By Lindsey Rowland
lrowland@wbcowqel.com
To walk through the Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus on Sunday was to take a walk into the past and commune with ghosts. For the second year in a row, the Crawford 20/20 Vision Quality of Life Team has organized the event that included actors standing at the graves of those who helped make Bucyrus what it is today, dressed up and narrating their respective lives and achievements for the city.
There were many people visiting from beyond the grave, some of which included Charles E. “Champ” Collene, who was the first young man from Crawford County, at the age of 20, to give the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam; Ralph A. Jolly, who helped run the nearby amusement park and resort, Seccaium Park; and even Chief Phillip Trautman, the first police chief of Bucyrus who didn’t retire until he was 80. Each actor took on the character flawlessly and helped to tell the stories of those who built the foundation of Bucyrus.
Deb Pinion, Executive Director of the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, stood at the helm of the event. “We use the slogan ‘get to know who you owe,’” explained Pinion. “And we believe that if people know about the history of their community and the people who formed that history and created the community, then they’re more ingrained in their community and will possibly become more active in their community. We have so many ways you can become active now.”
The event was free, but donations were welcomed to help with the resurfacing of the roads in the cemetery.
Visit our Photos page to see a short photo gallery of the Oakwood Cemetery Walk.