Page 13 - The Buzz 05/29/2026

MAY 29 - JUNE 11, 2026 NEARBY NEWS |C1

The
SECTION
NEARBY NEWS C

FEATURING STORIES FROM MUSKINGUM’S NEIGHBORS.

Up, up, and away! The Dawes

Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival takes flight June 4-6 Arboretum
Ranked in Top
SUBMITTED | VISIT COSHOCTON
3 on National
Botanical
Garden List

BY SUBMITTED | THE DAWES ARBORETUM
NEWARK, Ohio – The Dawes Ar-
boretum was just named on KUHL’s
‘Best Botanical Gardens in the U.S.’
list. An analysis of visitor reviews
from 407 gardens found that Dawes
lands in third place in the United
States compared to Tucson Botanical
Gardens, Norfolk Botanical Garden
and more. The Arboretum’s scale
and size (nearly 2,000 acres) placed
it in the top three. The top praises
from the survey shared that Dawes
is peaceful, relaxing and beautiful.
“Being recognized and celebrated
for our many unique ecological fea-
tures and special collections means
a great deal to our staff and volun-
teers who work so hard at Dawes,”
said Executive Director Stephanie
Crockatt. “We are truly honored and
thank all our visitors who took the
time to give us such great reviews.”
Dawes proudly has almost 1,800
Google Reviews with a 4.7 rating.
Visit Coshocton Find some of our best reviews from
our visitors below:
COSHOCTON, Ohio – The Coshoc- Visitors can participate in a teth- based in Ohio. Following the music “This place is a hidden treasure
ton Hot Air Balloon Festival takes ered ride, wherein the balloon goes performance on Friday evening, hot just outside of Columbus, Ohio. Staff
place June 4-6, 2026 at the Coshoc- up 20-50 feet and hovers for a few air balloons will light up and stay on are friendly and knowledgeable.
ton County Fairgrounds. One of the minutes, but does not launch and fly the ground for the night glow, sched- Grounds are so well kept and stun-
longest running hot air balloon fes- away. These are scheduled for 6:30 uled for 9:15 p.m. On Saturday night, ning.”
tivals in the state, this festival, spon- - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and 7:00 - a fireworks show will take place at “Gorgeous, well-maintained area
sored by The Frontier Power Compa- 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Tethered 10:00 p.m. full of walking trails and a nice set of
ny, is highly anticipated each year for rides are $20 and proceeds benefit The Coshocton Hot Air Balloon driving loops. There are a whole host
residents and visitors alike. Visitors the Frontier Power Company Com- Festival could not happen every of different areas to explore in this
can enjoy balloon launches, live en- munity Connections Fund. Interested year without the generosity of many 2000 acre preserve. Of course, the
tertainment, activities for children, parties must be at least 42” tall. Par- sponsors from the community and views will change with the seasons.”
fireworks, a balloon night glow, mid- ticipants must sign a release, and beyond. An extra large thank you “Absolutely beautiful grounds!!
way rides, craft and food vendors, those under 18 must have their par- goes to The Frontier Power Compa- With so many unique and beautiful
and more! Admission and parking ent or guardian sign on their behalf. ny, the major sponsor for the festi- trees (most have plaques or tin cards
are free, thanks to many generous During the day, the midway rides and val each year. Additional thanks to with info). And so many Dawn Red-
community sponsors. vendors are open, food is available, Kraft Heinz, William Albert Excavat- wood trees!”
Balloon launches from the fair- and a few activities are planned for ing, Standard Power, Doug Speicher Founded in 1929 by Beman and
grounds take place Thursday, Friday, children. A Safety & Skills Showcase and Jason Hammond from Edward Bertie Dawes, The Arboretum fea-
and Saturday evenings between 6:00 is scheduled for Saturday afternoon Jones, Ohio Laborers Union, Frontier tures nearly 2,000 acres full of bo-
p.m. and 7:30 p.m., weather per- 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., with sidewalk Propane, and The Roscoe Boutique tanical spectacles that bring joy to
mitting. A morning balloon launch chalk activities at 3:00 p.m. At 4:45 Motel. the eyes. Around every twist and turn
is scheduled for Saturday morning p.m. on Saturday, visitors are invit- For more information, go to co- of Dawes, visitors can discover an
around 6:00 a.m., which may take ed to a balloon pilot meet & greet, shoctonhotairballoonfestival.com oasis rooted in history and blooming
place elsewhere in the county de- where exclusive trading cards are for FAQs and a complete schedule with plants, trees and wildlife. The
pending on wind direction. Visitors available. of events. Times for balloon activi- Arboretum features two auto tours,
can check the Facebook page for Evening activities are not limited ties are subject to change depend- 12 miles of walking trails, plant col-
the event to see last-minute updates to just balloon launches. Musical en- ing on weather. Please check the lections, gardens and natural areas.
regarding balloon launches. Balloon tertainment is scheduled both Friday Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival The Arboretum is honored to be in-
activities are scheduled for morning and Saturday evenings, at 6:00 p.m. Facebook page for ongoing updates cluded on this list. For more informa-
and evening due to the lower chance and 6:30 p.m. respectively. Friday’s during festival weekend. tion on The Dawes Arboretum visit
of extreme windy conditions at these entertainment is Seventy80, and Sat- www.dawesarb.org.
times. urday’s is Victorious KayBirds, both

