Business owner and civic leader Terry Montz named grand marshal of Ravenna Balloon A-Fair

Diane Smith, Record-Courier
·2 min read
Montz
Montz

Terry Montz, a Ravenna business owner and civic leader, has been named grand marshal of the 2023 Ravenna Balloon A-Fair.

Montz will preside over the Balloon A-Fair's Grand Parade on Sept. 16 and also will take part in the Balloon A-Fair Christmas parade.

The Balloon A-Fair committee will host a dinner in honor of Montz on April 20 at the Ravenna Eagles Club, 812 Cleveland Road, Ravenna. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and include a dinner catered by Siciliano's Pizza. Reservations are required by April 15 and can be made by calling 330-296-3247.

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Montz owns Country Elegance, a nursing home, and Innovative Elegance, a catering business. His volunteer service includes Parks and Recreation, Center of Hope and charity events, West Main School's PIP program, Portage County Relay for Life, Ravenna's Chestnut Grove Arts District, Catholic Charities, and many Ravenna Chamber of Commerce events. He also has served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, Portage County Regional Planning Commission, Celebrate Portage, Leadership Portage County and Family & Community Services.

Julie Piccione-Beach, who nominated Montz, called him "one of the most thoughtful and generous people I have ever met."

"Wherever he goes, the people are so excited to see him," she said. "Everyone has a smile on their face as he walks around and greets them. For some, he makes their day. His residents at his nursing home, Country Elegance, love him, and he treats them with respect and dignity."

Last year, Montz won the Lifetime Achievement award from the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Terry is always willing to lend a helping hand without giving it a second thought, and expects nothing in return," said Ryann Kuchenbecker, executive director of the chamber, as she presented him with the award. "Terry is very kindhearted, and is a tremendous asset to the Ravenna community."

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Terry Montz named grand marshal of Ravenna Balloon A-Fair