By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
They may have looked like an ordinary farmer, teacher, nurse and small town mayor. But the four were recognized for being so much more than that Sunday during the annual Spirit of Wood County Awards presented in the courthouse atrium.
Recognized were Dan Henry, Janet Stoudinger, Brian Tucker and Jean Gamble.
“So many times, we forget to recognize people who do outstanding things,” said Wood County Commissioner Doris Herringshaw at the beginning of the event. The Spirit of Wood County Awards changed that during the bicentennial of the Northwest Ordinance in 1987. And after that, the county commissioners decided to make the awards an ongoing effort to recognize ordinary citizens for doing extraordinary acts.
Awards were presented to Brian Tucker (from left), Jean Gamble, Dan Henry and Janet Stoudinger (received by her mother Jean Stoudinger).
Dan Henry, of rural Bowling Green, was given the Agricultural Leadership Award. Henry, a former industrial arts teacher at Anthony Wayne, worked part time at Riker Farm Seed starting in 1975, said Lesley Riker, who nominated him for the award.
Upon retiring from teaching, Henry took over presidency and full-time management of Riker Farm Seed. He is active in the Ohio Seed Improvement Association, is on the educational committee, and is active in Ohio Foundation Seeds and Advanced Genetics.
“Dan believes strongly in education,” Riker said.
Riker Farm Seed hosts corn and soybean test plots, field days and hosts several hundred FFA members who come to the farm for education on hybrid corn and soybeans.
Henry is now working closely with Farm 4 Clean Water, OSU Extension and Wood Soil and Water in hosting demonstration plots for cover crops and how they can help with water run-off and nutrient uptake.
“We as farmers are doing something for water quality,” Riker said.
“I don’t know what we could do without him,” Riker said about Henry.
Janet Stoudinger, of Wayne, who passed away in January, was recognized with the Self Government Award. Tom Bentley, who presented the award, said it was fitting that the ceremony was being held in the Alvin Perkins Atrium, since there was so many similarities between Perkins and Stoudinger.
“He gave back a lot more than he took in – the same as Jan,” Bentley said. Stoudinger held positions as a teacher, coach and mayor of Wayne.
“Jan taught us a lot about restraining ourselves,” Bentley said. “She never disrespected anyone.”
Stoudinger was a member of Wayne Village Council for 13 years and mayor for 13 more. She was past-president of the Wood County Mayors’ Association, served as a poll worker, sheriff’s office volunteer, served on the Wood County Emergency Management Advisory Board, and was a volunteer radio operator for the fire department. She brought refreshments to emergency scenes.
“Jan Stoudinger was always interested in building her community,” the nomination form stated. She was an active member of the Wood County Committee on Aging, helping to deliver meals, organize a scavenger hunt and other activities. She was instrumental in establishing the Wayne/Bradner Area Senior Center.
She helped secure grants to improve the village to pay for park improvements, sidewalks, water system upgrades and fire department equipment. “She always worked hard to make the village of Wayne a better place for its residents.”
Much of Stoudinger’s work was done behind the scenes. “Not many knew that every night, Jan would ‘make her rounds’ throughout the community to check on a number of home-bound residents.” She tutored young and old alike in math, never asking for anything in return. She took people to doctor appointments, and visited people in the hospital or nursing homes.
“I’m sure Jan’s looking down and probably a little angry at us for making a big deal of this,” Bentley said.
Brian Tucker, Bowling Green, was presented the Education for Civic Responsibility Award. Tucker spent more than 40 years helping young people as a teacher, coach and mentor.
“Coach Tucker reached his students and athletes in different ways,” said Kevin Cochrane, who presented the award. “There was his serious side, but his wit and his use of humor were a big part of his success in working with young people. He made learning about government entertaining. He made his classroom a place where a student would be comfortable.”
Tucker even made running fun for cross country and track athletes. “We had a job to do and we knew that, but he wanted to make sure we had fun doing it.”
That doesn’t mean that students weren’t expected to work hard. “He got on us when we needed a kick in the pants,” Cochrane said.
“As much fun as the teams had, he made sure the runners set their goals high. And he set high goals for the teams as well. Enjoyment was key, but the kids were running hard for a reason.”
Tucker’s lessons didn’t end at high school, Cochrane said. “I believe the lessons he taught carried forward into adulthood. Work hard at whatever it is that you do, but try to enjoy things along the way was his message.”
“Coach Tucker’s lessons have stayed with me,” Cochrane said.
Jean Gamble, Bowling Green, was presented the Lyle R. Fletcher Good Citizenship Award. Gamble, born in 1922, was the first nurse and female anesthetist to work in Wood County. She was on call 24 hours a day. It took time before her professional reputation took hold and doctors accepted and trusted her, wrote Joyce Mueller, who nominated Gamble.
Gamble paved the way for many nurses in that field, Mueller stated. She was a pioneer in her field and an advocate for patients.
“Her caring way and her expertise in her field has eased the stress of many a patient.”
After retiring, Gamble joined in the effort to create the Black Swamp Herb Society, and design herb gardens on the grounds of the Wood County Historical Society. Four gardens were planted and educational programs presented.
Since 1992, Gamble has spent countless hours planting, weeding and redesigning the herb gardens visited by many at the historical center.
She was recognized for being “a community builder who has shown a long history of being concerned for the welfare of her neighbors.” Gamble is honest, responsible, compassionate, a leader and a team player, Mueller said.
Wood County commissioners Doris Herringshaw and Craig LaHote encourage citizens to continue nominating local residents for the Spirit of Wood County Awards. Three categories had no nominees this year, including the Liberty through Law/Human Freedom, Religion and Liberty, and Industrial/Economic Development.