Seventeen grants awarded to support K-12 civics education

in Appalachian Ohio SUBMITTED | The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Foun- participation in Mahoning County Law who participate in the Project SAFE be- their communities, understand how gov-
dation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), in Day fore- and after-school program and (2) to ernment works and see themselves as
partnership with the Longaberger Fam- • Caldwell Exempted Village School purchase the Social Thinking curriculum community builders and leaders,” said
ily Foundation, has awarded 17 grants, District in Noble County to fund 10 stu- and tools designed to teach K-4 students Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and
totaling $47,028, to support K-12 civics dents’ participation in the Ohio Model critical thinking skills that will help them CEO. “Thanks to the Longaberger Fam-
education programming throughout the United Nations program and conference navigate complex social situations ily Foundation and its continued part-
region. • Cambridge City Schools in Guernsey • Mahoning Valley Re-Entry Coalition nership, we’re able to provide students
“Firsthand experiences are critical for County to purchase equipment for Voic- in Mahoning County to support a civics hands-on learning experiences that em-
civics education at a young age – and es of Kindness, a weekly student-pro- education initiative for K-12 students power them to strengthen civic health
consistent, dedicated funding is what duced broadcast designed to strengthen in Youngstown City Schools that will in- across our region for years to come.”
makes sustained programming possi- civic awareness, leadership skills and clude workshops, civic forums and stu- Since 2019, FAO and the Longaberg-
ble,” said Matt Kaido, Longaberger Fam- social-emotional development among dent-led projects er Family Foundation have awarded
ily Foundation representative. “We’re Cambridge Primary School’s K-2 stu- • Muskingum County Community more than $182,000 in civics education
proud to continue to work with the Foun- dents Foundation to support Lead Local, a grants through the Strengthening Civics
dation for Appalachian Ohio to direct • Fort Frye High School in Washington year-long program through which youth Education in Appalachian Ohio initiative.
resources to where they will have the County to fund a field trip for a group of learn about civic structures and practice This initiative is part of FAO’s Education
greatest impact for students across the juniors and seniors enrolled in govern- civic leadership by addressing real com- Pillar of Prosperity, one of five areas es-
region.” ment and history courses to learn about munity needs sential to growing and sustaining a flour-
FAO’s Strengthening Civics Education the history of Marietta • Nelsonville-York City School District ishing Appalachian Ohio.
in Appalachian Ohio initiative provides • Gallia-Vinton Educational Service in Athens County to support the mock A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a
funding for projects and programs that Center to support the Active Citizens trial program for high school students regional community foundation serving
advance civics education opportunities Team (ACT), a K-12 instructional frame- • Olney Friends School in Belmont the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio.
for K-12 public school students. Its goal work for student civic awareness, knowl- County to support the 2027 student-led In partnership with 14 geographic af-
is to equip the children of Appalachia edge and engagement that 13 schools Olney Model United Nations regional filiate foundations and the regionwide
with the knowledge and tools necessary will implement in their after-school pro- conference African American Community Fund, FAO
to become community leaders. Grant grams across Gallia County Local and • Rendville Historic Preservation Soci- works to unleash the collective potential
applications were open to K-12 public Gallia City school districts ety in Perry County to support the devel- within Appalachian Ohio by encourag-
schools, educators, students, and public • Gallipolis City School District to fund opment of curriculum and learning activ- ing and supporting philanthropy. FAO’s
and nonprofit organizations serving K-12 an AP government field trip to the Ohio ities that the society will offer to schools geographic affiliate partners serve the
students across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 Supreme Court and a law career exhibit across Ohio and beyond through online Nelsonville area and Gallia, Guernsey,
counties. center educational materials and field trips Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson,
• Lawrence County Commissioners • Union Local School District in Bel- Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, No-
Grants were awarded to: to support the Lawrence County Civic mont County to support a seventh-grade ble, Perry and Vinton counties.
• The Academy for Urban Scholars Scholars Fellowship, which provides field trip that will include guided tours To learn more about FAO and how
Youngstown in Mahoning County to pro- students with hands-on experience in lo- of the Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Supreme you can support and create opportuni-
vide transportation to local civic institu- cal government while building practical Court and Columbus government offices ties for the people and communities of
tions to observe democratic processes skills in civic engagement, problem-solv- • Warren City School District in Trum- Appalachian Ohio, visit www.Appala-
firsthand, interact with public officials ing and public service bull County to support a tour of local civ- chianOhio.org, email info@ffao.org or
and connect theoretical learning with re- • Logan-Hocking Local School District ic and historical sites for all fourth-grade call 740.753.1111.
al-world civic action received two grants: (1) to support the students
• Boardman Local School District to Young Citizens, Strong Communities civ- “Strong civic health requires opportu-
fund the eighth-grade student body’s ic education initiative for K-8 students nities for young people to participate in