County officials gather to raise funds for United Way

| October 23, 2019

Judge Bob Batchelor accepted his trophy from Mary Beck after winning the first adult tricycle race for county elected officials. The Oct. 23 event was organized by the Coshocton County Commissioners office as a fundraiser for United Way of Coshocton County. For a video of Batchelor’s silly string covered, spin across the finish line, visit the Beacon’s Facebook page. Josie Sellers | Beacon

COSHOCTON – His helmet was covered in silly string, but that didn’t stop Judge Bob Batchelor from zooming first across the finish line in the adult tricycle race for county elected officials.

The Oct. 23 race on the Fourth Street side of the courthouse was organized by the Coshocton County Commissioners office as a fundraiser for United Way of Coshocton County.

Batchelor beat out County Recorder Susan Turner and Sheriff Tim Rogers for his spot in the finals.

“I have zero strategy (going into the finals),” he said. “I just want to finish, stay on the vehicle and try not to crash.”

Batchelor was joined by County Auditor Chris Sycks who defeated County Prosecutor Jason Given and Commissioner Curtis Lee and Judge Van Blanchard who beat out Commissioners Dane Shryock and Gary Fischer.

Sycks’ pit crew of staff members Amy Finton and Lindsay McCullough went all out with suits that coordinated with Sycks racing jacket. They also played a big role in getting her to the finals.

“I couldn’t have made it without Lindsay pushing me down and back,” Sycks said. “The hardest part is getting up off the bike. It’s not an adjustable seat.”

Her strategy going into the finals was to make sure McCullough was rested up. She also was hoping for the middle lane because it was the flattest part of the course.

Blanchard was happy to be part of the event and help raise funds for United Way.

“Really it’s been pretty fun,” he said.

Before the start of the finals, attendees were encouraged to try more of the nine different soups being served and vote for their favorite. The soups could be tried for $5 and there also was a 50/50, cookies available, and donation jars set up for people to help select their favorite racer.

“The idea for this came from Annin,” said Brooke Alverson, safety/loss coordinator. “I went to the United Way meeting and came back with different ideas. When I said Annin had these bikes Mary (Beck) said let’s do it. Bobbi at Annin was very helpful.”

The idea for the contestants to have pit crews came from Susan Turner.

“She asked and we decided they could do it for $10,” Alverson said. “It’s been super fun watching them.”

The action got even more interesting during the finals. Before taking off the three contestants had to put on safety glasses. They then had to try to unravel shirts that were soaked and frozen. When that took longer than anticipated they just had to take them along on the ride instead of actually wearing them. Other highlights of the race included working a puzzle, being sprayed with silly string, working your way through cones, and drinking a cold refreshment.

Batchelor ended up spinning himself across the finish line and was honored to win the championship trophy.

“I have the best pit crew ever, the best office staff, and this is the best county,” he said.

Batchelor plans to display his trophy in his chambers.

“This was a lot of fun,” he said. “I’d love to see it expand. We could really make a big day out of this.”

After the race the winners of the soup contest were named. The soups were made by county employees and students from Coshocton High School helped serve. Coming in first was Jarrod Tipton with his fall harvest soup. Second place went to Shelby Morris for her Buffalo Chicken Chili. It was then announced that Susan Turner won the people’s choice award for favorite racer.

“This means a lot that people supported me, came to watch and gave to United Way,” Turner said.

Lyn Mizer, executive director of United Way of Coshocton County, also appreciated the support.

“This was a great idea and I think it can just grow,” she said.

United Way’s 2019-2020 campaign goal is $325,000 and they currently have a little more than 20 percent of that. Pledges will be taken up until April of 2020. For more on donating, visit www.coshoctonunitedway.org.

After calculating all their donations, Mary Beck, the commissioners’ administrator/clerk, announced that they had raised $1,500.

“Thank you everyone,” she said. “Until next year.”

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About the Author ()

I started my journalism career in 2002 with a daily newspaper chain. After various stops with them, I am happy to be back home! I graduated from Coshocton High School in 1998 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2002 from Walsh University. I also earned several awards while working for daily papers, including being honored by Coshocton County’s veterans for the stories I wrote about them. I am honored and ready to once again shine a positive light on Coshocton County. I also am the proud mother of a little girl named Sophia!

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