Page 6 - Dresden Buzz 02/20/2026

PAGE 6 | LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 5, 2026
Occupational Local wedding officiant African
Therapy Program selected for Netflix smash hit American

to Host Older show Community

Adult Health and BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ Fund accepting
Wellness Fair 2026 grant

applications
SUBMITTED BY MUSKINGUM UNIVERSITY

SUBMITTED BY FOUNDATION FOR
APPALACHIAN OHIO
The African American Community
Fund (AACF), with the support of its do-
nors and in partnership with the Foun-
dation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), is
accepting grant applications from Black-
led and Black-serving nonprofit and pub-
lic organizations serving Appalachian
Ohio’s 32 counties.
Muskingum University’s Occupational Therapy AACF will award grants that advance
Program to Host Older Adult Health and Wellness opportunities across five areas essential
Fair. Submitted to flourishing communities: arts and cul-
ture, community and economic develop-
Muskingum University’s Master of ment, education, environmental stew-
Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program ardship, and health and human services.
is hosting the third annual Older Adult Emphasis is on supporting individuals of
Health and Wellness Fair. Community all ages who are spearheading projects
members ages 65+ are invited to par- and programs that create opportunities,
ticipate in activities that will provide tips meet pressing needs and unleash the
and strategies for productive aging. potential within Appalachian Ohio’s Af-
The event will take place on Satur- rican American communities.
day, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Funding requests should be between
in Caldwell Hall on Muskingum Universi- $500 and $5,000, but larger requests
ty’s campus. The event is free, and sign- may be considered based on potential
in and registration begin at 10:30 a.m. impact. Additional information and the
Handicap parking is available, along 2026 grant application are available
with an accessible entrance. Family at www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF/
members and caregivers are welcome grant-opportunities. Applications must
to accompany attendees and join in Amy F. Aurore officiating a wedding previous to going on the show. Kristen Lengel Photography be submitted online by Tuesday, March
learning more about occupational thera- Season 10 of the Emmy-nominat- they see this, that they see things that 24.
py’s role in promoting health and safety ed series, Love Is Blind, was filmed in resonate and like that make them want Gifts to AACF’s endowment fund are
for older adults. Ohio, and invited singles from the Buck- to take the next step … so I am using this invested, and the earnings generated
Participants will explore ways to en- eye State to find love on the show. Cast time wisely.” from those investments fund the grants
hance their daily lives with practical members looking for love were not the Aurore started her wedding officiating AACF awards each year. In 2025, AACF,
strategies for home safety and modifi- only ones from Ohio to get involved with business in 2012, but it was not until one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation
cations, fall prevention, and adaptive the show; one of Zanesville’s own, Amy 2021 that the business really took off, partners, awarded more than $32,000
equipment use. Attendees will also Aurore, also had the opportunity to be officiating around 40 to 45 weddings in grant funding to support projects and
learn energy conservation techniques, part of the experience as one of the wed- that year. The way she works with cou- programs serving the region’s African
tips for maintaining physical and cogni- ding officiants on hand for the finale ep- ples is refreshing and unique, working to American communities.
tive well-being, and methods to improve isodes, where couples decide to either guide them through this next chapter in To learn more about AACF and how
overall wellness, such as relaxation, get married or go their separate ways. their relationship, and oftentimes, with to support its work, visit www.Appala-
mindfulness, and sleep health. Love Is Blind is a dating experiment those who have been together for sev- chianOhio.org/AACF, email AACF@ffao.
“The Master of Occupational Therapy where singles get to make romantic eral years already. She works with them org or call 740.753.1111.
program is excited to provide an event connections in pods (small rooms with to identify their vision for their marriage,
focused on health, wellness, and preven- a couch and some decor, and comfort setting intentions, what they want to
tion for community members 65 years items), isolated from other contestants create in their relationship, and writing
and older again this year,” MOT Program while on dates, and unable to see who intentional and meaningful vows. “Red, White
Director Dr. Kim Lawler said. “Students they are dating. With superficial factors “I do a love story paragraph in the
will promote attendees’ health and removed from the dating experience, ceremony itself where I think they each and Bloom”
well-being by sharing helpful ideas for singles get to know each other through fill out independent forms without each
safely engaging in the daily activities deep conversations that take place over other’s input or feedback, and they Spring Garden
