Byesville Rotary hears about 2013 Dickens Victorian Village activities

Pictured: Chuck and Shana Fair, Dickens volunteers, and Jonett Haberfield, Dickens Victorian Village Event Co-chair and Group Tour Coordinator.

Byesville Rotarians welcomed Tina Tonnous as the club’s first new member for the 2013-14 Rotary year. Tonnous is the new owner of Creative T’s located on Rt. 209 in Byesville. Tina started her business decorating t-shirts and other apparel in her garage. Her specialty is adding bling—sequins, rhinestones, and glitter—to the graphic designs she offers.

Jonett Haberfield, Event Co-chair and Group Tour Coordinator, described some of the new activities being planned for the 8th season of the Dickens Victorian Village. She explained that the audience for Dickens Village has changed from the older, typically retired, bus tour customers who come for scheduled visits to families and individuals who come to see the Dickens Village when their schedule permits. This new type of customer is looking for a festive atmosphere and more activities with a Victorian flavor.

Special themed week-ends are being added to the Dickens schedule. In addition, some of the activities during the week-ends will include ticketed events designed to help generate income to support the Dickens Village.

The first week-end of the festival-Nov. 1-3—includes the opening of the light show at the courthouse, a Victorian Tea party at the Colonel Taylor Inn, and a Victorian dinner at a site to be announced. There will also be a Victorian Fashion Show and a Downton
Abby Etiquette Class.

During the 2^nd week-end in November, Queen Victoria will put in several appearances. She is scheduled to visit local schools, host a high tea, serve as the Grand Marshall of the parade, preside at a knighting ceremony, host a dinner, and mingle with the public at the National Museum of Cambridge Glass A full list of the coming events will soon appear on the website— www.DickensVictorianVillage.com. 

Jonett pointed out that it takes a village to create the Dickens Victorian Village event. Hundreds of volunteers are involved and more are needed. She pointed out that 2 Byesville Rotary members are volunteers at Dickens Universal—the storage site for the manikins. Chuck donates his woodworking skills and helps repair manikins and bases. Shana helps clean and refurbish the manikins and is helping to sculpt replacement heads for the manikins.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville.