After taking last year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Circleville Pumpkin Show officially opened Wednesday morning with beautiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures.
Watch Mike Smith’s Litter Media report from the Circleville Pumpkin Show in our YouTube feature below. (CLICK THE ARROW)
As is tradition, the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In took center stage at the intersection of Court and Main Streets with more than 35 entries vying for $3,000 in cash for the winner.
Steven Thornhill of Canal Winchester took the top prize with a pumpkin that weighed 1,850.5 pounds. Thornhill told Litter Media that this was a “dream come true”, having seen this competition when he attended the Circleville Pumpkin Show as a child.
(Photo: Steven Thornhill/Litter Media)
John Pritchard of Groveport was runner-up, with a pumpkin weighing in at 1,620 pounds.
(Photo: John Pritchard and family/Litter Media)
Third place honors went to Darryl Crosby with a pumpkin weighing 1,448 pounds.
Circleville Pumpkin Show Trustee Ernie Weaver, who has also served as the weigh-in emcee for more than 20 years, says “It is great to be back after a year off. We did weigh pumpkins last year at the fairgrounds, where Doc Liggett won with a pumpkin over over 1,700 pounds.”
The Circleville Pumpkin Show, which is known as “The Greatest Free Show On Earth”, runs through Saturday night. The Show draws an annual crowd of over 400,000 people.
Westfall’s Marissa Mullins has repeated as SVC Volleyball “Player of the Year” while Southeastern’s Lexie Lockwood was selected “Defensive Player of the Year” according to the conference coaches.
SVC Champ Adena was awarded four players on the squad with Laura Smith as “Coach of the Year”- leading the Warriors to their second straight conference title and 30th in school history. 26 of those SVC titles were coached by Smith.
ALL SVC TEAM: Marissa Mullins (Sr) Westfall: “Player of the Year‘ Lexie Lockwood (Sr) Southeastern: “Defensive Player of the Year” Lexi Scott (Jr) Zane Trace Ellie Harper (Sr) Adena Megan Steele (Sr) Huntington Allison Bayse (Sr) Huntington Olivia Smith (Sr) Paint Valley Hannah Lougheed (Sr) Southeastern Jenna Martin (Sr) Adena Claire Latham (Sr) Westfall Emily Allen (Sr) Zane Trace Camryn Carroll (Sr) Adena Sophie Coleman (Jr) Unioto Ava Eldridge (Sr) Unioto Gracie McCullough (Jr) Zane Trace Makaela Lovely (Sr) Adena Laura Smith (Adena): “Coach of the Year”
The next to last OHSAA Football Computer Rankings have been released, heading into Week 10, which is the final week of regular season action. The final ratings will be released this Sunday (10/24/21) to determine post-season participants and playoff positions.
The top 16 teams in each region will advance to the playoffs this fall, with the top four teams in each region receiving a first-round bye.
Anyone who has attended the Circleville Pumpkin Show knows that it can be challenging to find a parking space. Three area groups are providing shuttle services to help make that chore a little easier for those wanting to attend the Greatest Free Show On Earth.
Ohio Christian University Baseball Team Operated by the Ohio Christian University Baseball Team, park and leave from the Ohio Christian University, 1476 Lancaster Pike. For details call: (740) 412-8544. Cost is $5 per carload to park and roundtrip shuttle.
Amvets and Ross County Transportation Operated by Amvets and Ross County Transportation, park and leave from Amvets, 818 Tarlton Road. For details call: (740) 775-1228. Cost $2 per person to park and roundtrip shuttle. Amvet Members and Amvet Auxiliary Members ride for free.
The Circleville Pumpkin Show officially opens Wednesday morning (October 20th) and runs through Saturday night.
(Zaleski) –Sixteen veterans were treated to a guided archery hunt at Zaleski State Forest by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The ODNR divisions of Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks and Watercraft partnered with the Buckeye Hero Hunt Committee, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, and volunteer groups to provide this opportunity the veterans to hunt white-tailed deer.
