Chamber Business Connection-Volume 7, Issue 5

IMPROVING THE PROSPERITY OF THE

AND

Chamber Business Connections is published bi-monthly by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce with revenue from member dues, advertising, and sponsorship. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the content in this publication, by any method or purpose whatsoever, without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Only chamber members can advertise in Chamber Business Connection. To plan advertising contact the chamber.

Your Board

Lisa Zeigler

President Chris Moscato

2023 President Elect

Nick Connaughton

VP Finance

Ed Fleming

Immediate Past President

Rachel Kutay

VP at large

Kay Anderson

Katie Fleming

Wayne Coakley

Greg Dawkins

Lisa Graves

Heather Miller

Lynn Weita

Trent Soles

Dylon Sparks

Staff

Executive Director

Shawn Conrad

Events Manager

Marilyn Reiner

Administrative and Events Coordinator

Heather Brokaw

Kaziah Conrad

Member Service Specialist

Letter from the Director

It’s always a little bittersweet when this time of year rolls around We at the Chamber can relax just a little bit as 18 consecutive weeks of Farmers’ Market are finished for the season and Arts in the Alley, the Community Parade, and the Voice of Grove City all of which brought record vendors and crowds, are all under our belts. Boo off Broadway and the Chamber Foundation Fundraiser are still to come, and we are already in full planning mode for 2023!

Of course, we will want to include you and your business in our events, programs and special networking, our after hours events, and our publications

Keep your eyes on your email for our Chamber Business Connection bi monthly e mag, your Weekly Business Connection newsletter and other digital communications for info on how you can get involved and stay plugged in. The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce team is here to help you and your business achieve your goals!

Shawn

Celebrating Anniversaries

ONE YEAR:

Jimmy Ray Guitars

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Pamela Miller

First Expressions Ultrasound

Chevron Pools & Spas

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

The Look on Broadway

Fischer Homes

Treplus Communities

Superior Ambulance of Ohio

Locality Custom Apparel

Doorway Home Loans

Planet Fitness Grove City, OH

Owens Corning

Independents Fiber Network

Ashley Simonton

PTG Tax and Accounting LLC

Doyle HCM

Gidget's Garden Center

Fox Coal Co

North Creek Construction

ITSecureNow

Ott, Incorporated

Batteries Plus Bulbs

Jeff Guminey

The Royal Group TRG Packaging

Jolly Pirate Donuts

Tranquil Massage & Wellness

The Plant People Inc

Columbus Springs Hospitals

Dannette's Floral Boutique

TEN YEARS:

Soap City Laundry

FIVE YEARS: FIFTEEN YEARS:

Houk CPA

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Eggleston Insurance & Financial Group

Pinnacle Dental

FedEx Ground

Bethel Lutheran Church MI Homes/Pinnacle

CrossLink Community Church

Columbus State Community College

TWENTY YEARS: THIRTY YEARS:

Air Quality Solutions Heating & Cooling

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Mike McCauley | State Farm

Moo Moo Car Wash Grove City South

Ohio Hydration and Wellness

SMACT Works, Inc.

JIMCO

ZenBusiness

Bryanna Nix

Tracy Van Loon

Lovely Arrows Designs

Soft Step Carpet of Columbus

Greenbaum Stiers Strategic Marketing Group

Soapbox Global Laundry

TVM Health Empowerment

Personal Healthcare Concierge

Brenda Newman

LOVELY ARROWS DESIGNS DOYLE HCM

Creating one-of-a-kind pieces, Lovely Arrows does handlettering and illustrations with a focus on signs, murals, and window painting. The business was created out of a love of art and creating, and working in the wedding industry and being asked to do handlettering for weddings and reception signs, and has since won numerous wedding industry awards. Lovely Arrows Designs also offers calligraphy classes to those looking to learn and explore the art.

617-512-4783 www.lovelyarrows.com Facebook & Instagram: @lovelyarrowsdesigns

In the field of payroll and human resources, Doyle focuses on businesses in industries with more complex payroll and HR needs. They assist businesses in remaining compliant and staying ahead of the game. Communication is key as they ensure each client business has a go-to person for all of their needs. Additional services offered include: benefits administration, tax credits, and needs specific to the business’s industry.

