BSPR Hosts the 2nd Annual Fun & Learn Day at Rolling Ridge Ranch

Individuals with disabilities are invited to safari on Thursday June 5, 2008 and they won’t have to go farther than Holmes County to see over 500 exciting exotic animals.

The Buckeye Stampede Pro Rodeo Committee, an Outdoors Without Limits Ohio chapter of the non-profit, Rolling Ridge Ranch and Texas Roadhouse will host a Fun & Learn Activity Day at the ranch.

Rolling Ridge Ranch is located at 3961 County Road 168, between Berlin and Walnut Creek.

The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Horse drawn covered wagon tours, including a wheelchair accessible wagon, will transport Fun & Learn participants over the rolling hills of the park where they will be able to meet and feed a variety of creatures.

At Rolling Ridge Ranch animals and birds representing 65 species roam on 80 acres or are available for observation at a walk through area. In residence are zebras, water buffalo, camels, spider monkeys, ostriches, llamas, emus, watusi cattle, American buffalo, ring-tailed lemur, a talking parrot and many more.

Children especially enjoy the petting zoo which features baby animals. “Kids are impressed with the baby ducks and rabbits. They like it when they have something they can hold and cuddle,” said Reuben Mast, who owns Rolling Ridge Ranch along with his brother, Orin.

“The Scottish Highland calf and donkeys are favorites,” said Mast “They are so fuzzy and hairy, everyone wants to pet them.”

The ranch also has playground and picnic areas. Lunch and other special activities will be provided for the Fun & Learn Day participants.

The Fun & Learn Day will offer those with disabilities a chance to expand their horizons and enjoy this outdoor adventure.

“People ask me what we teach people with disabilities. I always say I don’t teach them anything, they teach me,” said Mark Velthouse of the Buckeye Stampede Pro Rodeo Committee. “It’s about the opportunity to go out into the outdoors and share time with special people.”

To download the registration form for the Fun & Learn Day visit www.buckeyestampede.com.
For more information call (330) 364-4076.

The Buckeye Stampede Pro Rodeo will be held July 11-13 at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover, Ohio. At 4 p.m. on Friday July 11, the largest special rodeo in Ohio for children and young adults with disabilities will be held at the Buckeye Stampede Challenged Arena.

Buckeye Stampede Royalty Sought

New Philadelphia, Ohio, April, 28, 2008 – Applications are now available for the Buckeye Stampede Pro Rodeo (BSPR) Queen (18 to 22 years of age), Rodeo Princess (13 to 17), and Little Miss Rodeo (8 to 12) contests. Those selected will represent the BSPR at the rodeo to be held on July 11, 12, and 13, and at other area parades and events.

To qualify a contestant must be a seasoned and confident horseback rider, a legal resident of Tuscarawas, Holmes, Carroll, or Coshocton counties and never married or had a child. Contestants must list rodeo or other horse related activities they participate in or enjoy and any horse related activity awards. They must write in 50 words or less why they would like to be BSPR royalty and also have use of a horse to participate in events.

Deadline for applications is May 25, 2008. Applications are available at www.buckeyestampede.com or by contacting Rodeo Queen Coordinator Morgan Graham at 330-343-9295 or by email at mmcattleco@aol.com.

Depot Looking for Speakers for Soldiers Fest

In preparation for the August 8-10, 2008 American Soldiers Homecoming Tribute, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is seeking speakers and participants for its roundtables.

The themes for this year's Roundtable Discussions includes: The Korean War, War Brides, Gold Star Mothers, the WWII Railroad Battalion, and the Troop Train Wreck that occurred outside of West Lafayette during the Korean War.

Themes for this year's Speakers Programs include the Civil War Era, WWII and the Korean War. Anyone one interested in being a speaker is encouraged to contact Dorothy Voshall, archivist at the Museum at 740-922-6776 or depot@tusco.net.

The Speakers Programs are held throughout the Soldiers Homecoming at the Depot Annex located within walking distance of the Depot on Grant Street. The are free to anyone with a Festival Battle Pass. Those wishing to attend without a Battle Pass can do so at a cost of $2.00 per program.

For additional information on the Soldiers Homecoming, please contact the Dennison Depot.

American Soldiers Homecoming Festival and Lee Greenwood Coming to Dennison

Looking for great entertainment this summer? Look for the American Soldiers
Homecoming Tribute to be held in Dennison, Ohio August 8-10, 2008.

