Page 4 - Dresden Buzz 02/06/2026

PAGE 4 | LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 6 - 19, 2026
Fur-Ever Pet Portraits set to launch Heart Health

collaborative coloring book project ahead of Month

one year anniversary BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ BY ALEXUS MASTERSON, MPH,
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES EDUCATOR
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION,
MUSKINGUM COUNTY

Happy February! It is hard to believe
that we are already in the second month
of 2026. February is most known for Val-
entines Day; it is also American Heart
Month! This serves as a reminder that
protecting our heart does not have to
require big changes or a complicated
routine. When we make small daily
habit changes, they can add up to sig-
nificant improvements in overall heart
health. Whether you are looking to pre-
vent heart disease, manage blood pres-
sure, manage current heart conditions,
or simply feel better each day this article
and help put you on the right path!
In my articles, there is typically a
theme of eating healthy and exercis-
ing mostly since these habits can be
some of the most effective ways to stay
healthy. With most things in life, it is
all about balance. Eating a healthy diet
does not have to mean sacrificing the
foods you enjoy, instead add fruits and
vegetables to meals you enjoy. For ex-
ample, add blueberries or another fruit
as a side for breakfast. Swap the French
fries for steamed vegetables or a side
Donny Purkey (left) and owner of Fur-ever Pet Portraits by Darci, Darci Robinson (right) at the Holiday Art Festival that was held in the Colony Square Mall last salad. Choosing fresh produce that is
November. Lynette Dotson
red and yellow in color can help increase
antioxidants in the diet. Along with a
Artist Darci Robinson opened Fur-Ever Darci has been drawing cats and other diet, exercise is important and does not
Pet Portraits by Darci last year in March, animals since childhood, but what start- require a gym membership. Cold winter
offering specialized pet portraits. Since ed as a hobby has since turned into a months can make it difficult to be out-
opening, Darci has been promoting and business that brings a lot of joy to pet doors, but small bursts of energy can
selling art through various events, and owners. increase circulation and cardiovascular
most recently announced the upcoming “I just had this crazy little idea last health. Small movement is better than
launch of a coloring book. year, and I was like, well, let’s just go for no movement at all. Adults need on av-
The Chatty Cat Café coloring book will it. What’s the worst that could happen? erage need 150 minutes of moderate-in-
soon be available at the café , located And then it just kind of kept rolling. And tensity physical activity (CDC, 2023).
in Colony Square Mall. The books boast I was like, oh. But it’s been very awe- Take a small 10-minute walk after lunch
40 unique pages filled with hand-drawn some. It’s been very, like, dear to me to (if possible) or use exercises that can be
designs by Darci with single-sided print- see people actually like my art. I’m ac- done seated with resistance bands. The
ing on premium paper, so pages can be tually, like, getting to portray people’s internet has great resources for those
colored on using markers without the animals, and they enjoy it,” Darci said. with limited mobility or conditions that
color bleeding through to other pages. The opportunity to offer pet carica- Darci will be at The Chatty Cat Café on February limit traditional exercise.
A mystery sticker pack will also be in- tures at the two-year celebration for The 12th at 4:30 p.m. for a paint-your-pet Valentine’s Sodium is a contributing factor that
Day event. Registered participants will be able
cluded with each purchase of the color- Chatty Cat Café last June proved that to paint a heart shaped magnet with their pet’s comes from our diets in packaged food
ing book ($25). Half of the proceeds will pet owners loved seeing Darci’s artistic likeness with help from Darci. Fur-Ever Pet and restaurants, but there are other
go towards the care of the foster cats at take on their furry companions. Portraits by Darci ways to add flavor to food! Too much
The Chatty Cat Café . “I was just doing the donations and sodium can raise the blood pressure,
“I actually based a lot on their little just kind of slowly getting the word out,” “I think, honestly, the biggest thing straining the heart. Choose products
mascot. So I kind of worked with that explained Darci. “It was the Chatty Cat people enjoy are the mini caricatures that are low sodium or no salt added.
and kind of developed it a little bit. So event, the birthday party event. And then that I do. That’s a top seller for sure,” Taste food while cooking before adding
there are a lot of pages with just the my first Y-Bridge Arts Fest. That’s when Darci said. “The caricatures and the or- salt, and add seasoning like garlic pow-
mascot in various different forms. I do things started to pick up, and people naments probably tied for my most pop- der or onion powder.
have Zion as the lounge manager. He started, like, seeing me,” ular thing. But, you know, they’re very
shows up,” explained Darci. Darci is active on Facebook and In- different styles, of course. But people,
The coloring book is not the only col- stagram and holds a Pet of the Week I mean, people love their custom pets.
laboration the Chatty Cat Café and contest where followers can submit a They want to see their pets out there.”
Fur-Ever Pet Portraits by Darci have picture of their pet to be entered for a Follow Darci on Facebook and at dar-
brought to pet lovers. The businesses chance to win and have their pet’s por- cisfureverpets on Instagram. For more
have teamed up to host events that trait created by Darci and posted as information, go to darcisfureverpets. FOLLOW THE BUZZ
combine Darci’s artistic talent with The Fur-Ever Pet Portraits’ Pet of the Week com. Inquiries about purchasing artwork
Chatty Cat’s mission to help rescue cats. feature. can be sent through direct message or @DRESDENBUZZ
The most recent, a Valentine’s Pet Mag- In addition to portraits, Darci has by emailing darcisfureverpets@gmail.
net painting event, is set for February 12 turned his creative take on pet portraits com.
at 4:30 p.m. at the café . To register for into magnets, stickers, bookmarks, post-
the event, go to cards, keychains, and, this past holiday
https://thechattycatcafe.as.me. season he made keepsake ornaments.

