Submitted article and staff report
A little misdirection was all that was needed to get Dr. Wayne Collier to give up two days of vacation. The reason why was a happy surprise for Dr. Collier when he was named the 2015 Citizen of the Year at the 90th annual Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce dinner awards on Oct. 27.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Collier has personally taken care of those who could not afford to protect the precious gift of sight, having provided eye examinations and glasses to the needy – in conjunction with the Bucyrus Lions Club – at a greatly reduced cost, and sometimes for no cost at all.
Although it is difficult to know how many patients Dr. Collier has seen through Lions Club referrals, it’s certain that over the decades the number is in the thousands. He also has conducted many kindergarten eye screenings all free gratis. Additionally, he has traveled on missions, providing vison care to third world countries. He has also helped establish numerous eye clinics around the world.
Dr. Collier is a 1965 graduate of the Ohio State University College of Optometry and began private practice in Bucyrus in 1969. He was named 1995 Ohio Optometrist of the year and, in 2007, he was awarded the Neil Bailey award by the OSU College of Optometry for his many years of dedication and support of the college. Dr. Collier is also an Air Force veteran who carried his rifle in Vietnam while making his rounds to treat eye injuries.
Crossroads Original Designs was named the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business of the Year.
Owners Justin and Jason McMullen founded Crossroads in 2003 and since then it has reported notable growth even during tough economic times. Company leaders attribute this as much to their customer-centered business philosophy as their superior production line.
The continued growth brought Crossroads to a team of over 90 sales representatives in the United States and Canada. Continued introduction of new products allows the business to keep branching out. While branching out, this company has never forgotten where their roots lie, and the importance of paying it forward.
Since 2013, Crossroads has partnered with the Crawford County United Way to raise money by holding free sale events for their winter and spring open house. This events allows patrons to buy a $5 ticket to attend the sale a day before the general public with all of the ticket proceeds going to United Way of Crawford County.
Volunteer of the Year went to Mary Fox. Fox has written numerous books, including Liberty Remembers and Honored and Remembered, both tributes to the area veterans. She has written other books, most recently for Dr. Don Wenner, all involving her passion for history. Fox is also known for her “It Happened in Crawford County” articles in the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum.
Fox is president of the Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, where she is also in charge of their newsletter, church records project, programs, and book sales. She also organized the annual Bucyrus Cemetery Walk at the Holy Trinity and Revolutionary War cemeteries this past summer.
The Posthumous Citizen of the Year award went to Dr. Samuel R. Thomas. He served as the Crawford County Health Commissioner for 10 years, served on the board of directors for the Bucyrus Community Hospital, and served as the youth director at the First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Thomas was born in Pittsburg and graduated from Steubenville High School. He received his B.A. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in 1956. While in college, he served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. In 1961, Dr. Thomas completed his DVM degree at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Thomas moved to Bucyrus after obtaining his degree and served the community for the next 50 years with his expertise in veterinary care. He also served as an adjunct professor with OSU and managed and served as the Pickwick Farms veterinarian for a number of years.
The Crawford Park District was awarded the 2015 Organization of the Year.
Created almost 21 years ago, the organization has grown to be one of the true gems of the area. Young and old alike enjoy many of the activities that the group offers, including its facilities. Led primarily by volunteers, this group has grown from a dream to a reality in more ways than they could ever have imagined.
After much planning and fundraising, the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center opened on Dec. 21, 2002. The Center, which is open year round, offers nature and history programs for families and environmental programs to area schools and community organizations.
The organization has grown to include Unger Park, Sears Woods State Preserve, Heckert Nature Preserve, Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Preserve, the Sandusky Wildlife Area, and the Colonel Crawford Bikeway.
All of this lead by a volunteer board of directors and a dedicated staff.
Erin Stine, Melinda Teynor, and Josh Dyer were honored with the 2015 Young Professional Spotlight award. This year’s recipients were nominated by the Crawford County Young Professionals group. The award is in recognition of their enthusiasm and commitment to our community and its future.
Stine is originally from Shelby and is a graduate from Cleveland State University with a degree in Communications and Marketing. She is currently the Director for the Crawford County Success Center, in cooperation North Central State College.
Teynor was born and raised in New Washington. She graduated from Buckeye Central High School and Kent State University. Teynor is a Lead Services Specialist in the Quality & Service Department at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group. She is a graduate of the 2015 CU Lead program and is now a part of the leadership committee. She was also the event chair for the Crawford County Young Professionals for three years and is currently serving as a board member for the United Way of Crawford County.
Dyer is a Colonel Crawford graduate. Upon graduating high school, Dyer attended Hocking College where he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Environmental and Historical Interpretation. After spending five years on a large farming operation, he joined the Crawford Park District where he now works with children of all ages by engaging them in nature investigation and exploration. Though most of his education outreach is with pre-k through 5th grade, he also works with older kids and adults as well. As an avid outdoorsman, he is able to effectively, and enthusiastically, relate his experiences and knowledge to his audiences, making his passion for nature contagious.
Locally, Dyer advised and assisted Buckeye Central Schools as they developed and established their Outdoor Learning Lab. He is active with the Crawford County Young Professionals as an at-large board member and he served on the Earth Day 5-K committee.
Statewide, Dyer is a member of the Environmental Education Council of Ohio, helping to organize their annual conference, and also works with many other agencies and organizations dedicated to conserving and educating about the great outdoors.