Tuscarawas County roundup: News from the Dover-New Philadelphia area

Tickets available for Polar Express

DENNISON − Tickets for the Polar Express train rides at the Dennison Depot Museum are on sale and range in price $51 to $82. All passengers 1-year-old and up must have a seat. All tickets have an additional $3 ticket fee that is non-refundable. These train rides are based on the award-winning book “The Polar Express,” by Chris Van Allsburg. The museum operates 24 trips from Dec. 5 through 15. For more information, visit https://dennisondepot.org/polar-express. To buy tickets, visit http://dennisondepot.eventbrite.com or call 740-922-6776.

Dates and times are as follows:

• Dec. 5 and 6 at 6 and 8 p.m.
• Dec. 7 and 8 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
• Dec. 12 and 13 at 6 and 8 p.m.
• Dec. 14 and 15 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.

Ghost Chase 5K and Kids’ Run is Oct. 19

DOVER − The Ghost Chase 5K and Kids’ Run sponsored by the Dover Knights of Columbus will be held Oct. 19. The 5K begins at 9 a.m. The race will start and finish by the Dover Knights of Columbus Hall at the end of West Ninth Street near the Warther Museum lower parking lot. The Halloween-themed race will take runners and walkers on a course that features dirt roads, cemetery paths and city streets.

Door prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. All participants will receive a shirt. Awards will be presented to the top three men and women finishers and top three finishers in each age group. The Kids’ Run will start at 8:45 a.m. and is about 400 yards for young children. No registration is needed, and all the children will receive a ribbon.

All proceeds from the race benefit the Dover Knights of Columbus activities in support of St. Joseph Church and Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary School.

Registration is $25 through Saturday. The registration fee will be $30 the week before the race. Participants can register at www.runsignup.com .

Learn about Guatemala

DOVER − As part of the ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dover Fourth & Faith and Dover Library will host Jeff Bray, advocate for the Guatemalan community, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fourth & Faith, at the corner of Fourth Street and North Wooster Avenue. Bray will share information about the history and culture of Guatemala and speak about challenges our Latino neighbors face.

Church dedicates playground

DOVER − Winfield Community Church, 5247 state Route 516 NW, recently dedicated a new playground. The playground is open to the community. Members of the church donated their time and money to complete the project. The playground is part of a bigger vision for Winfield to house a Christian school beginning in August 2025. For more information email school@winfieldchurch.org.

Carryout spaghetti dinner

MIDVALE − The Midvale Methodist Church, 4383 State St., will have a curbside carryout spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday (or until sold out). Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread and a brownie. Cost is a donation.

Fall festivals at libraries

NEW PHILADELPHIA − The Tuscarawas County main library will have a fall festival at 5 p.m. Wednesday with fall-themed crafts and activities. The Bolivar branch will have a fall festival at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, with a glow-in-the-dark game room, crafts and snacks.

For more information or to register www.tusclibrary.org.

New Philadelphia FD to host open house

NEW PHILADELPHIA − The New Philadelphia Fire Department will have an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Lowes Home Improvement will provide food. WTUZ will do a live remote.

Quaker Foundation picks Homecoming event honorees

NEW PHILADELPHIA − The New Philadelphia City Schools Quaker Foundation has selected its 30th annual homecoming event honorees. Harold Bud Winn Jr. is the Retired Educator honoree, Chris Born will receive the Quaker Foundation Spirit Award, and Pixie Breehl Denham has been selected to receive the Quaker Foundation Merit Award. They will be presented with awards Friday at the New Philadelphia High School homecoming football game. Each year during homecoming, the Quaker Foundation recognizes groups or individuals for dedicated service to the New Philadelphia City Schools either inside or outside the classroom.

The Quaker Foundation will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Tuscora Park Pavilion. Tickets will be $5 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Quaker Foundation.

Tusky Valley grads receive grants

NEW PHILADELPHIA − Alayna Burrier and Reed Maloon, 2024 graduates of Tuscarawas Valley High School, each received a $1,000 Nellie Stockwell Memorial Grant in Aid. The grant is named after the first librarian at the New Philadelphia location of the County Library System and awarded by Friends of the Tuscarawas County Public Library

Mac Steele selected for All State Choir

NEW PHILADELPHIA − New Philadelphia High School Choir member Mac Steele has been selected to be a member of the All State Choir for 2025. Mac, a senior, has been a member of Concert Choir, Vox, and is a three-year member of the Delphian Chorale. He was selected by audition from more than 1,000 students from across the state to sing with this group, which will perform Feb. 7 at the OMEA Professional Conference at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland.

Mentoring program in Newcomerstown gets grant

NEW PHILADELPHIA − The Thomas R. Little Memorial Fund has awarded $4,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio for the mentoring program at Newcomerstown West Elementary.

The program pairs 35 students from West Elementary with high school or Kent State University students each week throughout the school year. These pairs engage in structured activities designed to foster social emotional learning, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, goal setting, personal responsibility, decision making, and optimistic thinking.

Guatemalan students receive school supplies

NEW PHILADELPHIA − Cleveland’s WOIO Channel 19 and Telemundo Television in conjunction with The Rock Dog 105.9 FM WDOG, recently presented 12 backpacks with school supplies to Guatemalan students at Welty Middle School and West Elementary School.

Dr. Saba Qureshi receives award

SUGARCREEK TWP. − Dr. Saba Qureshi of Sugarcreek Township has received the 2024 Family Physician Mentorship Award from the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

The award recognizes a community-based Ohio family physician who has exhibited exemplary qualities and characteristics of mentorship excellence. Qureshi completed her undergraduate, medical school, and residency training through Wright State University.

Zoar hosts Descendant’s Day, Halloween events

ZOAR – Historic Zoar Village will host a Descendant’s Day celebration honoring the historical heritage of the Zoar community from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Descendants of Zoar will gather to celebrate their shared history through a variety of activities. Descendants can enjoy guided tours of the historic buildings, featuring the Bimeler Cabin, guest speakers and opportunities to connect with family members and fellow history enthusiasts.

Descendants can add on a dinner at 5 p.m. at the Canal Tavern of Zoar for $30 per person. The dinner is limited to 32 people. Additionally, there will be a special ghost tour for descendants at 7 p.m. for $12 per person. Attendees must register for Descendant’s Day to receive this price by visiting vwww.historiczoarvillage.com or calling 330-874-3011.

Ghost Tours of Zoar will be Oct. 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26. Tours run every 15 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m., and the last tour starts at 8:45 p.m. Guests will depart for the hour-long walking tour at the Zoar Store and travel through the town, listening by lantern light as historical interpreters in period dress tell the haunted tales of Zoar. They are recommended for adults and children older than 12. Tickets are $19. Reservations are required at https://historiczoarvillage.com/events or call 330-874-3011.

Historic Zoar Village’s trick or treat festivities are planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 27. This family-friendly and safe event includes candy stops throughout the village.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County roundup: News from the Dover-New Philadelphia area