Tuscarawas County roundup: Robin Waltz retiring from United Way of Tuscarawas County

The Times-Reporter
·6 min read

Waltz retiring from United Way

NEW PHILADELPHIA − United Way of Tuscarawas County Chief Executive Officer Robin Waltz will retire this spring. Waltz has been CEO since 2016.

Under Waltz's guidance, United Way introduced the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and locally launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a children’s literacy program bringing age-appropriate books to more than 5,500 children in the area.

The board has begun a search for a new CEO. Interested candidates can submit a cover letter and résumé to careers@tuscunitedway.org. A farewell event to honor Waltz is being planned.

A man walks his dog at Dover City Park, Thursday, Feb. 1 in Dover.
A man walks his dog at Dover City Park, Thursday, Feb. 1 in Dover.

Flower sale to benefit local missions

NEWCOMERSTOWN − Isleta United Methodist Church Rachel Circle is taking spring flower orders through March 10. You can order flats of 32 annuals for $16.50, 5-inch pots of specialty plants for $5.75, 10-inch hanging baskets for $18.50, 4-inch pots of tomatoes, peppers, and herbs for $2.75, and 1-gallon pot perennials for $8.75. A large list of flowers is available from the grower, Molesky Greenhouse of Alliance.

Flowers can be picked up from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 11 at Darr Farms LLC, 21284 Township Road 257 Newcomerstown. All proceeds go to local missions/needs. For more information and an order form, call or text Bev Darr-Bouscher at 330-663-3923.

Leadership Tuscarawas seeks applicants

NEW PHILADELPHIA − Leadership Tuscarawas is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Signature Program class through July 12. The program focuses on developing the growth of participants as community leaders through interaction with local decision-makers and classmates representing diverse and unique perspectives, according to a news release. Group interaction, teamwork, and collaborative community-based projects are important components of the overall experience.

The Signature Class begins with an opening retreat at Mohican Lodge and Convention Center on Aug. 15 and 16. Following the retreat, participants spend one full day per month for the next nine months addressing specific aspects of the community in interactive program days. Sessions are held at various locations around the county.

People who live and/or work in Tuscarawas County may apply. Tuition is $2,000. An application and more information are at www.kent.edu/tusc/bcs/leadership-tuscarawas. For more information, contact Bill Beisel at 330-308-7437 or by email at wbeisel@kent.edu.

TUFF Bags program relocates

NEW PHILADELPHIA − The TUFF (Tuscarawas United-Feeding our Future) Bags program has relocated to New Philadelphia First Church of The Nazarene, 233 Fair Ave. NE. It was formerly housed at Tuscarawas County Health Department and Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court.

TUFF Bags will continue serving food-insecure children in Tuscarawas County. United Way of Tuscarawas County will continue as TUFF Bags’ fiscal agent, and TUFF Bags will also continue as a community service program for Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court.

TUFF Bags works to eliminate childhood hunger and provide education, skill building, and community service for at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system. For more information, call 330-401-3283 or email tuffbags@npnaz.org.

Free tax services available

NEW PHILADELPHIA – United Way of Tuscarawas County is now accepting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program participants. United Way of Tuscarawas County is partnering with United Way of Greater Stark County and the DoverPhila Federal Credit Union to bring the program to the community.

Individuals and families who have an income of $60,000 or less can file their taxes for free. Clients filing with direct deposit can typically expect a refund in 14 to 21 days.

Tuscarawas County drop off sites are at the DoverPhila Federal Credit Union locations at Fillmore Avenue, Dover and Newcomerstown.

In-person appointments will not be available. Drop-off appointments must be scheduled in advance by visiting www.tuscunitedway.org or by calling 330-994-8482, requesting the Dover or Newcomerstown locations.

Local residents to share travel experiences

NEW PHILADELPHIA − Local residents Glenn Mears and Renee Miskimmin will share their world travel experiences at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Tuscarawas County Main Library,121 Fair Ave. NW.

Mears and Miskimmin will share pictures and stories of their travels to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Attendees will see the inside of these former Soviet republics that have been sovereign nations for just over 30 years.

Register for this free program at tusclibrary.org or call the Main Library at 330-364-4474.

Fish fry Friday at Scio Fire Hall

SCIO − The Scio Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Scio Fire Department at 318 W. Main St. Fish boat and fries are $7, fish sandwich and fries are $6, fist boat is $5, fish sandwich is $4, fries are $3, coleslaw is $1, pop or water is $1. The event is sponsored by Scio Firemen and Ladies Auxiliary.

Church sets fundraising dinner Saturday

UHRICHSVILLE − Newport Methodist Church, 8022 Newport Road SE, will have a soup and sandwich dinner from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Fellowship Hall. The cost of the dine-in or carryout dinner is a donation. Proceeds will benefit the building fund.

Zimmerman Foundation awards grants

The Blair E. & Anna L. Zimmerman Foundation awarded grants to the following five charitable organizations in Tuscarawas County:

  • Dover Historical Society, $5,000, to replace gutters and add gutter covers on the Reeves Museum and Carriage House.

  • Mineral City Area Historical Society, $5,000, for repair of exterior brick walls to reduce moisture damage to historical artifacts.

  • Zoar Community Association, $1,500, to complete the Best of Zoar exhibit in the Town Hall Museum.

  • Dover Public Library, $1,000, to purchase an interactive digital game table for the Children’s Department.

  • Tuscarawas County Council for Church & Community (T4C), $1,000, for new office equipment.

The foundation was established by the Zimmermans, longtime Bolivar residents, to provide charitable assistance for capital expenses to qualified tax-exempt organizations serving Tuscarawas County. The Zimmerman Committee will review grant applications in July. Those requests must be submitted by 4 p.m. May 31 to Zimmerman Foundation, c/o Huntington Bank, 4481 Munson Ave. NW, Suite 200, Canton, OH 44718. For application guidelines, contact Huntington at 330-458-3361, or by email at deborah.gonzalez@huntington.com.

Dinner and show for district residents

NEW PHILADELPHIA − New Philadelphia City Schools will host a free dinner and theatre show for residents of the New Philadelphia City School District who are 65 or older. Welty Middle School will present “High School Musical Jr.” at 7 p.m. Feb. 15. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m., dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. The show is directed by Christa Roberts.

To obtain tickets call Susan Ripley or Tamra Wells at 330-364-0600. Seating is limited to the first 125 callers. Tickets will be mailed to your home. Tickets are limited to two per address.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Tuscarawas County roundup: United Way CEO announces retirement