Grove City's Size Made it a Perfect Fit

by LIZ THOMPSON

Why Grove City? I wish I had a dollar for every person who has asked why we moved here.

I never expected this reaction and I respond, "Why not?" and go about saying why to those who need to know.

I grew up in Westerville when it was still a village, had one stop light that blinked yellow at 9:00 p.m. and a volunteer Fire Department. A great place to grow up. The city had grown too large for my liking. Grove City surpassed the volunteer fire department status long ago but the small town feeling remains.

Most of our family and long-time friends live in Westerville or north Columbus. Some have moved "way north" taking part in the sprawl surrounding the suburbs of Columbus. To one friend who said, "Why Grove City? Why so far?" I responded, "Why did you move so far north?" and we chuckled.

My first beat as a stringer reporter was Grove City. It was a 50-mile round trip from our home, at the time, in Worthington which did seem far and my travel log was long. But I recall interviewing City Council members and city personnel and liking their attitudes. I still do even as names have changed. One man recalled growing up in this town and sitting on the street curbs watching trucks come through town. Growing up in a small town has all kinds of free entertainment for children.

When city officials are planning something, the old reporter in me kicks in and I watch the story unfold. The land behind city hall and other parts of the town are due for some changes and additions. As I read, I liked that council wanted to hear from the residents.

Some residents said the town has enough buildings, some existing business owners said they would be excluded from the plans and that a parking garage would steer people away from their businesses in the historic downtown. Downtown Grove City may not seem large or significant to big city folks but to me it is just the right size. You might call it the Goldilocks viewpoint – not too big, not too small, but just right.

Just right to me is not perfect because that is not possible. But a nice mix which meets many needs appeals to me more. This town already has much to offer: parks, many restaurants, churches, sports, a senior center, shopping, summer concerts, and we are fortunate to have a charming theatre the Little Theatre Off Broadway (LTOB) where talent is displayed with every performance. Again, not too big – well, you know the drill.

Recently, Grove City held their Arts in the Alley festival where major streets were blocked and filled with artists displaying their wares on Broadway for the weekend. At least that is what I assumed was happening. Since my mobility is limited, we could not get the car close enough to venture in, as much as I wanted to. But we're still new and don't know all the ins and outs. Next year we will find our way.

Then I realized the ideal use for the space behind City Hall is parkland or green space. Concerts, arts festivals and lazy summer days could all happen in such an addition to our town.

Westerville, Upper Arlington and Worthington are three towns that use green space for arts festivals. Westerville has used Otterbein College campus for arts festivals and the college for superb theatre, and Worthington uses their Village Green. Upper Arlington does not have a downtown "proper" and holds events in one of their parks. Well, Grove City does have a downtown "proper" and I agree with several residents who suggested parkland behind city hall.

Grove City has much to offer its residents in the way of arts. I was part of the last audience when the LTOB season ended before summer with "The Laramie Project" and I was hooked.

When Jane Mixer, a long time resident involved on many levels with the theatre, and I walked into the night air after this performance, the actors were outside talking with the audience. I love the feel of unexpected moments such as this. Of course, I spoke with some of the actors (if you know me, you know I love to meet and talk with people). The acting had been splendid without exception. It was a real treat to have the chance to congratulate some of the actors face-to-face.

Jane and I were unhurried. As we sauntered closer to our waiting ride, we saw people sitting at small tables and chatting over coffee outside Josiah's restaurant. The mood struck me as if time was happening in slow motion. I took it all in, thanked God for small blessings and knew I would be back to this theatre.

Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," about a fictional place not on the U.S. map called Grover's Corner, is the current play of this season at our town's theatre. How appropriate.

Published in Suburban News Publications
10-04-06


Liz Thompson is a freelance writer and former Suburban News Publications reporter who lives in Grove City with her husband, Bob.


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