Barnesville Chamber Banquet Recap

Jill Hissom and Citizen of the Year Nancy Napolitano

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

By Bruce Yarnall, Barnesville Area News

Napolitano Named Citizen of the Year at Chamber Banquet

Nancy Napolitano, nursing manager at The Walton Home, was selected as the 2025 Barnesville Citizen of the Year at last Thursday night’s Barnesville Community Spring Banquet of the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce.

In making the surprise announcement, Chamber President John Rataiczak introduced the honored guest with the following introduction.

“Nancy (Nelson) Napolitano, calm harbor to countless Ohio Valley helpers, was born outside of The Ville, way up north on the shores of Erie to Raymond and Doris Nelson, the first girl in a family of 7.  She was perfectly suited to a family that spent many hours on Boy Scout trips, which she refused to be left behind for when her father led the troop.  She was a restless teen with little interest in teenage politics or dramatics, and despite her smarts she did not find her way in school until she met her one true love.  Horses.

“Nancy campaigned, worked, saved, and borrowed to attend the prestigious Meredith Manor, and earned her place as an esteemed trainer, patient teacher, and tireless worker.  She met her late husband Ralph Napolitano working at the Rocky River Stables in the Cleveland Metroparks.  To say she and Ralph trained dozens of racers would be a great understatement.  Nancy learned to understand the rhythms of her racers, and jumpers, and pleasure horses with the same quiet patience and nose to the grindstone work ethic that has made her an irreplaceable pillar of the Community of Barnesville.

“Nancy went back to college to learn a new mammal, the homo sapien, around the time horseracing was on the decline in Ohio. She was perfectly suited after Nursing School to begin working with the aged population, which led her right back here to town, working for the quiet, patient, peaceful Quakers at the Walton Retirement Home.

“Nancy reserves her opinion, living truly by the Four Way Test of Rotary with great attention to detail: Is it honest? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?  And if not, she is there to reassure us….”It’ll All Be OK.”

Napolitano, who was overcome with emotion, thanked the Chamber and her adopted hometown citizens for the honor.    

Featured Speaker Robert Horsey and Special Guest Jody Miller

Robert Horsey

(Bruce Yarnall photo)  

In making the speaker’s introduction, Chamber President John Rataiczak said that April as National Donate Life Month is an excellent time to educate about organ, eye and tissue donation, and to honor and remember donors and the lives they have saved and healed.

Both Rataiczak and Horsey urged the audience to sign up as an organ donor noting the task can be completed at the Barnesville BMV. John also gave a shout out to the BMV’s new director Kaylee Arnold.    

Robert Horsey, a novelist, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and critical care nurse, has dedicated most of his 25-year career to the field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Horsey’s appearance was sponsored by Cheffy Drugs in honor of Linda Turkaly, a two-time organ recipient. She is the recipient of one live donation in 2008 and a kidney in 2014.

His informative PowerPoint presentation guided guests through the live and deceased donor organ and tissue process dating back to its start in the 1950s.

An expert in the field, Horsey, is an employee of the Indiana Donor Network. He is the author of the book, GIFTED, and is a keynote speaker and subject matter expert on the topic of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Horsey is also CEO of Gifted Productions, and the Creator and Executive Producer of the upcoming film series Gifted: The Docuseries. 

Robert hails from Carmel, Indiana where he lives with his wife Courtney and her sons, Michael and Ozzy.  

Jody Miller and Robert Horsey

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

A special guest speaker of the program was Ohio Valley resident Jody Miller whose daughter was an organ donor and a victim of an alcohol related car crash in 2008.  

The story of Heather Miller’s selfless donations is the focus of Horsey’s first episode in his docuseries.    

Heather Miller, 21, was just weeks away from graduating from the West Virginia University School of Nursing and planned on continuing her education in Critical Care and becoming a Nurse Anesthetist at the time of her death.

She was a registered organ donor. Five organ were recovered and four transplanted. She “gifted” her heart, both kidneys, and liver. Through her tissue donation, she enhanced the lives of over 50 people.

Her parents established a nonprofit foundation and launched a memorial golf tournament at Crispin Course at Oglebay Park that marks its 18^th year this July. The foundation has sponsored 247 nursing scholarships at WVU since its inception.   

