Troy Balderson Tours Coshocton County

Saturday, 21 June 2008 16:54

Troy Balderson, candidate for the 94th Disctrict Ohio House of Representatives tours Coshocton County in his ongoing effort to learn more about the area, people, and offerings of this magnificant area. Troy took part in the Coshocton County Convention and Visitors Bureau Coshocton familiarization tour that was offered free to the public. The Convention & Visitors Bureau invited local and regional elected officials so they could see the positive attribues of the county. Troy, since he is running for the House of Representatives, accepted the offer. "I wanted to learn more about my district," he said. "I wanted to learn what Coshocton has to offer. It's why I took the tour and I'm glad I did."

Read the full story originally published Coshocton Tribune.

June 12, 2008

Residents familiarize themselves with the area

By LEONARD HAYHURST
Staff Writer

COSHOCTON - Even if you have lived in Coshocton County your entire life you might not know all the attractions the county has to offer.

That is one of the main reasons the Coshocton County Convention and Visitors Bureau offered a Coshocton familiarization tour free to the public.

"We're offering the tour for several reasons," said Belinda Williamson of the Coshocton County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "One is for frontline employees in town so they can better talk about the county. When someone comes in from outside the county and asks what there is to do or what is going on this weekend or where to eat they will know what to tell them."

One of the employees who took the tour was Jim Felton of Village Marathon Station. As the first gas station most see when they enter the Coshocton area they get a lot of out-of-town visitors.

He said that station owner Pat Fennel wanted him to "touch base" with the area and he took notes frequently through the tour.

"The more we know about the area the more we can promote other businesses," he said.

Williamson said they have also invited local and regional elected officials so they can see that everything is not "doom and gloom" in the county. Troy Balderson, who is running for the House of Representatives, accepted the offer.

"I wanted to learn more about my district," he said. "I wanted to learn what Coshocton has to offer. It's why I took the tour and I'm glad I did."

Also invited were travel writers, media and visitor bureau representatives from surrounding counties.

"We want to share the story of Coshocton with them and let them know what is going on and update them on things if they haven't been here for a few years and also allow networking," said Williamson.

Steve Schillig recently became the regional director for the small business development center of Kent State in New Philadelphia and took the tour for some of those reasons.

"I'm new to the region and the area and wanted to learn about Coshocton County so when sites and places are mentioned I know where they're at and have been there," he said. "And I get to meet the people on the bus and interact with them."

Wednesday's bus tour, which included 54 people, was the second the bureau has done and both have gone very well.

"I've had people who have lived here their whole lives say they have never been inside somewhere we've gone or knew that about something," said Williamson.

That was experienced by Dave Rogers who is a shift supervisor for Annin & Co. and a village councilman for West Lafayette.

"I've lived here all my life and there are still things I didn't know," he said. "I picked up a lot of things I wasn't aware of."

The tour started going around downtown Coshocton and made a stop at the Pomerene Center for the Arts.

"It's an amazing opportunity," said Anne Cornell who greeted the tour at the center. "The visitors bureau works hard in bringing people in and they are always amazed at the art community here in Coshocton and we're anxious to get that out in full."

From there the tour buzzed through West Lafayette and made a stop at Raven's Glenn Winery, where owner Bob Guilliams said he was giving the "Wizard of Oz tour" of what goes on behind the scenes there.

It was then across the street to Unusual Junction and the newly reopened freight car area where tour members were given a few minutes to freely explore.

"I have never been in a business community like this where everyone works together and are this close in doing things for each other," said Stacy Pettit of the Ohio Exchange Co. in the train shops.

From there, the tour took a trip on the Monticello III canal boat and had a box lunch prepared by Hopewell Industries.

After lunch, the tour finished with stops at the Woodbury Wildlife Area, Clary Gardens, where a new ampitheater is being built, and the Johnson-Humrickhouse in Roscoe Village. That's not mention several other sites that the bus went by and was pointed out by Williamson as the tour guide.

"I wish every single person in Coshocton County could take this tour," said Dixie Wyler, group sales and special events manager for Roscoe Village.

The Wednesday tour was the last the visitors bureau is offering for the time being, but those interested in the program may contact the bureau at 740-622-4877.

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