Local couple inducted into OFEA Legion of Honor

  • By Victoria Frank
  • November 24, 2010
  • 273
                        
The Ohio Festival and Events Association (OFEA) created the Legion of Honor in 1990 to honor all past presidents, past secretaries and treasurers, and any other distinguished individual or couple that worked for an established festival within the state. When Dick and Fran Mason, of Dover, were among the three individuals announced for the 2010 Legion of Honor by the OFEA, surprised is the only reaction they could muster. “I was flabbergasted,” Fran Mason said. “I was honestly surprised.” The retired couple volunteers much of their time to promote the Tuscarawas County Italian-American Festival held every summer in downtown Dover. In order to be given the Legion of Honor award, winners must be nominated by a festival representative. Marsha Mari, president of the Tuscarawas County Italian-American Festival Foundation, Inc., (TCIAFFI) sent in the official form to the OFEA, stating her reasons for believing that the Masons were the most deserving of the coveted title. “It’s about not only what they do for the festival, but what they do for the community,” Mari explained. “This is not only an honor for them, but also an honor for our organization. It’s a big deal.” Including the Masons, only three awards have been given to individuals from Tuscarawas County. Mari received the award in 2007 for TCIAFFI and Judy Miller, of New Philadelphia’s First Town Days, won it in 2008. The Masons spent Nov. 12-13 in Jeffersonville at the OFEA convention, scouting for musical talent and listening to seminars. Little did they know what was in store at dinner on Saturday night. During the official OFEA meeting, the Legion of Honor recipients were announced, and the Masons were called first. Neither was expecting the award, but both knew exactly who to thank. Dick Mason recalled his words. “This award wouldn’t have been possible without the people we have to work with. This award is theirs just as much as it is ours. We want to thank them as much as we want to thank you,” he said. Dick Mason currently acts as a TCIAFFI trustee and frequent public relations person and Fran Mason serves as secretary. Both volunteer throughout the year to promote the festival - attending meetings, walking in parades, helping to host the many events such as the Spring Fling, baking cookies, designing the program book, recruiting volunteers and so much more. “It’s the fact of the long hours and dedication that they have put into our organization. That’s the reason I nominated them,” Mari explained. “When you come across something like this where you can recognize somebody… as a president, I try to do that and show my volunteers how important they are.” But despite the status of the award, the Masons remain humble. “I think it’s nice that they recognize people, but I don’t feel deserving enough. There’s other people out there that do as much as us, if not more,” noted Fran Mason. “I think we as humans need to volunteer, to do good, because there’s a lot of bad going on. It’s our duty to help out other people, to help the county, to help the city, and to help the kids that want to go to school.” Each year, TCIAFFI not only celebrates the Italian-American heritage with a summer festival, but operates as a nonprofit foundation to raise scholarship money for area high school graduates attending college. Since 1989, 157 scholarships have been awarded totaling $78,500.


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