PEMBERVILLE – The
Wood County 4-H held its annual Volunteer and Donor Banquet on Thursday evening at the Riverview Banquet
Center, Pemberville.Throughout the evening numerous individuals and companies were recognized for their
contributions to the 4-H organization in the county.Connie Grames and Betty Wenig were recognized with
Honorary 4-H Awards, what officials consider the highest 4-H award bestowed in Wood County. The organization
also bestowed four members of the "Save the Milkshake Barn Crew" with "The 5th H"
award.Also presented were several outstanding service awards as well as volunteer spirit awards.According to
her introduction, Grames has dedicated two decades to making the county horse program excellent She has been
an adviser for the Sunset Saddlers club and serves a member of the Senior Fair Board. She also involves the
Junior Fair Board members in all aspects of the fair including decision making.Organizers note that Wenig
"is no ordinary volunteer." With this award they recognized her dedication to the program, calling
her a "true advocate for the 4-H program and Extension."She was active as an adviser, with her
husband Morris, in the 1970s and ’80s for the Green Meadows 4-H Club, along with another couple. Her
introduction noted her "most noted involvement" includes more than three decades of supporting OSU
Extension and 4-H at legislative events through the OSU Extension Advisory Committee. Wenig made dozens of
trips to the state house in Columbus and throughout Northwest Ohio to share her story, lobbying for
funding.The "Barn Crew" members recognized with "The 5th H" were Matt Henry, Aaron
Holleran, Andrew Kramp and Shane Vetter.Collectively called "The Boys," by some in the 4-H
organization, these younger men are credited with having "given life to the Milkshake Barn over the
past decade."The barn is a staple at the county fair and tractor pulls, providing a major source of
funding for the organization.

4-H officials say they collectively have built it, renovated it, and now air conditioned the
building.The men have used their skills and talents in plumbing, woodworking, construction, concrete and air
conditioning, which collectively has saved thousands of contracted dollars for the organization by keeping
the Milkshake Barn in good working order. Each one is also a camp volunteer and members of the 4-H
Committee.Speaking of the Milkshake Barn, the organization also recognized the donors to the aforementioned
air conditioning project donors with one of the Outstanding Service to 4-H awards.The individuals and
businesses recognized for their giving toward the project. Those recognized were Downey Plumbing and
Heating, Shawn, Drew and Travis Downey; Gearhart Plumbing, Heating and Cooling; Dunipace Builders, Mike
Dunipace; and Fred Vetter, the project manager. It was also noted how Dunipace was instrumental in getting
many of the Quilt Squares hung on barns and buildings throughout Wood County this year.Also recognized with
service awards were State Farm Insurance and David Hardy for his effort in obtaining the grant which helped
get the 4-H CarTeens program up and running. Since that initial grant, State Farm Insurance has granted
$3,000 to the program.The third service award was presented to Dr. Bob Horton for his OSU Extension work on
the county and State level for nearly 35 years. He is a 4-H State Specialist who has continued to design
programs that are used by 4-H professionals in Ohio and nationally, including his STEM (Science, Technology
Engineering and Math) programs.Also receiving a service award was the county’s auditor, Michael Sibberson.
He is an alumni of the 4-H program and credited with being a "tremendous supporter of the program
financially." He has sponsored numerous camp scholarships and has judged the Bake-off contest at the
fair.The final service award was presented to Tom Stange, owner of C&L Sanitation and SAFE-WAY
Barricades. The introduction credits him with having "a soft spot for the Wood County 4-H
program." For the past few years Stange’s companies have given thousands of dollars to the 4-H youth of
Wood County.Three people were recognized with the 4-H Volunteer Spirit Award for those who have served five
years and under. These awards were presented in memory of Marie and Norm Fredrich.Recipients were Beth Crum
and Desirae Bechstein-Belleville, from the 4-Leaf Clover Kids; Andrew Wilhelm, an adviser for the Leaders of
Tomorrow 4-H Club; and Penny Parker for her ability to boost membership in the Black Swamp Trailblazers
club.