Times were tough in the mid-1970s for the Village of Johnstown Fire Department. Former Fire Chief, Johnny Johnson, realized that in order to provide much needed EMS service to the community, he would have to learn the art of fund raising. And quick! Golf outings and bake sales helped, but were not enough. Forty years later, what started out as a local street fair to earn a few dollars has turned into a full-blown old-fashioned festival with true hometown flair.

The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival (CBJF) is a three day cultural celebration featuring hundreds of musicians, delicious cuisine, artisans from the region, amusement rides and engaging family activities. The event started seventeen years ago as a one-day dedication of Gahanna’s new Creekside Park area and the beginning of Olde Gahanna’s revitalization. The Festival has experienced unprecedented growth in attendance and has truly become more than the celebration of music, food and fun; it has become a premiere family summer event.

Heartland Bank was recently honored by the NAACP for their involvement in the Back to School, Stay in School Program. Heartland’s series of financial literacy workshops in schools and communities centers for families participating in the Back to School, Stay in School Program help to reinforce the values of this great program, and was one of the reasons for the bank being selected for this award.

Instantly, you want to give it the world, everything he or she needs and more. Yet… MANY JUST CAN’T. Baby items can often be as expensive as our space program. So many moms right here in Columbus would and are giving up everything they own to try to care for their little ones.