The Daily Jeffersonian 

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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Chestnut Hill Band @artsNCT, Newcomerstown

Chestnut Hill Bluegrass Band returns to ARTSNCT, Newcomerstown’s new arts center on Friday, November 16 for a second fundraiser benefiting the center’s programs. 

Mark Hardesty, a band member, and Michael Wise, the center’s executive director were classmates at Newcomerstown High School. Wise said, “Mark attended our class reunion that was held at ARTSNCT in August. When he saw what we were trying to accomplish and provide to the community, he and his brother, Duane, quickly volunteered to donate their time, talent, and resources to help raise funds for our proposed programs. They and their fellow bandmembers are outstanding musicians and they want to see ARTSNCT succeed.” 

Wise said other Newcomerstown classmates were also impressed at the reunion and have donated time, money, and support to help bring the arts to the community. 

Bluegrass @artsNCT, Friday, November 16, 7-9pm, is free and open to the public with a free-will donation at the door. 

ARTSNCT is located at 304 South College Street, Newcomerstown. (740) 575-5710 www.artsNCT.org  

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ARTSNCT creatively celebrated National Pizza Month

Alaina McCort, 11th grade

Alex Gano, 12th grade

Anna Leakey, 5th grade

Ashlyn Freetage, 11th grade

Gabby Gray, 8th grade

Haley Mizer, 10th grade

Hannah Thomas, 8th grade

Hunter Amore, 8th grade

Madison Shisler, 10th grade

Maggie Sue Schatz, 11th grade

Makayla Phillips, 8th grade

Megan Parry, 8th grade

Natalee Frenton, 4th grade

Reide Black, 3rd grade

Sarah Romer, 12th grade

Taylor Watson, 10th grade

October was National Pizza Month and ARTSNCT, Newcomerstown’s new arts center, celebrated pizza with its first annual Pizza Box Art Contest and Exhibit.

Local art class teachers and instructors were asked to inspire each of their students to recycle a pizza box and create a unique and imaginative piece of art. 

The arts center partnered with Damon’s American Pizza, Dominos, and Terry’s Pizza for this program and a student from each of the three participating schools will win a Pizza Party for their entire classroom.

Students at any grade level were eligible to participate.

Participation was simple. The only requirements were:

1. The art must cover the entire front of the box and give reference to pizza in some way.

2. The four sides of the box must be painted, covered in a solid color, or be incorporated into the art.

3. Any items attached to the box must be securely affixed.

4. All boxes will be hung and displayed at ARTSNCT October 20 to November 20

5. The name of the student, teacher, and grade level must be visible and legible on the back of the box.

6. Deadline to turn boxes into ARTSNCT or classroom teachers is Friday, October 12.

Box art could be created as paintings, drawings, collages, mixed media, wall sculptures, clocks, lights, or anything else the students could imagine and create for a wall hanging.

ARTSNCT’s executive director, Michael Wise, said, “We love paint, glue, glitter, papier-mâché, and just about everything fun and messy.” He continued to say, “It is obvious that these students enjoyed creating their pizza masterpieces and it is obvious that there is an abundance of hidden talent in Newcomerstown.”

Pizza Box Art will be on display at ARTSNCT through November 20. You may vote for your favorite box on ARTSNCT’s Facebook page or at the arts center until that date.

The center is located at 304 South College Street, Newcomerstown. (740) 575-5710. www.artsNCT.org

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Arts center honors Dixie Hayes Heck with first annual award

ARTSNCT, Newcomerstown’s new arts center, presented its Manuel Yingling Music Award to Dixie Hayes Heck, a 1960 Newcomerstown High School graduate who has devoted most of her life to music.

Heck is the first recipient of the annual award that is named after Newcomerstown-born Manuel Yingling, a world-renowned featured trombonist and composer who was a member of many famous bands of his era, including the great John Philip Sousa Band.

The prestigious award was presented on October 24 at ARTSNCT to Ms. Heck by the Karin Rathbun, granddaughter of Manuel Yingling, her husband, David, and Mr. Yingling’s great-granddaughter, Shelly Innes, all of Vermilion, OH.

Heck graduated from Muskingum College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Music Education. She taught music for 31 years and retired in 2003. She began her career as an organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Newcomerstown, and her teaching career in the Newcomerstown schools.

Her music resume is both extensive and impressive, and it includes accompanist for Newcomerstown Choral Society, 1957-1968, and Dover Choral Society, 1970-1981. She is presently organist for Bexley UMC, accompanist for the Bexley Choral Society, and has been a pianist for summer productions of the Hilliard Arts Council since 2001.

Heck has also traveled to other countries with various music groups and has had the honor of playing the organ in Mozart’s mother’s church in St. Gilgen, the Dom in Salzburg and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna.

The Manuel Yingling Music Award was established by ARTSNCT to be presented annually for Superior Musicianship and Outstanding Dedication. Both, graduating high school seniors and adults are eligible to receive this honor. Winners are chosen with regard to performance skills, musical participation in groups and events, community involvement, and the selfless sharing and promotion of music through volunteerism.

ARTSNCT is located at 304 South College Street, Newcomerstown. www.artsNCT.org

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The Times-Reporter 

“We’re Newcomerstown’s first and only arts center,” said Michael Wise, ARTSNCT founder and executive director. 