This event is a tribute, a celebration and a reunion all wrapped around honoring
our nation’s military heros, both on the battlefield and on the home front. The event will surround the historic Dennison Depot in Dennison, Ohio - a town nicknamed Dreamsville USA for its free service to the troops trains at its WWI and WWII Canteens. One and a half million servicemen, 13% percent of all armed personnel were served free sandwiches and coffee at the Dennison Canteen. To a homesick, frightened young soldier far from home this home front effort was like a dream come true...hence Dreamsville.

The event will feature a Lee Greenwood concert on Saturday, August 9th at 7p.m. Greenwood is best known for his popular hit "God Bless the USA", and he a symbol of American patriotism. The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, sponsor of the Homecoming, together with Charlene Kehl of WTUZ, has worked diligently to try to get Greenwood to Dennison.

The Homecoming also includes Big Band Music by Recollections, impersonations of 1940s and 1950s military folks, roundtables and speakers, great food and vendors, Jitterbug contest, 1940s Look Alike Contest, WWII battles reenactments, campgrounds, and living history displays, Saturday morning ticker tape parade, Moonlight Serenade and more! It kicks-off Thursday, August 7th for the Lucille Nussdorfer - Tuscarawas County Woman of the Year Award, named after the women who started the Dennison Canteen. This year’s event will add a Korean War flavor as well.

An important aspect of the Homecoming is to honor soldiers past and present, and to provide a perfect opportunity for youth to intermingle with veterans and current military personnel. Reunions can be made between home front volunteers and the G.I.s they served. Touching opening and closing ceremonies are a must see, as well as the roundtable discussions. Roundtable highlight this year include discussion on the Korean War, War Brides, Gold Star Mothers, WWII and Civil War themes.

With a brand new water park next door in Uhrichsville, this event makes a perfect
affordable weekend for families. Overnight packages are available including the water park and Depot Museum which features a children’s interactive railroad car, rare WWII hospital Car,
model Train Display, museum gift shop and Trax Diner.

Dennison is located in Tuscarawas County, where state routes 36, 250 and 800 meet. It is
exactly halfway between Pittsburgh and Columbus, two hours from Cleveland.For additional information, schedule of events, or to purchase tickets, contact the Dennison Depot at 740-922-6776, depot@tusco.net, www.dennisondepot.org, toll free 1-877-278-8020

Hospice Benefit to be held in Sugarcreek

The Sugarcreek United Methodist Church will be buzzing with activity on Friday evening, May 9 as a Sugarcreek tradition, a benefit for Hospice is held from 5 – 8 p.m.

"Things will be a bit different this year," explained Mary Beachy, coordinator of the event. "One thing that hasn't changed is that we will do all we can to generate donations for Hospice of Tuscarawas County. Don't forget about our local celebrities either, we are sure to have quite a few returning servers who will be ready to cater to guests in order to fetch the highest amount of tips and bragging rights for next year's event."

Last year, the big tip-getter was a veterinarian from Sugarcreek Veterinary Clinic in Sugarcreek by the name of Travis Thompson. He brought in a whopping $1,148 by the end of his shift last year. While it is unclear if Travis will be back again this year, there are many who have served before including Bob Smith of Smith Funeral Home, Rev. Dairel Kaiser of the Sugarcreek United Methodist Church, Reuben Erb of Sugar Valley Meats and Keith Rathbun of The Budget who have already pledged their time and talent.These names represent years of experience when it comes to serving hungry event attendees. Go ahead and ask them to refill your glass a few times as long as you leave them a healthy tip at the end of the night. One of the servers who has garnered the most in cumulative tips is Bob Smith, and organizers are sure he is already calling up friends and family who will pack the church and order their favorites just to keep him hopping.

The event is unique to Sugarcreek and is just one way the community comes together to support a worthwhile cause.

"I've been a part of this event for the past 12 years," Beachy said. "Together, because of the donations and generosity of the community, we've been able to raise thousands for Hospice. We've been able to make a difference."

This year's menu will include ham and chicken as well as mashed potatoes, gravy, tossed salad, noodles, vegetable, homemade pie and dinner rolls as well as several beverage selections. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 – 10 and free for children 2 and under.

"I am excited about this year's event," Beachy said. "We are doing something completely different. By having a more limited menu, we will be able to take it a bit easier on our servers so they can pay a bit more time and attention to their patrons."

According to Beachy, a local catering company will be preparing the meal and a local church has stepped up to prepare the pies that will be needed for the event. Due to the different nature of the event, sponsors are being sought for various parts of the dinner including the purchase of hams and chicken as well as other foods and supplies associated with the dinner. Businesses or individuals who would like to donate are urged to contact Mary Beachy by calling 330-852-3898.