735 Taylor Rd., Gahanna 614-322-9310 www.doylehcm.com

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

THE LOOK ON BROADWAY

The Look on Broadway is a women’s fashion boutique carrying a variety of clothing and accessories. And yes, located on Broadway in Town Center! New fall items are arriving suitable to be dressed up, dressed down, or worn on Saturdays to cheer on the scarlet and gray. Accessories range from big, functional-and-trendy handbags to smaller and more subtle jewelry pieces that can still make a statement and fully create “the look”.

3952 Broadway, Suite B 614-588-4403

Facebook: @thelookonbroadway

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

We’re excited that this year’s Boo off Broadway is in support of the Grove City Girls Club Their name might sound familiar because they’re longtime partners of the Arts in the Alley Community Parade We love working on the parade together with them and look forward to supporting them further this fall.

The Grove City Girls Club has existed for over 20 years with the goal of supporting children and families. They especially look to support families and children who may not qualify for other types of support and aid, but still need a boost and loving support.

Chiefs Challenge Wrap Ups the Farmers Market Season

In the final weeks of the 2022 Farmers’ Market season, a community favorite made its awaited return to the Saturday market

For the first time since 2019, the Chiefs Challenge was held. This cooking ‘showdown’ between Jackson Township Fire Department’s chief and Grove City Division of Police chief provides opportunity for some friendly, and tasty competition.

Having held the trophy since 2019, Jackson Township Chief Randy Little and his fire department team were ready to defend the title. But, incoming police chief Rick Fambro came ready to lead his new police team to a victory which he did! For the first time in many years, the Chiefs Challenge cup will reside with the Division of Police.

The Challenge highlighted the late summer return of live cooking demonstrations at the Market, one of the final pieces of the “pre pandemic” version of the Market to return Community members could also meet their local first responders and gather over the universal language that is good food.

Following the Division of Police victory, Chief Fambro graciously shared a couple of his winning recipes so that others could replicate them in their home kitchens, which we’re also sharing here too the chicken and noodles will be perfect for fall! Thanks for sharing, Chief Fambro, and welcome to Grove City!

We thank everyone who made the 2022 Farmers’ Market a success from start to finish!

Our many vendors, volunteers, shoppers, and others continue to make the Grove City Farmers Market a favorite not just in Grove City, but across Central Ohio.

Additionally, we can’t have a Market without sponsors, so one more big thank you goes to: Mount Carmel Grove City, Performance

Center, Auto Service Experts OH by Sanderson Automotive, Cruise

Food Collective, WesBanco, Shepherd Insurance,

Agency, Heritage

to another great year!

A taste from the farmers' market at home

Celebrating Open House, Ribbon Cuttings and Member Milestones

Ribbon cuttings, open houses, and similar celebrations are great opportunities to celebrate individual businesses and have Chamber members network and get to know other businesses often businesses completely unlike themselves!

Here’s who we’ve celebrated recently:

Moo Moo Express Car Wash officially opened its Grove City South location at the end of July. The new location is at 2615 London Groveport Rd (aka, State Route 665) It’s the second Grove City location, joining the 2190 Stringtown location

Jimmy Ray Guitars celebrated the business’s first anniversary with an open house in early September Guests enjoyed refreshments and browsing the extensive guitar inventory

Don't miss the next one!

Additional ribbon cutting and open house events are always likely to be added to the calendar (all the more reason to keep up with the calendar on gccamber org and to read email newsletters!), there are two already scheduled that you can look forward to:

October Open Houses

October 6: Join The Look on Broadway for an Open House

November 3: Visit My Business Resource in celebration of their third anniversary

Planning your next event? Let us know.

y to have a formal ribbon cutting? Want to open your business doors ours and socializing with other Ch b d it b ? an anniversary to celebrate? We on cutting or open house event. 614 875 9762, or email Heath

BOO IS BACK

Spooky, or not so spooky, season is here which means Boo off Broadway is coming soon! This year’s family friendly Halloween fun will be held on Saturday October 29 from 12 noon until 4 pm

The biggest news to share so far is that Boo will officially be moving across Broadway to the Arts in the Alley location Specific locations and streets will be shared as we get closer, but as refresher this space is on the south side of Broadway in the vicinity of Grove City’s public safety and police complex. Ultimately, this will allow for more space for even more fun and hopefully even more families join us this year!