Visit Zanesville Launches Community Partnership with

the Zanesville–Muskingum Health Department Provides

Martini Trail Trauma Kits to Local Law

Sip, Sample, and Find Your Favorite Martini This Winter Enforcement
BY MUSKINGUM COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
BY ZANESVILLE-MUSKINGUM COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Visit Zanesville is shaking things up • EagleSticks – The Juicy Lawn
this winter with the launch of the Zanes- • KickNAx – Ax-Edge Lemon Drop
ville–Muskingum Martini Trail, official- • Market Street Prime – Chocolate
ly kicking off January 30. This curated Martini
tasting experience invites residents and • Muddy Misers – Triple Berry E-Tini
visitors to explore creative martini reci- • Rake’s Place – Rastini Cosmo
pes at local establishments throughout & Springtini
February and March. • Russo’s Kitchen + Bar – Espresso
The Zanesville–Muskingum Martini Martini
Trail highlights the talent and originali- • The Overlook Restaurant – In the
ty of participating bars and restaurants, Rough Martini
each offering a signature martini craft-
ed exclusively for the trail. Designed to Participants are encouraged to enjoy
be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, the trail is the trail responsibly, plan transportation
not a challenge to be completed in one in advance, and consider sharing drinks
day, but rather an opportunity to discov- or spacing visits across multiple days or
er Muskingum County’s vibrant dining weeks. Additional establishments may
scene over multiple visits. be added throughout the trail. Guests
“We wanted to create a fun, flavorful can view the official and most up-to-
way to support our local establishments date list of participating locations at Vis-
during the winter months while giving itZanesville.com.
people yet another reason to explore The Zanesville–Muskingum Martini
Muskingum County,” said Visit Zanes- Trail is one of several initiatives by Vis-
ville Manager Jordin Harmer. “The Marti- it Zanesville aimed at promoting local Submitted
ni Trail encourages guests to slow down, businesses, enhancing visitor experienc- On January 22, 2026, Bethany Hayes, grant funding through the Health De-
savor the experience, and enjoy every- es, and showcasing the unique flavors Felony Investigator with the Muskingum partment to purchase trauma kits for
thing our community has to offer.“ of Muskingum County. For more infor- County Prosecutor’s Office, met with the the agencies identified by Hayes as be-
Participating establishments and fea- mation about the Zanesville–Musking- Zanesville Health Department to distrib- ing in need.
tured martinis include: um Martini Trail and other upcoming ute trauma kits to local law enforcement “Community preparedness starts with
• A Taste of Ohio Wine, Bourbon, experiences, got to VisitZanesville.com officers. partnerships. That’s how you create a
& Beer – Old Ohio Martini or follow Visit Zanesville, Ohio on social The initiative stemmed from conver- resilient community,” said Jacob Gra-
• The Barn – The Crown Valentini media sations that took place the previous year ham, Health Department Emergency
while Hayes was providing active-shoot- Preparedness Coordinator.
er training to the Health Department, 20 kits in total were distributed to the
during which a critical gap in life-saving following agencies and representatives:
resources was identified. Hayes shared Muskingum University PD Chief Dave
that an officer who responded to the Williamson, New Concord PD Chief Mind
Muskingum University shooting used Peck, South Zanesville PD Chief Mark
his own torniquet and supplies he had Ross, Frazeysburg PD Chief Eliasha
purchased himself on the victim at the Bourne, Roseville PD Chief Derrick Key-
scene which promoted conversations for lor, and Dresden PD Chief Charles Doan.
which agencies had trauma kits in their
New Concord ad cruisers.
In response, Hayes collaborated with
Health Educator Carleigh West and
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Jacob Graham to assess local needs.
Through this coordination, they identi-
fied that many local law enforcement
cruisers were not equipped with trau-
ma kits. West and Graham then utilized Submitted