One organization, five individuals to receive Zeisberger Heckewelder Medal on May 13
DENNISON ‒ One organization and five individuals will be honored by the Tuscarawas County Historical Society at its annual Founders Day Banquet and Zeisberger Heckewelder Awards on May 13.
The recipients of the 2025 Zeisberger Heckewelder Medal are the Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation, Jack Ream, Scott Robinson, Jeff and Heidi Ross and Mildred 'Millie' Weston.
The Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation was founded in 1994 and has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the history of Fort Laurens. Fort Laurens is significant as the only Revolutionary War fort built in Ohio. As stated in the nomination, the Friends of Fort Laurens have worked 'to revitalize the fort's legacy and educate the public about its importance.' The Friends have conducted many fundraising campaigns, written grants, and reached out to the community to gain funding to rebuild the fort's structure.
Jack Ream, a lifelong resident of Tuscarawas County, founded the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry in 2003. Over the years the pantry has provided food to thousands of people facing difficulties and has also provided a unifying cause for local churches. Ream was also a principal organizer of Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County and the establishment of the homeless shelter in New Philadelphia.
Scott Robinson, executive director of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, has supported local history and heritage in Tuscarawas County for more than 30 years. He has served on the board of the Dennison Depot Railroad Museum for 35 years and helping the Depot create a vision that included taking on a larger leadership role in the community with the Clay Capital Heritage Center, and in the 15 years the Depot operated Historic Schoenbrunn Village. Robinson is the executive director of the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation.
Jeff and Heidi Ross have worked as volunteers in several activities. For almost 15 years they participated in Ohio Hospice's Culinary Capers. They started Ross's Mountain BBQ and donated their food products to many charities and fundraisers. One organization that was special to them was Sports for Sound, a non-profit organization that raises money for low-income hearing-impaired individuals in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties. Jeff and Heidi also volunteer their culinary services for Wounded Warrior events and Wounded Warrior fall hunting events.
Mildred 'Millie' Weston is devoted to Tuscarawas County through her profession, her church, and as a volunteer. As a nurse, Weston has served as a mentor to those around her. She began her career as a private duty nurse for Union and Twin City Hospitals. She ended her nursing career in 2007 as the director of nursing at New Dawn Health Care in Dover. She is an active member and volunteer at the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church, having roles as a Bible study leader, a member of the Women's Fellowship and Board of Elders, and spending many years decorating the church for Advent and Christmas. She has been a long-time volunteer at Historic Schoenbrunn Village.
The banquet will take place at 6 p.m. at the Streetside Center, 415 Center St., Dennison. Cost is $30. Reservations are required and due by May 1. Reservations can be made by sending payment and a list of attendees to the Tuscarawas County Historical Society, P.O. Box 462, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County Historical Society plans annual Founders Day Banquet
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