04/27/2026
This post is a BIG THANK YOU to many individuals and entities who all worked together to make great things happen. It is wonderful, heartwarming, and meaningful to see people working together to reach a common goal. What an honor it was for our community to host part of Ohio’s celebration of our Nation’s Semi quincentennial. Everyone involved deserves praise and recognition for their efforts in bringing this event to a very successful fruition. Many have no idea of the amount of work, planning, phone calls, and emails behind the scenes work that it takes to make an event like this happen. The planning was three years in the making. Then there is the expense to make it all happen. We can also be thankful for those who donated to the cause, both in kind and in dollars, on top of the expense that was actually paid through the efforts of those who helped to host and organize the event. I could go on, but I am sure you get the point.
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Dennison, I would like to extend a special thank you to those who assisted in our club’s efforts of this celebration.
As part of the celebration, it was our goal to make the bell on top of the Ohio Bicentennial Archway ring again. The previous mechanism that made the bell ring had fallen into disrepair over the years. We contacted the Verdin Bell Company for an assessment of the project and a quote. The installation of the mechanism to make it ring was in excess of $16,000. The bell was transported to the Verdin Foundry in Cincinnati where the mechanism was installed and the bell was refinished, it was then all returned back to us five months later completed and ready for installation. The club committed to more than half of the cost, the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation and the Village of Dennison generously granted us additional funds that made the project possible, and we also had one private individual give us a donation. Note, tax dollars were not used to fund this project; the village was granted the funds from a local non-profit, we are eternally grateful for their financial support.
Then came the more difficult part: the removal of the bell, reworking the housing to accommodate the bell when re-installed, rewiring, and many other little details necessary to bring the project to fruition. Greg Kimble and the Kimble Company made that all happen. The lift, the crane, metal work, repainting, wiring, and manpower—how can we EVER express our appreciation for all that they did to assist in making the bell ring? Without their assistance, we could not have completed the project due to the additional expense.
The monument also needed some work on some of the mortar that was failing, Todd Bonvechio donated his labor, time, and materials to do the necessary work, we wish to thank him for his generosity.
New placards were installed, giving a bit of history of the Archway project. We thank Mo and Kelly Dallas who arranged for the placards to be made. We hope to install a brass plaque to the monument in the future, giving additional details.
Interestingly, the Verdin technician informed us that he is only aware of the location of four of the state bicentennial bells that were cast for the 2003 State of Ohio centennial celebration, a bell was cast in each of the state’s 88 counties. We are so thankful and appreciative that the Tuscarawas County bell is here on top of our monument.
While the lift was here, we asked if Greg Kimble and his crew could install the new sign that was made for our Rotary Building. The sign was heavy and needed significant support; they agreed and made that happen as well. This was an important aspect for our club as our Clubhouse is located in the midst of the 250th celebration and was used to display Moniker railway art for those attending the festivities to view.
Thank you to Steve Mitchell and his company, U.S.P. Sandblasting, Painting and Graphics for making the sign. It is a beautiful addition to our building, and we can’t thank Steve and his company enough for what they did.
I certainly hope that I did not miss thanking anyone on behalf of the Dennison Rotary Club’s involvement. We GREATLY appreciate everyone who assisted in any way. FANTASTIC job by everyone. It is truly inspiring to see a project come to a successful completion. The PRIDE shown by all of our residents who decorated their homes and assisted in many ways. Let’s keep the motivation going! Thank you Everyone!
