Page 23 - The Buzz 04/17/2026

APRIL 17 - 30, 2026 The NEARBY NEWS |C3
World-Class organist to Donors establish Ohio State

perform at Coshocton Newark’s first endowed chair

Presbyterian Church SUBMITTED

SUBMITTED
erything about his visit here was the
best it could possibly be.”
Dallas Daily News declared, “To
invoke an old Southern expression,
Bradley Hunter Welch plays the or-
gan like nobody’s business. Between
the virtuosity of the playing and the
easy-going spoken commentary, he
also proved that ‘entertainer’ and
‘organist’ needn’t be mutually exclu-
sive.”
“A grand and glorious concert it
was and one those who attended will
never forget. Filled with excitement
and eagerness but played with mas- John and Alix Ankele. Submitted
terful control.” (The Console Crier,
newsletter of the Chicago AGG) NEWARK, OH — The Ohio State Uni- Ohio State Newark experience. “It
Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch. Submitted versity at Newark has secured fund- lends itself to thoughtful classroom
Dr. Welch was named resident or- ing to institute its first-ever endowed discussion where students can agree
COSHOCTON, OH — On Sunday, May ganist and holder of the Lay Family chair, a faculty position within the to respect the thoughts and opinions
3, 2026, at 3:00 pm, organist Dr. Chair by the Dallas Symphony Or- campus’s academic leadership. of others as they clarify and develop
Bradley Hunter Welch will perform a chestra. He also devotes his atten- In a video message released today, their own thinking,” John said. “That
concert at the Coshocton Presbyte- tion to a thriving solo concert career Ohio State President Ravi Bellam- kind of open dialogue leads to under-
rian Church on the Taylor and Body and work as Artist-in-Residence at konda, PhD, announced the creation standing, builds trust and communi-
tracker-action organ in the church Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church of the John and Alix Ankele Endowed ty, and ultimately helps us find work-
sanctuary. The concert is free to at- in Dallas. He has taught at South- Chair in Human Ethics. It provides able solutions to our problems.”
tend and is open to all. It is made ern Methodist University and Baylor permanent private funding for a new The chair is funded through the
possible through the Joe R Engle University. distinguished professor tasked with generosity of the Ankeles as well
Recital Fund. Dr. Welch holds the We are most fortunate to have an developing programming in ethical as the university’s Endowed Chair
Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of artist of his caliber visit our commu- education. Matching Program. Through this ini-
Music degrees as well as the coveted nity and he seems to have a special “This move marks a transformative tiative, gifts are funded two-thirds by
Artist Diploma from Yale University. place in his heart for us. This will be milestone in the campus’s academic donors and matched one-third by the
He also holds the Bachelor Music De- his fifth visit with us and our tracker and philanthropic legacy,” said Mat- university.
gree, magna cum laude from Baylor organ. Music lovers who join us will thew J. Smith, PhD, Ohio State New- “This is a major investment in the
University. hear organ music like they have nev- ark dean and director. “Endowing preparation of future leaders for our
Dr. Welch has played for audienc- er heard before. this chair positions Ohio State New- state,” President Bellamkonda said
es in Europe and across the United The Coshocton Presbyterian ark as a regional and national leader in his video address. “The study of
States. Listeners are thrilled. Lois Church is located at 142 North in ethical education, fostering pro- ethics is central to preparing stu-
Jaeger, from Bethany Lutheran Col- Fourth Street, Coshocton, Ohio. The grams and scholarship that engage dents not just to lead, but to lead
lege in Minnesota says, “I simply church is handicapped accessible. pressing social, environmental and with integrity. That is core to our mis-
cannot say enough about this re- Parking is available on the street, in cultural issues.” sion at Ohio State.”
markably talented and genuinely the church parking lot and in adjoin- John and Alix Ankele have en- Though neither Ankele attended
charming young man! Absolutely ev- ing city lots. gaged with such issues throughout the Newark campus, they view it
their careers. John, a Newark native, as the ideal proving ground for this
Coshocton City & County Park is a documentary filmmaker focused kind of ethical education and lead-
ership development. “It seems like
mostly on education and advoca-
cy in the areas of social, economic a warm-hearted place for learning
District and Roscoe Village and environmental justice. Alix has that all kinds of students find com-
a background in social work. While fortable and encouraging,” Alix said.
Foundation collaborate to administrators at Ohio State New- “Hopefully, establishing this chair
ark worked to develop this endowed will leave a legacy that can continue
restore and elevate historic chair, “they touched on things very to grow and nurture a vibrant com-
dear to our hearts,” Alix said, “and munity. We have been given an op-
canal boat experience they really stirred our keen interest.” portunity to really contribute to that
By acting upon that interest, the movement, and it’s a big honor to be
Ankeles are ensuring the study of a founding part of it.”
ethics will forever be a facet of the
Roscoe Village Foundation commits major investment
through the Elevate the Legacy Initiative in restoring one of
Ohio’s most treasured heritage experiences Coshocton Community Choir to
share spring concert ‘Still Be My
SUBMITTED | ROSCOE VILLAGE FOUNDATION
— a living connection to the state’s Vision’ April 26
canal era, when waterways like the
Ohio & Erie Canal fueled commerce,
connection, and community develop- 100 Musicians from 11 Ohio Counties return to Coshocton