“This was a great weekend spent with some outstanding people,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “ODNR is honored to be able to provide this opportunity as we thank and support the men and women who have served our country.”
(Caption: Pictured are participants who hunted white-tailed deer at Zaleski State Forest and harvested 22 deer)
Volunteers assisted the Buckeye Hero Hunt Committee to support the veterans with their hunt providing meals, lodging, and equipment.
“We are pleased to partner with the Buckeye Hero Hunt Committee and its volunteers to honor our Ohio veterans who have sacrificed so much for us,” said Courtney Cawood, manager of Zaleski State Forest.
Veterans applied to participate in the hunt, and the event was free for participating veterans. Twenty-two deer – 12 antlerless and 10 antlered – were harvested between Oct. 8 and Oct. 10.
The ODNR Division of Forestry promotes the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands for both timber quality and wildlife habitat. This hunt provided an opportunity to effectively manage white-tailed deer populations and the damage they can cause to the forest ecosystem in a specific area of Zaleski State Forest. White-tailed deer can have substantial negative impacts on forest health and regeneration due to the browse of tree seedlings and herbaceous plants. Hunting is the most effective way to control deer populations, and the ODNR Division of Forestry is thrilled to create this great opportunity for veterans.
Kids and their families are invited to a free event at Chillicothe’s Poland Park, slated for October 24th. The First Wesleyan Church in Chillicothe is hosting a FREE event called Candy Crawl in Poland Park.
The event runs from 5pm-6pm and is for the entire community and includes dinner, trick or treating, and crafts for kids.
(Columbus) — Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers are keeping a close eye on traffic surrounding school buses during National School Bus Safety Week, which is October 18-22.
Troopers are following school buses during the observance, making sure that drivers are stopping on both sides of the road while the bus displays flashing lights and a stop sign. The law says that drivers are required to stop at least 10 feet from a bus that is either picking up or dropping off students.
Troopers stress that drivers need to watch their speed while in school zones.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that since 2016, there have been over 6,500 crashes involving school buses in the state of Ohio.
The Fayette County Public Health office will be closed on Tuesday, October 19th so that staff can provide an extended hours outreach clinic from 11am– 7pm. No appointments are needed for the drive-thru clinic that will take place at Crossroads Christian Church, 175 Halliday Way, Washington C.H.
The following vaccines will be offered: – Johnson & Johnson (1 dose) -Pfizer/Comirnaty (1st or 2nd dose, 3rd dose for immunocompromised individuals, booster for individuals meeting specific eligibility conditions) – Moderna (1st or 2nd dose, 3rd dose for immunocompromised individuals) – Flu – High-dose flu
Cost: – COVID-19 – no cost – Flu – Covered by insurance or $25 self-pay – High-dose flu – Covered by insurance or $65 self-pay
FCPH accepts these insurance providers: Aetna, Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Anthem BCBS Medicare, Buckeye, Caresource, Cigna (Allied Health), Humana, Medicaid of Ohio, Medical Mutual, Medicare B(for Flu and Pneumonia Only), Medigold, Molina, Ohio PPO Connect, Paramount, United HealthCare, United HealthCare Community Plan. For more information visit faycohd.org.
(Columbus) – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife annually surveys oak trees for acorn abundance at 38 wildlife areas. This year’s survey results showed an average of 40% of white oaks and 49% of red oaks bore fruit, meaning white oak production is slightly above average and red oak production is slightly below average.
“Many of Ohio’s native wildlife species depend on oak trees and the acorns they can produce by the thousands,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “More than 90 forest wildlife species depend on acorns for survival. A small sample of these species includes deer, squirrels, wild turkeys, woodpeckers, blue jays, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, mice, ruffed grouse, and wood ducks.”
Division of Wildlife employees scan the canopies of selected oak tree wildlife areas to determine the percentage that produced acorns as well as the relative size of the acorn crop. This is the 17th year the Division of Wildlife has completed the acorn production survey. The proportion of white oaks bearing acorns increased 13% from 2020, while red oak proportion decreased 20%. The long-term average for white oak acorn production is 37%, and 55% for red oak acorn production. All results, including tables and historical numbers, can be found at wildohio.gov.