We’re still “scaring up” the specifics of our Halloween fun, but here are a few things you can plan on: games, candy, costume parade, hanging with the princesses and superheroes from Magical Adventures Parties, food, and business vendors.

On that note of vendors member businesses, here’s your chance to be involved as a vendor Registration is now open and while we have more space, we do hope to fill it up, so register as soon as possible to secure your spot: https://www.gcchamber.org/boo off broadway/

We also welcome additional sponsors, the above link will also lead to sponsor information. If you’re unable to attend as a vendor, sponsoring is a great way to support Boo off Broadway and have your business name be seen in support of family fun

A big thank you to our sponsors we have so far: The Antry Issacs Team Saxton Real Estate (presenting sponsor), Shepherd Insurance Partners (presenting sponsor), Orange Theory Fitness, Wright Patt Credit Union, Cutler Real Estate, OhioHealth.

This year’s Boo off Broadway is in support of the Grove City Girls Club They are also the non profit in the spotlight in this issue, so we invite you to check out their spotlight to learn more about them!

Want to keep up with all things Boo off Broadway? Visit the website: https://www.gcchamber.org/boo off broadway/ Read your Chamber newsletter and other e blasts (let us know if you’re having issues receiving these important communications!) Follow along on Facebook: @gcchamber

FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

Fall for the Foundation

Get ready to “Fall for the Foundation” this month at the Chamber Foundation’s annual fundraiser night on Friday October 21

This year’s event is embracing the fall season in theme and will be held at the Aladdin Shrine Center from 6:30 10:30 pm. Attendees can look forward to an evening of food, fun, and fellowship complete with music, dancing, raffles and a silent auction. Past silent auction and raffle items have ranged from event and sport tickets, to trips, to electronics so be prepared to fall for an item, too!

Once again, Tracy Carter will provide live music during the event. Additional, and new, music entertainment for this year includes student piano performances during the 6:30 7 pm check in time. Additional entertainment is also being added to the line up.

Registration is now open and tickets can be purchased at: https://tinyurl com/gccffundraiser22

Our Foundation wouldn’t be where it is today without the support of many generous sponsors!

Eldorado Scioto Downs

Franklin County Banking Center

OrthoNeuro

Credit Union of Ohio

GC Area Realty Association

WesBanco

Tool Tex

Don & Betty Hickman

Newcomer

Kemba Financial Credit Union

The Gabriel Family

Wes & Sherri Love

Danbury Senior Living

Byers Chevrolet

Frank J Herman

Blu Willy’s

TIn August the Chamber Foundation hosted its summer scholarship reception, recognizing additional scholarship recipients for 2022. Congratulations to the following students:

DylanBoso

ChloeClark

LindsayDonaldson

AlanaDownin

KatlynDreyer

AlexisFomby

RachelForney

KennedyFulks

LaneyHoyt

DrewHutchinson

JaredLepard

JosephLepard

QuantaziaMerchant

MakaylaMiller

AlecOlshefski

AndrewRenninger

AllysonSchall

AdelineWheeler

RussellZhu

Thank you to the following businesses and groups for their support by way of a named scholarship presented at the summer reception: Orthoneuro, Hickman, Credit Union of Ohio, Tool Tex, Franklin County Banking Center, Spellman Memorial, WesBanco Bank

One more 2022 scholarship opportunity remains. The final “round” of 2022 for Chamber Affiliate Scholarships has a deadline of December 17. The Chamber Affiliate Scholarship is for current employees of Chamber member organizations, current individual Chamber members, and immediate family members of employees or Chamber members. An Affiliate scholarship supports post secondary education such as technical training and certificates, undergraduate programs, and post graduate programs such as master’s degrees Find the application online at: https://gcchamberfoundation org/scholarships/

As fall and Halloween will eventually make way for winter and Christmas holidays, the Foundation reminds everyone to keep an eye out for this year’s Wreath It holiday décor store both opportunities to donate and the opportunity to shop for the season. Follow along online on the website (www.gcchamberfoundation.org) and on Facebook (@GCChamberFoundation)

FOR GROVE CITY’S BEST

City Methodist

Quiet Quitting

by Rachel Kutay, My Business Resource

“Quiet Quitting” has recently taken social media by storm. What is it? Can companies do anything about it?

