Life briefs: Turkey distribution, awards and celebrations, ABBA tribute

RICI staff distribute free turkeys in Mansfield

Staff from Richland Correctional Institution (RiCI) spent time Nov. 18 distributing free turkeys donated by the Employee Activity Committee (EAC) to local Mansfield organizations. The EAC Committee organizes various appreciation events for the staff in the institution. Every year for Thanksgiving, the committee purchases turkeys for the staff.

This year, 58 turkeys were also donated to organizations in the Mansfield community. Maj. Timothy Glowacki, Deputy Warden Keisha Allen, and OCSEA Vice President and Carpenter Scott Rhea were happy to deliver turkeys to Dayspring Assisted Living, the Domestic Violence Shelter, Harmony House and the IMAC School.

Soil and Water Conservation holds its annual celebration

Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) celebrated its 74th anniversary at the Annual Celebration on Nov 3 at the Lexington Senior Civic Center.

Roger Baird was named the Richland SWCD Cooperator of the Year. Baird has been farming on his family’s 135-acre farm in the Shelby area for 40 years. He is the fourth generation to farm the land. Baird uses conservation practices like cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage and small grains to keep the soil covered, reduce runoff, and keep soil erosion to a minimum.

In the public election held for one board supervisor position, Fred Cooke was reelected to serve another three-year term beginning Jan. 1. Cooke is a retired agriculture teacher and farmer.

Marilyn Roe was named the Volunteer of the Year. Roe began volunteering with Richland SWCD in 2017 and has helped with scanning and archiving historical photos and documents, other office projects and volunteering at various community events.

The guest speaker was Dr. Aaron Wilson, assistant professor, agricultural weather and climate field specialist with the Department of Extension in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.

During his presentation, Wilson shared the observed changes in temperature and precipitation over recent decades, from a global overview to local changes right in Ohio. He highlighted the key challenges facing farmers and natural resource managers across the state, from impacts on planting and harvesting decisions, to increased stressors including pest, disease, and nutrient management.

4-H recognizes achievement

The Richland County 4-H program held its annual 4-H Honor Program on Nov. 13. Recognition was given to 4-H members, adult volunteers and "friends" of the Richland County 4-H program. The top 4-H member honors were given to Member-of-the-Year recipients: Carson Abbott, Hailey Eldridge, Cadence Fairchild and Micah Miller (Shelby).

The Outstanding Service to 4-H Awards, given to 4-H advisers on the basis of excellence in 4-H volunteer leadership on the club and/or county level, were presented to Mindy Rowlands, Heather Reynolds and Joe Arnold (all of Mansfield). Meritorious Service to 4-H awards, given to special friends (non-member and non-advisor) of the 4-H program,a were presented to Brenda Dininger and Kim Moore, both of Mansfield.

Four teen leaders — Carson Abbott, Hailey Eldridge, Cadence Fairchild and Sarah Smith, all of Shelby — were recognized with the Outstanding Junior Leader Award for outstanding leadership and service to the county 4-H program. Abbott and Eldridge were recognized with the Junior Leader Merit Award as the top teen leaders in the county for exceptional leadership and service.

The Camp Counselor Recreational Leadership Award is presented to a select group of 4-H camp counselors who have demonstrated outstanding recreational leadership during the county 4-H camping programs. Six honorees were recognized for this achievement in 2022: Liam Kuhn, Marissa Circosta, Alexa Fulk, Connor Ladd and Gabby Smith

All 4-H clubs have the opportunity to attain the gold, silver banner or bronze award distinction based on officer reports, project completion, member attendance, public speaking participation, health and community service activities, parent/family involvement, member/advisor training and community awareness/promotion. The Gold Banner Club award was given to the Ring Raiders (Shelby) 4-H Club. The Bronze Banner Club Award was presented to the New Edition (Shelby/Plymouth) 4-H Club. Honorable Mention recognition went to Next Generation (Crestview area) and the Richland Round-Up and Bibs & Boots 4-H Clubs (Shelby). In addition the Ring Raiders 4-H Club received a Kisling Award for Officer and Advisor Leadership and Achievement.

Thirty-five youth were honored as recipients of the county’s 43 county medal awards. These awards are given for outstanding project and/or activity achievement. 4-H members in attendance were also given recognition for completion of their 4-H project year.

The Richland County 4-H Committee presented membership pins to youth with 10 or more years of membership. Adult volunteers were recognized for their years of service to the 4-H program.

Ohio Connections Academy recognizes Richland County student

COLUMBUS — Carter Bonnett of Mansfield was recently named one of Ohio Connections Academy’s (OCA) Star Students of the Month for November in recognition of his hard work and leadership in the online classroom.

Carter, a kindergartener at the statewide online public charter school, was nominated by his teacher Mrs. Costello, because of his hard work and the outstanding attitude towards learning in the online classroom.

As a Star Student, Carter will be presented a certificate recognizing his achievement and be profiled in Ohio Connections Academy’s student newsletter and on the school’s social media platforms. Each month during the school year OCA will recognize students in grades K through 12 who are excelling in the virtual classroom.

For more information, visit OhioConnectionsAcademy.com or call 800-382-6010.

Woodward Opera House to present 'Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute'

MOUNT VERNON — The Woodward Opera House in downtown Mount Vernon is ready to transport event-goers back to the ‘70s with "Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute" at 8 p.m. Feb. 4.

"Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute" is the ultimate tribute to the music of ABBA, one of the best-selling music artists of all time. This is the Midwest’s long-standing resident ABBA tribute, with a repertoire of over 40 all-time favorite hits.

Tickets are $45 general admission; the main floor is open for dancing with limited seating and balcony seating will be open. The event will also include a cash/credit bar. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit thewoodward.org or call the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium box office at 740-462-4278.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: A turkey distribution, awards and recognitions in Richland County