James Gilchrist-Elliott: A Life of Music, Resilience, and Community
James Gilchrist Elliott (Christina Paolucci, photographer)
If you’ve strolled through Eastgate during one of the neighborhood’s Stumble events, you’ve probably heard the steady beat of James Gilchrist-Elliott’s drums rolling off his porch. At 75, James, who lives on Sherborne Drive with his 95-year-old mother, Georgia, has become something of a local icon in the community. His home, a beautiful 1924 build, was once owned by the Centenary Methodist Church, has been his sanctuary since he bought it in 1999. Retired from Columbus State Community College, where he spent nearly two decades as a financial advisor, Veterans Affairs coordinator, and teacher. James remains deeply engaged in life, whether through music, storytelling, or simply connecting with his neighbors.
James’s story is deeply rooted in Columbus. A graduate of Central High School and Capital University, he went on to earn an MBA from Ohio Dominican University. Though he’s worn many hats—musician, writer, financial advisor, and even worked in movies with actors like Peter Falk, Mr. T, Ernie Hudson, Glen Turman and Scott Baio—it’s his warmth and love for life that resonates most with those who know him.
Perhaps one of the most extraordinary chapters of James’s life began in 1957 when, at just eight years old, he became the first person in Columbus to undergo a successful open-heart surgery. Diagnosed as a toddler with a heart defect, James’s journey into the unknown was bolstered by the recent invention of the heart-lung machine, which made his groundbreaking surgery possible.
After a successful operation, he was told to take it easy—a restriction that didn’t sit well with the young, sports-loving James. By his twenties, he had thrown those limitations to the wind, taking up running and even completing marathons. His love for running eventually led him to the honor of being a torchbearer in the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, where he carried the flame along the Pacific Coast Highway. He recalls it as five kilometers of pure joy, unlike any other run he’d ever experienced.
Today, James is still jogging three miles about three times a week. He’s a proud father of four—two daughters and two sons—and a grandfather, though he’ll tell you that family time is never enough. His passion for music also endures; He is the founder of his own band, named The James Elliott Project and is a long standing member of The Ray Charles tribute band, with a performance scheduled at Natalie’s in Grandview this coming December.
James Gilchrist-Elliott’s life has been one of resilience, creativity, and connection. Whether he’s drumming on his porch, sharing a story about his days in California, or offering a friendly wave to passersby, he’s a reminder of the joy found in community, a life fully lived, and a beat that never stops.
Christina Paolucci & Scott Spears
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Ohio Valley Chapter Emmy® Awards photographed Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)
Eastgate Neighbors Win a Regional Emmy
Neighbors Scott Spears and Christina Paolucci on Merryhill Drive won an Emmy for their most recent documentary, “A Higher Law: The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858” in the historical documentary category at the Ohio Valley Regional Emmys in Lexington Kentucky Saturday July 20th.
They began researching this pivotal moment in Ohio history in 2019 and the film premiered in April 2023 at the Apollo Theatre in Oberlin, Ohio. They held two screenings in Cincinnati, two in Oberlin, two in Lorain and one in Columbus at the Ohio History Connection.
Many people ask how they came to tell this story and it was through Scott’s late wife Tracey Warren’s family. Scott said he had been hearing them tell this story for years and realize this story could be a film and why not him? There were many challenges to get the project started including seeking funding, organizational support and working around a global pandemic, but in the end, they persevered.
The film includes many local artists in Columbus, including Eastgate neighbor Mary Daniels who composed much of the music featured in the film. There is a screening planned Thursday September 12th at the Kelton House in downtown Columbus. And they are always open to additional screenings. And they encourage teachers to bring the story to their classrooms.
Other documentary films they produced together include: The Legacy of Eastgate (2012) during the city’s bicentennial year featuring many neighbors. They went on to produce Historic Woodland Park (2015), The Bourguignons: The Artists and the Anthropologist (2019) and A Higher Law: The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858 (2023)
If you would like to see any of the films and support their work you can click on the links above or find them below. They have DVD’s available as an option. All of their films are non-profit projects so any contribution you make helps them to continue to tell these important stories and make them accessible for all to know these important moments in Ohio History.
