Dickens Village mannequins visit Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host; Jonett Haberfield, Dickens Village; Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Jonett Haberfield demonstrated to the Byesville Rotary members how the Dickens mannequins are constructed. The Byesville Rotary has a personal interest in the mannequins. The members sponsor two Dickens coal miners located at the Byesville Scenic Railway depot.

The sculpting process begins with a Styrofoam head used to display wigs. Cellu-clay is molded over the head and facial details are added. After two weeks, the clay used for the heads is dry. The heads are then painted with a flesh colored based coat. Finally, individual facial characteristics are painted on the head.

Five years ago, Dickens Village started with 105 mannequins. This year, 180 will be on display. One of the new displays will be a group of animated ice skaters.

Jonett explained it takes up to 30 hours to create a head for a new character. In addition, Dickens artists must repair heads of older characters. While heads are being repaired, the costume committee is refreshing the mannequins’ costumes. Up to 80% of the clothing worn by the mannequins must be replaced each year. These activities keep the 15 Dickens artists and the costume committee busy all summer and fall.

Jonett reported that during the 2009 season, 36 busloads of tourists arrived in Cambridge. Four of the tour buses spent the night in Cambridge. The economic impact of the bus tours on the local economy is estimated to be $40,000.

The number of tour buses arriving in Cambridge for the 2010 season is increasing. To date, 61 buses have scheduled tours of the Dickens Village. Forty-one of the buses will be staying overnight. These tours will have an estimated $316,000 impact on the Cambridge economy.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, Tuesday, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns importance of tourism to County

Pictured: Rich Dair, speaker Host; Debbie Robinson, Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors and Convention Bureau; Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President-Elect.

For 30 years, the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) has worked to bring tourists to Guernsey County years old. Debbie Robinson, one of the VCB staff, reported that the efforts of the VCB staff have a positive effect on local business revenues, jobs, and tax revenues for local and state governments.

A 2007 study produced by the Ohio Tourism Division reported that the VCB’s efforts generated $15 million in taxes collected from visitors; provided employment for 1,822 members of the community, and added $29.9 million to local payrolls.

The mission of the VCB is threefold: 1) to promote the Cambridge/Guernsey County area, 2) to educate community members about the value and importance of tourism to the area, and 3) to promote the development of tourism and tourism related businesses.

Typically, 80% of the visitors to Guernsey County are day trippers, staying for just the VCB is working to improve tourism in the county by more than 6% by marketing to families, empty nesters, and young transitionals. These age groups are a good match for the county because many of the area’s attractions are family oriented.

Currently the VCB uses various methods to market Guernsey C. these methods include publishing vacation guides, traditional advertising, attending trade and travel shows, direct mail, news releases, and brochure distribution.

The newest method is the VCBs award winning web site—visitguernseycounty.com.

Ms. Robinson finished her presentation by saying, “The biggest and best resources in the county are our people.”

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, Tuesday, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary Pres. Elect; Beverly Justice, Sam Besket, and Jerry Wolfrom, members of the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop.

Jerry Wolfram told the Rotary that the Writers’ Workshop is now 3 years old and has about 20 writers who regularly attend meetings. He described the group as eclectic. The members represent all types of people from different parts of the county with different interests in writing. Some are interested in writing specific types of fiction; others are interested in history and non-fiction. They share one thing in common—each of the members wants to be published.

He emphasized that writing is and getting writing assignments to be done by the next meeting. Members also spend time during the week working on their own stories.

Wolfram issued an open invitation to anyone interested in writing and published to talk to a club member. The club can offer good advice, backed by experience, on how to get a book published. The club members have recently published their 3rd book of short stories written by club members—The Wills Creek Trilogy.

Sam Besket, a member of the Writers Workshop, presented the results of research he has done on the history of common words such as “golf” and idioms like “a dead ringer.” “Golf” came from Scotland and is shorthand for “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.”

Beverly Justice presented one of her fictional short stories about a tornado and Mayor Day.

The meeting concluded with two of the rotary members reading a radio script created by the Writers’ Workshop. The script was a takeoff on the Abbott and Costello comedy routine “Who’s on First.” In this case, a customer was trying to purchase a new computer from a not-so-helpful salesman.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 29, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary Pres. Elect; Beverly Justice, Sam Besket, and Jerry Wolfrom, members of the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop.

Readings for June 15:

• June Rotarian, World roundup, p. 14; North Korea, p. 19, June calendar, p. 21.

Jerry Wolfram told the Rotary that the Writers’ Workshop is now 3 years old and has about 20 writers who regularly attend meetings. He described the group as eclectic. The members represent all types of people from different parts of the county with different interests in writing. Some are interested in writing specific types of fiction; others are interested in history and non-fiction. They share one thing in common—each of the members wants to be published.

He emphasized that writing is and getting writing assignments to be done by the next meeting. Members also spend time during the week working on their own stories.

Wolfram issued an open invitation to anyone interested in writing and published to talk to a club member. The club can offer good advice, backed by experience, on how to get a book published. The club members have recently published their 3rd book of short stories written by club members—The Wills Creek Trilogy.

Sam Besket, a member of the Writers Workshop, presented the results of research he has done on the history of common words such as “golf” and idioms like “a dead ringer.” “Golf” came from Scotland and is shorthand for “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.”

