Page 6 - The Buzz 05/15/2026

A6 | LOCAL NEWS The MAY 15 - 28, 2026
Visit Zanesville and the Muskingum County Convention

Facilities Authority Celebrated Tourism Partners During

the Inaugural Tourism Appreciation Luncheon

SUBMITTED | VISIT ZANESVILLE

portance of building meaningful Guests gathered to celebrate
community connections through the partnerships that help drive vis-
tourism and marketing. itation, support local businesses,
As part of the luncheon, four and contribute to the local economy.
tourism appreciation awards were The luncheon also served as an op-
presented to organizations making a portunity for tourism stakeholders
meaningful impact across Musking- to connect, collaborate, and reflect
um County’s tourism industry: on the continued growth of tourism
The Heart of Community Award throughout Muskingum County.
Friends of Dillon State Park - Heart of Community Muskingum 250 - Star-Spangled Service Award was presented to Friends of Dillon “Tourism is powered by partner-
Award recipient. Visit Zanesville recipient. Visit Zanesville
State Park for their dedication to ships, and this event was an oppor-
enhancing visitor experiences and tunity to recognize the people and
supporting one of the county’s trea- organizations whose dedication
sured outdoor destinations. helps make Muskingum County a
The Star-Spangled Service welcoming destination,” said Lydia
Award was presented to Musking- Tom, Chamber of Commerce Vice
um 250 for their efforts in promot- President. “The collaboration be-
ing patriotism, heritage tourism, and tween our tourism partners, local
community engagement surround- businesses, attractions, and com-
Artist Colony of Zanesville - Art of Hospitality The Buzz - Destination Ambassador Award ing America’s upcoming 250th an- munity leaders continues to play an
Award recipient. Visit Zanesville recipient. Visit Zanesville
niversary celebration. important role in strengthening our
Visit Zanesville and the Musking- zations, attractions, businesses, and The Art of Hospitality Award local economy and enhancing the
um County Convention Facilities individuals whose efforts continue was presented to Artist Colony of visitor experience.”
Authority welcomed tourism part- to strengthen Muskingum County’s Zanesville for their continued contri- National Travel & Tourism Week
ners, community leaders, and local tourism industry and create memo- butions to the local arts community is an annual celebration that high-
businesses to the Inaugural Tourism rable visitor experiences throughout and their role in creating a welcom- lights the impact travel and tourism
Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, the region. ing cultural experience for visitors. have on communities nationwide
May 7, at the Zanesville-Muskingum The event featured special The Destination Ambassador through economic development, job
County Welcome Center as part of guest speaker Jim Hern, a creative Award was presented to The Buzz creation, and community engage-
the community’s celebration of Na- bridge-builder and digital marketing newspaper for their ongoing promo- ment.
tional Travel & Tourism Week. strategist with more than 40 years of tion of local events, businesses, and For more information about tour-
The luncheon, themed “Pow- experience in art, music, advertising, community storytelling that helps ism initiatives in Muskingum County,
ered by Partnerships: A Tourism and design. Hern shared insights on showcase Muskingum County as a go to VisitZanesville.com
Celebration,” recognized the organi- creativity, storytelling, and the im- destination.