Brad and Paige Lubbers
Brad and Paige Lubber with their son Jameson. (Christina Paolucci, photographer)
Paige and Brad Lubbers, with their son Jameson, are originally from Northern Kentucky. Paige says that when it comes to their personalities, Brad is the introverted scientist and she is the outgoing artsy free spirit. When they first met, they found out they agreed on all the major things: dogs over cats, snow over the heat and they are both annoyed by UK fans (Go Bucks!).
After they married in northern Kentucky, they moved to Nashville so Brad could attend graduate school. They loved the live music scene and all the outdoor activities. In 2018 they had a son, Jameson. He too has learned to love adventure and in 2021, they moved north to Columbus (hoping for more snow).
When they saw the red brick house on Sherborne, they instantly feel in love with its charm. In no time they were welcomed to the neighborhood and fell in love with Eastgate.
Since being here, Jameson had become quite the ukulele and hockey player and he has made sure everyone in the neighborhood knows him. Paige loves fostering dogs, including having two big permanent dogs, and is on the community board as vice president of Eastgate Pride. Brad loves working on projects around the house, especially with his little helper Jameson. As a family, they enjoy kayaking the Little Miami, bike-riding on the Alum Creek trail by the neighborhood, exploring COSI, and going to ball games. Paige and Brad love the Eastgate community and have jumped right in to hosting a number of social events from picnics, Stumble Stops and most recently a Kentucky Derby Party on May Fourth.
Sharon and Orville Lynch
Orville and Sharon Lynch
Orville and Sharon Lynch live on the top of Chatfield Park hill, where they have hosted several epic stops during the annual Eastgate Stumble, which is held in July. They have two dogs, Teddy & Gizmo, and cats Hunni & GG Boots. Their son is Brandon & grandson, Christian.
Sharon currently serves as the treasurer of the Eastgate Garden Civic Association and grew up in Eastgate with several extended family members living throughout the neighborhood. Sharon is a former bailiff for Franklin County Common Pleas Court and was a bailiff for 13-years in both the General and Domestic Relations Courts. Plus, she is a political podcaster & fundraiser. She currently works as a paralegal for the Saia & Piatt Law Firm. Contact her at: slynch33@yahoo.com
Orville is the CEO of Career Town Networks, Inc., Parent Company of C-Town Studios, formerly AmeriSound Studios, and former general manager of The Columbus Post newspaper with his uncle & co-founder/publisher Amos H. Lynch: Contact Orville at: oclynch@careertown.net
The McCleskey Family
Bert and Ashley McCleskey had to say goodbye to their beloved pet Chuey of 14-years and took him on his last walk the same day we did the neighborhood cleanup. You may have seen Bert walking his two dogs through the neighborhood, sometimes twice a day.
The Marrah Family
Jake and Abi Marrah have lived in Eastgate for about two years. They first lived at 1915 Greenway Ave North and then moved to Surrey Place this fall where they are currently under renovation. They have two children, Ari, 3 and Malachi, 6-months-old. Jake and Abi work for the Dream Center in Columbus. Dream Centers exist nationwide and the first one opened in Los Angeles in 2000 with a mission to “Find a need and meet it. Find a hurt and heal it.” Similarly, the Columbus Dream Center seeks to meet needs and heal hurts in local communities. In September 2020, the Dream Center opened a Learning Extension Center in the Nelson Park Apartments’ Community Center to assist students with their virtual learning.
Darchelle Williams
Darchelle Williams held a socially distant pop-up music concert at her home on Maryland Avenue Saturday September 26th with 15-year-old saxophonist Dylan Burk and Saton Music Recording Artist, J. London. Williams, who grew up in Eastgate, has been singing professionally for almost 40-years. She is the mother of two grown sons, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her voice recordings are behind hundreds of local and national commercials aired on radio and television that include Atlas Butler.