In addition to determining the presence or absence of acorns, observers estimate the percentage of each tree’s crown that is covered with acorns. The average crown coverage of acorns for white oaks was 10%, up significantly from last year’s 6% coverage and near the long-term average of 9.5%. The average crown cover for acorns for red oaks was 18%, a decrease from last year but near the long-term average of 20%.
Acorns come in two basic types: red and white. They are divided into these groups based on the type of oak tree. Red oak acorns take two years to develop, and the acorns are bitter, containing a large amount of the chemical tannin. White oak acorns take only one year to develop and have a sweeter taste.
As a critical food source for many forest wildlife species, acorn abundance has been linked to body condition, winter survival, and reproductive success. A year with low acorn abundance causes deer and other wildlife to move around more and search for food. In areas with poor acorn production, wild animals are more likely to feed near agricultural areas and forest edges.
Oak trees have value beyond food and shelter for wildlife. Collect mature acorns in the fall and place them in a bucket of water. Keep the ones that sink and discard any that float, as those won’t germinate. Store the remaining acorns in the refrigerator or outside for at least eight weeks in the winter months. Plant the acorns under a shallow covering of soil in the early spring, water regularly, and enjoy seeing your new oak trees start to grow.
Erin Allsop talks about the success of the 2021 Dance For Kids’ Sake.Board President Greg Woods addressing the audience attending the 2021 Dance For Kids’ Sake. Dan Ramey/Litter Media
For the first time in the 10 years of the event, Dance For Kids’ Sake fundraiser was held outdoors at Ohio University-Chillicothe.
Organizers moved the event to the parking lot of Shoemaker Center to offset holding it indoors due to the pandemic. Fortunately, the severe weather which had rolled through the Scioto Valley overnight had passed, creating the perfect setting for the night.
“I was up here at 5:30 this morning” said Board of Directors President Greg Woods told the audience. “Rain was moving sideways. I was speaking to a police officer working security for us and he asked ‘Are you really going to have this?’ and now look at it. It’s gorgeous!”
Dancers spent weeks preparing routines and raising funds to prepare for the event which generated an announced $67,000 for the mentoring agency.
“I’m just blown away by the generosity of our community” Executive Director Erin Allsop told Litter Media after the event. “I should know this by now because this is what our community does. Every single time, it’s like ‘Wow’ they just go above and beyond.”
Rhythmic Thunder was awarded the Children’s Champion presented to the dancer which raises the most money. The group was led by Dr. Reggina Yandila from Adena Health System. “I want to thank everyone who has helped by giving for our team” Yadila told the audience. “I know some of you did this for us, but it’s really for the kids. This is such a worthy cause.” Her team included Valerie Good, Katie Neal, Laura Adams and Ben Copher.
The Audience Choice award was given to Brad and Kelly Bigelow. Kelly, owner of Rustic Gals Boutique said she’d been approached to dance in the event before, but it was Brad who encouraged her to accept the invitation. Brad, a contractor by trade, did some remodeling inside the BBBSSCO office last summer. “When I saw the kids coming into the office and watch the ladies working with them, I knew we had to do this.”
The Judges Choice went to Marshall and Jade Berry. Marshall said participating was an easy decision because he benefitted from the agency as a child. He told the audience he personally knew the importance of the mentoring agency.
Other participants included Josh Tripp, Principal of Chillicothe Intermediate School; Johnathan Davis, Superintendent of Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center and his wife Kristen and Josie Vallette who learned last week she’d be performing in the place of Susie Webb & Allie Joseph. Webb was forced to withdraw from the event for health reasons.
For more details on volunteer opportunities with the agency, visit www.bbbssco.org or call 740-773-2447.
Brad & Kelly BigelowJade & Marshall Berry watch their video presentation on the big screen before dancing to KC & The Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight”Jonathan & Kristen Davis dance to “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease.Josie Vallette opens the competition.Josh Tripp and Celina Davis dance to “Proud Mary”