NEWCOMERSTOWN - Breanna Rehard got involved with the theater by accident. The 13-year-old happened to be sitting around when auditions were being held for Not Your Average Theater Group, a project of ARTSNCT. She started participating in the group and found out she liked it. 

“It was a little challenging at first,” she said. “I didn’t think I could learn all those lines, but I learned that it’s not actually as hard as it seems.” 

The benefits include having something to enhance a college application, she said, adding that drama may help some people overcome such problems as social phobia. 

On Saturday, Breanna shared a table with sister Madison Rehard, 16, and Kobe Lower, 15, who serve as secretary and president of the theater group. They were among those who attended a fundraising luncheon and performance at ARTSNCT, located in a one-time coin laundry and U-Haul store at 304 S. College St. 

Madison earned enthusiastic applause for her rendition of the song “She Used to Be Mine” from the musical “Waitress.” On the north wall of the room are the colorful paintings of Canton resident Jake Conrad, 26, a West Lafayette native. His brother, Jarod Conrad, 24, took the stage later to play instrumentals on a guitar Jake had painted years ago. Jake’s girlfriend Morgan Browning, 23, came to support him. 

The combination of visual and performing arts expressed the vision for the arts center that Newcomerstown native Michael Wise, 63, had before he moved home from Washington, D.C., in June 2014. 

He said his goal is to have a place where people can be creative and imaginative, while feeling relaxed and comfortable.  

“We’re Newcomerstown’s first and only arts center,” said Wise, ARTSNCT founder and executive director. 

Mayor Pat Cadle was among some 55 people present for the ARTSNCT ribbon-cutting June 5. 

“Michael’s worked real hard on it,” he said. “It’s a good thing for the community. It’s another good thing happening in Newcomerstown.”  

Wise, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Band trumpet player, said he wants to give today’s youth the same kind of experiences that he had while growing up. 

His memories include being released from classes one day a week as a high school senior to run a middle school drama club and direct the high school’s play. He had the run of the campuses -- including keys to the buildings. He had to fill in for an actor who left the cast of “Send Me No Flowers,” the high school play he directed in his senior year. 

Wise remembers doing all of that with no obvious supervision from the adults. His graduation surprise was a check from the high school principal in the amount of the stipend a teacher would have received for directing the school play. 

“It was fun,” he said. “I had good people pushing me when I was in school.” 

Among his influences were high school teachers such as the late Joseph Palmer and Richard Smith, who taught English, speech and debate. Wise remembers Palmer visiting his home to tell his mother he needed him for a production of “Showboat” at the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County. 

While stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Wise drew more inspiration to participate in theater from a teacher at a nearby community college. The actor had appeared on television’s “Route 66” and came from a family of Vaudeville performers. Wise said he wrote and performed in a musical revue that played to 3,000 on the base. 

He wants ARTSNCT to provide entertainment for  local residents who won’t necessarily go to a Little Theatre performance in New Philadelphia. 

The center has so far produced the 2017 Christmas play, ”’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Wise hopes to offer photography classes and more plays. A recent trivia night was so successful that another one will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8. Movies and pizza are offered from 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays. A Halloween party for teens aged 14 to 18 will be held Oct. 27, trick-or-treat night. The library’s drawing and creative writing classes will be moving to the arts center soon. Soon to come is a night of entertainment billed as a mash-up of television’s “The Gong Show,” “Laugh-In,” “Match Game” and “Family Feud.” 

Wise said ARTSNCT will collaborate with other arts and entertainment groups in town. Saturday’s performers included Rylee Johnson and Memphis Lehman, two 9-year-old girls who study dance with Mary Lynn Berkshire at her Studio 3. 

Wise said the work of creating the arts center has been aided by generous contributions from many donors. 

Building owners George Brode and Skip Smith are allowing ARTSNCT to use the building for free for the first 18 months. The rest of the five-year lease will carry a reduced rent. 

Carpenter and electrician Scott Williams transformed the concrete shell into rooms with electrical outlets and lights. Wise painted and did some plumbing. The Thomas Little Foundation donated nearly $4,000 for 110 padded chairs. The Rotary Club of Newcomerstown gave $1,500, which went toward the purchase of shelving. Jeff and Sue Shivers donated $1,000 and a desk for the executive director. Tom and April Cinefro donated a baby grand piano before they moved to Florida. The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership sent a donation without being asked. Baker’s IGA sent a crew to wax the floor, and its employee John Cole donated his services for the job. 

Wise said it has been good to see the outpouring of support because it shows that people are eager to see the arts center’s offerings in Newcomerstown. 

“More important than that,” he said, “we want people to come in and enjoy it.” 

“This will be wonderful,” said Pennye Pierce, who was among those who attended Saturday’s luncheon and performance. 

ARTSNCT INC. has a board of directors and state registration as a nonprofit. Tax-exempt status is pending. 

For more information about ARTSNCT, contact Wise at 740-575-5710 or michael.wise@artsnct.org. On the web, the organization has a presence on Facebook and at www.artsnct.org. 

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com. On Twitter: @nmolnarTR 

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