Williams said she had recovered from COVID-19 this summer and she described the experience, flu-like, but FIVE TIMES worse. She is happy to be back performing with the pop up concerts through the support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. She is currently the lead singer for three local bands, The Buckeye Politicians, The LZ Cruise Band and Old School Union.
The McCleskey Family
Bert and Ashley McCleskey found the perfect home for their family where they have been living for three years on Stratford Way. Whether it is Bert walking with the family dogs through the neighborhood or catching him playing sports with his children in the school field across from their home, they love all the amenities Eastgate has to offer. This year, like many families they are balancing the challenges of working from home for Bert while the children do their online school work, which includes academia at all levels. Gregory, 18, a high school senior, Sunday, 14, a high school freshman Maurice, 8, elementary school and Glen, 4, pre-school. Bert works for JP Morgan in wealth management and Ashley is a registered nurse with OhioHealth at Doctors Hospital and is working on her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Mary Daniels
Mary Daniels, a retired teacher, has been living in Eastgate since 2013. After
Mary demonstrates the masks she has been making for COVID-19
raising her children in Bexley, Mary moved to German Village where she lived for 14 years and was active with the German Village Garten Club. Mary’s history with the neighborhood goes back to when she was a student at Eastgate Elementary School when it was a new build in 1954. For about five years, Mary led the Eastgate Islanders beautifying the entrances into the community now being led by Erin Eichel. Since the COVID-19 state home orders, Mary has been busy making masks and offering tutorials on how to sew them. To learn more about her masks contact her at: jazzmary9@gmail.com. And check out her City Craftie YouTube Channel on how to make your own.
December 2014
Scott Spears and Christina Paolucci
Scott learned quickly that Eastgate was a welcoming and supportive community. He and his late wife Tracey moved to Eastgate in 2007 after living in Los Angeles for almost ten years. It was after only four months in their new home on Merryhill Drive when Tracey passed suddenly from a congenital heart condition at the age of 44. “I was in shock. It was a tough few years, but many of the residents, including Edna Rusher, came to my aid,” Scott said. She kept a watchful eye over him over the years when he was working in the yard. “The yard needed a lot of work when I met Scott,” Christina said. “After several seasons, we finally got the lawn healthy and added some minor landscaping,” she said.
The two met at a video production meeting in late 2010 and began working on several multimedia projects together. Scott owns a video production company and teaches at Ohio State University, while Christina, a former Minnesota newspaper photographer, teaches photography at Columbus State. The two combined their experience to create a documentary on the history of Eastgate, which was screened in 2012. Through it they learned that the community has
been home to multi-generational families, Tuskegee Airmen, and many community leaders. Scott is originally from Portsmouth, Ohio and is alum of The Ohio State University. Christina is originally from northern Kentucky and is alum of Western Kentucky University and Ohio University.
This month ends the portrait series for the newsletter, but Christina would be happy to revisit it at a later date. It was wonderful that all the participants were willing to open up their homes and share their stories this past year. We are happy to be part of a community of great, caring people and want to continue getting to know you.
November 2014-
The Wilson Family
“I love to hear the children playing,” says Kim Wilson, center, with her extended family members who live in Eastgate. The Wilson family has lived in the neighborhood since 1959, beginning with aunts Mildred and Hortense Wilson who lived at 1962 Greenway North. Kim and her daughter Jessica (back center) moved into Eastgate in 1995 and have lived in three different homes over the years. Kim currently lives on Greenway South, and Jessica now shares a home with Tyrone Walls (back right) and their daughter Je’Ty a few blocks away. Kim’s mother, Dorothy Wilson (left), moved here in the 1980s
and has lived in several homes as well.