Quiet Quitting is a new label to an old problem where people don’t outright quit their jobs, but they quit the idea of going above and beyond They do the bare minimum, just enough to keep up at work

You might be wondering if this is really a new phenomenon. Employee satisfaction has been measured and studied for a long time. Data indicates that there is a significant difference now. A 2022 global Gallup survey that measures employee engagement showed disengagement at work is the lowest it has been in a decade. Employee engagement is the measure of how motivated a person is at work It’s a significant problem with implications to the bottom line most jobs require extra effort to collaborate with coworkers and meet customer needs

Why is this a viral trend now? Disengagement has increased significantly in the last two years, which has been largely attributed to the pandemic. Younger workers are especially disengaged, feeling that there isn’t anyone at work who cares about them or providing them the opportunities they seek to learn and grow

How can you improve employee engagement? This isn’t about adding ping pong tables to your office. There are four main drivers of employee engagement, and they’re all about fit: job fit, manager fit, team fit and organizational fit. Regular conversations with your employees to discuss their career paths, recognizing people for a job well done, and compensating people competitively so they feel valued for the work they’re doing are important strategies to keep your employees engaged

If you’re taking steps to improve employee satisfaction, your customers will feel it too. According to Gallup, organizations that have high levels of engagement also enjoy the following:

Higher productivity

Greater profitability

Lower employee turnover

Fewer safety incidents

Stronger customer loyalty

Lower employee absenteeism

Employees do a great job when they have a great job make sure the lines of communication are open and you actively solicit and consider all forms of feedback and make changes accordingly. Respect your team for what they do, and quiet quitting won’t be an issue in your organization

Tips & Benefits of Connecting Business with the Local Community

By: Trent and Michele Soles

Have you gotten acquainted much with the residents of Grove City? If not, you’ll quickly learn that there are several generations who have remained in the area, or many who have moved back to raise their children. Some are now local business owners too! Others have relocated here because of job opportunities, but they’ve quickly fallen in love with the people.

If your business has not found a way to get involved in the community, you are missing one of the most effective marketing tools, “Word of Mouth Referrals” The best way for people to get to know you (and your business) is to serve them, or walk alongside them

They've quickly fallen in Love with the people.

At BeLocal, we focus on helping a handful of locally preferred businesses connect with new homeowners, and existing residents, who are looking for trust worthy companies to rely on, for years to come First, we introduce them to new movers through a printed, BeLocal guide Then, we share with all residents through social media and a website, www.belocalgrovecity.com. The BeLocal (Grove City) FB and IG pages feature helpful tips from our partners along with local events in the Southwest Columbus area. We love building unity in the community.

As BeLocal, some of the ways we choose to give back are through: our church, the Grove City Food Pantry, and the GC Chamber (Michele as an Ambassador and Trent as a board member) We especially enjoy volunteering with the Voice of Grove City, which is part of the Arts in the Alley weekend in September. Because music and singing has always been the heartbeat of our family, it just seemed like the perfect way to build connections while encouraging the gifts and talents of local vocalists.

When considering how to get involved locally, consider finding a place to serve as a team, but also share your heart When people learn how much you care, they may think of you first, when they need your service or product. It’s not about giving to receive, but rather being authentic and just loving people. When you plant lots of quality seeds, the harvest tends to be bountiful.

Happy planting!

A Weekend of Art, Music & Community

2022 Arts in the Alley Festival was a Huge Success.

Great art, great music, great people great weather it all made for an outstanding weekend for the 43rd annual Arts in the Alley!

Vendors came from near and far to showcase and sell their artistic creations and share about the creative process behind the items Food vendors enjoyed similar success in selling their treats and dishes to raise money for their dedicated non profit or similar charitable function In some cases, both artist and food vendors were able to enjoy the satisfaction of a sellout!

