The 2024 Wayne County 4-H Legacy Dinner was held on March 21st at the Shisler Conference Center on The Ohio State University Wooster Campus a total of over 120 guests came to enjoy to the evening with fellow local businesses and 4-H alumni. Tom Stocksdale a 4-H alumnus who has been serving on our Wayne County Agricultural Society since 1988 was our guest speaker who spoke on the importance of living out the 4-H pledge and the FFA Creed. Learning what it means to serve your community with your head, heart, hands, and health, by being active and supporting the younger generations coming up.
Bringing this evening together were our generous Emerald Clover sponsor of $2,500 given by Northeast Ohio Pork Producers, followed by our Gold and Silver Sponsors whom combined donated $5,000 to our Wayne County 4-H program. Thank you to those sponsors Farmer’s National Bank, Chad and Stephanie Bailey, The Apple Creek Banking Company, Cataldale Dairy, Jackwood Law Offices, and Wayne Savings Community Bank. There were seven individuals who made up the Legacy Dinner committee working extremely hard at putting this dinner together in support of the Wayne County 4-H program. These individuals were Tom Stocksdale, Jocelyn White, Jennifer Norman, Jenna Barbour, Joyce Varns, Marium Zech, Priscilla Sprang, along with others that helped with videos or setting up the day of. I am very thankful for all of those that helped coordinate all the details in putting this dinner together.
The evening started off with a cocktail reception sponsored by Troutman Vineyards with appetizers served by Exclusively Yours Catering. During this hour there was a silent auction of 13 baskets donated by local businesses, families and Wayne County 4-H clubs. Thank you to the Smithie Whiz Kids, Horses R Us, Canaan Hoof N Hide, Dalton Equestrians & More, Dalton Kidron Big 4, Milton Shamrocks, Blachleyville 4-H Club, Country Strong, Jefferson Pioneers, Sarchione Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, The Tedrow Family and Farmer’s National Bank. Dinner was served at 6:30 pm with a beef entrée sponsored by Certified Angus Beef and a chicken entrée sponsored by Gerber Poultry. Exclusively Yours Catering did a phenomenal job at presenting the meal. The tables were decorated with beautiful flowers that were designed and arranged by Country Daisy Floral and the Norwayne FFA Floriculture Team.
Our auctioneer for the night, Jed Acker, auctioned off our six live auction items. Item one was 4 club level tickets to a Cleveland Guardians game donated by Farmers National Bank, item two a case of wines along with a wine barrel donated by Troutman Vineyards, Canaan Meats donated auction items three and four of half a hog and half a beef customed processed. Live auction number five sponsored by our Wayne County Agricultural Society a package of 4 admission along with 4 tickets to any event at the Wayne County Fair coming up this year September 7-12, 2024. Lastly, auction number six was a 3-day, 2 night getaway package from Hocking Hills in the Aquaris Cabin, followed by our camp scholarships rounding up the event.
We want to thank each and every one of those businesses and families that supported our program that evening. Silen Auction raised #1,120 our live auction items raised $3,470 and our camp scholarships totaled $3,270. We again are so blessed to live in a county where our kids are supported.
Diane Johnson is a 4-H Program Assistant for OSU Extension - Wayne County. If you are interested in joining 4-H, or have any questions she can be reached at johnson.9505@osu.edu or 330-264-8722.
This article was previously published in The Daily Record.