing the brick sidewalks and curb ramps at Main and Kessler streets and Main and Madison streets.

Streets to receive paving work are: West Street from Green Avenue north to Main Street; Hanstein Addition streets including Elm, Seymour, Crescent, Delane and Hanstein; Harbinger Drive; Apple Grove Court; and Fern Grove Court.

Special Olympics
A local chapter of Special Olympics Ohio has formed in the Groveport/Canal Winchester area. The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for intellectually disabled individuals.

For information contact local coordinators Penny and Cassandra Hilty at groveportspecialolympics@gmail.com or at (614) 395-8992 or 395-6640. Donations may be sent to Groveport Special Olympics, P.O. Box 296, Groveport, OH 43125.

Let’s Talk About It
The Let’s Talk About It Book Club meets the second Wednesday each month at 2 p.m. at the Southeast Library, 3980 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport. Upcoming books are: May 9 – “Snow Child,” by Eowyn Ivey.

Griefshare support group
GriefShare grief recovery support group meets Thursdays at Groveport United Methodist Church, 512 Main St., Groveport, at 7 p.m. The group is open to anyone in our community or surrounding area who has experienced the loss of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. For information email groveportgriefsharegroup@gmail.com or call the church office at 614-836-5968. Registration now available on-line at https://www.griefshare.org/groups/90137.

Cruisers on the air
The Groveport Sports Network provides live coverage of Groveport Madison High School softball. Broadcasts begin 25 minutes prior to game time with the pre-game show. Access broadcasts free on your computer or handheld device. Broadcasts are available to view on demand for 30 days after the broadcast date.
Go to http://war.str3am.com:7570/live.
To watch go to www.facebook.com/groveportsportsnetwork.
Softball games to be broadcast: April 25 at 5:15 p.m. at Canal Winchester; April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at New Albany; April 30 at 5:15 p.m. at Newark; May 2 at 5:15 p.m. vs. Big Walnut.

Groveport Police statistics
March crime statistics for the city of Groveport, according to the Groveport Police: 15 accidents, 2 assaults, 1 burglary, 4 criminal mischief/trespassing, 4 domestic disputes, 1 domestic violence, 1 OVI and alcohol issues, 0 fights, 2 disorderly conduct, 9 thefts/robberies, 2 missing persons/juveniles, 1 weapon related calls, 0 narcotic related offenses, 13 general complaints, 8 school related incidents, 1 suspicious vehicles/persons, 26 parking, 5 threats, 4 vandalism, 59 traffic citations, and 1 sex related crime.

GSO fund drive
Groveport Special Olympics Ohio will collect donations from the community on May 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the following intersections in Groveport: Main Street and Hendron Road; Main Street and College Street; and at the traffic light on Main Street at Kroger.

GMHS alumni banquet and tours of old schools
The Groveport Madison High School alumni banquet will be held May 19 at 5 p.m. at Groveport Madison Middle School Central, 751 Main St., Groveport. This year’s honored class is the Class of 1968, celebrating their 50-year reunion. Dinners are $16 each and dinner reservations must be made by May 11. Send check payable to Groveport Alumni Association, along with your graduation year, to P.O. Box 382 Groveport, OH 43125. For information call 614-833-1805.

Groveport Elementary, 715 Main St., will be open for alumni visitations on May 19 from 3-4:30 p.m. The closing ceremony and final building walk through for Groveport Madison High School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road, will be on May 19 from 2-4 p.m.

Arbor Day in Groveport
Groveport will celebrate Arbor Day on April 27 at 1:15 pm. The city’s Trees and Decorations Committee will be in charge of the program and they will help the third graders from Groveport Elementary plant two trees in the school yard and two trees at the city’s Blacklick Park. The mural at KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road, will also be dedicated that day because the third graders were a big part of creating the mural.

Groveport a Tree City USA
The city of Groveport was named a 2017 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

The city met the four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

Trees provide many benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat.

For information visit arborday.org/TreeCity USA.

Opiod information series
The Groveport Madison Opiate Task Force has planned a years-worth of information sessions to help those impacted by opioid addiction. The first session, entitled “The Voices of Groveport Madison: A Community Response to the Opioid Epidemic,” will be on April 24, from 7-9 p.m. at Groveport Madison High School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road. At the session, speakers will share information regarding the state of the epidemic in central Ohio, prevention and early warning signs, and a panel discussion where police and fire officials will share how they respond to opiate crisis situations. There will be a panel discussion with individuals and families who have been impacted by opiate addiction. There will be a number of support groups, church representatives, and other organizations on hand to provide free information. The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Other events being planned include Naloxone training, as well as presentations from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and other community support groups.

Drive & Dine
Enjoying lunch with friends brings face-to-face interaction and can lead to healthier eating choices. Adults can sit down, talk, and enjoy time together at local diners. Participants provide their own transportation, menu selection and price of meal. Location will change each month. Program is held monthly on the second Friday. May’s location: El Pedregal. 44 E. Columbus St. in Lithopolis on May 11. Meet at El Pedregal at 11:30 a.m. Call Groveport Town Hall at 614-836-3333 to register by May 9.

Summer Concert Series
The Groveport Summer Concert Series begins May 20 from 3-3:45 p.m. at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., and features The New World Singers of Columbus Children’s Choir,conducted by Artistic Director Jeanne Wohlgamuth and comprising students in grades 7-12. The New World Singers have performed with the Columbus Symphony as well as at the White House and in Germany, Russia, Italy, France, and Canada. On June 17 the Muleskinner Band will perform at Groveport’s Heritage Park 551 Wirt Road, at 6 p.m. On July 15: NACHO Street Band (Nationwide Children’s Hospital Orchestra made up of mostly brass and percussion) will perform at Heritage Park at 6 p.m.
Inclement weather location will be in the Groveport Town Hall.

Book Meet & Eat
Come for a fun discussion and try a dish based on the book of the month. For adults. Meets on May 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. Free. Call 614-836-3333 to register by May 21.

Real Money, Real World
The free Real Money, Real World-OSU Extension Office program for home school youth will be held at Groveport KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road on May 2 and 3 with a workshop simulation on May 4. Class times: 12:30-1:30 p.m. For youths in grades 6-12. Call 614-836-3333 to register by April 30.

Pillow Case Project
The free American Red Cross’ Pillow Case Project for ages 8-12 will be held May 8 at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Pillowcase Project helps kids identify ways to stay safe during emergencies that can occur in their communities, know the ways to prevent and stay safe during a home fire, use coping skills to help manage stress during emergencies and in everyday situations, and to gain confidence in their abilities to be prepared for emergencies through hands-on activities. Call 614-836-3333 to register by May 4.

Lego Challenge
This eight week program will be held on Thursdays from May 10-June 21 at Groveport KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road, from 6-8 p.m. The Mini Tournament Lego Challenge will be held on June 23, time to be announced. The challenge is “Animal Allies.” For ages 10-15. Cost is $60 per person. All supplies are included. Call 614-836-3333 to register pay by May 8.

Imagination Builders
This program allows children to take the lead with their ideas and creativity. Building together will take them on an adventure and will help them explore imaginary places in their minds. Held on May 19 at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., from 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. Free. For ages 4-12 and families. Call 614-836-3333 to register by May 17.

Straw painting
Come to Groveport KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road and be creative making a face, tree, monster or create your own design while using a straw. Dress for mess! Program held on May 22 from 6:30-7:30pm. Free. For ages 5-12. Call 614-836-3333 to register by May 18.