Show displays were filled with visual creative talent, while the sounds of vocal talent filled the air from the Voice of Grove City’s multi day competition

Visual and musical creativity came together for the Annual Community Parade which including local marching bands, dance groups, and of course the floats!

It truly takes the entire community, and beyond, to hold Arts in the Alley We thank everyone who attended, volunteered, or completed a ‘behind the scenes’ job to help the show run smoothly We appreciate you choosing to use your time to support this community event.

Read on to see winners of all five of the shows, and for a recap of this year ’ s Voice of Grove City competition!

And the Winner is.......

This year's Arts in the Alley Festival had no shortage of talent. Although we wish we could name everyone as a winner, we had to make a final decision. Here it is, the 2022 Arts in the Alley Festival winners

GROVE CITY EASEL AWARD

Sponsored by: The City of Grove City

Winner and People’s Choice Winner: David Lane

HELENA MCCOMB AWARD WINNER

Sponsored by: Heartland Bank

Winner: Brittany Cosgrove

FINE ART SHOW WINNERS

Sponsored by: Zangmeister Cancer Center

2-D Professional Division

1st Place: Suzanne Gallagher “Ana Bliss”

2nd Place: Josh Arnold “The Rug”

3rd Place: Scott Creed “Blue Wood Mosaic”

2-D Amateur Division

1st Place: Mike Moore “Arnie”

2nd Place: MJ Byler “Helena”

3rd Place: Beth Reece “Garden Visitors”

3-D Division

1st Place: Andy Deshong “Show Me the Money”

2nd Place: Benjamin Lamb “The Ballad of Frank Hayes”

3rd Place: Teresa Arrasmith “Depth of Beauty”

Best of Show: Chelsea Cross “When Life Give You Lemons”

Helena McComb Award Nominee: Brittany Cosgrove “Cello”

QUILT SHOW WINNERS

Best of Show: Amy Swanson

People’s Choice: Debbie Yontz

Helena McComb Award Nominee: Marsha Beane

Duet (2 or more people)

