Housels receive Friend of 4-H award

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio – Dick and Patty Housel, supporters of the 4-H program in Tuscarawas County, were awarded the Friend of 4-H award at the annual 4-H Adviser Banquet Oct. 28.

The Housels, who live on a beef farm in New Philadelphia, have been involved in the Tuscarawas County 4-H program since they started as 4-H members at the age of 9.

The Housels have continued their support of 4-H during their adult years. They started the Possum Hollow 4-H club and were advisers from 1973 to 1993. Their sons, Kurt and Kevin, were both members of the club and are both graduates of The Ohio State University.

Dick was a member of the fair board for 12 years, serving several terms as president. He also belongs to the extension advisory committee, 4-H committee, and livestock committee.

While he served on the board, fair board members joked that he was so immersed in the 4-H program he would bleed green instead of red if he were cut in setting up the fair exhibits.

Patty is a member of the extension advisory committee and the 4-H committee and serves as clerk at the 4-H livestock sales.

This was the 20th year the Tuscarawas County 4-H program has honored a Friend of 4-H, the highest honor the local program can bestow upon an individual, couple or group.

Adviser awards. Advisers honored for more than 30 years of service were the following: Mildred Cronebaugh, 53 years; Pat Green, 36 years; Louis Harding, 34 years; and Janice Cronebaugh, 31 years.

Jay Puzacke was honored for 20 years of service. Gerry Domer, Marci Galbraith, Laura Scott and Shirley Vrsan were honored for 15 years of service.

Honored for 10 years of service were Kristina Bragg; Dave and Renee Clark; Brad and Elizabeth Schumacher; Mary JoMonte; Jennifer Collins; Jody DeWalt; Carol Dryden; Sherry McAfee; Jeff Melnichenko; Steve Miller; and Linda Tate.

Clubs, committee. Honor clubs recognized were the following: Angel Valley Rosebuds and Ramblers, Atwood Lakers, Brandywine Sunset Valley (silver), Buckhorn Buckshots, Dover Winners, Crooked Run Cloverstitchers and Evergrowing, Happy Homesteaders, Oldtown Sewing Sisters, Sharon Shamrocks, Stillwater 4-H’ers, and Tusky Valley Stars.

Members of the 4-H committee elected were Dean Brown, Tammy Ellwood, Kim Hillyer and Bruce McDonnell.

Recognition. Receiving recognition for having outstanding secretary books were Sarah Crow, An’Jillian Hanni, Jared Dunlap, Nathaniel Day, Sarah Markle, Shannon Balder, and Russell Holland.

Those having outstanding treasurer books were Lauren Albury, Cassie Glazer, Erik Cush, Kendra Gerber, and Chelsea Menapace.