First Option Mobile CPR CONTINUED FROM A1

Training opens training room Reopening celebration for

and office in Zanesville John McIntire Library

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ Bell was next to speak.
“We celebrate more than a build-
ing reopening. We celebrate a com-
munity resource reimagined to meet
the needs of today and the hopes of
tomorrow, while honoring the very rich
history that brought us here. Libraries
are among the most important public
investments a community can make.
They are places where opportunity is
open to everyone. Where a child dis-
Lynette Dotson covers the love of reading, a student
by the Cora E. Rogge Foundation), and finds the resources to succeed, a job
seeker gains new skills, and neigh-
First Option Mobile CPR Training held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their training room a makerspace (funded by the John bors come together to learn and con-
and office in Zanesville. Zanesville-Muskingum Chamber of Commerce McIntire Estate through the Zanesville
Canal Manufacturing Company). Addi- nect. In many ways, libraries are the
First Option Mobile CPR Training, you know, we also offer the services tional restrooms and updated technol- front door to lifelong learning, civic
located at 1100 E. Brandywine Bou- to the public. And classes, I mean, we ogy were also added. engagement, and equal access to
levard A9, Zanesville, celebrated the can schedule classes anytime,” ex- “We’ve been intentional about information. They strengthen com-
opening of its new training room and plained Curtis. honoring the past of John McIntyre munities not just through books, but
office with a ribbon cutting held by the Additionally, allied healthcare Library. As you wander through the through connection, innovation, and
Zanesville-Muskingum County Cham- programs are available to become a building … please look for pieces of shared experience. The John McIntire
ber of Commerce. Certified Medical Assistant or Certified the original shelving, an original table Library has long been a cornerstone of
The business is owned by Daylene Phlebotomy Tech. Funding is offered from the 1908 library, and the mosa- Muskingum County, and this renova-
Curtis and is part of HEART Medical for qualified candidates, and for those ic tile that was in the original 1908 tion thoughtfully preserves that legacy
Training, owned by Shawna Bobs, who who don’t qualify, payment plans can library in the Carnegie Wing. In addi- as it prepares us for even new possi-
founded the business in 2018. be arranged. Certificates from the tion, you can see repetition of the Ro- bilities,” Bell stated during part of her
“I’m an RN. So, obviously, that’s in National Health Care Association are man lattice that is up here that is part speech.
my DNA, saving people’s lives, “said earned upon completion of the pro- of our new logo.” Next to the podium was Zanesville
Bobs. gram. “Our community showed amazing Mayor Don Mason.
First Option CPR offers a wide ar- “Anyone is welcome to contact us support. The total cost of this project “It’s a great day as we celebrate
ray of medical training to businesses for a class if they would like. We en- was $9.8 million. And our community 250 years of American independence
to empower Muskingum County and courage businesses to reach out, even came through it in a big way, raising and democracy. And we celebrate
local businesses with high-quality, ex- if they just want to see what we have an astounding $3.988 million for this Zanesville’s, Muskingum County’s,
pert life-saving skills. Training offered to offer. Because it is very convenient,” project. So thank you. Thank you. This Ohio’s, and America’s commitment to
includes BLS, AED, first aid, “Stop the said Curtis. “We’re really just trying to is over 40% of our estimated cost. literacy and education. Literacy is the
Bleed,” and CPR. Training for individu- make Zanesville safe.” I think Sean Fennell, our Communi- key to education, and education is the
als is also provided through First Op- For more information, visit First ty Relations and Marketing Director, key to social mobility. Reading and ed-
tion CPR. Option Mobile CPR Training on Face- said it best when he said this project ucation are key ingredients of living in
“We want to target businesses book or on their website, firstoption- is by the community for the communi- a flourishing democracy,” Mason said
and give them the best pricing ever. mobilecprtraining.com. Or visit HEART ty.” as part of his comments.
And we want to make it convenient for Medical Training online at heartmobi- The J.W. and M.H. Straker Chari- The final speaker was Alice Gra-
them to go to their location and pro- lecpr.com. table Foundation generously funded ham, President of the Muskingum
vide the on-site training there. And, the entire lower level. Susan Holdren, County Board of Trustees.

“We hope you will find new and
President and Executive Director of
TWO FLOORS TO SHOP! able to make such significant gifts already love. Thanks to this renova-
TWO FLOORS TO SHOP!
innovative ways to use the spaces you
the foundation, spoke next.
“We are so fortunate that we are
tion, we are now even better equipped
to serve you for many years to come,”
from our foundation. The library re-
Graham said during her speech.
model was our first $2 million gift.

A list of thank yous was shared by
Over
Everyone in our office, Pam, Pam, and
Beth, and every person on our board,
60,000
volved.
unanimously voted to fund this project Russell, giving credit to all those in-
Books! The event closed with a final mes-
as the library is dear to us all.” sage. “We’re not just celebrating a
Susan also shared about her per-
sonal connection to the library, a few building,” said Russell, “we’re celebrat-
ing a shared commitment to learning
of her favorite library memories, and
about her mother, Mary Helen Cleary and connection in a library that truly
Where all our books come from our customers Straker, for whom the lower level was belongs to us. I hope you enjoy the li-
brary. “
dedicated.
INVENTORY
INVENTORY
John McIntire Library is open Mon-

“Today, I know my mother would

day through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to
REDUCTION SALE! be delighted to have the possibility 7:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
REDUCTION SALE!
of future generations of children en-
p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to
joying such a welcoming, wonderful
4:00 p.m. For more information, visit
area,” said Holdren. “My siblings and
50 % OFF naming this wonderful space in my
muskingumlibrary.org.
I are grateful to the library board for
mother’s memory. She would be
ALL BOOKS the space, exploring the books under
thrilled to picture children enjoying
the boughs of the reading tree, and
she would echo Kenneth Grahame’s
words to those children, from The
whole world before you, and a horizon
1124 Wayne Ave., Zanesville Wind in the Willows. ‘You have the
that’s always changing’.”
10am-5pm, closed Sun. • (740) 297-7133 County Commissioner Melissa Lynette Dotson