79th annual Danville Raccoon Dinner to support Dalton Sheldon Fund:
There’s no way around it: Ashland is getting a roundabout — at zero cost to the city, officials tout:
Judith J. Watson:
The 2022 Danville Lions Club Raccoon Dinner was held this past Monday at the St. Luke’s Community Center. The meal was served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. Of course, the chances of being turned away from Monday night’s festivities empty-handed were pretty slim. Almost 500 pounds of raccoon was prepared for dinner, along with a plethora of more conventional dishes: mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, mixed vegetables, and a generous serving of fresh homemade cornbread.
A limited amount of ham was also prepared for those who wanted to attend, but whose health might not have permitted them to consume the actual raccoon.
However, the Danville Raccoon dinner hasn’t always been such a big shindig. Clyde Banbury and Clyde Cornell hosted the first one back in 1943…out of Banbury’s basement. Only 30 people attended. But it only took a few years for interest in the annual dinner to see a dramatic rise–and soon, it would be moved to the cafeteria of the elementary building nearby. And soon after that, speakers and guest musicians began to be included as part of the program.
The Raccoon dinner has seen many notable guests over the years. Participants come from all over the United States and Canada. Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes, a couple of OSU head coaches, football players, and their former athletic director, a few professional athletes, some broadcasting moguls, a senator or two, have all come through at one point or another to sample the unique cuisine. In fact, the raccoon dinner has drawn patronage from all the way in Russia and Egypt.
And once a gentleman flew up from Missouri in his airplane just for dinner. This year, Knox Pages’ own reporter – Grant Pepper – made an appearance. Though his attendance wasn’t necessarily voluntary: he’d lost a bet with some of his fellow journalists after claiming Knox pages couldn’t supersede its sister publication, the Richland Source, in new membership by the end of 2021. But the Source concluded the year with 60 new members, and Richland had only 56. So it was off to the raccoon dinner for Pepper.
Pepper said he was glad to have lost the bet, though. He was grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a longstanding tradition….and of course, eat some raccoon. While the raccoons might take center stage, the dinner is first and foremost a fundraising event–remaining in line with the Danville Lions Club motto, “we serve.”
This year, the Lions club has chosen to support the Dalton Sheldon Fund. Dalton suffered from a traumatic brain injury after a 2019 automobile accident, and relearning mobility, communication, and many other necessary daily tasks has not been an easy journey. He’s currently confined to a wheelchair. Net proceeds of the 2022 Raccoon Dinner will be used to outfit Dalton’s home to meet his needs for a hcp bathroom, door widening, and necessary rehab equipment. If you weren’t able to attend, direct donations to Dalton’s fund are still welcome. You can send them to Danville Lions Club for Dalton Sheldon Fund, PO Box 506, Danville, OH 43014.
Pro fitness competitor Jen Hendershott hails from Ashland
Now, some local history. Did you know that Jenny Hendershott is a professional fitness competitor from Ashland? She has won a number of fitness competitions including the Fitness International and Fitness Olympia events in 2005. S
he is known for her highly innovative and difficult gymnastic routines as well as the camps she runs around the world where she helps women get serious about diet and exercise.
Ashland monitors homeless issue
Next, From Ashland Source. The air in Ashland one Friday in mid-January registered around 20 degrees when police got a call from a frustrated employee at a gas station off U.S. 250.
The caller said a man was being a nuisance inside the station’s store, asking patrons for money and rides. Officers weren’t surprised by the call. A patrolman had helped the man, who was in his 20s, by giving him a ride to the gas station earlier in the day. The thought was maybe the man could find a ride to his apartment in Wooster from there. But that was hours ago. It was now 1 a.m.
The man, now outside, wore an unzipped puffy jacket and sagging jeans. He paced the sidewalk, arms crossed tightly to keep warm. For the next hour or so, police learned the man hadn’t taken his prescribed medication for schizophrenia in the last four days. Still, the man did not meet the criteria to be hospitalized. He also couldn’t be jailed — and Ashland County does not have a homeless shelter for men.
Ultimately police drove the man halfway to Wooster, where he lived. There, the officer was met by a Wooster police officer in New Pittsburg, who then transported him to his apartment. Unfortunately, the scenario sounds familiar to several social workers in Ashland. It also represents a glaring issue in the area: the lack of emergency shelter for men and limited affordable housing.
Judith Watson
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of Judith Watson, of Mansfield. Born in Mansfield, Judy graduated from St. Peter’s Catholic High School with the Class of 1960 and from The Ohio State University in 1964; later earning her MBA from Ashland University.
She worked for Ohio Edison for 28 years as a Home Economist in Marion, Youngstown and Mansfield, and Corporation Director of Consumer Affairs in Akron. Following early retirement, she was a part-time instructor at Ashland University, communications consultant at the Richland Carousel and a welcomed addition to the Friendly House staff for 8 years as Accounting and Payroll Clerk. Judy was a past member of Altrusa International in Mansfield.
Judy is remembered fondly by her friends and classmates as a loyal friend. She was a kind, gentle lady who was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed entertaining. She loved decorating her home, especially at Christmas time. Judy and her husband traveled extensively and cherished one another’s company. Her favorite vacation was to walk on the beaches of Sanibel Island, Florida, with long-time travel companions, Charles and Hannah Alexander, and gather shells.
Judith is survived by her devoted husband of 29 years. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, nephew, niece, step daughter, their children, and other dear family and friends. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Judy’s life.
