Pioneer Association back on the trail

POMEROY–The Garfield County Pioneer Association met for the first time since February of 2020 to discuss plans and activities that were put on hold over the past sixteen months.

The main purpose of the meeting was to determine how the group wanted to handle the historical visit to the Mayview area which had been intended to be held as the Pioneer Association’s Spring 2020 Bus Tour but was postponed due to COVID-19. It was decided to divide the trip into two parts; the first segment scheduled this fall on Saturday, September 25, 2021 and the second half staged in the spring of 2022.

Each outing would probably have three or four stops, covering sites such as the Chapel Hill cemetery, Ruark cemetery, New Century and other former schoolhouses, businesses and more places important to the early settlers of Garfield County. Local residents knowledgeable in the history of the area will provide narratives on the tours.

The group decided to create some type of memorial at the museum to Roger Koller, a very dedicated member of the Pioneer Association, who passed away last year. A new person will also be needed to organize the Pioneer Parade, which Koller had spearheaded for many years.

Next year’s Pioneer Day program will include honoring members of the classes of 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947. The community spotlight will focus on Ilia and the Blachly family will be the honored pioneers. The next meeting will be on August 24, 2021, at 7 p.m. at the museum.