Page 5 - The Buzz 10/16/2026

OCTOBER 16 - 29, 2026 The LOCAL NEWS | A5
Muskingum Young Insurance Agency held a
County Arts Council

Launches Inaugural ribbon-cutting at new office amid 100
Youth Poet year anniversary
Laureate Program BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ

SUBMTTED
The Muskingum County Arts Coun-
cil is proud to announce the launch
of the inaugural Muskingum County
Youth Poet Laureate program for the
2026–27 term. Presented in part-
nership with Urban Word and gen-
erously sponsored by the Ohio Arts
Council, the initiative seeks to ampli-
fy youth voices and celebrate young
writers who champion civic engage-
ment, community service, and equi-
ty across the county.
This new local initiative brings
Muskingum County into a presti-
gious nationwide movement. Found-
ed by Urban Word and supported by
leading literary institutions like the
Library of Congress, the National En-
dowment for the Arts, and the Acad-
emy of American Poets, the National Members of the Young Insurance Agency stand with all three county commissioners, Dana Matz, and Mayor Don Mason as Lynnell Hankinson prepares to cut
Youth Poet Laureate Program recog- the ribbon at a ceremony. Lynette Dotson
nizes young leaders who combine Representatives from the Zanes-
artistic excellence with community ville-Muskingum Chamber of Com-
involvement. merce, Mayor Don Mason, County
“This program is a fantastic oppor- Commissioners Bell, Cameron, and
tunity to showcase the creativity and Prouty, and other members of the
community leadership of our coun- community joined in celebrating 100
ty’s youth,” said Joshua Prentice, Years of Business for Young Insurance
Agency at a ribbon cutting held at their
Executive Director of the Muskingum office on Linden Avenue on Thursday,
County Arts Council. “Poetry has a October 15.
unique power to bridge divides and “For a business, you know, most
inspire change, and we are eager to businesses can fail within 5 years.
give our young leaders a platform to So to think about going 20 times that
shape the conversation.” amount out to 100 years is incredible.
You know, they’re a hardworking fam-
Beyond a single title, the initiative ily. To be willing to relocate from their
is designed to foster long-term men- long-time office in downtown for the
torship and artistic development for betterment of the Secrest Auditorium “We love it. Convenient for people. Even though technology and the
the chosen youth poet laureate. As project, the beautification that they did Parking. It’s a homey atmosphere,” office location may have changed,
one of only a few local partnerships here on Linden, it all meshes very well Hankinson mentioned. Young Insurance Agency’s dedication
to its customers has not wavered.
together,” commented Dana Matz, The company is about family, com-
of its kind in Ohio, the program also president of the Zanesville-Musking- munity, and supporting local business- Pam Ufholz, a long-time employee
spotlights the region. “I know there um Chamber of Commerce. es and people. Young Insurance has and current office manager/treasur-
are a number of young poets and Vice President of the company and been serving the community since er/secretary, said, “The community,
leaders in the making here who will third-generation member of The Young 1926. As mentioned on the company our customers, are our backbone. I
love this program,” Prentice added. Insurance Agency, Lynnell Hankinson website, Young Insurance Agency spe- mean, they’re who have got us where
“By investing in young voices today, spoke about community support… cializes in insurance to protect your we’re at today. Because of their loyalty,
their trust in us. And, you know, they’re
“We’ve always had that. But I think auto, home, business, and family.
we are helping them build the confi- with this project, coming to this new Many things have changed over the like our family.”
dence to advocate for their commu- office, I think they greatly appreciate last 100 years, most notably technolo- Young Insurance Agency is located
nity and region in the future.” the fact that we didn’t stand in their gy. And progress continues. at 1239 Linden Avenue, Zanesville.
For full submission guidelines, pro- way of the Secrest project. I mean, we “We’re in the process of updating our They are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
gram benefits, and more informa- don’t want to stand in the way of prog- computer management system, which Monday through Friday or by appoint-
ment. For more information about
tion on Urban Word and the National ress. And it worked out for both of us,” is going to incorporate texting capabil-
ity, better email capability, and things the company’s history or to get an in-
said Hankinson.
Youth Poet Laureate Program, visit The new office location has been a for our clients to reach us and for us to surance quote, visit their website at
artsmuskingum.com. positive move for the business. reach our clients,” said Hankinson. younginsagency.com.