Life briefs: Castle Wall Honorees, MOESC director, college news, new support group & more

Castle Wall Honorees named

The Doug Castle Legacy Fund Benefit dinner was held recently at Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield.

During the program Amanda and Jason Chapman, Linda Golden and Rondrea McCruter were named Castle Wall Honorees. They were recognized for their service and dedication to the athletic programs at Mansfield City Schools and their names will be added to the Castle Wall at Arlin Field.

Former Ohio State football players running back Antonio Pittman, defensive tackle Doug Worthington and offensive guard Ben Person were at the benefit dinner to meet and greet guests. Former Ohio State University Football Coach Jim Tressel hired Castle to work as an academic encourager for the young men on the football team.

Since its inception in 2018, the Doug Castle Legacy Fund has awarded three college scholarships to Mansfield Senior High School graduates. This year the Doug Castle Legacy Fund awarded grants to the North End Community Improvement Collaborative for its new community center and to the Blessed to Run Track organization for scholarships for student athletes.

Doug Castle was a local educator whose 50-year career spanned all aspects of education in Richland County. When he died of brain cancer, his family established the Doug Castle Legacy Fund at the Richland County Foundation to honor his life and support education programs, racial equity and inclusion, mentorship and community building.

Anyone can donate to the Doug Castle Legacy Fund online at richlandcountyfoundation.org, click the donate button and select the Doug Castle Fund. Or you can write a check to the Richland County Foundation and note the fund on the memo line.

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center welcomes new director of community schools

David Jones has been appointed the new director of community schools by the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) Board of Governors. Jones has 17 years of technology directing and related experience. He is employed through Franklin County, and will be starting at MOESC on Aug. 1.

As the director of community schools, Jones will provide oversight, strategic direction and guidance of Mid-OhioEducational Service Center’s sponsored community schools and will monitor the schools' operation and compliance with all applicable laws, policies/procedures and contract terms as required by the Ohio Department of Education.

Jones will be working with MOESC Sponsor Liaison Jim Smith over the next school year to ensure a smooth transition in two MOESC-sponsored schools, GOAL Digital Academy and Tomorrow Center. Smith will be retiring at the end of the 2023-2024 school year after serving in this role for the past decade.

College news and notes

The following Richland County area residents were recently awarded degrees:

● Miami University: Ava Naumoff, Mansfield; Caleb Benton, Mansfield; Eli Laser, Mansfield; Katie Gouge, Mansfield; Kayla Lynskey, Mansfield; Maddie Ticoras, Mansfield; Mason Hardman, Mansfield; Morgen Conn, Lexington; Jillian Bihl, Shelby, and Addie Zeisler, Galion

● Youngstown State University: Wilson Cannon, Mansfield; Carey Ransom, Mansfield; Jarin Vaughn, Shelby, and Laurie Smith, Galion

● Witchita State University: Lucas Golden, Bellville

Cleo Redd Fisher Museum honors Volunteer of the Year

LOUDONVILLE — Tom Young of Loudonville was recently honored by the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum as the museum’s Volunteer of the Year.

Young has been a longtime supporter of the museum and last year volunteered to fill the role of facilities manager. He oversees the maintenance of the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum, archival facility, historic Workman Cabin and grounds.

Each year the museum accepts donations in honor of the Volunteer of the Year, with the recognized individual selecting a project or program close to their heart. At his request, all donations made in honor of Young will be earmarked to support the Speaker Series. Donations can be made online at crfmuseum.com/donate or by check payable to the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum and sent to the museum at 203 E. Main St., Loudonville, 44842.

Knox hospital launches new cancer support group

MOUNT VERNON — Knox Community Hospital is now offering a Women’s Cancer Support Group to women of Knox and surrounding counties. The Center for Cancer Care at KCH is hosting this new support group on the second Wednesday of each month, starting July 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Wright Family Medical Pavilion, second floor meeting room. There is no cost to attend.

Meeting topics could include managing life challenges, stressors, financial concerns, what to expect during their cancer treatment, and more. It is encouraged that topic ideas are brought to the first meeting on July 12.

RSVP by calling 740-393-5551 or sign up online.

ODNR invites Girl Scouts to be Foresters for a Day

COLUMBUS — As part of the Girl Scout Tree Promise, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry is calling on Girl Scouts to become Foresters for a Day. Events led by forestry professionals will teach Girl Scouts about Ohio’s state forests.

Girl Scouts will learn about forest ecology, forest management, forest health, careers in forestry, and how to identify Ohio trees. They will have the opportunity to learn alongside foresters with various backgrounds and explore the multiple pathways to a forestry career. Attendees will be grouped according to their level in Girl Scouts. Families may participate in the same group as their scout.

Events will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 22 at Hocking State Forest in Rockbridge and Sept. 9 at Mohican-Memorial State Forest in nearby Perrysville. Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to earn their Tree Promise Badge and a special Ohio Division of Forestry badge.

For more information and to register, go to ohiodnr.gov.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Doug Castle Legacy Fund honorees, MOESC director, local graduates