Page 5 - Dresden Buzz 10/17/2025

OCTOBER 17 - 30, 2025 LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 5
Community comes together to Muskingum County Prosecutor’s

provide playhouses for local Office Joins Community in Walk to

children at Habitat for End Domestic Violence
SUBMITTED
Humanity's annual event

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ

submitted
Last week, the Muskingum County In addition to the walk, the event hon-
Prosecutor’s Office proudly joined Tran- ored local officers and community mem-
sitions for its annual Walk a Mile in My bers whose service has made a lasting
Shoes event, a community gathering impact on victims of domestic violence.
dedicated to raising awareness and sup- This year’s gathering drew an inspir-
port for victims of domestic violence. ing turnout, with participants standing
Transitions, based in Zanesville, shoulder-to-shoulder to listen to Dorothy
serves as both an advocacy center and Thomas and spotlight speaker Danny
shelter for survivors. Each year, in col- Harper.
laboration with the Muskingum County Harper’s testimony offered a glimpse
Domestic Violence Coalition, the organi- into his own experience with domestic
zation hosts the walk to inspire change violence, the lasting effects of trauma,
and raise crucial funds for those impact- and his journey to break the cycle of
ed by abuse. abuse.
Victim Advocates Jessica Haug and Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron
Lea Ann Tignor from the Prosecutor’s Welch stated “Bringing awareness to
Office—both active members of the Do- the realities of domestic violence is vital
Anyiah and Aryiah Tabler pause from playing in their new playhouse briefly for a picture. The girls mestic Violence Coalition—play an inte- to our mission as prosecutors — because
received one of 14 custom-built playhouses as part of this year's Project Playhouse event by Habitat For gral role in organizing the event each justice begins with understanding. The
Humanity of Southeast Ohio. The house was built by Mid-East Career Center carpentry students and year. more our community recognizes the
career center staff from the Zanesville campus. Matthew Dotson The walk brought together teams and signs of abuse and the courage it takes
individuals from across Zanesville and to come forward, the more effectively
14 Custom-built Playhouses were con- said Chelsey McIntire, the girls’ mother. neighboring counties, circling the down- we can protect victims, hold offenders
structed during the annual Muskingum “It’s so much craftsmanship into it. It’s town courthouse in a single lap - awards accountable, and break the cycle of vio-
County Project Playhouse event, orga- beautiful. They did a great job. They’re were presented for Best Strut, Most lence.”
nized by Habitat for Humanity of South- going to enjoy it.” Unique, and Best of Show.
east Ohio with support from presenting About 20 volunteers from the Mid-
sponsor Lepi and Associates Real Estate East staff pitched in to make the play- Voting now open for 5th Annual Y-City
Services, 14 different businesses, and house a reality for the girls. They took
150 volunteers. special care to bring the family’s sug- Scarecrow Contest
“The premise of the event is, first of gestions to life by creating a fun Stitch
all, it’s a fundraiser for Habitat for Hu- design, complete with wooden cut-out Scarecrows that have been deco- Bourbon and Beer, The Oaks Rehab &
manity of Southeast Ohio. All the pro- hibiscus flowers, palm leaves, and the rated by various local organizations and Healthcare Center, Homemade Haunt
ceeds will go to support our programs characters Stitch and Angel. Custom- businesses are on display on light posts Props, Eastside Community Ministry,
in Muskingum County,” explained Missy sewn curtains hang in the playhouse’s along 5th and Main Streets in Downtown Arc Reactor Fitness, Spero Health, Sans
Best, the Director of Community En- four windows. One of the most interest- Zanesville. Take a walk and cast your Decker, Pugh's Diamond Jewelers,
gagement for Habitat in Muskingum, ing design choices incorporated into the vote for your favorite scarecrow in per- Muskingum Valley Health Center, Goodc-
Morgan, & Noble Counties. "So, the lavender playhouse is the large Stitch son by scanning the QR code or go to ity Creatives, Ables Heating and Cooling,
sponsors are matched up with families character that was custom cut to look www.visitzanesville.com/Scarecrow to Lepi & Associates, and more are deco-
that are in the low to moderate income like he is bursting through the back of cast your vote online. rating downtown.
levels with small children. The families the house. Stitch-themed items decorat- Scarecrows from Zanesville VA, Wil- Voting closes on October 31st. You
tell us what the kids’ favorite colors are, ed the inside of the playhouse, including low Haven Healthcare & Rehabilitation, can vote once every 24 hours from now
design ideas, themes, if there are any two backpacks hung on the wall on ei- Starlight School, A Taste of Ohio Wine until the deadline.
certain themes, and then the sponsors ther side of a Stitch table and chair set,
get to work. They design everything. complete with two stuffed Stitch toys sit-
They show up the day of the event, and ting in the chairs.
they get painting, and they build, they “This is our fifth year, so we’ve been
shingle the roof, and it’s a fabulous day with the project since they started it five Celebrate Life With Us!
for everybody that’s involved.” years ago. This is our fifth whole house,
On Friday, October 10, volunteers and just the ability to give back to the
gathered at the Muskingum County Fair- community, and we’re able to use our
grounds to work toward the common carpentry students from our Zanesville
goal of bringing smiles and tons of hours campus to help us cut out the really cute
of enjoyment to children who could ben- designs, to help build. It’s a practical ex-
efit from a playhouse. perience for them, but then it also shows
“We built 13 playhouses at the event them how important community service
today, and then we have one being built is too,” said Kim Tatman of Mid-East.
off-site,” Best said. “It’s an excellent “I always like to let people know that it
team-building day for our sponsors, and takes a community to build a communi-
at the end, a child’s blessed with a play- ty,” Best said, “and Project Playhouse is
house that might not have otherwise a prime example of that, of people com-
had that opportunity.” ing together to help their neighbors.”
Some of the staff and carpentry stu- For more information about Habitat
dents at Mid-East Career Center teamed for Humanity of Southeast Ohio, visit
up to work on a playhouse for sisters habitatseo.org. WEDDINGS • RECEPTIONS • SPECIAL EVENTS
Anyiah and Aryiah Tabler.
“I never expected something like this. lindsleysbanquetbarn.com | 740.754.2143 | 4060 New Riley Rd. Dresden
It’s so nice, and they were so happy,”