“This is fun. I love it!” These were heard from a ‘Safety Town kid’ as he climbed out of the emergency squad at the end of his group’s visit during Muskingum Valley’s Safety Town. This ‘kid’, along with 90 others, participated in the program held at Beverly-Center Elementary School from May 30-June 8.

Sponsored by the Beverly Lions Club and Dynegy Energy, safety lessons were taught each day to the group of soon-to-be kindergarteners through songs, movies, and speakers. Speakers bringing their safety lesson to the group included: Aaron Perine from the Beverly Police Department, gun safety; Beth Lewis and Joanna Lupardis from Strecker Cancer Center, sun safety; Jennifer Green from Washington Electric, electrical safety; Debbie Smith and Peggy Squires with their canine friends Shamrock and Ralph teaching lessons about pet safety; Dr. Phil Lowe, dog care and safety; Caleigh Fryman, farm safety; Jeremy Maple and forest staff from Wayne National Forest along with Smokey Bear, safety while camping; Marla Hoerst, stranger danger; Robert Cifranic and Corey the Safety Boat, boating and water safety; Melissa Horner, handwashing; Washington County Sheriff’s Office, photo ID cards; Janine Satterfield, home safety; Tawni Mincks, Fort Frye district nurse, pretty poisons; Jazmine Greenleaf Wallace and Beverly Pool lifeguards, pool safety; Deb Miller and Dan Forshey from the Beverly Squad, first aid and safety; Fort Frye bus driver Joyce Howard, bus safety; Beverly Volunteer Fire Department Jim Ullman, Josh Kasun, and Jarrod Miller, fire safety; and the Sheriff’s department. Added into each day were safety slogans, safety songs, and, of course, walking and driving on Safety Town where the children learned how to read and follow safety signs and the ‘rules of the road’.

The Lions Club was in charge of setting up and operating Safety Town. Members helping with set up and running the stop light were Thom and LeAnn Stan, Kay and John Shreve, Linda Schaad, Pete Kegley, Kandy Baker, and Ralph Spencer.

Snacks were provided each day by the Lions Club and local O.C.C.L. Clubs. Clubs participating this year were Guys and Dolls, Delta, Buttons and Bows, and Miracles to Memories.

Financial support came from throughout the community in addition to the Lions and Dynegy. Other sponsors included Fraternal Order of Eagles, Inc., American Legion Post #389; St. John’s Evangelical Church; American Legion Auxiliary #389; Sons of American Legion Squadron #389; Masonic Lodge #37 F & AM; The Citizens Bank; Dough Boyz Pizzeria; Lisa’s Sweet Stop; Sponey’s IGA; Adkins Timber Products; B & W Pharmacy; McCurdy Funeral Home; Prieto & Schott CPA’s; Heiss Plumbing & Electric; R.W. Miller Plumbing & Electric; Skinner Firestone; Dietz, Futrell, & Walters; McDonald’s; Corner Store; and Joe Huck Contractor.

In addition to financial support, Safety Town wouldn’t survive without the volunteer hours put in by a large and fantastic group of teens from Fort Frye and Wolf Creek school districts. These teens volunteer two weeks of their summer vacation to help the children learn how to stay safe and be safe. Volunteering this year were: Brendan Huck, Kialei Smith, Julia Cooper, Maddie Armstrong, Jayden Greenleaf, Brieanna Horton, Jazmine Farmer, Emma Smith, Emma Baldwin, Gilly Baker, Amelia Medina, Aliyah Lada, Gracie Stengel, Kaylor Offenberger, Cara Taylor, Morgan Antill, Mackenzie Suprano, Kendall Wilson, Sophie Schultheis, Caden Fryman, Brady Schilling, Mackenzie Cary, Madison Duskey, Maddie Kitts, Kamberlee Vogt-Wilson, Marissa Neader, Alicia Dickinson, Jordan Taylor, Meryan Sheets, Maggie Hoover, Megan Ball, Maggie Huffman, Brooks Suprano, Bryce Schilling, Lilli Schilling, Katie Horner, Bella Schilling, Colby Sleek, Anna McIntyre Carter Brooker, Ethan Brooker, Sydnee Duskey, Kiera Knox, Keirieonna Wilson and Jade Baker.

Teachers for Muskingum Valley Safety Town were Heidi Fryman, Dawn Spurr, and Sue Sampson.