Page 6 - The Buzz 10/16/2026

A6 | LOCAL NEWS The OCTOBER 16 - 29, 2026
Matson Retirement Planning Completes Merger October Apple

with Alpha Financial SUBMTTED Crunch Promotes
Healthy Eating
Steve Matson, owner of Matson Re- and Local
tirement Planning, has announced
that he recently merged his finan- Agriculture
cial advisory practice with Alpha
Financial, based in Dublin, OH. The BY ALEXUS MASTERSON, MPH,
combined practice will continue to FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES EDUCATOR
operate as a branch office of Alpha OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION,
Financial in Zanesville. This strategic MUSKINGUM COUNTY
merger brings together six decades
of collective financial advisory expe-
rience and allows for enhanced ser-
vices and offerings while maintain- Each October, Ohioans are en-
ing a faith-based focus. couraged to participate in the Great
“Our clients have always been top Lakes Great Apple Crunch, a region-
priority, said Steve Matson. “By join- al initiative that celebrates local
ing forces with Alpha Financial, we agriculture, healthy eating, and Na-
are expanding our comprehensive fi- tional Farm to School Month. Partic-
nancial planning services, as well as ipants across Ohio and neighboring
laying groundwork for succession of states take a collective bite of a lo-
the business for the future.” cally grown apple to raise awareness
Both Steve Matson and Steve McEl- about the importance of supporting
roy will serve current and new cli- local farmers and increasing access
ents at 1166 Military Rd Suite B1 to fresh, nutritious foods. The event
in Zanesville. For more information, welcomes schools, community orga-
call (740) 454-7646 or visit www.al- nizations, businesses, and families,
phafinancial.com. making it an easy and enjoyable way
to connect with local food systems.
For Ohio State University Extension
Family and Consumer Sciences pro-
Steve Matson and Steve McElroy. Submitted
fessionals, the Apple Crunch offers
an opportunity to educate communi-
The Big Give Generates CONTINUED FROM A4 ties about nutrition and food litera-
cy. Apples are a nutrient-dense fruit
More Than $62,000 for NetVUE Grant that provide dietary fiber, vitamin C,
and antioxidants that support overall
Local Nonprofits identity, or look for new communi- health. Encouraging fruit consump-
tion through hands-on activities can
ties and relationships. These tran-
sitions can affect persistence, but help individuals and families develop
The Muskingum County Commu- • ArtCOZ they can also create important op- healthier eating habits while learn-
nity Foundation (MCCF) is proud to • Big Brothers Big Sisters of portunities for students to reflect ing about the origins of their food.
SUBMTTED announce the successful completion Appalachian Ohio on what matters to them and con- The Apple Crunch also highlights the
of The Big Give, a countywide giving • ForeverDads sider new possibilities. value of Ohio’s agricultural indus-
campaign that raised $27,148.50 in • The Carr Center Three Areas of Focus try. Purchasing locally grown apples
community donations and distribut- • Habitat for Humanity of Muskingum’s initiative will orga- supports farm families, strengthens
ed $35,500 in matching funds from Southeast Ohio nize its work around three intercon- local economies, and helps consum-
MCCF, resulting in a total impact of • John Glenn Flag Football nected areas: ers develop a greater appreciation
$62,648.50 for local nonprofit orga- & Cheer for seasonal foods. Schools often
nizations. • Museum Association of East Big Why: Helping Students Navi- pair the event with lessons in sci-
The Big Give brought together Muskingum gate Change with Purpose ence, agriculture, and nutrition, help-
13 nonprofit organizations serv- • Max’s Fund Big Why will create opportunities ing youth understand the connection
ing Muskingum County residents • Muskingum County Library for students to reflect on their between farming, food production,
through programs focused on youth System strengths, values, interests, and and health.
development, education, literacy, • Muskingum County Literacy Families can participate by visiting
arts and culture, housing, communi- Council direction, particularly when plans local orchards, preparing healthy
ty services, and family support. Com- • The Center or aspirations change. The initia- apple recipes, or enjoying apples as
munity members contributed gifts • Transitions tive will also provide faculty, staff, a convenient snack. Whether cele-
throughout the campaign, helping • Ohio District Council of and coaches with practical tools for brated in a classroom, workplace,
participating organizations strength- Pentecostal Churches supporting students through peri- or home, the Apple Crunch demon-
en both their immediate mission During the campaign, communi- ods of uncertainty and transition.