Many cousins on both sides of the family also live throughout Eastgate. When Kim purchased her first home at 415 Nelson in 1995, she had been interested in moving to Eastgate for ten years and got the home the moment it was listed. Kim, a realtor for H.C. Brand Realty Company, has sold nine homes in Eastgate over the last twenty years and is familiar with the unique features that many of the homes have to offer. She has witnessed many changes over the years, including the tight housing market of the 1990s to the challenges of foreclosures, and the aging population of the neighborhood. Kim has a degree in horticulture and does private elder care. Dorothy is a retired teacher’s specialist, and Jessica is a stay-at-home mom. “It is important to be close to family, and we love the neighborhood,” Kim says. Eastgate family pictured includes: Jordon Miller (left) and Siriha Miller (right) with two-year-old daughter Rose, Dorothy Wilson (left), Jessica and Tyrone Walls (back center) and Mary Daniels (right). Kim is center with one-year-old granddaughter Je’Ty Walls and six-year-old Meadow, daughter of Jordon and Siriha Miller.
October 2014-
Deidre Allen with her parents Carlos and Debbie celebrating 37-years of marriage
Carlos and Debbie Allen of 1907 Maryland Avenue have several milestones to celebrate this month,including their marriage of 37 years and their move to Eastgate 30 years ago. They have three adult children, Camille (David) Douglas of Michigan, Aubrey and Deidre Allen, both of Columbus, and one granddaughter, Taria Douglas. Debbie is originally from Chicago while Carlos is an East High School and Ohio State University graduate with a degree in Parks & Recreation. Carlos and Debbie met while attending Western Illinois University in Macomb and married within 9 months of meeting.
Debbie turns 60 years old on October 9th, the same day as her wedding anniversary. She is a food inspectorfor the city of Columbus, which includes reviews of restaurants, food trucks, festivals and Ohio State football games. When she is not working, she loves to bake and has been active with the association,including serving as the Eastgate president more than 20 years ago.
Carlos is retired due to a tragic car accident that left him disabled 19 years ago. A drunk driver struck Carlos on his way home from work, which resulted in 6 months of intense rehabilitation. “Though he currently still suffers from short-term memory loss, we are blessed with his presence,” says Debbie. He enjoys reading the Dispatch newspaper everyday including sports news.
Deidre has a degree in psychology from Central State University, currently works with behavioral children and is a volunteer with hospice patients. She is also her father’s caregiver along with her mother. She is involved with Eastgate Association volunteering with the membership drive and delivering newsletters. They all love the neighborhood, friendly neighbors, and friendships made over the years living in Eastgate.
September 2014 –
Jaylayna, Zyhlee and Pat Fluellen
Pat Fluellen, right, moved to 1915 Denbridge Way in Eastgate in 1995 with her daughter Jalayna Fluellen, left, who was just seven years old at the time. “It was a mess,” Pat said when she purchased the home in 1994, “but I knew it was the one because of the wall of built in shelves in the back room.” The room was a music studio constructed by the previous owners, Ed and Alma Terrell, as Mrs. Terrell was a
music teacher. The home came with mahogany furniture, which Pat was in need of at the time. They settled into the home in February 1995, after five months of rehabilitation. Before living in Eastgate, Pat lived on Clifton Avenue in Woodland Park with her mother, though she grew up in German Village.
Pat has worked as an underwriter for PNC Bank for 31 years and is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Business Management. Pat stays active with her church, First Church of God, and enjoys singing, gardening, sewing, and making jewelry. You may also know her from the neighborhood as the former newsletter coordinator, former secretary, and now treasurer for the association.
Jalayna is a 2006 graduate of East High School and attended Ohio State University and Columbus State. She currently works for Alliance Data as a customer care specialist. Jalayna’s daughter Zyhlee, center, is two-years-old and is Pat’s first grandchild, Nonnie’s girl! They all enjoy the friendly neighbors, quiet area, and green space of Eastgate.
