At a recent banquet to recognize volunteers, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, Historic Schoenbrunn Village and the Uhrichsville Clay Museum all thanked the more than 100 museum volunteers in attendance for their many contributions, and distributed volunteer awards.
County Commissioner Kerry Metzger, Mayor Mike Taylor and Marge Jentes, Dennison Depot board president, addressed the volunteers and shared words of praise for the many accomplishments over the past year.
Wendy Zucal, museum director and new Schoenbrunn Village site director, presented the following awards:
For the Clay Museum, Dazzitee Soutlish was presented the Jr. Volunteer of the Year award for her work, which helped make the Clay Museums first Clayworkers Picnic a success. The Volunteer of the Year award was given to Mary Anne West, who has volunteered her time as an assistant to Reba Allen, Clay Museum director. In addition to helping at the museum, she was also co-chairperson for the Clay Picnic.
The Clay Museums highest award, The Clayworkers Award, was presented for the first time and went to Mark Willard of Bowerston Shale. He was among the charter group of volunteers who organized the museum, and currently serves on the advisory committee. His leadership in planning, fundraising and securing artifacts and financial support has been critical to the growth of the young museum.
Historic Schoenbrunn Village, locally managed by the Dennison Depot, also presented their annual volunteer awards at the banquet. The Most Valuable New Volunteer award went to Cecil McDonald in recognition of his help at the Colonial Trade Fair. He also won the Most Valuable New Volunteer award at the Depot Museum the year before.
Jr. Volunteer of the Year awards went to Naomi and Noah Hallman, who are regular volunteers in costume at the village. They assist with school tours and special events. Zucal pointed out that Naomi, 5, and Noah, 11, are the youngest volunteers to win awards, but that despite their young age, they have been an important part of Schoenbrunns activities.
The Volunteer of the Year award went to both Millie Weston and Joan Beorn for their work in the museum, gift shop, property and special events. Zucal shared that no job was off limits to these two ladies, who would tackle anything that needed to be done. From setting up luminaries for lantern tours to cleaning cabins, they did it all.
The new David Zeisberger Award, given to the volunteer who takes care of David Zeisbergers village as Zeisberger would, went to volunteer property chairman Jim Marsh. He volunteers his time to oversee the vast property at Schoenbrunn, coordinating care of buildings, grass mowing and cabin repairs. His skills as a retired surveyor have contributed to many maps, and his love of history has enabled him to complete many research projects at the village. Zucal pointed out that he is at the village almost every day.
The Dennison Depot also presented their volunteer awards for the 20th year. The Best New Volunteer award went to two people, Ken Fanty for his contributions to the American Soldiers Fest and Connie Finton, for her assistance with Polar Express and the Lucille Nussdorfer Award.
The Jr. Volunteer of the Year award went to two New Philadelphia High School seniors, Mark Space and Kevin Hostetter. Both young men have been active with the American Soldiers Homecoming, donating time planning and participating in WWII battles. Last year, Zucal said, they really stepped up to the plate by organizing a very popular youth reenactment for young visitors.
The Volunteer of the Year award went to Bill and Pat Schmidt, for their many years of service at the depot. The Schmidts have worked as weekend managers at the depot, as docents and as Polar Express volunteers. They have volunteered for many special events and special projects over the years.
The F.A. Bud Norman Award for outstanding service in many ways over an extended period of time went to Randy Fox. He has served on the depot board of trustees and as a member of the American Soldiers Fest steering committee. He was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Traveling Wall to Dennison. He has also volunteered for Polar Express, both in constructing the North Pole and manning the trains Hot Chocolate Patrol.
Zucal summed up the evening by celebrating the contributions of everyone and emphasizing how fortunate all three museums are to have the community engaged at their sites. She encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to contact her at the depot at 740-922-6776 or director@dennisondepot.org.