ment. Today, it stands as both a rare High School’s McKinley Auditorium to share concert
historic asset and an immersive way
for visitors to experience Ohio’s early including a variety of sacred musical selections
transportation history firsthand.
This spring, minor cosmetic im- SUBMITTED
The Monticello III Canal Boat. Melissa Dekker provements will prepare the canal
boat for the upcoming season. Fol-
COSHOCTON, OH — The Roscoe Vil- lowing the season, the boat will be
lage Foundation (RVF) and the Co- taken out of the water in the fall for
shocton City & County Park District a full structural restoration led by
announced a collaborative initiative Abe Yoder of ADM Construction, a
in which RVF will restore and operate respected local craftsman known for
the historic canal boat experience at his precision and care. The project
Roscoe Village, preserving and ele- will involve removing and rebuilding
vating one of Coshocton’s most trea- the canal boat’s wooden structure,
sured heritage assets. ensuring the experience remains
The initiative builds on the Park both historically authentic and struc-
District’s long-standing stewardship turally sound for generations to
of the canal boat, towpath, horses, come.
and canal corridor, while introduc- “Coshocton Lake Park and the
ing new investment, operations, and canal corridor are central to our
programming led by RVF to enhance community’s identity,” said Tammi
and sustain the experience for future Rogers, executive director of the Co- Submitted
generations. shocton City & County Park District.
The total restoration project is es- “For years, we have been proud to COSHOCTON, OH — The Coshocton Harps Eternal’; ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s
timated at approximately $160,000. steward these assets for our com- Community Choir, including audi- Desiring’; ‘We Walk By Faith’; and
Through the Elevate the Legacy munity. This collaboration allows us tioned singers traveling from eleven ‘Hallelujah’ from Messiah. The con-
Initiative, RVF is making a signifi- to build on that foundation, bringing Ohio counties, will share its Spring cert will also include special settings
cant investment to lead the effort new energy, investment, and expe- concert, ‘Still Be My Vision’, at 3:00 of familiar sacred tunes including
while also opening the door for do- riences while ensuring they are pre- p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at ‘St. Theodulph’s Hymn (All Glory,
nors, foundations, and community served and protected for generations Coshocton High School’s McKinley Laud and Honor)’; ‘Sing to God a
partners to be part of this historic to come.” Auditorium. Joyful Song!’; ‘Amazing Grace’; ‘Lift
restoration. The Coshocton Rotary Together, the organizations are The concert, including the Coshoc- High the Cross’; and ‘It Is Well With
Foundation has already committed working to elevate the canal boat ton Youth Chorale, The Coshocton My Soul’.
$20,000, and additional conversa- experience through immersive story- Singers, The Roscoe Brass and other “Some of these numbers you’ve
tions are underway with foundations, telling, expanded programming, and instrumentalists, will feature a se- heard over the years, including many
corporate partners, and communi- special events; increase access and lection of sacred and secular choral that are very powerful songs that we
ty supporters who want to share in engagement, welcoming more visi- music, including arrangements and hope will inspire you and renew your
bringing this experience to life. tors to experience canal-era life; po- settings of familiar hymns, classical faith,” continued Snyder.
“This is what true collaboration sition the canal boat as a signature works, spirituals and more. Now in its 55th season, the Coshoc-
looks like,” said Sharon Bucey, ex- America 250 experience; and create There is no cost to attend the con- ton Community Choir was organized
ecutive-in-residence of the Roscoe a sustainable model for long-term cert this year, although a free-will of- in 1971 by Snyder, an accomplished
Village Foundation. “Through Elevate success through shared investment fering will be accepted to help meet Ohio teacher, choral conductor, and
the Legacy, we are stepping forward and planning. the expenses involved in preparing church musician. Since its founding,
with a meaningful commitment be- The canal boat experience will for concerts and carrying out the or- more than 900 singers have sung
cause we believe in the power of this continue to operate seasonally be- ganization’s mission. with the Choir, which has become
experience — not just to preserve ginning Memorial Day weekend, of- “We are singing a new piece for us known for its renditions of sacred a
history, but to bring people together. fering public tours, private charters, this year, ‘Be Thou My Vision’,” shared cappella literature. The Choir’s sing-
And we want this to be a community educational programming, and spe- director Charles R. Snyder, “and I felt ers, who come from all backgrounds,
investment, not just ours. As the say- cial events that bring the canal era to that piece was a perfect one to build vocations and walks of life, rehearse
ing goes, a rising tide lifts all boats, life. the concert theme around. It seems together weekly through the fall and
and this is our moment to lift this ex- Individuals, foundations, and busi- so fitting that during our world’s cur- winter and traditionally perform a
perience and our entire community.” nesses interested in supporting this rent uncertain times, to remember narrated Christmas concert and
The canal boat, Monticello III, is effort are encouraged to contact that we still need this positive focus.” spring concerts. For more informa-
one of only a few remaining work- Sharon Bucey at Other concert selections include tion about the Choir, visit
ing canal boat experiences in Ohio sbucey@roscoevillage.com. ‘Do Not Be Afraid’; ‘Hark, I Hear the coshoctoncommunitychoir.org.