Page 2 - Dresden Buzz 07/11/25

PAGE 2 | LOCAL NEWS JULY 11 - 24, 2025

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Archives of the People Volume Five completes

set of magazines honoring local Black history

and community by Lynette Dotson

NEXT DEADLINE to see and grandchildren, what the com-
Monday, July 21 munity has come through and evolved
to. I think that means a lot to me per-
NEXT ISSUE sonally.”
Friday, July 25 “I think the younger generation, see-
ing their grandparents and stuff in there,
PICKUP LOCATIONS really opened their eyes to history, said
Mitchell. “They just knew them as a rela-
DRESDEN: Bonnie Longaberger Senior Center, tive, and then seeing it printed in a book
Scotties Den, Circle K, Thirsty Dawg, The
Warehouse Restaurant, Dresden Branch Library, sort of validated that they were impor-
Creno’s Pizza, Beauty By Design, Dresden Buzz, tant in other ways.”
Main Street Pizzeria, The Mill, Agin Hardware, “It shows you that you can start some-
Certified, Subway, Shrivers Pharmacy, Humble where and what you can accomplish. A
Heart, Smore Baskets lot of people in the book, they left here
and they’ve gone ahead and accom-
FRAZEYSBURG: New Beginnings Drive Thru,
Dairy Queen, Frazeysburg Village Office, Some of the people who came together to bring Archives of the People to the community. Pictured from plished some major things. So it’s one of
Subway, Duchess Gas Station, Fallsburg Pizza those things where if I see it, you know,
left to right are Cinny Martin, Martha Mitchell, Troy Walker, Ernie Bynum, Flora Martin, and William Day. ‘If they can do it, then I can do it’,” said
NASHPORT: Crenos Pizza Lynette Dotson Bynum.
ZANESVILLE: Kroger, The Muskingum County fifth installment includes an expanded best - a lot of memories,” shared Bynum. “It’s also very important for me that a
YMCA, John McIntire Library, Muskingum County photo collage section with historical pho- “The dedication that they put in is what group of African Americans proactively
Center for Seniors, Mass Media Comics, tos, lists of influential people by trade, I’m grateful for as an achievement of decided to recognize individuals that
Denny’s Classic Diner, Fieldhouse Family Sports and pages recognizing Black churches the group and the organization,” said contributed to the community, started it,
and Wellness Center, Donald’s Donuts, in Zanesville. Bynum. “But they were so dedicated to raised the funding for it, and finished it,”
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Conference “A lot of the people didn’t feel like this project. You know how you get some Bynum stated. “Didn’t have to ask no-
& Welcome Center, The Elk’s Eye Art Market,
Walgreens (Military Rd.), The Carr Center, they were worthy to be in the book,” groups where you get together and you body. Didn’t have to get permission from
Sunrise Bowling Center, Colony Square Mall, explained Martha Mitchell. Troy Walker work on a project, and only one or two anybody. And that’s important to show
Chatty Cat Cafe, A Taste Of Ohio Wine Bourbon added, “People just didn’t think they people will end up doing all the work. others in the community that if you want
& Beer were important enough”. You know, with this group, everybody, to do something, this community is here
The late Ernest Bynum Jr. was influen- between getting pictures or making for it. You know, without any excuses. I
SOUTH ZANESVILLE: South Branch Library,
Darrell’s Donuts, Central Pike Coffee Co. tial in making the Archives of the People calls to get the information, to get the think it’s just an overall good project.”
possible and was the founder of the Mi- stories, everybody put their heart into “It’s really been an eye opener, not
AVONDALE: Tina’s Diner nority Business Resource Network. He this project. So it’s been fascinating for just to the black community, but I think
passed away before the first volume was me.” to the entire Zanesville community and
WEST PIKE: Litten Home Hardware, published. There are many reasons for publishing outreaching communities because we
West Side Market
“My father passed away in 22, so he Archives of the People, including pre- sent out a lot of them to out of state and
NEW CONCORD: Scott’s Diner, Wally’s Pizza, got to see the proof, but he didn’t get serving history and bringing some for- so forth,” Martin said.
New Concord Branch Library, Creno’s Pizza to see the first book. But he did a lot of gotten stories back to the forefront, most Archives of the People Vol. 1-5 can
smiling down on us for following through importantly, though, is making sure the be found at every Muskingum County
DUNCAN FALLS: Duncan Falls/Philo Branch with this,” stated Ernie Bynum, Ernest’s younger generation understands the sig- Library System location. Entire sets
Library
son. nificant roles people who look like them will also be provided to all Muskingum
ROSEVILLE: Roseville Branch Library, The Archives of the People project and came from where they are have County high schools. Additionally, copies
Higgins Lumber, Midtown Bar and Grill has been ongoing since 2022, and af- played in the community and they can of Volume 5 as well as a limited supply
ter three years of working together as hopefully be inspired by their stories told of previous volumes can be picked up at
a team, the final publication being pub- in this multi volume publication. a special event celebrating the release
lished is a bittersweet moment and has “You know, our young people need to of the latest installment in the Archives
caused the group to reflect on the past understand they’ve got a responsibility of the People series on September 13
few years of working together to bring to uphold their family’s history and the from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Zanesville
these magazines to fruition. history of this community and the Black Civic League, 928 Jackson Street. Mi-
“This has been the best project and world, Black people that they’re repre- nority Business Resource Network can
the best group of people that I’ve worked senting,” said Flora Martin. be reached via Facebook at facebook.
with. We’ve had, oh Lord, well over 100 “It meant a lot seeing a lot of peo- com/minoritybusinessresourcenetwork.
meetings. 90 of those, I learned some- ple that I have grown up with and how You can also email Ernie Bynum at
thing from one of these individuals. 99 they’ve turned up in the book and how ebynum43@yahoo.com.
of them, we all had a laugh. We all had their careers ended up,” said William
a good time. This has been one of the Day. “And like Flora said, for our children

