The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club’s Mid Ohio Home Show is March 12, 13

On Mar 1, 2022

Mansfield Noon Optimist members are planning for the Mid Ohio Home Show to be held March 12 and 13 at the Richland County Fairgrounds. Left to right: Tom Risacher, Andy Kershaw, Bill Rea, Bill Spurling, Ron Denman and Tom Stortz.

If home improvements are on your mind or you just need to fight off the winter doldrums, you can come to the Mid Ohio Home Show.

The 51st edition of the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club’s Mid Ohio Home Show is March 12 and 13 at the Richland County Fairgrounds, 750 N. Home Road.

This year’s show is two days only as opposed to the event being held over three days in past years. Hours on Saturday, March 12, are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Fairhaven Hall and the Arts & Craft Building.

All proceeds go to the local community youth, said Tom Stortz, a committee member of the Mansfield Noon Optimists Club.

Vendors will include home improvement companies, tree service, BBB of Akron, roofing, security, garage door companies and more. Also on hand will be Richland Soil & Water, a Tupperware representative, and the Mansfield-Richland County Public Library.

Optimist Ron Denman said the members hold the event because “we do it for the kids.”

“Our club is known as the ‘friend of youth,'” he said.

The home show is the chief fundraiser for the Optimist Club’s projects.

Optimists provide scholarships to area youths, including the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. The club has provided funds to the after-school program at Dewald Center, Friendly House camp scholarships, scholarships to Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center and more.

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Stortz said the 100th anniversary of the club will be held in 2023.

Committee members Tom Risacher, Andy Kershaw, Bill Rea, Bill Spurling, Denman and Stortz said they all enjoy the fun of organizing and attending the show and helping kids.

The six Optimists recently held their planning breakfast meeting at Der Dutchman in Bellville, enjoying the food and friendships of fellow club members.

The club has been doing the shows since 1972, first at the old Mansfield Coliseum, then at the Richland Mall and now at the fairgrounds.

Denman said he has attended all 50 of the Optimist’s home shows.

The club meets weekly at noon on Wednesdays at the Holiday Inn, 116 Park Avenue West; the hotel will become known by summer as Doubletree by the Hilton. New Optimist members are always welcome.