Opinion: Citizen of the Year Shares

In accepting the Citizen of the Year Award from the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce at the recent Community Spring Banquet, honoree Nancy Napolitano reflected on receiving the honor and her adopted hometown.  

On April 10^th, 2025 during the Barnesville Community Spring Banquet, I received the surprise of a lifetime that rendered me speechless and humbled beyond description: to be named Barnesville Citizen of the Year is an honor that was far beyond my imagination. It was an evening to remember. I feel so fortunate and am so blessed just being a part of the community of Barnesville, Ohio. My co-workers nominating me is so humbling; I have great admiration and love for my Walton family and have enjoyed my position at Walton Retirement Home for the past 15 years.

I remember coming to Barnesville from Cleveland more than 40 years ago hoping this new town would be a nice place to live and work. My family and I arrived here, had never even visited Barnesville before making the move, and within the first week we knew we would call Barnesville “Home.”  Everyone I met in Barnesville was friendly and would wave as you pass. Even so, the first year was an adjustment and I had a few episodes of “culture shock” I chuckle about now from big city to small town. We spent just a few months in town before leaving again for the summer months to train Thoroughbred horses to race at Thistledown in Cleveland. Everyone asked, “You will be home for the festival, won’t you?” or “You need to be home for Pumpkin Fest!” And so, we were home for the last full weekend of September every year.

Barnesville Ohio – home of the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, where no one learned our name – at least not right away – but greeted us as the horse people from “up north” and were always welcoming and glad to see us. I remember the first time we were invited to participate in the new Pet Show and the Parade, which has grown to be described as Giant. Barnesville welcomed us and greeted us warmly everywhere we went to bank, worship, “eat, shop,” or “support local!”

Barnesville is blessed with its hospital and community centered health services on both ends and in the middle of town. This village has everything you need, and if needs exceed, the area close by provides.

Barnesville is truly “Where History Meets Progress” and the schools, churches, businesses, and the many community clubs and organizations are involved and concerned for each other. The older folk of this little town rally around the youth of Barnesville. From the Barnesville Area Education Foundation, the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce to the Barnesville Community Foundation, and the many non-profits, from the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, The Watt Center, to the Barnesville State Theater Co., The Depot Committee and more, all work towards growth and to preserve and restore history and values for generations to come.

My perspective is people, people, and more people that are compassionate, caring and involved in community service and helping each other, and teaching the youth to help each other. There are so many people that I have had the pleasure of getting to know who are my inspiration and role models, too numerous to name.  Just take note of all the organizations and service clubs in Barnesville: Rotary, Kiwanis, Mothers Clubs, Junior Women’s Club, Boosters, Barnesville Area Ministerial Association, Scouts, just to name a few. Caring about people and caring about community is what Barnesville is all about.

I want to express my gratitude to the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce and congratulate all those who received awards. Each demonstrates such commitment and dedication to this extra special village where “History Meets Progress.”

Nancy Napolitano