On Dec. 9, the Franklin County Dog Shelter will host a free vaccination event. This winter vaccine clinic, Drive-Thru style, will take place in the shelter’s parking lot for canine community members living within Franklin County. “The Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center recognizes recent public health concerns among dogs throughout the country, as well as financial barriers among our community members,” said Kaye Persinger, director of the Franklin County Animal Care and Control Department. “The goal is to assist where we can to ease some burden and do our part ensuring that even o ..read more

Messenger photos by Dedra Cordle The occasional rain shower may have dampened the grounds of the historic downtown area but it did not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of visitors who came out to experience a bit of holiday fun as the city of Grove City hosted its annual Christmas Celebration. Throughout the two-day event, which was held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, local residents and neighboring guests were able to shop for gifts for loved ones at the Heart of Grove City Mistletoe Market, experience life as it was in the 19th century via guided tours at the Grant-Sawyer Homestead and meet Santa C ..read more

By Sarah Slayman Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Matt Carle Rugby players get ready for a scrum. Last year, Matt Carle decided to relaunch the Grove City Rugby Club and has taken on the role of head coach. The players are entering their second season this spring and are looking for additional teammates. The rugby program began in 1998 and ran until 2007 when the head coach resigned, ultimately ending the sport in the area. Carle, and a few of his fellow coaches, played during those years and he says it was one of their most meaningful life experiences. He still has strong friendships from his t ..read more

By Andrea Cordle Grove City Editor Last month, Ohio voters approved Issue 2, which would allow adults 21 years and older to buy, possess, and grow marijuana. According to the ballot language, this passage means Ohio would create a system that regulates and taxes marijuana like alcohol. Tax revenue would be used to fund public safety initiatives, road improvements, and drug and alcohol treatment programs. While Issue 2 legalizes the recreational use of marijuana, it does not amend the constitution, meaning the Ohio legislature could make changes. This has left local entities, like Grove City, l ..read more

(Posted Dec. 5, 2023) By Pat Donahue, Staff Photographer Plain City’s Christmas Under the Clock celebration took place Dec. 2 followed by the Santa parade through area neighborhoods. The artificial snow coming out of the second floor window above the Hair Loft was a real treat and gave Chillicothe Street an added look of Christmas.Busy making Christmas cards, these children stop long enough to smile for a photo. The cards were among craft activities provided by the Daily Needs Assistance (DNA) Community Center.Ohio Ready Mix covered one of its cement mixers with over 28,000 lights. It made for ..read more

Emily LeGault (Posted Dec. 5, 2023) The London Rotary Club is pleased to honor senior Emily LeGault as Madison-Plains High School’s December Student of the Month. Students of the month are selected by school administrators based on their academic and extracurricular achievement and positive character. Emily has a 4.131 grade point average and she is ranked third in her class. Her favorite course is College Credit Plus Introduction to Sociology. While in high school, Emily has been on student council all four years, currently serving as president. She has been a three-year member of National Ho ..read more

Kynlie Anthony, a student at Madison-lains Junior High, has qualified to compete in the largest youth rodeo in the world. (Posted Dec. 4, 2023) Kynlie Anthony, a seventh-grader at Madison-Plains Junior High, has qualified to compete in barrel racing at the Hooey Junior Patriot Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas, in March 2024. Kynlie raced her way in, qualifying at the Nov. 18 show at Crazy Woman Ranch in Lancaster, Ohio. The Junior Patriot hosts the largest youth rodeo in the world. The event has an estimated $4.5 million combined payout for all events. The events include barrel racing, bull riding ..read more

Messenger photos by Rick Palsgrove Santa Claus arrived on a Madison Township Fire truck and then headed into the log house in Heritage Park to visit with children during the city of Groveport’s Heritage Holiday held on Dec. 3. The event included wagon rides around Palm’s Pond, iceless skating, live music, crafts, ices sculpting, and more. The tree lighting ceremony was followed by a special surprise fireworks display.An ice sculptor from Rock on Ice was on hand to create works of art in ice.Visitors enjoyed wagon rides around Palm’s Pond.Photo courtesy of the city of Groveport The tree lightin ..read more

Messenger photos by Linda Dillman Kayley Shasteen (right) and four-year-old Kinley Shasteen (left) drove from Lancaster on Dec. 1 to join in the merriment of Canal Winchester’s Christmas in the Village and a Grinch Storybook Christmas. The pair admired the handiwork involved in decorating a tree in the Queen of the Line Depot where visitors could buy ornaments and sweet treats and tour the historic station.Canal Winchester resident Janaya Turner, (left) and her son, Ellis Parsons, 3, (right) waited for Santa to arrive on Dec. 1 during Canal Winchester’s annual Christmas in the Village celebrat ..read more

Messenger photos by Linda Dillman During rehearsal for the “Walk With Me.” benefit concert, Taylor Conn, a 2018 Hamilton Township High School graduate, sang “Journey to the Past” from the Broadway musical “Fantasia,” which also happens to be the school’s next musical in March 2024. While in high school, Conn portrayed Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” The Nov. 30 benefit concert, held at Hamilton Township High School, featured past Hamilton Township musical performers and graduates from 1996 to the class of 2025. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the eve ..read more