In the News: Cy Young celebrated as festival nears

NEWCOMERSTOWN — Just in time for the Cy Young Festival, Ohio Magazine has published a story about the day in 1947 that nearly every Newcomerstown resident boarded a train and left to celebrate the achievements of the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball.

Cy Young.

Young claimed Newcomerstown as his hometown and in his day was the most dominant pitcher in baseball.

Vince Guerrieri wrote the story for Ohio Magazine about the day that Newcomerstown residents left to see Young honored by the Cleveland Indians.

The beginning of the article reads: “On June 11, 1947, Newcomerstown closed for the day.

“The town’s weekly newspaper and two banks remained open, but the only people beyond their employees still in the small Tuscarawas County village were two state troopers, sent to stand guard as what seemed to be the entire population — estimated between 4,000 and 5,000 — made the trip to Cleveland to honor their favorite son.

“A special 15-car excursion train departed from the town’s Pennsylvania Railroad depot at 8:20 a.m. that day, carrying roughly 800 residents. The rest made the drive. They were all headed to a baseball game.

“That March, Denton Young had turned 80. People in Tuscarawas County had called him by his given name long after he became more famous as Cy Young, one of the greatest pitchers of his day — and more than a century after his playing career ended, he still holds a number of records, including games started (815), wins (511) and losses (315).”

This year, the festival is scheduled for June 24-26, with John Denny, National League Cy Young Award winner in 1983, as the guest of honor and grand marshal for the annual parade.

Denny made his major league debut in September of 1974 for the St. Louis Cardinals and had a break-out season in 1976, leading the league in earned run average at 2.52. He also pitched well in 1978, going 14-11 with a 2.96 ERA. Denny was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Bobby Bonds on December 7, 1979, and went 24-23 in three seasons. He pitched three straight shutouts late in 1981. Before the next season, he was traded to the Phillies.

In 1983, Denny had his best season, going 19-6 with a 2.37 ERA. He led the league in wins and was second in ERA, leading the Phillies to the NL championship. He received 20 of the 24 votes in the Cy Young Award voting. Later in his career, he was traded to Cincinnati and retired from playing baseball in 1986. His last baseball job was as rehabilitation coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization from 2001-2004.

The Newcomerstown Historical Society will present Chris Hart in the historical presentation “He throws like a Cyclone” as part of the Cy Young Festival in Newcomerstown. The event is scheduled for June 24 at the Olde Main Street Museum, 213 W. Canal St.

Hart offers a first-person portrayal as “Baseball’s Cyclone — The Winningest Pitcher Ever.”

Tickets are $20 and includes a meal of hot dog, beans, popcorn, apple pie and a drink. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are limited; call 740-498-7735.

Swim lessons

Newcomerstown residents can now sign up for swimming lessons at the pool at Cy Young Park.

Lessons will be June 21-22 and June 27-28. Admission is $50 or $25 for “Mommy and Me.” Costs will be accepted at the pool. There is a reminder that there should be no goggles that cover the nose and no flotation devices.

For information and scheduling, contact Bre Taylor at 330-204-5471.

Beginner are ages 5-7: 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Intermediate, ages 8-10; Mommy & Me, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Lessons are open for as many kids as long as parents are in the water.

Congratulations

Principal Matt Dansby of Tussing Elementary, a graduate of Newcomerstown High School, was awarded the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.

This award recognizes supervisors and bosses who go above and beyond in providing support for National Guard and Reserve service members and their families. Dansby was nominated by his military spouse Stephanie Duff.

Summer Reading

Cody Addy, Newcomerstown Library Director, said the Library appreciates the volunteers for the kickoff party to the summer reading program.

“I appreciate the help with our children today as well so Hannah (his wife) could help out,” Addy said. “We had employees who were off and with grandkids and they jumped in at times, great friends from high school helped when we got super busy (wish I could have visited more... miss talking to you Glenn), staff members, family members help out, and Board members volunteer, and even a patron offered their personal bounce house for our youngest participants. The library is so lucky to have you as our support system!”

Volleyball

The Newcomerstown High School volleyball team will be hosting a youth camp for students entering grades 4-7 at a cost of $30.

The camp will be from 3-5 p.m. each day on June 20-21-22 at Newcomerstown High School.

Students must be registered and pay for the camp on June 20 between 2:30 and 3 p.m. For more information, email Abby Collins at abby.collins@staff.nctschools.org.

Paperless registration

The Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District is implementing a paperless way of managing forms and data management for the district.

Parents are encouraged to go to the school website to access “FinalForms” which will allow them to sign up for the system, which will then allow them to never have to enter the same information again.

Unfinished objects

The Newcomerstown Public Library is offering a UFO event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23.

UFO will stand for UnFinished Projects for local crafters. The Library will provide cutting mats, an iron and an ironing board. Participants will need to bring the materials needed to finish their projects, such as a sewing machine, scissors, thread, et.

For more information, call 740-498-8228.

District hiring

The Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District is hiring substitute bus drivers, substitute cafeteria workers and substitute instructional aides.

An application and background check are required. Apply at the administration office, 702 S. River St., Newcomerstown. For more information, call 740-498-8373.

Golf scramble

The Newcomerstown Chamber of Commerce will have its annual golf scramble on July 27 at the River Greens Golf Course.

Registration and a putting contest will be at noon. A shotgun start will start the golf scramble at 1 p.m. Mulligans and skins are available. There will be prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive. There will also be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.

The cost will be $60 each or $240 for a foursome, which includes 18 holes, cart and a meal of burger and brats after the golf. Beer will be available at the course. Hole sponsorships are available for $60 each.

For more information, contact Dee Stocker, 740-610-2020; or the River Greens Golf Course, 740-545-7817.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: In the News: Cy Young celebrated as festival nears