Those who attend the annual Newcomerstown Chamber banquet know it’s less than a formal affair.

There’s just as likely to be more blue jeans than ties and hoots and hollers from around the room as there is to be polite applause.

But that informal style doesn’t detract from the main point of the banquet, which is to honor those businesses, individuals and organizations who have helped to improve life in the Newcomerstown community over the past year.

Paulla Emery, Newcomerstown Chamber president and director of the Century National Bank office in Newcomerstown, presided over the free-wheeling event, handing out awards and even lending some reminders to award winners of some other reasons they should be recognized by those present.

Al Landis, former state representative and recently elected as a Tuscarawas County Commissioner, was the speaker and said, “Tonight, let’s talk about Newcomerstown. Let’s celebrate where you are tonight and how far you’ve come.”

Landis recounted the other times he has been to Newcomerstown to celebrate events in the village, including:

‒ Solar panels installed in the village in 2010, with Landis noting that “I promised then that the state would know where Newcomerstown, Ohio, is.”

‒ Events at the Newcomerstown schools involved in addressing the addiction crisis in the region, congratulating the teachers, the school administration and village administration in being “so engaged” in addressing that crisis.

‒ Dedication of the Woody Hayes statue at Lee Stadium, noting he at one time worked with two of Coach Hayes’ former players at Greer Steel in Dover, including Billy Jo Armstrong, to whom a whole chapter is devoted in the book, “Woody’s Boys.”

Landis said that while people hear about the national championships, the winning seasons and the will to win, they sometimes don’t hear about the compassion of Coach Hayes and how he passed that down to the young men who played for him at The Ohio State University.

“I just said, ‘Way to go, Newcomerstown’,” Landis said. “This (dedication) is just fantastic. It just represented the heart and soul of Newcomerstown.”

‒ Ribbon cutting for the solar panels at the sewage treatment plant.

Landis pointed out that Newcomerstown is at the crossroads of I-77 and US 36 and said, “Positive things are coming, and you are at the crossroads.”

He asked area residents to get to know their politicians, noting that “politician seems like a dirty word, but it’s not.” He said the Tuscarawas County Commissioners meet each Monday at 9 a.m. and each Wednesday at 1 p.m. The other two commissioners were also present for the banquet, Chris Abbuhl and Joe Sciarretti.

Among the awards presented Thursday evening were:

Chief Netawatwes Award: Presented to 31, Inc., for its investment in the community by building a large new structure at the Newcomerstown Industrial Park. The award was accepted by Paul Clark of 31, Inc.

Newcomers Award: Presented to ARTSNCT, a new organization promoting arts in the Newcomerstown area. The award was accepted by Michael Wise, founder of ARTSNCT.

Organization of the Year: Presented to the Thomas R. Little Foundation, named after the late Atty. Thomas Little, who was instrumental in being part of the start of many of the current positive developments in the community. The award was presented by Jill Little and Erin (Little) Peoples, officers in the Foundation.

Lifetime Achievement: Baker’s IGA, which has a history in the grocery business dating over 50 years. Baker’s IGA was also recognized as the “Retailer of the Year” by IGA International for 2018. The award was accepted by Mark Cutshall of Baker’s IGA.

Hometown Hero: This award was presented to those responsible for erecting the memorial flags at Cy Young Park. The award was accepted by Denny Ross, who noted the contributions of many others in creating the memorial.

Chamber Member of the Year: Presented to Cody Addy, director of the Newcomerstown Public Library, who Emery noted helped the Chamber with any information technology issues.

In addition to the Chamber awards, Denny Ross presented the “Veteran of the Year” honor to Tom Gardener of Port Washington, recounting his many years of service in the Navy (some as a Navy Seal), dedication to his community, serving as an umpire for local baseball games and now serving as mayor of Port Washington.

Gardener recounted several anecdotes, including getting involved in baseball “because I hated Howdy Doody,” which led to him going to the baseball fields and sitting beside and learning the game from a certain Cy Young.

Glenn Hickman, a director for the American Legion of Ohio, attended to present a grant to the Newcomerstown Police Department, with monies from the local veterans' organizations included in the $4,600 amount. The grant was accepted by Newcomerstown Police Chief Gary Holland.

Other officials not previously mentioned included:

‒ Newcomerstown Mayor Pat Cadle

‒ Ashley Karlen, director of constituent services for Congressman Bill Johnson.

‒ Cody Pettit, Public Affairs Liaison for the Ohio Treasurer of State.

‒ Dee Grossman, director of the Tuscarawas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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