they want or need to do. The students several hours and days, with another sin- give me their private ideas of what they
put their new knowledge to work by ed- gle sitting on the other side of a wall in love, admire, respect. When did they Symposium
ucating community members about pro- their own pod. Potentials cycle through know? Why do they want to marry this
ductive and safe aging, and attendees possible matches until they feel they person? What do they want to promise
benefit from the tips they learn about have found “the one”, at which time they them independently without that collab- SUBMITTED BY MVGS
home safety, saving energy, and staying may get engaged, still sight unseen. A oration. And from those forms I make
engaged in living their lives to the full- reveal follows for each couple who takes paragraphs for each of them from each
est. We’re excited to highlight strategies the next step, and then the couples get of them and they don’t get to read that
to support sleep health this year as it to work on their relationship while living during the draft review. I say that for the
impacts the way we function throughout together for the rest of the experiment first time during the ceremony, so I get
the day.” until reaching the finale, where they to see in real time their reaction to it,
“We have a community partner join- meet at the altar to either say I do, or I and it’s always the warm and fuzzy that I
ing us again at the Health & Wellness don’t. love.”
Fair. Attendees will learn about services The producers found Aurore through Anyone thinking about preparing their
available from the Area Agency on Aging her page on Wedding Wire, where her own vows can sign up for Aurore’s digital
Region 9.” business Amy F. Aurore Weddings, is a course by going to www.howtovow.com.
The event is an opportunity for occu- two-time Couples Choice Awards winner Enrollment is now open. There are two
pational therapy students to apply what due to her outstanding 5.0 rating. ways to take the course, either through Spring Garden Symposium table setting.
they are learning as part of their Older “I did kind of struggle a little bit with the live experience or through an at-your- Submitted
Adults Level I Fieldwork course. The MOT the possibility of superficiality. … Be- own pace option. The live experience be-
program at Muskingum University is a cause my philosophy is so intentional gins March 1st, but enrollment does not Get ready for a lively day of plants,
two-year program designed for licensed and I really try as hard as I can to qual- close until March 7th. pollinators, and pure garden inspiration
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) ify my couples to make sure that this is “I think that for couples, vows is the at the 2026 Spring Garden Symposium
or individuals with a bachelor’s degree as important to them as I think that it easiest way for them to get intentional sponsored by the Muskingum Valley Gar-
in a related field, preparing graduates to should be,” explained Aurore. “I spoke about what they want to create in their den Society!
sit for the national examination for the with the producer about it, and she said marriage and to ask themselves the The Symposium will be held on Satur-
occupational therapist, administered that she feels like they do a really good right questions and articulate them- day, March 14, 2026 from 8:30am un-
by the National Board for Certification job, giving the couples as many opportu- selves in a meaningful way, so it is my til 2:30pm, with registration opening at
in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). The nities as possible to really figure it out. Is wish, it is my desire, to reach as many 7:30am. The event will be held at the
program is accredited by the Accredita- it the right thing or not, and they do give couples as possible that I’m not work- OUZ/Zane State College Campus Cen-
tion Council for Occupational Therapy them the opportunity at the wedding to ing with directly as an officiant via my ter (Rear) located at 1425 Newark Rd.,
Education of the American Occupation- move forward with it or not. They don’t How to Vow framework that’s captured Zanesville, OH 43701.
al Therapy Association, 7501 Wiscon- want in her perspective, they don’t want in my How to Vow course that anybody Join us for an exciting lineup of five
sin Avenue, Suite 501E, Bethesda, MD to trap people into something that they can take from anywhere in the country dynamic speakers who will spark your
20814 ACOTE’s phone: (301) 652-6611; don’t really agree with. .. When she told and you know really move through a pro- creativity and grow your gardening confi-
ACOTE’s website: www.acoteonline. me all of the back-end philosophy, I felt cess of not only creating beautiful vows, dence. Chris Baker of Baker’s Acres will
org better about doing it.” but really articulating their intentions for highlight the bold beauty and endless
If community members have ques- “I think it’s pretty big in Ohio because their marriage and make it possible that possibilities of coleus. Andrew Bunting
tions, they can call Dr. Lawler at 740- we’re for the first time really being those things can happen,” Aurore said. will take you on a journey through Belvi-
826-8466 or email klawler@musking- shown on a national screen like this. “Because that’s my real next leap in try- dere: Evolution of a Plantsman Garden,