Beverly Justice presented one of her fictional short stories about a tornado and Mayor Day.

The meeting concluded with two of the rotary members reading a radio script created by the Writers’ Workshop. The script was a takeoff on the Abbott and Costello comedy routine “Who’s on First.” In this case, a customer was trying to purchase a new computer from a not-so-helpful salesman.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 14, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary golf outing supports scholarships

1) Byesville Rotary 2010 golf Outing winners: Adam Veselenak, Van Fossen, and Ben McManaway
2) Local students awarded scholarships by Byesville Rotary. Candace Neff, Alyssa Ayers, Shayla Mallett, Levi Snyder.



Four local students received scholarships from the Byesville Rotary.
The Byesville Rotary awarded four scholarships to local students. Three of the students--Levi Snyder, Candace Neff, and Shayla Mallett-- attend Meadow Brook High School. The 4th student--Alyssa Ayers--attends Mid-East Career and Technology Center.

Levi Snyder plans to major in Psychology and is considering attending West Liberty University or Zane State. He was inspired to go into psychology because after the death of his coach, he realized “It is important for people to help each other through difficult times.

Candace Neff plans to major in speech or physical therapy. She will be attending West Liberty University where she will be playing softball as well as attending classes.

Shayla Mallett will be attending Muskingum University. She chose to major in accounting because “I like math and a family member is a successful CPA.“

Alyssa Ayers is currently enrolled in the dental assistant program at Mid -East. She plans to attend Zane State and get an Administrative Office Assistant degree. She hopes to stay in the field of dentistry. When asked how she became interested in becoming a dental assistant, she said, “I was curious about the field and once I gave it a try, I found I liked it.”

The Byesville Rotary Scholarship program is supported by the club’s annual golf outing. This year the outing was held at Wildfire in New Concord. Trent and Trevor Black chaired the committee responsible for the event.

Members of the winning team at this year’s outing were Adam Veselenak, Van Fossen, and Ben McManaway. Thirteen three person teams vied for the top honors. Local business support helped insure the success of the outing.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 22, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host, Cliff Little, OSU Extension--Guernsey County, Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary Pres.

Readings for June 1:

• June Rotarian, "Digital divide," p. 27-28.

Cliff Little from the OSU Extension Office spoke to Byesville Rotary about educational programs the Extension offers to Guernsey and Noble County communities. There are educational programs for everyone--children, adults, amateur gardeners, farmers.

Cliff is one of many Extension staff members located throughout the state who work to bring the knowledge of the university directly to people involved in four major areas--family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, community development, and agriculture and natural resources.

Members of the club were impressed by how many businesses and individuals in Guernsey county can benefit from using the resources provided by the Extension. Easy access to educational programs and other services provided by the Extension is available at http://guernsey.osu.edu/

Cliff explained how current issues can have a direct affect on the local community. For example, developing fuels from soybeans and switch grass will provide additional market opportunities for farmers and will lead to cleaner air for all of us.

Club members who spent Saturday barbequing chickens reported that the chickens sold quickly. All were sold by 1:00.

One of the club members, Jamie Hopps, is taking responsibility for a program to provide supplies to soldiers serving overseas. Club members can see her to find out how they can contribute.

Guernsey County Auditor visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host, Tony Brown, Guernsey County Auditor, Phyliss Jeffries, President.

Reading for May 18:

• May Rotarian, "The rude, the loud, and the tweety," p. 27.

Recheduled events:

• Chicken BBQ--Saturday, May 22--same times, same place.
• Golf Outing--Sunday, May 23, Wildfire, New Concord.

Tony Brown, Guernsey County Auditor, was guest speaker As Auditor, he is responsible for accounting for all the money received by Guernsey County during the year. This includes issuing checks to cover the County obligations, distributing tax dollars to townships, villages, cities, and various other institutions.

He administers the biweekly county payroll which covers about 500 employees.
He is also responsible for checking all commercial weighing and measuring equipment used by businesses in the County. Ensuring accuracy of this type of equipment protects County residents from being charged unfairly. During the year, the auditor inspects over 100 pieces of equipment at 150 businesses in the County.

Mr. Brown assured the club members that he cannot raise or lower property taxes. Tax rates are determined by budget requests submitted by each government unit. Ohio law allows the county to asses a tax rate of 10 mills without a vote. County residents must vote to approve any increase in the tax rate over 10%.

Tony is pleased that the Auditor’s office now has a web site--www.Guernsey county.org/agencies/auditor.asp. More information about the services the auditor/s office provides and contact numbers are available on the site.

Another service that the County Auditor’s office provides are several programs providing tax relief to specifically defined residents of the County. These programs include the Homestead Exemption for people over 65 and the Current Agriculture Use Valuation (CAUV). Contact the Auditor’s Office for more information, 740-432-9243.

Because of rain, the club had to cancel its annual golf outing. The event has been rescheduled for May 23, at Wildfire in New Concord. Additional three person teams are still welcome. Fees are $55 per person. Lunch and cash prizes are included in the fee. People interested in participating should contact Larry Miller, 439-7606 or lmiller@pebo, Trent Black at 685-2525, or Trevor Black at 685-2550.

The chicken BBQ planned for May 8 was cancelled because of windy conditions. It has been rescheduled for May 22. As usual, it will be held at the gazebo in downtown Byesville.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 4, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.