Small

1st Place: Anna Louise Beaver

2nd Place: Joann Head

3rd Place: Patti Morlock

Honorable Mention: Patti Morlock

Medium

1st Place: Gail Sech

2nd Place: Janice Evans

3rd Place: Barbara Waller

Honorable Mention: Debbie Arms

Large

1st Place: Marsha Beane

2nd Place: Vicki Burns

3rd Place: Marsha Beane

Honorable Mention: Gloria Warren

Extra Large

1st Place: Jo Ann Newsome

2nd Place: Jo Ann Newsome

3rd Place: Vicki Buns

Honorable Mention: Shirley Allen

Solo Hand Quilted

Large

1st Place: Mary Lockwood

2nd Place: Mary Lockwood

3rd Place: Mary Lockwood

Honorable Mention: Joann Head

First Time Entry in Any Quilt Show

1st Place: Tami Pfeil

2nd Place: Tamah Clark

3rd Place: Heather Jacobsen

Honorable Mention: Kris Sander

Solo Mixed Techniques

Small

1st Place: Karen Lane

2nd Place: Patty Estadt

3rd Place: Bernadette Demos

Honorable Mention: Lori Codling

Large

1st Place: Karen Lane

2nd Place: Tami Pfeil

3rd Place: Mary Lou Paoletti

Honorable Mention: Judy Moser

Solo Machine Quilted

Small

1st Place: Amy Swanson

2nd Place: Patty Estadt

3rd Place: Brenfa Mocarski

Honorable Mention: Sally Sisson

Large

1st Place: Brenda Mocarski

2nd Place: Debbie Yontz

3rd Place: Michelle Demmy

Honorable Mention: Joann Head

Honorable Mention: Patty Estadt

Honorable Mention: Patty Estadt

Youth

1st Place: Ellie Yates

2nd Place: Thadeus Logan

3rd Place: Samantha Logan

Honorable Mention: Adelaine Warren

CRAFT SHOW WINNERS

Best of Show: James Rogers

Helena McComb Award Nominee: Patricia Morlock, Quilling

People’s Choice: Gary Gardner

Wood Small

1st Place: Gary Gardner

2nd Place: Robbie Hay

3rd Place: Mary Ann Winfield

Wood-Large

1st Place: James Rogers

2nd Place: James Rogers

Decorating

1st Place: Sally Sisson

2nd Place: Helen Gilliam

3rd Place: Mary Ann Winfield

Needle Art

1st Place: Sally Sisson

2nd Place: Bonnie Smith

3rd Place: Kay Roberts

Tole Painting

1st Place: Karen Roth

2nd Place: Mary Ann Winfield

Other Crafts

1st Place: Patricia Morlock

2nd Place: Kaitlyn Silva

3rd Place: Amy Hipple

PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW WINNERS

Sponsored by: Byers Chevrolet

Best of Show: Danica Barreau

Helena McComb Award Nominee: Earl English

Professional

1st Place: Earl English

2nd Place: Danica Barreau

3rd Place: Robert Formentelli

Honorable Mention: Robert Formentelli

Amateur

1st Place: Larry Powell

2nd Place: Megan Patrick

3rd Place: Larry Powerll

Honorable Mention: Nick Marchese

Honorable Mention: Angela Multhup

Mobile Phone

1st Place: Barbara Bell

2nd Place: Ryan Mayle

3rd Place: Josh Arnold

Honorable Mention: Megin Cress

Honorable Mention: Barbara Bell

Proud to be

City’s

I

YOUTH ART SHOW WINNERS

Sponsored by: The Goddard School

Best of Show: Brant Bliss “Teddy Roosevelt”

People’s Choice: Grace Kingsbury “Bee Hive Reps & Cloud Mug”

Helena McComb Award Nominee: Cordelia Watkins “Hand with Flowers”

Primary (K-2) Media 2D

1st Place: Giana Zito “Fish Painting”

2nd Place: Phalika Lee “Pumpkin Patch”

3rd Place: Max Gates “Rainbow Tiger”

ntermediate (3-5) Media 2D

1st Place: Camden Sengkeophainh “Animae Drawing”

2nd Place: Kamryn Ebner “Animals Under a Bridge”

3rd Place: Logan Snyder “Watercolor Fish”

Middle School (6-8) Media 2D

1st Place: Reese Meindl “Hands”

2nd Place: Ven Kendall “Jack Skellington Painting”

3rd Place: Elizabeth Abalo “Painting of Fall Tree”

Primary (K-2) Photography

1st Place: Charles Chaffin “Yellowstone Geyser”

2nd Place: Charles Chaffin “Yellowstone Bison”

Intermediate (3-5) Photography

1st Place: Bryson Kale “Blue Raindrops”

2nd Place: Carina Chaffins “Waterfall at Old Mans Cave”

3rd Place: Ian Worthington “Orchid”

Middle School (6-8) Photography

1st Place: Amara Young “Flowers at the Market”

2nd Place: Brooklyn Cress “Brown Frog”

3rd Place: James Waldo “Rooster Up Close”

High School (9-12) Media 2D

1st Place: Catherine Dorrian “Goose & Flowers”

2nd Place: Laura Togni “Pink Controller”

3rd Place: Kailee Dunn “Zombies”

High School (9-12) Media 3D

1st Place: Anubruti Shah “Ceramic Bottles”

2nd Place: Isabella DeLaCera “Ceramic Vases”

3rd Place: Noah Martin “Acrylic Model”

High School (9-12) Color Photography

1st Place: Sharline Perez “Self Portrait”

2nd Place: Ross Hoydash “Boys Head with Traffic”

3rd Place: Jaide Harrah “Spider”

High School (9-12) Black & White Photography

1st Place: Natalie Carter “Teen in Leave”

2nd Place: Kristen Needles “Flowers in Vase”

3rd Place: Kristen Needles “Drumline”

FunforKids

LocalTalent

LiveMusicfromtheVoice

AGreatEats..

LocalBusiness

COMMUNITY

BEST THEME

MENTION

CHOICE

PARADE

MOST CREATIVE

CHILDREN'S THEME

GROVE CITY CROWNS

NEW VOICE

It’s a hit again! Arts in the Alley attendees were treated to another successful and talent filled Voice of Grove City competition.

