Page 7 - The Buzz 10/16/2026

OCTOBER 16 - 29, 2026 The LOCAL NEWS | A7
Olde Village Meats in MCLS Reading Festival attracts

Frazeysburg celebrated its new and long-time readers alike

50th anniversary BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ

Camelia Taher and Cole Potts greet guests at the 2026 Muskingum County Reading Festival.
Lynette Dotson
Muskingum County Library Sys- Sean Fennell. “This is the largest
tem’s Reading Festival was anoth- single event the Muskingum Coun-
The Smiths cut the ribbon in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Lynette Dotson er huge success. The all-ages event, ty Library System puts on each year,
Two days of celebrations took able to make money too. So we de- held on September 26 at the Colo- in partnership with the Muskingum
place at Olde Village Meats to signed the building. And they put ny Square Mall, had a star-studded County Literacy Council. We look
forward to welcoming even more
lineup of guests from the Ghost-
celebrate 50 years in business. A it up. My dad helped. My grandpa busters of Columbus who brought community members next year to
ribbon-cutting held by the Zanes- helped. And we borrowed money to the Ecto-1 to the food court to Blu- connect with one another, discover
ville-Muskingum Chamber of Com- start out with, and in six years we ey, a literary favorite. Additionally, resources, share ideas, and cele-
merce was held on October 7 and had it paid off, and it’s been mak- guests were able to attend several brate reading together.”
a community celebration was held ing money ever since,” Smith ex- scheduled events like storytimes, This was the 5th year for the
on October 10, which included fire- plained. an author panel, and writers’ work- reading festival, and the second
works, food, and live music. Olde Village Meats is a meat pro- shop. Authors and vendors set up year having it at the mall.
“It’s been a blink of the eye from cessing plant that is licensed to do tables with information, fun activ- “I am just over the moon, excited
when I first started to now,” said custom butchering of beef, hogs, ities, or an interactive experience, about the turnout that we’ve had
owner Jeff Smith. I designed the elk, buffalo, ostriches, and more. like Leaping Lizards Adventure, here,” commented Jessica Brailer,
building, put it up, and I’ve run it An estimated 1,400 deer are pro- which brought reptiles to show at- General Manager for the Colony
from the very beginning.” cessed a year at the Frazeysburg tendees. Over 1,000 books were Square Mall, during the event. “The
available to be given away at the participation from the library sys-
The idea for Olde Village Meats plant. event, and the prize room was tem, and then all of the organiza-
started when Smith worked at a “You’ve got to be pretty dedicated stocked with raffle prizes. Although tions and the amount of planning
meat lab near Ohio State, where to be here. And seven days a week, the Reading Festival was previous- that came together to make this
he was majoring in animal science, I’m usually here,” stated Smith. ly a summer event, attendance happen, and we’re so thankful for
with the original end goal being to To learn more about Olde Village was still remarkable. the support from the community.
become a veterinarian. After work- Meats, visit oldevillagemeats.com “We moved the Muskingum It’s so much fun, so many different
ing in the meat lab, he worked at or find them on Facebook. The County Reading Festival to the fall things for everybody to learn about
Smith’s Freezer Meats in Colum- business is located at 205 Rear for the first time this year, and it and to have hands-on experiences.
bus. South State Street, Frazeysburg. went incredibly well. Colony Square Literacy is so important, and we’re
“I thought, boy, if these guys Mall was packed with thousands of excited to see everyone else be ex-
could make money, I ought to be people visiting more than 70 ven- cited about it.”
dors and authors. Children lined Look for information about next
up to take photos with Bluey, El- year’s festival and other MCLS
West Muskingum FFA Chapter ephant and Piggie, and Hoobert, events by frequenting the library’s
while adults connected with local website, muskingumlibrary.org.
experience solid start SUBMITTED authors and community organiza-
tions,” explained MCLS Marketing
& Community Relations Director

What am I

running as?
Submitted

The West Muskingum FFA Chapter District Forestry CDE at Glenford
has gotten off to a strong start to the Fort hosted by Perry County Soil and I’m running as a problem-
new school year, beginning off with Water Conservation District, where
a well-attended chapter meeting and the team placed 4th overall. Kate
outdoor activities, including games Havens placed 6th individually and solver who will put party
like hillbilly golf, feed sack racing, Mickayla Landon placed 10th. These
and cornhole. During the meeting, achievements reflect the dedication politics aside to make our
members discussed October activ- and preparation of the students in-
ities and expenses, as well as the volved, as well as the continued sup- lives more affordable and
different committees, committee port of the advisor and community.
chairs and how they contribute to the West Muskingum FFA looks for- our communities safer.
chapter. ward to continued success through-
The chapter also competed in the out the academic year.

New Salvation Army Women’s

Auxiliary Officers Inducted

SUBMITTED

Officers leading the Salvation Army
Women’s Auxiliary during the new
year are Becky Winsley as secretary,
Jan Bowers, treasurer, and Jeanine
Busey as president. Members are
currently preparing for their Coats
for Kids and Angel Tree projects.

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