July 10 Declared “Bobbi and Jim Lepi Commitment

to Basketmaking Heritage Day” in the Village of

Dresden submitted

Dresden & Company is honored to an- led Dresden & Company with tireless de- walking down Main Street, supporting
nounce that July 10, 2025—and each termination and selfless devotion—not local merchants and sharing the magic
year going forward—will be officially rec- only to the business but to the entire of Dresden with the next generation.
ognized as “The Bobbi and Jim Lepi community. Their impact stretches far As Dresden & Company celebrates its
Commitment to Basketmaking Heri- beyond the walls of the company. They 5th anniversary, the Lepis’ vision has
tage Day” in the Village of Dresden. have served on the Dresden Commu- rippled across the country, reigniting a
This declaration commemorates the nity Association, volunteered in count- passion for handcrafted, Made in Ameri-
vision, dedication, and enduring legacy less events, supported local businesses, ca baskets. This week, hundreds of visi-
of Jim and Bobbi Lepi, whose entrepre- and played key roles in preserving land- tors from across the nation will gather
neurial spirit and deep community roots marks such as Dave Longaberger Park in Dresden to honor a legacy that began
brought Dresden & Company to life on and the World’s Largest Basket. with the Longaberger family and contin-
July 10, 2019. Since that day, they have Their love for Dresden is woven into ues today through the heart and hands
remained steadfast in their mission to the fabric of their everyday life. As life- of people like Bobbi and Jim—people
preserve and celebrate Dresden’s rich long residents, they raised their three who live the American Dream through
basketmaking tradition by employing sons—Kyle, Brodie, and Hunter—in this their deep connection to this special vil-
local master artisans and revitalizing a village and now pass along that same lage.
beloved American craft. pride and joy to their grandchildren. It’s
In just five years, Jim and Bobbi have a common sight to see Jim and Bobbi
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