Zeisberger Heckewelder Banquet Honors Four Individuals
By Teri Stein
May 8, 2011
593
Summary: Four area individuals were honored by the Tuscarawas County Historical Society at their 31st annual Founders Day Banquet on May 3. The 2011 Zeisberger Heckewelder awards went to Jon Baker, Tom Pieper, Agnes Swigart, and Dee Grossman for their efforts to make Tuscarawas County a better place for all.
I didnt realize how important the history of this county is to the future of the county, said Dee Grossman, director of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Grossman was awarded one of four Zeisberger Heckewelder awards presented on Tues. May 3.
Grossman, whose specialty has always been marketing, admitted she never thought about history very much. Then she realized that developing and promoting our countys historical sites was key to growing our counties tourism and economy. History is now a part of my life, she added.
Were going to build that fort, said Grossman referring to the plans to recreate Fort Laurens in Bolivar. Its important to the history of the county and the nation.
Grossman also thanked her staff Tiffany Gerber, Chrissy Blackwell, Lisa Schilling, and Rachel Leishman.
Margaret Bonamico sponsored Grossman for the award and credited her with logging countless miles traveling around the country promoting Tuscarawas County. The Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau saved Fort Laurens by taking over its operation, Bonamico added.
Ive known Jon for 25 years and his love of history and this area is a true inspiration, said Rex Huffman, of the Times Reporter who sponsored his co-worker, Jon Baker. Baker was pleased with the award, Ive written my (history) column for 22 years, and this shows that it has meant something to the community.
Baker is a native of Dennison and a graduate of Claymont Schools. He graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and has worked for several newspapers during his career. Baker is also the author of four books on local history and the president of the Tuscarawas County Genealogical Society.
Tuscarawas County is a great place to live and to serve, said 2011 Zeisberger Heckewelder award winner, Agnes Swigart. In Ohio, it all started here in this area with the first church and the first school.
Swigart was sponsored by Kent State University Tuscarawas Dean Dr. Gregg Andrews. Agnes is an extraordinary and remarkable individual. She retired from the campus in 2005 as assistant dean and remains active in the Chestnut Society, which she co-founded in 1979 to promote and support local campus programs, including student scholarships, said Andrews.
Swigart first visited our county when she and her husband honeymooned in the Atwood area, Weve never regretted moving to the area, she added. Currently she serves on the Union Hospital Board of Trustees and many other organizations that benefit the area.
Family picnics at Fort Laurens led 2011 Zeisberger Heckewelder recipient Tom Pieper to choose the fort as the topic for his thesis. It was the fall of 1960 when Pieper first met his sponsor, Fred Miller, when both were history majors at Heidelberg College.
Tom is very active in the preservation of Fort Laurens serving on the board for the restoration of the fort, said Miller.
Tom has encamped at Ft. Laurens on many occasions during reenactment weekends as a major in the French Welsch Fusiliers. Pieper and his wife, Jane, reside in North Canton.
Past Zeisberger Heckewelder recipients in attendance for the evening were Dr. Gregg Andrews, Dr. Phil Doughten, Margaret Bonamico, George Laurence, Lowell Youngen, Glen and Ann Groh, and Patti and Tom Strickling. Tuscarawas County Commissioner Jim Seldenright also attended the event.