Cultural Impact Award – Barnesville State Theater Company  

Representatives of the State Theater Company joined with in President Roger Johnson following the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce Banquet to celebrate receiving the Cultural Impact Award.  

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

Thursday night Chamber President John Rataiczak awarded the 2025 Cultural Impact Award to

the three-year-old Barnesville State Theater Company whose many volunteers have devoted over 4,000 towards the restoration and reuse of the town’s historic 100-year-old movie house.

In accepting the award, Johnson thanked the community for its support and his appreciation for the volunteers and board members who are making this project happen.

Johnson also shared the hope the group will host a live event at the West Main Street theater later this year!   

Roger Johnson, Barnesville State Theater Company president, shared comments with attendees at the Barnesville Chamber Banquet last Thursday night.

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

President John Rataiczak’s award introductory remarks follow:  

“There’s a movement going on in Barnesville!

“Do you know what local organization has accomplished the following:

· Have developed a strong board to lead a community project after a Barnesville businessman donated a historic building to them.

· Have had over 4,000 volunteer hours stabilizing the building and removing years of accumulated refuse.

· Have replaced the roof on the building to stop further decay and damage of the historical building that was built in 1925 and served as a local icon and meeting place for years before it was shuttered in 1969.

· Have secured the assistance of MSA Design one of the leading architectural firms in the country to design the plans and whose CEO is a Barnesville High School Alumni.

· Have raised almost $400,000 since August 2022 and of those funds almost 85% Have been from local citizens.

· Have received grants from Ohio Department of Development, The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, Belmont County Tourism, and the Ohio Arts Council.

· Have hosted summer concerts, held drive-by breakfast food sales, bake sales, lunch sales, raffled a golf cart, held a car show and vintage sale that was a huge success last summer along with many other fundraisers.

· Have the goal of providing the very best venue and the very best opportunity for young and old to perform as well as enjoy good, wholesome, diverse family entertainment.

· Have a goal to become “Western Belmont County’s Capital Music Hall” as a gift to the community.

· Hopes to create an economic impact to the town of Barnesville and surrounding areas and be what catapults the beginning of the streets of our town into a bustling busy place with the restaurants and shops benefiting from those attending events in the building.

“If you guessed the Barnesville State Theater Company …. you are correct!

“The saying it takes a Village applies here and the Barnesville State Theater Company Board and many Volunteers will continue to work diligently to bring you a one-of-a-kind event venue that will spark downtown development and perhaps even help develop someone’s dream of becoming a future movie star, comedian, or musician. The BSTC has set high goals and believes bringing diverse programs and entertainment will not only help economic development but also expand the culture of those who attend the various events we hope to bring to town for all to learn and enjoy and most of all grow.”

Spotlight Leadership Award – Heather Eberhart, Liza Ralston and Devin Blair

Jill Hissom, Heather Eberhart and Liza Ralston

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

As an introduction of the three award winners, all BHS teachers, for this honor, Rataiczak shared the following Citizen of the Year Award submission: 

“Barnesville has always had talent, but thanks to Mr. Devin Blair, our music and theater programs are reaching new heights!

“This musical genius isn’t just a teacher and coach, he’s a band and choir extraordinaire, a marching band magician, and a musical theater mastermind all rolled into one.

“In just one year, he’s taken our humble band from 20 members to a rocking 49. The musical theater program has exploded with a record-breaking 77 students!     

“Thanks to Mr. Blair’s infectious passion for music and the arts, our community is now buzzing with excitement with now having over 86 join the spring musical! The sold-out performances and added showing of the musical are proof that he’s not just a teacher, he’s a musical miracle worker.

“The count down to the musical reveal has become a Barnesville tradition, and the whole district can’t help but get swept up in the excitement!

“Mr. Blair isn’t just teaching notes and rhythms – he’s nurturing a love for music that’s spreading like wildfire. His impact on our students goes far beyond the stage, instilling a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

“He is deserving of all the standing ovations and this recognition for his outstanding contributions to our school and community.”

Rataiczak continued,

“Devin will tell you that he hasn’t done this all alone. He’s a team with Liza Jones Ralston & Heather Eberhart who are here tonight.  It’s their talents, their leadership and their passion not only for the arts, but especially for their students.

“Liza’s choreography!

“Heather’s leadership and talent…..and as an extra mention, her Senior English Class has been AMAZING to work with to help us get our Eat, Shop Support Local message out to the community in a big way.”

And as a testament to Blair’s dedication, Rataiczak shared that he was unable to attend the event using his time that night, instead, to volunteer for the St. Clairsville High School’s Spring musical rehearsal.   

Barnesville Architectural Review Committee Award  

L-R, Luke Johnson, ARC chair; Wayne Lapham and Susan Lapham, awardees; Melissa Leach and Lynda Mayberry, ARC members.

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

Wayne and Susan Lapham were the recipients of the Second Barnesville Architectural Review Committee’s Certificate of Appreciation Award for improving the Barnesville Downtown Historic District.  

The Laphams own two downtown buildings and have launched two businesses – Avenues of Barnesville (2013) and the Blue Moon Tavern (2015). Susan is a driving force for the downtown summer hanging flower basket project, serves as a committee member of the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, and the couple hosts a downtown chili cook off contest each fall.

The first award in this category was presented to businessman and building owner Bill Knox at last year’s banquet.

Lively and Entertaining Auction Nets Over $1,600

Auctioneer Memphis Blackstone and Jill Hissom

(Bruce Yarnall photo)

Prior to the awards ceremony, 12-year-old auctioneer Memphis Blackstone, a student at Shenandoah Elementary School, entertained the group with his expert auctioneer skills. He lives on a farm

and is quite familiar with the weekly Barnesville Livestock Auction.  

Blackstone entertained the crowd with a variety of techniques including jokes to elicit and encourage bidding. He was able to raise $1,600 for the chamber hawking donated items including a purse from Avenues of Barnesville, a Johnson Family Pottery crock, an Ohio State inscribed lawn stone from Braido Memorials and a 2025-26 John and Jill video promo for the winning bidder’s business.     

Young Blackstone walked off the stage to a standing ovation!

Chamber President’s Barnesville Update

John Rataiczak started out the evening by noting “things are happening in town”. This year, we have a new Welcome to Barnesville mural. Cheffy Drugs turns 100 this year. The Mansion Museum is alive. The BHS Spring Musical was spectacular, and the Barnesville State Theater Company project is moving along.

Membership for the Barnesville Chamber has increased to 260 members this year. The number of followers on Facebook has increased from 4,200 to 6,100 in two years.

The John and Jill Videos have logged 118,000 views and 208,000 live views for a total of 326,000.

“The Chamber Board members have devoted “endless hours for the BMV, building lease, building repairs, finances, surveys and getting our message out,” the president said before introducing board members Chris Baker, Barb Ballint, Heather Eddy, Jake Hershberger, Larissa Jones and the board’s two newest members Deb Brown and Kyle Wojtasek.

The president also congratulated the following local recipients of Belmont County Tourism Council GAP Grants: Barnesville State Theater, Barnesville Airport Day, Barnesville Chamber, Cline Road Tractor Pulls, Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, Barnesville Village Murals, Barnesville Depot Committee and Watt Center for History and the Arts. The local grants total $32,000 or 28 percent of grants awarded countywide.       

Members of local Girl Scout Troop 10065 helped with meal during the April 10 Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

(Barnesville Chamber photo)    

Three veterans of Barnesville High School musicals, Linkoln Jendrusik, Peyton Steed and Landon Harris provided an uplifting rendition of the National Anthem prior to the meal while Zach Thoenen gave the invocation.

Mayor Jake Hershberger provided comments prior to the meal.   

Dr. Millard Neal provided music for the event. Neal’s appearance was sponsored by WVU Medicine/Barnesville  

Key “Heart” Sponsors for the event were Baker IT Services, Belmont Savings Bank, Heather and Jason Eddy, Ohio Hills Health Centers and Woodsfield Savings Bank.

Centerpiece creators/sponsors for the Chamber’s first Centerpiece Contest included Avenues of Barnesville, Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library, Barnesville Kiwanis, Bill Knox CPA, Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, Bless Your Heart, Blossoms, Candi’s Creations, Malaga Garden Center, Northwest Title, Sandy Fisher, Steele Insurance, Walton Retirement Home, WesBanco and In Memory of John and Evelyn Sampson.