1965 State champions honored on this years Italian-American Festival plate
July 25, 2011
338
The final meeting before the August 12 opening of the 23rd annual Tuscarawas County Italian-American Festival was used to go over the final preparations for the festival. Committee chairpersons were busy filling work schedules and will be contacting those who were not at the meeting.
Ticket reservations for the Mayors Breakfast were taken by RaeAnn Dabel, chairperson. Anyone desiring to attend the breakfast on August 12 at 7:30 a.m. should make their reservations before August 7 by calling 330-339-8203 or contacting any member. Cost is $12 and no tickets will be sold at the door. In addition to honoring the Business of the Year and Person of the Year, a record 20 scholarships will be presented to Tuscarawas County students.
It was reported that finishing touches on the new stage need to be completed and will be ready for use at the festival. It was also reported that the John Vesco Memorial Golf Tournament, held July 9 at Green Valley Golf Course, was a success and that advance orders for this years plate, honoring the 1965 St. Joseph Ramblers state champs, were being received and could be picked up after the opening ceremony at the souvenir booth. Under legendary coach Art Teynor, the blue and gold of Dovers St. Joseph Ramblers had climbed to a position as one of the top football squads in the area. The final Associated Press poll ranked the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers in the No. 1 spot, naming them 1965 Class A State Champion.
On Sunday morning of the festival, Fr. Matt Hoover will lead the procession from the festival midway to St. Joseph Church for Mass and will be the co-celebrant with Fr. Jimmie Hatfield. After the 11 a.m. Mass, it is hoped that everyone will attend the spaghetti dinner in the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary School, which will begin at 10:30.
It was announced that the Backstage Dancers were recently added to Sunday afternoons entertainment schedule and the current plans for radio and newspaper advertising were detailed. Added to that, after a discussion, was that the festival would be advertised at the Canton Hall of Fame celebration and additional funds were added to the advertising budget to cover this additional expense.
In addition to auctioning the first five numbered plates at the opening ceremony, Don Wallick will also have a wine rack, made and donated by Larry Fontana and a painting donated by local artist Teresa Prince, to accept bids on. He will be assisted by the Dennison Railroad Festival Queen and Attendant.
The next meeting will be held Sept. 17 at the Knisely farm and all members, volunteers, sponsors and their families are invited for a thank you picnic. Bring a chair. Beginning in October, the membership meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month in the St. Joseph Family Life Center. For additional information on the festival, see the foundations website at http://www.tuscitalianamerican.org. Profits from the festival are used to provide scholarships for Tuscarawas County students.
