Page 10 - The Buzz 07/24/2026

B2 | SPORTS The JULY 24 - AUGUST 6, 2026
Muskingum Valley Old Timers Association

hosted 2026 Hall of Fame Class BY MATTHEW DOTSON | THE BUZZ

On Monday, July 20th, the Musking- The Vipers are an adult baseball
um Valley Old Timers Association team started and coached locally
hosted a banquet honoring the at one time by Dustin Rock a local
MVOTA Hall of Fame class of 2026 baseball player. The organization
at Zanesville’s VFW Post 1058. The focused on strong fundamentals,
class inductees were Jason Smith, holding special clinics such as catch-
Todd Mitchell, Wes Carder, Pat Cord- ing camps led by collegiate players
er, Craig Stoneburner, Brandon Bush, to support local talent. The team is
and Brandon Wheeler, representing part of the Zanesville amateur base-
the Senior Pioneers and the Zanes- ball culture with several local youth
ville Vipers. leagues.
The Senior Pioneers are a In honor of the Hall of Fame class,
long-standing local amateur men’s the Senior Pioneers hosted a game
baseball team representing Zanes- against the Alumni from both teams,
ville and Muskingum Valley and but after two and a half innings, the
serving as an older division follow- game was rained out. They will at-
ing local youth, Babe Ruth, Junior, tempt the game again on Sunday,
and high school levels. The Pioneers July 26th at Gant Municipal Stadi-
have competed locally and within um. For up-to-date information on
the Central Ohio Men’s Adult Base- the game and the Senior Pioneers,
ball League (MABL), and have built visit their Facebook page.
2026 MVOTA Hall of Fame class - Jason Smith, Todd Mitchell, Wes Carder, Pat Corder, rivalries and secured multiple Cen-
Craig Stoneburner, Brandon Bush, and Brandon Wheeler (listed in no particular order) accepted plaques tral Ohio League (COL) titles.
at a banquet held on July 20. Senior Pioneers
The 1st annual Hall of Fame Game was held at
Gant Municipal Stadium. Former and current Se-
nior Pioneers, Junior Pioneers, Zanesville Vipers,
and OUZ Tracers baseball players teamed up for
a couple of innings before the game had to be
called due to bad weather. The former players who
participated were Dustin Rock, Tyler Buchanan,
Zack Pollock, Heath Watton, Derek Bragg, Bran-
don Wheeler, Bryan Conley, Josh Hartman, and
Mike Legats. Current Senior Pioneers who played
were Wes Carder, Jeramie Neff, Ethan McClellan,
Chayce Lundell, Nate Stewart, Tanner Corder, Shel-
don Merriman, James Armentrout, Andy Hardy,
Brandon Bush, Robbie Warne, and Chase Phillips.
Brooke Carpenter

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Local Para athlete gifted a specialized throwing chair by

VFW Post 1058 and VFW Ohio Charities BY MATTHEW DOTSON | THE BUZZ

On Tuesday, July 14th, at the team, and the resulting throw was
Zanesville VFW Post 1058, the Post already a foot further.
Commander Kirby Minnich, along “It truly shows you what a com-
with VFW Post 1058 members and munity will do for a student-athlete;
officers, presented local Para ath- I mean, it goes to show you what
lete Paige Calendine with a special- kind of organization the VFW is.
ly adapted throwing chair for her to When she finally got on one of these
use in track events at Maysville High (chairs), it was night and day with
School. what she realized we could do. What
Paige is a multi-sport athlete who we learned at the state meet was in-
competes in cheer, swimming, track, valuable, and we knew that first off,
archery, and gymnastics, to name a getting our hands on a chair like this
few. She just finished her freshman was going to be the most incredible
year at Maysville High School and, thing we could do. And it was going
in her track season, competed at to be the number one priority, and
state-level competition in Shot Put. everything else could go after that,
Before receiving this donation from so we are really lucky. We’re really
the VFW, Paige had been using a fortunate that we had this support
wheelchair that her father modified from here. She’s fun to coach on a
for throwing sports. When the team daily basis, and I look forward to it
made it to state competition, Paige for three more years!” stated coach
had the opportunity to use this type Dustin Young.
of chair from another attending The chair from Eagle Sportschairs,
Paige Calendine pictured with her adapted throwing chair that was donated to her by the VFW Post
1058. In the picture with Paige are Shaila Worden, Post Commander Kirby Minnich, Quartermaster
Jack Lambert, and Canteen Manager Tina Wartenbee. Matthew Dotson
THE
Pastor’s Corner LLC was fitted to have an adjustable the information. Jack (Lambert –
back, a pull pole, casters, straps, tie VFW Post 1058 Quartermaster), me,
Tina (Wartenbee – VFW Post 1058
downs, and stakes to facilitate throw-
Canteen Manager), and Shaila sat
ing from a seated position. After us-
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ing the chair, the coach realized that in the office. We said, call the com-
they would need to get one for Paige pany. Called the company. We told
801 Chestnut Street, Dresden, OH 43821 as soon as possible, and they made them to send it to us; we’ll take care
calls to get donations. One call was of it.”
740-754-1029 to the VFW Post 1058, where the Taken aback by the local support,
PHIL. 3:13-14 Post commander and officers dis- Paige Calendine had this to say: “I
PASTOR MIKE ROBINSON cussed the request and decided to just want to say thank you to all the
Dear Friend, order the chair for Paige. The dona- people that supported me through
In the little book of Philippians the Apostle Paul writes to some of his dearest tion was made possible by the VFW my track journey and are going to
friends. In one short sentence Paul shares the simple outline for his own life in Post 1058 and VFW Ohio Charities. support me through the rest of my
Christ when he writes, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this VFW Post 1058 Commander Kirby high school career with track and
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto Minnich spoke to the crowd. “They hopefully college”
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high wanted to purchase her a special
calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3-13-14) chair that she needs to do shot put.
The Apostle Paul sought most earnestly to live out the Lord’s perfect will for Shaila (Worden) called them, got all
his life. And, while you and I may never be a Paul, we may confidently say that the
same principles that were at work in the life of this great man are also applicable to
you and me.
If we are to pursue God’s perfect will for our lives, we must recognize that our
Lord’s will for us begins today. Paul said he was “forgetting those things which are
behind.” (vs. 13) Yesterday is gone forever. We must begin today. Your Local
Secondly, we must recognize The Lord’s will for us is day by day. We are to
“reach forth” (vs. 13) one day at a time. We cannot live tomorrow today. We must Auction Expert
live today today.
Finally, living out God’s perfect will for our lives requires effort. Paul said “I Serving Muskingum County –
press toward the mark.” (vs. 14) Real Christianity is always hard work! for 30 Years and Counting!
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