Page 3 - Dresden Buzz 05/30/25

MAY 30 - JUNE 12, 2025 LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 3
Frazeysburg celebrates the strength of community during eagle

carving dedication by Lynette Dotson

Members of the FRA stand with the plaque that was newly installed at the base of the carved tree. Pictured from left to right: Starlet Kennedy, Mayor Fred Wolford, Steve Wolford, John Furek, Sharon Erickson,
Diane Wolford, Charolette Jenkins, Christine Wolford, Carol Ross, Kenny Jenkins, and Kathy Moran. Lynette Dotson

A plate that reads “A lasting reminder plaque was added. Members of the FRA,
of the June 6, 2024 tornado. – Dedi- the Mayor, and residents of Frazeysburg
cated by the Frazeysburg Revitalization gathered for the dedication. Addition-
Association” now stands at the base of ally, the third Saturday in May is Armed
the carving in Frazeysburg Veterans Park Forces Day, so dedicating the patriotic
that features two bald eagles and the carving in Veterans Park on May 17, the
American Flag. The new addition was in- third Saturday, could not be more per-
stalled during a dedication for the eagle fect.
carving held on May 17, 2025. “Everyone stood strong,” said Steve.
It is hard to believe that it has been “The American flag in this park stood
a year since an EF2 tornado traveled strong. This tree, in honor of the strength
through the village of Frazeysburg on of the veterans, represents the strength
June 6, 2024, injuring four people and of the people of the Village of Frazeys-
damaging homes and businesses along burg. — I thank everybody in the FRA for
about a half-mile path that included coming together and making it possible
much of 3rd Street and the vicinity. for the donations and everything, so we
“If it wasn’t for all the help we got, we can have this glorious plaque.”
wouldn’t be like we are now,” said FRA
president Steve Wolford.
After the tornado, help poured in from
everywhere, including the rest of Musk-
ingum County and neighboring counties.
There were days of cleanup with volun-
teers making quick work of clearing the
debris, and numerous organizations and
businesses donating water and food.
Frazeysburg Veterans Park was one of
the areas affected by the horrible storm,
leaving the park a mess with the large
tree that stood in the center of the park
snapped in half.
In October that same year, an an-
nouncement was made that Mayor Wol-
ford wanted to have what was left of the
Pin Oak carved into a piece of art that
could be enjoyed by the residents of
Frazeysburg and all who pass through.
The Frazeysburg Revitalization Associa-
tion (FRA) donated the funds needed to
make it possible to go through with the
project. Artist David Crego from Sun-
bury, Ohio, transformed the stump into
a patriotic landmark that stands proudly
in the park. Steve Wolford holds the new plaque next to
It is fitting that just before the anni- Sharon Erickson near the eagle carving at
versary of that devastating storm, the Frazeysburg Veterans Park. Lynette Dotson