um.edu. But for the wedding industry, because ing to serve people with what I know and revealing how a great garden transforms
there’s I know one of the DJs that did my skill sets is I can do a beautiful wed- over time. Gale Martin will share why na-
one of the weddings and he’s like so ding for you, but if you live in Florida or tive plants matter and how they create
CHAIR-ity stoked, there’s all these people are like California or Nebraska I can still help you healthier, more vibrant landscapes. Mal-
isa Spring will introduce the surprising
his posts are really blowing up and the in this way to make at least that part of
Auction florists and the venues and everybody your wedding ceremony with your offici- and fascinating world of hover flies and
their vital role in supporting pollinators.
who played a role in the creation of the ant extremely meaningful and a launch
production of these weddings is now get- pad for your future with your person.” Dania McGuigan-Alvarado will help you
ting their moment to be seen on a big Amy F. Aurore Weddings can be found bring a touch of the tropics home with
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tips for creating your own indoor jungle.
screen. online at www.amyfaurore.com, and
Even though the wedding episodes on Facebook and Instagram. Episodes This breath of Spring event will deliv-
will be announced on Friday, February are not yet released, Aurore is excited 1-9 of Love Is Blind Season 10 can be er a fast-paced program that is packed
27. for the exposure for her business. streamed on Netflix now. The remaining with ideas, inspiration, and take-home
A Silent Auction will be held at Colo- “I was so excited to see that they episodes will be released over the next knowledge for gardeners of every level
ny Square Mall on February 26 at 5:00 showed me for literally a half a second couple of weeks: Episodes 10-11 on who love learning and growing together.
p.m. through February 28 at 5:00 p.m. on the opening credits because there’s Wednesday, February 25, and Episode Early registration is $40 when pur-
Also, new for 2026 is a “Take a been no other opening credits on any of 12 on Wednesday, March 4. chased by March 8th, or $45 when pur-
Chance to Be the Change” Raffle. the other episodes. There’s no other op- “I’m trying to watch one episode every chased at the door, but only a few spots
During the raffle, 15 packages will be portunities for any of that wedding stuff night, so that I’m ready for Wednesday will be available for walk-in registrations.
raffled off on Saturday, February 28, at to be seen except that 30 to 60 sec- when they release the next ones,” ex- Registration includes both a light break-
3:00 p.m. at the mall. Tickets may be onds,” Aurore stated. “To wait for March plained Aurore. “My friends are trying to fast buffet and a delicious lunch buf-
purchased in person or online. Tickets 4th … but in the meantime, trying to re- schedule a watch party for either that fet. Online registration and payment is
available at www.mvgardensociety.com.
are $25 each or 3 for $50. Raffle tickets ally like bolster my Instagram … so that Wednesday or maybe a couple of days Mail-in registration forms may also be
will be drawn on February 28 a t 3:00 if somebody does come find me after later. So that’s fun!” downloaded from this site.
p.m. The list of items can be found on
the event website.
“Each year, we’re getting bigger and non-profit organization. Specifically, Eastside’s been in the Zanesville com- one. So we serve all ages. Everyone is
bigger, the services that we provide are everyday programs such as the Food munity since 1958. Although the organi- welcome here,” said Trout. ” And we like
needed more and more by many people. Pantry, Eastside Essentials, and a year- zation is a ministry that is supported by to stay true to our mission, which is lov-
So we’re a nonprofit, we fully rely on the round Youth Program benefit from the a lot of churches. Eastside Community ing people, caring for people.”
support of our community and these CHAIR-ity Auction. Ministry is not a church. For further CHAIR-ity Auction informa-
fundraisers. So to have something that The thing I love about Eastside is Besides the everyday programs that tion, please visit www.eastsideministry.
the community bought into, lets us know that when we do anything, fundraising are offered, Eastside also holds Bible org/Events/CHAIR-ity-Auction. Eastside
that people believe in what we do here, events, programs, activities, we always study for women, Empower Hour for Community Ministry can be reached by
and everyone thinks it’s a fun event. So take a step back from it and think, okay, Women support group, special food calling (740) 452-7519. They are locat-
we’re just excited to have the communi- what can we do to improve that next giveaways, and a community garden, ed at 221 Stillwell St, Zanesville. Visit
ty support,” said Trout. year? And so we make little tweaks ev- just to name a few of the organization’s their website at www.eastsideministry.
Proceeds from the fundraiser directly ery year to improve it. And it just keeps offerings. In the past couple of years, org.
support the programs and services at on spreading, and we get new people ev- Eastside has trippled their services.
Eastside Community Ministry, a 501c3 ery year,” added Trout. “Eastside is where everyone is some-