Local mother of four wins Chevy Trailblazer; Women’s History Month: Emma Caldwell Gatewood; Remembering Tom Daugherty
Mansfield woman wins free Chevy in United Way raffle:
Emma “Grandma” Gatewood became Ohio’s most famous hiker:
Maple Syrup Festival begins at Malabar Farm:
A local mother of four was the winner of this year’s “Win a 2022 Chevy Trailblazer” raffle fundraiser for United Way of Richland County.
Shawauna Smith wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. The mother of four stood smiling, but dazed, in front of her new car. Smith was the winner of this year’s “Win a 2022 Chevy Trailblazer” raffle fundraiser for United Way of Richland County.
And while Smith purchased six tickets for $100, she didn’t expect to win. The 43 year old is a lifelong Mansfield resident. And she’s been working on getting her credit score up so she can replace her old car, which is 11 years old and far past its prime.
So when Dan Varn, the executive director of United Way of Richland County, handed her the keys to a new Chevy Trailblazer donated by Graham Chevrolet of Mansfield, she was thrilled. The fundraiser generated more than $17,000. It’s the second year in a row that Graham Chevrolet and United Way have partnered for the giveaway. Last year’s winner was Shannon Hatfield, manager of The Domestic Violence Shelter.
The 1,000 tickets went much faster this time around, nearly selling out in the first three months of the fundraiser. United Way will end its centennial fundraising campaign with its annual dinner on March 15. So far, they’ve reached about 90 percent of their $1.4 million target.
United Way provides funding to more than a dozen partner agencies in Richland County, including the local American Red Cross Chapter, Catalyst Life Services, Catholic Charities, the Domestic Violence Shelter, Friendly House, Harmony House Homeless Services, Third Street Family Health Services and more.
Meet Emma Caldwell Gatwood
Next, some local history. To celebrate Women’s history month, we’re featuring famous women from our state. Emma Caldwell Gatewood had left her life in Gallia County Ohio in May of 1955 with the goal of hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one continuous go.
The trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, a distance of 2,055 miles. When she set off, only five people had managed to hike the whole trail – and they had all been men. The woods had always been Emma’s source of comfort and escape from an abusive husband. And she really didn’t think the hike was that big of a deal. In fact, the only thing she told her children was that she “was going for a walk.”
When she started her hike in 1955 she had none of these luxuries. Her “backpack” was a denim sack that she sewed together herself, and in it she stuffed a shower curtain for shelter, a blanket, a few simple food items, first-aid supplies, and a coat. She had a pair of Keds tennis shoes on her feet.
She completed the trail in September, becoming the first woman to hike alone the entire length of the world’s longest continuous footpath. But Emma was only getting started. She would go on to hike the AT again in 1957, then again in 1964.
Emma is America’s most famous hiker and was the best ambassador for the Appalachian Trail. She is credited for helping save the nation’s foremost trail. But she never lost her love for Ohio’s forests and natural places. By the time she eventually “retired” from hiking, she had hiked a total of 14,000 miles!
Maple Syrup Festival begins
Next, Perfect weather greeted the first day of Malabar Farm’s traditional Maple Syrup Festival. The annual event returns this spring after a hiatus last year. Visitors from as far as Texas walked the trails over the farm’s property on the first day of the four-day event.
Youngsters toured the barnyard with goats, chickens and more strolling the fields. Horse-drawn wagons continuously brought folks up toward Pugh Cabin and dropped them off behind the famed Sugar Shack.
Approximately 1,000 trees were tapped this year, up from 750 last season. The festival will continue again next weekend, March 12, and 13, from noon to 4 p.m. And the Big House at Malabar Farm is also open for tours as part of the event.
Tom Daugherty
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Tom Daugherty of Mansfield. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn. Tom operated Daugherty’s Full Service Sohio Station, Vehicle Repair Shop, Restaurant, and Grocery Store & Meat Market.
It was much more than a business, it was a family operation that was a hub for the area. To live in Southern Richland County was to know Tom Daugherty. The culture of community he fostered was attractive and inviting: a comfortable place to work, eat, service your car and even pick-up a few groceries, and Tom’s personal magnetism, kindness and generosity lent to the overwhelming importance of “Daugherty’s” to the people in the region. Tom was a magnet and a loyal friend.
Born in 1930 in Canton, he graduated from Madison High School in 1948. He served in the Korean War in the 341st Engineer Panel Bridge Company of the 8th Army, and was awarded a commendation medal. He was a fifty-year member of American Legion Post #535, a member AMVETS Post #43, and Korean War Veterans Association.
Tom was a charter member of Washington Township Fire Department, serving from 1949 and as the department Fire Chief from 1963 to 1972. Tom enjoyed fishing in all the waters of the world, dining out and square dancing. It was a stop for square dancing at Club 13 one autumn evening in 1953 that he met his wife Marilyn Ammons.
Remembered as a talented mechanic and honest man – worthy of trust, steady and reliable, he had a wealth of knowledge and never met a stranger. Tom loved his family unconditionally, and attributed his longevity to Bud Lite! He is survived by his children, grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and brothers.