work and their long-term sustain- ty support helped participating or- strates how simple actions can pro-
ability through endowment-building ganizations unlock matching gifts Pathway: Helping Students mote healthier lifestyles and stron-
efforts. ranging from $500 to $10,000. Find a New Direction ger community connections while
“The generosity of our communi- Max’s Fund received the largest to- Pathway will focus particularly on supporting local agriculture through-
ty continues to inspire us,” said Bri- tal match at $10,000, while every students changing majors or recon- out Ohio
an Wagner, CEO of the Muskingum participating organization benefited sidering their academic direction.
County Community Foundation. “The from the generosity of donors and Muskingum will develop resources References:
Big Give demonstrates what can MCCF’s matching fund initiative. connecting academic options with Michigan State University Extension. (2025). Mich-
igan Crunch guide. Community Food Systems.
happen when people come togeth- “The Big Give is about more than career possibilities, experiential https://www.canr.msu.edu/community_food_sys-
er to invest in organizations that are dollars raised,” Wagner said. “It’s learning, and alumni experienc- tems/uploads/files/Michigan%20Crunch%20
Guide%20-%20NS_2025.pdf
improving lives across Muskingum about building a culture of philan- es while strengthening advising
County. Every gift, no matter the size, thropy and ensuring that local non- for students navigating academic Minnesota Grown. (n.d.). Great Lakes Apple
Crunch.
contributes to a stronger future for profits have the resources they need change. https://minnesotagrown.com/great-lakes-apple-
our community.” to continue serving our community crunch/
Participating organizations received for generations to come.” Causes & Communities: Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.
matching funds based on campaign MCCF thanks every donor, nonprof- Building Belonging and (2023, October 12). Get your crunch on! https://
performance, with every organiza- it partner, volunteer, and supporter Contribution groundworkcenter.org/get-your-crunch-on/
tion receiving support through the who helped make this year’s cam-
matching pool. Organizations partici- paign a success. Causes & Communities will help
pating in the 2026 Big Give included: students identify organizations,
leadership opportunities, service
experiences, and other communi- “The sophomore year can be a piv-
ties that align with their interests otal time for students as they begin
and strengths. The project will also to reconsider some of the assump-
develop a Student Engagement tions and plans they brought with
Ambassador model through which them to college,” said Muskingum
students can help their peers dis- University President Flavius R. W.
cover meaningful opportunities for Lilly. “This grant will help Musking-
connection and contribution. um surround students with the re-
lationships and opportunities they
Supporting Students Through need to navigate those moments
Transition of change, discover new possibili-
ties, and think more deeply about
One distinctive component of who they are becoming and how
the project will focus on students they want to contribute to the world
who leave varsity athletics before around them.”
graduation. Muskingum’s planning The project will involve faculty,
work found that leaving a team can staff, coaches, and student peer
represent more than a change in leaders from across the Universi-
activity; for some students, it also ty. Muskingum will also work with
raises questions about identity, re- an external evaluator to assess the
lationships, belonging, and what initiative and better understand
comes next. which approaches are most effec-
The project will also develop tive in helping sophomores navi-
three prototype academic Path- gate academic, co-curricular, and
ways for students reconsidering personal transitions.
their majors and begin designing Over the three-year grant peri-
the Student Engagement Ambas- od, the University will use what it
sador program. learns to refine its approaches to
Rather than creating a separate sophomore advising and transi-
sophomore program, Muskingum tion support, academic redirection,
will integrate this work into plac- student-athlete transitions, peer
es where students already have engagement, and opportunities
meaningful relationships, includ- for students to build meaningful
ing academic advising, career de- connections. Muskingum will also
velopment and experiential learn- share its findings with other col-
ing, Athletics, academic coaching, leges and universities through the
and student engagement. Faculty, NetVUE network, contributing to a
staff, coaches, and student peer broader understanding of the soph-
leaders will all play roles in help- omore year as an important period
ing students navigate change and of student development.
identify new possibilities.
Building on Muskingum’s Com-
mitment to Student Success