July 2014-
Markita West and Lurranah Williams
The sisters have lived in Eastgate most of their lives, and they both own a home on Maryland Avenue. Their brother Joseph West, 48, lives in Eastgate as well on Millbrook Way. Lurranah lives in the home of their parents, Elbert and Peggy West, at 1989 Maryland, which they built in 1953. They moved in when Lurranah was just five-years-old. She remembers the Nelson apartments being just a field. “Everybody thought we were rich because we moved here,” she said. At the time it was an affluent neighborhood with doctors, teachers and Tuskegee Airmen. Their father worked for the federal government at Defense Construction Supply Center, (DCSC) and was a WWII veteran from the Navy. Currently, Lurranah works in public safety, Markita works for the federal government, and their brother Joe is a medic for the fire department. They are all graduates of East High School. Markita is active with the membership drive for the Eastgate Garden Civic Association, so you might see her knocking on your door this summer.
June 2014 –
Mary Daniels
Mary Daniels, a retired teacher, has been living in Eastgate since May 2013. After raising her children in Bexley, Mary moved to German Village where she lived for 14 years and was active with the German Village Garten Club. Since finding the remodeled house on Greenway South, she has enjoyed the friendly neighbors, the history and the beauty of Eastgate. Her experience with the community goes way back to when she attended the newly built Eastgate Elementary School in 1954 and was a student for six years. Currently, Mary is involved with the garden committee, heading up the Eastgate Islanders, which is a continuation of the planting, care and maintenance of the public areas in the neighborhood on a bi-weekly basis. She hopes to expand the beauty of the common grounds with more plantings and looks forward to the events being held by the association and the increased involvement of the residents in beautifying the neighborhood this year.
February 2014-
Theodosia Cole and Mignonne Whitlow
Theodosia Cole, 85, has lived at 1932 Merryhill Drive since 1954, the same year that the house was built when her daughter was just 11-months-old. Theodosia grew up in an area in Columbus known as Flytown, which is now the Short North/Victorian Village area. She worked for the Industrial Commission for 38 years as a claims specialist. Her and her late husband, Eston Eugene Cole, were married for 48 years and have two children. When talking about Eastgate she says, “It’s the only place I’ve lived since Flytown. This is all I know.”
Mignonne Whitlow, 83, has lived at 1962 Merryhill Drive since 1968. Her home was built in 1924. She also lived in Eastgate at 348 Sherborne with her parents in the early 1950s before moving to New York for a time. By 1960 she had moved back to Columbus and got married, living in the Shepherd Community. Mignonne has four children, 8 grandchildren and 3-great-grandchildren. She was an office administrator for Director of the School of Natural Resources at the Ohio State University for 22 years. She loves living in Eastgate and has witnessed the neighborhood going from all white, to all black to being more diverse neighborhood. She says it has always been a wonderful community to live in.
January 2014 –
Casey Crisp and Missy Longsworth Crisp
Casey Crisp, 39, has lived on Chatfield Park in Eastgate for 10 years, and Missy Longsworth Crisp, 34, has lived there for 3 years. Their home was built in 1920. Casey represents a buying group that supports independent pharmacies, and Missy coordinates early intervention services for infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities. They both look forward to continued involvement in the neighborhood association and hope more neighbors will actively participate in making Eastgate a more vibrant and attractive place to live. As our new President, Casey hopes to promote a greater sense of community and neighbors being neighborly and revive the times when neighbors knew and looked out for one another. Casey encourages you to make your voice and opinions heard because this is your home too.
December 2013 –
Moody Dubenion, 91
Mr. Dubenion has lived at 1887 Clifton Avenue since 1959. The home was built in 1941. He was married to Martha Dubenion for 52 years until her death in 1995. They have two children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Moody came to Columbus in 1941 from a farm in Zebulon, Georgia and was one of 13 children. He worked at Hayward Distributing Company for 42 years until his retirement in 1986. Moody stays active as a Deacon of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and still cuts his own grass.
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