The weekend began with 24 performers on Friday evening and was eventually narrowed down to three finalists, and ultimately one winner.

Winner: Cara Custer

2nd Place, and People’s Choice Winner: Allison Remick

3rd Place: J’Von Jones

Both Allison and J’Von competed in the 2021 Voice of Grove City competition and placed in the top five, so both improved upon their placings by moving into the top three. While Cara was in attendance at the 2021 competition, this was her first year competing in the Voice of Grove City Don’t miss our Q&A with her a little later in this article!

Similar to the TV competition version, feedback from coaches and judges are important to create an overall learning experience for performers. Competitors, including Allison, noted they studied up on the judges notes and used them for this year and would continue to consult the feedback whether for the 2023 competition or other performances.

The Voice of Grove City is made successful by many sponsors, volunteers, and other helping hands behind the scenes This year’s sponsors included: Broadway Fireplace & Décor (People’s Choice Award Sponsor), BeLocal Grove City (People’s Choice Voting & Hospitality Sponsor), Rise Yoga (Hospitality Sponsor).

Meet Cara—the 2022 Voice of Grove City Winner!

After the competition, we were able to catch up with this year’s winner Cara Custer and learn a little more about her music and performing background. She married and a mom of four, and this year’s Voice of Grove City

Q. How many years have you been singing/performing?

Tell us about your background in vocal performance.

I began singing at the age of 4 in church My mom quickly noticed my musical ability and got me involved in different local performing arts groups. I was always very involved in music in school and started taking private voice lessons in 8th grade From there, I went on to high school to perform in the most advanced choir and perform leading roles in the school musicals each year After graduation, I went to the University of Tennessee where I received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance I was very involved in the choral and opera theatre programs. The summer after my senior year of college, I studied at the Manhattan School of Music where I was able to continue my vocal instruction, as well as gain more experience in the world of musical theatre After completing that program, I considered getting my Masters in Music, but life went a different lead in a band, Cumberland Station, where we performed at local venues and at p years, and had the opportunity to play lead roles in shows such as West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Misérables in Tennessee where I resided at the time. While my musical opportunities have slowed a bit the last few years, while settling down and having children, I’ve still been able to actively sing and lead worship at my church on our praise team.

Q. What prompted you to compete in The Voice of Grove City this year?

I attended the performances last year while I was at the Arts in the Alley and it intrigued me to want to get involved. I have missed singing on a regular basis, like I used to do, and when I heard they were doing the competition again, I was very excited to give it a try.

Q. For those who haven't gotten to hear you yet, how would you describe your style and the genre(s) you sing?

I have always been a very eclectic artist and I love all styles and genres, especially musical theatre, pop, country and classical However, where I feel the most at home is singing praise and worship music. There is nothing that compares to singing to the Lord and being used as His instrument to bring Him glory and help bring people closer to Him.

Q. Who or what inspires you?

I’ve had a lot of people inspire me throughout the years, whether it be past vocal instructors, choir directors, or artists I admire. However, the people that inspire me the most are my husband and children. They make me want to be a better person and to never give up on the things I love or am passionate about

You’re a mom of four kids, how do you hope to inspire them (and others!) by pursuing and using your gifts and talents?

I want to make them proud. I want them to see their mom take chances. Even if things don’t work out, I would rather them to see me fail, than to witness their mom never trying at all I want them to always know that no matter their age or what season in life they are currently in, they can always chase their dreams and pursue the things they love

How do you see yourself continuing to perform in the future?

I will continue to take every opportunity I can to grow as an artist I would love to focus on performing again on a regular basis and also, collaborating with other artists on musical projects I hope to get more involved in local theatre productions again and use this experience to enthusiastically propel me towards my next project

Anything else you'd like to share?

I would love to thank the Chamber of Commerce & the Soles’ family for this amazing opportunity. It was such an incredible learning experience to hear the judge’s feedback and interact with the other contestants. I’m beyond thankful for being named the 2022 Voice of Grove City and I look forward to what’s to come next! To God be the Glory!

R R E A C H

Artwork Requirements: