Page 3 - The Buzz 09/04/2026

SEPTEMBER 4 - 17, 2026 The LOCAL NEWS | A3
Make Muskingum Home Announces 2026

Recipient Class SUBMITTED

The Muskingum County Commu- loan debt while encouraging local ship, and public service, contributing Unlike traditional scholarship pro-
nity Foundation (MCCF), in partner- employment, residency, and com- their skills and expertise throughout grams that focus solely on educa-
ship with the J.W. & M.H. Straker munity involvement. Through the Muskingum County. tional attainment, Make Musking-
Charitable Foundation, is proud to program, recipients may receive Beyond the workplace, Muskingum um Home emphasizes long-term
announce the 2026 recipients of up to $50,000 in student loan re- Home recipients are building lives community connection. Recipients
the Make Muskingum Home (MMH) payment assistance over five years and investing in the community. Pro- commit to living and working in
program. This year’s cohort includes in exchange for a commitment to gram data indicates that more than Muskingum County for five years
twelve talented young professionals live, work, and actively engage in 25 recipients have become home- while actively engaging in com-
who have committed to living, work- Muskingum County. owners, while many others actively munity life. The result is a growing
ing, and engaging in Muskingum Now entering its fifth year, Make volunteer, serve on local boards and network of professionals who are
County while building their careers Muskingum Home has become one committees, mentor youth, and con- helping strengthen local employers,
and contributing to the community. of Muskingum County’s most inno- tribute their talents to organizations support nonprofit organizations, and
vative workforce development and and initiatives throughout the coun- contribute to the community’s long-
2026 Make Muskingum talent-retention efforts. The pro- ty. term prosperity.
Home Recipients gram was created to address a crit- “Five years ago, Make Muskingum The program is funded through a
• Elizabeth Bennett ical challenge facing communities Home was an idea built around a partnership between MCCF, the J.W.
• Mackenzie Bice across Ohio and the nation: how to simple belief—that talented young & M.H. Straker Charitable Foun-
• Jenna Burkhart attract and retain educated, talented people should be able to build suc- dation, and generous community
• Charles (CJ) Hall young professionals who can contrib- cessful careers and meaningful supporters who share a vision of a
• Makayla Heil ute to the long-term economic and lives right here in Muskingum Coun- vibrant future fueled by local talent,
• Krae Merryman civic vitality of their hometowns. ty,” said Brian Wagner, President leadership, and community invest-
• Samantha Moore The program’s impact continues and CEO of the Muskingum County ment.
• Kilie Pletcher to grow. Recipients from the first Community Foundation. “Today, we Applications for the next Make
• Samantha Ramsey four award cycles represent approx- are seeing the results of that invest- Muskingum Home cycle will open on
• Jeff Shaffer imately $6.3 million in combined ment. Recipients are contributing September 15, 2026, and close on
• Olivia Simon annual salaries, demonstrating the to our workforce, serving their com- October 31, 2026.
• Roman Staley economic value of helping talented munities, purchasing homes, volun-
Make Muskingum Home is a tal- individuals establish and advance teering, and helping strengthen the Made with
ent-retention initiative designed to their careers locally. Participants future of Muskingum County. Their
help young professionals establish work across a wide range of sectors success stories demonstrate what 100%%
long-term roots in Muskingum Coun- including education, healthcare, can happen when a community in-
ty by reducing the burden of student science, business, nonprofit leader- tentionally invests in its people.” local news.

CONTINUED FROM A1

5th Annual Muskingum County Reading Festival to

be held at Colony Square Mall Saturday,

September 26

too, being a large, flat space,” MCLS throughout the day.
Outreach Manager Joshua McPeek • 10:30 AM – Elephant & Piggie:
stated. There is a bird on your head!
All ages are welcome to attend as • 11:30 AM – Bluey: Road Trip!
there will be something for everyone • 12:30 PM – The Watermelon
to enjoy. Seed
“When you walk into the Reading A writers’ workshop offering writ-
Festival at the Colony Square Mall, ing process tips, publishing guid-
the first thing you’re going to be ance, and marketing suggestions
greeted by are some friendly staff will be held from 10:30 – 11:30 AM,
members. They’re going to give you featuring authors Elizabeth Garvey,
a bag, and you can carry your stuff Anne Chlovechok, and Greg Blair.
around, because you’re going to col- In the afternoon, an Authors Pan-
lect a lot of really cool stuff that day. el will take place from 11:30 AM to
And they will also be giving you a 12:15 PM with authors Angola Hone,
map with a guide where you can see Olivia Matthews, and John Furek. The
that, and your raffle ticket for a grand panel will be moderated by MCLS Di-
prize that will go in for everyone to be rector Stacey Russell.
drawn throughout the day. And then 65 Total vendors will be set up
you can use that bag to just kind of at the festival, with 20 of those be-
go around and collect all of the fun ing authors. Leaping Lizards, Fetch
crafts and the giveaways. The vari- Remedy Dogs, The Wilds, The Ani-
ety of organizations and authors and mal Shelter, and the Genesis Hos-
businesses will be there sharing re- pice Clowns are among the partners
ally wonderful community resources who are expected to attend. A MCLS employee went dressed as the Lorax for last year’s Muskingum County Reading Festival.
for folks,” explained Fennell. “A huge part of what makes this Dressing as your favorite literary character is encouraged during this year’s festival.
Lynette Dotson [FILE PHOTO]
Cosplay is encouraged! Dress as festival so successful, we under-
your favorite literary character to stand that the more we partner with activities, little ways to engage with “An important part of our mission
share your passion for reading and people in our community, the more the people that are coming. Which is connecting people with informa-
add to the fun. people invest in us and want to show we always encourage them to do,” tion, ideas, and each other, and I
Speaking of cosplay, the Columbus up and be a part of things, and so added McPeek. can’t think of an event that better
Ghostbusters will be attending, and this is definitely a strength of ours, The bookmobile will also be parked embodies that specific part of our
there will be special appearances by because we work towards it. We rec- outside the entrance, offering anoth- mission,” said Fennell.
Elephant & Piggie (11:00 – 11:30), ognize the power and importance of er opportunity for those who have For further information, visit
Bluey (12:00 – 12:30), BARD the our partners,” explained Fennell. not had a chance to see it to take a muskingumlibrary.org or facebook.
Bunny, and Hoobert. “We expect that a lot of our ven- look at one of the ways MCLS makes com/MuskingumLib.
Special storytimes are planned dors are going to be bringing little the library accessible to all.

Deputy Gearhart recognized for his heroism

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ

A local hero, Deputy Brad Gear- ment and serve as an inspired exam-
hart was recognized during Super- ple to our entire community. Due to
intendent Kirk Henderson’s opening the appreciation of his selflessness,
remarks, which opened Tri-Valley’s extraordinary courage, and stead-
annual staff breakfast on Monday, fast commitment to our students,
August 24. staff, and residents of Muskingum
On May 7, 2026, while serving on County, we honor Deputy Gearhart
the Tri-Valley campus, Deputy Gear- with these brave actions and proudly
hart responded to a distress call re- present him with this flag of accom-
porting a residential fire. The home plishment,” said Henderson.
consumed by flames belonged to The flag that was presented to
school employee Jody Pape and her Deputy Gearhart says, “In recogni-
husband Mark. Arriving first to the tion of your exceptional courage and
scene, he entered the burning home decisive action in the line of duty,
and rescued the Papes. After exiting your bravery, professionalism, and
the Pape residence, he heard about unbreakable laboring dedication
a second emergency involving an to protect others exemplifies the
Adamsville Fire Truck that had rolled high standards of law enforcement
over while on their way to the house and served as an inspiration to the
fire. Without hesitation, Gearhart Tri-Valley Local School District and
proceeded to help the two trapped the entire Tri-Valley community.”
firefighters involved in the crash. He
was able to render aid while addi-
tional units were en route and waited
for them to arrive. FOLLOW THE BUZZ
“Deputy Gearhart’s willingness to
repeatedly place himself in harm’s
way or cease the standard call of
Sheriff Matt Lutz, Deputy Brad Gearhart, and Superintendent Kirk Henderson pictured after presenting duty in his actions reflect the abso-
the award to Deputy Gearhart. Matthew Dotson
lute highest virtues of law enforce-